Paglabas ko ng comfort room, bumungad sa akin ang pigura ng isang tao. Hindi ko ito pinansin dahil nakayuko akong lumabas kaya nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa aking paglalakad.
"Why are you crying?" I stopped when I figured out the familiarity of that voice.
Humarap ako sa kanya, at pilit na ngumiti. "No, I am just fine."
He handed me a handkerchief, and I am confused of his sudden care about me.
"Thank you, but I can't accept it," I said then left him.
"Tyrone, babe you're already here. Let's go," I heard Aira said.
"Oh. What got you so long there?" George asked.
"Nothing. George, I know it is too much to ask for, but can you take us back to the academy now?" I asked.
"Yes, no problem, but why?" he asked.
I need to have some plausible reasons. I need to lie.
"The party ain't starting yet," Miguel said.
"Yeah right. You gotta enjoy the night," Alice added.
"I am sorry, but suddenly, I felt like I am sick or something," I reasoned out. "Maybe, it's because of the food I ate. Nanibago siguro ang tiyan ko."
"Okay then, sorry to hear that," George finally fell for my bait. "Pack your things up, we will go."
I thanked him, and before we got outside I saw Tyrone in my peripheral vision with Aira clinging into his arms.
~•~
Magtatanghali na noong nagising ako. I have already checked my schedule last night before I went to sleep, just to make sure that I have the right to get enough sleep from the tiring day. We're on our third day in the academy, and the following days would be harder I think.
"Good morning, Alvira," Bea greeted me as I started to fix myself. "How are you feeling now? Okay ka na ba?"
I feel guilty that I lied to her, especially to the members of Dark Noxis. I should've stayed there and just ignore what happened, but I am not that dumb to push myself to a place I don't really belong.
"Yeah. I feel much better now compared to last night," I said.
As a matter of fact, I was not really feeling okay yesterday. It's as if, I am emotionally drained. But I should be used to it because for sure, I am about to face more of that as long as I am here in their world.
"Okay, let's go to the cafeteria. Dark Noxis is waiting for us," she said.
There really is something strange about them. I cannot explain it, but they're weird. Why do they keep on being around us knowing that we have a huge differences?
"Tell them that I can't go," I said seriously.
"But why?" she asked disappointedly.
"Bea, you want to know a truth?" I asked her.
Nakita ko kung paano siya napalunok, tila ba nakaramdam siya ng kaba sa aking tanong. Tumango siya bilang tugon.
"We don't belong in this world— in their world. I hope you already understood what I am trying to say without elaborating it," I said.
"I understand what your point is, Alvira. Na hindi dapat tayo makihalubilo sa mga elite na katulad nila dahil isa lamang tayong outcasts. Pero Alvira, sinasabi ko sa iyo, iba sila- iba ang Dark Noxis," pagkukumbinsi niya sa akin.
"Iba nga sila, pero paano naman ang mga taong kauri nila? Kulang na lang siguro, patayin nila tayo sa pamamagitan ng mga isip nila. Hindi natin alam ang kaya nilang gawin. Tandaan mo, they may not be as powerful as Dark Noxis, but still they have special abilities that we don't have, anong laban natin sa kanila?" I pointed out.
"Nariyan naman ang Dark Noxis, tutulungan naman siguro nila tayo?" she said or rather asking.
"Ayan, aasa na naman tayo sa kanila. Bea, nahihiya na ako sa magandang ipinapakita nila gayong alam nating lahat na magkaibang-magkaiba tayo," nakita ko na mukhang napagtanto niya na nang lubusan ang gusto kong iparating sa kanya.
She bitterly smiled. "Yeah. I understand your point. We should know our limitation. We should know the boundary."
"Bea, I am sorry. I don't want you to feel that way. I just want us to be aware that no matter how we try to bond along, there is a boundary that hinders us," I said.
"Yeah. Thank you for making me enlightened. But, I can't hide my sadness, I just want to be friends with them, yet it's not enough," she honestly said. "Can we eat with them just this time?"
"No problem. But after this, we should isolate ourselves away from them, okay?" I asked.
"Oo naman. Ilang araw na lang ang ipananatili natin sa lugar na ito. Babalik na ulit tayo sa dati nating buhay," wika niya.
~•~
"Over here!" I heard George shouting at us. I saw them smiling, a genuine smile. We are too furtuitous to have them, but unfortunately we have to stay away from them.
"Tingnan mo, ayan na naman sila," narinig kong bulungan ng ilan dito.
"Napaka-kapal talaga ng mga pagmumukha."
"Hindi man lang binigyan ng kahihiyan ang mga sarili nila."
"Dapat ipinapamukha sa mga iyan kung saan sila nararapat."
"Yes. We will let them realize where they really belong."
Nakalapit na kami sa pwesto nila, pero ang tingin ng mga estudyanteng narito ay nasa amin pa rin.
"Good morning, how are you, Alvira?" Erica.
It's the four of them again, what would you expect.
"I am fine now, thank you," I replied.
"That's good to hear. Here have a seat," Miguel.
A staff of this cafeteria served a bundle of foods. They ordered all of it for us. Hindi na ako tumanggi pa, it would be rude if I'll do it. Their pure intention guilts me. But, we have to do it anyway.
"We have something to tell you. Something important that we are aware could affect you guys, especially you, Alvira," Alice said in a serious tone as if she's worrying.
"What's that?" Bea asked.
George inhaled first before speaking, "The Annual Game of the Superiors is postponed, yet the ministry doesn't have words regarding the possible date to make it happen."
My heart started to beat fast. I know what would happen next. This can't be happening, my grandmother needs me. I need to get home.
"What does it mean, then?" Bea.
"I don't know if we're the right person to inform you this, but your stay here in the academy will be prolonged," George.
"What?! What about our families? They should be needing us. I mean, a lot of outcasts are here, and for sure, most of them have greater responsibilities in their lives out this place," Bea can't help it but exclaimed.
"Bea, don't worry, you are not staying here any longer, since you were assigned in the other team," Alice explained.
I already figured out what is about to happen next.
"Alvira, you will stay here in the academy alone."
~•~
Noong umaga ring iyon, ipinatawag ang lahat ng outcasts sa academy. Pumunta kami sa isang malaking office na nasa pinaka-main building ng academy, Meeting Hall. Ito ang lugar kung saan pinag-uusapan ang lahat ng mahahalagang bagay na may kaugnayan sa iba't ibang aktibidad ng paaralan.
A sophisticated lady was standing on the stage bringing with her the elegance and beauty— Ms. Helefina.
She explained why we're gathered here, and I am no longer curious of what she's about to announce because I already knew it.
"Thank you for your kindest support with the academy and the district itself. I hope this gave you a wonderful experience that you will bring in your entire existence," she said.
After she explained everything, I saw the relief in the faces of these people showing how they long to see their loved ones.
"Alvira, come with me," she gestured me to follow her.
She knows my name, that's weird. We headed to an office smaller than the meeting hall, but it smells totally good, like fresh flowers. She took a seat on her swivel chair and asked me to sit on the chair on the side as if we're having an interview.
The door suddenly opened, and a man on his 40's appeared. He's quite tall, masculined, and good-looking. The way he looks at you will surely intimidate you.
"Who is she?" he asked Ms. Helefina.
"She's an outcast who will be the servant of Dark Noxis for the following days, Headmaster Van Doren," she said.
He looked at me, "What's your name, iha?"
"A-Alvira Hawthorne, Sir," I answered.
He smiled, and before he left, "Welcome to Eukrania de Aurelius Academy. Have a great stay here."
~•~
"Alvira, are you sure you will be okay here?" Bea worried.
She packed her things up because later on, they will be returning to Harthwaite Town, our home town.
I smiled, "Yes."
"You know what, I will surely miss you. Ilang araw palang tayong nagkakasama, pero iba na iyong bond natin. Nakakapanghinayang nga lang kasi kailangan ko nang umuwi, kailangan din kasi ako ng pamilya ko," she said with teary eyes.
"I'll miss you too, Bea. Yes, they need you, your family needs you. Kaya kailangan mong umuwi pabalik sa kanila," I genuinely said. "Pwede ba akong humingi ng isang pabor sa iyo?"
"Yes, anything. What is it?" she asked.
"Would you please look after my lola. She needs someone right now, she's too old and weak. If I could just go home right now, I would do it, but I can't," I almost cried.
I am missing my lola so much that it hurts me whenever I think about her.
"No problem, Alvira. Don't worry, I'll take care of her," she said and then hugged me.
"Thank you," I said.
Someone knocked in our door. I think it's time for her to leave. I'll definitely miss her because she's my buddy here, she's someone I could rely on. I believe it really happens for a reason, and whatever that reason is, I am ready to face it.
"Bye, Alvira. Take care of yourself here. Wala nang mangungulit sa iyo na sumama sa Dark Noxis," she laughed. "Biro lang. Basta, mag-iingat ka. Huwag kang papasok sa anumang gulo."
"I bet I should be the one to tell you that if you're in my position," I also laughed.
"Yeah right. Goodbye," she smiled, and hugged me once again.
"Goodbye, give your family my regards."
She waved goodbye, then she left. I thought my life here would just be easy, but I was wrong.
To be continued...