Hi, crowns! Good morning. I hope you had a good weekend. And have a great day, today! ✨
Thank you so much and sorry for all the errors! Enjoy reading. 🤍
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#TCS57: Welcome to the Empire
Miracle Silhouette's POV
I couldn't help but smile after we finished transferring necessary things that I asked inside the house that we were going to stay in inside the Empire. Isolde would stay with us, and Master Gideon would go in and out. Akakios would also go out if needed especially when it comes to business matters.
It thrilled me to think that I managed to enter this school again, without anyone's knowledge. I smirked and looked at the whole place. The school hasn't officially started yet, and only a few people had been in this place. Kaya naman walang nakahalata sa amin. Tricking the Empire administration and school was really a big achievement.
The person they had been looking for... was just around the corner. And they would never notice it.
"You have been grinning non-stop since we arrived here. That happy?" Napaayos ako ng pagkakatayo sa balcony ng bahay, habang tinatanaw ang magandang parke na malapit sa pinagtayuan ng malaking bahay kung saan kami mananatili.
Tapos may building din na kinuha sina Isolde sa dulong bahagi ng Empire, para do'n kami makagawa ng mga misyon, at makapag-training. Hindi 'yun nahalata, dahil noon pa man pwede nang gawin 'yun.
"Yeah, I could watch over them more closely," I stated truthfully. I saw how Isolde rolled her eyes. Glancing at the house that was bigger than the others, that was just across ours.
"You are freakishly terrifying, are you even aware?" Iiling-iling na imik nito, kaya naman napakunot-noo ako. Huh? Why? I was just doing things that I would benefit all of us, and would make us safer, although, there would be risks.
"Huh?" I flicked a brow at her.
"You are playing the whole game here. You set up everything—including the stage, and the players. And they don't not even know that you are the one doing all of it. And they will think it was all because of their plan and thinking? When it was really all you? Fucking twisted." I even saw Isolde hugged herself, and pretended that she got electrified.
I chuckled softly. Huffed an invisible air from my mouth, and felt the breeze.
"The moment you named me an Empress, you should have known." Pagak s'yang natawa sa sinabi ko, at inilagay ang magkabilang kamay sa baiwang.
"Just make sure you are not going to get caught. You are not the invisible person you used to be," paalala n'ya sa akin. Tumango ako sa kanya. Tinanguan lang n'ya ako at umalis s'ya. Nanatili ako sa balcony.
I gazed at the house across of us. Luna's house. I smiled.
Nanatili ako ro'n hanggang sa bigla na lang may yumakap sa akin mula sa likod. It didn't surprise me and I only leaned on his broad chest. The wind blew, and the feeling of peace was dancing in the atmosphere.
"We still have time before the official start of the school starts, wanna go out and do something?" I heard Akakios' soft voice. I inhaled a small amount of air, and giggled softly. Nanatili s'yang tahimik at nag-iintay ng sagot ko.
"Pwede ba? Limitado pa rin ang galaw natin," I stated as a matter-of-factly.
"Magaling ka namang tumakas 'di ba?" My lips parted in shock, and I faced him while breaking the hug. Hinampas ko s'ya nang malakas sa dibdib at nanlaki ang mga mata n'ya.
"Aray, Silhoue! Nagkapasa yata ako." Hindi ko mapigilang hindi humalakhak kasi nag-inarte pa s'ya parang sobrang bigat ng kamay ko. Lakas din ng topak nito kapag minsan eh. I stuck my tongue out to him, tapos dinanggil ko 'yung braso n'ya para makalampas sa kanya.
I saw Master Gideon inspecting the whole house. It was smaller compared to Isolde's mansion, but it was huge compared to common houses in the place. He took his time looking out for bugging devices and other things. When he found none, he told us to come with him.
"I'll be out of the country tomorrow. I'll return after a week." I nodded at him.
Nasa hapag kami ngayon at nag-uusap-usap tungkol sa mga susunod na mangyayari.
"I'd focus on training, and business matters too." They all nodded when I spoke.
"How about the hierarchy in here?" tanong ni Isolde.
"Since we are staying in this big house, and was capable of having a building to ourselves. We'll disguise as Royals. Although I wanted to become a Middle Tier, it won't make sense in the Empire Administration. It's better to be safe." Mahabang paliwanag ko at tumango sila.
"Alas?" Napalingon si Akakios na tahimik na kumakain sa Lolo n'ya.
"Make sure you don't attract attention. People in here are not ordinary. They are the highest of the echelon, and those who are affiliated with underground business, mafias, assassins, and more." Akakios nodded, with his Lolo's words.
"How about your siblings and your friend? They'd probably know about your childhood friends enrolling in here." Isolde sipped on her sparkling water, and looked at me curiously.
One side of my lips curled to form a smile, but I pressed it together, before it became to noticeable.
"They are part of the players. They would be the ones to approach those troublemakers, and they'd be forced to train and make them stronger. I could even use those fake Mortem to trigger them to act." I informed them while cutting the stake I have in my plate.
"You are being reckless again, Miracle." Tiim-bagang na sambit ni Isolde.
"I'd rather have them face danger in my game, than on someone else's place, Isolde." Walang takot na sagot ko sa kanya. At nakita ko ang pagdaan ng takot sa mga mata n'ya bago maging seryoso 'yun.
She wiped the side of her lips with the towel, and dropped her utensils. She was finished eating. She sighed too. Alam kong maraming pag-aalala si Isolde sa plano, pero alam kong sa loob-loob n'ya, hindi na rin s'ya makipag-intay sa kung ano'ng mangyayari sa lugar na 'to.
"Are your friends even aware what kind of school this is? That this is also a dorm school?" dagdag na pagkukuwestiyon ni Isolde.
"No. I made sure that they would enrol in here. And if they discover that this is a dorm school, they'd probably have second thoughts and ask their parents," sambit ko. Tapos kumagat sa kinakain.
"Hindi pwedeng mangyari 'yun. They needed to be commoners. Not crowns. I manipulated their enrolment process, a tiny bit." Natawa si Master Gideon at si Akakios sa sinabi ko. Akakios was the one who did it for me.
"Sana ganyan ka rin katalino, no'ng sumugod ka para iligtas 'yung kapatid mo, 'no?" Irap ni Isolde.
Mas lalong humagalpak ng tawa si Master Gideon at Akakios. I pouted at Akakios, and he was shaking his head at me.
"I agree, Isolde," pang-aasar ni Akakios sa akin, itinaas-baba pa ang kilay n'ya.
Kaya naman natawa si Isolde sa akin kasi nakasimangot na ako. I just shook my head at them, and continued eating. Kumain na lang din kami at nang matapos, inayos namin ang kanya-kanyang kwarto.
Maayos na naman 'yun. I have my room with the motif of ocean green, with a little bit of beige and white. Malinis at maginhawa 'yung tingnan. I also made sure it was minimal. And it had two doors.
One connecting to closet and washroom, and the other for the technology room.
When I was finished in my room. I walked out, and Akakios also exactly closed the door at his back. I waved my hands excitedly at him.
Bumababa kami ni Akakios sa salas, at do'n naabutan si Isolde at Master Gideon na nag-uusap tungkol sa nangyayari sa Domain. Sa ngayon, tahimik sila dahil akala nila nagawa nila ang plano no'n nang maayos.
"Pwede pong lumabas kami para maglibot sa lugar?" My eyes widened when I heard Akakios asked Master Gideon.
Tinaasan s'ya ng kilay ni Master Gideon. Tapos nakita ko sa mukha nitong napaisip s'ya. Sa huli, nagbuntonghininga at tumango. Halos lumuwa ang bagang ko dahil sa pagpapahintulot nito sa amin.
"Talaga po?!" My voice was too enthusiastic and high-pitched, and I gulped secretly.
Master Gideon chuckled and smiled at us. Samantalang takhang-takha pa rin ako kasi pinayagan kami.
"Next time, be like Alas." Isolde suddenly popped in with a playful simper. "Marunong magpaalam kaya pinapayagan."
"Silhoue has been assassinated!" Nahampas ko kaagad ang braso ni Akakios sa pangloloko n'ya sa akin.
Tuwang-tuwa namang tumawa si Isolde dahil para s'yang batang naka-score sa sagutan namin. Si Master Gideon naman, napapailing habang nakangiti sa amin. Panguso-nguso tuloy ako ro'n habang naka-cross arms.
"Alam mo, napapansin ko Aki, lakas mong mang-asar ngayon ha." Siniko ko s'ya at umupo kami sa tapat nina Master Gideon.
"Cute ka kasi asarin." Tapos nag-make face pa s'ya ng mga reaksyon ko kapag inaasar n'ya ako. Kaya naman kaagad kong inilagay 'yung kamay ko sa mukha n'ya at itinulak ko 'yun. Halakhak lang s'ya nang halakhak sa akin.
"Labas po muna kami, 'Lo. Salamat po sa pagpayag!" Akakios said with giggling.
"Mag-ingat." We both nodded like little kids, and I went upstairs first and set up the technology to immediately delete, and not show any records of me and Akakios in the cameras of the school.
Madali ko lang nagawa 'yun kasi isa ako sa may ambag ng security sa school na 'to. Kaya nga walang nakahalata o nagkaro'n ng ideya na nandito na kami sa loob. Not even my parents should now. If they ever discovered it, they'd end up covering for me in the end.
Nang bumaba, inaantay na ako ni Akakios.
Nagpaalam kami ni Akakios, kasi aalis na rin si Master Gideon. Si Isolde naman pupunta ro'n sa building na para sa mga training at iba pang bagay, para siguraduhing walang kahit ano'ng makakasama sa amin do'n.
When we separated ways. It only showed us how big the Empire School was. I already memorized the whole map of the school since my first time entering in here when we were kids, but they added more structures, and land, but it was still easy to memorize.
"Saan mo gustong pumunta?" I asked Akakios joyfully.
Naglalakad kaming dalawa ngayon sa sidewalk ng subdivision ng mga cabin o bahay rito. Hapon na pero hindi pa naman palubog ang araw, mataas pa ang sikat nito. Medyo mainit, pero hindi naman sobra-sobra kasi maraming puno at halaman rito.
"Hmm..." I hopped, and walked fast, and I ended up in front of him, and I faced him while walking backwards.
I couldn't help but smile, as I feel my cheeks blushed looking at him. He was tall, with a fair complexion, and messy jetblack hair. Kahit hindi mo suklayin 'yun sobrang gwapo pa ring tingnan. Idagdag mo pa 'yung panga n'ya sa sobrang saktong-sakto sa mukha n'ya. His lips weren't that thin, and the bridge of his nose was high.
His dark and almost raven eyes. That attractive eyes. 'Yung tipong kapag titigan mo para kang hinuhugot no'n sa napakalalim na pagkatao at kaluluwa. Tapos 'yung eyelashes, at kilay pa n'ya sobrang gwapo lang tingnan. Ang lakas pa pumorma kahit polo at khaki lang ang suot. Nakapamulsa lang din.
He looked so angelic yet royal. The power he carries. It was so strong and admirable.
Truly and perfectly suited as the de Castelian. As a real royal blood.
"Silhoue!" Nagulat ko no'ng bigla na lang s'yang sumigaw at mabilis na hinuli ang baiwang ko para hinigitin papalapit sa kanya. I looked at him, surprised. Mukhang gulat din s'ya at nagpapasalamat kasi ligtas ako.
I looked back, and saw that I almost tripped on the road hump because I saw walking backwards and looking at him intently.
"Tsk." He hissed at him, and made me stand up straight. Ihinarap n'ya ako sa unahan. Tapos inilagay ang magkabila n'yang kamay sa mga balikat ko.
"Lakad," he instructed, and I grinned. Naglakad ako, at hindi n'ya ako binitawan na para bang inaalalayan n'ya ako sa paglalakad kahit nasa likod ko s'ya. I shook and waved my shoulders, and skipped a little.
"Kulit ng baby." I could feel that he was shaking his head while saying it.
"Saan tayo dali?" pangungulit ko sa kanya, haharap sana s'ya sa akin, pero pinigilan ko. Kaya naman naglakad kami habang nakagano'n. Mabuti na lang walang kahit sinong tao sa paligid.
"You choose. You know this place better than me." Pinaningkitan ko s'ya ng mga mata kasi may naisip akong kalokohan.
"Sigurado?" I teased.
"Uwi na lang tayo," he joked, and I ran while holding his hands on my shoulders. Wala s'yang nagawa kung hindi tumakbo rin kagaya ko. Tawa yata namin ang nangibabaw sa lugar.
"Hindi ka ba kinakabahan sa lugar na 'to?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Andyan ka naman, pwede mong takutin lahat nang mang-aaway sa akin," he kidded, while giggling. Tinanggal ko ang kamay kong nakalagay sa kamay n'ya nasa balikat ko. Kaya lalong lumakas ang tawa n'ya.
"Ah, gano'n, pala ah?" hamon ko sa kanya.
He walked beside me, and nodded. "Hmm! Kasi selosa ka. Kahit inaaway na ako, baka akalain mo inaagaw ako sa 'yo." My lips parted at his confidence.
Sasabunutan ko sana s'ya kaso bigla na lang s'yang tumakbo! Bwisit talaga 'yun! Kung ano-ano siguro tinuturo ni Isolde'ng pang-aasar do'n! Pero baka nahawa 'yun sa mga kababata ko noon ah? He also monitors them from time to time! Geez! Lalo s'yang nagiging cute! Kainis!
Para kaming batang naghabulan do'n. Hanggang sa naabutan ko s'ya at mabilis na inangklahan ng kamay sa braso.
Pumunta kaming dalawa sa parang mismong city ng lugar. I saw how amazed Akakios was, because it looked like we were outside the Empire, and inside a real city. Ganito talaga rito, kaya nga dorm school.
"Tara do'n!" Masaya ko s'yang hinila. May ilang mga teachers, staff, at estudyante sa lugar, pero hindi gano'n kadami. Napapatingin sila sa amin ni Akakios, pero napapaiwas din ng tingin at namumula ang mga pisngi.
Hindi ko na lang pinansin kasi gano'n naman palagi. Akakios really looked like someone who walked out of a comic book to breathe in real life. Yeah, unreal beauty, attractiveness, and charisma. Tapos kapag nalaman pa nila na napaka-anghel nito sa ugali? God, sumasakit na ang ulo ko kasi paniguradong napakaraming kung ano-ano ang inaalay sa kanya ng mga babae, o baka pati ng lalaki. Hindi imposible.
I dragged him to enter the store, and we were greeted by the staff.
"Good afternoon—hala pinagpala nga ng lahat! Napaka-gwapo ay!" Kaagad nabatukan ng isang staff 'yung bumati sa amin.
"Good afternoon." Napatikom ang bibig no'ng isa pa kasi muntik na rin s'yang may sabihin. Napakamot sa ulo si Akakios, at halos lumuwa ang mga mata at bibig no'ng dalawa sa harapan namin.
I faked a cough, but they also drooled at me. Napalunok na lang ako.
"This way po, napakagandang Ma'am, at mala-Dyos na Sir." Humagikgik pa 'yung unang bumati sa amin. Ngumiti na lang ako sa kanila. At nabato sila no'ng si Akakios 'yung ngumiti.
Muntik ko na tuloy takpan 'yung mukha ni Akakios!
"Alam mo, tatanggalan na talaga kita ng kilay para hindi ka agaw pansin," bulong ko kay Akakios at bigla na lang 'tong tumawa nang marahan sa sinabi ko.
Everyone in the shop, looked in our way, and I swear! I heard that lalala~ effects, and shining effects from dramas the moment they gazed at Akakios! I rolled my eyes, and followed the bewitched staff to guide us in our seats.
Kaagad kong pinaupo si Akakios. "Kaming dalawa," sabi ko sa kanila. Nanlaki ang mga mata nila. Hindi makapaniwala na pati si Akakios.
"Me too?" Pati si Akakios, napatingin sa akin.
"Yep!" Masayang imik ko.
They nodded, and suddenly an upgraded version of the sofa was given to us. Tapos umupo na kami at binigyan nila kami no'ng pamimilian na book.
"Ako rin?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Akakios. Nag-aabang lang 'yung dalawang trabahante sa amin. I nodded at him.
"Linis lang sa 'yo. Ikaw? Sa tingin mo, ano'ng bagay sa akin?" I queried while smiling, and showing him the design book for the nails. Binuklat n'ya ng seryoso 'yung libro at napangiti ako kasi nakakunot-noo na s'ya.
I heard giggles, and although I didn't raise my head to see them, I felt their eyes on us. Admiring and almost drooling at the view. I didn't mind. As long as I know, Akakios eyes were only for me, walang laban ang selos.
"Here!" Excited na parang batang turo ni Akakios. I chuckled when I saw it. It was a flower design, and it was simple and plain. I liked it too. Kaya naman kaagad kong sinabi na 'yun ang akin, at manicure at pedicure na cleaning kay Akakios.
Kaagad nila kaming dinaluhan. I saw that Akakios eyes sparkled in innocence. First time n'ya kasi. Mahilig si Tita Alyx nito no'ng mga bata kami nakikita ko. I wanted to try it, too. Sobrang bilis nila kaming inasikaso.
At nagsimula na rin, habang magkatabi kami ni Akakios.
"Ang ganda n'yo po Ma'am. Bagay na bagay po kayo ni Sir." Napangiti ako sa sinabi no'ng babae. Akakios laughed shyly when he heard it. I saw how his ears reddened. Cute.
"Matagal na po kayo?" tanong no'ng babae, habang nililinis ang kuko ko.
"Going two years?" I answered.
"Wow! Ang tagal na po! Sana all!" sabay na reaksyon no'ng dalawang nag-aasikaso sa amin. Akakios looked at me and flicked a brow.
"What?" asik ko sa kanya. Ngumisi lang s'ya.
"Hindi naman po kayo nagseselos Ma'am. Panigurado lakas ng hatak ni Sir sa babae." Gusto kong makipag-apir kay Ate kasi tamang-tama s'ya!
"Ate, oh my gosh! Sinabi mo pa!" Tuwang-tuwang tugon ko.
"Hey! Mas marami kaya sa 'yo." Irap ni Akakios sa akin. Tumawa 'yung mga naglilinis ng kuko namin. Tapos sumimangot si Akakios. Ngiting tagumpay naman ako sa kanya.
"Sino pong nag-first move?" tanong no'ng babaeng naglilinis ng kuko ni Akakios. Pakiramdam ko namula ako sa sinabi n'ya, kaya umiwas ako ng tingin. Bigla naman umiling habang natatawa si Akakios.
"S'ya!" panlaglag n'ya sa akin. Hinampas ko s'ya sa braso. Tawang-tawa lang s'ya.
"Talaga po Ma'am?!" Hindi makapaniwala 'yung dalawang babae.
"Hindi ah, s'ya talaga. Gaya-gaya 'yan ng order eh," tanggi ko naman.
"Sino kaya 'yung unang nang hawak ng kamay?" Ganti naman n'ya sa akin.
"Eh, sino kaya 'yung gold ang nagbabayad sa restaurant?"
"Sino 'yung nanligaw sa ating dalawa?"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Akakios, pero sa huli, parehas kaming natawa sa mga sinasabi namin. Hinilamos ko 'yung isang kamay kong hindi nililinis sa mukha ni Akakios. Kaya naman ginantihan n'ya ako.
The two ladies attending us were chuckling with us. Nagkwentuhan kami ro'n, hanggang sa ayusin na 'yung kuko ko base ro'n sa design na gusto ni Akakios para sa akin. Dahil tapos na s'ya pinapanuod n'ya lang 'yung ginagawa.
"Where do you wanna go next?" he asked while looking at the flower design on my one hand. Pinapatuyo na 'yun at inilagay na ro'n sa machine nila. I smiled.
"Hmm. Wanna go skating?" Tiningnan n'ya ako sa tinanong ko. "Roller skates though, not ice skate," dagdag ko at mabilis s'yang tumango sa akin. Kaya naman napangiti ako.
"Tapos na po!" Masayang sabi no'ng babae, at nag-ayos na.
"Thank you," sabay na sabi namin ni Akakios. Para namang nabuo 'yung araw no'ng babae. Napanganga rin sa amin.
I went to pay for us, and also tipped the two ladies well.
Kagaya ng gusto ni Akakios, kaagad kaming dumiretsong dalawa sa lugar kung saan maari kaming mag-roller skates. I smiled. I missed doing this, madalas ang triplets at si Luna ang kasama ko sa ganito, pati na rin si Gabby.
Kakaunti ang tao sa loob nang makapasok kami.
There were several circular tables outside the roller skating rink. The place had orange, yellow, and neon bright lights, and a cheerful sound was booming at the place. May halos hindi tataas ng sampung tao sa rink. Hindi gano'n ka-crowded kaya maganda.
I went to the counter with Akakios. I told them the shoe sizes, and payed for it.
Tapos kinuha ni Aki 'yung sapatos para sa aming dalawa. He was glaring at the guy who had been smiling at me, since I approached in the counter. I secretly simpered, knowing Aki's glares, he didn't want that the guy was smiling at me that much.
We went to a table and dropped some of our things there. Susuotin ko na sana 'yung sapatos, pero bigla akong pinigilan ni Akakios. He slowly knelt on one knee, and my mouth formed a small 'o' when he helped me wore it.
"Thank you..." I whispered, while he was tying the lace. He chuckled.
Tapos inantay ko s'yang suotin 'yung kanya.
Nang tumayo ako, tumayo na rin si Akakios, pero muntik na s'yang matumba, kaya naman napatawa ako nang malakas, at hinawakan s'ya! Unang beses n'ya siguro! I felt his hands on me tightened.
I helped him, in skating a little so we could enter the rink.
Nang makapasok kami ro'n, mukhang nahihirapan pa rin s'ya at hindi sanay sa gulong no'n. I chuckled at him. And guided him more. Inalalayan ko s'ya gamit ang dalawang kamay at saka ako umatras sa rink, habang paabante s'ya.
"Carefully..." I murmured, and I smiled at him to encourage him.
"Aw!" he exclaimed a little, no'ng i-try n'ya at muntik na s'yang magsaway para lang makuha ang balanse. I threw my head back, laughing at him. He pouted at me.
Tumalikod ako sa kanya, at saka inilagay ang mga kamay n'ya sa balikat ko. Tapos nag-skate ako.
"Silhoue!" Nagulat na imik n'ya at mas humigpit ang hawak sa akin, kasi nadala s'ya sa ginawa ko. I instructed him to try it, and I wouldn't let go of his hand. Mukhang kahit papaano lumakas ang loob n'ya at ginawa 'yun.
I guided, and skate with him. Other people were also skating kaya naman naiwas ako sa kanila, kaso mabibilis sila. We were both circling, and I was dancing a little to the music, while Aki was chuckling trying to do it by himself.
"Go, Aki!" I cheered, and swirled like it was nothing. And he smiled at me.
He tried to go to me, on his own, and managed to do it. His eyes widened. "Wow!"
Mas lalo akong natawa sa kanya, kasi parang hindi s'ya makapaniwala. Tapos bigla na lang nagbago 'yung tunog at mas naging masaya.
I danced at little. And encouraged him to try more. "Let's go, Aki!"
At sobrang laki no'ng mga ngiti sa labi n'ya no'ng nagawa n'ya 'yun nang hindi na nakahawak sa akin. He got the hang of it. And being his incredible, fast-learner self he got accustomed to it so quickly!
Lumayo ako sa kanya habang tumatawa. I danced, and circled around him. And he also did the same. Grabe! Hindi ako makapaniwala na parang tinuturuan ko lang s'ya kanina tapos ngayon mas marunong na s'ya sa akin.
He held my hand, and we skate around the rink, laughing together, and dancing a little.
Nang medyo mapagod do'n. Bumalik kami sa table. He helped me removed my shoes, and he also removed his. I went to the washroom to wash my hands, and he also did the same. Tapos dumiretso s'ya sa food area para bumili ng pagkain.
Naghihintay ako ng tahimik sa table namin, habang tinitingnan ang cellphone ko.
Then I raised my head when I felt a presence approached me. I thought it was Akakios, but it wasn't, my forehead creased to see two guys in front of me.
"Hi, Miss."
"Bakit?" tanong ko.
"Ah, type ka kasi nitong kaibigan ko." Tapos tinapik sa balikat no'ng isang lalaki 'yung kasama n'ya na nakangiti at mukhang nahihiya.
Halos mapakamot ako sa ulo kasi hindi ako sanay sa gano'n. I lived almost my whole life being invisible. That was why someone approaching me... still felt a little weird. But at the same time a little happy, because I could be noticed like it was normal.
"Ahm, ano'ng pangalan mo?" he asked shyly. "Ako nga pala si—"
Bago pa makapagpakilala 'yung lalaki, natigilan na s'ya kasi biglang dumating si Akakios, na may dalang pagkain namin.
"Ooh." The two guys reacted. Akakios looked at them curiously. Nagtatakha bakit nandito sila sa table namin.
"Do you need help?" he queried innocently at the two guys.
"Ah, we just wanted the girl's name and number, sana, pre." The guy who first spoke, directly stated.
Napakunot ang noo ni Akakios.
"Huh? Bakit?" Akakios was so innocent in questioning. I pressed my lips. Cute.
"Type ko kasi, pre," nahihiyang sagot no'ng isa.
"Ano bang type mo?" Nagtakha ako sa sinasabi ni Akakios. Pati na rin 'yung dalawang lalaki sa harap namin.
"Ah, angelic face, attractive eyes, maganda, at syempre kapag mabait, at saka funny, bonus points na rin." Tawa no'ng lalaki, talagang sinagot 'yung tanong ni Akakios. I don't know, Akakios had that pure air that makes you want to answer his queries, because he was kind to you.
"Ah." Tumatango-tangong sabi ni Akakios.
"Ikaw ba, pre?" The other guy asked back.
"Hmm." Akakios smiled brightly. "May girlfriend na ako eh." Biglang kumabog 'yung puso ko nang husto sa narinig.
"Huh?" sabay na tanong no'ng dalawa.
"And my girlfriend's my type. Mukhang mabait, pero amazona talaga. Tapos medyo selosa rin." Kinurot ko ang gilid ni Akakios sa sinabi n'ya.
"Aray!" reklamo n'ya. Pinanlisikan ko s'ya ng mata. Tapos umupo s'ya sa tabi ko habang nakangiti pa rin sa dalawang lalaki. "Ah, oo nga pala. Hindi ko pa napapakilala sa inyo. Girlfriend ko nga pala."
Then he held up my hand that he intertwined.
Napaatras 'yung dalawang lalaki sa kinatatayuan at nag-bow. "Sorry. Sige alis na kami, pasensya na!" Tapos umalis sila at mukhang nagtatalo pa. Pinilig ko na lang ang ulo ko habang natatawa. What the heck just happened?
How could he be so kind, and innocent yet dashing and a little sassy?
I chuckled at him while shaking my head. "May ginawa silang hindi maganda?" he asked innocently. Umiling lang ako. Mabait naman sila mag-approach, hindi mayabang, malakas lang ang loob.
He only nodded, and helped me with the food.
We ate while talking with each other.
"In a few weeks, your friends will be here," sabi n'ya habang kumakain no'ng burger. Tumango naman ako sa kanya, habang sumisipsip sa pineapple juice.
"Yeah, I can't wait to see them. Hindi na sila gano'n kalayo. Nasa tapat na lang sila ng bahay." Natutuwang sagot ko.
"What is it like to have friends?" kuryosong tanong n'ya.
"Hmmm..." Napaisip ako.
"They got your back most of the time. They would never leave you. But sometimes, they could cause heartaches too. They could hurt you, but you are friends not because you fight. But because you are still friends, after the fight." Nakangiting paliwanag ko sa kanya.
"Ako rin kaya magkakahanap ng kaibigan dito?" he murmured dreamily.
I slowly reached for his cheeks. He looked at me, and I caressed heartily. "My friends, will be your friends, too." Nakangiting sambit ko. Lumiwanag ang mga mata n'ya.
"Talaga?"
I nodded at him.
"They would love you and would protect you, too."
"Paano kapag hindi nila ako gusto?" His expression turned sad.
"No, they would definitely like you. Because I love you."
Natigilan si Akakios. His lips parted, and eyes teary. My heart hurt that he had been isolated all his life, and friends... were just a dream for him.
Sana kapag nandito na sila... maging kaibigan din nila si Akakios. Kahit wala ang tulong ko. I believed in him, and I knew he could charm them. There's nothing to hate about him. Lahat yata sa kanya mamahalin mo.
He smiled genuinely at me. And held my hand.
"Thank you." Sobrang tagos sa puso ng simpleng salitang 'yun. "I love you, too." Mas lalo lang lumawak ang ngisi ko sa labi dahil do'n.
Nang matapos kaming kumain, pumunta kaming dalawa sa mall. I wanted to buy more things, and clothes for the two of us. Kaya naman kaagad akong pumili ng mga boutique at shops, para makapag-try ng mga outfits.
Akakios was sitting in front of the dressing room, and was waiting for me to come out.
I wore a simple above the knee sky blue dress. And went out. I twirled in front of him, and he laughed softly. He gave me thumbs up.
Kaagad akong nagpalit at nag-try naman ng palda, at shirt.
"Cute!" he exclaimed when he saw the next set of outfit.
Kada labas ko, pini-picture-an ako ni Akakios, tapos nag-ko-compliment din s'ya. Nakakatuwa kasi para s'yang batang manghang-mangha kada lalabas ako ng dressing room. His genuine reactions made me buy all the things I tried.
Kaya naman dala-dala n'ya tuloy mga paper bags na pinamili ko.
We entered a men's shop, and I chose different kinds of fashion for him. At itinulak ko s'ya sa dressing room para sukatin lahat ng 'yun na parang ginawa ko kanina. Natatawa s'ya sa akin at walang nagawa.
He followed my instruction, and I swear, kahit baduy 'yung ibang pinili ko, parang naging high class sa kanya! I took photos of him looking shy modelling the clothes, and we were laughing together.
He payed for the clothes, after I told the saleslady that we would buy all of it.
When we finished shopping, I found a little photoboth in the middle of the mall. Mabilis kong hinigit si Akakios do'n.
We took pictures inside. Naglokohan pa kami. Merong picture na parang pang-ID, tapos meron din na wacky, at mga kakaibang trip namin.
There was also a cute picture where he kissed my cheeks, and I looked shock. We also have the ones, when he was just looking at me lovingly, while I was making faces. It was so cute. 'Yung iba naman nakasabit 'yung braso ko sa leeg n'ya at parang sinasakal ko s'ya.
It was so fun. Kahit 'yung simpleng bagay na 'yun sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi kasama ko s'yang gawin 'yun.
Because of enjoying our little time together so much, we didn't even notice that it was already evening. Kaya naman naglakad na kami pabalik sa bahay.
"I really enjoyed so much today." I heard him tell me, while we were walking with tons of paper bags with our hands.
"Ako rin! Next time ulit ah!" I told him smiling widely. He nodded enthusiastically.
Natahimik kami saglit habang naglalakad.
"If we weren't part of a complicated life... I'd probably still search for you. Only you could bring out true and sincere happiness, and emotions in me..." he murmured so gently, looking at the shining stars and moon at the sky.
"In simple moments, and simple times, I'd long for your smiles." I was staring at him in awe, while he was saying it.
"No'ng nangyari sa 'yo 'yun... para akong mababaliw. I almost went to Eviralle, and overthrow the Domain because of what happened. Gano'n katindi 'yung galit ko sa kanila." Parang sinaksak ako sa puso.
I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have risk too much. Dapat kinausap ko s'ya at si Master Gideon at Isolde. Tungkol sa nangyari no'n kay Gabby. Nasanay kasi ako na magdesisyon ng sarili. Ngayon ko napatunayan na marami nang maapektuhan sa bawat desisyon ko simula ngayon.
"I don't have anyone... Silhoue. My father and mother's together in heaven now." Malungkot na tinig nito.
"Si Lolo... at ikaw na lang 'yung meron ako... alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit kapag pati kayo mawala?" Parang binasag 'yung puso ko. His words were so naked. Without any pretensions, without any hesitations. He was just so real with what he was feeling.
"Kaya sana... h'wag mo na ulit gawin. Magsabi ka naman. Para hindi ako manghuhula at mag-aalala sa 'yo. Ang hirap kasi nang gano'n..." Tumingin s'ya sa akin nang sobrang payapa ng emosyoin sa mukha.
I gulped, because my throat felt itchy. My eyes almost watering. I nodded at him. Repeatedly. While bitting my lower lips.
"I will... from now on... I'm really sorry..." Napatungo ako dahil do'n.
A long silence enveloped the two of us together. At nagpatuloy kaming maglakad hanggang sa makarating sa harap ng bahay. Natigilan kami parehas. I looked at him, and he also stared at me.
"I'm really sorry. From now on, I'll make sure to tell you. I don't want to keep secrets anymore. I wanna keep you, without all those..." I told him in a gentle and sincere voice. A smile unhurriedly appeared on his face.
"Thank you..." Lumapit s'ya sa akin, at ibinababa ang mukha, para patakan ako ng isang banayad na halik sa noo.
"I love you..." I whispered with my whole heart.
"I love you, too." Tapos tumingin s'ya sa akin na kumikintab ang mga mata.
Bago dampian ng halik sa mga labi na ginantihan n'ya nang sobrang tamis at napakarahan.
Sa pagkakataong 'yun... bigla akong napahiling. Na protektahan sana 'yung puro at inosenteng ngiti n'ya. Na sana... hindi na lang kami kabilang sa mundong walang ginawa kung hindi bigyan kami ng pagsubok at kamatayan.
I wished... to have a normal life with him. And I'd be forever, thankful for it.
When we separated after the kiss. I saw a genuine smile on his face, and I returned it too. My heart was ringing inside my ears.
Pinauna n'ya ako papasok sa bahay. Malungkot na ngiti ang biglang lumitaw sa labi ko matapos no'n. Dahil sobrang imposible no'ng munting hiling ko. Binuksan ko na lang ang pinto, at pumasok kaming dalawa sa bahay.
Pumasok sa mundong... hindi namin basta-basta matatakbuhan at matatakasan. Dahil nakasulat sa mga bituin ang kapalaran naming dalawa. At ang harapin 'yun ng magkasama ang magiging lakas namin. Kahit papaano, alam kong malalampasan namin ang lahat... nang magkasama.
A wish that could never be granted. But a hope that would be forever in my heart.
***
A few weeks passed, and we were doing our daily routine like we were still in Isolde's mansion.
I also started doing my disguise, and Isolde helped me in perfecting it. Kahit minsan pangisi-ngisi s'ya sa akin.
Ngayon naman ang araw na inaantay namin.
Araw kung saan magsisimula na ang unang araw ng pasukan. Araw kung saan makikita na namin ang mga kaibigan kong pumasok sa Empire. I smiled. While looking at the monitors in the technology room.
I was monitoring their arrival. Then Akakios sat on the swivel chair next to me. He put his headphones, and grinned at me. "Good morning, baby!" he greeted joyfully. Also, excited to finally meet them in flesh.
"Morning, baby." I smiled at him, and kissed his cheeks.
Then focused my gaze on the monitors that showed their cars and arrivals. On the other hand, I saw Luna looking so playful and at ease, going out of the house, and skipping and going to the quadrangle.
I even saw Justice, Rebel and Gabby together.
"Welcome to the Empire..." I murmured playfully.
And like what I expected they were all flustered because of the school. Because they didn't really know the place that they entered. I even saw Katniss with her brother Kalix. Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti at excitement.
I couldn't wait for them to see each other! It would be one of a hella reunion!
The morning continued, and I saw Katniss pretending to be Gabby. With her aura, and I am absolute line. This girl, really. Natawa na lang ako, kasi sobrang nakuha n'yang 'yung temper at ginagawa no'ng bunso namin.
Then I saw Luna. Entering the same room, as them.
The plan was finally happening. Luna... approaching them was one of it. She surely had quick wit. Luna knew about them beforehand because we had been telling her about them since we were kids. And I knew she'd go to them without any hesitation.
Paniguradong isa rin 'yun sa gusto ni Justice dahil hindi alam ng mga kaibigan namin ang tungkol kay Luna.
First day pa lang sobrang dami na kaagad surpresa sa kanila. Paano pa kaya kapag nalaman nilang nandito lang naman ako sa paligid nila? At sa bahay na katapat lang ng bahay na tutuluyan nila? I couldn't wait.
I couldn't wait 'til the time I'd show up to them.
But for now... I'm contented watching them from afar, and watching them with my invisible self.
Soon... I'll be able to give you all a warm hug. And I couldn't wait to introduce you to Akakios... my only wish would be for you to love him, too.
Pasaways, welcome to the world where you truly belong. Welcome to the Empire.
***