Immortal City

Chapter 50

Chapter 50
End of the Cycle

I'm back in our dormitory when I wake up.

Daimon must have returned me to my bed earlier before anyone notices I'm missing. As to when he did that and where he is now, I do not know. I am unaware of the things most relevant to me as always.

My eyes are heavy, stinging as I try to rub and adjust my vision to the brightness of the room.

Maliwanag na sa loob ng kwarto at halos lahat sila ay nag-aasikaso na ng mga sarili nila. Nakakapanibago gumising sa ganitong eksena dahil madalas ay ako ang nauunang bumangon sa kanilang lahat. Ngayon naman ay ako nalang ang natitirang nakahiga sa kama.

It's Riley who notices I'm already awake. "Good morning, Celestine!"

"Good morning," I reply, flashing a sleepy and faint smile as I sit up.

"You can still rest if you want," rinig kong sabi ni Cenon, at mula sa pwesto niya ay nakita kong katatapos lang niya mag-ipit ng kinagawian niyang pigtails. "I doubt anyone will come to class today. Pwedeng magpahinga ka muna dito, Celestine. You need it most."

Ngayon ko lang naisip na baka kaya hindi muna nila ako ginising ay dahil pansin nilang hindi pa talaga maayos ang pakiramdam ko. "Pero hindi ba last day na ngayon ng klase?" tanong ko. "Hindi ba importante 'yon sa competition?"

I was gone for four days. Thursday ng gabi na ako nagising at ngayon ay Friday na. It's the last day of classes here in our pseudo-school and tomorrow marks the end of Level 1. I find it hard to digest that today is an insignificant day.

"Most schools will probably focus on preparing for tomorrow than attend classes today," sagot ni Cenon. "Tomorrow is more important than today after all."

I nod unwittingly. "If that's the case, would you mind telling me what you all seem to be preparing yourselves for?"

"Breakfast," Lucienne answers as if it should've been obvious. "We're going to grab breakfast at the cafeteria at kukuha na rin ng kung anong pwedeng pang-merienda natin mamaya. That is what we're preparing for."

I shift to the side of my bed to stand. "Okay, then I'll go and—"

"You're not going anywhere," pagputol ni Lucienne na nakapamaywang. "You stay there on your bed and rest. Padadalhan ka nalang namin ng pagkain. Ikaw ang pinaka hindi okay sa ating lahat kaya diyan ka lang."

"But—"

"Lucienne is right, Celestine," Cenon cuts me off. "No buts this time. You should get as much rest as you can before the race starts."

Tumabi sa akin si Riley at hinaplos-haplos ang ulo ko. "There, there, Celestine. Don't worry, we'll come back soon. Don't get too lonely while we're out."

I blink, dumbfounded. "O-Okay?"

"Ako na ang bahala kay Luna, Celestine," sabi ni Ione bago humilata ulit sa kama niya kahit nakasuot na siya ng sapatos.

"Okay ka lang ba magsolo dito?" tanong naman ng best friend ko. "Gusto mo samahan kita?"

Bahagya akong ngumiti at umiling. "No, it's fine. Sumama ka na sa kanila mag-breakfast. Baka makatulog lang din ulit ako dito."

There's still a trace of worry on Luna's face. "Are you sure?"

"Oo, sure na 'yan si Celestine," singit muli ni Lucienne. "Halika na Luna, pabayaan mo na 'yan diyan matulog."