The Sun's Vessel (Deities in Town, #1)

Chapter 4 : The Last Vessel

Halos walang tulog si Eliane kagabi kaya naman antok na antok siyang bumangon. Maaga pa rin siyang nagising dahil nasanay na ang katawan niya. Mabuti na lang at Sabado na at walang pasok dahil hindi talaga gumagana ang utak niya.

She was still hung up on Cyrus' words last night. If what he said was true, the strange incidents the past few days might be linked to whatever he was talking about. Mukhang minumulto nga yata siya.

Mukhang tama si Mama kahit papaano, sa isip niya.

Sinubukan niya na lang gawin ang thesis niya sa malapit na café dahil hindi siya makapag-focus sa apartment. Fortunately, she had gathered new information from the Estrella's sanctum that would make her manuscript more read-worthy. Bandang tanghali ay nag-order siya ng carbonara pero napatigil siya nang makita niya ang bagong pasok sa coffee shop.

Their gazes met, but she averted it and marched back to her table. She could see from her peripheral vision that Jaren was telling his order at the counter. Eliane tensed when he was given the beeper and walked toward her direction.

"El," tawag nito.

"Ano?" malamig niyang tanong habang nananatili ang kanyang tingin sa laptop.

Jaren sat right across her. "Kumusta thesis mo?"

She glared at him in return. "Alam mo—"

"Sorry, okay?" he interrupted. "I was harsh."

Tinitigan niya naman ang kaibigan. She knew he was sincere because he was fidgeting with his black beaded bracelet. Jaren would always do that whenever he needed courage or when he's vulnerable.

Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay napabuntonghininga siya. "Sorry din," she muttered. "I stormed off in anger."

Nagsimula ang pag-uusap nila sa sorry pero agad ding nagsumbatan ang dalawa. Normal naman na sa kanila 'yon at isa rin iyon sa mga paraan para malaman nila kung saan sila nagkamali. But truth be told, Eliane had almost forgotten about their quarrel because of what had happened the past few days. But she was happy that they finally reconciled and could joke around again.

"Do you want me to check your thesis again?" Jaren teased while pointing at her laptop.

She groaned. "No, thanks. Masakit ka mag-review, e. Mamaya, magkaroon na naman tayo ng cold war."

He chuckled in response. "I'll try to be less blunt."

"Siguraduhin mo lang."

Nag-stay na rin si Jaren doon kahit ang balak lamang nito ay mag-take out ng kape. He said he missed her quite a bit, especially since she was one of the two people he only trusts, the other himself.

Eliane came to a halt when she heard a sudden rumble from the sky. It was just 3 PM, but tumultuous clouds covered the sky.

"May bagyo ba?" she asked warily.

Jaren shrugged. "Ewan. I'll check." He got busy with his phone, and several minutes later, he frowned. "Wala naman, sabi ng PAG-ASA. There are no thunderstorm warnings, too." Lumingon siya at tumingin sa labas. "Bakit kaya ang dilim?"

Nagsitayuan ang balahibo ni Eliane. She was not sure if it was related to the incidents she had witnessed, but it looked like the unfortunate events were still following her.

"Mukhang malakas ang ulan mamaya. Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?" tanong nito.

"Ah, may imi-meet pa ako later."

As if on cue, her phone rang. Cyrell's name appeared on her screen, and she immediately answered the call.

"Hello?"