Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 17 Plutus Charm

OTTILIE VIRSES POV
 
 
The room fell silent as everyone listened to Mrs. Anderson. I felt a little nervous as I adjusted the beaker in front of me and glanced at Plutus. Hindi man lang siya kinakabahan. Sabagay, paano nga naman kakabahan ang isang prinsipe na ubod ng yabang.
 
“The first step is to heat your beaker over a medium flame. Be careful not to overheat it,” Mrs. Anderson explained. “Then, add two cups of water from the crystal vial you collected.”
 
Plutus quickly lit the flame under our beaker while I filled the crystal vial with water. Sinugurado kong eksaktong two cups ito bago ko ibinuhos sa beaker.
 
“Next, add three sprigs of lavender. They will act as the calming agent. Crush them gently with your mortar and pestle, then slowly add them to the mixture.”
 
I grabbed the lavender and started crushing it. Its calming scent quickly filled the air.

As I turned to add it to the beaker, Plutus leaned closer and whispered, “You’re slow, you know that? Seriously, watching you work is giving me wrinkles.”
 
Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin, "Kung nagmamadali ka, ikaw na lang kaya dito?"
 
He let out a low, mocking chuckle as he leaned back. “Nah. I’m enjoying the show. Watching you struggle is the best part.”
 
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, add powdered moonstone,” Mrs. Anderson continued. “It will strengthen the potion’s magical properties. Just be careful not to add too much, or it will overpower the calming effects.”
 
I carefully measured the moonstone powder and sprinkled it into the beaker. Plutus became quiet as he watched the potion change from purple to a shimmering silver.
 
"Once the moonstone has been added, stir the potion slowly, clockwise, for exactly ten seconds," Mrs. Anderson instructed. "Timing is everything here."
 
I started stirring while Plutus counted under his breath.

“Seven… eight… nine… ten.”
 
I stopped right on time. The potion settled into a bright, clear liquid.

Mrs. Anderson came over and looked at our potion. “Looking good so far. Now for the final step. Add one drop of chamomile essence and let the potion simmer for one minute. This will complete the calming effect.”

I carefully added a single drop of chamomile essence. The potion swirled and shimmered before turning a pale gold.
 
"Now, let it simmer," mahinang sabi ko matapos makahinga ng maluwag.
 
Plutus nodded, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. “Not bad, witch,” he said. “Maybe you’re not completely hopeless after all. Don’t let it go to your head, though.”
 
"Tss, ayaw na lang sabihin na magaling ako," I muttered sarcastically.
 
Mrs. Anderson clapped her hands. “Good job, everyone! Once your potion is done, carefully pour it into your crystal vial for inspection.”

After the potion was finished, I accidentally touched one of the hot beakers. A sharp pain shot through my finger, and I quietly bit my lip to stop myself from making a sound
 
Mabuti na lang at walang nakapansin. mukhang 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. Sina Jenna at Dylan ay nauna na.

Meanwhile, Plutus seemed to notice something was wrong. He looked at me and frowned.
 
"What’s with you?" he asked.
 
"Wala 'to," sagot ko habang sinusubukang tumakas.
 
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 tightened as he examined my finger. Then, without warning, he gently brought my hand to his mouth and blew on the burn.

His warm breath soothed the pain which made me froze.
 
"Huy, ano 'yang ginagawa mo?" I stammered, trying to pull my hand back.

Plutus glared at me. “Stop squirming.”

I had no choice but to sit still.

While he treated my burn, I noticed his long eyelashes. 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.

Suddenly, my face felt hot and my heart started beating faster.

What was wrong with me? Why was I staring at him like that?
 
When Plutus finally let go of my hand, I quickly looked away and pretended to cough.

Then I looked at my finger.

Nagulat ako ng makitang 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 quickly stood up. "Salamat dito, bye!" 

Before he could say anything, I hurried out of the laboratory, my heart still racing.
 
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...