Alkia Kingdom Reborn

Alkia 10: Duel Arena

I walked downtown before heading to my next quest. Sumimangot ako nang makita ang masayang pag-uusap nina Queen at Sky. Malayo sila sa kinaroroonan ko. I'd been coordinating with Sky about guild and elite group matters. Member na kami ng elite group ng Alkia. While playing, we were also finding a way out of the game. Before, he asked if we could be a couple, but it seemed he found a new prospect.

I hated his guts. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bitter ako. Ipinagpatuloy ko na ang paglalakad. Hindi ko na sila tiningnan kahit alam kong madadaanan ko sila. Napapikit na lang ako nang may tumawag sa 'kin.

"Zeus," tawag ni Sky. I turned to them. Napansin ko ang biglang pagsimangot ni Queen.

"Why?" tanong kong may pagkairita. Napakamot siya sa ulo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla kong naramdamang gusto ko siyang awayin. I was being irrational.

"Why do I have this feeling that you want a fight?" naiiling na tanong ni Sky.

"Huwag ka kasing feelingero!" nakangusong sabi ko.

He sighed but grinned. "She's my childhood friend," he added. "You know, she's Mari."

Umismid ako. Pakialam ko kung childhood friends sila? "So?" mataray kong tanong.

"Just a childhood friend?" Queen reacted. "And what is she to you, Sky?" she asked, but I could sense that she was afraid of the answer. And I was nervous too. Hindi naman kami close ni Sky. Ano naman ang sasabihin niya? I'm not even his friend!

"She'll be my partner inside this game. We will be a couple," he answered.

Halos mabingi ako sa narinig. What? Did he just say that without stammering? Queen gaped, and so did I. I turned to him. Tiyak na gusto ni Queen si Sky. How could he say something like that without considering her feelings?

"You can't do this, Sky," Queen said in a dangerous tone.

Natigilan ako. Nawala ang kagustuhan kong komprontahin si Sky. Bumaling ang atensyon ko kay Queen. Masamang tingin ang ipinukol niya sa 'kin na tila ako ang may kasalanan ng lahat.

"You can't be his partner," she turned to me. Nainis ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Muling tumingin si Queen kay Sky. "Dahil ba mas malakas siya? Just wait. I'll be stronger than her," inis na sabi niya.

Parang gusto ko na rin siyang patulan. Magsasalita na sana ako pero lumapit na sa 'kin si Sky. Ipinatong niya ang isang kamay sa ulo ko kaya natigilan ako. "It's fine. Let's go now," he whispered to me. Hinila niya ako palayo kaya hindi na ako nakatutol.

"You should've let me speak!" giit ko.

"Huwag na. Baka magkainitan pa kayo. Hindi tayo puwedeng magkawatak-watak," saad niya.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "For your information, uminit ang usapan dahil sa sinabi mo. It's actually your fault! Bakit ako ang tinitira niya? Dapat sa 'yo siya magalit!" reklamo ko. Tumawa lang siya kaya lalo akong nainis. "Bakit mo sinabi 'yon?"

"She asked me to be her partner, but I refused. She asked me why. I saw you, so I decided to tell her the truth. Malalaman din naman niya ang totoo kapag ikinasal tayo sa cathedral—" he said, but I interrupted him.

"Who says I will marry you?"

He pouted. So cute! "Pag-aawayan pa rin natin 'to?" tanong niya.

"You're wrong. Hindi tayo nag-aaway," pagtatama ko.

"You're stubborn," komento niya.

Yes, I am. I smiled at the back of my mind. Matatagalan kaya niya ako?