THE LOST ORB [PFS #1, THE BEARER]

Chapter 11: The Festival (Part 1)

SASKIA'S POV

"Saskia, Saskia."

A feminine voice rang vaguely behind the closed door. She continued knocking as if she's been doing it for a while now. Marahan ko namang binuksan ang mga mata ko, at ang liwanag na nagmumula sa bintana ang agad na bumungad sa 'kin.

I flinched from the blinding light of the sun and narrowed my eyes. Kinusot ko pa ang aking mga mata bago tuluyang bumaba sa aking kama. Katulad ng dorm namin sa Arozel, sobrang lambot din ng mga tela at unan ng kama nila rito, kaya parang hanggang ngayon ay gusto ko pa ring humilata.

Wala pa ako sa huwisyo nang buksan ko ang pinto at si Allisa agad ang bumungad sa 'kin.

"Hey, maaga tayo sa bayan ngayon. Maghanda kana."

I eyed on her, "Oh sure, magaayos lang ako."

I said to her to wait in the lobby for me dahil maghahanda pa ako. Nakakahiya naman at mukhang kanina pa sila nakabihis kaya nagmadali na akong maligo.

Paglabas ko ng shower room ay nasa room ko pa rin siya kaya nama'y nagulat ako.

"Allisa? Hindi ba sila naghihintay sa 'yo roon?"

"Hindi rin naman kami makakaalis hangga't wala ka," she said in a matter of fact tone. She smiled after, "Come here, aayusan talaga kita ng buhok kaya ako nandito."

Nakasuot pa ako ng bathrobe nang lumapit ako sa kaniya, inuuna ko naman talagang ayusin ang buhok ko bago magbihis kaya ayos lang sa 'kin ang offer niya. "Bakit pala gusto mong magayos sa buhok ko ngayon?"

"You know, everytime I see you, you always have that plain hairstyle. So let's make a new one today. Festival naman ngayon," she cheerfully answered.

"Really? Salamat,"

I look back on her from the reflection of the mirror, her look softened as I sat down on the chair, "And also… let me redeem myself for those days I wronged you." Her voice lowered.

I smiled from her genuine words.

"No need to go far to such lengths. Naiintindihan naman kita." I reminded her, if ever she's planning to exert her efforts just for my sake.

She started brushing my hair. "You know, I realized, everyone here is just a victim and even you," I eyed on her, kind of clueless. "I should not apply those things we've seen from you a month ago,"

Imbis na isipin ko kung ano'ng ibig sabihin niya, bahagya na lamang akong natawa. "Wala akong maintindihan, Allisa."

She was quite shocked. "Oh sorry, I let my thoughts speak again."

She sighed. "But as I said before, everything will be easier to understand once you regain your memories. No need to pressure yourself now, I just thought that it is the key to unlock your artistry before."