Deltha: Avenue of the Esoteric

Chapter 6

Trapped

Similar to what Garnet is telling me during our first encounter, all high classes are training hard in preparation to all the missions to make their rank higher. Mula sa aking malaking hologram, isa isa r'ong lumabas ang mga pangalan at mukha namin kaakibat ang mga nakuha naming ranggo.

As expected, Phaedra and Vesper were fighting for the first spot. Hindi na rin ako nagulat nang makita ang pangalan ko sa pandulong posisyon. Maybe, this was the reason why President Death assigned me as the team leader for today's mission. He wants to assess if I really deserve to be part of the highest class.

"Do I like fine Dasha?" 

Umikot sa harap ko si Garnet suot ang school uniform ng South Pardua. She sensed that there was a daeva there who can warp existence. This ability can change or manipulate reality based on his or someone's evil desires. Base sa pakiramdam niya, hindi ito gan'on kalakas kumpara kay Night Caller kaya hindi ako dapat masyadong kabahan.

"What's wrong?" 

Napansin niyang hindi ako mapakali. Nang makita niya sigurong maya't maya ang paghila ko pababa ng suot kong red checkered skirt, doon niya ako tinawanan.

"Your short legs look cute on that skirt, Dasha. Don't worry, it's totally fine naman," pambibilog na naman niya sa akin. Her compliments are endless kaya minsan, nahihirapan na rin akong maniwala. 

"Hindi ka ba magpapalit?" Huli na nang mapagtanto kong napatingin sila lahat sa akin ng tanungin ko si President Death. All of us are wearing the same uniform as if we're real students from South Pardua aside from him.

Mahinang siniko ako ni Garnet dalhin sa sinabi ko.

"Talking to him is similar to talking into thin air, Dasha. Don't waste any of your time asking him next time." 

President Death remains unbothered kahit na nagtanong din si Ashanti sa kanya. He only talks to Phaedra. Lumabas silang dalawa ng meeting room nang wala man lang pasabi sa amin.

"Stay still." Nawala ang atensyon ko sa kanila nang mapagtanto ko kung ano 'yong inilalagay ni Garnet sa mukha ko.

"Kailangan ba talaga niyan?" reklamo ko dahil hindi ako sanay sa kung ano anong uri ng kolorete.

"It's needed for the mission." 

Hindi na ako nagreklamo pa nang sabihin niya 'yon. She told me to close my eyes before she put something on it. Halos maluha naman ako pagkatapos n'on.

"Which shade do you prefer?" 

Limang kulay ng lipstick 'yong hawak niya ngayon.

I'm familiar with it since madalas 'yong hinahanap ng mga babae sa pamilihan ng Ortho. I'm only selling handmade jars and textiles pero marami pa rin ang nagtatanong sa akin kung nagtitinda ba ako ng kung ano anong klase ng cosmetic products. Maybe it was because of my clear and fair skin. 

"The lightest one. Ayoko nang masyadong makulay."

"Alright…" 

Ilalagay na sana niya 'yon sa akin kung hindi lang siya tinabig ni Vesper.

"What's your problem, moron?" Inis na sabi ni Garnet dahil hindi kami matapos tapos sa ginagawa namin. Paulit ulit niya kaming ginugulo. He was doing it intentionally.

"What are you doing to my Dasha?" pangungulit niya pa.

"Dasha your ass! Can you just use your ability to disappear and never come back!?" Nauubos na pasensyang hayag muli ni Garnet hanggang sa tinabig siya ni Vesper para ipunas sa akin 'yong tissue na dala dala niya.