Milieu Euphony (In Act Series #2)

Phase 29

PHASE TWENTY-NINE

TO BURN THE COURAGE

"Hindi ako sasama sa 'yo," sagot ko nang ayain niya akong magpunta sa mansyon nila.

Michelangelo's character took a turn suddenly, and I believe that I was all because of his confession which I believe was fake. Because it's so impossible for him to develop feelings for me. Hindi gano'n ang pagkakakilala ko sa kan'ya.

At iba ang pakikitungo ko sa kan'ya noong nagpunta sa museum kaya bakit? I wasn't acting the best in front of him, so why was he still sticking with me?

Hindi ko siya maintindihan.

"Bakit mo ba ako iniimbitahan? I have no business to do there," giit ko.

He sighed and blocked my path. I was forced to look at him instead.

"It's Tres."

"Tres?"

Biglang nalukot ang mukha niya. "Bakit 'Tres' ang tawag mo sa kan'ya pero sa 'kin 'Michelangelo'?"

Kunot-noo ko siyang tiningnan.

Ano na naman ba ang problema nito?

"'Yan ba ang problema mo sa 'kin—"

"Nevermind." He frustratedly sighed. "Ikukuha ulit kita ng permit para makalabas tayo. We need to go back to the mansion, Lael. Hindi na ligtas dito."

I looked around, disbelief in my face as I saw the mundane surroundings. "Anong hindi ligtas dito? The art rallies here were the usual, Michelangelo. Ano ngayon kung nagkaroon ng gulo dahil kay Atlas at RAN? Nasanay na ang mga estudyanteng 'yon dito."

It was a prominent fact that the Royal Colleges for the Arts was filled with student activists who usually asks for art reform. Hindi na rin bago ang mga rallies sa loob at labas ng College pati na rin ang involvement ng mga estudyante roon.

The Deans of each department showed good measure, however, it wasn't enough to silence their voices. They persisted even though the government showed dismay about it and had performed sanctions on anyone who was caught.

But like how the students were unstoppable, the citizens, too. Patuloy pa rin ang mga rally na siyang nababalita sa telebisyon.

"Gusto mo bang mangyari sa 'yo ang nangyari kay Atlas?" tanong niya ulit nang magpatuloy ako sa paglalakad.

"Atlas got involved because of the RAN Craze that he started, but I wasn't interested in it, so I didn't bother myself looking at its details. It's not related to sculpting anyway. Nabasa ko lang siya sa Hierarchy Lounge kaya alam ko."

Napabuntonghininga siya at hinarangan muli ang daanan ko.

Nananantiya ko siyang tiningnan, "Michelangelo, if you could just—"

"Wala tayong klase ngayon at bukas."

"And?"

He continued to stare at me. "Just... please join me tomorrow."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "What made you think that I'll come with you? Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, hindi ako interesado—"

"Atlas is there."

Ngumiwi ako at hinawi siya. "I am not—"

"Because he's hiding from someone." Nanunuyo niya akong tiningnan. "Lael, please? Do me a favor and come with me."