Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 67

The room became quiet after they heard the sudden rise of the blond's voice. Zai clenched her jaw and suddenly turned her back to walk away.

Wala naman ng sumunod dito at nagtangkang magsalita dito. Zai turned in the corner but she stopped when she almost bumped into someone. Sinbad's eyes landed on Zai. It was unusual, the girl didn't feel his presence at all.

"Move," said the girl but Sinbad just stared down at her. Tumingala naman si Zai rito, "I told you to move, didn't I?"

Sinbad immediately noticed the slight squint in her eyes. For the first time, he saw guilt in them. His eyes softened and he was about to reach out to her but the girl clicked her tongue and just walked pass him.

Sinbad sighed and put his hand down. Pagkabukas ng kaniyang mga mata ay bumalik na ang kaniyang madalas na ekspresyon. He continued walking to Trois' room. Papalapit pa lamang siya dito ay nakita na niyang lumalabas ang iba mula sa kwarto nito. Shane looked at his direction when he noticed him. Ito rin ang pinakahuling lumabas ng silid.

"Hoy! Bumalik ka sa kwarto mo!" sermon sa kaniya ng binata ngunit nagpatuloy lamang sa paglalakad ang lalaki. Akmang papasok ito sa kwarto ni Trois ngunit humarang naman si Shane. "Hayaan mo na muna siya. Nag-away sila ni Zai."

Mabilis naman itong naintindihan ni Sinbad at tumango na lamang. Dumako ang mga mata ni Shane sa mga paa nito at nakitang wala man lang itong suot na sapatos o tsinelas man lang. Ang mahabang buhok rin nito ay nakalugay at halata dito na kakabangon pa lamang ng lalaki mula sa kama.

Tumingin siya sa mukha nito, "Ano bang kailangan mo kay Trois?"

Sinbad looked down at him, "I heard from a nurse that there's a smith here that can make him an artificial leg. I'm about to ask him if he wants me to make an appointment."

Napuno naman ng galak ang mga mata ni Shane sa narinig. "Ako na ang gagawa!" saad nito at tumakbo na paalis, "Bumalik ka na sa kwarto mo! 'Pag nahuli ka ni Ero-tanda, malilintikan ka!"

Naging tahimik ang pasilyo noong mawala na ito. Sinbad squinted his eyes as he touch his side when it suddenly ached. Minabuti na lang niyang sundin ang sinabi nito at bumalik na siya sa kaniyang silid.

Asta sighed as she watch Zai's back from afar. Ilang saglit lamang ay nawala na ito sa kaniyang paningin dahil sa dami ng tao. She scratched the back of her head as she put her one hand on the side of he waist. "Kids these days are sometimes unreadable."

"Asta." tumingin naman ito sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na tumawag sa kaniyang pangalan.

--

"Hmm.. this is quite odd. You look like a lion who got its fangs plucked out." Zai's stoic expression remained and acted as if Bonzo's presence is nothing.

Bonzo stood beside her as they watch the view from the cliff they are standing at. Ang mga kamay ng binata ay nasa loob ng bulsa ng kaniyang letterman jacket. "I've heard what happened from that mascular woman. I'm not here to scold you though."

"Then what are you doing here? You're gonna give me some advice or some life quotes?" Zai sarcastically smirked as he shook her head.

Bonzo faked a laugh, "I don't do advices and what the heck is life quotes? Do you think I'm an old man who's about to lay on his death bed?" he scoffed, "That ain't happening."

Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan ng dalawa. They can hear the sound of the leaves that are dancing along with the wind, the sounds of the cicadas, and the chirps of the birds. Maganda rin ang tanawin na nasa kanilang harapan at masarap rin sa pakiramdam ang sinag ng araw.