The Revolution (Phase I): Dawn of the Endgame

[2]

MAGNUS FOUND HIMSELF walking down the road to somewhere else that's not part of his plan. She's beside him, talking of words that Magnus listens to, every word of it. He looked up and still saw the sun shining brightly overhead the stubborn clouds. Half an hour ago, a rain seemed to be preparing to pour itself down him.

"Nakikinig ka ba?"

Magnus turned towards her. Strands of her brown hair still line her face, dancing with the wind. Wearing a bright yellow hoodie and skinny jeans, she appeared to look fresh despite coming from the university.

Katherine Arcilla.

She's the only person he knows who is closer to him than anyone. He met her during his senior high school years but still remained a stranger to him. One closer look and people will think they know what she wants, but a deeper look will be as confusing as it gets. And Magnus was no different from them. The longer he stares at her, the more he wonders who she really is.

Kathy grabbed something from her sling bag and came out a hand mirror. "May something ba sa mukha ko? Tingin ka ng tingin ah." Her eyes turned to him. The face made him think whether it was meant to be a jest. She then tapped him on the shoulders with eagerness. "Alam mo ba may manghuhula na nagsabi sa 'king suswertehin daw ako tsaka mamalasin ngayong linggo. Nakuha ko na 'yung swerte ko nung may makita akong limang libo sa daan kanina. Nininerbyos pa 'ko sa magiging malas ko ngayong linggo, not until I saw you."

"Because I'm your bad news?"

"Yup."

"What a fun way to say how are you to a friend."

She smiled. "What are you doing there, anyway? Ponder about the mystery of life?" she asked after a short silence, with a mock.

"No, I slept."

Kathy scoffed. "Talaga ba."

Ignoring her remarks, Magnus said: "How about you?" He glanced on the side to see a flat and dry grassland, its yellow hairs balding. The hard soil is visible even from afar.

"Ah, my brother," said her without even a hint of sadness in her voice. Magnus half-turned and saw how her eyes just stared straight down the path. When she glanced back at him, her bubbly aura in her remained unmoved. "'Wag mo kong tignan ng ganyan, I'm fine."

The wind blew past them. Kathy turns her stares outside. "Syempre sometimes I miss him. Even though he treats me like . . ." She shrugged and chuckled softly, something he'd heard a thousand times already. Her white teeth glistened against the sun. "Actually, it's one of the reasons kaya nagluto si mudra."

"Nadamay pa ako."

"Ish, si mama kasi. Ang daming niluto na pagkain parang buong siyudad papakainin, dadalawa lang naman kami," she complaint, but not really a complaint. After a few more minutes of walking, they reached the front of the house. A two-story place with a worn-out green-painted gate. There was an open garage area empty of any vehicles. The silver door swung open before they could do the honour.

A woman in her fifties emerged. Magnus noticed the resemblance of her features to the one beside him. That same brown eyes filled with life, the soft and clear-skinned peel. It's Mrs. Arcilla. There were flours and slices of different foodstuffs glued around her arm, with one hand holding a tray of chopped food waste.

"Magnus!" Mrs. Arcilla said, going straight to hug him.

"Ma, ang dugyot ng kamay mo tapos mangyayakap ka."

Mrs. Arcilla detached herself from him. "Manahimik ka nga, 'di ka niya katulad na ang arte," she respond, facing her daughter. She pouted and entered, dragging Magnus with her. "Anyway, hindi pa ako tapos magluto, manood na lang muna kayo sa taas."