Switched Worlds

29

"So you've been lying all this time?" Kyle exclaimed.

"Anong lying? I announced it in one of his sessions!" Sagot ko at hinila papalapit si Seth just to prove it.

"I told you at the camp kaya. And I never said I didn't have one, kayo ang nag-isip non."

"Ha! You made us think that way!"

"I did not."

"You did!"

"Did not."

"So how does your magic work?" Inigo asked. Napaisip naman ako.

"The concept of time and space isn't completely known so what I know is the limit of what I can do." I answered, thinking about it.

"You mean it could increase if you learn more about this concept?" He asked.

"For people like you in the four factions, you already know what you can do because you have references. For us who are gifted with unique magic, we have to learn on our own. So the more we know, the more we can explore our own magic.

For now, I can only change the pace of time in a certain space. But I've tried slowing down the movement of someone by slowing down their perception of time."

"Iyon ba ang ginawa mo kanina?"

"No. That one was different. I made an inch of space around me run on a slower pace. As soon as he made contact with that space, he slowed down and couldn't touch me. But that one consumes more of my energy that's why I'm a little tired so could you stop asking questions?"

I answered, immediately switching from attentive to dismissive.

Parang tinamaan ng bato sa batok ang dalawa kung maka-react. I was just suddenly out of the mood to answer.

"Didn't you sleep this noon to conserve your energy?" Kyle asked and it sounded absurd.

"That's what I planned. Who would've thought I'd waste all of my energy to stop myself from truly killing someone? Tsk." May halong inis na sagot ko.

"And if not for a number of people and a sudden appearance, I would've had enough energy to last this night without sleeping." I ranted, pinaparinggan yung isa naming kasama na hila hila ko pala.

Saka ko lang napansin noong tumigil siya sa paglalakad. Napabitaw tuloy ako at napatawa. Nilayuan ko na lang.

"Bato bato, bato sa langit.
Ang matamaa'y huwag magalit.
Bato bato, bato sa langit.
Ang matamaan ay huwag masiyadong halata." I hummed and sang as we walked on the dark and silent forest.

Naalala ko lang yung kanta.

"You've got a nice voice but a not so good song." Inigo commented.

"Ay eh?!" Oh my gosh. I barely sing and I never got complemented for it. Mababa kasi yung boses ko at hindi ako makabirit. The only songs that I could sing are the ones from like Jaya, Michael Buble, a few of Adele, and other old singers.

Nakakahiya daw yung kababaan ng boses ko, sabi ni Papa kaya hindi na ako masiyadong kumakanta.

"It's very unusual for a girl to have such low voice but it's somehow very soothing and relaxed." He added. I felt the warmth in my heart rise to my cheeks.

"Are you blushing?" Malakas na tanong ni Kyle noong silipin nito ang mukha ko.

"Shush! I'm happy alright!"

"Tss. It's just a simple compliment." He rebutted, turning his head away.

I sighed, still smiling and hugging myself to feel the warmth of my heart.