Olympus Prime

Chapter 43: Reckless

SAEKO

AGAD kong naalala ang itsura ng Headmistress nang mapagtanto kong halos palubog na rin ang araw. Nagpalinga-linga ako ng tingin. May ilang tindahang naghahanda na sa pagsasara. Gano'n din ang ilang Reds na mukhang pauwi na sa kanilang mga sariling tirahan. Hindi ko maiwasang mainis dahil sa pagkainggit. Gustuhin ko mang umuwi sa totoong tahanan ko ay alam kong wala akong magagawa. I'm still a prisoner of Olympus. Nakakulong pa rin ako sa kasalanang hindi naman ako ang may sala.

Tumalikod na ako bago muling tinahak ang daan pabalik sa gubat. I never took a second glance from that place dahil sa oras na ginawa ko ito ay baka mas lalo lamang mapabigat ang kasong kinahaharap ko. The experience I had was already enough to feed my longing. Alam kong pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito ay mas pagbubutihin ko pa.

Speaking of that annoying bitch named Vina, I haven't seen her since the last time I rushed my way excitingly. I must say I'm impressed. She really did a better job this time. I'm glad that she gave me a little privacy. Although I could feel her presence around, observing and doing her stupid assignment, hinayaan ko na lamang siyang gawin ang gusto niya.

"Saeko!"

Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa upang lingunin ang taong tumawag sa akin. It was clearly her, walang duda sa nakakainis niyang boses. Huminto ako upang hintayin si Vina sa paglalakad. Lucky her I'm in the mood.

"I thought you were gone," medyo hinihingal niyang saad. Ibinaba ko ang hood because this shit is hot and it makes my face sweat and sticky.

"I was supposed to look for you. But you found me first so there's really nothing to be worried about," I explained that gave her expression a little enlightenment. Hindi na siya muling nang-usisa pa, tutal, kailangan na rin naming magmadali upang makabalik sa Olympus lalo na't malapit nang magpakita ang mga bituin sa langit.

We continue our destination back from the forest. As usual, walang kumikibo sa aming dalawa upang kamustahin ang isa't isa. Dala ng nakababagot na atmosphere, Vina was the first to talk.

"I saw what you did on the old guy awhile ago," she casually said na para bang wala siyang maisip na magandang topic para pag-usapan nnamin. Gumalaw ang tingin ko papunta sa aking peripheral vision.

"Who?" I asked innocently, as if hindi ko alam ang eksaktong tinutukoy niya.

"Don't fuck with me, princesss. Believe me, I saw everything," sarkastiko nitong usal bago napairap sa hangin. "I'm referring to the owner of the bakery."

I can't help myself but to heaved a smirk at the back of my mind. I knew it since she was observing me for the whole time. I shrugged, still acting like it's a bad choice to be our topic for the whole journey.

I scratched my nose. "Some business that needs a real time payment," I responded. This was the most important answer, but I made it seem unimportant because I didn't want to explain every little detail. But instead of just minding her own shit, her interest suddenly pricked even worse.

"And what do you mean by that?" Tinignan niya ako na tila ba interesado sa sinabi ko. This is what I hate her the most. Bawat nasasaksihan niyang bagay ay kailangang may kalakip na eksplenasyon.

"Have you seen your best friend?"

I found myself stopped for a moment. My face made an uneasy expression that caught my guard. I was clearly dumbfounded.

"N-No," I muttered.

"Did you try to find him?"

"Of course not!" medyo napalakas kong sagot. Inuubos talaga ng babaeng ito ang natitira kong pasensya. Muli kong isinuot ang hood ko dahil medyo lumalamig na dala ng hangin mula sa kagubatan.