Beyond the Boundary | ✓

Chapter 01

01 | The Boundary

I STEPPED out of the Grand Ship and sailed on a boat on the large sea towards the surface of the earth. My little boat stopped when it hit the brown sand of the shore, where there were also dead corals and skeletons of marine animals were dumped. I stepped out of my boat, and when my feet touched the rough sand, the wind softly blew my hair.

Was this what they called land?

I started striding my feet. The rough sand would burry my feet every step I take. My steps were halted when I saw a lone tree meters away from me. It had no leaves— it was dead. I was about to go near it, when a silhouette appeared behind the tree. It slowly walked towards me, slowly, and his face was slowly becoming visible in my sight. And when the faint light from the setting sun hit his face, my jaw dropped.

“Miss Anzaria Fluxia!”

Napaigtad ako at kaagad napabangon nang marinig ko ang sigaw ng lalaking nakita ko sa aking panaginip. Nang nag-angat ako ng tingin, sumalubong sa akin ang namumula na sa galit at nakapameywang na si Mr. Aldemor, ang History teacher namin.

“Why are you sleeping in my class again!?” He gestured his hand towards me. Napanguso na lang ako.

“I-I'm sorry, Mr. Aldemor. I was just so tired.” Umarte akong umiiyak. “E-Eh kasi po, kailangan ko pang magtrabaho gabi-gabi para m-may maipakain ako sa pamilya ko. A-ako po ang panganay sa amin at ang n-nanay ko po ay...” Hindi ko na tinuloy at tinakpan ang mukha ko gamit ang mga palad.

Sana naman gumana 'to!

Hindi siya nagsalita. When I peaked on the slit of my fingers, nakita kong pabalik na siya sa kaniyang table sa harapan. Unti-unti kong inalis ang mga kamay ko sa aking mukha. He glared at me before he looked at the whole class.

“Study everything about the World War One to Five. We will have a long quiz about it tomorrow. Class dismissed!”

Nagbagsakan ang mga panga namin nang marinig ang sinabi ni Sir. Seryoso!? From WW1 to WW5!? Mamamatay na ako kaka-aral no'n! Ang haba no'n!

“Kasalanan mo 'to, Fluxia!” sabi ng katabi kong si Shineah, na second honor ng klase namin, pagkaalis ni Mr. Aldemor. She glared at me before she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Bakit ka pa kasi natulog sa klase niya. Tiniis mo na lang sana kahit nakakaantok siyang mag-discuss!”

I smiled apologetically. I scratched my head. “Sorry.”

She groaned in frustration. “I so hate that teacher! Gosh! Buong gabi na naman akong mag-aaral nito. Bwiset!”

Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin. Nilipat ko ang paningin ko sa labas ng bintana. I rested my cheek on my palm and stared at the calm ocean na nasa malayo. It's so calm in the outside, but you don't know what's underneath that deep blue water.

“I wonder what's beyond that ocean,” I mumbled to myself before I heaved a deep sigh.

--

“I-I'M SORRY, Mr. Aldemor. I was just so tired. E-eh kasi po, kailangan ko pang magtrabaho gabi-gabi para m-may maipakain ako sa pamilya ko. A-ako po ang panganay sa amin at ang n-nanay ko po ay...”  Caesonia, my best friend, copied my voice and facial expression earlier and I just rolled my eyes. “Neknek mo, Anzaria! Isumbong pa kita kay Tita Cinzel dahil dinamay mo pa siya sa kagagahan mo.”

I raised a brow at her. “Wala akong choice, okay? Hindi naman pwedeng sabihin ko sa kaniya na nagpuyat ako kagabi kakabasa sa history book na nasa bahay. Tss!”

Nasabunutan niya ang kaniyang sarili. “Bwiset! Ngayon kailangan ko pang pag-aralan ang mas makapal pa sa mukha mong libro imbes na maglaro kami ni Reivohr bukas!” Then she screamed in frustration.