As if willed by fate, college students Elrond and Elora find themselves connecting through Alter--a popular dating app among the youth. But when they discover that their realities aren't what they seem to be, can they be brave enough to risk it all...
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Elora's POV
THERE was a swirl of different emotions inside me―surprised, scared, confused, disappointed, and angry. I felt all of it at once that I couldn't think properly. On top of that, I was also feeling betrayed.
The menacing look on Sanjay's face was far different from the warm and easygoing version of him that we met at Nyx the last time. Now, he looks like someone who can easily pull a trigger without feeling any remorse. In his eyes, all I could see was anger and vengeance.
"Who is he, Elora?" Cooper asked, sounding very curious.
Nagtaas ng kilay si Sanjay at muling humakbang pabalik sa lamesa. Dahil may kataasan 'yon ay isinandal niya ang kanyang likod at humalukipkip habang nakatingin lamang sa amin.
"Nakilala namin siya ni Eli sa Nyx," I replied hesitantly. "H-he's the one who gave us the Esoterra..."
"What?" Tumaas ang boses ni Cooper. "If that's the case, then why are you holding us as hostages? Ano ang kailangan mo sa amin?"
I kept my silence as I waited for Sanjay to speak his mind. I also wanted to know his reason.
"Simple lang naman ang gusto ko," tipid niyang sabi. "I just want to take back something that belongs to me."
Napaawang ang aking mga labi. Huwag mo sabihing...
Once again, Sanjay lifted his face to look at us intensely and declared, "I want the Esoterra back."
I knew it... But I still couldn't wrap my head around it.
"B-bakit?" Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sariling itanong 'yon dahil hindi ko maintindahan. "Why did you give me the Esoterra when you're just going to take it back? Dapat ay hindi mo na sa akin ibinigay noong una pa lang."
"Let's see, hmm..." He stroked his chin as he hummed, pretending that he was thinking about his answer deeply. "I guess if I was stupid, I'd probably do that―but I'm not."
Umayos siya sa pagkakatayo at saka pinulot ulit ang baril. May pinindot siya roon upang lumabas ang lalagyanan ng bala mula sa hawakan. Napalunok akong muli sa takot. I never thought that a deadly weapon could look even deadlier until I watched him as he inserted around three bullets inside it.
"Noong sinabi mo sa akin ang rason kung bakit mo gustong makuha ang Esoterra, naisip kong may alam ka kung paano gamitin 'yon," pagpapatuloy niya habang abala sa pag-aayos ng mga bala. "For a whole month that I had the device in my hand, I tried to study the codes but I couldn't figure it out. I didn't know how to make that thing work. But then, you came to me at the right time."
"Kung hindi mo alam kung para saan ang Esoterra, paano napunta sa 'yo 'yon?" nagtatakang tanong ni Cooper.
"That's a good question!" He stopped from loading the gun and put it back on the table to empty his hand. "I don't really like explaining myself, but as a consolation for fooling your dear friend, I'll tell you a secret."
