Celestial Academy: Unveiling Destiny

Chapter 42

Arianna's POV

It's been three days since Sera left. Nothing is the same anymore. Lumayo ang loob ko sa aking mga kaibigan dahil sa nangyari. Hindi ko matanggap na gano’n na lang nila pagkatiwalaan ang mga pinagsasabi nina Fiona at Sofia.

Kaibigan pa rin naman nila si Sera pero napakadali nilang pagdudahan siya. Kilala ko si Sera, hindi niya magagawa ang bagay na iyon kaya naniniwala ako sa kanya.

I walked through the corridors, my mind replaying the events that had unfolded. Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mukha ni Sera na puno ng sakit at pagkamuhi.

I found Arisson in the training room, relentlessly punching a sandbag. Kitang-kita ang galit at sakit sa mga mata niya habang patuloy sa pagsuntok.

Hindi niya matanggap ang pag-alis ni Sera kaya ilang araw na siyang ganito.

"Arisson," I called softly, stepping into the room. He stopped mid-punch. He was heavily breathing.

"Bakit? What do you want?" Nanatili siyang nakatalikod.

"I came to check on you," I said. Lumapit ako sa kanya. My heart was aching at the sight of my brother's pain.

"I know how much Sera meant to you." He scoffed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Meant to me? She still means everything to me, Arianna." Napaupo siya sa sahig at napayuko. "Hindi ko matanggap, Arianna... She was in deep pain. H-how could they turn their backs on her? How could he turn his back on her?"

I sat down beside him. "Huwag mo nang isipin ’yun, at least we believe her," I said, trying to comfort him.

He looked at me with anger in his eyes. "How can I not?! She left because everyone believed that she did it. Kung sana ay naniwala sila, hindi siya aalis."

I sighed. "Kung gusto mo pa siyang makita, huwag kang magmukmok na lang diyan. We have to figure out the truth and then we'll find Sera."

He nodded, his jaw clenched tightly. "I won't rest until her name is cleared."

As we spoke, the door of the training room opened, and Aiden walked in. His face was expressionless but I know him enough to notice the effect of Sera's disappearance on him. I can see dark circles around his eyes and he looked tired.

"Aiden," Arisson growled, his fists clenching at his sides. "Ano ang kailangan mo?"

Aiden met his gaze. His expression was unreadable. "I came to train."

"Train?" Arisson sneered. "Paano mo naiisip na mag-training sa kabila ng nangyari?" Napalunok ako. I smell trouble.

"I have responsibilities," Aiden replied coldly. "We all do."

"Responsibilities?" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses ni Arisson kaya lumapit ako ng kaunti sa kanya, in case na may gawin siya ay mabilis ko siyang mapigilan.

Bakit ba naman kasi ang bilis magalit ng lalaking ito?

"Is that all you care about? Paano si Sera? What about her innocence?!"

Aiden's face hardened, but the pain that flickered in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by me. "I made the decision that was best for everyone. Including Sera."

"Best for everyone?" Arisson's voice was a dangerous whisper now. "You think abandoning her was the best decision? You think turning your back on her was the best thing to do?" Lumapit siya kay Aiden. "That is fucking bullshit! You just hurt Sera!"

Aiden's jaw tightened but he remained silent.

"I know you cared for her, Aiden, dahil ang mga tingin na iginagawad mo sa kanya kapag hindi siya nakatingin ay parehas na parehas sa paraan ng tingin ko sa kanya." Arisson continued, stepping even closer. Shit! Hindi ko sila kayang pigilan kapag mag-aaway sila.