Taming the Vampire

CHAPTER ONE

M I L L E R

Sa mundo kung saan ang lahat ng tao ay pinanganak na hindi pantay-pantay ay inakala ko na nakakaangat ako sa lahat. And in the middle of my downfall, I met an odd guy.

~ ~ ~

Every day is a hustle for me. I may look calm in the outside, but I am actually falling apart only because of my father's stupidity. Pero sa kabila nito ay hindi pa rin ako sumusuko. I refuse to give up. Pinagsasabay ko ang trabaho at ang pag-aaral, because unlike Father, I don't want to be a failure. Nagsisimula sa pagbyahe patungo sa university ang bawat umaga ko.

7:00 am, mag-isa akong nakatayo sa hintayan ng jeep. I have my plain white t-shirt and black pair of jeans, and my earphones on. Wala naman talaga akong pinapatugtog, they are just effective in getting rid of people around me. Nag-aaral ako sa isang private university, mahal ang tuition fee kaya kailangan kong magsipag. I know, I have the choice of getting in a state university, one that does not require high tuition or might actually free. Yet, I need a much flexible time. Sa university kasi na pinag-aaralan ko ay malaya akong pumili ng schedule. I can choose morning classes or evening. Their curriculum is perfect for working students like me.

Night class ako mula noong 2nd year hanggang 3rd year, lumipat lang ako sa umaga dahil sa mas dumami ang costumer ko sa trabaho ko sa gabi. Kung saan mas malaki ang kita doon ako dapat magpokus para mas mabilis matapos itong sakit ng ulo na ipinamana sa akin ng walang kwenta kong ama.

Magara ang university na aking pinapasukan, I've been studying here even before my father had his mischief. Bonus na lang nga siguro ang flexible nilang curriculum sa tunay kong dahilan kung bakit dito pa rin ako pumapasok kahit na gipit ako sa pera. I am in my 5th year in college. Yes, 5th year since I repeated my 2nd year due to unfortunate events.

The university has a vast campus capable of having 10 wide buildings all up to three to fifteen storeys, a track and field, a swimming pool, 5 parking lots, an arena, and a food court. It's not like it is a rare sight, but it has become a rare sight for unfortunate people like me. Maswerte nga ako na hindi pa ako nakikick-out sa university na ito kahit na madalas akong delayed magbayad ng tuition fee.

"Hey, dude!" salubong sa akin ni Jared. Kaklase ko siya noong 2nd year pero hindi kami malapit sa isa't isa, madalas niya lang talaga akong binabati sa umaga.

At first, I have no idea what he could gain by greeting an aloof person. However, it turns out he loves to be treated as the hero for greeting the batch's lonely guy, which apparently is me. His father is a local politician, that only makes me think that it is his way of endorsing his father. I don't care if he feels good about that and if that is his real intention. I could barely hear his greetings anyway since the corridor's so noisy with people full of energy chattering early in the morning.

Mahina kong ipinitik ang dila ko nang makita ang mahabang pila ng mga tao sa tapat ng elevator. Dagsa na kasi ang mag estudyante tuwing malapit nang mag-alas ocho. I should have wake up earlier, at least 5 o'clock, but my costumer last night was full of energy that I couldn't escape and ended up accompanying her until midnight.

I entered the elevator last, lowering my head, and avoiding any contact. Kahit sa loob ng elevator ay panay pa rin ang pag-uusap ng ilan sa mga kasama nila, this time I used my earphones for real. Kinuha ko sa aking bulsa ang cellphone ko at binuksan ang music player. I prefer hearing songs than their silly talks and their carefree life.

When I reach the door of my classroom a huge crowd suddenly came in before me, wala na akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang tumabi sa gilid ng pinto at hintayin silang makapasok lahat. Karamihan sa kanila ay mga kababaihan, may iilan na lalaki pero iisang mukha lang ang nakikita ko sa kanilang lahat — kalandian. Nasa klase ko rin kasi ngayon ang sikat na sikat na si Axel Wesley, maganda ang pangalan, pero mas maganda ang mukha ng nagmamay-ari. I won't deny it, so I won't sound bitter.