Storm Academy: Tale of Falsities

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter 48: Call

Third Person POV

Maybe everything changed, maybe not everything. Three years had gone by. Three years of longing and moving on from the pain of losing someone without proper goodbyes, without a sight to believe that she really is dead. Years passed by so slowly, losing hope every day that Simone would knock on their door, alive and happy.

But they couldn't let her go. Not until they assured that she really died. Hindi mawawala ang pag-asa sa kanilang mga puso hangga't hindi nila nakikita ang katawan niya. Hoping for a miracle and pondering all those years while also shifting to the changes in their world.

Three painful years without her wasn't easy, but you can't fully stop your lives to mourn for someone. And everyone's sure that Simone wouldn't want them to stop their lives because of her sudden disappearance too. She would've wanted everyone to continue their lives and find happiness in their own way without her.

So much has changed. It wasn't only the environment and the sudden mingling of two worlds with each other, the people changed too. Everyone had their own chance of happiness as they all matured and graduated from the pain and agony one school year did.

Adulthood happened. Everyone started working, some in the council like Angel, Jerome, and Brian; some pursuing studies from the Earth, learning their chosen field of profession, like Carlene and Serena; some handling their family's companies like Harry and Calla; and some were now teaching in the academy itself. Like Veronica and Aqua.

Love started blooming too.

Kumatok si Brian sa lamesa ni Jerome. "Did you receive a call from the academy?" Tumango naman si Jerome at pinagpatuloy ang pagpindot ng ballpen habang binabasa ang mga pipirmahan niyang papel.

Komportableng umupo si Brian sa upuan sa harap ng lamesa ni Jerome. "Bakit kaya tayo tinawagan?" tanong ni Brian sa sarili niya. Dalawang taon na siyang hindi nakakarinig sa eskwelahan, maliban na lamang sa kini-kwento ni Veronica sa kanya.

"Baka siguro mali compute ng grade natin," natatawa na sabi ni Brian sa seryosong Jerome. Umismid lang si Jerome at binitawan ang ballpen matapos pirmahan ang isang papel.

"You just want to see Veronica, that's why you agreed." Tumayo na si Jerome at kinuha ang black suit niya sa hanging rack. Nakangisi naman si Brian sa sinagot ni Jerome, dahil totoo rin yon.

Because Veronica's a professor, she's also not allowed to go out often, and when she can, Brian has to do something. Kaya halos ngayon lamang ulit sila magkikita pagkatapos ng isang buwan.

Bumukas ang pintuan. "Yes Mr. Smith, Harry agreed to come too." Kumaway ng bahagya si Angel sa dalawa bago umupo sa sofa sa opisina ni Jerome. Inilipat niya sa kabilang tenga ang hawak niyang phone at tumango tango sa kausap niya.

"No po, she can't come due to the conflicting schedules. Ano po bang meron? Why are we needed there?" Tumikhim naman si Angel para pakinggan ang sinasabi ng nasa kabilang linya.

Biglang kumunot ang noo nito at tumingin sa dalawa na hinihintay ang sagot. Tumaas ang kilay ni Jerome habang ikiniling naman ni Brian ang ulo niya. Sinuot na ni Jerome ang suit niya at umupo muna sa upuan niya.

"Exam?" Bulalas ni Angel. Ngumisi si Brian at tumingin kay Jerome. Tinaas ni Brian ang hintuturo niya at binalaan si Jerome ng 'lagot ka' at umiling lamang ito sa kalokohan ni Brian.

One thing that hasn't changed? Brian's still the joker one, Jerome's still the hot headed, 'won't talk unless it's important' type, and Harry's still the good guy.