Chimera

64

Kabanata 64: Salva Veritate

It turned out that Earl was the one who saved us from the guards who captured me and Devin. He told me.

It has been days since that night. Hindi ko na rin pinapansin si Earl. Madalas kaming nagkasalubong ni Earl sa dining hall ngunit hindi kami nag-uusap.

Dumalas ang pagsama sa amin ni Devin. It was like he was watching every of my steps. Maayos na rin ang tama ng baril naming pareho.

Madalas na kaming nasa common room nina Devin at Elijah.

"I'm going to the 5th floor tonight."

"Akala ko ba ay nagbago ang nakita mo. Bakit ka babalik sa fifth floor?"

"Wala akong nahanap doon, Devin. Gusto kong subukan lahat ng nakikita kong paraan."

"Delikado, Vian! Naalala mo ba ang nangyari sa atin? We're caught. It hurt so much. Pakiramdam ko ay natanggal ang utak ko."

"Vian, may point si Devin," Elijah sighed, "Nag-aalala ako. Ayoko na kayong makita sa ganoong itsura."

Her face was laced with horror.

I knew this would happen. Alam kong pipigilan niya ako.

"Tigilan mo na 'to, Vian. Give up. Wala ibang paraan para makabalik sa Third Dimension."

"Are you an accomplice of Earl?" I gasped, "Everything about you two is suspicious. Magkakilala kayo? Why are you always trying to stop me?"

"It's because I like you," Devin blurted out-of-nowhere.

It caught me off guard. Elijah had to look elsewhere to avoid the awkward air.

I scoffed.

"What? You don't believe me, Vian? Even with my confession? I don't even know Earl! Si Elijah ang nagpakilala kay Earl sa akin."

"Prove it to me then," Hamon ko sa kanya, "Hindi mo kailangang sumama sa akin sa pagpunta sa fifth floor kung natatakot ka. Just don't tell me off. Iyon lang."

"Why are you so desperate to come back? Because of love? You can definitely love  another person! Kung hindi ka na umaasang makabalik, mas mabilis mo siyang makalilimutan gaya ng dad mo."

Nang sinabi niyang makapagmamahal ako ng iba ay mabilis akong napikon. I don't think I can. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng buhay ngayon maliban sa makitang muli si Ian. Iyon lang.

I dwell a lot on Earl's idea of getting through each day. I need to find my purpose. His purpose is to keep the peace and order of Solidus. Ito ang sa akin. I need to come back to Ian. Ito na lang ang tanging dahilan ng araw-araw para sa akin.

"What do you know?" I said in monotonous, "Don't try to meddle. Hindi mo ako gugustuhing makabangga."

With or without Devin, I will proceed to go to Salva Veritate, it's the secret passage located on the fifth floor going up to the attic. I don't know what's in there but I do hope it's worth the risk.

This is a gamble because Devin tried so hard to protect it. He even faked his feelings to stop me. That's one hell of a desperate move.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin maisip kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit ako pinipigilan ni Devin. Ayaw niya bang malaman ko na mayroong ngang posibleng daan pabalik? O ayaw niyang malaman ko ang sikreto ng Academia?

Naghihintay sa labas ng gusali si Devin. Nasa garden siya nakatayo. Nang makita niya ako ay umayos siya sa pagtayo.

Hindi ako lumapit sa kanya. Agad akong naglakad papasok sa kabilang gusali.