Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Falling Petals

-chapter thirty-nine-

"Serena Dianne Villueva."

As I look at his face, hindi ko mapigilan ang manghina. This type of betrayal is what weakens me the most.

Because I helped in the growth of a person who would later sink its venomous fangs the moment I least expect a strike.

In this familiar room with a serpent, I can't help but think back to the past.

Noon, paborito kong lugar ang library. Limitado lang ang pwedeng pumasok dito, pero pinahihintulutan ako ng Head. Iyon ay dahil sa paborito ko talaga ang magbasa ng libro.

"Serena." nakangiting tawag ng isang miyembro ng aming pamilya. "Napakatalino mo talagang bata, 'no? Sa murang edad mo, nakakabasa ka na ng ingles at marunong ka na ring magsulat."

Ipinagsalikop ng kasama niyang babae ang kamay. Isang malawak na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya.

"Tama ka. Nako, baka nga pwede pang maging head ng family si Serena paglaki. Malaki rin ang naitutulong niya sa pamilya natin!"

I only blinked and smile at them. Hindi ko naman naiintindihan ang sinabi nila. But now that I look back on it, they're nothing but pretentious old women leeching off possible heirs.

Isang malaking pamilya ang Villueva na may-ari ng napakalawak na lupain. Nakatira sa lupain na ito ang lahat ng pamilya na mula sa angkan. Unlike other family clans, there are no real definition of status in here. The best and most capable youth can be the next head of the family. Even the family with a low income can step up the ladder if the main heir is not competent.

"Isa ka sa mga 'yon, Serena. You can be the next head of the clan! Pwede mo na kaming utos-utosan!" malakas na tumawa si Kuya.

Ngumuso ako. "Hindi 'no. Baka nga napakagaling ng anak sa main family kaya hindi siya pinapalabas."

Two years before me, the heir was born. Ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito nakakalabas ng main house. The rest of the families are not informed as to why the heir is greatly sheltered. Some said something bad must have happened. Others talked about the greatness of the heir that must be covered up.

As I grew up, even the existence of the heir was not well-spoken in the halls. Kaya naman hindi ko inaasahan na ang unang pagkita ko sa kaniya ay ang siyang mag-iiba ng takbo ng buhay ko.

I had just finished my afternoon class and Kuya wanted to play a game of tag. Malapit sa bahay kung saan ako nagka-klase ang pergola, isang napakagandang daanan papasok sa garden. Rose vines crawled on the pillars. The benches on each side were adorned with tulips. At the end were large bushes that served as an entryway to the main garden.

Napangiti ako nang makitang hindi na nakasunod si Kuya. I blew a large exhale and chuckled. Kahit ngayon, mas mabilis pa rin ako sa kaniya!

"Who are you?"

Mabilis akong umikot nang marinig ang boses. A child stood in front of me. His shirt was tucked in his black trouser shorts, and it was covered by a dark blazer and black tie. His shoes were closed-off and well polished. May hawak-hawak siyang teddy bear habang nakatitig sa'kin.

Ngunit, higit sa lahat ay ang kaniyang itsura. His dark hair was a bit long and his eye colors were different, ang isa'y kulay berde at ang isa'y parang dilaw. There was also a scar that travelled from his right ear to his neck.