Aethergarde Academy

IV. Oath-Taking

Kanina paiyak-iyak siya, tapos ngayon naman talon nang talon sa sobrang saya. Naluwagan ata 'to ng turnilyo nung trials, mukhang napalakas ang voltage.

Sinubukan kong magsalita sa kalagitnaan ng napipisak kong mukha. "OO NAIINTINDIHAN KO!" giit ko bago tanggalin ang mahigpit na hawak niya sa mukha ko. "ANG HINDI KO MAINTINDIHAN EH KUNG BAKIT KA NAGTATAGALOG?"

"HINDI NA MAHALAGA 'YON!" pagsasawalang-bahala niya habang nakangiti nang parang aso.

"ANONG HINDI NA MAHALAGA? ANAK NG PULANG PATOLA!" Napahaplos ako sa noo ko.

"Alam mo bang kahit wala ako sa mood eh nag-english ako para sa'yo! Iningles ko si Eleanor buong araw para lang maintindihan mo kami kahit walang Japanese subtitles tapos marunong ka naman palang magtagalog? Punyeta-" bago ko pa matapos ang litanya ko ay bigla niya akong niyakap nang napakahigpit, halos hindi na ako makahinga.

Doon ko lang tunay na naramdaman at nagpagtanto kung gaano talaga siya kasaya, kaya kahit nag-aalinlangan man ay niyakap ko na lang rin siya.

"I've been wishing for this my whole life..." bulong niya. And I've been fearing this my whole life.

Hindi ko man lang napansin na unti-unti na rin palang tumutulo ang luha ko, pasimple ko na lamang itong pinunasan para wala masyadong makahalata.

What a fucking irony. We're both right here, crying because we were annunciated as surgents, but his tears are of joy and mine are nowhere near it.

"I know you're gonna be great, buddy. You deserve it," I replied.

***

"Keep this, and remember to be safe at all times," with a weak voice and a shaky hand, she managed to put the amulet in my hand.

"Take care of yourself. I love you."

I held the amulet that was hanging on my neck, I never took it off since the day she left.

I tried my best not to cry while thinking of her, but all it did was hurt my chest.

"You doin' good?" tanong ni Eli habang hinihintay ang mga cab na naka-assign na sumundo sa amin.

"Yeah, of course. As good as I can be," pagsisinungaling ko sa pinakakalmadong tonong magagamit ko.

Pagtingin ko sa orasan ko ay alas syete na ng gabi. Lumalamig na ang paligid kaya naman isinilid ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa magkabilang bulsa ng pantalon ko.

Walang ano-ano'y may iniabot sa akin si Eli. Isang puting panyo. Napakunot ako ng noo at napatingin sa kanya, ngunit sa iba siya nakatingin.

"A hanky? Para saan? I'm not crying or anything," giit ko.

"I know you want to, and I'm not quite sure but you might have had already. Save it for later, I guess."

Tumawa pa ako at pilit na nagpalusot, "What do you mean? Okay lang talaga ako, pramis. Like, it's no big deal, right? It's just a magical school in a magical world for people with magical blood. Wala akong dapat ikagalit o ikatakot."

"Seems like you're trying to convince yourself, not me."

Napailing na lamang siya. "I might not know what really happened in the past, but the only thing I can tell you is...it's okay to be weak. It's okay to be scared, Raige. Powers or not, we are still humans." Bumuntong-hininga siya bago muling magsalita, "I won't force you to break out of your own bravado, because you're the only one who could do that. But I just want you to know that I'm here, I'm with you. So tell me, and I promise I'll never leave."