Tacenda (GxG)

Prologue

Bonjour my fellow writer, Serafina Teo Fabian. I've chosen to take you as my apprentice and welcome you into my territory. Now it's your turn to choose.
Would you rather be known as my apprentice or as the person who outwitted me?

You'll have to stay in my mansion. Inside the mansion, only you and the other fellow writers will be gathered, along with the necessary items.

Must be present on the big day are: daily needs, you and your brain of yours.

Feel free to ignore my invitation, and I'll take it as a sign that I misjudged your potential to fulfill my challenge.

You need to survive in order to be the best.

Paint me as a Villain.
- Mangata Súton.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my freaking God!"

I find it hard to believe. The well-known author, Mangata Suton sent me an invitation. Is this for real? Hindi naman prank 'to 'di ba? Para sigurado ay chineck ko ulit yung email, I even searched for her email online kung magtutugma ba 'to sa sender ng email na natanggap ko. Muli akong napatili nang magtugma ang dalawang email. Does it mean I can see her up close? As in harap-harapan? Makakausap ko siya face to face?!

Biglang nagbukas ang pinto ng kwarto ko, "Anak, napano ka?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni mommy.

"Mommy!"Humarap ako sa kaniya at patakbong niyakap ito.

"Nak! It's already late in the evening, wag kang sumigaw." Saway ni mama.

Humiwalay ako kay mommy at nginitian ito ng malaki, "My favorite author sent me an invitation to her mansion!" I excitedly said. "Ma! It's Mangata Suton! The great Mangata Suton!"

"Calm down, Serafina. Are you sure na galing sa kaniya 'yan?" Nag-aalangan na tanong ni mommy.

"101 percent sure! I've already checked it over and over again!" Does it mean nakitaan niya ko ng talento sa pagsusulat?

"Congratulations! I'm really happy for you, nak!" Hinawakan ni mommy ang aking kabilaang pisngi, "This is your chance para ipakita sa kaniya ang mga works mo."

I smiled, napatingin ako sa bookshelf ko na nasa likod ni mama kung saan nakalagay ang complete collection ko ng mga libro ni Mangata Suton. Isa pa pala 'to na dapat kong isipin, I can't bring them all. Ano kaya ipapa autograph ko sa kaniya? She never had a fan meeting kaya never ko pa siyang nakita.

"Hey, nak." Tinapik ni mama ang pisngi ko, "don't tell me ngayon ka pa mahihiya na ipakita sa kaniya ang mga gawa mo."

"What? No, mom. For sure naman nabasa niya na ang iba doon, kaya nga siguro nabigyan ako ng invitation."

"Then what bothers you?"

"Hindi ko alam kung alin sa mga libro niya ang dadalhin ko para mapa autograph."

Natawa si mama sa narinig, "ikaw talagang bata ka. Matulog ka na nga, bukas ka na magtititili at gabi na."

"Later, promise. Babasahin ko lang ulit yung invitation." I assured her.

"I'm so proud of you, Serafina." Inipit ni mama ang buhok ko sa likod ng kaliwang tenga ko.

I smiled widely, "Thanks, mommy."

"Goodnight, matulog ka na ha?"

Umalis si mommy pagkasabi niya no'n. I went back in front of my computer again at ninanamnam ang nakalagay sa invitation. I can't wait to see her. I'll definitely make the most out of it.

"Would you rather be known as my apprentice or as the person who outwitted me." Pagbasa ko sa isang linya sa invitation.

Why pick one if I can be both? Isa 'yan sa mga natutunan ko sa books niya, always be the different one. Ipapakita ko sa kaniya na I'm worthy of that invitation. I'll be her best apprentice that can beat her.

Bonjour my fellow writer, Zora Xanthe. I've chosen to take you as my apprentice and welcome you into my territory. Now it's your turn to choose.
Would you rather be known as my apprentice or as the person who outwitted me?

You'll have to stay in my mansion. Inside the mansion, only you and the other fellow writers will be gathered, along with the necessary items.

Must be present on the big day are: daily needs, you and your brain of yours.

Feel free to ignore my invitation, and I'll take it as a sign that I misjudged your potential to fulfill my challenge.

You need to survive in order to be the best.

Paint me as a Villain.
- Mangata Súton.

"Interesting." Nakatutok ang mata ko sa screen ng monitor ko habang nilalaro ang rubics cube na hawak ko. "Outwitted huh." Nilapag ko ang rubics sa ibabaw ng table at inikot pakaliwa. Napangisi ako ng buo na naman 'to.

"I'll surpass whatever that is." I put my eye glasses on the table and turned off my computer.

"Can't wait."

RD.