[ENCHANTRA SERIES 1]
The future is in our hands they say, but what will you do when you find out that your fate has been long carved into stone not to change and only to be followed? Can you change that future only with your bare hands?
Athena Aira...
I can't believe I'm letting this stranger drag me anywhere. He's gripping my wrist tight securing me in his hold. Saan niya ba ko dadalhin?
Nagsimulang kumalabog ang dibdib ko. Wala naman siguro siyang balak na masa sa akin? I mean we're on the school grounds for Pete's sake.
I was planning to tour around the school but I don't think I have to explore further since being dragged around the school seemed to be enough for me to see the establishments I didn't know about.
"Ano ba wala ka bang balak bumitaw?" reklamo ko habang nakatingin ng masama ngunit tila wala man lang iyong epekto sa kanya dahil sinulyapan niya lang ako at muling itinuon ang tingin sa unahan.
We stopped in front of a glass door where we can clearly see a peek of what's inside. I can see the desk counter just in the corner and the bookshelves filled with books. Half of the walls were covered with glass windows where the tables were positioned.
I sighed. Good thing he didn't bring me into a hidden place or something.
He opened the sliding door using his free hand because his left is still busy holding my wrist. Parang nakadikit na yata ang kamay niya sa balat ko dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya iyon tinatanggal. I can feel his hand sweating already! The cold air welcomed us inside.
A slim figure of a woman who seemed to be in her 30's welcomed us with a wide smile painted in her small face. I can't help but stare at her. She's wearing glasses but they weren't enough to hide her beauty. Her dusty brown classic curls look magnificent. Her pale complexion made her freckles stood out.
"Hindi ko inaasahang may pupunta ngayon. Magtime in muna kayo. I'm Sabrina by the way." pakilala niya at saka ngumiti at iniabot sa amin ang isang logbook. Nagsulat naman kami dito. Bago ito at wala pang kasulat-sulat marahil ay kakabili pa lamang nito para sa panibago na namang school year.
The library was empty. No single soul is inside. The reason might be because it's the first day of school or most people no longer consider the library as one of the places for them to fish out knowledge and information. Since the web already took over its primary purpose. Libraries nowadays are so underrated.
I let him sign me in since he's the one who dragged me to this place.
Naglakad kami sa pagitan ng mga bookshelves pinasidahan ko lamang ng tingin ang mga libro dahil hindi ko magawang mabasa ang mga iyon dahil sa mabilis na paglalakad ng lalaking humihila sa akin. Mukhang nakalimutan niya na yatang hindi ako parte ng katawan niya. Tumigil lamang kami sa tapat ng tila haligi kung saan nakalagay ang isang lantern. It doesn't illuminate much light so I guess it's purpose is just for prettying the place. Nagulat pa ako ng bigla iyong hawakan ni Adrian at pilit na pinihit. At last he let go of my hand.
"Hey. Bawal yan." saway ko sa kanya. He's destroying school property. We might end up to the guidance office getting penalties.
Pero nagulat ako ng biglang umangat ang isang part ng pader. May nakalagay na libro dito at mukhang lumang luma na base sa itsura nito. The book is covered in a black hardbound leather-like cover with a pentagram engraved in it. There were golden motifs along the corners.
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Nagtatakang tinignan ko lang yung libro. Kinuha niya yun at saka pinalitan ng libro na galing sa shelf bago hinila ulit yung ilaw kaya bumalik sa dating ayos ang umangat na parte ng pader. Di ko maiwasang mapanganga sa nakita.
"T-teka bat mo sakin binibigay yan. Baka mamaya ako mapagbintangang dumekwat niyan." kinakabahan kong sabi ng iabot niya sakin yung libro. Gosh baka mamaya diyan pala nakasulat yung spells para mapadpad ako sa Olympus.
"Tsk. Baliw. Hindi natin yan dinekwat. This book is no one's property." sabi niya pa at saka siya na mismo naglagay sa bag ko. Kung wala ngang may ari ang libro bakit niya binibigay sakin?
"You see, this book is no ordinary book. That book holds the future. Let's just say that I am entrusting you a really valuable thing so you have to take care of it." patuloy niya pa dahilan upang mas lumukot ang mukha ko. Is he trying to pull off a prank? Is he trying to make a fool out of me?
I chuckled and stared at him like he's the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"Are you high or something?" I said filled with sarcasm. It was his turn to have a crumpled expression. I heard him click his tongue.
Humalukipkip ito at tinitigan ang mukha ko na tila hinahanap doon ang mga salitang dapat niyang sabihin.
Sa huli ay umiling-iling lamang siya at saka tumingin sa kung saan.
"This mission is harder than I think." bulong nito ngunit umabot ito sa pandinig ko dahil na rin sa katahimikan ng library. He's even mumbling weird things. He's really really weird. Is he a member of the charlie's angels?
"Mission?" takang tanong ko. Narinig ko ang buntong hininga nitong tila sumusuko na itong kausapin ako.
"Just keep the freaking book." sagot nito, nakakunot pa rin ang noo. Tila hirap na hirap itong kausapin ako dahil gumagamit ako ng ibang lenggwahe gayong parehong wika lang naman ang gamit namin.
Damn, I don't understand this guy. But for the sake of his sanity, I'll stop, though what he just did is something really crazy. Parang mababaliw na siya kung ipipilit ko pang makipagtalo.
"Okay."
I don't know why but I came home that day hugging my bag as if securing the book inside. I didn't really believe him about what he said but I don't know. I just feel like this book somehow is indeed precious. I feel like I am holding a precious diamond and anytime someone could steal it from me.
