Oculus of Time

Athens

Kara's POV

"Gift of Chaos... Curse of the Fates..." Iniunat ko ang aking mga braso. "Spectra..."

Kararating lang namin dito sa Athens. I asked Fernando to prepare seven separate hotel rooms without telling the others.

Gusto ko kasing mapag-isa, nang makapag-isip-isip din ako nang maayos. If I have something I seriously want to think about, I can't stand even the slightest noise.

Napahikab ako at bumalik sa pagbabasa ng libro.

The book is divided in half. The one in front is the first half, which I wrote, while the second half is written by Athena.

I scanned both of our parts and there were still a lot of blank pages. Ibig sabihin, pareho kaming limitado lang ang kaalaman tungkol sa spectra.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko at nalamang maghahatinggabi na.

Idinikit ko ang aking noo sa nakabukas na pahina ng libro at nagpakawala ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga.

I haven't read Athena's part yet. I'm still stuck in mine.

Tumayo ako at sinuot ang jacket at scarf na nakasampay sa sandalan ng upuan. I grabbed my key card together with my wallet.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at dumiretso sa elevator.

I've been using my brain non-stop that I forgot to eat dinner. Hindi rin ako makatulog kakaisip sa mga pangyayari ngayon.

"I'm heading to Monastiraki." pagbibigay-alam ko sa aurai sa front desk. "...for dinner."

She was about to speak when I stopped her. "I'm going alone. I don't need a car."

I already know my way in and out of Athens. Not because I have been here a lot of times, but because Athena already imprinted the entire city in my mind. I guess that's just how proud she is, that a city is named after her.

I took the metro station and got off at Monastiraki.

Nang makarating na ako sa central square, nagsimula na akong maghanap ng cafe.

I wandered everywhere, turned to every corner. Paminsan-minsa'y humihinto ako para tignan ang nadadaanan kong stalls.

I'm just one of the hundreds of people roaming around the heart of Athens. I've encountered several tourists, too. They come from different places, but they're all here for the same reason.

And unlike them, I'm not here to enjoy.

"You can't keep following me, you know." nilakasan ko ang aking boses para marinig niya.

Narinig ko ang pagbilis ng kanyang mga hakbang hanggang sa makarating siya sa tabi ko.

"Muntik na akong maligaw kanina. I got distracted with this." Ipinakita niya sa'kin ang crepe na nasa kamay niya.

"Tastes good, by the way." He said, and took a few bites. "Seriously, you should try it."

I stopped walking and looked at him. "Can I?"

Nginitian niya ako at inilapit sa'kin ang crepe.

I took one bite and immediately tasted strawberry and cream cheese... and a drizzle of chocolate.

"Did you know they also sell fried fishes in a cone?" tanong niya, na nagdulot ng ngiti sa aking labi.

Of course I know, Dio. I know everything about Athens.

Umangat ang kilay ko. "They do?"

"Yeah." Tumango siya. "Also... can you tell me more about Athens?"