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

Chapter 45: Family Dinner

Chapter 45: Family Dinner
 
Balak ko talagang mamasyal kasama si Caelum ngunit bigla akong tinamaan ng katamaran kaya naman nanatili na lamang kami sa dorm. Wala namang klase ang Alphas because that was the reward that Mimi gave us.
 
Isang linggo yata ang pahinga namin and earlier, after breakfast, I went to Mimi’s office together with Caelum and told Mimi about the poison that Arang was talking about. It was a good thing that Arang gave us the ingredients for the antidote and Mimi planned to send Alphas, Betas, and Epsilons to find the ingredients that are needed.
 
Hindi lamang ‘yon ang pakay namin kung ‘di ang maghanap din ng iba pang mga halamang gamot. It was like hitting two birds in a one stone. Naitanong din ni Mimi kung ano ang nangyari sa trabaho ko and I told her what happened—aside from the part where Aiden came.
 
I told Mimi about Helena and I also expressed that I wanted to help the kid and she told me that she will see what she could do. After that, I went back to the Alphas’ dorm and go straight my room ngunit bago pa ako makapasok sa loob ng aking silid ay napansin ko na lamang si Caelum na nakatingin sa pinto ng silid ni Aiden.
 
“You want to be with him, baby?” I softly asked my baby and he nodded while he was looking at me with those puppy eyes and me—being softy when it comes to my son—and to his father—I just found myself walking towards the prince of fire’s room’s door.
 
Hindi ko alam kung nandiyan ba siya sa kaniyang silid. Basta ang alam ko ay wala ang iba sa dorm at hindi ko alam kung saan sila nagtungo. When I thought that the prince of fire’s door won’t open anymore, I decided to leave but before I even turn my body, bumukas bigla ang pinto—showing the prince of fire that fresh from the shower. He was half naked at tanging puting towel lamang ang na sa kaniyang bewang and he looks hot right now but I have to clear my throat as Caelum call his father.
 
“Pappa!”
 
I can feel how happy Caelum was right now while seeing his father and almost immediately, Aiden’s face lit up, and smiled at us. “Hi, baby…” his voice was hoarse and I can’t help but remember what happened on the veranda.
 
No more running away!
 
Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko bago ko naalala ang sinabi sa akin ni Tati—ng araw kung saan kauuwi ko galing sa trabaho—where I felt the excruciating pain in my chest until I lost consciousness and wake up the next day like nothing happened.
 
After what happened in the veranda and while I was watching him sleeping—when I saw him crying because of fear and pain—I just decided again. Hindi para layuan siya kung ‘di para tanggapin siya. Sino ba naman ako para tanggihan siya, ‘di ba?
 
Kabata-bata, humaharot na! Self, ha? Umayos ka!
 
“H-He wanted to be with you…” I said and he stared at me for a while before he opened the door widely.
 
“Come in. I will just wear clothes,” his smile never leaves his lips. “Or… maybe you wanted me naked?” He teased and I can’t help but look at him flatly.
 
“Child abuse!” I said and he just laugh at me before he put his free hand in my waist and pulling me closer to his body. Narinig ko na lamang ang pagsara ng pintuan sa likod ko at tila wala siyang balak na bitawan ako. “Magbihis ka na nga!” Utos ko at akmang hihirit pa siya ng unahan ko na siya. “And no! I rather choose to see you fully clothed than see you naked! My eyes are still virgin!” Nakasimangot kong saad and all he can do is laugh at me.
 
“Okay, okay. Wait for me, my Hope.”
 
He left us that’s why I decided to put Caelum in his bed and since kulang ako sa tulog ay hindi ko mapigilang mahiga sa higaan niya and his smell filled my nostrils that sending me into deep slumber. Kaninang madaling-araw kasi ay pinanuod ko lamang siyang matulog at natutuwa ako habang pinanunuod siya.
 
He looks peaceful while sleeping—pareho sila ni Caelum habang natutulog and I am already convinced that they are father and son. But I can see that he looks cute when he’s drunk—he acts like a child and I wanted to see him like that again.
 
I chuckled silently when I remembered him and even he was sleeping earlier, he looks like a child but as long as I wanted to stay beside him, I just can’t kaya naman habang tulog na tulog siya ay iniwan ko na siya sa kaniyang silid bago lumipat sa aking silid. Right now, as Caelum and I are currently waiting for him, I just found myself falling asleep…
 
“It’s been a long time, my dear…”
 
I opened my eyes when I heard Ajax’s voice and the first thing I saw was him that’s why I run towards him and hug him ngunit tanging ang nguso lamang niya ang aking nayakap. “Ajax!” I beamed as I heard him chuckling.
 
“I missed you too, my dear…”
 
I look at him and I saw how happy he was right now but I can feel that we summoned me here for nothing—aside from he misses me too. “What is it, Ajax?” I asked him when he sobered up.
 
Ajax looks at me before he sighs, “Aslan gave you a mission, yeah?” I nodded as a reply to him. Until now, I have no idea where I could find that weapon. “Don’t worry about it anymore, my dear… we just found out that, that sword has its own life. It was hiding and it will only show once its owner and the summoner of Cersei was already born…”
 
Puno ng pagtataka akong tumingin kay Ajax at hindi mapigilang magtanong. “So, the chosen summoner hasn’t born yet?” I asked while full of curiosity. “And the other supreme guardian’s name was ‘Cersei’?” I asked again and Ajax simply nodded at me.
 
“Yes, my dear,” he confirmed. “As of now, you have to face the rebellions. I can feel that the war is coming near…” Ajax has this far-away look while I was sent to deep thoughts but he interrupted me. “But you know what, my dear? Don’t you know that this realm’s original name was ‘Luminous’ realm?” He just blurted out which left my mouth hanging open.
 
Luminous… realm?
 
***
 
When I woke up, I was greeted by Aiden and Caelum’s laughter and it was like music to my ears. I just smiled while looking at Aiden while he’s making Caelum laugh. Naka-angat sa ere si Caelum habang buhat pa rin ni Aiden and my son was like flying.
 
They are chuckling and I can’t help but giggle before sitting on Aiden’s bed. Nakatulog pala ako. Nabaling naman ang atensyon nila sa akin and Aiden immediately walk towards me while they are both smiling. Magkamukha nga… now, four pairs of blue eyes are looking at me.
 
“How was your sleep?” Aiden asked when he sat on his bed before he gave Caelum to me.
 
Mabilis ko namang kinuha si Caelum bago siya sinagot, “Good,” I simply answered before I put Caelum on my lap. “Hi, baby…” I said before kissing my baby on his forehead. Yumakap naman sa akin si Caelum bago ako tumingin kay Aiden and I just saw him looking at us softly. “Thank you for taking care of Caelum…” I sincerely said which made him smile softly.
 
“No problem… I love taking care of our son.”
 
Hindi rin kami nagtagal sa silid ni Aiden at nagpaalam na ako sa kaniyang magtutungo na ako sa aking silid. Saktong lunch na pala ngunit bago ako bumaba ay pinag-gatas ko muna si Caelum at mabilis naman siyang nakatulog kaagad.
 
Lia and Tati were there to take care of my son that’s why I went downstairs at ako na lang pala ang kulang. Our sitting arrangement was like before when they welcomed us and while we are eating, Kuya Logan suddenly announced what Mimi told me.
 
“Headmistress wants us to accompany the Epsilons to get herbs in one of the mountains of Laeves kingdom,” he said while we were eating lunch. “You should pack your things now because tomorrow, we will join the camping,” dagdag niya and all we can do is nod.
 
Mabilis naman kaming natapos at kaming mga babae ang nagligpit sa aming pinagkainan but while we are cleaning the dishes, Gwen just announced something. “Ladies… I have an announcement to make,” lahat kami ay napatingin sa kaniya at hinihintay ang kaniyang anunsyo. “Kaizer confessed something to me…” she said at nagkatinginan na lamang kami.
 
“Umamin na siya sa ‘yong may gusto siya sa ‘yo?!” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Rielle na ikinatango-tango naman ni Gwen.
 
“Gago! Sana all!” Hindi naman namin mapigilang matawa dahil sa kumento ni Odette at tatanungin pa sana namin ulit si Gwen ng dumating sina Azriel, Jacob, at Lucas kaya natahimik na lamang kami habang mayroong pigil na ngiti sa aming mga labi.
 
Hindi na kami nagkaroon pa ng oras para magkapagtanong dahil nandiyan ang mga lalaki kaya naman bumalik na lamang kami sa aming mga silid upang mag-ayos ng gamit para bukas. Nang makarating ako sa kwarto ay nakita ko si Merlia na palipad-lipad at si Titiana naman ay nakahiga sa kama ko habang nakatitig lang sa kisame kaya tumikhim naman ako para makuha ang atensyon nila. Natutulog naman si Caelum at tila pagod dahil sa kalalaro kasama ang tatay niya.
 
“Hello, Lara!” Bati nilang dalawa sa akin kaya napangiti ako. Up until now, Alphas still don’t know that the legend Titiana and the mysterious princess of the pixies are with me.
 
Ano na lang kaya ang magiging reaksyon nila kapag nalaman nila ‘to?
 
Maya-maya pa ay nakatanggap naman ako ng message galing kay Mimi and she was telling me that we will have dinner in the palace kaya hindi ko naman mapigilang kabahan. Simula ng nangyari sa akin sa palasyo ay hindi na ako bumalik do’n and I just can’t help but miss my grandparents. I will face the king and queen again… I informed the two and they immediately readied the dress that I will wear and all I can do is sigh.
 
***
 
Inayos ko ang mga dadalhin ko para sa camping bago ako natulog at nagising na lamang ako dahil sa katok nina Odette at Gen at nalaman ko mula sa kanila na kasama pala ang pamilya nila sa dinner. Tatlo kaming nagtungo sa bahay nila Mimi at nando’n na rin ang susuotin ko na inihanda nina Tati at Lia.
 
Even Caelum’s clothes are there too and yes, Caelum is with me because I wanted him to introduce to my family. Sa bahay nila Mimi kami mag-aayos at nakalulungkot lang dahil hindi kasama si Nana dahil busy siya para sa camping bukas but she won’t coming with us tomorrow.
 
Tapos na kaming mag-ayos at naghahanda na upang magtungo sa palasyo. Hiwalay ang sasakyan namin kina Gen at Oddie na nauna na sa amin at maya-maya pa ay sumunod naman kami. Nang na sa himpapawid na ang sinasakyan namin ay tsaka ko naman nakita ang kidlat sa kalangitan kaya bigla kong naalala si Aiden and I just found Caelum looking at the lightning in the sky too… sky? Napatingin ulit ako kay Caelum at napangiti na lamang ng may maisip ako.
 
“Should I call you Sky, baby?” I asked my son and when he looked at me, he smiled like he likes that name.
 
Sky from Skylar…
 
“It can be his name once he’s adult,” rinig ko namang wika ni Mimi kaya mabilis akong napatingin sa kaniya at napangiti.
 
“Yes, Mimi. That name will be known in the future.”
 
Sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan ako dahil muli ko na naman silang makahaharap but Mimi is with me so I don’t need to be afraid and nervous. I know that she’s always on my back. Hanggang sa makarating na kami sa palasyo at hindi ko mapigilang mamangha na naman dahil sa nakikita. Matagal-tagal rin no’ng huli kong punta dito kaya naman namamangha pa rin ako dahil sa taglay nitong ganda. Lumapag ang sinasakyan namin kaya naman naghanda na kami sa pagbaba.
 
“Ready, anak?” I looked at Mimi and nodded bago lumabas sa karwahe. The palace knights welcomed us which made me nervous even more.
 
Maya-maya pa ay may lumapit sa aming butler and he bowed his head on us before he spoke. “Welcome back, your highnesses. The royal family of White and Taylor are already here. Please follow me,” wika nito bago naunang lumakad kaya sinundan namin ito.
 
Napatingin naman ako kay Caelum na buhat-buhat na ni Mimi at nakita siyang tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang loob ng palasyo at halata sa mga mata nito ang pagkamangha. Even though he’s just four months old, he can now appreciate things and I love that about him.
 
I don’t know but, I think, he also has the ability of empathy because the last time that I am feeling sad, he suddenly hugged me like he was comforting me. Lumingon naman siya sa akin kaya nginitian ko siya na sinuklian naman niya kaagad.
 
“Mamma,” pagtawag niya sa akin habang nakangiti kaya napangiti ako lalo.
 
Hindi ko naman napansin na nakarating na kami sa dining area ng palasyo at ng bubuksan na ng butler ang malaking pintuan ay bigla namang inangat ni Caelum ang kamay niya kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. Nagpapakarga siya sa akin kaya naman kinuha ko na siya mula kay Mimi. I smiled at him until the door finally opened and there, I saw the immortals who are now looking at us while smiling from ear to ear kaya kahit na kinakabahan ako ay ngumiti din ako pabalik sa kanila.
 
I should relax my nerves.
 
Lumapit naman si grandma kay Mimi at hinalikan ito sa pisngi bago ito bumaling sa akin. “My beautiful granddaughter,” saad ni grandma at lumapit sa akin bago ako niyakap at hinalikan sa pisngi. Ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya bago lumipat ang tingin niya kay Caelum na nakakunot ang nuo ngayon habang nakatingin kay Grandma.
 
“Little heaven, she is your grandma Diamond, Mamita’s mother,” Mimi said while looking at Caelum. Ang pagkakunot ng kaniyang nuo ay napalitan ng isang ngiti na ikinangiti naman ni grandma kaya natawa ako.
 
“My grandson is so handsome! Who’s the father of your child, apo?” Tanong niya habang nakahawak ang dalawang kamay niya sa mukha ni Caelum.
 
Bigla naman akong napaiwas ng tingin dahil sa tanong ni grandma. Pero nagtama ang mga mata namin nina Gen at Oddie at nakita kong nanunukso sila habang nakatingin sa akin. Hindi na ako nagtaka kung bakit alam ni grandma. I guess, Mimi already told them about Caelum which I am thankful for. Hindi ko na kailangang magpaliwanag pa sa kanila.
 
“That’s enough, hon. Let’s eat first before the chitchats,” rinig naming wika ni grandpa na palalapit sa amin ngayon. He kissed me on my forehead, while Mimi kissed him on his cheeks. Tinignan naman niya si Caelum at ngumiti. “He looks like Avery’s grandson, huh?” Nagtaka naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni grandpa pero hindi na lang ako nagtanong.
 
Pumasok na kami sa loob kaya binati ko ang mga magulang nila Gen at Oddie at hinalikan sila sa pisngi. Nginitian ko lamang ang dalawang pinsan ko, pero si Kuya Logan ay hindi ko pa nakauusap kaya medyo na-o-awkward pa ako. In Lucas case, we never talk again since he approached me. It was the first and last ngunit hindi ko naman ramdam na iniiwasan niya ako. He smiles at me sometimes and that’s it.
 
“Hello, Lorelei.”
 
Lahat naman kami ay natigilan—lalo na ako ng marinig ko ang pagbati sa akin ng reyna. Natahimik ang palagid at tila walang gustong gumalaw at ramdam ko ang gulat nila at lahat sila ay nakatingin kay Queen Emerald ngayon. But among them all, I noticed how shocked Mimi was, and at the same time, she’s also looks nervous and… sacred.
 
***
 
Author’s note:
 
There are chapters na mayroong 300 plus votes. So, here’s the thing, I will ONLY update the next chapters kung aabot ang mga chapters na ‘yon sa 400 votes—mas maganda po kung lahat na ng chapters I-vote niyo. Hehe. Wala lang, gusto ko lang makitang active kayong mga readers ko. Hehe. Wala pong samaan ng loob, ha? Kailangan ko lang po talaga ng pangpagana. Thank you very much! Love lots!