the Unexpected

Interview part 1

"After almost two months, finally we meet again." he gave a friendly but uncomforting smile. He's right, nung gathering ko pa sya una at huling beses na nakita and now is the only time we meet again.

"So, tell me. How are you feeling right now, my dear Ms. del Valle?" There are five people facing me right now, the five masters of the Alpha are here with me in this honesty room and among them is Adrianne. 

Of all these people, sa kanya ako pinaka kinakabahan. I've known Noreen at kahit na may tensyon sa pagitan naming dalawa pagkatapos naming magusap, I don't put to much worry about her. Nandito din si Kenneth, we don't get the chance to personally talk pero sa nakita ko sa kanya sa camp he is a friendly and responsible man. There is also a familiar face, pero hindi ko pa din alam ang pangalan nya, sya yung isa sa mga masters na nandun sa gathering but didn't introduce himself. I don't know him pero hindi naman sya mukhang nakakatakot, actually he is wearing his smile simula pa nung pumasok ako sa room na to. 

And ofcourse, there is Locket with his serious face. Nakatingin lang sya sakin the entire time na parang pinagmamasadan ang bawat kilos ko at naghihintay sa mga gagawin at sasabihin ko. Though I feel uneasy about that, I will not deny that he is the reason why feel I can handle this situation now.

Lahat sila nakatingin sakin at naghihintay sa sagot ko. 

But unlike what I expected, walang lie detector na nakakabit sakin para masigurado nila kung nagsasabi nga ako ng totoo.

Ok, weird yung naisip ko.

There is a round table and only me and Adrianne were sitting around it facing each other. The rest of the four masters are on their happy place, Kenneth is standing near the window to my left while holding a book in his hand na parang hindi sya kasali sa interview na to. Si Noreen naman, nakaupo malapit kay Kenneth with her legs crossed and looks so eager to ask me a lot of question. Habang sa kanan ko naman, nakatayo yung isa pang lalaki na hindi ko pa kilala sa saradong pinto na nakangiti at nasa bulsa ang mga kamay. Finally, behind Adrianne is Locket resting his back on the shelf with his arms crossed on top of his chest. Serious and not speaking to me at all.

Siguro way nila to para hindi masyado madistract at kabahan ang mga subordinates, and I guess it's effective dahil kahit papano hindi ko sila lahat nakikita na nakatingin sakin.

I answered to Adrianne's question to me.

"To be honest, I feel nervous and excited at the same time, first master." pagkatapos kong sumagot, tumingin agad ako kay Locket waiting and expecting for his approval or dismay from what I've said, pero poker face pa din sya. Kaya nagfocus na lang ako ng attention ko kay Adrianne na mukhang magfafacilitate ng buong interview.

"Same as the others, nervous. But you are the only one who said excited, why is that so?" he leaned towards the table to look eager for my answer at mas kinabahan ako sa ginawa nya.

"Dahil, pagkatapos po nito malalaman ko na kung makakatuloy ako sa initiation o hindi. Excited po ako na malaman kung anu ang magiging bunga ng mga pinagdaanan ko, first master." I know my voice is shaky pero pinipilit ko na maging kalmado and again, I take a chance to glimpse Locket na hindi pa rin nagbabago ang emosyon.

"Very well. Nakalimutan ko, sorry for being rude not to introduce ourselves first. Second master, will you do the honor?" he mentioned second master and I am sure na si Locket ang tinutukoy nya kahit na hindi sya tumingin kay Locket. 

Locket didn't move from his position but even though, he started to introduce everyone to me.

"The guy from the window is our fourth master, Kenneth. The girl beside her is fifth master, Noreen and I am pretty sure you know them already. The guy on that door is third master Neil, siguro naman naaalala mo sya mula sa gathering and ofcourse, first master Adrianne. They all belong to National Chapter of the Alpha, hindi na sila mga estudyante kaya hindi mo sila nakikita dito. But we gather here at the Gates everytime.Question?" para syang naglecture ng isang mahabang formula sa math, boring at nakakatamad pakinggan tapos ang sungit pa nya.