Prologue

Ladies all across the world, listen up, we're looking for recruits

If you with me, let me see your hands, stand up and salute

In my face is a smirk while half-sitting on my motorbike. Wearing an all-black outfit, high-heeled boots and curled hair, I could say that I'm standing out among all the people here.

"Hey, Scarrlet!"

Tumayo ako ng diretso at umismid sa paparating. "Akala ko nakalimutan mo na ako." Salubong ko sa kaniya.

Bahagya naman siyang natigilan. You think you can fool me?

He smiled at me but I know what is behind that facade.

"Nagtampo ka naman agad. We are honored to have you here, Scarrlet. Kaunting oras na lang ay magsisimula na ang karera, and I just would like to give you my sincerest good luck."

I almost vomit hearing his words. Akala ba talaga nila ay tanga ako?

Well then, this game can be played by two.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at tumigil lang nang ilang hakbang ang layo namin.

I tilted my head as I stared in his sweaty forehead. What a terrible liar.

"Thank you, that's so sweet of you. Don't worry, kapag nanalo ako ay hindi ko kakalimutang i-treat ka."

Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots

Representing all the women, salute, salute

We heard cars roaring into life around us. Bago ko siya tinalikuran ay iniwanan ko pa siya ng isang tingin kung saan nagpapakita na hindi ako basta basta.

I am Scarrlet Gallegos and no one messes up with me.

The scout for this race stood up in the middle with a gun in her hand.

I gave off a loopsided smile.

Tingnan natin kung anong magiging reaksyon niyo.

Sumakay ako sa motor ko at isinuot ang helmet.

I heard someone whistles so I look into him.

"If I'll win, wanna spend the night with me?"

I tilted my head, isang paraan ko para mang asar bukod sa ngisi na laging nakadikit sa labi ko.

"Why not?" I answered na ikinalaki ng ngiti ni Gago. "But if I win, lemme cut your head," then I trailed my eyes down kahit hindi ko kita. "Down there." I sweetly said, nakita kong napalunok siya na lalong nakapagpalaki ng ngisi ko.

Boys and their hormones, huh.

"Get ready!" the flag was raised.

"In 3!"

Everyone gets ready.

"2!"

But I stayed still.

"1!"

Until they left me behind, with an expression no one would like to see.

It's who we are

We don't need no camouflage

It's the female federal

And we're taking off

If you with me, women lemme hear you say

I saw the guy smiled like a triumphant. But you've gotta wait 'til I make you eat smokes and dusts.

I look up into the big screen. Ang tagal naman may makatapos ng isang lap. Naiinip na ako.

"Scarrlet, what are you doing?!"

Kunware concern? Eeww!

I did not mind him. Niready ko ang motor ko, in 5, may makakalagpas na sa first lap.

As if on cue, pinaandar ko na ang motor ko. To the highest speed I can.

Naiwang nakanganga ang lalaking nag good luck pa sa akin kanina.

Akala niya ba, hindi ko alam na nilapastangan niya ang sasakyan ko at sinira ang makina?

I am not Scarrlet for nothing, idiot.

Sisters we are everywhere

Warriors, your country needs you

If you ready ladies, better keep steady

Ready, aim, shoot it

Don't need ammunition, on a mission

And we'll hit you with the truth

Divas, Queens, we don't need no man, salute

One, two, three, nalampasan ko na halos lahat maliban sa sasakyang nakauna sa first lap. You're making this thriller.

Pumihit pa ako sa manibela at mas lalong bumilis ang takbo ko. Few seconds and the race will end.

Naabutan ko siya pagdating niya sa 3rd lap. Perks of using motors than sports car.

"Hot babe!" he whistles.

But the hell I care with him?

Eat my smokes, moron.

Mas binilisan ko pa pero nagagawa niya akong pantayan.

10 seconds.

I lifted my motor in the railings and iyon ang ginawa kong daan.

8 seconds.

Nagawa niya akong lampasan ng kaunti. But I did not let him win.

Nang matanaw ko na ang finish line ay pinabagalan ko ang takbo ko, mukha namang nagdiwang ang lalaking iyon dahil akala niya ay matatalo niya ako.

Ladies all across the world

Listen up, we're looking for recruits

If you with me, lemme see your hands

Stand up and salute

Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots

Representing all the women, salute, salute

5 seconds.

Pinaangat ko ang unahan ng aking motor, I tried to lift it up in the air and twist in the middle.

Saktong paglanding sa lupa ay lampas sa finish line.

Just 2 seconds away from him when he got there.

Beware of women's power.

Malaki ang ngisi na tinanggal ko ang aking helmet. I won.

Hindi makapaniwala ang mga nanunuod, maging ang lalaking nakalaban ko ng one on one ay hindi pa bumababa sa kaniyang sasakyan.

You think we're just pretty things

You couldn't be more wrong

(We standing strong, we carry on)

Knock us but we keep moving on (we're moving up, yeah)

Can't stop a hurricane, ladies it's time to awake (yeah)

Never underestimate women's power.

I stayed for a while for the awarding. Money, again.

But yeah, I couldn't care that much about anything.

This is my life. Some calls us gangsters, but for me, I ain't.

Ginagawa ko lang ito dahil bored ako. I make walls around me that nobody can ever break.

Nasanay ako ng mag isa, I have my parents but the way they raised me should not be a question why I am like this now.

Ginusto ko ito. I chose my own life.

Pag uwi ko ay bukas pa lahat ng ilaw sa mansyon namin. Agad akong nagtaka.

It's passed 2 am in the morning, so why are they still awake?

"Scarrlet!" I heard Mom's voice boomed all over the place when I stepped inside.

Hawak ang helmet ay lumapit ako sa kaniya.

"Why are you still awake?"

Masama ang tingin na ipinukol niya sa akin.

"We are sending you to your Grandfather!"

I heard Dad's voice from my Mother's back.

Kumunot ang aking noo and my breathing became unequal.

"What are you trying to say, Dad?"

Dad's grimmed face welcomed me. I pursed my lips, minsan lang magalit sa akin si Daddy because I am his Princess. An only child.

But today, it's different.

"Gawain ba ng matinong babae iyan, ha? Umuuwi ng dis oras ng gabi, nakikipagkarerahan sa mga lalaki! My God, Scarrlet! What happened to you? Nagkulang ba kami ng Mommy mo?!"

I just looked away. As I've said, the way they raised me is not to be asked why I am like this. This is my own decision.

"Umakyat ka na sa kwarto mo. Mamaya na tayo mag usap. We are sending you to your Grandfather and you can't do anything about it."

Mom just kissed me and hushed me like I was a kid crying, but frankly, I am not affected at all.

Ngayon lang sila nagalit sa akin, yes. But it is entirely my fault.

Pagod na bumagsak ako sa kama ko.

This is my life.

This is how I run it.

But something in me tells me that everything is about to change.

A change that can affect my whole life.

*****

Marie Mendoza