Lumina Academy: The Golden Hope (Realm Series #1)

Chapter 49: Confession

Chapter 49: Confession
 
We have now gathered in one place while Sir Dec—the other teacher that with us, and he’s going to explain what are the plants that we will gonna hunt for this day. Maaga kaming nagising at nagluto ng makakain and after that, we took a bath in the stream and get ready for the hunting which I am a bit excited about. This will be tiring but worth it for sure.
 
“These are the list of the plants that you’ll be going find for this whole day,” then he showed us the long paper and we saw the plants that have names and pictures on them. “There’s also a bag that you will carry and it has foods inside it,” he continued as he rolls the paper.
 
Tinignan naman namin ang mga bag na nasa harapan namin. Sabi ni Jake ay dito talaga karamihan nahahanap ang mga halaman na makakatulong sa amin sa lahat ng bagay pero mahirap hanapin. That’s why the academy has this kind of activity. Para na rin matulungan ang mga Epsilons to make medicines and other students that are good at making potions.
 
“Okay, students! I want you to be careful, and if ever that there’s a problem, just push the red button on your watches, understood?”
 
“Yes, Sir!” Sagot naming lahat bago kami kumuha ng mga bag na nasa lamesa.
 
Nang makakuha ako ng isa ay sinuot ko ito bago ko tinignan ang suot kong relo. Nandito lang naman ang mapa ng bundok na ‘to at makikita mo kung na saan ang iba. Tracker yata ang tawag nila dito, eh. But it wasn’t just a tracker, and map but also an alarm if ever something came up. We just have to push the red button just like what Sir Dec told us so that they will know about what happened to you. It was for our safety too.
 
“Let’s go,” nagpaubaya na lang ako kay Aiden at bahala siya kung saan kami pupunta.
 
“Saan tayo?” Tanong ko ng mapansin kong nakalayo-layo na kami sa campsite at sa iba.
 
Totoo nga ang bali-balita na ang ganda ng bundok na ito dahil sa mga iba’t ibang mga klase ng mga bulaklak. Mayroon din akong mga nakikitang kaiibang mga hayop na pagala-gala lamang but they are not paying attention to us and I guess, they know that we are harmless ngunit ang iba ay napapahinto pa at titignan kami na para bang nagtataka.
 
 
As long as I wanted to get one of the cute rabbits, I just can’t because that’s one of the kingdom’s rules—it was illegal to hunt the animals here at kahit ang balak kong gawin ay bawal unless the animal was voluntarily or want to come with you.
 
“I have no idea too, but we will keep walking until we found these plants,” sagot niya kaya tumango na lang ako.
 
Tahimik lamang kaming naglalakad at paminsan-minsan pa ay tinitignan ang kasulok-sulukan ng lugar na ‘to. Kinuha ko ang listahan na nasa bag ko at tinignan ang mga hahanapin naming mga halaman. Hmm… na sa sampu ito at wala pa kami nakukuha and the plants that Arang gave us was already included here. Sana naman mahanap na namin ang mga ‘to para makabalik na kami sa campsite agad-agad.
 
***
 
“Aiden, pahinga na muna tayo…”
 
Nagmamakaawa na ang tono ko bago ngumuso at dahil hindi ko na nakayanan ang pagod ay pasalampak akong umupo sa damuhan. Ang sakit na ng binti ko dahil wala kaming tigil sa paglalakad. Idagdag pang nag-hike kaming muli kaya drain na drain na ang lakas ko pero siya? Parang wala lang!
 
Grabe talaga ang lalaking ‘to! Walang kapaguran! Kanina pa kami naglalakad but thankfully, isa na lang ang kailangan naming hanapin bago kami makabalik sa campsite. Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinuha ang tubig na nasa bag ko at uminom.
 
Hindi ko talaga gusto ang ideya na umaakyat ng bundok! Kung pwede nga lang kami mag-teleport, baka kanina ko pa ‘yon ginawa! Kung hindi lang talaga ako maparurusahan at ang Alphas, bakit hindi, ‘di ba? Mimi already forgive me the last time I used teleportation and I even think of lies and I feel bad about it and all I can do is mentally ask forgiveness from my mother for lying.
 
Bas influence talaga ang prinsepe na ‘to!
 
“Tired?”
 
I look at Aiden flatly and when he saw how I look at him, he raised his eyebrows at me and amusement was dancing in his eyes. Gusto ko na lamang batukan ang lalaking ito dahil nagawa pa niya talagang magatanong! Hindi pa ba halata na nakapapagod ang ginawa naming pagha-hike?
 
Kanina pa kami lakad ng lakad and I know that he knows that I am already tired but he chose to keep going! Kanina pa kami magkasama pero hindi kami nag-uusap. Hindi ko rin siya magawang kausapin dahil nahihiya ako sa mga pinag-iisip ko.
 
It was just a dream…
 
Tahimik lang kami pero paminsan-minsan ay napapansin ko na linilingon niya ako pero hindi ko naman siya tinitingnan pabalik. Para ring may gusto siyang sabihin pero ng ibubuka na niya ang kaniyang bibig para magsalita ay nagkukunwari naman akong hahanapin ang halaman na nasa listahan. I know that he noticed that I’m avoiding him because he is taking a deep breath several times and because he is holding my hand earlier, he’s also squeezing it.
 
“My—”
 
Bago pa niya matuloy ang sasabihin niya ay tumayo na ako at niyaya siya. “Tara na!” Hinarap ko siya at bahagya siyang nginitian bago tumalikod sa kaniya.
 
But before I can even take a step, he suddenly snaked his arm around my waist and he suddenly moves fast until I just noticed that he was already on my top while I’m lying on the grass. Nagulat ako dahil sa ginawa niya pero nagawa ko pa ring subukan na magpumiglas.
 
But he caught my hands and put it above of my head and hold it tightly. He’s so strong that I can’t even move a muscle, lalo na ng inipit pa niya ako. Ang bigat niya pero nakahihinga pa naman ako kahit papaano.
 
“Aiden! Ano ba?!” Mahinang bulyaw ko rito at hindi na sinubukan pang makawala mula sa pagkakahawak niya sa akin.
 
“It’s good that you stop whining,” he said which made me roll my eyes at him.
 
“Ano bang problema mo, ha?!” Takang tanong ko at kinunotan siya ng nuo. Bigla naman niya akong tinignan ng masama kaya mas lalo akong nagtaka.
 
“You’re asking what’s my problem, huh?” Kunot-nuo nitong tanong habang masama pa rin ang tingin sa akin. 
 
“Oo!” Sagot ko at maya-maya pa ay nakita ko na lang ang kalangitan na dumidilim at may sumisilip ng kidlat. I can’t read him—I can’t read his emotions but one thing is for sure, he was feeling a strong feeling right now and that’s because of me.
 
“Do you want to know, huh?” His voice was so husky and I can’t help but swallow. Nakatatakot ang kaniyang itsura ngayon dahil ang dilim nito and it was mirroring the sky.
 
“Oo nga! Ano ba kasing—” but he didn’t let me finish because he cut me off.
 
“Ano ang problema ko?! Ikaw! Ikaw ang problema ko!” Bulyaw niya habang ako naman ay natigilan. Nag-uumpisa ng mag-ingay ang kalangitan at dahil ‘yon sa kaniya.
 
“W-What do you mean…?” I was taken aback because of what he said and I was only looking at him, confused.
 
“Anong ginawa mo? Anong problema ko?” This time, his tone was a bit calmer than earlier but it still sounds mad. Then he smirked which gave chills down to my spine. “Ito lang naman ang problema ko…” he said and he suddenly leaned closer and captured my lips.
 
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa ginawa niya. Bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko lalo na ng nag-umpisang gumalaw ang kaniyang labi na ikinapikit ko na lamang. He moves his lips and asking for response. Pero dahil hindi naman ako marunong ay hindi ako lumaban ng halik.
 
Ano bang malay ko naman dito?!
 
Buti na lamang at humiwalay din siya kaagad bago pa ako mawalan ng hangin sa katawan. Tinignan niya ako gamit ang namumungay niyang mga mata—malayong-malayo sa tingin niya kanina na ikinalunok ko na lamang.
 
“My Hope…” he said softly which make my heart beat so fast. Just because of one kiss, his tone and his expression changed.
 
“You are confusing me…” I said and look at him in his eyes. He was looking at me softly but I am really confused right now!
 
“Did you heard what I’ve said last night…?” Tanong niya kaya hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung tatango ba ako o hindi, pero sa huli ay tumahimik na lang ako. Then I noticed his sad smile when I did not answer him kaya nakaramdam ako ng konsensya.  “I expected that already…” mahinang wika niya and his voice was laced with sadness.
 
No… I heard you. I’m just afraid to answer you because I’m afraid that you didn’t mean it…
 
I want to answer him that but I chose to keep quiet again. Then he took a deep breath as his pain on his eyes changed into warm. “But don’t worry… I will tell it to you once again and I will never get tired of telling you this…” napalunok ako at hindi nakapagsalita. Mas lalo namang bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba na nararamdaman. “Hope Lorelei Lara Sapphire Watson…” lumunok akong muli ng banggitin niya ang buo kong pangalan. “Ever since I saw you in mortal realm while crying and very scared of vampires, you suddenly caught my attention effortlessly,” nagulat naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya.
 
Teka... Ibig bang sabihin, siya yung batang lalaki na nakasama ko no’n at apo ni grandpa na nagligtas sa aming tatlo no’n?!
 
“And yes, baby, I’m that kid who called you ‘scaredy-cat’ before,” then a charming smile finds its way on his sexy lips. “I’m that kid who has crush on you before and so obsessed to save you but since we’re still child back then, I can’t do anything but tantrums and be grumpy all day,” hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangiti dahil sa sinabi niya sa panghuli. Bigla rin akong kinilig ng sabihin niyang nagka-crush siya sa akin no’n. Nakuha pa niya talagang ngumuso ng makita niya ang nanunukso kong ngiti pero imbis na sitahin ako ay nagpatuloy siya sa pagkwento. “Right then, I swore to the deities that I will be a strong to get the justice for my grandfather and for you. That, if I’m already strong, I can now find you and make you mine…” napakagat ako ng labi dahil sa narinig at hindi mapigilang mapatitig lalo sa kaniya.
 
“Until I saw you again in the mortal realm but I did not recognize you because you’ve grown as a beautiful woman that every man will drool over. You are also the reason why I can’t think properly and you even occupied my mind that’s why I decided to look you in the mortal realm,” then he caresses my right cheek as he stares at me warmly. “I already have speculation that you are my childhood crush until we are accidentally summoned to the nightwalkers’ realm. That’s when I saw the little girl on you. From your scared eyes and how your hand holds mine,” then he smiled sweetly at ang kaniyang mga mata ay mayroong pinahihiwatig. “My Hope… I can’t stand this feeling anymore—I can’t keep it anymore… I endured enough and my body, heart, and mind were aching for you… I wanted to put you in my arms forever. I know that you are too young but can you blame me, baby? This bond—our bond was getting stronger day by day and it was already a torture for me because I know that you are still too damn young…” sobra ang kabang nararamdaman ko dahil sa mga naririnig na salita mula sa kaniya ngunit hindi ko pa rin mapigilang magulat dahil sa huli niyang sinabi.
 
Our bond… he said that, right?
 
“You caught my attention once more and again and again and you are making me crazy just thinking about you. I can not function properly when I can’t even glance at you. You are the reason why I’m smiling and laughing, you are also the reason why I’m already free from my demons… you are indeed my hope… my golden hope,” I was getting emotional right now but there are still words that I am waiting for him to say. “You made me do the things that I never did before and have no plan to do it. You make me worried and care for you when I do not even do that to others, and most of all, you are making me mad when a man is talking to you or even touching you! I want to hug you, kiss you, and hold you until our last breath so badly but I’m afraid that you will hate me and dislike me for who I am—because I’m a cold person,” I looked at him softly while he keeps caressing my right cheek.  “But I can change for you—”
 
“You don’t have to…” putol ko sa iba pa niyang sasabihin bago ngumiti sa kaniya na ikinangiti niya rin. Then he took a deep breath before looking at me the way I looked at him.
 
“I don’t know why the deities gave you to me… I don’t know why the deities destined you to me but one thing is for sure… I am more than lucky—no, I am blessed to have you yet you are still young for twenty-one years old like me…” sumimangot siya sa panghuli niyang sinabi kaya hindi ko mapigilang matawa. “But I am willing to wait, baby… pero pwedeng paki-bilisan? I hate waiting when it comes to you… I mean, I can’t wait to call you mine and have all the rights to own you… you are already mine when the deities destined you to me but I wanted to make it officially whether you like it or not but you have no other choice—you are destined to me since you are born and the fact that we already have Caelum…”  hindi ko naman mapigilang mamula dahil sa huli niyang sinabi.
 
“How can you say ‘wala ka ng kawala sa akin’ without actually saying it?” Hindi ko mapigilang kumento na ikinatawa naman niya ng mahina. “But… y-you know that…” I cleared my throat while he was waiting for what I am going to say. “You… know that we’re… destined?” Mahina kong tanong na ikinangiti naman niya lalo.
 
“It was my grandfather who told me that I have mate… that the deities destined someone for me—the love of my life—and it wasn’t just a normal bond—our bond wasn’t just normal and grandpa didn’t explain to me what he means but what most important right now is that we are beloveds. You are mine and I am yours,” kinantilan niya ng halik ang aking nuo bago siya nagpatuloy. “When I first time saw you again in the zoo, I felt our bond but I was confused that time until I saw you in the academy and confirm my speculation but I still need to confirm until the abduction happened. It’s just that, I didn’t told you about that because I was bothered because of your age…” muli naman akong natawa dahil sa kaniyang huling winika ngunit pinigilan ko rin dahil nakita ko ang hindi maipinta niyang mukha.
 
“Don’t worry… my birthday is coming soon,” saad ko upang gumaan ang loob niya kahit papaano.
 
He sighs before he looks at me like he gave up on something. “I wanted to wait you to turn eighteen but, baby…” ungot niya kaya natawa na lamang akong muli ngunit napatigil na naman dahil sa sunod niyang sinabi. “I love you, my Hope… I know it wasn’t just because we are destined—it was more than that already… This feeling is more than that, so please, baby… be mine,” his eyes are telling a lot of emotions in their depths and I am drowning because of it. Parang gusto ng kumawala ng puso ko dahil sa sobrang bilis ng pagtibok nito.
 
When he said that he loves me last night, I’m very happy because I know, I also love him, that my day is not complete when I can not see him nor not talk to him and like what he said, this is more than about us—being mates. He’s also one of the reasons why I did love this world.
 
Mahal ko siya na kaya kong tumaya upang makasama lamang siya. I can take the risks just for loving him and I think, I will never have a problem when I will also say the three magic words. Ayaw ko na ring patagalin pa ito. 
 
What am I feeling was more than love…
 
He’s waiting for my answer and he looks nervous and at the same time, I can read that he is also scared. Dahil nakahawak ang kamay niya sa palapulsuan ko at sa pisngi ko ay nararamdaman ko rin na malamig ito.
 
He’s really nervous that I might reject him, lalo na ng nanatili lamang ako nakatitig sa kaniya mga mata—looking in his eyes too deep that I didn’t expect that I saw images from them—mga imaheng tumatak sa isipan ko until he interrupted me.
 
What are those…?
 
“P-Pero hindi naman ako nagmamadali… I will court you and will patiently wait for you to say yes and say the three magic words…” napakurap-kurap ako at ng mag-sink-in sa isipan ko ang kaniyang sinabi ay nagdududa ko naman siyang tinignan. “Basta ‘wag matagal, ha? Baka itanan na kita,” dagdag niya kaya napailing na lang ako dahil sa sinabi niya.
 
Instead of answering him, I just attack him a kiss that caught him off guard. Mabilis lamang ‘yon at ng humiwalay ako sa kaniya ay nakita ko na lang na nanlalaki ang kaniyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin ng hindi makapaniwala. But I just wanted to chuckle when I saw him blushing and swallowing couple of times.
 
“Aiden Axel Smith… my price of fire…” panimula ko at ngumiti ng matamis habang nakatingin sa kaniya. “I love you too…” mahina kong wika ngunit sinigurado kong rinig niya pa rin ako. “Kahit na minsan ay iniinis mo ako at kahit hindi kita—” I was caught off guard when he suddenly captured my lips and kiss me deeply but it didn’t last for long and I know that he was holding himself back.
 
“Damn…” he buried his face on my neck and I felt him sniffing my scent like he was calming himself. “This is harder than I thought…” natawa naman ako dahil alam ko ang ibig niyang sabihin.
 
“Self-control, my prince of fire…” I teased which made him groan before sniffing my scent again.
 
He move his head to look at me—he was looking at me lovingly before a soft and loving smile appeared on his lips. “I love you…” he said at hindi ko naman mapigilang kiligin.
 
“I love you, my prince of fire…” sagot ko pabalik and he didn’t see that coming. Natigilan siya bago unti-unting namula ang kaniyang mukha and he looks adorable and when he saw my smile, he just buried his face on my neck again kaya tuluyan na akong tumawa.
 
“Stop it, my Hope!” Ungot niya habang gano’n pa rin ang kaniyang posisyon.
 
Hindi ko naman siya pinakinggan at tumawa lamang. “You look so adorable while you are kinikilig,” saad ko at narinig ko na lamang siyang umungot.
 
“Stop it, baby!” He look at me at nakita ko na lamang ang nakasimangot niyang mukha and I was about to laugh again when he attack me with his kisses. Pinaliguan niya ako ng halik sa buong mukha ko kaya napatawa na lamang ako. He stopped from what he was doing and look at me. “We should find the last plant and then after that, we can now cuddle,” he even wiggled his eyebrows kaya napataas na lamang ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi niya na ikinangiti lamang niya ng malawak. Then he helped me to get up at siya na rin ang nagpagpag sa likod ko.
 
“Ang bigat mo,” reklamo ko at ngumuso ng matapos siya sa ginagawa.
 
“You’ll get used to it, baby, because from now on, I will always be on top of you.”
 
***