The Legacy (COMPLETED)

LII. Peaceful Lunch

"What are you doing here?!"

I almost wanna lose my head right now! Paano niya nalaman na nandito ako? At bakit siya nandito? Siya diba yung magbabantay sa the Grounds? The reapers would only listen to her and paano na yun kung nandito siya?

"Don't ask me. Ask yourself," nakataas yung kilay na sabi niya. "Akala mo ba hindi kita susundan porket sinabi mong babantayan ko ang The Grounds? I'm not the fvcking August!"

Napayuko nalang ako. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry of putting that burden over your shoulders."

"That's not the issue here, missy," mataray na sabi niya. "Why do you have to escape para lang masagip si Nikolai? Magsosolo flight ka? Ganun? Babe this is not only your fight!"

Nagsidatingan yung tatlong lalaki na kasama namin sa unit na ito. Hanggang pintuan lang silang nakikinig sa amin. They wouldn't want to butt in. Galit na Anna na yung kaharap ko ngayon. Talagang mapepektusan sila.

"But I have to," sagot ko. "Ako yung August at dapat ako yung sasagip sa kanya!"

"You think you can save him alone? Naririnig mo ba yung sarili mo? Gusto mo bang magpakamatay?! Via maraming nag-aalala sa'yo! Buong the Grounds ay naghahanap sa'yo! Hindi mo ba 'yun naisip? Were you only thinking about saving Nikolai and redeem yourself because you cowardly flee from a war?!"

Her words were piercing right through my heart. Hindi dahil na-offend ako kundi dahil napakatanga ko— well, I am offended. Tama nga siya at ngayon ko pa naisip yun. Alam kong maraming nag-aalala sa akin pero hindi ko naisip na mababaliw sila sa kakahanap sa akin. And saving Nikolai alone is suicide. Alam kong isang mafia ang kalaban ko at walang-wala akong mag-isa. Pero pinilit ko pa rin yung sarili ko para masabing karapat-dapat ako sa titulo ng August. Do I really want to be the August that bad?

"Listen, Via. Hindi importante ang titulo, okay? What's important is you are safe," Anna rested both of her hands on my shoulder.

I sighed. "Pero si Nikoalai?"

"Shh. Saving Nikolai is important too, but you need a troupe to save him. Kailangan mo ng tulong. Doing it yourself is a bad idea. Okay?"

"Okay," sagot ko saka tinapatan yung tingin ni Anna. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Don't mention it," she pulled me in a hug. "We need to go back to the Grounds. Kailangan nating ihanda yung mga sarili natin para mailigtas si Nikolai," kumalas siya sa yakap. "I'm not taking a no for an answer."

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago tumango. "Okay."

"Don't worry. Maliligtas din natin si Nikolai," she said.

"Who the hell is Nikolai?" sulpot ni Lucca na ikinatirik ng mga mata ni Anna. "Kanina niyo pa naibanggit yung pangalan niya na dapat niyong iligtas. Sino ba 'yan?"

"It's none of your business, Sherlock," pambabara ni Anna kay Lucca.

"I'm curious as well," sabat din ni Noah. "Who is Nikolai? Why does he needs saving?" lumingon siya sa akin na may madilim na itsura.

"Young Stein," Anna acknowledged. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Do I know you?"

"Of course you don't."

"Then how did you know my name?" naguguluhang tanong ni Noah. "I don't remember being acquainted with you."

"That's not important," Anna replied. Nahinto yung mga mata niya kay Cato saka lumapit dito. "Patay ka sa Mama mo. Hinahanap ka nun at nandito ka lang pala."

"But I'm not hurt," Cato gestured his hands.

"You can't fool me. Namamaga yung labi mo at may pasa ka sa mukha. You don't look fine."

Napayuko nalang si Cato bilang pagsuko. "I'm dead."

Tahimik lang kami sa hapag habang nakatingin kay Anna na lumamon. Looks like none of us— other than Anna— have the appetite to eat. Paano kasi parang ilang araw hindi nakakain si Anna. Nahihiya kaming kumain.

"Dahan-dahan, baka mabilaokan ka," I tapped her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, babe. I haven't eaten for days," sagot niya na ikinabigla ko.

I was only joking when I said parang ilang araw ding hindi nakakain at totoo nga? Ilang araw din siyang hindi nakakain? No wonder why she eats like this.

"Bakit naman?" tanong ni Nikolai. "The Grounds never ran out of food."

"We were all busy looking not just for the August, but also for the inventor," sagot niya.

Nagpalitan kami ng tingin ni Cato. Guilt were evident on our faces. "Sorry," magkasabay naming paumanhin.

"Sabay talaga? Ano 'yan? Meant to be?" she chuckled.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Cato bago namin binalingan ng tingin si Noah na nakatingin lang sa pagkain niya habang nilalaro ito gamit ang tinidor. Naramdaman siguro ni Anna yung pananahimik namin kaya nag-angat siya ng tingin habang papalit-palit yung tingin sa amin ni Cato at Noah. She swallowed the food in her mouth and her mouth went oh!

"Tama. The Young Stein is here. No wonder why the atmosphere was weird the moment I stepped in. May love triangle ba na nagaganap dito?" walang filter niyang tanong.

"Anna," suway ko.

Napayuko lang si Cato habang tinusok-tusok naman ni Noah yung karne gamit yung tinidor na dala niya. This is not a good sign.

"What? Totoo naman a!" sabi niya at umiling. "Kung ako pa sainyo, titigilan ko na 'yang nararamdaman ko sa babaeng 'to."

"And why is that?" malamig na tugon ni Noah.

"Because sa akin lang siya. Diba babe?" bigla siyang umakbay sa akin saka nilapit yung mukha niya.

"Ew! Witch! Hindi bagay sa'yo!" sigaw ni Lucca.

"Panira ka talaga!" sigaw niya pabalik kay Lucca. "I'm trying to build the tension here!"

"Well guess what? Hindi mo magugustuhan ang makita ang madilim na side ng isang Stein kaya tumigil ka na."

"Then that makes me want to do it more!"

"Awat na," mahinahon na sita ni Cato. "Nasa hapag tayo. Masama ang magsisigawan kaya kumain na kayo. Anna I thought you're hungry? Help yourself."

Salamat kay Cato ay naibalik na din yung tahimik na ambiance. Gaya ng sabi ko, Cato don't like chaos. He wants everyone to be on their proper self and behaviour. Ganun siya pinalaki ni Tita Scarlet. A one fine man.

"Before I forgot," Anna broke the silence. "Cato, I'm bringing you and Via back to the Grounds. Kailangan nating ihanda ang sarili natin bago sumabak sa gyera. After we eat, we're going."

"Pero paano kami ni Noah? Iiwan niyo nalang kami dito? Gusto ko ding pumunta sa the Grounds na 'yan," reklamo ni Lucca.

Napalingon ako kay Noah at sakto ding nakatingin siya sa akin. His eyes were sad. His forehead met like he didn't like what he heard.

"You can't come. That place is exclusive only for those who are allowed. People other than us aren't allowed. Especially for a Stein," nilingon ni Anna si Noah.

"What?" naguguluhang tanong ni Noah.

"Nothing," sagot niya bago ibinalik yung buong atensyon sa pagkain. "Prepare yourselves."

Happy wednesday everyone! Start na na ba ng online class niyo? Good luck sa ating lahat! Don't forget to vote, comment and share with your friends. Love you all ^^