𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏- 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇

CHAPTER 2

As soon as Maricar slid into the back seat of the car, she didn’t even look up to greet Mang Leo, who had been waiting patiently. Without a word, she pulled out her compact mirror, focusing intently on touching up her makeup. From the front, Allie exchanged a knowing glance with Mang Leo, and they both shook their heads, sharing an unspoken understanding. It was no longer surprising to see Maricar caught up in her own world.

During the ride, the atmosphere in the car seemed to split into two. Allie and Mang Leo chatted easily, laughing at small jokes and enjoying each other’s company. They talked about Allie's classes, her favorite subjects, and even her small goals for the week. But Maricar sat silently in the back, detached and oblivious to their conversation, occasionally letting out a sigh as she touched up her eyeliner or adjusted her lipstick.

When they finally pulled up to the school, Maricar didn’t wait for her sister or Mang Leo. She stepped out swiftly, striding toward a small group of girls waiting by the gate—her friends. Without a backward glance, she joined them, already laughing as if the car ride had never happened.

Allie took a moment before getting out, then turned to Mang Leo, offering him a warm smile. "Bye, Tatay Leo. Drive safely."

Mang Leo’s face softened as he returned her smile. "Thanks, Allie. Study hard and don’t be like your sister."

Allie chuckled, nodding. "I will, Tatay Leo. You know me." She gave him a final wave before heading toward the school entrance, her sister and her group already far ahead. They hadn’t even noticed her arrival, and by now, Allie had grown used to it. She let it go as she entered the gate, her mind already shifting to her classes and the day ahead.

"Allie?"

She turned at the sound of her name, her expression brightening as she spotted her friend. "Abby!"

They exchanged cheerful smiles and fell into step together, discussing their homework and upcoming exams as they walked to their classroom. When they reached the door, a light hand on Allie’s arm made her stop and turn.

"Rainier?" she said, surprised to see him.

He smiled, his white teeth catching the morning light. "Good morning, Allie."

"Good morning," she replied softly. But as she noticed her sister approaching with her friends, Allie instinctively took a step back.

Rainier didn’t seem to notice her discomfort. "Are you free this Sunday? I was thinking—"

"She’s not free, Rainier," Maricar interrupted, sliding her arm around his possessively and shooting Allie a pointed look.

Rainier blinked, a bit taken aback. "Oh, hi, Maricar," he said, still trying to keep things light.

Maricar flashed him a smile. "I’m free this Sunday. What’s the plan?" she asked, her tone leaving no room for anyone else.

"At my place," Rainier replied, glancing briefly at Allie, his invitation still hanging in the air.

"Great, I’ll be there," Maricar said confidently, tugging him away, but Rainier’s gaze lingered on Allie for a moment longer.

"I hope you can come too, Allie," he called over his shoulder, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Allie just gave a small, polite wave, not letting herself get caught up in the moment.

"Ugh, that girl is always such a villain," Abby muttered as soon as Maricar was out of earshot.

Allie shrugged as they made their way into the classroom. "Let it go. I don’t even bother with her."

"But you’re the one Rainier likes! Why do you let your sister flirt with him?" Abby whispered furiously, taking a seat beside her.

Allie sighed, reaching into her bag for her notebook. "He hasn’t said anything directly to me, so there’s no reason for me to care."

Abby rolled her eyes. "You’re so oblivious! He’s been following you around like a puppy since freshman year. Your sister’s just blocking him."

Allie gave a faint smile, pretending to focus on her notebook. "Don’t worry about it, Abby. I’m here for my studies. My parents trust me, and I don’t want to disappoint them."

Abby softened, knowing how important Allie’s family was to her. "Fine, but if I were in your shoes, I’d be fighting to keep the handsomest guy on campus away from my sister."

Allie just chuckled, shaking her head. Deep down, she did have a crush for Rainier, but her dedication to her studies and her family’s expectations kept her focused.

---

Meanwhile, in a quiet, dimly lit room far from the school, a woman sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed in deep meditation. Her breathing was slow and steady, her face calm, but behind her closed eyelids, her mind was a storm of thoughts and memories. She had been in this trance-like state for hours, searching for clarity in the silence, when a sudden, subtle shift in the air made her eyes snap open. Someone was watching her.

"Someone’s asking for you downstairs," said a soft but firm voice from the doorway. A woman in her thirties stood there, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"Who is it?" the meditating woman asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They say they’re a classmate of yours."

The woman’s brow furrowed, but then she caught a familiar, faint scent lingering in the air. Her heart raced. "Zenda," she murmured, quickly rising to her feet. Without hesitation, she left the room and hurried down the staircase.

"Zenda!" she called as she reached the bottom, and the figure standing near the door turned around, her face lighting up with relief.

"Maia!"

The two women rushed into each other’s arms, holding one another tightly, each absorbing the warmth and strength of the other. They stayed that way for a moment, communicating through their embrace, letting their shared pain and hope flow between them.

Maia finally pulled back, her eyes glistening. "How did you get here?" she asked, still holding Zenda’s arms as if afraid she might disappear.

"Someone sacrificed their life so I could cross over," Zenda replied gravely. "Maia, everyone’s in danger. We have to find Her."

Maia’s shoulders slumped, the weight of Zenda's words pressing down on her. "It’s been years," she whispered, her voice laced with despair. "Our people are disappearing, one by one. Some fall in battle, others starve, and each day we lose more. We need Her… we need to bring Her back."

Zenda tightened her grip on Maia’s hands. "And we will. Agwada told us She was out there. She is still our only hope."

"But I can’t find Her," Maia replied, her voice cracking. "I've searched every corner of this world, tried every connection. She’s nowhere."

"Have faith, Maia," Zenda said firmly. "Agwada can’t be wrong. Without Her, our world will crumble. She’s alive—I feel it. And I’m here to help you. We’ll search together, and this time, we won’t give up."

Maia took a shaky breath, Zenda’s words rekindling a faint spark within her. She had been carrying this burden alone for so long, her hope dimming with each failed attempt. But now, with Zenda by her side, she felt a surge of strength, as if they might finally find the answer they so desperately needed.