The Senses

Chapter 20

Xavier

I woke up early, which was quite a surprise since I always wake up late. I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't, I can still vividly remember Geronimo's narration.

May isinakripisyo sila noon. Hindi ko alam kung ano man iyon pero naramramdaman na napakalaki ang nawala sa kanila. Dahil hindi rin lang man ako nakatulog, lumabas na muna ako at naglakad-lakad. Papalabas palang ang araw sa dagat.

"Oh? Bakit gising ka na?"

Naglakad si Zero papunta sa akin na may dalang kape. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng pantulog pero mukha naman siyang presentable.

"Wala, hindi na ako nakabalik sa pagtulog."

"Well, that's a surprise. Pagtulog pa naman ang expertise mo."

"Eh, ikaw? Bakit gising ka na?"

Zero shrugged. "Just thinking some things."

Kahit kelan talaga, hindi ako makakuha ng tamang sagot sa kanya. It's like he always tries to hide his personal information. He did tell us that he was adopted by the Roswell so I guess we're closer than he is to other people.

"Oo nga pala. Salamat," biglang sabi niya.

"Huh? Salamat? Para saan?"

"You believed that I'm not a traitor."

He caught my face and he laughed. "Oo, alam ko. Narinig ko kayo kagabi ni Seine. Narinig ko rin sila ni Mr. Villanueva. Honestly, it was heartwarming to me. So, thank you."

"What are you thanking for? We're friends, remember? I won't doubt you even if the world does."

He placed his hand on my head and slowly patted it. Zero always pats heads when he's being sentimental. Sometimes, I feel like a dog. Mas mataas siya sa akin kaya madali lang niya nagagawa iyon.

Inilayo ko ang kamay niya. "Stop. Para naman kasi akong aso sa ginagawa mo."

"Hala, paano ka magiging aso eh palagi kang tulog?"

"Ang sakit mong magsalita ha."

"Ano nga pala ang gagawin mo tungkol sa spy?"

Napaisip muna ako. "Hindi ko rin alam. For all I know, they may be just a diversion to distract us from finding the 4th Sense. Baka maunahan tayo ng Erebos kapag hinanap pa natin ang spy."

"Nasaan na ba ang libro ng Taste?"

"Iyon nga yung problema, nahihirapan si Miss Minerva na hanapin yung libro. For some reason, she can't pinpoint the exact location."

"I see," Zero smiled. "That's why she agreed to the vacation."

Okay, hold up. Why is it that he looks like he just realized something? I'm getting the feeling Zero just had an enlightenment.

"Okay? What's that look? Parang may nalaman ka."

"You better go to Marcus and Minerva. Tanungin mo sila tungkol sa libro."

I raised my eyebrow but he didn't elaborate further. Zero just smiled as he looked at the sea and sipped his coffee.

***

Ang aga pa kaya, gising na kaya sila? Pumunta ako sa room ni Marcus. Kumatok ako at wala pang isang minuto ay bumukas na ito. Suot pa rin ni Marcus ang suit niya. I peeked at the room and saw Miss Minerva on the couch, sleeping.

"Marcus! Anong ginawa mo?"

Tumingin siya muna sa loob pabalik sa akin at doon niya lang napagtanto kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin. Nanlaki ang mata niya at namula siya.