Pierres Noires (Black Stones) 2 √

Chapter 3: World Lit., Food And Yoshiro

AINSLEY

"Everybody knows Hercules was a 'strong man'. But to the ancient Greeks, he was much more than that. They worshipped him as a god."

Mataman kaming nakikinig kay Prof. Yuzon dito sa aming World Literature class. Masasabi kong isa siya sa mga paborito kong professor dahil bukod sa magaling siyang magturo ay kwela rin siya kaya hindi kailanman naging boring ang subject na ito.

"According to the legend, Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, a mortal princess. Hera, the divine wife of Zeus, hated Hercules. While he was still in his cradle, she sent two serpents to kill him, but the infant strangled them. Hercules married Megara, but Hera caused him with a fit of madness. During the seizure, he killed his wife and children." Pagpapatuloy pa ni Prof.

Napalingon naman ako kay Ryder na seryosong-seryoso na nakikinig sa lecture. Wow ang pogi nya lalo 'pag seryoso siya. Mayamaya ay lumingon siya sa pwesto ko at kinindatan ako kaya napabalik na ulit ang tingin ko kay Prof. Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng pisngi ko.

"To make up for this terrible deed, the oracle at Delphi ordered Hercules to offer services to King Eurystheus, who gave him twelve labors to do. It is these twelve labors which Hercules undertook that make up most of the legend about him. Now my question is, what are those twelve labors? Give at least 5 at ang makasagot ng tama ay ililibre ko ng kwek-kwek sa kanto." Napatawa tuloy kami, kwela talaga ni Prof. Yuzon.

"Yes, Mr. Akiyama?" Napalingon naman ako kay Yoshiro, bookish talaga ang Black Stones' bassist.

"First, he strangled a fierce lion. Then he was sent to kill the Hydra, a monster with nine heads, eight of which were mortal and one immortal. Every time Hercules struck off a mortal head, two more grew in its place. But Hercules finally killed the Hydra. His third labor was to capture a particularly fierce wild boar. His fourth was to kill the golden-horned hind. His fifth labor was to clean the stables of 3,000 oxen belonging to King Augeas. They had not been cleaned for 30 years. Hercules directed the courses of two rivers into the stables and cleaned them in a day."

"Very good Mr. Akiyama! How about the remaining labors?" Tanong ni Prof sa klase at nagtaas naman ng kamay si Ryder kaya tinawag nya ito.

Tumayo si Ryder at confident na sumagot. "His sixth labor was to kill the birds of Stymphalus; his seventh to capture the Cretan bull. His eighth task was to capture the wild horses of Diomedes, which fed on human flesh. For his ninth labor, he brought back the belt of Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. For his tenth, he brought back the oxen of Geryon from a far-western island. On his way he split apart a mountain to form the Strait of Gibraltar. His eleventh labor was to secure three golden apples from Hesperides. His twelfth was to bring to Eurystheus the watchdog of Hades, Cerberus.

"Well said, Mr. Blanco. May libre kang isaw sa'kin mamaya." Napatawa tuloy si Ryder sa sinabi ni Prof pati na rin ang mga kaklase ko.

Nang mapalingon sa'kin si Ryder ay binigyan ko siya ng thumbs-up sabay ngiti. Matalino rin kasi si Ryder at nahawa na yata ako sa kanya.

"That's all for today. Study all about King Arthur and prepare for oral recitation. Class dismiss!" Kanya-kanyang pulasan na ang mga kaklase ko dahil breaktime na.

"Let's go?" Nasa harapan ko na agad si Ryder. May pagka-ninja pala 'to o sadyang gutom na rin?

Tumango ako at sabay pa kaming lumabas ng room habang naka-akbay siya sa'kin. Kilig ka na naman Ainsley!

AT CAFETERIA.

Si Ryder ang nakapila sa counter para bumili ng pagkain namin at ako ang naiwan dito sa table good for 3 persons. Pwede namang sa pandalawahan kaso walang available dahil okupado na ng mga estudyante dahil halos kasabay namin ang breaktime ng ibang department.

After 15 minutes ay bumalik na siya bitbit ang isang malaking tray na loaded ng pagkain namin. Eating monster nga pala kami, baka sakaling itanong nyo.

"Carbonara, lasagna, fries, potato chips, dark and white chocs and iced tea." Inisa-isa ko ang laman ng tray.

"Wala na ba akong nakalimutan, baby?"

"Wala na kaya simulan na natin 'to!"

"Fight!"

Kukuha na sana ako ng fries nang mahagip ng tingin ko si Yoshiro na palinga-linga at naghahanap ng mauupuan. Itinaas ko ang kamay ko at tinawag siya.

"Yoshiro! Over here!" Agad namang napalingon sa table namin si Yoshi at tumango.

"Konnichiwa! Makiki-share muna ako sa inyo." Tinanguan namin siya ni Ryder.

"Congrats nga pala sa successful concert nyo last week. Jam packed!" Bati ko habang kumakain ang lasagna.

"Arigatou! Sana nagpakita kayo backstage."

"Nako si Ryder kasi iniwan ako sa loob, buti na lang at nandoon si Mr. Savior."

"Mr. Savior?"

"Si Vilhelm pre, tapos Dear ang tawag kay Ainsley."

"Napaka-chismoso mo Ryder!" Irapan ko nga.

"Bagay nga kayo ni Mr. Savior-slash-dear mo e!" He teased.

Si Yoshiro ay amuse na nakatingin sa'min habang kumakain.