Eukrania Academy

CHAPTER 8: Taste Of Longing

"Welcome to our team, Alvira!"

Tila nag-echo sa aking pandinig ang magaganda nilang boses. Lumapit sila sa akin habang hawak-hawak ni Alice ang cake, si Erica at Miguel sa banner at si George naman ang nag-pop ng confetti. Abot-tenga ang ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha. Tila ba sobrang galak nila na naging miyembro ako ng grupo nila.

"It's just a simple celebration, but we're hoping it's enough to make you feel home," Alice said.

"The moment you agreed to join our team, we were swallowed by an overwhelming happiness," Erica added.

"Yes that's true, indeed," Miguel.

"So would you like to say anything?" George asked me. "You're speechless, huh." He chuckled.

"Can I put these uniforms in my room first?" I laughed. I quickly ran into my room, and put it on my closet. I suddenly stopped for awhile to take a deep breath, then got outside.

"Seriously guys, you didn't have to do it. Because the way you treat me is more than enough to feel like I belong here— to feel like home," I genuinely said. "But honestly speaking, I am thankful for this. Thank you. I truly appreciate it."

It's ironic that I was refusing them all along before, and now we're here living in the same place. But being around them is not that bad at all.

"What are we waiting for? Let's eat."

Nagsimula na nga kaming magkainan. Ito na ba ang sinasabi nilang "simple celebration"? Kasi ang dami ng pagkain na nakahain sa mesa, iba't ibang putahe— mahihiya talaga ang salitang "simple" dito. Hindi ako pamilyar sa ibang pagkain na narito, tanging roast chicken at beef lang ang alam ko. Mayroon ding desserts and sweets.

Napatingin kami sa pintuan nang bumukas ang pinto, at iniluwa ang lalaking mukhang pinagkaitan ng mundo sa hitsura nito.

"Hey, Tyrone, come here, let's eat," George.

Hindi siya nagsalita. Akala ko hindi niya tatanggapin ang alok sa kanya, pero ikinabigla ko ang biglaan niyang pag-upo sa upuan sa tabi ko. He served his own food, and started eating. I saw the look of confusion in their faces as if they're not expecting this. But then, a smile eventually appeared.

~•~

Noong araw ding iyon, iginala nila ako sa buong academy. Mula registrar office, admission office, conference and meeting hall, event hall, school clinic, cafeteria, classrooms, laboratory rooms (such as chemistry lab and kitchen lab), P.E area, basketball court, volleyball court, tennis court, swimming area, pati hanggang sa kasuluk-sulukan ng building ay parang nilibot na namin.

Patuloy lang kaming naglalakad ngayon sa garden ng academy, at kamangha-mangha ang magandang tanawin nito. May sarili itong gate na may nakaukit na Aurelius Garden sa itaas, pinaghalong kulay ginto at itim. Pagkapasok namin, iba't ibang klase ng halaman, bulaklak, at makukulay na paru-paro ang nakita ko. Mas lalo pang lumitaw ang kagandahan nito dahil sa liwanag na nanggagaling sa sikat ng papalubog na araw. Mayroon ding parang wishing well sa gilid, at isang magarbong fountain sa gitna.

"This area is specialized for those who have spell-like ability. Witch crafting and healing are also part of it," Erica explained. "So basically, this place is dear to my heart."

She's the support of their team, so this place indeed has a huge part in her skills and abilities. As per what she said, aside from their in-born healing power, it's also part of their task to learn how to use different kinds of plants as an alternative in case they don't have enough magic energy. It would be a big help especially that an annual game happens.