Into the Realm of Fiction (Published under PaperInk Imprints)

Kabanata 9

HINILA ni Eziyah ang kaniyang alaga nang mag-akma itong kagatin ang mansanas na nakalagay sa tindahan.

“Do you want to eat that?”

Atlanta let out a tiny noise.

Bumili siya ng sampung piraso ng mansanas bago maglakad ulit papunta sa magic tower. Doon siya namamalagi at doon din siya lumaki. Ang duke ang kumupkop sa kaniya matapos siyang makatakas sa mga maharlika ng katabing bansa. Ibinenta siya ng kaniyang mga magulang bilang alipin dahil wala na itong mapakain pa sa kaniya no’ng bata pa siya.

He wasn’t blessed with wealth and honor, for he was only born as a son of a peasant, the lowest class in their society. If he could be thankful for something despite not having a good background, it would be his light element magic. He was poor, yet he was still gifted by overwhelming mana.

It was one of the reasons why the duke didn’t hesitate to raise him in the magic tower.

“You seem extra cheerful these days.” He chuckled while giving his pet another apple.

Atlanta was a 5-month old baby. Lalaki pa ito kagaya ng isang dragon kapag umabot na ito ng dalawang taon.

Handa na siyang gamitin ang kaniyang light magic upang mapabilis ang pagdating niya sa tore nang may babaeng lumapit sa kaniya.

“Lady Gisela,” bati niya rito.

Ngumiti naman ito sa kaniya. May hawak itong basket habang ang isang kamay ay nakahawak sa hat upang ‘di malipad ng hangin.

The noon was hot yet breezy.

Biglang sumagi sa isipan niya si Yophiel. The wind reminded him of her.

“Sir Eziyah, how have you been? Ilang araw rin tayong hindi nagkita,” saad ni Lady Gisela. Sinabayan nito ang kaniyang paglalakad.

“I’m fine.” Bahagyang napakunot ang noo niya nang biglang magtago si Atlanta sa kaliwa niyang braso at ginamit ang kakayahan nitong maging invisible.

“Aw. He doesn’t really like me,” nakasimangot na sabi ng babae habang nakatingin sa nagtatagong Atlanta.

“Atlanta is not really friendly,” he replied.

Napaisip din siya dahil kahit isang beses hindi lumapit si Atlanta kay Lady Gisela. Kahit ilang beses na nitong nakita ang babae, ayaw pa rin nitong lumapit. Pero pagdating kay Yophiel, dumidikit kaagad ito.

“Are you going home?” she asked.

Tumango naman siya. Alam nito na nakatira siya sa magic tower dahil nag-aral din ang babae ro’n. Doon niya nakilala si Lady Gisela. He couldn’t understand why he always find himself looking at the woman. His eyes had been locked up to her the moment she saw her.

Was he in love with her? The question had been running in his head for some time. He couldn’t feel anything towards the woman, yet he was drawn to her as if someone was telling him to set his heart only for her.

Binalik na lang niya ang atensyon sa daan. Nahagip ng kaniyang mga mata ang isang flower shop at nakita niya roon ang bulaklak na binigay niya kay Yophiel kagabi.