Switched Worlds

36

Before the sun could rise, Maro woke up and waited for someone at the lobby.

He couldn't sleep well with all the puzzles Alex had dumped unto him. And because she wouldn't answer him directly, he had to find other ways to understand her cryptic messages.

He is not one to care for others, much more when things around them are confusing. It taxes his mind too much that he tends to just avoid it.

He did not care enough to waste his energy trying to understand people who—like him—does not care for him.

But things are different this time.

This time he had grown an interest in Alex. This time, he cares.

But more than caring, his guts have been aching, telling him to answer his own questions. Solve this puzzle!

And so here he is trying to solve her messages. But he couldn't answer them so easily without a clue.

Now he has to look for clues. And who understands Alex most if not her bestfriend?

"Ace."

Tumayo siya at sinalubong ang lalaki na nasa unahan ng kaniyang grupo. The group carried their luggage, they were to set sail this morning.

Astro stopped and signaled the others to go first. He felt the Maro's need for answers.

"I'd like to ask you a few things about Miss Alex." Maro said straight to the point, trying hard for his voice to not shake. Ace's vibe is not the same as when he is with Alex.

Right now, he's like his usual self. Cold and brutal. Unlike when he is with Alex. He is calmer and more reasonable.

Ace's mood changed a bit at the mention of Alex. He became more attentive.

"She's been leaving me cryptic messages, but I find it hard to decipher. Just like last night about the phoenix." He explained. They continued to walk, following his group.

"You mean the phoenix flying with the oriole?"

"Yes. I know what an oriole is, and I just found out about the phoenix, but I can't see how it connects with her." He sounded really concerned.

Tumigil sa paglalakad si Ace para harapin ang lalaki. Napatigil rin si Maro.

"Why are you doing this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you trying to understand Alex? Isn't she just a teammate? Just another acquaintance?" Ace asked him.

"Well..." Maro became silent.

Indeed, why was he going this far to understand someone who might not even consider her a friend? Maybe it was because he was the one to receive these messages.

"I feel that Miss Alex wants to be understood, with all the misunderstandings she has right now with everyone. Maybe I could be the one to understand all her whys. I believe that she gave me that chance." He pulled out the words he hadn't been able to think of earlier.

His answer satisfied Ace.

Maro showed him his sincerity for Alex, and that assured him that he wasn't leaving Alex alone.

She had another friend other than him who is actually making an effort getting to understand her.

"Alex likes to substitute birds for people. The similarities could vary from color, characteristics, history, or even just the name. She used to call me a bald eagle just to tease me." He explained, chuckling at the memory.

Hearing Ace speak, Maro smiled. He was finally getting answers.

"How about the phoenix?" They talked about it last night, but it felt lacking.