The Tale of the Ascendants

CHAPTER 13: The Aftershock (1)

"LOOK AFTER YOURSELF there, Penny. All right? Wala ako roon para bantayan ka," Pierre said in a sad tone. As much as I hated to leave him here, I couldn't do anything about leaving for the military training. It was a mandate.

For the last time, I hugged him tight and gave him a tap. "Don't worry about me, okay? Pursue your dreams. I believe that you can be a renowned inventor someday."

I heard him cleared his throat before he answered me. "If my mom would just agree to let me have my application this year, we could've gone there together." Nabanaag ko ang pagkadismaya sa kanyang tono.

Alam ko kung paano niya pinahahalagahan ang approval ng kanyang mga magulang. Dahil hindi naman kabilang sa Forces ang sinuman sa kanyang pamilya, maaari siyang pumili ng taon kung kailan niya gustong magsanay at magserbisyo ng tatlong taon. Sa kabila ng kagustuhan niyang sumabay sa akin, naisip ng mga magulang niyang napaka-aga pa para sa kanya ang pumasok sa mandatory military service. He's only 16, a year older than me pero hindi gaya niya, I didn't have a choice but to enter as early as 15 because my parents were both part of the Forces.

"I hate goodbyes," I said to him sincerely. He touched my cheek and brushed off the tears. Magkaibigan na kami mula pagkabata at ito ang unang pagkakataon na magkakahiwalay kami para ma-fulfill ang aming magka-ibang pangarap.

"Don't bid your farewell, then. We'll see each other soon anyway. Don't cry." He tried to sound okay, but I knew him too well. He's trying to hold back the tears. Bukod kasi sa akin, wala namang nagtitiyaga na samahan siyang magkulong sa mini-laboratory niya sa bahay nila. Wala rin siyang ibang malapit na kaibigan. He's some sort of a loner. Parehas sila ng nakatatanda niyang kapatid na si Aeon.

"You're right. Pay me a visit every school break, okay? Or else I'll have other friends there and forget about you," I threatened him. He just chuckled with the thought. He knew me well, too. Hindi rin ako palakaibigan.

"You don't have to threaten me. I definitely will." He patted my head and played with my newly combed hair. I shoved his hand and pouted at him. I would definitely miss him, for he's the big brother I had wished during my birthdays when I was still a kid. He had been by my side almost 24/7, and I had loved him for making me feel how it was to have a big brother.

Muli niya akong niyakap. Wala na akong hiniling kung hindi sana ay mabilis na lumipas ang panahon at matapos ang training ko. I didn't want to leave him this way.

"Tss. Cut the drama, will you? I'm getting jealous here, li'l sis." Out of nowhere, his older brother, Aeon, appeared with his arms widely spread as if welcoming me with a hug. Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya. He kissed the top of my head and pulled me closer.

"Don't let other guys hug you, all right? I'm going to beat the hell out of those shits." Compared to Pierre, he's more aggressive, but he got more self-control. I just laugh at that thought. Such possessive brothers I had here.

With these two, I had found an extended family. They treated me as their own little sister, and I couldn't wish for more. I only ask for one, but God gave me these two.

As I entered the gates of the Military Academy, I turned my back at them and walked forward without looking back. Both of them just watched me until my shadow was no longer visible.

***

SOFT MURMURS HAD had woken me up from a deep slumber. Trying hard, I opened my eyes slowly until I could see faint vision of my surrounding. Sa una ay puro puti lamang ang naaaninag ko. Muli akong napapikit nang makaramdam ng biglaang pagkahilo at pagkirot ng ulo. I cringed in pain. Everything in me was on fire!