The Lost Orb [PFS #1, The Bearer]

05 "First Mission"

SASKIA'S POV

I WENT INSIDE the cafeteria with Allisa. The cool climate through the ajar curtains of the windows lingered inside the candlelit room. Five small chandeliers hung from the ceiling above us, shedding a warm, cider-hued glow over the entire space. This large room was reserved exclusively for the sixth-phase scholars.

It's still early in the morning. Allisa invited me earlier na sumabay sa kaniya kumain ng agahan. Ngunit hindi lang 'yon. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay nandito rin kami para makipagkita kay Saphire. May mahalaga raw siyang sasabihin sa 'min. I wonder what could it be to be this early in the morning?

"Saskia. Pasensiya na nga pala kahapon . . . I didn't mean it." Allisa suddenly spoke, breaking the silence between us.

I halted as I looked at her. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. As much as I was upset by her action yesterday, I couldn't ignore the fact that I could also see where she's coming from.

Nag-panic na rin siguro siya noong nakita niyang nasira na ang barrier nito. "Apology accepted. Ngunit gusto ko ring malaman mo na hindi ako gano'ng tao, na gagawa ng nakapagtatakang mga bagay rito."

I hope it didn't sound rude.

I just want to clarify na hindi niya kailangang maging cautious pagdating sa 'kin. Hindi naman talaga ako gan'ong tao, at hindi rin kakayanin ng konsensiya kong gumawa ng hindi kanais-nais na gawain.

"Yes, I understand that. It's just that . . ." she broke off her words. Bahagya siyang yumuko upang itago ang mukha niya. Ramdam kong may mga bagay pa rin siyang ayaw banggitin sa 'kin.

I just got used to it, perhaps.

". . . Darating din ang araw na masasabi ko rin ang lahat ng 'to sa 'yo."

I just stared at her with dull eyes.

Yeah, I hope so.

"Ate Saskia! Ate Allisa! Here!" Boses ni Saphire ang tumawag sa 'min. The brunette was waving her hand at us when we found her. She's the same as her usual self, lively. The warmth stayed in her amber eyes.

A soft piano piece is playing inside the area, we motion our hands to greet her also as we joined her table.

"What's with the early invitation?" Bungad ni Allisa sa kaniya. Bumalik na sa normal ang ambiyansa nito.

It's better that way.

"Nakapili na ba kayo ng breakfast niyo?" Saphire asked, ignoring her statement.

Saglit kaming nagpaalam kay Saphire upang kumuha ng makakain. Gusto ko na rin marinig ang sasabihin niya kaya sumunod nalang agad kami sa sinabi nito.

Marahan kong ibinaba ang kutsara ko upang harapin si Saphire na nakatitig lamang sa 'min habang kumakain kami. "Hindi ka ba kakain?" Tanong ko rito.