'A Glimpse'
"Bakit umiiyak 'yan?" Ininguso ni Atlas ang lokasyon ni Audin na nandun sa dining table at umiiyak habang kaharap ang isang bowl ng salad. Reed was sitting beside him, arms-crossed and telling him to finish his salad.
"He said bad words kaya pinaparusahan siya ni Reed." Tipid na sagot ni Lucas habang nagbabasa ng libro. Audin looked up at Reed and pouted pero pumikit lang si Reed at umiling. "Ubusin mo 'yan." Mariing sabi ni Reed sa kanya.
"Or else, no desserts for you." Dagdag niya kaya mas lalong umiyak si Audin.
"Ayoko nito! At bakit ba ang strict mo? Hindi naman kita inaano ah!" Mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Audin kaya napasapo si Reed sa mukha niya't tumayo tsaka may kinuha sa fridge. He got bacon strips at tsaka ito nilagay sa ibabaw ng salad ni Audin.
"Now will you eat that?" Tanong niya. Umirap nalang si Audin at walang nagawa kundi ang kumain.
"Instant Daddy ka ba Reed? Batang ama." Natatawang sabi nina Wilder sa kanya kaya tumayo naman si Ash at tinapik ang balikat ni Reed.
"This is the story of a boy who became a father at such a young age. Naunahan mo pa 'yung gurang sa team natin ah." Natatawang sabi ni Ash kaya agad na binaling ni Xy ang tingin niya sa kanila.
"Who the hell are you calling gurang? Gurang ka din!" Inis na sabi ni Xy sa kanya.
"Omg, so conyo. Is that how gurang people speak?" Natatawang sabi ni Archer at humagalpak na naman ng tawa sina Wilder. Umiling nalang sina Xy at bumalik na sa ginagawa nila.
"Kapag inubos mo 'yan, may chocolate donuts ka bukas." Mahinang sabi ni Reed nung makitang wala nang gana si Audin sa pagkain. Agad namang tumingala si Audin sa kanya at ngumiti. Napabuga nalang ng hangin si Reed at sinapo ang mukha niya.
Who could resist such cuteness? Tumayo nalang siya at umupo na dun sa sofa.
"Si Zia?" Tanong ni Atlas nung mapansing wala na pala ito. "Umuwi na." Tipid na sagot ni Lucas.
And that's when everyone looked at him, including Xy. Yes, they have accepted the fact about Zia's fate and everything but still, even saying that she comes home to a different place and spend time with Hunters, it's still hard.
After all, Zia has always been by their side.
✥✥
"Paano nga ba napunta sa ganito?" Hoshi asked.
He's been silent all week, or as how Walter says is, Hoshi's been silent ever since Zia disappeared to be with the Hunters. Kasalukuyan silang nasa field ng alpha village. A bonfire in front of them, marshmallows on sticks near the fire, chairs that suit everyone single one of them, cold drinks, and warm feelings.
Nakatingala rin si Hoshi sa mga bituin habang sinasabi niya 'yun.
"Sa lahat ng mga pinagdaanan natin, ito na yata ang pinakamahirap." Nakayukong sabi ni Duke habang pinaglalaruan ang isang stick sa apoy. Some of the team members looked at him.
"Mas mahirap pa 'to nung nawala ang mga alaala natin. Mas mahirap pa nung kinalaban natin ang Blue Queen. Ang hirap." Mahina niyang sabi. Hinagod nalang ni Joshua ang likod niya.
"Uno is not even a threat anymore. Mas nag-aalala tayo kay Zia." Sabi rin ni Baxter at uminom ng cider.
"Fate. Destiny. Future. Fuck all those things, man. I just wanted her to live a good life and shit started giving her a whole fucking dramatic motherfucking life." Vernon was already drunk when he said those words as he tossed his bonnet cap into the fire that Milo had to catch it before it was burned.
"And now it's destined that she'll leave us for ten years?" Natatawang tanong ni Vernon at tsaka tumayo.
"She was even away for a month and it already felt like a fucking year. Ano nalang kayo kung sampung taon? Xinny.. Xinny, what do we do?" Dahil sa tanong ni Vernon ay tsaka na tumingin ang Team Alpha kay Xin na kanina pa tahimik at nakaupo sa tabi ni Jun.
She looked at everyone and smiled.
"Accept. There's no other way." Nakayukong sagot ni Xin at nakita nilang humigpit ang hawak nito sa mug na nasa kamay niya.
"Xinny, stop it. We know." Saglit na natigilan si Xin sa sinabi ni Walter at dun na siya tuluyang yumuko at nanginig ang katawan niya.
Her tears started falling on the ground. Warm hands and soothing voices surrounded her as she weeps. All those feelings, those frustrations. Not being able to do anything for her daughter was the worst. Xin thought that if only, if only she was strong enough to defend her and save her, things wouldn't go like this.
Pero huli na ang lahat. The situation turned like this and there's no way to turn it around.
Seth looked at his hands and gathered his strength until he was able to create a flash of lightning. Ikinuyom niya ang kamay niya at huminga ng malalim.
"Kunting tiis nalang." He told the team.
✥✥
"Alice, nasan pala 'yung pinapagawa ng dean?" Lumingon si Alice sa kasama niya at tsaka may kinuha sa folder at binigay ito sa kanya. "Here. Ingatan mo 'yan ah. Buhay ko nakalaan diyan." Pagbibiro niya at kumaway na tsaka umalis.
"You really bet your life on paper works?" Agad na napasigaw si Alice dahil sa biglaang pagsulpot ni Zia sa harap niya. Huminga siya ng malalim at hinawakan ang dibdib niya. "Zia, sweetie. That was a joke. Oh, kamusta ka na pala?" Alice casually asked.
Naglakad sila ni Zia sa hallway at tiningnan niya pa ang golden silk robe na suot nito.
"Fine, I guess. You?" Pasimpleng tanong ni Zia.
"The usual. Si Shinshi? I heard she was sick." Tanong ulit ni Alice. "She'll be fine." Sagot ni Zia at lumiko nung lumiko rin si Alice papunta sa library. The two grabbed their cold coffees before entering the library.
The librarian didn't even scold them for bringing drinks inside.
"May gusto kang pag-usapan?" Nakangiting tanong ni Alice sa kanya nung umupo sila sa gilid.
"Yeah, about your sister.." Paninimula ni Zia pero agad na natigilan si Alice. "S-Sister?" Nauutal niyang tanong. Pasimpleng tumango si Zia. "Yeah, Trinity." Agad na sagot ni Zia.
"Teka, paano mo nalamang magkapatid kami?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Alice sa kanya. Zia huffed.
"Is that really the question right now? Diba dapat itanong ko kung bakit mo tinatago sa lahat na kapatid mo siya?" Natatawang tanong ni Zia. Sumimangot si Alice at tsaka sinandal ang likod sa upuan.
"Sino ba namang gustong aminin na magkapatid kami? She clings to most of the boys in UHT. She has a bad reputation." Alice reasoned out.
"She even put a spell on you once, diba? She caused trouble to your team and you." Tumango-tango lang si Zia sa sagot ni Alice at sumipsip ng kape. "Dahil diyan ayaw mong aminin na kapatid mo siya?" Mahinahong tanong ni Zia. Alice just shrugged her shoulders and looked away.
"Trinity is good, Alice." Agad na natawa si Alice dahil sa sinabi ni Zia. "Good? Kailan pa siya naging—"
"Our enemy, Uno, wanted to make her a spy here in UHT, and she refused." Agad na natigilan si Alice dahil sa sinabi ni Zia.
"Uno gave her conditions that if she became a spy, Uno will make sure to kill me. Alam kasi ni Uno na ayaw sa akin ni Trinity. Trinity was an easy target but even with the given conditions, she still refused. Tina, Nini and Trin herself refused." Pagpapaliwanag ni Zia. Nakanganga lang si Alice at parang hindi alam ang sasabihin.
"And her reason? She wanted to kill me herself. Ayaw niyang dumepende sa iba. Oh, diba? Ang bait niya." Napasapo nalang si Alice sa mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ni Zia.
"That's why I need to see her. I need something from her." Ani Zia. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Alice.
"What could you need from her? You almost have everything right now." Inosenteng tanong ni Alice, unaware of Zia's actual situation dahil tanging pamilya at team niya lang ang nakakaalam nito. Tumawa lang si Zia at lumingo-lingo pa. "Trust me, she has better things than me." Natatawang sabi ni Zia at ibinaba ang cold coffee niya.
"So, where is she?" Tanong ni Zia. Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Alice at umayos ng upo. She wrote something in a piece of paper at tsaka ito binigay kay Zia. The reason why Zia had to approach Alice because no matter who she asks or where she looks, wala si Trinity sa UHT.
And now she confirmed that only Alice knew where Trinity is.
Matapos isulat ni Alice ang address ay binigay na niya ang papel kay Zia na siyang tinanggap ito habang nakangiti.
"Thanks, you're the best." Nakangiting sabi ni Zia. Alice sighed but smiled anyway.
"Can you at least tell me what you want from her?" Huling tanong ni Alice nung tumayo na si Zia. Zia pocketed the paper and smiled at Alice. "Not much. Just a spell." Sagot nito at tsaka na umalis.
✥✥
It's been a week after that day, the day Zia showed her rampage for her family in the Alpha Village. Sa loob ng isang linggo na 'yun ay limitado na ang pagbisitang ginawa niya sa pamilya niya. Every Monday and Tuesday, she would join them for breakfast and leave at noon. Every Wednesday and Thursday, she would join them for lunch and leave before dinner.
Every Friday and Saturday, she would show herself at noon and join her family by dinner.
And on Sundays, she never shows up.
Her scheduled visits were slowly becoming imprinted into everyone's mind na naghihintay na sila sa pagdating ni Zia. And when she's not around, Xy urges his teammates to train. Tumigil narin muna ang panggugulo ni Uno kaya nakakagalaw ng maayos ang team.
Shinshi also recovered from her fever at sumasali na sa training.
Every time Zia visits, she focuses her attention on two or three of her uncles. She would play with them, talk to them and just stay beside them. Napapansin ito ni Xy at nina Lucas. It was like she was crushing out a list of who she should spend time with.
Most of her time, she spends with Xin, Jun, with Xy and with Blu and sometimes with Lucas since they talk about books and movies a lot.
She would smile to everyone when she arrives and also smiles when she leaves. Na para bang ngiti lang ang kaya niyang gawin sa sitwasyong ito.
"It's Sunday." Ngawa ni Audin at tsaka gumulong sa sofa.
"Gusto kong makita si Zia." Dagdag niya at ngumuso pa. Dumaan si Reed sa harap niya at binigyan siya ng orange. Tinanggap niya naman ito at kinain kahit nakanguso parin. "We've had too much freedom. Sobrang tahimik ni Uno, nakakabaliw." Ani Atlas at ginulo ang buhok niya.
Tumingin naman ang lahat kay Reed.
"Any hint on what Uno's up to?" Tanong ni Ash sa kanya. Lumingo-lingo lang si Reed at umupo sa sofa.
"You know, minsan nakakatawa si Uno." Ani Archer at humiga sa hita ni Reed. Reed scolded him for his actions pero hindi naman siya nakinig at tsaka tumingin sa team. "Ano ba kasing gusto niya sa realm na 'to?" Tanong ni Archer na nakakuha ng atensiyon ng lahat.
"Does he really want to rule this place? Mga estudyante palang sa UHT, sumasakit na ang ulo ko, ano pa kaya 'yung mga iba't-ibang nilalang sa iba't-ibang kaharian?" Natatawang tanong ni Archer kaya kumunot narin ang noo nina Reed dahil dito.
"Woah, I did not think of that when I wanted to conquer the realms." Manghang sabi ni Reed kaya natawa si Archer sa kanya.
"See? Even you didn't realize such stupid thing." Ani Archer.
"Uno can't possibly rule the Witch Kingdom lalo na 'yung mga white witches na maputi sana pero ang iitim ng mga budhi." Dagdag ni Archer na nagpatawa kay Audin na nagbabasa ng comics dun sa carpet. The team wondered if he was laughing at what Archer said or on the comic that he was reading.
"And the wolves, do you really think they'll bow down to someone that's not even an Alpha, let alone a wolf?" Tanong ulit ni Archer.
What he was saying clearly got the attention of everyone, including Matthew's who was just visiting the alpha mansion's kitchen to grab a drink. Narinig niya ang mga tanong ni Archer kaya nanatili siya dun sa kitchen counter at nakinig.
"Uno is so stupid, really." Archer said.
"He already knows what Xy is capable of. At malamang alam na rin niya kung anong kayang gawin ni Reed. Idagdag pa natin si Zia sa picture. Kung kayo ba ang kalaban, tutuloy pa ba kayo kung ganitong mga nilalang ang kaharap niyo?" Tanong ni Archer at lumingo-lingo naman kaagad sina Wilder.
"Oo nga, ang bobo niya." Pagsang-ayun ni Audin pero tumaas kaagad ang kilay ni Reed sa salitang lumabas sa bibig nito.
"Bo-bored. Sabi ko, ang bo-bored niya. Nautal ako, sorry. Hehe~" Palusot nito at tumakbo nalang papunta sa tabi ni Shinshi na nagbabasa rin ng libro sa tabi nina Wilder at Atlas.
"You're right. Kung ako si Uno, titigil na ako." Sabi ni Atlas pero mahinang natawa si Lucas na kanina pa nananahimik dun sa gilid. Nakahiga siya sa sofa at naglalaro ng tennis ball.
"Baka naman nakakalimutan niyong nandiyan na si Twelve?" Natatawa niyang tanong sa team. Tumango-tango naman si Blu na nakaupo sa carpet at nakasandal sa sofa na hinihigaan ni Lucas. "Uno knows how to cultivate anyone's abilities. He probably already did something to the poison inside Twelve." Dagdag ni Blu.
Audin grimaced at the two.
"Kapag wala si Zia, nagkakasundo kayo. Kapag nandiyan naman siya, nag-aaway kayo. Are you guys really having an affair?" Seryosong tanong ni Audin sa kanya. Muntik nang ibato ni Lucas ang bolang hawak niya kay Audin pero pinigilan nalang ang sarili't hindi na pinansin 'yung sinasabi nito.
"And like I said before, my siblings aren't really strong individually pero kapag pinagsama sila, they can destroy a kingdom or two." Pasimpleng sabi ni Reed. Archer just sighed.
"Ah basta para sa akin, kabaliwan ang ginagawa niya." Archer insisted. Mahinang natawa si Xy at tsaka tumingin kay Archer. "You still don't get it, do you?" He asked.
"Uno hates us. That's why he's so persistent in taking us down. Personal ang rason sa mga ginagawa niya kaya wala na tayong magagawa kundi ang pigilan siya." Sabi ni Xy at tsaka tumingin sa labas ng Alpha mansion.
"He knows that if he can take us down, he'll have the realm." Dagdag rin ni Ash.
"Dude, even if he takes us down, nandiyan pa ang Team Alpha. He won't succeed in having the realm." Ani Wilder. Agad namang lumingon ang lahat kay Matthew na nandun sa kitchen counter at dun lang nila nalamang nandun narin pala sina Duke at Hoshi habang kumakain ng tacos.
Tumango lang sina Duke at Hoshi kaya binatukan sila ni Matthew at hinila na paalis. Binalik nalang nina Ash ang tingin nila kay Xy.
"All we have to do is prepare ourselves for a fight. Fighting Uno is just like a mission we need to finish." Xy said. As the leader of the team, he knew that he needed to instill in their minds their main goal; taking down Uno.
"Why does Uno hate us?" Inaantok na tanong ni Audin. Wala pang nakasagot sa tanong niya dahil parang nag-iisip rin sila. Wilder just wanted to say that Uno wanted to be the number one when it comes to power but it seems like the case was more than that.
Habang tumatagal kasi ay parang may nakikita siya kay Uno. Parang may napapansin siya rito at kung bakit nito ginagawa ang mga ginagawa nito ngayon.
"Uno.." Paninimula ni Reed habang nakatingin rin sa labas.
It suddenly started raining, making the mood a little cozy but depressing as well.
"..had a dark past." Dagdag ni Reed.
"I was there with him, kaya alam ko." Aniya habang nakatingin sa mga patak ng ulan sa glass wall ng Alpha mansion.
"He doesn't just hate us; he hates everyone above." Saglit na kumunot ang noo ng team dahil sa sinabi ni Reed. "Above?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Atlas. Tumingin si Reed sa kanila at tipid na ngumiti.
"My Kingdom is located below this realm. The reason why it's there in the first place is because we were pushed to be there. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari, but according to my Father, we were forced to be there." Pagkukuwento niya na nakakuha na naman ng atensiyon ng team.
"Again? You're only telling us this now?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Lucas sa kanya. Reed sighed.
"Because I thought it was just his greed that's behind all of this. Pero—" Hindi natapos ni Reed ang sasabihin niya dahil bigla nalang may naglanding sa field sa harap nila. Agad na napatayo sina Xy nung mapansin ang kulay ng pakpak nito.
Black wings. It was Zia.
Nawala kaagad ang antok ni Audin at agad siyang tumakbo sa glass wall pero dahil hindi niya ito masyadong nakita ay tuluyan siyang nabunggo dito at nauntog. Hindi alam nina Wilder kung tatawa ba sila o hindi dahil sa nangyari sa bata.
Agad na umiyak si Audin at gumulong sa carpet.
"Ayan kasi, padalos-dalos." Suway ni Shinshi sa kanya at pinatayo siya habang nakahawak siya sa noo niya habang lumabas naman sina Xy para lapitan si Zia.
"Zee! Umuulan! Pumasok ka." Sigaw ni Ash sa kanya. Ngumiti lang si Zia sa kanila at naglakad papasok sa Alpha mansion. Pagpasok niya palang ay gumawa na siya kaagad ng blue shield kaya sandaling nagtaka ang team.
Kumuha kaagad ng tuwalya si Blu at binigay ito kay Zia na diretsong nakatingin sa kanya. He just smiled at her and warmed her up with the towel.
"Tol, basa rin kami oh." Reklamo ni Ash kaya tinapunan nalang siya ng tuwalya nina Atlas.
"It's Sunday. Akala namin hindi ka darating." Mahinang bati ni Lucas sa kanya. Zia just smiled and then looked at Reed.
"I told you, be careful with your words." Sandaling kumunot ang noo ni Reed at dun niya lang nalaman kung bakit gumawa ng blue shield si Zia. "Hey, I smell wine." Sandaling humugpit ang hawak ni Blu sa balikat ni Zia habang sinasabi niya 'yun.
Zia looked at them and smiled.
"I don't know but Uno has the best wine. Too bad he's the enemy." Pasimpleng sagot ni Zia at inalis ang tuwalya sa balikat niya.
"Y-You.. pumunta ka na naman dun?!" Hindi sinasadya ni Xy na sumigaw sa kanya dahil sa narinig niya. Zia just looked at him and nodded. "Bakit?!" Frustrated niyang tanong.
"He went silent. I was curious what he was up to. After all, you're fighting him. It's an advantage for us to know what he's doing." Sagot ni Zia at tsaka kumuha ng tubig sa fridge. Everyone just looked at her in disbelief. Xy was about to say something pero inunahan na siya ni Zia.
"Please don't lecture me about how Uno could've hurt me while I was there. Ayokong mag-away tayo, Kuya. The rain is nice. Why don't we have hot choco instead?" Nakangiting sabi ni Zia kaya napabuga nalang ng hangin si Xy at sinapo ang mukha tsaka dahan-dahang tumango.
"I'll.. I'll make the hot choco." Shinshi said at tumayo naman kaagad si Wilder at sinabing tutulungan niya si Shinshi. Ngumiti nalang si Zia at tsaka naglakad palapit sa Kuya niya. She touched his brows to straighten it and stretched his lips so that he would smile.
"Stressed ka palagi~" Malambing niyang sabi at niyakap si Xy. Matapos niyang yakapin ito ay tsaka na lumapit si Zia kay Audin at hinalikan ang noo kaya tumigil na sa pag-iyak at tsaka siya nagpaalam at umalis para puntahan raw sina Xin.
"Ang gulo!" Sigaw ni Wilder at ginulo ang buhok niya tsaka inuntog ang sarili dun sa kitchen counter pag-alis ni Zia. The team just sighed and looked at the rain. "Let's deal with Uno para matapos na 'to. Hindi ko na kaya. Sasabog na utak ko." Dagdag ni Wilder.
The team even agreed to his words right now because that's what they all feel.
Zia stayed for dinner that night. After dinner, sinundo siya nina Wesy. As she walked away from everyone with a wave and a smile, it was as if they saw a glimpse of the future.
How she waved, how she smiled, and how she said..
"See you next time."
❅ Snow ❅