Chapter 37

"I thought I was hungry, why not move the food?" open criticism of Max.
She was staring at me maliciously. Like me they also ordered shawarma. But they"re halfway through, I haven"t done a single bite yet.
"Something went wrong," Nica said. It covered our shoulders, the teasing was still obvious on our faces.
I remaind silent.
Aside from having nothing to answer, there was also no desire to talk. It's up to them what they want to think. That's their opinion after all. No matter what I say, no matter how many times they defend themselves they will choose and they will still choose the original idea playing in the mind.
I took a sip on my mango shake.
The older brother suddenly became kind. My allowance was increased, so I could buy more food. But only if I want to, which will surely never happen. Knowing myself, I am not a foodie. If I hadn't been hungry before, I probably still wouldn't have reduced my money today.
We spent an hour, sitting on the cafeteria. My dear Max and Nica, waited that long for me to finish eating. It was good and natural for the two to talk, almost every minute there was a thoughtful conversation so somehow no one got bored with us.
"Tara," I stood up first.
"Are you sure, you're done?"
"Yup," I nodded.
"You have more to talk about-"
"By the way, I am almost done with the story telling," Nica cut her bestfriend off.
They were talking about this famous bitch in the campus. Everyone assumed that she was pregnant due to the visible changes on her curves. Can't we just gain weight?
Humans are sometimes really toxic. Well, we originally are with or without our knowledge.
We go straight to the next place discussed. The boring booth. I mean, the horror one which doesn't look scary at all.
The guard at the entrance caught the attention of my companions. Not because of his vampire costume, but his overall appearance.
I just saw him now. Does it seem like the university is really big, or do I just not care about people?
As long as I could learn, that's all that matter. But not until a storm came. I don"t know now if learning is still the reason for daily attendance. Just like in this kind of event, I am surprisingly participating now. Something that never crossed my mind before, even though Kiesha insisted a few times.
"Hi Marco, are you the one guarding here?" Max's harvest is beautiful.
As expected, knowing her, there's no way she'll let a person as handsome as this one in front of us slide. When someone is handsome, they will all make friends to know its name.
"Yes," Marco replied shyly.
He's tall and fair skinned. The curly hair is a bit messy, the eyes are puffy, the eyebrows are thick and the lip is curved. He also had pair of attractive dimples that made him look like a pretty flower boy. I would wish to make him my cute bestfriend than boyfriend. I couldn't see us having any flavor, he was too much for my eyes.
"A ticket for three please," Nica said, a bit seductive.
"Make it four. Come with us Marco. I usually pass out when scared," Max pulled him off his shirt in a gentle manner.
There, the flirtation of an Alfano is working again. At any angle, I can see Kiesha in her. They act and think exactly the same.
I couldn't really seem to understand how a person like their parents have to deal with a corrupted children.
"No, I have to entice guests."
"I'll rent the whole place!" Max almost bawled.
Really desperate huh?
"Shut it. The man is working well, you're messing around," I moved between them.
"For three please," I said in monotone. I also paid for our ticket voluntarily.
Twenty pesos each. It still hurts in the pocket after all, so of course I'll charge for it later. The world was too costly for me. It is not fashionable for me to be free, especially with rich people like my comrades.
"Its KJ's Gee," I heard them whisper.
"Maybe you can write your number as well. In case we'd love to comment about your service here. We assume you'd like to hear any suggestions to improve as a handsome vampire," I took my glasses off. Put the runaway hair behind the ear, then make it cute.
I may be in a bad mood, but I am not killing Joy, alright ?!
"The time has come," openly complained the group that had just arrived in the back.
They were still whispering and staring at us in disgust. It seems like witches are avoided by everyone.
"Wait, I see you're still talking here," Maxine answered boldly.
Nica and I pulled it forward together before it got into a commotion. It's hard to stop him when he's already in conflict.
"Let us in now," I said, in panic.
Marco swiftly took the prepared small ticket for us, then smiled faintly.
"I'll give it to you later," she whispered, as the curtain opened for us.
Revealing a red room with clowns, artificial dead bodies and blood stains to send chills.
"Work your good on him," Nica whispered excitedly. "But he's still ours ... Okay-"
"Welcome!"
"Ay, p*st*."
"Y*w*!"
"Throw it away!"
At the same time we were cheap because of the panic. It was as if I also wanted to unleash a strong blow. Straight in the face of the greeted man.
"Welcome, just welcome. No more panic," I complained.
"Our booth is effective, isn't it? It's just getting cheaper," laughed the person in front of us.
It holds an auger. The body was covered in blood, and had 'DEATH' written on the forehead.
"Even the next one who comes in here, you're going to be scared of everything, aren't you? You're going to be upset."
Max was still disgusted.
After all, it would have been time for them to get Marco's number, in case they were consumed.
Yes, we are partly at fault because we flirted at the wrong time and situation. But what those behind did was too rude.
"I accept the challenge," the guy cheerfully answered.
We didn"t linger long in front of it. Head in the directed direction, which is next to be expected to be scared. The creepy song and enormous aura of the place made everything intense.
Oh okay, just shout ...
I was thinking.
The actors and actresses who played the role of desperate ghosts and psychopaths only made a simple acting and scream. Nothing's extraordinary about this place, what a waist of-
"I guess we should be here Zi."
Zi ... As in Zion Leander ?!
I quickly looked around to trace any signs of him. But saw no one, other than my scared friends and someone in red costume with tale and horn. He seems to be the comatose version of Lucifer.
"You will all stand in front of my gate of fire real soon!" he said, staring intently at me.
"Amen," I answered, undisturbed.
My companions have already run away. As I remained standing in front of the man.
"Aren't you even scared? Or can you please act surprise?" he asked in disbelief.
I dramatically held my chest, then let out a loud scream. As it wished, he was terrified. Suppose you're going to cry.
"Was it alright?" I said, after seconds of acting. Just go back to the disposition.
The game is over, I'll find something else. Hallucinating or not, I am sure it's Martha's annoying voice I heard just now.
"What is Zion, it's not like that to be afraid."
This again.
"Make your appearance more scary and realistic next time," I slowly taped the guy's shoulder before walking away.
Once again I looked all around. Hopefully this time, he can be seen. This time, I know it wasn't my imagination anymore. They are somewhere in this place. Missing maybe ... Or maybe, I-
A separate road next opened up for me. There is no sign of where the right direction is. I guess this one still has to go through the twists and turns.
Was it really part of the concept, or someone who arrived earlier than me ruined the signage? That was supposedly the only guide. How can I get it out now?
"Trust your instinct," I whispered to myself.
The kind of mindset I usually use to a situation similar to this. I will just point you in the right direction.
Left or right?
"Left ..." I nodded.
"I mean right. We're always right," I confidently strutted towards my chosen direction.
If only the two hadn"t left, surely nothing like this would have happened to me today. Now, I am left alone. With my mind, completely empty for any thoughts.
I just take a walk. Not even knowing where to go. No more intimidation, even the weird designs around disappeared.
I think I am in the wrong track.
"Always right, huh?" I mocked to myself.
Not all right, was indeed right. Sometimes, it is bound to disappoint us. It makes me wonder if I will still follow everything that I think is right. What if the right we thought was wrong for the others?
My thoughts have now traveled a little further. I can no longer quite reach the flow of my own mind, just because of this simple mistake.
"You can't miss here."
I was shocked to look up at the woman in the white dress. With just the dress, you can immediately realize its role. A white lady with not long hair. Maybe they ran out of extensions. Sadako just has short hair now.
She was sitting on the upper corner, settling behind bars. It boredom staggered its feet, while its eyes were directed at me.
"I am lost," I apologetically answered.
"Obviously," she took a deep breath. "You went to the wrong side. You're going to the dressing room."
"Is there an exit there?" I have a very scratchy neck. That's just the reflection of shame.
I even broke their concept. Even my instinct is foolish; also do not keep up with the excitement. So instead of taking the right path, it was not done.
"There is. Just go straight, there's a little way out," was his immediate reply. "You're the third wild now," he added before shouting at the scene to intimidate.
The wooden bars were the only thing that separates me from the others. The fearful reaction of the students who entered in the right direction is obvious from this. To us, I"m just the fool. I was knowledgeable about other things, but failed at road shopping.
Upon looking at the exhausted group of friends on the other side, I realized what a person can do in the art of survival. Someone else left the companion, like Max and Nica. Others punched, actually even fighting the ghost. Very brave child. While the others were together, no one moved away from each other while shouting.
If I were to chose the act, I'd go for staying calm. I don"t want to die yet because of a brain disorder.
"Booo!" I'm threatening too. This is my part-time shit for today.
Nothing, left by the comrades. Also, I'll just divert imaginary scenarios to this thing. I don't want to think about it anymore.
Maybe I am really just hallucinating. There is no Zion and Martha within the area. It is my imagination, playing with my senses.
"I wonder what kind of ghost you are?" I heard a man said from behind. He's not impressed, not angry either. I turned my back so didn"t realize what kind of emotion was playing on my face. But based on his voice, I can perceive he is sporting a cold flame.
Out of a sudden, an image of someone with listless aura went straight to my head. Only one I know is dull sometimes when staring and has a baritone voice.
I swiftly turn to face him.
Such was the strong throbbing of the wrist, and the gaping of the mouth.
It was him! Zion Leander Pilvera in red departmental shirt, leaning on the wall with his hands on his pants pocket.
It stares at me sideways. The right eyebrow is raised, and a meaningful smile is playing on the lip.
"Hi," I subconsciously said.
"I mean- I mean ... I am an alpha ghost."
Huh ?!
What am I even saying?
"Nice," he stepped closer to me.
"Why are you here?"
"Lost," he replied sparingly.
"Same. Do you know the way out?"
"Ummm," he licked on his lips as he stared at me intently.
"Shall we?"
Little hope flashed slightly in my system as I exchanged a strong stare at him.
I want us out of here, together ...
"I'm still waiting for Martha. She's still talking to her friends."
I nodded. By the way, he was already in my company.
"All right, just point the way," I faked a smile.
"Just go straight there," he pointed to the small and dark passing, heading to the exit.
I haven't thanked you yet. No more goodbye. Every step that follows the way out will be violent. Whether he notices a change of disposition I don"t care. Find out if you find out.
Things that are impossible to happen because mainly, he is insensitive to the feelings of others.
"Here you are and think of the hearts of those who are hurt by the target!" I heard the shout of the woman guarding the target booth.
I successfully got out!
Her words got my interest. Maybe that's easy. A balloon will be hit by a sharp object. When it explodes, a stuff toy wins.
"How much is a leftover?"
"Only ten pesos," the woman replied quickly.
"Okay game!"
"Let's go to the photobooth again, that's the last promise."
Here we are again.
I reluctantly looked at the tent that passed out of the horror booth.
The speed they followed. Is it really coincidental, or accidental?
Are they making me jealous? For what ?!
I thought I was really jealous, no fucking way!
I casually handed the woman the slingshot it presented. Without a second thought, I threw it on the target.
"Missed," the woman said.
"I know!" I roared.
This game is not fun. I almost moved to the front booth.

The photobooth is very visible from here. It was a close rectangular place, leaving no hole to see what a person or couple was doing inside.
If I can kick that, then run straight?
But why would I do that? I'm not affected by what they do, tsk!
I rolled my eyes then looked away. Mia prefers to turn over the chocolate. My classmate in a minor subject.
"You eat it, stress reliever."
"But supplements for toothache?" humalukipkip ako.
"It's really Gavino too destructive," he jokingly pushed me away.
"Why sweets?"
"These can help improve your mind's retention process."
I know.
I just asked, as if I had something to say.
"No free taste?"
"No, we're going to lose."
"Buraot," I snorted.
I remained talking to her for a couple of minutes. Also help with the sale to somehow help their group meet. At the same time, I am observing Martha and Zion.
They are now at the target booth. Zi is the inhabitant, no one is inevitable. That"s why Martha always gets a stuff toy.
She got three, before the facilitator asked Zion to stop the game. They will lose e.
The two also later separated. Martha walked away, leaving Zion on his ground. He was now the one facilitating.
I guess that's their booth. He was also the only reason why they don't have a big income to go home today. Nice one ...
My lips rose in a mocking smirk.
He leaned against their shelf, biting his lip as he watched passersby. Contrary to me, he is the only one looking.
His attention remained on the people around, until his eyes found mine.
He raised his right eyebrow again, licked the edge of his lip and then sniffed.
He then signaled me to come over. But I remained stil, sporting an arrogance and menace.
Not the port approaching the ship.
It also just stopped later. Turned around and grabbed their catapult.
"What about Zion?" I heard his associate said, close to annoyance.
"I'll pay it three times. I want the Pikachu, please."
That's my favorite pokemon character. Even if Martha is gone, will she still impress?
Does she like Pikachu too? Everything will be taken away ...
As expected, Zion didn't miss. He really got the stuff toy he wanted.
I don"t get applauded by myself. But it also just stopped when it walked closer, carrying the winner.
"Here," he handed it to me. "In case you are having a bad mood."
"Huh?"
I clearly heard what he says. I just can"t believe it.
That was for me ... Really?
"Don't act like Nielani anymore," he jokingly ruffled my hair. "I know you like this."
"Huh?"
"Hagok ... Tsk!"
"1.5 overall average. Ninety five, really? This is all you can handle by the end of this semester Geline ?!"
I jumped a bit at mama's sudden outburst. I was looking forward to it, but I still felt panic and fear. Fear not of the words he will utter, but of those I will throw back.
Ninety-five, but still less. The ninety-five grades I worked for were still a failure for him. I hardly sleep once in a while studying, which is fun indeed, but there is always a limit. Eleven -thirty in the morning is the right place to go home ... It's always like that. How do I like to have fun as a virgin? Balewala.
Ninety-five degree reward for my suffering. After all, it's big, but for the mother herself, it's a shame.
If I decide to push myself more to my limits, I am probably dead now. I'm not smart, I'm just good at studying. I also have questions that are difficult to figure out, so sometimes no answer is given. If I had been careless, I probably wouldn't have reached ninety grades.
But how long will it be like this? It's also tiring.
'Have you finished reading a Geline book?'
'That phone later, go to school.'
'Your exam is coming up, just make sure you can answer something.'
'You're not leaving home now, you still have to study.'
Those were just a few of the words I heard, before the exact day of the exam.
"I am so disappointed to you!" she exclaimed.
I am mentally, emotionally and physically drained. I struggled with today"s achievements. I've shed blood, sweat and tears just to receive a disappointment?
"Ma, ninety five is already big enough," I tried to act cool, despite the tension slowly raining on me.
"You can get one hundred Nielani!"
Here we are with her infinite expectation. That's where I always fail e. She was thinking too high on me; she have set a very high standard that I alone cannot reach. I am human, not a robot!
"Mom, I just want to remind you that our subjects are having a hard time right now. I would like to correct everything-"
"Nothing difficult with you! I have fed you everything I have to learn, so I hope there is no change in your grade. You already have advance knowledge on everything. How can you fail to recall the informations I have fed on you ?!"
"I'm not a technology that you simply program with the information you want to remember, that's a big help. I'm human, forgetful and have difficulty with other lessons. I'm not the kind of perfect daughter you thought I am ..."
I slowly lowered the bag I was holding on the sofa. I was still at the home of a new classmate. Anyone can say I still haven't learn from my traumatic experience with Tobbie last time. Yes I may, but I needed money. So no matter how risky this teaching might lead, then alright! I will accept its consequences, with no regrets even to the point of death.
I want to make a proof that even without the high grade and recognition; I can still give a satisfaction. I will help solve the big problem, in case mama thinks that it is not only my high grade that can give joy to the system. That it wasn't really the medals and certificates, but my contribution to our family.
"Geline I didn't raise you just to answer. Is this what you learned from frequent outings elsewhere? I let you go anywhere with Kiesha, but I feel like I have to take it back now. You are being disobedient-"
"Mom, if you are saying that Kiesha is now a bad influence and a big threat to my studies, then you totally got it wrong! We've been working together since we were kids, you can't take her away from me because she's the only one there. me. She wasn't the problem here ma, no one is involved in this issue other than us, "I almost yelled.
All I could do was stop shouting at it. I still respect her as my territorial, yet responsible mother.
I felt bad alright? Whichever angle you look at the parent answered incorrectly. But I could no longer bear to remain silent while being hurt emotionally by what it said. This time, I felt the urge of defending myself. I've had enough listening to her complaints and doing nothing to make her understand my point. Wrong if wrong, this time I will use the right as a child. Whatever happens I'll wholeheartedly accept my punishment.
"You know of all the things I don't want, that's the answer. Are you challenging me? It's like you want to get fired."
"Do whatever you want ma. I am so tired obliging myself to follow the house rule, anyway."
I was crying and trembling with the same fear, even conscience. I am not used to this. None in my wildest imagination I have thought of doing a thing that could ruin our relationship as mother and daughter.
I knew very well what kind of mother she was. She was the law in this household. If she say no; it's really a no.
"Is that how I raised you Geline? Did I teach you to be rude? Can't you just appreciate everything I've done? It's just for your own sake. I'm teaching you even when you're tired from work so you're ready. I don't want you to remain ignorant. You can use the knowledge you have acquired in the future! "

"I hope that's okay with me, ma e, it's too suffocating. I'm not really smart, but for you I have to pretend. I need to study harder; close to passing out just to get the average grade you want .Have you even thought of my state? I also want freedom, I want to live without limiting every move.I want to experience freedom at least for one day.And most of all, I want to feel the trust of my own mother . "
Brothers Gideon and Grant are now outside their respective rooms. We probably disturbed their supposedly peaceful sleep. Dad was quietly listening in the kitchen. It's scary for mama, so even if you obviously want to enter the conversation you can't.
"Sometimes I think that maybe you don't really consider me a child," I added.
Now that the symptoms of the disease have begun, I will close. This may be the first and last chance given. Next time, as usual I will remain silent again.
"That maybe for you I am a living technology, helpful but emotionless. Just to remind you, I am human. It hurts when insulted, tired, jealous of things that can't be done, making mistakes and getting tired," I couldn't stop myself. the tears.
Finally!
After a few years of hoarding, I was able to vent my grievances as well.
I never thought it could be this satisfying. I know I'd end up sleeping outside, but I don't care! The important thing is to be free of the sobbing emotion.
"Get out now too Geline Neilani," he pointed to the door.
I answered nothing. Bagkos remained standing in front of it, wiping away the seemingly unfinished tears.
"Get away, I don't have a child like you!"
"I'm sorry," I sobbed. "But I am partly not sorry for everything I've said."
I received a strong slap from it. I deserve this ... I highly do!
I turned around and ran out. It's better this way than saying some thing that can cause another pain. I saw how her eyes swooped to guilt after listening to my side. I know she was just overwhelmed by her own competence, making her think that I can be the genius child she can be proud of.
I hope he also understands my point. Which is not really good being strict. It is up to one person to decide which path to take.
I always believe that it's not about the prohibition, but actually the person's choice of action.
To be continued...