CIELLE
Everything we’ve read started to make sense.
But no matter how many old books we read, all of it was vague. The writer of the journals mostly wrote their amazement. How the Arts of Princess Desiree, Alastair, Eleanor, and Ulysses went beyond.
Nothing speaks of how it was done.
“Matitisod ka sa ginagawa mo.”
Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay nakita ko si Gray. Now wearing the plum uniform of the university with one strap of his bag over his shoulder. I can see a car behind him with a flag of the Royal Family’s symbol leave.
The second semester of my second year in Hudson University is starting today.
“I can manage.” I said and resumed reading.
I literally spent my break with him that it doesn’t bother me anymore if he stands or walks next to me. We invited Aila and Jett again but the two had family matters to attend to over the break. They said they’ll try to go and join us but they never did.
And all we did was read and train. The ocean is the perfect training ground for me because I have the Art of Water. For Gray, it was a challenge. But I can honestly say that he improved in that short period.
“Sa tingin mo, kung nakasama si Aila at Jett, may makikita tayo?” Tanong ko kay Gray at isinara yung libro.
“Probably none as well. Those two hates reading.” Agad na sagot n’ya. “Napipilitan lang magbasa yung dalawa kapag may mission o may pinag-aaralang written test eh.”
“Sabagay.”
“Kumain ka na ba?” Tanong n’ya at umiling ako.
The last meal I had is a midnight snack. Ten-hour-drive ang Nero papunta dito sa university. And I left our residence around 9PM last night.
“Tara. Kahit ako hindi pa nakakakain.”
“The people in the Palace let you leave with an empty stomach?” Gulat na tanong ko.
“I was running late. Ilang oras din ang byahe mula sa Kefalaio papunta dito.”
“Kung nakinig ka sana na umuwi at least one day before the start of the second semester diba?” I couldn’t help but nag.
Sinabihan ko kasi si Gray sa pag-uwi n’ya. Pero wala, the day before pa rin umalis. Lunch time pa. Baka nga between 10PM to 12 MN s’ya nakarating sa Palasyo. 3 to 4 hours ata layo ng Kefalaio sa Fyta, the region where Hudson University is located.
On the way to the dormitory’s Dining Hall, Gray and I talked about the Art of Evolution. How we came to call it that, I don’t know. Basta mas magandang pakinggan kumpara sa Art of Beyond.
Napatigil naman ako sa paglalakad at napatingin sa Hourglass. Maging si Gray napatigil.
“Parang hindi lalagpas ng apat na buwan bago maubos ‘yan.” Nasabi ko na lang.
“I’m still wondering what is it for. Ano ba binibilangan n’yan?” Dagdag ni Gray.
“No one but the Artees that created it can answer that.” Sabi ko na lang at nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad.
Pagdating sa Dining Hall ay napailing na lang ako. Rinig na rinig yung pagtatalo ni Aila at Jett na nasa usual table namin.
Kumuha na lang kami ng pagkain namin at nang maupo kami ay natigil sila.
“Bakit parang nangitim kayo?” Tanong ni Jett.
Hindi ko tuloy napigilang tingnan yung balat ko. Kaya napangiwi ako. Tiningnan ko naman si Gray pero bagay naman sa kan’ya. He looks more...masculine? Not that I'm saying he looks feminine with a lighter skin tone. Nor is it bad for a guy to look feminine.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Hourglass
FantasyA giant hourglass stands in the middle of the Hudson University. Word has it that its sand has been falling down for hundreds of years and no one knows when it'll stop and what will happen when it does. But as people notices how little sand left it...
