The King's Court

LXV

I think I might have stopped breathing--no--I think the surroundings stopped altogether. 

Hindi maalis ang paningin ko sa lalaking naglalakad papunta sa gawi namin. I felt Leon and Mark standing behind me. I think I heard Leon mutter a curse as he saw what I was looking at. 

I have no idea what is happening but Nikolas looks like Nikolas but at the same time, different. Then his eyes met mine and I was pinned on the spot. There was no recognition on his face. There was just the cold, unforgiving stare that seemed to penetrate my whole being. 

"Either we're both dreaming the same strange dream or this is very real," Leon muttered and I was still too surprised to say anything. I wanted to tell him I had no idea either.

"Your Majesty," called a voice at napatingin kami kung nasaan si Roylan. Behind her was Arleigh who saw Nikolas and covered her mouth with her hands in shock. Since every one of us can see him, it means I wasn't dreaming, then. 

This is real. Someone who looks like Nikolas is here.

Sa maikling panahon na nagtagpo ang mga mata namin, wala akong nagawa. I stared blankly, too surprised to move or think clearly. Then he passed by us, ignoring everyone that stopped to stare at him. 

Then a reality hit me. Of course, if there is another me in another universe, then there should also be another Nikolas in this world. But how cruel is this universe to let me meet Nikolas again in this world? 

Leon let out a sigh as I felt him clasp my shoulder. "Well, I guess that's the old woman's parting gift to you?"

Mark shook his head and let out a small laugh. 

"This is not funny. Seriously? I am in the middle of mourning for the death of Nikolas and now someone who looks exactly like him appears in front of me. This is some cruel joke." Hindi ko alam kung nong mararamdaman ko nang makita ang isa pang Nikolas. I wonder if his name's also Nikolas. Both Lorence's and mine's counterparts have the same name.

"What is he doing here, anyway?" tanong naman ni Mark. 

"I should ask you that question, shouldn't I?" 

Bigla kaming napatingin sa gawi ng elevator kung saan nagpunta si Nikolas. To our surprise, he was standing there, looking at us with an indifferent stare. If he'd been there, it means he heard us talking. 

"I'm sorry?" Mark said.

Nikolas then pointed at me. "I know that except for her, the rest of you don't work here. So I should be the one asking you the question of what you're doing here." 

Napatingin ako sa paligid nang may makita akong guards na papalapit. Oh shit. Mukhang makakaladkad sina Mark palabas. I don't think it would go well for the guards lalo na kina Roy at Leon.

I stepped forward. "I-I'm sorry. They are my friends and...I don't know if you know but I took a leave of absence because of my condition after the incident that happened here--"

"I know and I don't really care. Make them leave." He looked at his watch and added, "Aren't you supposed to be working now, Miss Evelyn Diaze? Why are you here in the lobby? Slacking around on your first day?"

Napayuko naman ako sa hiya ngunit bigla rin akong napatingin sa kanya. Why does he speak like that---

"A-Are y-you perhaps--"

The guards have arrived from where we are and they were about to grab my friends' arms to drag them out when Nikolas stopped them. 

"Come to my office, Miss Diaze. And bring your friends with you."