ON INFERNAL GROUND [ONE CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION BOOK 2]

Kabanata 2 - Recognize

Kabanata 2

Recognize

I usually don't pay attention to the feeling of having deja vu. I have a lot of memories that I'm not even sure kung mababalik pa sakin. Whenever I do feel something is familiar, I just brush it off. Like, maybe there's a time that it's related to me, but the current me isn't. I will just feel empty if pipilitin ko ang sarili ko na alalahanin kung ano iyon.

That's what I'm feeling right now, too. His eyes... that grey eyes are poking at my heart. It was waiting to be recognized, but I didn't acknowledge it. Huminga ako ng malalim at saka mabigat ang loob na ibinaba ang mata ko. The last thing I want is him catching me looking at him.

"Be on your best behavior, Renee. I beg you." I heard Sister Rosie whispered on my side.

I gave her a small nod. She doesn't need to repeat it because I know it already. Hindi naman ako talaga normal na sumasalubong sa mga bisita dito sa cathedral. If she's scared that I might do something to embarrass the temple, I assure her that I will be quiet as a dead corpse. I will just stay with her, keep my mouth shut, and stand very still without looking at the visitors.

Nang makalapit na ang emperor at empress samin ay humakbang paharap si Sister Rosie. We didn't bow. We didn't bend the knee. Church doesn't kneel to someone in power. Our faith, body, and soul only belong to the Creator.

"I am Sister Rosie, Your Majesty, Her Majesty." She greeted the couple in front of us. "I would like to welcome you on behalf of the church. The ceremony hall has been prepared for His Highness' baptism. The Grand Priest will join us shortly, and then we can start the ceremony."

I heard a small laugh, "The church is uptight as ever. We will leave immediately the moment the ceremony is done, Sister. We only want to give Alexander his baptismal name."

It was a man's voice, so I was guessing it was the emperor who spoke.

"We are not chasing you out, Your Majesty. The cathedral is open for everyone. We welcome the blessed, even the sinners. We do not discriminate." Sagot ni Sister Rosie. I can hear restraint from her voice.

"I am not implying anything, Sister. I'm a busy man myself. Running the empire is a lot of work, especially now that it's only been a year that I've gotten it back from my uncle." He spoke with carefree on his voice.

Sister Rosie shifted her position, "We would like to be excluded on that narrative, Your Majesty. The Church will maintain its separation with the sovereignty."

"You have my word that I will always honor it, Sister. Your freedoms can only be limited, not eliminated." His voice turns serious for a second and then returns to its normal and light-hearted tone, "Shall we go to the ceremony hall? Let's go, my empress. The nuns will lead the way."

With all that exchanged, I didn't dare to raise my head. Nanatili akong nakayuko at nakatingin sa sahig. I didn't move until Sister Rosie taps my shoulder to start walking. Bahagya kong tiningnan si Sister Rosie and gave her a tight small smile.

And it was too late to realize that with a small movement like that, I would be able to catch the emperor's eyes on me.

Kumunot ang noo niya habang nakatingin sakin. Napalunok ako at dahan dahan na yumuko ulit. I didn't do anything wrong. I have no crime to be scared of, but why does my body shiver at the thought that he's looking at me?

Good thing he didn't ask or say anything as we walk towards the ceremony hall. Nasa unahan kami ni Sister Rosie habang nasa likuran namin ang emperor at empress. There's also some postulant and seminarians at the very back accompanying our visitors. Sila din ang nagbukas ng malaking pintuhan sa hall para makapasok kami. I remain quiet and keep my presence small sa likod ni Sister Rosie pero sa tingin ko ay wala ng kwenta pa iyon. I have taken the interest of the emperor. I felt his eyes bore into me as they walked to the aisle.