'Dragons'
XIN
Detention. That's where we are. Napasapo nalang ako sa noo ko at umub-ub sa mesa. I don't know what got in to me that I chose to take revenge instead of just walking away like a disciplined daughter of Zeus. "Sorry, Seth." I mumbled between the space left from the desk to my lips. Seth, who was beside me just tapped my back. A reassuring tap.
"Don't be. They deserved it anyway." Hindi nalang ako sumagot sa sinabi niya at inangat ang ulo ko nung marinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng detention room. Keya walked in and titled her head to the side, telling us to go out. Tiningnan niya naman si Walter na nagbabasa lang ng libro at halatang nag-iiwas ng tingin sa kanya. "Xin, the Dean wants to talk to you." Paalala ni Keya bago siya umalis. Walter immediately got up from his seat and chased after Keya. Tumingin nalang ako kay Matthew na nakaupo pa dun sa upuan niya.
"I'm gonna stay here for a while." Tiningnan ko naman si Jayden at tumango lang siya kaya iniwan na namin si Matthew dun sa detention room. Naglakad kaming tatlo ni Seth at Jayden papunta sa Dean's office at bahagya akong napahawak sa balikat ko. Seth put a hand of my shoulder pero ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at inalis ang kamay niya sa balikat ko.
Pagdating namin sa Dean's office ay sabay kaming pumasok.
"Oh, there's three of you." Bati sa amin ng Dean at tiningnan sina Seth at Jayden sa tabi ko.
"Obviously." Jayden hissed but Seth just took him outside, leaving me with the Dean alone. Tinuro niya ang sofa kaya naglakad ako papunta doon at umupo. She just smiled at me, stood up and sat by the sofa in front of me. Tiningnan niya lang ako ng higit isang minuto na walang sinasabi hanggang sa ngumiti siya muli at nagsalin ng tea sa dalawang tea cups na nasa harap namin.
"It's bad news for Zeus to know that you got into detention on your first day of school here in UHT." Nakangiti niyang sabi at inusog palapit sa akin ang tea cup. Tiningnan ko lang ang tea at tsaka ako tumingin sa mga mata niya. I still don't know what creature she is, that's why I'm building my walls higher right now. "Does he know?" I asked.
"Even if I tell him or not, he'll surely know. But that's not the reason why I called you here." My brows rose and my lips perked up.
"I think I know who wanted to assassinate the Queen of Elenor."
✥✥
"Sabi ni Seth pinatawag ka raw ng Dean kanina." Tiningnan ko lang si Jun na nakahiga sa hita ko at nagbabasa ng libro habang nags-sketch naman ako. I just hummed as an answer to him. "Care to share?" He got that line from me whenever I notice that he's fazing out and now he's using it on me.
"Nothing important. She just wanted to know what happened at the gym." Pasimple kong sagot pero tumigil ang kamay ko sa paggalaw sa sketchpad at bahagya akong nag-isip. I don't trust the Dean that much to believer her, that's why I'll keep the information to myself for now.
Nabigla ako nung agad na umupo si Jun at tumingin sa akin. I took my focus away from the sketchpad and looked at him with a questioning look.
"Why? What happened at the gym?" Napaawang kaagad ang bibig ko dahil sa tanong niya. Oh, right. I was the first member who got into detention that came home. The rest still had their classes.
I just chewed on my lower lip and ended up telling him everything that happened at the gym.
"Are you okay?" Tanong niya at hinawakan ang balikat ko. Tumango lang ako at bumalik na sa pagsk-sketch. Jun just huffed out a breath and I stiffened on my seat when he suddenly landed a kiss on my forehead. What was that all about?
"You make me worry." He said and I noticed the red flush on his cheeks.
"I'm going to make some cupcakes." Sabi niya at agad na umalis. Natawa nalang ako sa kanya at bumalik na sa ginagawa ko pero hindi ko maalis ang tingin sa mukha niya kanina. Why is that dork so cute? Ngumiti nalang ako at binura ang linyang kakagawa ko lang at tinuon nalang ang atensiyon ko sa ginagawa ko.
After hours of sketching, my hand grew tired kaya tinigil ko muna ang ginagawa ko at binaba na ang sketchpad. Then I just noticed that it was already almost five in the afternoon. Pauwi na siguro 'yung team, pati si Xy. Oh, Xy. Sabi nila ihahatid raw siya ng teacher niya. Shall I pick him up?
With that question on my mind, tumayo ako at sinuot ang cap ko tsaka bumaba na. Tumingin kaagad sa akin si Jun nung makita niya ako.
"Susunduin ko lang si Xy." Paalam ko sa kanya at umalis na. I walked my way to the other side of the university since nandun ang pre-school. Habang naglalakad ako, napapansin kong may mga activities na nangyayari dun sa field. There were students playing soccer, running on the track field and playing football.
Just then, I realized that UHT is somehow just like the other universities in the human realm. The difference is the students attending it and the subject offered. But mostly, it's the same.
From my view, kitang-kita ko si Xy na nakaupo dun sa isang bench habang naglalaro 'yung ibang bata sa paligid niya. He was just sitting there, almost looking like he's thinking of something too deep. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanya at nung nasa harap na niya ako ay dahan-dahan siyang tumingala sa akin.
I smiled at him, offered a hand and bid his teacher goodbye.
Naglalakad kami sa pathway ni Xy habang hawak-hawak niya ang kamay ko at tahimik lang. Kinuha ko ang bag niya at tiningnan siya na nakatingin lang sa unahan. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako at tumingin-tingin sa paligid. Until I noticed an ice cream shop, I smiled.
Kumunot agad ang noo ni Xy nung nalaman niyang hindi muna kami uuwi. I brought him into the ice cream shop where they sell very large cups of ice creams. As our order was brought to us, napanganga nalang si Xy nung nakita niya ang napakalaking cup ng ice cream sa harap niya.
"Say hello to cavities." Natawa kaagad ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Xy just makes the most hilarious comments sometimes. He slowly fetches his spoon and took a large scoop of ice cream. Tiningnan ko lang siya na kumakain hanggang sa itinapat niya ang isang scoop sa bibig ko kaya tiningnan ko siya.
Ngumiti lang ako at tsaka sinubo ang scoop.
"I should protect you." I almost chocked on the ice cream because of what he said.
"I became your responsibility because I neglected my duties as a reaper." I felt a pang on my chest when he said those words. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang malagkit sa ice cream at pinunasan ito ng wet wipes. Those kids must have been bullying him again.
"Xy Allison Wen, I didn't take you in just because you became my responsibility because you neglected your duties. I took you in because you're cute, you're smart, you're caring, and I love you." I said those words while I was cleaning his fingers. I then locked my gaze at him and smiled sweetly.
"But I'm still going to protect you. No one's having your blood except for Dad." Natawa nalang ako sa kanya at kinurot ang pisngi niya. Kinuha niya pa ang wet wipes na hawak ko at pinunasan ang kamay kong hindi naman marumi kaya natawa ulit ako sa kanya. "Sure, protect me. My little knight in a bunny armour." I said, referring to the bunny on his shirt, which he immediately hid from me and told me to stop teasing him and his love for bunnies.
After finishing the whole cup of ice cream—which was a miracle—umuwi na kami ni Xy at nadatnan namin 'yung team na kumakain na dun sa dining area at si Jun na parang naghihintay sa amin dun sa sofa.
"Aalis ka na?" Tanong ko sa kanya. I was referring to the classes that vampires have at night. Tumango lang siya at ginulo na ang buhok ni Xy. Tumango lang din ako at kumaway na sa kanya tsaka ko na tiningnan si Xy na nakahiga na sa sofa. "Busog na ako." Sabi niya habang nakatingin sa kesame. Napakagat nalang ako sa labi ko. Was it a bad thing that I treated him to ice cream when it was almost dinner time? Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo ko at tiningnan si Xy.
Seriously, Xin? You're trying to kill a kid.
Kumuha nalang ako ng water bottle sa fridge at binigay kay Xy tsaka na ako sumalo sa team na kumakain. We ate in silence, which was unnatural. Tiningnan ko sina Duke at Baxter na magkalayo sa pagkakaupo. Usually, they sit next to each other so that they can tease members side by side. Tiningnan ko lang si Hoshi at pinapatahimik na niya ako kahit wala pa akong sinasabi.
Hindi nalang ako umimik at tinapos na ang kinakain ko.
Dinner was done, we were by the sofa, watching the news and Duke and Baxter still hasn't said a word. Wala namang nagsasabi sa akin kung anong nangyayari.
"You guys know that no one is allowed to sleep until this is resolved, right?" Tanong ni Seth sa kanila. A hint of authority was in his voice and that's when I found out that maybe this is really serious. Tiningnan ko lang sina Duke at Baxter na nag-iiwas ng tingin kay Seth. "Come on, say it." Sabi ni Jayden na nakatingin ng seryoso sa kanila. The team rarely fights kaya umayos ako ng upo. I was experiencing a pressure on my own, as if I was involved in the fight even if I was not. Tumalikod lang si Duke at napabuga lang ng hangin si Baxter.
Nakita kong nagtiim-bagang si Seth at tumingin sa dalawa.
"I'm warning you." Mariin niyang sabi. The TV went static when I saw Seth's hand filling up with electricity, baby lightning as Hoshi calls it.
"'Wag niyo nang patagalin pa." Nakayukong sabi ni Dino at pinaglaruan ang daliri niya. Tiningnan ko naman 'yung dalawa na huminga ng malalim at dahan-dahan nang humarap at tumingin sa isa't-isa.
"The chicken comes first." Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi ni Duke.
"No, the egg comes first." Sabi rin ni Baxter.
Just then, I knew the whole thing. I just flicked my tongue and huffed out a breath. Ahh, they succeeded on fooling me. Why did I even consider the idea that something was wrong when I'm part of a team that has crackhead culture? Nagtawanan agad silang lahat at may mga yumugyog pa sa akin. Hoshi then kept yelling at my ear, telling me that I was a fool. Yes, I was. Bakit ba ako naniwala na nag-aaway 'tong dalawang 'to?
Duke can't even say diss words at Baxter. Tinapik-tapik naman ni Seth ang balikat ko at nakita kong nagyayakapan na 'yung dalawa dun sa harap at tinuturo pa ako. Things the team do when they're bored: pull a prank on each other. Mostly on me. Remind me why I'm in this team in the first place.
"Seth, nandito lang naman tayo para sa program diba?" Pambabasag ni Milo sa tawanan nila. Tumango naman agad ni Seth dahil dito.
"Then why do we need to attend the classes? I think it's unnecessary. We're only here to protect Xinny. Why not do that instead of going to useless classes?" Aniya at tumingin sa iba. Hoshi immediately agreed with it since he hates going to school, except for the canteen of course. Tatango na sana si Seth dahil ayaw niya rin namang mag-aral pero tiningnan lang siya ni Jayden at tsaka na siya tumikhim.
Umayos siya ng tayo at tumingin kay Milo.
"It's Zeus' orders." Tipid na sagot ni Seth sa kanya.
"But you can skip class whenever you want. The classes are just a way to relieve our boredom." Joshua wrapped it up in a nice way at tumango-tango nalang si Milo.
"I'm going to sleep." Pagpapaalam ko sa kanila at agad namang tumango 'yung iba. I just took a high five from Matthew and walked away. Mamaya na raw aakyat si Xy kasi maglalaro pa sila ng monopoly nina Hoshi.
Pumasok na ako sa kwarto ko. I took my usual bath, scented my self and went to bed.
✥✥
I woke up when I heard the door creak open. The room was dark, Xy was already sleeping on his bed. Tumingin ako sa alarm clock ko at nalamang hating-gabi na pala. I stretched like cat on the bed and looked at Jun who was creeping into my bed and touching my hair.
"I told you to dry your hair before going to bed." He said, almost a whisper, trying not to disturb Xy's sleep. Wala akong sinagot sa sinabi niya at tiningnan siya. Kumunot agad ang noo ko nung makita ko ang mga mata niya. Something was wrong with him. Something that I can't grab hold unto.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, touching his cheek.
"Nothing, go back to sleep." That was all he said.
And in the next nights, it was like that. I go to school at day, then coming home to sleep. And then waking up with Jun creeping into my bed and sleeping by my side, nudging me closer to him. He holds me as if I'm going to run away and he won't let me escape, even if I wasn't running away.
Something was really bothering him. I tried to ask, but all his answers are the same. "Nothing, go back to sleep." It's all I've been hearing from him. I've been having sleepless nights thinking of what might be bothering him.
✥✥
"Xin! You have mail!" Tumingin agad ako kay Duke na nagbabasa ng mga letters dun sa pinto. Pinunasan ko agad ang kamay ko habang nakatingin ako sa wall clock. It's still too early, so I guess I have time to read that letter. Lumapit agad ako sa kanya at kinuha ang letter pero agad na kumunot ang noo ko nung makita kong walang pangalan ng sender 'yung letter.
I tried opening the side pero nahirapan ako kaya kumuha ako ng kutsilyo dun sa kusina at itinutok na 'yung kutsilyo dun sa letter at tsaka na ito binuksan at tiningnan kung ano mang meron sa loob.
I was reading the letter that one of the 'admirers' sent me. It was the ordinary letter that I get but as soon as the sentenced progressed, the letter was getting creepy.
'We want your blood, as much as we want you. Wait for us.'
Nanginig agad ang kamay ko dahil sa nabasa ko. I immediately burned the letter dahilan para tumingin sa akin 'yung iba. "Problem?" Joshua asked. Lumingo-lingo lang ako at huminga nalang ng malalim para pigilan ang panginginig ng kamay ko. Kinuha ko nalang ang jacket ko at umalis nalang ng dorm.
I went to my first class and tried to calm myself. Pumikit nalang ako at umupo sa pinakadulo habang hinihintay pa ng prof na dumating 'yung iba.
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about the dragons." Naiangat ko agad ang tingin ko sa prof dahil sa sinabi niya at dun ko nakitang nakatingin pala siya sa akin. I scanned the creatures in the room and there was no sign of the team. Huminga nalang ako ng malalim at parang nabunutan ako ng tinik nung makita kong pumasok si Lorisse.
Tumakbo agad siya papunta sa tabi ko at umupo.
"Hi, Xin~" Bati niya at binigyan pa ako ng coffee. Tininggap ko lang ang binigay niya at tsaka na kami tumingin sa prof na nagsusulat na pala sa board, or should I say, the marker is floating and writing whatever she says on the board.
What is this? An adaption form Harry Potter?
"Now, has anyone seen a dragon?" Tanong niya sa klase at agad naman silang lumingo-lingo. Tiningnan ko lang si Lorisse na parang nabigla sa tanong at agad na tiningnan ang schedule niya. She must've been too busy not to realize what class she's in.
Tumingin agad siya sa akin at nabigla pa ako sa pagkakabilog ng mga mata niya. Lorisse has these cute but big eyes. Tinapik-tapik ko nalang ang balikat niya at binalik ang tingin namin sa harap.
"Oh, no one's seen a dragon?" Tanong muli ng prof habang nananahimik lang kami ni Lorisse dito sa likuran.
"What about you, Miss Allison? Have you seen a dragon?" Tanong ng prof sa akin dahilan para tumingin sa akin 'yung mga kaklase ko. Lorisse just lowered her head kaya tiningnan ko siya. Her thoughts weren't blocked, and I can see the images on them. No one in UHT knew what she was. No one knows that she's a dragon.
Naningkit agad ang mga mata ko dahil dito. If no one knows what she is, paano siya nakapasok sa UHT? Did Zeus just write down her name without telling what she is?
"Yes, I've seen one." Tipid kong sagot nung inalis ko na ang tingin ko kay Lorisse. Narinig ko agad ang tawanan ng iba dahil sa sinabi ko kaya tiningnan ko lang sila.
"What are you? A time-traveller? Dragons are already extinct, Miss Flirting-with-all-the-boys." Natatawang sabi ng isang babae dun sa unahan. Tiningnan ko lang siya at pinaningkitan. She's a dark angel. Wow, that's a new one. Umangat lang ang gilid ng labi ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
"It's enough to brag about talking to the gods, Xin. Don't make up lies." Dagdag nung isa kaya hinawakan ko na ang kamay ni Lorisse nung makita kong nanginginig na ito. If she hid her identity, there must be a reason. And she can't risk showing it here. Tiningnan ko lang 'yung professor namin na parang pinapakiramdaman ang paligid.
She knows something.
"Class, did you know that the first female dragon to take flight in the fire breathing dragon clan was named Muirgen?" Tanong niya sa kanila. Now I confirm it. She knows that I'm a dragon.
"And it so happens here, that Xin's second name is Muirgen." Nakangiti niyang sabi sa kanila dahilan para magtawanan na naman 'yung mga babae dun sa unahan. Dark angels, huh?
"So, anong sinasabi niyo, Ma'am? That she's a dragon too? Gosh! She's already a bloody hybrid. Masyado naman yatang ambisyosa kung magiging dragon pa siya." Natatawang sabi nung isa na may halong inis. Naningkit agad ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ko siya. Hmm. I can't get into her head. I don't know why. She's blocking me. Or maybe, her thoughts are blocked. I wonder.
"You don't believe me? Let's make a bet then, shall we?" Tumaas agad ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi ng prof. Looking at her, a red-head, skin as pale like Jun's, tall and a killer gaze. She does not look like a professor to me. She looks so young, so fiery. And it's new to hear a teacher making a bet with a student.
Ngumiti naman 'yung studyante sa kanya at tumango dahilan para tingnan ako ng prof at tsaka binalik ang tingin dun sa babae.
"If I prove to you, that she's a dragon, I will fail you, not only in this subject but all the subjects you had even if I'm not the one handling it and send you back to wherever realm you came from. If not, I'll do you a very big favour. I can even clear all your bad records in UHT and I can be your bloody slave for a whole damn year." Umangat agad ang gilid ng labi ko dahil dito. Her offer is so tempting if I was in the girl's place. And it is, tumango agad 'yung babae dahil sa sinabi niya at tiningnan pa nila ako na parang natatawa.
They were so certain that they were right. That I was ambitious.
Tiningnan lang ako nung prof namin at ngumiti siya pero nabigla ako nung bigla niyang itinaas ang kamay niya. Her hands glowed, and her eyes changed colors.
"Muirgen, come forth." And the moment she said those words, I wrecked a whole building.
Being in my dragon form after a very long time drained my energy and I was covered in dusk and debris. I fell, hearing her words.
"Nice to meet you, Muirgen. I'm Mandora, chief of the fire breathing dragon clan."
❅ Snow ❅