Oxsenford University: Arshia's Tale (ON HIATUS)

Chapter 12: The Masquerade Ball and The Appearance of Alcus

"At night they come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen."
ーAnonymous

Chapter 12

The Masquerade Ball and The Appearance of Alcus

South Coast Plaza is a 20 minutes drive from Oxsenford University and we're using Elise's car since hindi naman raw uso ang pag commute sa mga students ng Oxsenford. Obviously the students wearing a luxurious clothes and branded things. Napansin ko na rin nung unang araw ko dito. Puno ng iba't ibang klaseng sasakyan yung parking lot. They must be incredibly rich. In fact, Elise is one of the rich students too. Hindi katulad ko, simple at ordinaryo lang ang buhay. Hindi na rin naman nakakapagtaka na kung bakit tinawag na isang exclusive school ang Oxsenford University pero lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat, Ito ay isang paaralan ng mga hindi ordinaryong tao sa mundo. Oxsenford known as the shining name of one of the most prestigious, academically excellent and values-oriented students but they have no any idea about us. Our existence. Our charms and mostly the University belongs to the Magic Council, not from the ordinary.

Elise manuevered the car out of the parking lot, driving out the private road of Oxsenford. Tanaw ang mga punong nakatayo at kahit madilim kitang kita pa rin ang malawak na bermuda grass sa gilid. Since the weather is cold, I'm wearing a blue long sleeve on top and a bottom of denim jeans pairing a white snickers.

"Papayagan ba tayo lumabas ng ganitong oras na?" Tanong ko.

"Yup."

Hindi ko alam kung nagsasabi ba ng totoo si Elise. That would be impossible if we're allowed to go outside at this hour. I'm wondering if do they have even guards here. Nang unang araw na pumasok ako rito, wala akong nakitang mga guards ang nagbabantay sa gate or is it still surrounded a portal?

"Don't worry Arshia. Alam nilang lalabas tayo since may gaganaping ball and they allowed the students to go outside for buying a dresses and shoppings but still has a limits. We have to go back before the curfew hour."

We're driving out to the main road leading to our destination. Hindi ko namalayan na andito na pala kami. Tinigil ni Elise ang sasakyan sa parking lot ng South Coast Plaza. I didn't meet my low expectations that I thought the place are just filled with different varities of stores but it seems a largest shopping mall! Damn Elise! Hindi ko alam na mall pala ang pupuntahan namin.

"Hey damn you! You didn't inform me about this shopping mall. Akala ko simpleng plaza lang! And for your information, Hindi ako mayaman na para dito bumili ng mamahaling isusuot kong dress unlike you." Asik ko sa kanya.

She form a grinning a smile. "Your atm card. Use it." Prenteng sabi niya. "Or should I treat you?" Lumabas na siya ng sasakyan habang ako nasa loob pa rin, nakakunot ang noo.

South Coast Plaza is a shopping destination with more than 250 extraordinary boutiques, critically acclaimed restaurants. Many ultra-luxury brands which have very few boutiques and for some brands their only store locations. Elise told me all about it. Hindi na nakakapagtakang alam ni Elise iyon pati ang bilang ng mga botiques at stores ay alam niya lahat. Madalas daw siya rito mag shopping and whatever pa na kung anong tungkol sa mall na ito. Marami pa siyang sinabi na hindi ko masyadong naintindihan kaya itinuon ko na lang ang pansin ko sa loob ng mall. The mall had a strong design element in its building. One of the most striking to the mall was the angular wing and the chandeliers took the shape of inverted pyramids and the escalator atrium leading to the center's third floor.