Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 17 Plutus Charm

OTTILIE VIRSES POV
 
 
The room fell silent as everyone focused on her words. I felt a little nervous as I adjusted the beaker in front of me, glancing briefly at Plutus, who appeared unfazed. Of course, he didn’t seem like the type to get nervous.
 
"The first step is to heat your beaker over a medium flame. Be sure not to overheat it," Mrs. Anderson continued. "Then, add two cups of water from the crystal vial you’ve gathered."
 
Plutus immediately lit the flame beneath our beaker, the fire flickering steadily as I filled the crystal vial with water. I measured exactly two cups, careful not to spill anything, and poured it into the beaker.
 
"Next," Mrs. Anderson went on, "you will add three sprigs of lavender, which will act as the calming agent. Crush them gently with your mortar and pestle and add them slowly to the mixture."
 
I grabbed the sprigs of lavender and started crushing them, the calming scent already wafting into the air.

When I turned to add them into the beaker, Plutus leaned in and whispered, "You’re slow. You know that, right?"
 
Sinamaan ko agad ito ng tingin, "Kung nagmamadali ka, ikaw na lang kaya dito?"
 
He chuckled, leaning back. "Nah, I’m enjoying the show."
 
Napapatiim-bagang na lang ako dahil sa sobrang inis bago ko dahan-dahang inilagay sa loob ng beaker ang dinurog kong lavender kanina. The potion started to turn a soft purple as the lavender was absorbed into the liquid.
 
"Now," Mrs. Anderson said, her voice cutting through the chatter, "we will add powdered moonstone, which will enhance the potion’s magical properties. Be careful not to use too much, or it will overpower the calming effects."
 
I measured the powdered moonstone precisely, my hand steady as I sprinkled it into the beaker. Plutus was unusually quiet for a moment, watching the potion closely as it shifted from purple to a shimmering silver color.
 
"Once the moonstone has been added, stir the potion slowly, clockwise, for exactly ten seconds," Mrs. Anderson instructed. "Timing is everything here."
 
I began stirring the mixture while Plutus counted under his breath, his voice low and raspy. "Seven…eight…nine…ten."
 
I stopped stirring right as he finished counting, and the potion settled into a bright, translucent liquid. Mrs. Anderson approached our table, nodding approvingly at our progress.
 
"Looking good so far," she said, examining the potion. "Now for the final step: add a single drop of chamomile essence, and let the potion simmer for a minute. This will complete the calming effects."
 
I held the tiny vial of chamomile essence, carefully measuring out a single drop. As it fell into the mixture, the potion swirled and shimmered one last time before settling into a pale gold color.
 
"Now, let it simmer," I said softly, feeling a small sense of relief.
 
Plutus nodded. "Not bad, witch," he said with a smirk. "Maybe you’re not as hopeless as I thought."
 
"Tss, ayaw na lang sabihin na magaling ako," I muttered sarcastically.
 
Mrs. Anderson clapped her hands again. "Good job, everyone! Once your potion has finished simmering, carefully pour it into your crystal vial for inspection."
 
After the potion was done, I accidentally brushed my finger against one of the hot beakers. A sharp pain seared through my skin, and I silently whimpered, biting my lip to keep from making a sound.
 
Mabuti na lang at walang nakapansin dahil lahat sila ay busy sa paglilinis ng kan'ya kan'ya nilang lamesa. Pinilit ko ang sarili ko na tapusin ang paglilinis kahit ang hapdi na ng daliri ko. Dahil sa kabagalan ko nga ay kami na lang dalawa ni Plutus ang natira, habang sina Jenna at Dylan ay nauna na. Plutus must have sensed something because he glanced at me and frowned, his expression darkening.
 
"What’s with you?" he asked.
 
"Wala 'to," I muttered, trying to leave the room. 
 
But before I could take another step, Plutus grabbed my arm and practically dragged me to a chair, forcing me to sit down.
 
I groaned, "Ano na naman ba?"
 
He ignored me, his eyes narrowing as he inspected my hand. "You’re hurt," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous.

"And you didn’t tell anyone?"
 
I shrugged, "It’s just a small burn. I’ll take care of it at home."
 
His jaw clenched as he examined the burn, his expression hardening. Without warning, he brought my fingers to his mouth and gently blew on the burn. His breath was warm and soothing, and I froze, completely startled by his action.
 
"Huy, ano 'yang ginagawa mo?" I stammered, trying to pull my hand back, but Plutus shot me a glare.
 
"Stop squirming," he ordered.
 
I had no choice but to sit still, feeling my heart race as Plutus continued to tend to my burn. His long eyelashes caught my attention, and I found myself staring at him, oddly mesmerized. His lashes were thick and dark, more beautiful than a woman. 
 
Unfair. Iyong iba nagpapakapagod pa para magkabit ng fake lashes, samantalang itong si Plutus gumigising araw-araw na may gan'yan kagandang mga lashes.

Then I felt my face flush, my heart pounding wildly. What was he doing? Why was I staring at him like this? 
 
When Plutus finally freed my hand, I snapped back to reality, immediately turning my gaze away and faking a cough to hide my embarrassment. When I glanced at my burn finger, nagulat ako na magaling na agad ito. Parang wala man lang bakas ng pagkapaso. 
 
Did he just heal me on the spot?
 
"What’s wrong with you?" Tanong ni Plutus habang nakataas ang isang kilay nito.
 
"W-wala!" I stammered, scrambling to stand up and leave the room. "Salamat dito, bye!" 
 
Without waiting for his response, I hurried out of the laboratory, feeling my heart still racing from the strange, unexpected moment.
 
Luh, bakit tinablan ako sa charm ng asungot na 'yon? Hindi 'to pwede, ayoko matulad sa mga fans niya na parang kiti-kiti kapag nakikita siya. Oo, gwapo siya, actually siya ang pinaka-gwapong nilalang na nakilala ko sa tanang buhay ko, pero ekis sa'kin ang ugali. 
 
Sige, kayo nga ilibing ng buhay at ibitin patiwarik, gugustuhin niyo pa ba? Baka kayo oo, color blind kayo eh, pero malinaw ang mga mata ko, 20/20. Saka ko na siya gugustuhin kapag tumino na siya.

Iyon kung titino?
 
 

To be continued...