Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Thirty-Two: Anathema

-chapter thirty-two-
____________________

"I need to talk to the Headmaster."

Kumunot ang noo ni Kiyara sa sinabi ko.

"Why?" tanong niya.

I raised a brow. "I'm pretty sure it's my turn to ask the favor. Your questions have already expired."

"Tama ka. Pero sinabi ko ang reason behind my question kanina, so you should also tell me the reason behind your favor."

A pause. Kiyara has a point, as always. I deeply exhaled.

"Fine. But only when we reach the Headmaster's Office-"

"There's no need for that."

Nagulat ako nang marinig ang boses ni Headmaster Destina. Mabilis akong napalingon sa may pintuan at nakita ko siyang nakatayo doon. Isang tipid na ngiti ang ibinigay niya bago naglakad papasok sa silid. Umingay ang heels niya sa bawat paghakbang.

"I've been waiting for you, Serena."

"Headmaster Destina."

The tension was hard and suffocating. Pabalik-balik ang tingin ng iba naming mga kasama sa pagitan namin ni Destina. Her presence is alluring and terrifying as ever.

"I was hoping you'd arrive in front of me as a student council president." matalim niyang wika.

Mas lalong bumigat ang tensiyon sa kwarto. Even the mad dog is on edge and alarmed.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "You can't make me a student president. I refuse."

Ngumuso si Destina. At parang dahil doon ay nawala ang tensiyon sa paligid. Laglag ang panga nilang napatingin sa'min.

"Pero dapat maexperience mo ang student life! Everything! From the clubs to the exams to the games to the council!" pagmamaktol niya. "That's why I made an academy."

My eyes twitched in anger. "This academy shouldn't be made for those purposes. Kaya ka hindi pinapansin ni Da-"

"Serena."

Nawala ang masayang aura sa paligid at napalitan iyon ng malamig na hangin. Muling bumalik ang tensiyon na dati nang nawasak.

I laughed. "You're so tense. Just give me what I want already."

"Hmm." tumingin si Destina sa paligid. "I believe you have a confusion to clear up first."

Sinunod ko ang ginawa niya't tinitigan rin ang paligid. An irritated sigh escaped me when I realized I actually have to explain to them.

Even Kiyara is frowning. "I take it you know each other?"

I nodded. Here goes nothing.

"Destina and I are from the same organization." sagot ko. "Anathema. A group that focuses on bringing freedom to ability users. We attack military groups that are specialized on hunting us."

They looked at me incredulously. Nagulat ata na tinawag ko lang ang Headmaster sa pangalan nito. But we don't really use polite expressions so much. Kaya ko rin minsan nakakalimutan tawagin na Sir at Miss ang mga guro dito.