RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

CHAPTER 44: THIS IS WAR

Chapter 44: THIS IS WAR

THE PAST days were very awkward. Hindi ko sila kinakausap at hindi ako sumasabay ng kain sa kanila. How could I dare to eat with ungrateful traitors?

Tawagin na akong masama ang ugali or anything but it won't change the fact that they betrayed me. I spent my free hours at my room, preparing something for the upcoming face-off. Pinasok ko na sa kukote ko na ang buhay ay parang kagubatan—syempre, may ahas, kaya kung ano man ang meron ako ay kailangan ko iyong ingatan.

I drafted my research proposal and reviewed some points. My specialty is on agriculture, meat and poultry, at alam kong mas papanigan iyon ng Academy. I tried preempting Coco's field at mahilig siya sa robotics.

Halos kuminang ang kanyang mga mata kapag ganoon ang lecture. I even asked him details regarding robots nang malaman ko ang tungkol kay Brenda kaya malamang, tungkol doon ang research proposal na isasalang niya sa face-off.

For now, ang naiisip ko ay radio frequency identification 2.0 proposal. Although RFID is already used for livestock animals, I want to try this on agricultural products. Mas mapapadali nito ang agrikultura dahil nata-track nito ang growth ng mga tanim, nutrition, moisture level, at kung ano-ano pa.

2.0 because in addition to the more advance RFID technology, I will propose to develop the suitable fertilizers—organic fertilizers—to make it fast. Meron na ring pest control at kung ano pang features ang naisip ko para sa proposal.

Napatigil ang pag-iisip ko tungkol sa research nang may kumatok sa pinto bago iyon binuksan. Paglingon ko ay nakita kong pumasok si Gon with his disturbing serious face.

"Kitten."

Puto, pati boses, seryoso. Sinara ko ang laptop at notebook ko bago humarap sa kanya. "Yes?"

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Are you going to be like this forever?"

Itinaas ko ang isang kilay. "Like what?"

"This. Titikisin mo ba talaga sila? Hindi ka mag-a-apologize sa mga binitiwan mong salita noong nakaraan?" Gon crossed his arms as he waited for my reply.

"Pentagon, try putting yourself in my shoes. I fought fair and square over an an—" Oh, hindi niya pala alam ang tungkol kay Brenda. "I mean, from someone in the Royal list, I lost. Umuwi ako. Hinamon ang sariling kapatid ko. I went through all those hardships, and then, this is what I get? Ang kakalabanin ako sa pwesto na nakuha ko? Seryoso ka ba na kailangan kong ihingi iyon ng tawad?" litanya ko.

Kinuha niya ang isang upuan at umupo nang nakade-kwatro roon. "This is where you will weigh things, Kitten. And look in Coco's perspective. Gagawin niya ito para sa 5th Ward, hindi para sa sarili niya."

"It's still an act of conspiracy, Pentagon," tinatamad na sagot ko.

"No, Kitten. It's called bravery. Na-alarma ka nang magka-economic depression sa 3rd Ward. Imagine how hard it is for Coco to live that life since day 1. Walang matinong buhay sa 5th Ward, Kitten. Literal na isang kahig, isang tuka. And just imagine, if he can win over this, he could ask for little assistance."

"Pumunta ka ba rito para pagsabihan ako?" Wow, my self-proclaimed best friend is going against me too now. Wow.

"No. Pinapaalala ko lang sa 'yo kung sino ang Sunny na nakilala ko. She's someone who cares for others more than herself. She wants fairness for everyone. And you shouldn't be angry over this. It's not like Coco will steal it easily. It's like Russian roulette, Kitten. It's a matter of luck of whoever is lucky shall win. Walang nakakaalam kundi ang mga panel lamang. So, no need to get angry over it—"