The Lost Prodigy

48. Favored

"Topher?"

Nagbago ang timpla ng lalaki nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Nakaramdam ako ng kirot nang lampasan niya ako bago siya sinalubong ng ibang mga Vanguards.

But I'm really sure. Si Topher ang nakita ko at sigurado ako roon. So how could he be Orion?

May umakbay naman sa akin kaya napalingon ako at nakita kong si Selene iyon. Nakakibit-balikat lang si Midas sa aking gilid. Mukhang hindi rin sila pinansin ng lalaki. Pero parang may tinitignan sila ngayon kaya napatingin na rin ako.

"How could he be Orion?"

Hindi makapaniwala kong tanong sa dalawa habang pinagmamasdan si Topher. Para bang naging isang panibagong tao siya nang harapin niya ang mga Vanguards na bumabati sa kanya. He looked so different from his usual self. He became the opposite version of the person I hated before.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib nang makita ko kung paano siya kasaya habang kinakausap ang mga matatanda. He also played with the children and he even carried some of them. He was interacting with the healers and other leaders to discuss something but from time to time, I can see him smile a little. This wasn't the person I knew. Mukhang hindi ko nga siya kilala talaga.

"Topher was just the name he chose for himself when he went inside the Stronghold. He entered the academy to spy and gather information. He created an entirely different personality so that no one will know his real intentions. At sa tagal niya roon ay mukhang naaapply na niya talaga sa sarili niya ang mga ugaling iyon. But the truth will never change. He is Orion," rinig kong pahayag ni Selene habang nakatingin pa rin kami kung na saan ang lalaki.

"The Vanguards consider him as a hero. He had saved many lives and he almost got killed several times because of his brashness. He was always driven by his duty to protect. Oh, I remember my childhood in him," wika naman ni Midas. I can almost see water forming below his eyes.

"Ang tanda tanda mo na, Midas, pero iyakin ka pa rin. Mahiya ka naman kay Blaire," komento naman ni Selene kaya tumawa na lang din ako. Pero may isang linyang sinabi si Midas na nagpaulit-ulit sa isipan ko.

He was always driven by his duty to protect.

I was a fool for thinking that his actions meant something more. I assumed a lot. I thought I was special to him because he have gone through hell just to save me. But now I know that he did everything because it was his duty. And I might have been a fragile damsel in distress who disturbed him because I was weak and I couldn't protect myself. But because of his duty, he couldn't resist to help me. I shouldn't have known better.

But how could I not fall for the person who was there for me during my weakest and lowliest days?

_____

It was twilight when Orion called for us. Natitiyak ko na baka matagalan pa bago ko masanay ang aking sarili na tawagin siya sa totoo niyang pangalan. I wouldn't dare call him Topher if doing so would trigger his other attitude.

Sabay kaming pumasok ni Selene sa tent kung saan gaganapin ang pagtitipon. When I got inside, I saw Orion and Midas already sitted around a circular wooden table where a lamp was located. Seryosong tingin lang ang ibinigay nila sa amin. Whatever we'll be discussing now, I'm sure that it's a serious topic.

Naupo na rin kami ni Selene sa mga bakanteng rug na nakapuwesto paikot sa lamesa. But there were still two vacant rugs. May dalawang tao pa kaming hinihintay.

My eyes darted to the flaps when someone opened it. It was Zara and she was escorted by two Vanguards.

Topher also saved her during our Ranking Ascension. She suffered less than me but she could've died if she was left there to bleed. Dagdagan pa ng mga pagsabog at pagguho ng coliseum. She was fortunate to live.