Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 1) English

DELIVERY

Jay-Jay's POV

"Isn't Calix also Mica's ex?"

I suddenly remembered that letter—the one I found in a room on the second floor of the Section E building.

So, they know Mica.

"Ineng!" shouted the saleswoman.

I immediately went to her. Standing beside her was the cashier.

"That'll be ₱1,445 in total," the cashier said.

I quickly took out ₱2,000 and handed it to them. And since this wasn't my money...

"Keep the change, Sister. Consider it a tip," I said with a smile.

She was clearly happy and thanked me immediately. They handed me the box. It wasn't that big—just about the size of a snack box. I thought that was everything, but then I noticed they were about to give me another box.

"Wait… why? Why are there so many boxes?"

"Sister, you ordered quite a lot."

Oh! What the heck? I can't carry all this! Section E, you're unbelievable!

"Sister… I'll return some of these. I can't carry everything."

"Okay," she answered.

I lifted one of the boxes. It wasn't too heavy, but I could feel there was a lot of food inside.

"Is that all his?"

"Maybe he's feeding all of Section E."

"He must have bribed someone—look at that!"

"Yeah, that's exactly what it is."

What? Bribe? No way! Why would I even do that?

Still, I managed to pick up everything and leave the cafeteria. As I walked, I could feel students watching me, whispering, and glancing in my direction.

Go ahead… keep staring!

Why is our room so far away?! This is so annoying! Damn you, Keifer, I swear I'll throw this at you!

When I finally arrived at our building, I saw Felix waiting at the door. He immediately stepped inside when he spotted me.

"There he is!" someone shouted.

I entered the room and, instead of helping me, they all rushed to the boxes to grab their food.

Savages!

I dropped the box onto one of the tables and stretched my arms. That was exhausting!

"Why? Where's mine?" one of them asked.

"That's ours too," another chimed in.

"Wait a minute... I need to go back," I said and quickly ran back to the cafeteria.

I'm starving! When will this Section E torture end?!

When I returned, the cafeteria line was long again.

No way am I waiting in line. I already paid for my order!

I rushed to the cashier and squeezed past the guy at the front.

"What the hell?!" he snapped, but I ignored him.

"Sister, the box!" I said, and the saleswoman quickly handed it to me.

"Hey! Get in line!" someone yelled.

"We've been waiting here for ages!" another complained.

I ignored them. Their glares were sharp enough to pierce through flesh and bone, but I didn't care.

Sister handed me two more boxes, slightly smaller than the previous ones. I picked them up and started walking back.

Halfway through the cafeteria, someone blocked my way.

Really now?!

"Excuse me, please," I said, but he didn't move.

"What's that?" he asked.

Oh, come on! I'm exhausted! Aries was standing in front of me.

"What. Do. You. Want?" I asked.

"Is that for Section E?"

I didn't answer. The people around us started whispering again.

"Sorry, Aries. I need to go," I said, stepping to the side and accidentally bumping his arm.

I was almost at the door when he spoke again.

"Put that thing down."

I turned to look at him. "Huh?!"

"Put. That. Thing. Down," he repeated, his voice calm but authoritative. "Do it now."

Ughhh. What is it now?

I really needed to leave. If he followed me, I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"Sorry," I muttered and walked away quickly.

I heard him call my name, but I ignored it. Section E comes first!

When I returned to the room, those who had already received their orders were sitting down, waiting. Again? The ones who hadn't gotten theirs yet were glaring at me.

I dropped the boxes on the table and let them dig in. Do whatever you want!

I tossed Keifer his change and let him pick it up himself.

I slumped into my chair and nearly collapsed. Will I even get to eat? My body is exhausted! No one even helped me!

I sat up and looked around. Everyone had their food in front of them, but… why weren't they eating?

I scanned the room and noticed Yuri. Unlike the others, there was no food in front of him. Oh! Did I forget his order?

But if I did, he would've complained by now… right?

Suddenly, Felix moved his chair closer to me. The others followed suit.

"We'll eat together," Felix said with a smile.

So, they were waiting for me? Wow. Such loyalty!

I took my food out of my pocket and turned my chair to face them.

"EAT!" they shouted in unison.

I couldn't help but laugh. They looked so cute! We started eating, and they were all happily munching away like kids.

But Yuri still had no food. Why isn't anyone sharing with him? I felt a little bad.

Our eyes met. He looked annoyed.

Suddenly, he stood up and walked past us.

Oh no. What's he up to?

I grabbed his wrist. "Hey… here, have some food."

He didn't say anything. He just stared at my hand, clearly irritated. I quickly let go.

"Just eat. Let's share," I said.

It's not a big deal, right? We've shared food before with Keifer.

Yuri still didn't speak, but he continued staring at me.

His expression said he wasn't interested in my dish. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out some chocolate.

"Here. If you don't want rice, take this," I offered.

"Just take it, Yuri. Better than starving," Felix said with his mouth full.

Ugh! Such a child!

Yuri didn't say anything, but he slowly took the chocolate from my hand. No reaction. He just looked at me.

I smiled and continued eating. He left immediately.

I even gave him food, and he still doesn't want to eat with us? What a baby!

Lunch ended. We cleaned up. Well, they cleaned up. I thought they would throw the trash away properly, but no—everything was dumped right outside our room.

Wow! A trash pile in front of our classroom? Great.

"Is this seriously a dump?" I asked.

"No, but the trash can is far away, so we just leave it here," someone answered before walking off.

Wow. Amazing logic.

I sat quietly in my chair, glancing to my right. Ci-N still hadn't come in. I couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Felix!" I called.

"Hmm?" he answered, his mouth still full.

"Do you have Ci-N's number?"

He pulled out his phone. "Yeah. Why?"

I grabbed my phone. "Give it to me."

He showed me his screen. Wow! A brand-new Samsung! Meanwhile, my phone still has a keypad.

I copied Ci-N's number. That shovel-hiring guy was one of the men I saw following her. Maybe I should have followed them too, just to be sure.

I was about to return to my seat, but Felix stopped me.

"Oh?" I asked.

"What's your number?" he asked, holding his phone out to me.

I hesitated but gave it to him.

Back in my seat, I texted Ci-N.

To: Ci-N

Message: Jay-Jay 2… Why haven't you come in?

I waited, but there was no reply. Maybe I waited for the number I texted to reply but there was none. Maybe he is resting. I put my phone aside because our teacher came in.

What is that? I'm thinking about Ci-N, why is he absent today? What happened to him? Even in our next subjects, he was still on my mind.

No one is worried about Ci-N. I'm worried! Por child he might have gotten into a fight when he dropped me off. What a shame!

Still, I couldn't stop thinking about Ci-N.

"Ms. Mariano?" Ma'am called.

"Yes?"

"What's your middle name?" she asked while looking at the class record.

"Fernandez, Ma'am."

The entire class went silent. Everyone started exchanging glances.

Ma'am stopped writing and looked at me.

"Are you related to Michael Aries Fernandez?"

"He's, my cousin."

Suddenly, the air in the room felt heavy, like a storm was about to hit.

Why?