Hell University-Chapter 26 - 25: Birthday

Zein’s Point of View

I sat up from lying down. Even when I closed my eyes, my mind remained awake. I could not sleep; something was troubling me, I am aware of it.

I looked toward the window. It was locked because it was already a bloody night, the time when killing is legal. Not that it’s not illegal anymore. Everyone fears this period of time, and so do I. The night is dreaded by all, but for me? I love the night, quiet, almost as if everything were normal.

It feels comforting to imagine that I am simply in an ordinary school, studying to make my family proud.

It is comforting to think that this is nothing more than a nightmare. I wish, truly wish, that it was only a bad dream. I wish I could wake up from this illusion.

I shook my head firmly. I needed air, but it was not safe outside. I left the room, leaving Mia and Vanessa sleeping soundly.

My brow furrowed when I noticed that the boys’ room was open yet empty. I hurried inside and scanned the room. Damn it.

Where are they?!

A chill ran through my body when I saw that the front door was not locked. I refused to think that, no, what I was thinking was wrong.

I slapped my own face repeatedly. I didn’t want this. I wished with all my heart that this was only a dream. I did not want to think that, no!

I sank onto the sofa, staring blankly into space. Since when? Had they been gone for a long time while we slept soundly? But why? Did they go out? For what reason? What were they doing?

Bloody week. Night is no different from morning now, yet I know that the night is far more dangerous than the day. I no longer know what I should be afraid of.

Is it the daytime, where crimes are witnessed, or the night, when we are blind to the truth?

I need to find them.

I carefully returned to the room. A deeper chill ran through my body when I saw Vanessa’s eyes wide open, staring at the closed window.

I was frozen where I stood.

"They left again?" A bitter smile formed on Vanessa’s lips. She was not looking at me, yet I could hear the tremor in her voice.

My mind nearly exploded from overthinking. What did she mean? Why is this happening? What is going on with us? I thought we were fine. I thought nothing had changed between us. Was I foolish all along?

"W-Where are they?" Barely any sound came out of my mouth.

The cold spreading through my body reached my heart. My heartbeat slowly began to fade, and the chill crept into my mind, rendering it unable to function. Damn it.

What is happening?

Vanessa looked at me, still smiling, a bitter smile. Her lips trembled, and any second now, her emotions might escape, but she chose to hold them back so as not to wake Mia.

I approached her and pulled her outside. We entered the boys’ room, and I pushed her onto the bed. I narrowed my eyes at her, leaving her with no choice but to bow her head.

All sorts of thoughts were flooding my mind, and it was difficult to accept, the details forming were chilling to the core.

"Tell me." I knelt before her, bringing my face close to hers. "What is happening here?" I asked.

She did not answer, but slowly tears began to fall. She stood up and closed the door, careful that no one could hear our conversation.

Now, I began to regret asking. What should I choose? To cover my ears and remain blind to the truth, or to face it?

"Z-Zein... I’m scared," were the first words that came out of her mouth.

I sank onto the bed and lowered my head. I did not want to look at her. I did not want to know what she knew. I did not want to hear what she was about to say.

"For several days now, I keep waking up and they’re gone," she said, her voice trembling, intensifying the dread I felt. "Sometimes it’s Matt, sometimes Dave, and sometimes Jerome. I don’t know!" she added in confusion, as if she were on the verge of screaming from being so lost.

They go out at night? What are they doing outside? Why is it like this? It’s unfair. I thought we were friends. Why are they hiding things from us?

I wanted to scream in frustration. My friends... was I too complacent? Why did everything have to come to this?

I stood up from where I was sitting, causing Vanessa, who was sobbing at the side, to look at me. She covered her mouth with her hand, restraining herself from making any noise that might wake someone who should no longer be involved in what was happening.

"W-What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice cracking, her brow furrowed as if questioning me.

"I will find out what’s happening," I said absentmindedly. I left that room and went to ours to get my blazer.

Before leaving, I glanced at Mia, who was still sleeping soundly. I will bring my friends back to how they were. I will restore what we once had.

When I stepped out of the room, Vanessa was there. She gripped my arm tightly, but my gaze remained fixed in the distance. I did not want to look at her.

"Z-Zein. Please, don’t," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

I did not want to look at her. I did not want my resolve to weaken. I did not want to see one of my friends crying, it only hurt me more.

"I’ll fix this. I will fix this," I said firmly.

I slowly removed her hand from my arm, but after taking only a few steps toward the door, she suddenly knelt in front of me.

I shut my eyes tightly and felt the warmth gathering at the corners of my eyes. Damn it. Tears are useless. Even if I were to cry a gallon of them, nothing would change. I need to act.

"D-Dito ka na lang please. Zein, I’m begging you. Stay with us."

"P‑Please stay here, Zein. I’m begging you. Stay with us."

Hearing those words from her tore me apart. It was a suffocating feeling I could no longer endure. I wanted to hug her, to cry with her, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t let her see my resolve weakening. I didn’t want to lose the tiny shred of hope I was holding on to.

I was useless. I had promised myself that I would protect them. I made that promise, and I wasn’t going to break it.

"I’ll come back. I promise."

I squeezed my eyes shut as I forcefully pulled her grip from my leg and opened the door.

Cold air greeted me. The night was dark, but the moon offered a faint glow. I glanced back at Vanessa, something I wished I hadn’t done.

She was sitting on the floor, her back turned to me, her hand covering her mouth. I could clearly hear her muffled sobs.

It felt as though my heart was being torn into pieces, so I couldn’t stop myself from going back and closing the door.

I knelt in front of her and held her tightly. I squeezed my eyes shut as the warmth threatened to spill from them. I would not cry. Damn it.

"Z‑Zein. Don’t leave us, please. Enough... please," she repeated over and over.

"Shh. Calm down, please," I said, biting my lip as my voice turned hoarse. "Nothing bad will happen to them."

I no longer cared if I had to stake my life against death just to make sure my friends were safe. I no longer cared about myself. What use would my life be if I lived without even one of them or worse, if it were them instead of me?

I don’t know how I managed to get Vanessa back to the room. I locked the door so we wouldn’t hear them when they returned. I don’t want to see them, I’ll just think of everything as a dream.

If I have to live inside a dream, then I will.

"You won’t mention anything about what happened tonight, Van. Nothing happened tonight."

I stared into her swollen eyes. She nodded.

"I will. Stay with us, Zein," she repeated, as if I might disappear from them at any moment.

But if that is the only way for them to survive, I would give mine with a smile.

I stirred awake because of some noise outside. I rubbed my eyes and glanced to my side, Mia and Vanessa were gone. Light was already seeping through the window, so I opened it. A blinding brightness greeted me.

"Good morning..." I greeted myself.

As I stepped out of the room, confetti burst in the air. "Happy Birthday!" they all greeted me cheerfully.

They were wearing party hats, and Matt was holding a cake with a huge smile on his face. I could only cover my mouth, completely at a loss for words. I was so speechless, I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t even realized that it was already my birthday. I had too many things on my mind.

But do you know what the best feeling is? You forget something that is important to you, yet your friends remember it. Ah... heaven.

"Wee! Happy Birthday, Secretary!" Jerome shouted, even holding a party horn.

"Thank you! You guys! You even did all of this!" I said, kissing Mia and Vanessa on the cheek, though they tried to pull away slightly.

"Eww. Go brush your teeth first!" Vanessa said with a playful grin, which made me laugh.

I wished it could always be like this.

"Happy Birthday, Zein. May I kiss you?" Matt asked, approaching me while holding the cake.

Huh? With Mia and Vanessa, I didn’t mind kissing them even without brushing my teeth, but Matt was different. It was embarrassing!

"Eh? I-I haven’t brushed my teeth yet!" I said, blushing.

Mia and Vanessa grinned. "Really? You’re self-conscious with him, but with us, even if we died, you’re fine?" Vanessa teased playfully.

"You don’t need to be shy. In fact, it would be a pleasure, Zein."

Wah! What did he say? My crush! My heart was fluttering!

"Go on, don’t be shy," Dave said with a grin.

I shot him a look, but he just laughed. Truly abnormal.

"Sure, k–" I was cut off when I felt Matt’s soft lips on my cheek.

The girls screamed while I nearly collapsed from the thrill. Ugh! Matthew! It was just a quick kiss.

Not enough!

"Happy birthday, make a wish!" Matt said, his smile widening even more.

A wish? Do I even need to make one when everything I could wish for is right in front of me? Being with my friends, smiling, complete, this alone is enough. But if I were to make one wish...

"I wish it could always be like this," I said to myself with a smile.

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I walked with my friends, all laughing together. That cake the boys had made earlier, though, had no flavor. Hahaha.

"Hey, at least you tried! You should’ve just added some flavor," Mia teased playfully, holding onto my arm.

I couldn’t stop smiling... until the smile suddenly faded when I saw him walking toward us.

I held Mia’s arm to keep her from stopping, but Supremo blocked our path, his brow furrowed. I gave him a cold stare.

What now, Supremo?

"It’s too early, but it seems a bad weather has come to ruin the day," I heard Matt say.

I knew what he meant, so I faced him. "Bad weather?" I asked.

I approached him and held onto his arm. "Never mind. There are so many reasons to be happy," I said.

"Of course, we’re the ones with you," Dave said. "Who else could make you smile if not your friends?" he added.

"I know, right," I replied.

We heard Supremo clear his throat, so we looked at him. "Oh! Supremo, so you’re here," I said.

So you’re here, Supremo... Do you need me now? Do you need your secretary?

"Yeah, it seems you’re having fun together, but would you mind if I interrupt you, guys? I need my secretary," he said.

"Oh? Secretary? Are you referring to me? I thought you had a new secretary. Oh well, anyway, how may I assist you, Supremo?" I asked.

He furrowed his brow, so I signaled my friends to go ahead. "You have no idea how happy I am. See you later!" I said cheerfully.

I could still hear Mia’s exasperation and Vanessa’s subtle glare at Supremo. Matt and Dave gave Supremo playful grins, while Jerome simply followed Mia without a word.

I waved at them even before they had gone far.

"Why are you so damn happy?" Supremo asked, puzzled.

"That’s none of your business." What’s it to you? So what if I’m happy?

"Watch your words," he said, narrowing his eyes suddenly, and I couldn’t help but glare back, as if I still cared.

I’m not afraid of you anymore, Supremo. Not since you left me in the middle of everything.

I followed him to the SSG Office. I was itching to ask, desperately wanting to know where the angel was.

Where is the lucky girl, Supremo?

"It has been three days since the Bloody Week began. Thirty students have already died," Onel said as Supremo took his seat.

Thirty students? What do I care? Even if they all killed one another, what concern is it of mine? I am not a superhero meant to protect everyone.

I am no longer a hero.

"Crap it. I am not asking, and I don’t care," Supremo said.

I wanted to smirk. Since when did you start caring about your surroundings? You’re just too numb and heartless. That’s why... I’m starting to hate you again, Supremo.

What am I supposed to do here? Supremo isn’t giving any orders.

"What is the occasion now?" Supremo suddenly asked Onel.

It’s Bloody Week, Supremo. Nothing special. But I couldn’t help but wonder, what concern is it of Supremo what’s going on today? None at all.

"I think your secretary is the one you should ask about that," Onel said, clearly busy with the papers he was carrying. "I have to go," he added before leaving through the door..

Supremo looked at me as if waiting for an answer.

"What?" I asked irritably.

There’s no occasion today. The foundation day is still next week.

"What is the occasi—I mean, to celebrate—err... never mind," he muttered in frustration, burying his face in the desk. And I thought to myself... OMG. Supremo is losing it. Has he finally gone crazy?

Go ahead, Supremo, lose your mind. You’re actually making me happy.

"What’s with your smile earlier?" I turned to look at him again. "You seemed so happy," he said, brow furrowed.

Do I no longer have the right to be happy? Even a smile is denied to me, Supremo? You are just too heartless.

Wait... why am I acting so strange? Ugh.

"There’s nothing special today, Supremo. The foundation day is still next week," I said flatly.

He was about to open his mouth to ask more, but he chose to remain silent. What is it? What’s bothering you? Why are you suddenly asking about an occasion? You’re acting really strange.

He really can’t sit still while going through so many papers about the students’ information. Err... what exactly is he looking for?

He glanced at me subtly, so I raised an eyebrow.

Dammit! Even I’m getting curious, what is he searching for? What does he want to ask, and it seems he won’t be able to sleep until he finds the answer?

This is the first time I’ve seen Supremo so anxious about something. Is it really that important to him?

I even heard his quiet sighs. My head is starting to hurt from overthinking what he might be thinking.

You are really hard to read. And... why am I even bothering to read him?

Is it me, or him, the one who’s actually acting weird here?

"Leave me alone."

I almost gaped at his words. I was this close to slamming the desk in front of me. What did he just say? Leave me alone? Is he serious? He’s the one who came to me, and now—ugh!

"Leave me alone!"

"Fine! Can’t you wait?! Here! I’m leaving! Geez, what a nuisance!"

Goodness. He really gives me a headache. I decided to go to the restroom to compose myself instead. That brute ruins one’s poise. I simply combed my loose hair and tied it back.

I froze when I saw who had just entered. Her face looked so gentle that I could not understand how she had grown close to a demon like him.

I hurriedly finished fixing myself, as I felt uncomfortable being in the same place as her.

"He’s right, you are weird."

I was the only one with her, so it was obvious that she was speaking to me, unless she had lost her mind and was talking to herself.

But... who the heck is weird? Me? My suspicion was confirmed when she turned to face me. She was smiling, and I couldn’t bring myself to frown because she truly looked like an angel. Sigh.

"Zein, right?" she asked, but I didn’t bother answering.

"You amazed me." Suddenly, she smiled widely. "You are really one of a kind," she added.

Okay... what is she trying to say?

"I saw how you defended yourself yesterday," she added. "There is only one thing I can say, he believes in you. Even though he wanted to help, he restrained himself. At first, I doubted that you could handle it, but that was a mistake, without question. I’m sorry, I’ve said too much already. I’ll be going now."

She smiled once more before hastily leaving.

I was left frozen in place. I was not foolish enough to misunderstand what she had said. I firmly shook my head. No, what I was thinking was wrong, all wrong. I didn’t want to believe it, yet... why did it feel that way?

Annoyingly enough, I had to admit that I couldn’t bring myself to be angry with him. Even though I had snapped at him earlier, I knew that I wasn’t truly angry or anything.

Ugh! I was starting to lose my mind.

I decided to enter the library for the time being, since my friends were not attending their classes either. My schedule has become more complicated ever since I became a secretary. I hardly had time with my classmates anymore.

The librarian smiled at me, and I simply smiled back. I went to the far end of the library, where there were hardly any people around.

I simply sat down and thought about what my friends had done. They had made my day very special, and I truly hadn’t remembered that today was my birthday.

"May I sit here?"

I looked up and saw Celine holding a book. I merely nodded, even though I was itching to tell her that there were plenty of empty tables for her to sit at.

"How are you?" she asked.

I almost rolled my eyes. I wanted to rest, yet whenever I came to the library, it was always Celine, the weird one, who ended up sitting next to me. How lucky am I? Ugh!

"It seems like something is bothering you," she said, furrowing her brow. "Something that might disrupt your world."

"Will you please be quiet?" I said irritably. "Just stop talking, or leave me alone."

Her eyes widened, and moments later she let out a soft laugh. I clenched my fist. This girl was getting on my nerves.

"You appear strong, but deep inside, you are extremely fragile," she said with a light laugh, prompting me to glare at her. "If I were you, I would release the beast first. You cannot keep holding on to something fragile for too long, or it will eventually break," she added.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Release the beast first before the fragile one, so you can handle it without breaking yourself."

Celine’s words kept echoing in my mind again and again. She is just crazy! I shouldn’t believe her. Yet, I couldn’t deny that she had a point. I can’t handle everything if I remain weak; I must be strong enough to face it. The beast? A monster? A demon?

The entire day passed, and I drifted again, carried away by my friends. I forgot everything because I was with them. Time seemed too short whenever I was with them. I wished I could make it last longer.

"You know, we’re getting old," Jerome joked.

We were on our way back to the dorm since all our classes were over. There were only thirty minutes left until the Bloody Night, but none of that mattered to us anymore because of this Bloody Week.

We stopped when we ran into Supremo again. Unlike earlier, the anxiety had vanished from his face, though he looked clearly exhausted.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked me.

"No," Matt replied.

I held Matt by the arm to stop him, and though he frowned, I just nodded. "You go ahead," I said.

"Tss."

Matt walked away first, followed by the others. Now, it was just Supremo and me here.

It was getting somewhat dark, and the wind was picking up and tossing my hair. I looked at him, and he was simply staring at me.

"What do you need?" I asked coldly.

"You really aren’t going to tell me?" he asked, causing me to frown. "Do I still need to find out? Do you still need to make this difficult for me?" He ruffled his already messy hair.

What is he talking about? Is he referring to the reason for his earlier anxiety? The reason he couldn’t remain calm while searching through all those papers? Is that why he now looks utterly exhausted?

What does that have to do with me?

"I know there’s something about your smile."

"What are you talking about?!"

"Happy birthday, Zein."

That left me speechless, and in an instant, I found myself gasping for air.

You know what feels even better than when your friends remember something special to you? It’s when someone who isn’t particularly special to you makes an effort for you.

Damn you, Supremo!