PRINCESS OF ZHEPRIA #Wattys2016 [ Published Under Pop Fiction #CLOAK]

Kabanata 30: Pain

'Focus, Sophia. Concentrate.'

Hingal na hingal ako. I feel like I'm about to passed out any minute. Kanina pa ako nag eensayo kasama si Master Sheprid. He told me that I need an extra training compare to my friends, Sean, Sydney and Joseph. Malakas na silang tatlo. Compare sa akin, well, mas mahina ang level ko. Ni hindi ko kayang masaktan ang target ko.

'Your emotion can drag you down, Sophia. Wag na wag mong hahayaang mamayani yan sayo.' sambit ni Master saakin.

'But Master, how can I hit a... a cat?'

Wika ko sabay turo sa pusang kulay puti na nakamasid sa akin ngayon. Ang cute pa naman ng pusang iyon! Now tell me, pano ko sasaktan iyon?

Kita kong napailing si Master sa sinabi ko. I gasped when I saw the cat dissappeared. Nagpalinga-linga ako. Nasan na yun?

'That cat is not true, Sophia. It's just a hologram I created for your training."

Napatango ako sa sinabi ni Master. Sayang. Hihingin ko sana iyon after the training. Ang cute kasi!

'Sophia.' Tawag ni Master Sheprid sa akin.

'You can't win a single battle if you always think about your opponent's welfare. You need to be strong. You need to set aside your emotions whenever you face an enemy. Remember this, Sophia. You are special. Sooner, things will be fucked up as hell. You need to be ready before that time comes.'

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang mga mata ko.

Panaginip.

I sighed. I know it's not really a dream, it's a part of my lost memory. Ngayon ko lang naintindihan lahat na sinabi ni Master Sheprid sa akin noon. Things will be fucked up as hell! I was so innocent that time. Wala sa isip ko noon ang makipaglaban. Though, I trained myself but fighting against someone was not my thing. I don't like the idea of fighting. I don't like hurting someone.

Napalingon ako sa kanan ko noong may narinig akong tumikhim.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at nagulat sa presensya niya. Di ko man lang naramdaman na nandito pala siya sa silid ko. Kanina pa ba ang isang to dito?

"What are you doing here?" agarang tanong ko sabay upo sa kama ko. And all of sudden, I feel so uncomfortable. I suddenly wanted to run to the bathroom to check what I looked like. For petesake! Kagigising ko lang!

Mataman akong tiningnan ni Sean. His stares were intense. It's not his usual cold stares, though.

"Kumusta? Kumusta pakiramdam mo?" tanong nito sa akin.

"Good?" nag-aalangang sagot ko. I saw him tsked then he started walking towards my direction. Oh, shit! Stay away from me Sean! Kinakabahan ako sa presensya niya ngayon!

"Nasaan sila?" tanong ko dito. God, Althea! Chill, okay? Si Sean lang yan!

"Room. Sleeping," maikling sagot nito. Agad akong napatingin sa orasang nasa kwarto ko. It's already nine o'clock in the evening. Ilang oras ba ako nakatulog?

Naramdaman kong gumalaw ang kamang kinauupuan ko. Sean sat beside me. I held my breathe, damn!

Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa. Gusto kong magsalita pero wala akong lakas na buksan ang bibig ko. What's happening to me?

"Althea."

Halos mapatalon ako noong banggitin niya ang pangalan ko.

"Hmm?" yun lang ang naging tugon ko sa kanya. Calm. Down. Althea!