Lumina Academy: Light and Shadow (Realm Series #1)

Chapter 38: Strawberry

Chapter 38: Strawberry
 
Nagising ako dahil parang may nakapatong sa ibabaw ko at may maliliit na kamay ang nakahawak sa magkabilang braso ko kaya napamulat ako ng aking mga mata. Napangiti naman ako dahil si Caelum pala ang nakadagan sa akin at maya-maya pa ay narinig ko naman siyang nagsasalita ngunit sa isipan lamang ‘yon.
 
“Mamma… Mamma… Mamma… Ma… Mamma.”
 
Bigla naman siyang humagikgik kaya mas lalo pa akong napangiti. Naramdaman ko namang inangat niya ang ulo niya kaya nagtama ang mga mata namin na siyang ikinatawa na naman nya. Ang saya naman ng batang ito. I never been this happy until Caelum came into my life—into our life. Now, as days passed, I can feel our connection day by day—a mother and son connection and it was overwhelming feeling.
 
“Mamma!”
 
I chuckled. “Hello, my little heaven, good morning!” Bati ko sa kaniya at hinalikan siya sa nuo.
 
“Mamma!”
 
“Good morning, Mamma Lara!” Sabay na bati naman ni Titiana at Merlia na naka-human form pa na ngayon.
 
Tumalon naman si Sarafina at Zephyr sa higaan kaya umayos ako ng upo habang hawak ang likod ni Caelum para hindi siya matumba. They are all hiding their presence and Lia and Tati are also invisible just in case. They still have no plan on showing themselves to the Alphas aside from Gen. Alam kong magtatampo si Odette but it was Lia and Tati’s choice and I know that she will understand once she learned about it.
 
“Good morning, everyone!” Bati ko sa kanilang lahat pabalik bago ngumiti.
 
“You have to get ready for your class today, Lara,” said Zephyr kaya kaagad akong tumango sa kaniya.
 
I gave Caelum to Tati first before going to the bathroom and after that, I wear the uniform of Alphas—white long sleeve polo, black ribbon, black pleated skirt na hanggang sa kalahati ng hita ko ang haba, black blazer, and the cape ngunit sa bewang ito ilalagay—making my curves in full shown. It was a belt like at napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako ng makita ko ang kabuuan ko. I am also wearing a color black boots na hanggang sa baba lamang ng aking tuhod ang haba. Gold and red linings, and behind the cape like na nasa bewang ko was color red.
 
I look cool!
 
I feel like a high ranking general! I put my hair in messy bun and there are even hair cascading in my face but I just let them be. Hindi na rin ako naglagay ng clip kaya lumabas na ako pagkatapos. Na sa kaliwang dibdib ko ang pin na para sa Alphas—a golden pin. Pagkalabas ko naman sa walk-in closet ay lahat ng mata ay napunta sa akin until Tati and Lia clapped their hands while they are all smiling at me.
 
“You look so hot!” Tati complemented.
 
“You look intimidating in Alphas’ uniform, huh?” Lia said while her eyes are twinkling.
 
“And I believe that you will steal everyone’s attention,” said Fina and she was also smiling at me.
 
“Tsk! And I also believe that someone will feel gloomy again,” tila naiinis na wika ni Zephyr before he rolled his eyes.
 
Nagtaka naman ako dahil sa winika niya ngunit hindi na lang ako nagtanong, lalo ng makita ko ang anak kong masayang nakatingin sa akin. I went towards him at kaagad naman siyang nagpakarga sa akin. “Mamma will go now, okay?” Paalam ko sa kaniya. “Mamma will go home as soon my class is done, alright?” I kissed him all over his face which made him chuckle bago ako nagpaalam sa kanila at bumaba.
 
Mabilis naman akong napatingin sa pinto ng prinsepe ng apoy bago tuluyang bumaba. I have my new bag—leather black backpack at may iilang gamit ako dito. I am actually nervous today because I will meet the freshmen like me. Good thing that Gen and I are classmates. At least I will feel comfortable while I am with her. Maaga pa naman at may isang oras pa kami bago pumasok, buti na lang at ginising ako ni Caelum, kung hindi, baka ma-late pa ako.
 
I can feel that they are all awake already and ready to go to the dining hall. Alphas can ditch the breakfast in the dining hall but not today. We will attend breakfast today—the first breakfast after the ranking and also, Gen and I’s first breakfast as a member of Alphas. I was in the middle of the third floor’s stairs when my phone in my pocket vibrated that’s why I stopped and look for it. Nakita ko namang nag-message sa akin si Mimi and she was asking for my presence in her office kaya nagmadali na ako.
 
Naabutan ko naman sila na nasa sala but the brothers, and the prince of fire wasn’t around. “Morning!” I greeted and they immediately turn their attention to me and greeted me back.
 
“Good morning!”
 
Lumapit naman sa akin si Gwen at tinignan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Then she smirk before wiggling her eyebrows at me. “Wow, naman! Kaya mas lalo kang babakudan ng prinsepe na ‘yon, eh!” She said which made the other chuckled.
 
Napailing na lamang ako at hindi na lamang pinansin ang sinabi niya. “Mauuna na ako sa inyo. Pinatatawag ako ni Mimi, eh,” paalam ko. “Just wait me in the dining hall,” I added and they all nodded before I went outside.
 
Dala ko na ang backpack ko dahil after ko sa office ni Mimi ay magtutungo na ako sa dining hall. There are students outside and they are all looking at me but I didn’t pay attention to them. I just focused on walking to Mimi’s office at malayo ‘yon sa dormitories. Pwede naman akong sumakay ng golf car pero mas pinili ko ng maglakad. Exercise na rin kahit pa mayroong mababang takong ang boots ko. While walking, I am holding a one container of strawberries too and heartily eating.
 
Ngayon na pala dadating ang in-order ko and they will just contact me to inform about my order. Sila na ang bahalang magdala no’n sa dorm ng Alphas at bayad na rin naman ‘yon. I am also thinking about getting a job one of these days. Pwede namang kumuha ng trabaho kasama ang miyembro mo ngunit maaari ring kahit ikaw lang. As long as Alphas won’t be given a group mission by the academy itself. Pero siguro naman, wala pa silang ibibigay kaya kukuha muna ako ng trabaho.
 
If it was group, the job that the Commission Office will give you is hard—well, it depends on your group’s capacity. If it was a partner, it is also depends on you and your partner’s capacity, and if it solo, it depends on your capacity. Kapag solo naman, hindi naman sila madalas magbigay ng mahihirap na trabaho—hindi ka naman nila hahayaang piliin ang sa tingin nila ay hindi mo kayang gawin. You can’t feel offended or what because you aren’t professional yet—you are still a student na kargo pa rin ng academy.
 
The academy knows best…
 
Nakarating naman ako sa office ni Mimi na kusa namang bumukas ang pinto. I was greeted by my smiling mother that sitting in her swivel chair kaya nagmadali akong nagtungo sa kaniya. “Good morning, Mimi!” I greeted and kissed her in her cheeks when I am already in front of her.
 
“Good morning, sweetie,” she greeted back before she look at me from head to toe. “Hmm… you look amazing in Alphas’ uniform, huh?” Natawa naman ako dahil sa winika niya bago ko siya inalok ng strawberry ngunit umiling lang siya. “No, thanks, sweetie. Baka may gayuma pa ‘yan,” she jokingly said and there’s something in her eyes that made me curious.
 
“Mimi!” I slightly pout my lips while she only chuckles.
 
“How’s our little heaven, by the way?” Tanong niya kalaunan. I already told her about my son and I explained to her and Nana about him and they were happy to meet him. It was after the abduction and they are already grandmothers now.
 
“Caelum’s fine po pero lumalakas ng mag-gatas kaya kailangan ko na pong kumuha ng trabaho,” saad ko na ikinatango-tango naman niya.
 
“I want to say that leave Caelum’s expenses to me but I know that you won’t let me. Alam ko naman ding paninindigan mo ang pagiging ina sa kaniya kaya hahayaan kita. Just be careful, okay?” She smiled at me while she’s looking at me softly.
 
“I will po…”
 
“Anyway, ‘nak, did Aslan already tell you when they will show themselves to everyone?” She suddenly asked na ikinatigil ko naman. “Mag-i-isang buwan na tayo rito and councils have been asking if the other summoners aren’t shown or found yet,” Mimi sighed before she caressed the side of her forehead. “They already know about you and they wanted to meet you since the electric cats showed up, however, Master Zephyr threatened them. You supposed to meet the councils but because of Master Zephyr’s threat, it was canceled,” Mimi stated.
 
Hindi naman ako makapaniwala sa narinig mula sa kaniya but I guess, I should be thankful to Zephyr. I am not yet ready to face the councils nor the royalties that time that’s why I really should be thankful for him. Ngunit sa tanong ni Mimi kung kailan ba magpapakita ang mga supreme guardians ay hindi ko alam. Aslan and my other guardians have been quite since Penelope showed herself to Aiden while Fina and Zep aren’t telling anything to me and I am just letting them.
 
“Hindi ko pa po sila nakau-usap. Even Fina and Zep are quiet too. I don’t know when they wanted to show up, I mean, I can summon them but they advised me not to until the right time comes and I don’t know when is that right time Aslan was talking about,” magalang kong sagot bago bumuntong-hininga.
 
“I know, sweetie, and I don’t want you to summon them either yet. Rebellions are also looking for the summoners and you will be in great danger once they learned about you. They already know that you are the electric cats’ summoner and that makes them want to get you already,” Mimi said. “Ngunit ang ipinagtaka ko lang, if Prince Aiden saw Penelope when the time you two were abducted, then why he didn’t say anything yet? It was like he was keeping it to himself…” Mimi was frowning and thinking deeply about that thing. “Or he just doesn’t care at all?” She added which made me sigh.
 
“Whatever his reason, Mimi, all I know is that they trust him,” I answered before thinking about the prince of fire.
 
Tumango-tango naman si Mimi bago bumuntong-hininga. “I see…” she looked at me and smiled unknowingly. “They trust him enough as much as you trust him,” she said before looking at me teasingly.
 
Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako. “Mimi, bata pa po ako,” nakasimangot kong wika na ikinatawa naman niya.
 
“Anak, malapit ka naman ng mag-eighteen and as I told you before, you can have a boyfriend when you turned eighteen as long as you know your responsibilities and limitations. Besides, I like that prince for you,” she said while still looking at me teasingly.
 
Napailing-iling na lamang ako bago bumuntong-hininga. “Mimi, stop matchmaking me to that prince, please? He doesn’t even have any idea that you are matchmaking him to me. Let him live peacefully, okay?” I said slowly to make her understand what I am saying.
 
Hindi ko alam kung kailan siya nagsimulang maging matchmaker, lalo na sa amin ng prinsepe ng apoy. Basta ang alam ko lang ay mas lumala ‘yon pagkatapos ng abduction. But even Mimi was teasing me to the prince of fire, she has no idea that you now… that I have a crush on him. Nahihiya akong sabihin dahil baka mas lumala lang ang pang-aasar niya sa akin. Even Mimi told me that I can have a boyfriend once I am already eighteen, parang ayaw ko pa.
 
But if it was the prince of fire… why not?
 
“Oh, really?” Mimi scoffed at me. “You have an empathy ability, right? Pero bakit ang mahid mo pagdating sa prinsepe na ‘yon?” Saad niya bago ako inirapahan na ikinanguso ko naman.
 
“Mimi naman, eh!” Pagmamaktol ko na ikina-irap naman niya sa akin.
 
“Ah, basta! Hindi ako papayag na mag-boyfriend ka kung hindi naman ‘yon ang nag-iisang anak nina Azalea at Zaiden!” Dadag pa niya na ikina-iling ko na lamang.
 
Ayaw talagang patalo!
 
“Aalis na nga po ako!” Wika ko na lamang—completely giving up to my mother.
 
Nagpaalam na kami sa isa’t isa bago ako tuluyang lumabas sa office niya. Pagkalabas ko ay hindi ko naman inaasahan ang nabungaran ko—si Aiden… na nakasandal sa pader habang nakataas at nakasandal din ang kanan niyang paa sa pader habang nakatingala at nakapikit ang mga mata. His arms are crossed in his chest and he looks peaceful while his eyes are closed. Dahil sa nakikita ko ngayon, at dahil sa ayos niya ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon para matitigan siya.
 
Ang maayos at medyo may kakapalan niyang kilay, his thick eyelashes, down to his proud nose, his kissable lips, and lastly, his perfect shape jawline. Ang mukha na mas gwapo pa sa mga lalaking deities—I am sure about that. Then I looked down at his body, he has this body that every woman will drool over, his biceps, his broad chest, at kahit hindi kita ang braso niya at tanging kamay niya lamang ang kita ay nai-imagine ko pa rin ang mga ugat sa kaniyang kamay pataas sa forearm niya. Those veins made him more look attractive, especially, those slender manly warm fingers.
 
The hands that feel good to hold for your entire life.
 
Hanggang baba niya lamang ako—matangkad ako, I am 5’8 which make me look like I’m in mid twenties already but it is understandable because I am immortal. Mas mabilis kaming mag-develop kaysa sa mga mortal. Naalala ko pa no’n, no’ng na sa mortal realm pa lang kami ay napagkakamalan nila akong hindi estudyante and that’s because of my height hanggang sa nasanay na lamang sila. Ngunit dito ay normal na lamang ang mga gano’ng bagay.
 
Sa kaiisip ko, hindi ko na namalayan na kanina ko papala siya tinititigan at hindi ko rin namalayan na nakadilat na pala ang kaniyang mga mata. But what I noticed the most was his smirk in his lips until he spoke, “Done checking me out?” He asked while still smirking at me. Nakatayo na rin siya ng maayos habang nakahalukipkip pa rin ang kaniyang mga kamay.
 
He’s now wearing a uniform just like me. Parehas lang naman kami ng design ng uniform but of course, it was black pants for Alphas’ men, and the boots that has no heels. They also have capes but unlike to us, ladies, na nasa bewang, na sa balikat ang kanila ngunit sa kaliwang bahagi nila ay hindi natatakpan ng cape ang braso at kamay nila. White polo and black necktie but his necktie wasn’t in good place and I was tempting to go near him para ayusin ‘yon.
 
He looks very attractive to his uniform. He looks more intimidating ngunit panira ang necktie niya kaya hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko. I went closer to him at inabot ng kamay ko ang necktie niya at inayos ito while I can feel his eyes roaming around my face but I didn’t mind. I didn’t mind being stared by him… inayos ko na rin ang uniform niya at napangiti na lamang ako ng matapos ako. Hindi ko naman mapigilang pagmasdan siya until a memory came to my mind which lost my smile.
 
How to erase the cave incident in my mind?!
 
I heard him chuckle that’s why I turned my eyes on him while I am already pouting my lips unconsciously. “What’s the matter, my Hope?” He asked—gone his smirk and he is now smiling at me softly.
 
Bumilis naman lalo ang tibok ng puso ko ngunit pinakalma ko ang sarili ko. “You don’t mind checking you out, right?” Parang bata kong tanong na ikinatawa naman niya lalo.
 
“No, I didn’t. As long as it was you,” he answered before chuckling softly.
 
“Smooth like butter…” I just uttered before deciding to start walking towards where the large dining hall was.
 
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad at hindi na siya pinansin pa ngunit ramdam kong nakasunod lang siya sa akin. Mas binilisan ko naman ang paglalakad dahil baka ma-late pa ako. Nakalabas naman ako at tatahakin na sana ang daan patungo sa dining area ng may bigla na lang pumulupot na braso sa bewang and the feeling was familiar that’s why I didn’t do anything to remove his hand on my waist. All I can do is pout while felt him went in front of me while his hand are still on my waist.
 
“What?” Nakasimangot kong tanong sa kaniya ngunit tila nasisiyahan pa siya.
 
“Is my strawberry sulking?” He teased but what I heard from him made me blush na ikinasaya naman niya lalo.
 
S-Strawberry…? His… strawberry? Did he just call me—?!
 
Nawala naman ang pasimangot ko ng maalala ko ang strawberries na nasa magical pouch ko kaya dali-dali akong gumalaw upang kumuha ng isang container. Kumuha ako ng isa and I am now happily eating my strawberries now—completely ignoring the prince of fire who was watching me silently.
 
Ngunit maya-maya pa ay nagtama ang mga mata namin kaya napatigil ako—lalo na ng makita kong masaya niya akong pinanonuod. Does he like strawberries too? Dahil sa naging tanong ko sa sarili ko ay kumuha ako ng isang strawberry at itinapat ‘yon sa kaniyang bibig.
 
I smiled at him—telling him to have some ngunit napansin ko kung paano siya lumunok habang palipat-lipat din ang tingin niya sa akin at sa strawberry na hawak ko. Nagtaka ako sa kinikilos niya, lalo na ng sunod-sunod siyang napalunok and he’s getting paler and paler.
 
Bullet of sweats are visible in his forehead now kahit malamig naman ang panahon kaya nagtaka ako. He’s still looking at me then to the strawberry and while looking at him, my smile faded until I am now looking at him while frowning.
 
What’s happening to him?
 
“Are you… okay?” Nag-aalala kong tanong but instead of answering me, he took a deep breath many times kaya dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang kamay kong may hawak na strawberry ng may mapagtanto ako.
 
He doesn’t like strawberries?
 
Tila nalungkot naman ako sa naisip ko but we can not push someone to like what we like kaya napagpasyahan kong huwag na lamang siyang pilitin pa. I was about to eat the strawberry that I am giving him when he suddenly grab my hand and eat the strawberry that I am holding. Nanlaki naman ang aking mga mata dahil sa nakita—lalo na ng hindi maipinta ang kaniyang mukha habang nginunguya ang strawberry. I got worried about him because he’s now paler than earlier.
 
“Hala! Spill it!” Natataranta kong wika sa kaniya ngunit matigas ang kaniyang ulo. Sinapo ko ang isa niyang pisngi habang ang isa kong kamay ay nakahawak sa container na naglalaman ng mga strawberries. He’s still pushing himself to swallow the strawberry at kaunti na lamang ay mahihimatay na yata siya. “Prince of fire! Don’t swallow it! Don’t push yourself to swallow it!” Nag-aalala na ako sa kaniya ngunit kahit anong pili ko ay hindi talaga siya nakinig hanggang sa nalunok na niya.
 
Wala akong baon na tubig and all I can do right now is to hug him and he immediately hugged me back before burying his face on my neck. Naramdaman ko ang panlalamig niya at tila naghihina pa siya kaya hindi ko mapigilang mag-alala lalo. I didn’t know that this is the effect of strawberry to him! Kung alam ko lang… he doesn’t have to do that! Ako naman kasi, eh! I should have known! Now, I know that this is what the strawberry do to him… I thought he like strawberries too dahil may dala siya no’n ng sumama kami ni Gen sa Dark forest.
 
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” I am feeling extremely guilty and worried right now and I unconsciously hug him tighter while I can feel him inhaling my scent—probably making himself feel better. “I should have known…” I almost cry because of being worried about him and while remembering his face earlier, I can’t help but feel more guilty until I just realized that I am already crying silently.
 
Naramdaman ko naman siyang gumalaw until warm hands cop my cheeks and dry my damp cheeks. “Shhh… don’t cry, baby… it wasn’t your fault,” his voice was sweet and gentle and I can’t help but cry even more. Malabo ang paningin ko dahil sa luha but I can still see that he was no longer pale now. “It was my fault… I’m so sorry…” he hugged me before I felt his butterfly kisses in my neck at nagbibigay ‘yon ng kaiibang kiliti sa aking sistema.
 
Bata pa po ako…. Huhu!
 
“Stop crying now, my Hope…” I heard him said before coping my cheeks again and doing his best to stop my tears. Nakita ko ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang mukha and he was slightly panicking now kaya pinilit ko ang sarili kong tumigil kaiiyak. He is now showering me light kisses all over my face and he was avoiding to kiss my lips until he press his lips longer in my forehead hanggang sa inulit na naman niya ang ginagawa.
 
“Bata pa po ako… huhu…” hindi ko mapigilang iwika na ikinatigil naman niya bago ko narinig ang pagtawa niya. That sexy chuckle. Sumisinghot-singhot ako habang siya naman ay mahina pa ring tumatawa.
 
“Oh, fuck! So fucking adorable!” He said before kissing the tip of my nose.
 
“Are you okay now?” Naiiyak ko pa ring tanong na ikinangiti naman niya ng matamis na parang hindi siya nanghina kanina.
 
“I am now, baby… thanks to you,” he said while there’s still a sweet smile on his lips.
 
Napatingin naman ako sa hawak ko pa ring container na naglalaman ng strawberries bago ngumuso dahil naiiyak na naman ako. “Ayaw ko na nga ‘to!” Wika ko bago binigay sa kaniya. Nakita ko pa ang pagkakakunot ng nuo niya habang pabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin at sa container na hawak ko. I noticed that he was about to say something but he stopped when I suddenly realized what I did. “Joke lang!” Pagbawi ko na ikinataas naman ng kilay niya. “Huwag ka na lang kumain ng strawberry kung manghihina ka lang naman din! Ikaw na lang ang mag-adjust…” I added before pouting my lips which made him chuckle again.
 
He then pinched my cheeks na lalo kong ikinasimangot. Even though he was pinching me, it was still gentle—not enough to hurt me. “Stop being adorable…” he said na lalo ko lamang ikinasimangot bago siya tinignan ng masama.
 
“Don’t do that again!” I said at mayroon na namang namumuong luha sa gilid ng mga mata ko.
 
He sighed before hugging me. “I’m not promising—ouch!” Mabilis naman siyang napahiwalay sa akin and I didn’t expect to see him pouting adorably. “That hurts…” parang bata niyang wika kaya naman hindi ko mapigilang matawa ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.
 
I pinched him in the side of his stomach pero hindi naman ‘yon masakit. Nag-iinarte lang ang prinsepe ng apoy pero hayaan na natin since he looks adorable while pouting. “Pasalamat ka at may abs ka dahil kung hindi, baka hindi lang ‘yang ang inabot mo!” Nakasimangot kong wika na ikinataas naman ng kaniyang kilay. “Don’t do that again… promise me,” saad ko kalaunan and I am already looking at him—almost begging.
 
He sighed before kissing the top of my head. “Like what I have said, I am not promising,” he answered and there’s finality in his tone.
 
“Kahit pa halos mawalan ka na ng malay?” Mahina kong tanong ngunit napansin ko na lamang ang pamumula niya na mabilis niyang ikina-iwas ng tingin. “Tapos ngayon nahihiya ka?” Nakasimangot ko pa ring tanong. “Wala ka naman dapat ikahiya. Pinag-alala mo nga ako, eh!” Saad ko bago siya hinawakan sa kaniyang baba at pilit na pinatitingin sa akin at nagtagumpay naman ako.
 
He sighed again before his hands went to my waist. “I can handle myself, okay? I won’t eat that fruit as long as you are not around,” makahulugan niyang wika ngunit hindi na lamang ako nagtanong pa at hinayaan na lang siya.
 
I just nodded silently before pulling him towards the dining hall. Malapit ng mag-umpisa ang breakfast at hindi kami pwedeng mahuli or else, we will face the consequences at hindi ko naman ‘yon gusto.
 
***

Alphas’ uniform
(For imaginary purposes only! Pictures aren’t mine. Credits to the right full owner!)

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