"Higher! higher! Higher nga, Zinny! Ano ba?", Aloutte's irritation is already obvious. Partner kasi sila ni Zinny sa practice fights para ma-execute nang maayos ang mga blocking moves na naisip namin.
Nilapitan ni Aloutte si Zinny at hinila pataas ang ang kamay nito at inilapat sa mukha nito. "Yan! Ganyan dapat", sabi niya. "Ikrus mo yung kabilang kamay mo. Yan! Steady lang diyan yung kamay tapos dapat with force para kapag sinipa kita, hindi masakit."
"What the!", sinigawan niya si Zinny nang matumba ito sa pagsipa niya. "Zinnia! Ano ba? Di ba sabi ko dapat may force yung pagkrus nang mga kamay mo para---"
"I know! I know", sabi ni Zinny na naiirita na rin.
"We've been doing this a lot of times pero di mo pa rin makuha", pagalit na sabi ni Aloutte.
Everyone stopped practicing and looked at the two's direction. Then to me with their questioning look.
Since fifteen na lang kami, may isang mag-oobserve lang muna sa mga nagpapraktis since wala nang partner. Ako ang nakaschedule na walang partner ngayon kaya tiningnan ko na lang sina Aloutte at Zinny dahil kanina pa nito hindi nakukuha ang pangatlong move samantalang ang iba ay nasa pang-anim na move na.
"Aloutte, Zinny, wag kayong magpadala sa init ng ulo, okay. I know that we're all on edge kasi there's no telling kung kailan tayo sasabak sa ring. Let's just discuss kung anong mabuting gawin. Walang magandang maidudulot ang init ng ulo", sabi ko.
They both sighed. "I'm sorry, Zinny", Aloutte said, sincerely.
"Me, too", sabi nang mangiyak-iyak na Zinny. "I just don't get it kung bakit kailangan ang kamay ang gamitin pag block. Why don't we just duck, o kaya umatras?"
"They've done that", I told Zinny referring to the past rangers na natalo nang mga army. "It did not work dahil masyado silang mabilis. These moves that we are practicing is the best to counter them."
"It's getting late na rin. Let's just sleep and continue this tomorrow", sabi ko sa lahat.
They all agreed.
I was about to lay down when I saw someone running outside as if his life depended on it. I looked at the clock, 5 minutes before curfew. I hope he doesn't get killed. Being outside our respective bunkhouses after curfew is suicide.
"Good night, guys",I heard Holden say which was answered by hmms and groans.
I closed my eyes.
I saw her pale green eyes again. Somehow, it does not look bored, but sad instead. A sadness which she seemed to hide by wearing that bored look of hers. I know I should hate her with what she has done to Tarquin, but she looked so sad I wanted to hug her and tell her everything is alright.
"Cayden."
I opened my eyes, and I saw Cassius' standing beside my bunk. "What?" I asked with a hint of annoyance on my voice. I'm not sure if it has something to do with him disturbing me from my dream.
"It's already morning. Get up already", he said.
I got up immediately. Parang kakapikit lang mata ko tapos umaga na agad. Ako ang huling nakagising kaya nang matapos akong maligo at magbihis, nasa mesa na ang lahat at kumakain.
"O, kumain ka na", Holden said as he handed me a plate.
"Thanks".
"Do you think we'll see her?", tanong ni Zinny.
"After hearing from Cayden what she did to Tarquin, I hope not", sabi ni Alouette.
They were talking about our other classmate. I told them about what I saw sa training complex and they were disappointed as well.
BINABASA MO ANG
Cayden's Crusade
Fiksi IlmiahI have always longed for freedom. Freedom from the consequences of being my father's son and his high expectations. Freedom from the fears and worries that I might not reach them. And so, I choose the only path to this freedom, even though it is f...
