Amethyst: Game Start

XV - Happy Birthday, Scarlett

I am languidly looking in front. And with my magnificent vision, I can see the stares of my classmates.

Tangina kasi. Hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos dahil kay Hunter. Bakit kasi katabi ko s’ya? Bakit kasi tinanong n’ya ‘yon?

Alas-otso pa lamang ng umaga, sobrang sakit ng ulo ko kaya’t napagdesisyonan kong tumungo na lamang sa clinic upang magpahinga.

“Drink this, Scarlett.” Nurse K handed me a medicine in syrup form, “Then sleep over there.”

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya at agad na humiga pagkatapos kong inumin ang gamot. Ilang minuto akong nakapikit ngunit gising pa rin ang diwa ko.

“…Ms. Alvarez.” I heard Nurse K whispered. It was so soft as if she doesn’t want anyone to listen to her.

Alvarez.

I stayed calm and quiet. Is she really talking to that woman? I tried to enhance my sense of hearing, but I failed to hear the voice from the other end.

“I will be giving your gift. Don’t worry, Ms. Alvarez.”

Back in the day, there are five kingdoms. But one of them was exiled for disobeying a sacred rule, and that kingdom is the Alvarez Kingdom. And for many years have passed, they were able to gain the title of the uncrowned kingdom— the den of wolves, the traitor of peace.

Nang biglang tumahimik ang paligid, isang amoy na tila inaalo ako upang makatulog ako nang tuluyan.

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko, takipsilim na rin nang sumilip ako sa bintana. Kinapa ko ang cellphone ko at napansin na alas-singko. Mabuti na lamang dahil wala kaminv night classes ngayon kasi kakatapos lamang ng exam.

I still feel dizzy, and Nurse K was not around. So, I went to the Celestial Kingdom and saw the other Zodiacs talking about the program for tomorrow.

Karupin was sitting on Hunter’s lap, making me somehow remember the one who gave it to me. It was a present for my birthday from his grandfather.

I sat beside Austin, who was looking at me curiously. At kahit alam kong nagtatakha sila kung bakit ako late ay minabuti kong umubob na lamang sa lamesa upang makapikit muli, mas mabuting maramdaman nila ang presensya ko kaysa naman marinig ko ang sermon ni Logan mamaya.

Logan cleared his throat before continuing his discussion, and it only means that he is the event planner for this program. His role has its perks. He can cut classes without any deduction points because as an appointed zodiac. It means that we are responsible for the students' security as well as for their entertainment.

But what I don’t like about that role is you need to be dedicated to your work. You have to finish most of the tasks on your own, and it is not my thing.

A talent show will be held tomorrow, but each talent being presented must be accompanied by a musical instrument. For example, if someone decided to interpretative dance, they should provide someone who will be doing the melody live. The participants can be soloists, duo, or more. Aside from that, it is open for all that even Zodiacs could participate.

And if I heard them correctly, Maddie and Clover will be joining tomorrow.

“Meeting adjourned,” Logan announced.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtayo nila maliban sa katabi kong si Austin. Nanatili ako sa aking puwesto dahil sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko at tila ayokong umalis sa aking puwesto.

“Scarlett na makulit? Buhay ka pa ba?” Tanong ni Austin. Nanatili lamang akong tahimik dahil wala naman s’yang kwenta, “Guys… Deads na s’ya.”