Dark Magic

5. New World

"We're here," dad utters as he maneuvers the new car to stop by a wooden gate with the Tribian seal.

Wala kaming ideya ni Avi kung ano ang itsura ng Tribus Academy-or maybe she already has. Napakataas ng old wooden gate pati na rin ang bakod nito na binabalot ng mga creeping ivy. The wall and the gate look so expensive. Wala ring tao sa outside vicinity ng school which adds to the mystery and, for Avi, the excitement.  

"Cool! This is like the movies na napapanood ko! Like students go to an out-of-this-world school and they discover their powers. The cliche still feels so exciting when they come into actuality!" Avi claps her hands as we gaze at the tall gate of Tribus Academy. "Papa, can we go now?"

Tumango si dad saka bumaba ng kotse para pagbuksan kaming magkapatid. He opens the door and proceeds to the car trunk. Ibinaba nito ang dalawang medium-sized luggage na binigay ni sir Mikael. We will live in a dormitory on weekdays at saka lang kami makakauwi ng bahay tuwing weekends. 

Avi seems to be okay with the idea. May sinasabi pa itong adventure nang ipaliwanag saamin ni sir Mikael ang rules and regulations ng academy. She's too young to want to live separately from our parents and even too young to seek an adventure. 

"All set?" masuyong tanong ni dad. Bakas sa mga mata nito ang labis na pag-aalala at kalungkutan. He did not want this set-up. Things just came too quickly and we're trapped by the influence of the Trinity. We have no choice.

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya at ginawaran siya ng mahigpit na yakap. It will only be for five days and yet it feels like it's going to be hard and long. First time kasi naming mahihiwalay sa kanila ni mama na ngayo'y kasalukuyang iniinterview ng isang kompanya ng Trinity. Tribus have been keeping their promises to us: a nice house, decent jobs for my parents, and a good school for me and Avi. I hope the package includes a peaceful life. 

"Look after your sister. I know you would, but you know, Avi is Avi. Nothing can stop her curiosity." 

"I will dad. We'll see you on Friday," mahina kong sambit. "Tell mom we will be excited for her chicken chop suey when we get home."

Ginulo ng ama ko ang aking buhok. Then he smiles and signals Avi to come closer. Kanina pa kasi ito nakatingin saaming dalawa. As if she's been expecting this to happen. "Avi, behave as much as possible. What are you not allowed to do under any circumstances?"

Lumabi ang kapatid ko saka sumagot, "Do not break things. Always look for my ate, when things go wrong."

Muling ngumiti ang aming ama. He gently presses Avi's left cheek and kisses us on our crown. "I will pick you up on Friday. Be good."

Yumakap kaming pareho kay dad. Bago ko kinuha ang handle ng maleta ay muli ko itong sinulyapan. Kapansin-pansin ang kalungkutan at pangamba sa mga mata nito. Pakiramdam ko'y ito na ang huling normal na sandali namin bilang pamilya. Natakot ako. Hindi pa naman kasi pumapalya ang mga instinct ko simula noong magkaroon ako ng muwang. 

"Ate, let's go!" Nasa unahan ko na si Avi nang tawagin ako nito. Nasa harap na ito ng gate at hinihintay iyong bumukas. 

Nakaalis na si dad at kasalukuyan kaming nakatayo sa harapan ng malaking gate. Napahawak ako sa kamay ng kapatid ko. Sabay kaming napatingala sa selyo ng Tribus. Ilang saglit lang ay kusang bumukas ang dalawang malaking pintuang bumubuo sa tarangkahan. 

Malakas ang kabig ng dibdib ko. Pati ang mga kamay ng kanina'y maingay na si Avi ay nanlamig na rin. 

"Ate, naiihi na yata ako." Mahina nitong bulong habang niyuyugyog ang bisig ko. 

The gate opens. I feel like it welcomes us to a new world. The gate leads us to a fully landscaped area with white modern buildings. Isang malaking brick paver pathway ang daraanan bago makarating sa tila isang main building na binubuo ng tatlong parisukat na pinagpatong-patong at may selyo ng Trinity sa gitna nito.  May mga estudyante nang naroon na tila abala sa iba't ibang bagay: may mga nagbabasa sa bench ng isang formal garden, may naglalaro ng football sa bandang kanan kung saan nakalagak ang isang oval at may mga nagkukwentuhan sa ilaim ng mga punong nakahilera sa magkabilang gilid ng brick patio.