CLOAKED IN ROYALTY

Chapter Fourteen

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"That’s the case...wala akong nararamdaman, Jul."

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Chapter Fourteen

Agad akong napabalikwas sa higaan at napaupo. I immediately touched my neck after feeling out of breath. Hingal na hingal ako na parang pakiramdam ko’y ilang milya ang tinakbo ko. Nang maka recover sa nararamdaman ay agad akong napalingon sa paligid. I am not in my room.

I can tell because Julius’s room is filled with antique things while this room were filled with greeny leaves and colorful flowers. The window has a tall and long curtain while Julius’s has a short curtain just as the height of its window. My eyes fell on the place where I’m currently sitting. Al’s bed.

Agad akong napahilamos sa sarili ko pagkatapos maalala ang nangyari bago ako nakatulog ulit kagabi. I just woke up from that sudden faint at ganoon ang isasalubong niya sa akin? Pero...ano kaya ang nangyari pagkatapos nun? Ang naaalala ko’y dumilim ulit ang paningin ko, hindi ata nakaabot ang mukha niya sakin. Or...what if he stole a kiss? Knowing Al? He probably did! Agad na nag-init ang pisngi ko sa iniisip. What the hell, Cairo!

Bago pa kung saan-saan umabot ang iniisip ko ay nagsimula na akong bumaba sa kama ni Al. Oh, right, si Raven, baka may idea siya sa nangyari pagkatapos kong mawalan ng malay.

“Raven?” I called after getting off the bed. However, silence filled the room. Agad akong nagtaka. Wow, first time ko atang naranasan na hindi siya agad-agad na nagrerespond.

I sighed and tried to call again, hoping that the little guy was just hesitating to show itself, “Raven?”

Subalit wala pa rin. “Raven, if you’re playing hide and seek with me, I am not in the mood to do so.” Sambit ko habang may diin sa bawat salita. I tried to remain silent too, to make it look like I’m mad but still I received nothing. Agad akong napaisip, this is unusual? Why is he not by my side?

Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at agad na binuksan ang higanteng pintuan. I immediately saw the two knights guarding the door. Agad na yumuko ang mga ito pagkatapos akong makita.

“Asan si Al?” I asked with authority in my voice.

“Nasa silid-aklatan ho, Kamahalan.” The knight on the right answered.

I nodded and walked past them. Dumiretso ako sa silid-aklatan. When another two knights saw me coming, they immediately bowed and greeted. I gestured to open the door and they did.

Dumiretso akong naglakad papasok sa loob. As I’ve guessed, nakaupo si Al sa kaniyang mesa na puno ng dokumento at papeles habang nakakalat ang mga ito, nakatungo siya sa mesa nang may magulong buhok, nakapangalumbaba at suot ang kaniyang fashion eye glasses. Pagkarinig sa ingay ay agad itong tumingala.

Diretso ang lakad ko papunta sa kaniya, saka lang ako huminto noong nasa harapan na ako ng mesa niya.

“Are you alright? The doctor said that it is not good for your body to move, yet.” He greeted after I approached him.

I slightly smiled and sit on the chair, “Anong akala mo sakin? Babasaging baso? I’m a guy, you know.” I answered.

“Still, you should take care of your body. You know you’re precious to me more than anybody else.”

Bigla akong natameme sa sinabi niya. Heto na naman po ang ating mahal na hari, in-game na naman sa larong sweet lover. Talaga naman.

I cleared my throat to hide the embarassmeng I’m feeling, “By the way, have you seen Raven?” I asked, trying to change the topic.