Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 19 Mistaken

OTTILIE VIRSES POV

 
"Pffft, are you serious?" Plutus smirked. He looks amused, but somehow there's this unknown thing in his gaze I couldn't quite name. "With that rat-nest you called hair? Na-uh, I'll pass." 
 
Napabusangot tuloy ako habang hinahalo ang likido sa loob ng beaker. Napahiya ako do'n ah, makakabawi din ako sa asungot na 'to. Bahala siya sa buhay niya, ipagpalatuloy ko na lang 'tong ginagawa ko nang matapos na.
 
Malapit naman na matapos itong potion. Its color is now shifting from dull gray to a soft, shimmering blue. Then I grabbed the phoenix ash and sprinkled a small amount into the beaker, the mixture was hissing in response.
 
I tried to focus on the task, but it was impossible to ignore the way Plutus’s gaze bore into me. He hadn’t even touched his coffee, just sitting there, arms crossed, watching. 
 
"You’re really serious about this magic stuff, huh?" he asked after a while, his voice breaking the silence.
 
"It’s not just'magic stuff,’" I muttered, keeping my eyes on the potion. "It’s important."
 
I could feel my skin prickling under the intensity of his watch, and for a second, I wondered if he noticed how my fingers trembled slightly whenever I reached for an ingredient.
 
"You sure this won’t blow up in your face?" he asked, his tone light but laced with genuine curiosity.
 
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, though I still felt a little on edge. "Matagal ko nang ginagawa 'to. So far, hindi pa naman ako nasasabugan."
 
For a few more moments, we stayed in that strange silence. I continued stirring the potion as I focused on getting the final steps right. Samantalang si Plutus, tahimik lang na pinapanood ang bawat galaw ko habang nag-aalmusal ito. I could feel his attention on me like heat, and it was becoming harder and harder to concentrate. 
 
Finally, the potion was done. The soft blue glow reflected off the walls of the greenhouse, and I exhaled in relief. Nakangiti kong pinakatitigan ang napakagandang kulay nito. 
 
"You finished?" he asked, his voice quieter than before.
 
I nodded with a smile on my face. "Yeah. It’s done!" 
 
Plutus pushed off the table, straightening up. "Good." He handed me the sandwich with such seriousness in his face.

"Now eat something before you blow up the next potion."
 
"Oo na kamahalan," napipilitan kong sagot dito bago kumuha ng isa at kinagatan ito. 
 
*Dingdong*
 
Magsasalita pa sana ako ng bigla na lang tumunog ang doorbell namin. Sabay kaming nagkatinginan ni Plutus habang nagpapakiramdaman. Nakita kong walang imik na tumayo si Plutus habang nakakunot ang noo nito. 
 
"Stay here," Plutus ordered, seriousness was plastered all over his face. 
 
I watched nervously from the doorway as Plutus walked toward the front gate. Through the small opening, I could see him talking to a stranger. He was too far for me to hear anything, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease settling in the pit of my stomach.
 
Sino kaya iyon? Wala naman akong inaabangan na bisita ngayong araw. 
 
When he returned, his expression was still serious, but he seemed more relaxed. "There's a granny outside looking for you."
 
"A granny?" I blinked in surprise.
 
Bigla tuloy akong na-curious kung sino iyon. I hurriedly followed Plutus to the gate, and as soon as I saw the elderly woman standing there, my face lit up with recognition.
 
"Grandma Della!" I beamed, rushing to open the gate. 
 
Labis akong natuwa ng makilala kung sino ito. Isa siya sa mga bumibili ng mga healing potions na ginagawa ko noon sa city. Sa totoo niyan, tinuruan ko ang sarili ko na gumawa ng potions para itinda ito sa market para lang magkapera ako.

Ang stepmom ko kasi ang humahawak ng pera na pinapadala ni daddy na hindi naman nakakarating sa'kin. So I had no choice but to find a way to earn money. Luckily, my healing potions have triple the effect compared to the other potions that's selling in the market at isa si Grandma Della sa mga suki ko noon.
 
"Napadalaw po kayo 'la?" Tanong ko. 
 
Grandma Della smiled warmly as I grabbed her hand, guiding her toward the tree in our front yard, where a table and chairs were set up. Her movements was still great, but I still carefully assisted her into one of the chairs.
 
I glanced over my shoulder to see Plutus still standing by, watching us with his usual serious expression. "Plutus, could you bring some tea and snacks, please?"
 
Plutus leaned closer, his voice low as he whispered in my ear, "Your debt's piling up," he reminded. "I’ll collect it soon."
 
I waved him off, too preoccupied with Grandma Della to take his comment seriously. "Sure, sure. I'll be ready to pay," I mumbled, lightly pushing him toward the house.
 
Once Plutus disappeared inside, I took a seat across from my visitor, still curious about her sudden visit. "What brings you here, 'la? Paano niyo po nalaman ang address ko?"
 
Her smile was gentle, but there was something weary in her eyes. "I got your address from your stepmother, dear. I traveled all the way here because I need your help."
 
"My help, po?" 
 
She nodded slowly, her smile fading as she continued. "My granddaughter... She was born with a weak body. She falls ill every now and then, and nothing we've tried seems to help. I came to you for one of your healing potions."
 
I was stunned. "Nanganak na po ang anak niyo?"
 
Grandma Della smiled again, but this time there was a sadness that tugged at her lips. "Yes, she did. A little girl. But her health... it worries us all."
 
Before I could say anything more, Plutus returned with a tray, placing it on the table. He sat down next to me as he listened to our conversation.
 
Inabot ko muna kay grandma ang snacks bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. "It's normal for children to get sick sometimes, especially while they're growing. But don't worry, Grandma. I'll make a potion that'll help strengthen her body."
 
Relief washed over Grandma Della's face as she reached across the table, squeezed my hand. "Thank you, dear. I knew I could count on you."
 
When I turned to Plutus, I noticed he was staring at me with an intensity that made me feel... self-conscious. 
 
"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
 
Plutus just lifted one of his own brows in return but said nothing. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may pagka-chismoso din pala ang prinsipe na 'to. Pero muli kong ibinalik sa matanda ang atensyon ko. 
 
"I'll go prepare the potion now. Please enjoy your tea in the meantime." Paalam ko sa matanda at saka tumayo sa pagkaka-upo.
 
Grandma nodded, sipping her tea with a grateful smile. Before leaving, I shot Plutus a pointed look. "Keep Grandma company while I work."
 
He opened his mouth to protest, but I was already hurrying back to the greenhouse before he could argue.
 
Ilang minuto lang ang itinagal ng paghahanda ko sa gamot ni grandma Della. Mabuti na lang at may mga nauna na akong nagawa kaya may stocks ako kahit papaano. 
 
When I returned, I handed a small pouch to Grandma Della and explained how to administer it to the baby.
 
Then, Grandma stood up and reached into her bag, pulling out a brown envelope. She tried to hand it to me, but I quickly refused. "Ay huwag na po, 'la. Use that money to buy some toys for the baby. She'll have more energy after taking this, and she'll need something to play with."
 
Grandma Della chuckled, her eyes twinkling as she hugged me. "You're such a sweet girl, Ottilie. I’m so grateful to you."
 
She then glanced over at Plutus, who had been sitting quietly through most of our conversation. "And you two make such a lovely couple! He's so handsome."
 
Nagulat ako sa sinabi ng matanda. "Couple?" I echoed, glancing at Plutus, who was now heading back inside the house without a word.
 
I could only smile awkwardly as I walked Grandma Della back to the gate. "We're not..."
 
She waved me off with a knowing smile. "I hope you two last a long time, dear."
 
With one final wave, Grandma Della disappeared down the road, leaving me standing there, speechless.
 

To be continued...