Paper Planes

Kabanata 19

KABANATA 19

Ilang saglit akong hindi nakasagot, iniisip kung tama nga ang aking narinig. Ipinilig nito ang ulo sa kabilang banda nang may guhit ng tuwa sa kanyang mga mata, mahusay na itinatago ang tunay na layunin.

"Ohisashiburi, Master Daiki," marahan kong tugon pagkalaunan at pagkatapos ay dahan-dahang yumuko para magbigay ng galang.

"What's the formalities for? Am I not your grandpa?" Magiliw nitong tugon.

Iniwasan kong mapasimangot sa huli nitong sinabi at sa halip ay marahang ngumiti.

"Alam kong nakasaad sa kasunduan na bawal tayong mag-usap tulad nito pero..." He paused as he extended both of his arms to gesture the whole room, "Walang ibang tao rito kung hindi ikaw lang at ako. Rest assured, nobody else knew about this meeting, not even the Alpha."

"Ano pong kailangan niyo sa akin?" Walang paliguy-ligoy kong tanong.

"Oh, how I missed seeing those fiery blue orbs when you're mad! You are mad, aren't you? I've chosen Sanada-kun as my champion after all."

I did my best to keep my expression as neutral as possible, and my feelings, at bay, as I stared at him squarely in the eyes.

"Hindi po," sagot ko matapos lununin ang pait ng katotohanang hindi ko maamin at hinding-hindi ko aaminin lalong lalo na sa taong ito, "But as a kendouka, I adhere to the decisions of the leaders of this organization and humbly accept my defeat."

Umani ng mas natutuwang reaksyon ang aking mga pahayag mula sa Grand Beta.

"Yes, yes... you did," anito habang muling binubuksan ang kanyang pamaypay, "It was quite an outstanding match, wasn't it? I was a bit astonished myself, seeing you skillfully wield that sword after all the quick strikes Sanada-kun gave you. To be honest, I never really expected that you, of all people, will get picked to stand on that court and fight the deciding match. And a match well fought until the very end, if I may say!"

Yet I wasn't your champion. Mapait kong tugon sa sarili.

"But," he paused as he moved towards where I was standing. He closed his fan and idly pushed my chin up with it so he could directly look at my eyes, "You are still a girl, my Dear, and girls and swords don't go well together. You know how strongly I enforce that fact, don't you?"

Hindi ko iyon sinagot. He looked at my eyes as if he was searching for something else other than the answer to his question.

"Ano pong kailangan niyo sa akin, Master Daiki?" Pag-uulit ko, pilit na itinatago ang pait sa aking sarili.

Bahagyang umangat ang isang gilid ng kanyang bibig. Ilang sandali niya pa akong tinitigan bago pinakawalan at saka mabagal na humakbang papunta sa mamahaling couch na nasa gitna ng silid.

"Hindi ka ba natutuwang gumawa ng paraan ang lolo mo para makausap ka?" Anito matapos maupo sa nilapitang upuan.

"I am honored to be graced by your presence, Grand Beta, but may I know? To what do I owe such honor?" Tanong ko sa pinakamarahang paraang kaya ko sa mga oras na iyon.

Sandali niya pa akong tinitigan, tila hinihintay ang paglitaw ng inaasahang emosyon mula sa akin. I inwardly clenched my jaw as I did my best to conceal thosed emotions. He shook his head after a while as he stood up once again.