Code 365 Project Memory

Datum 29: The Gentle Captain

"You're a half Italian. Italy belongs to EAF kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Why are you serving Xavierheld instead then?? I mean-"

"I was abandoned by my parents."

Hindi ko na nagawa pang maituloy ang aking tanong nang marinig ko ang bagay na iyon mula sakanya. I felt a sense of guilt over asking that horrible question.

"Im so-"

"It's alright" he chuckled and smiled towards me. "My father hated and abandoned us. While my mun hated me for wanting to serve the military. So, You know what happened next. I ran away and the same old cliché begins haha."

I looked down and felt kinda bad still. Umugong ang panadaliang katahimikan sa buong silid.

"I found my true home on Xavierheld Military's arms. They accepted me and helped me a lot kaya naisipan kong bakit hindi ko bayaran ang aking pagkakautang sakanila?"

"I then joined their alliance. Hindi tagal I was then assigned on the Intelligence Division on Xavierheld colony during the Valfreyjan War, and finally stayed on the said colony for good until I then decided to have my return service as an Instructor for Xavierheld's Top Elite Military Academy."

Napatingin ako sakanya as I listened to his explanations.

"Bumababa ako sa serbisyo bilang isang Captain ng Intelligence Division as I found joy on teaching students. I see through my past self in them." He then smiled as he took a pause.

"After that, hindi ko akailang muli kong tatanggapin ang alok ng Admiral. Something had pushed me to end up with the decision to be part of your team."

Umugong ang panandaliang katahimikan as his cheerful face suddenly was filled with melancholy. Hindi ko na hinayaan pang maituloy niya ang kanyang susunod na sasabihin. I know there was really something bothering him.

I immediately pat his shoulders and smiled at him.

"Well, whatever your reason is.. Welcome to the team, Captain Matthew.. Asahan mong tutulungan ka namin ni Vaughn sa abot ng aming makakaya!"

Tila bay panandalian siyang natigilan saaking mga sinabi, but he then returned back his kindness through his sincere smile.

There's always something on his smile.

"Say.." I said as he then looked at me again while breaking the awkward silence. "Thanks for saving me back then. Hindi ko akalaing hahantong sa ganon ang misyon namin ni Vaughn."

"Uhh? Vaughn? You mean Captain Von Devi?" he asked.

"Yeah, My mission partner."

"Mission partner" he replied back na tila bay natigilan muli. Agad siyang napatingin saakin as if his eyes are full of worry.

"Did he already visited you here? I mean, does he know that you are here on the infirmary??" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

Natigilan ako sa I looked through my clasped hands. I cant deny the fact that somehow ay kahit ako mismo'y napapatanong saaking sarili.

Nasaan si Vaughn?

"Nasaan siya?" he then asked na tuluyang pumukaw saaking isipan. Oo nga naman, did he even bother to pay a visit on me here?

May kung anong kirot ang nagsimulang lumabas mula saaking dibdib. Napahawak ako saaking kumot habang pilit na ipinagkakaila saaking sarili ang marahil na mapait na katotohanan.

Wala. wala ito. He might just dozed of a bit. Yes!! he might--

"Stella-"

Agad akong napabalik saaking diwa nang marinig ko ang pagtawag ni Matthew ng aking pangalan. I immediately faced him as his worried face then welcomed me.

"Is there something wrong, Stella?" he asked. Hindi ko magawang masagot ang kanyang tanong as I gazed upon his face.

Pinilit kong hindi maluha knowing the possible fact na ibang tao pa ang unang naging concern saakin sa halip na ang taong lubos kong pinapahalagahan.

Bakit tila bay masakit? Umaasa lang ba ako wala?

"Its.. Its nothing, Captain-"

"Matthew. Please call me Matthew" he said as he sat on my bed. His eyes full of concern. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sakanya ipinapakita. He barely knows me and yet masasabi kong talagang puro ang kanyang pag-aalala.

Buti pa ang ibang tao.

Agad akong napahiga as I pull my blankets and laid on the bed again with my back facing him.

"I.. I need to take some rest now, Ma..Matthew. Tomorrow will be a hectic day as Admiral Maris will meet us, and probably since kasapi kana saaming grupo, you'll be automatically included. Thank you and Good night." I said seriously as I try to hide my tears away.

Napahigpit ako ng hawak saaking kumot. Walang ni-anino ni Vaughn ang-

My mind clearly had its full stop nang maramdaman ko ang isang mainit na palad na dumampi saaking ulo mula sa likuran.

"Everythings gonna be alright, Stella. You are not alone anymore."

Matthew with his sincere and concern voice before he finally left me inside the room. I found myself blushing as I heard those kind words from the said gentle captain.

Matthew's Point Of View

"You sure you're a-okay now, Stella?"

Nag-aalala kong tanong sa dalagang aking sinamahan palabas ng nasabing infirmary room. Mukhang maayos na ang kanyang kalagayan kumpara kagabi.

"Yes I am. Better than before." Kanyang nakangiting sagot as she then pats her gray uniform. Napangiti ako sakanya as we both venture the silent hallway patungo sa isang conference room dito sa loob ng nasabing facility na ito.

Mukhang napaaga ata kami ng alis sa infirmary para sa nasabing meeting with Admiral Maris. Wala ni isang personnel ang makikita sa hallway sa kasalukuyan.

Tumuloy kami saaming paglalakad at napaliko patungo sa isang crystal lift. Napahinto kami sa may pinto as I immediately pressed a button.

Umugong ang nakakabinging katahimikan as I stare through Stella na halatang malayo ang tingin.

She's kinda hopeless.

Napangiti ako as I held her shoulders na bahagyang nagpalingon sakanya saakin.

*TING*

As our eyes meet, the soft sound from the said elevator had taken our attention, thus driving our sights towards the opened crystal door of the said lift.

Bumugad saaming harapan ang isang matangkad na lalaking may kulay blonde na buhok. Mula sakanyang mukha naroon ang isang mahabang peklat na marahil ay simbolo ng kanyang nakaraan.

My eyes immediately locked towards him as I still hold Stella's shoulder. A smile was then painted by my own body towards my face.

Hindi ako nagpadaig ng tingin as his blue eyes that somewhat tries to hide an awkward anger locks towards mine too.

With one swift move ay agad kong inilabas ang aking palad as I step forward, asking for a handshake.

"You must be Captain Von Devi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

*** To be continued

___________________________________________________________

IVANN'S PREVIEW SCENE

Before I'll prove my strength, you'll see my weakness first. That should be it. Hindi ako perkpekto tulad ng iyong inaasahan, ngunit gagawin ko ang lahat para sayo.

Next on Code 365: Project Memory : Datum 30: Strength and Fury

"Are you still there, Serene..?"

__________________________________________________________