Seraphic of the Dawn ✓

25 | Preliminaries (III)

The master of the ceremony called it a day, which gives us enough time to prepare for ourselves, those who still haven't been called, of course.

“Are you sure you're alright?” Shinoa asked Mika for the nth time already since we arrived here in our dorm. Mika sighed, but still answered Shi's countless questions.

“I am.” Mika smiled in assurance for both of us.

Nanatili akong tahimik at nakamasid sa kanila, lalo na sa kanya. Kahit na sabihin nyang ayos lang sya'y kitang-kita ang malaki nyang pagbabago. Tahimik na ito noon pa man ngunit kakaiba ang katahimikan nya ngayon. It was like something's bothering her even after what happened earlier, but knowing Mika, she won't tell it if she could handle it, and because she doesn't want to worry us.

Another thing, her aura changed. She looks like a different person. It seemed that I don't know her anymore, however, her warmth is still there, and it's what makes me hold still.

Indeed, a sudden change of a person can be brought indifference to those who've been with them for so long.

“Are you sure?” Shinoa asked again. This time, Mika chuckled without humor in her eyes.

Tumama ang tingin nito sa akin at nakita akong mariin ang tingin sa kanya. Something flicked inside her eyes before the side of her lips slowly fell before she sighed.

“Fine. I'm not.” Pag aamin nya pagkatapos nyang ibaba ang kanyang tingin sa kanyang mga palad.

Sa pagkakataong ito'y pakiramdam ko'y nakikita ko ang dating Mika na gagawin ang lahat upang huwag kaming mag-alala sa kung ano mang gumugulo sa kanyang utak.

“Ang daya, ha!” Boses ni Shinoa ang nangibabaw sa aking pandinig. “Ilang beses kitang pinilit pero hindi ka nagsalita, pero isang tingin lang ni Xiel ay napaamin ka kaagad. I can smell favoritism here!” Nagtatampo nitong sabi at umirap na aking nakita sa gilid ng aking mga mata.

“Hindi naman kasi 'to malaking malaki. . . I mean, you know. Hindi malalim na problema pero. . . aish!” Ginulo ni Mika ang kanyang buhok bago pabagsak na nahiga sa kanyang puting-puting kama.

Dahan-dahang naupo si Shinoa sa upuan na ang mga binti nito'y nasa pagitan ng dapat ay sandalan sa upuan. Very princess. Napailing na lamang ako at sumandal sa pinto papunta sa walk-in closet ni Mika.

“Still, it's a problem and we shouldn't ignore that. I thought we'll lift each other's burden? When you're here, not even saying anything that's bothering you. Right, Xiel?” Shi looked at me, asking for a companion that I nodded my head. She quickly faced Mika who's hugging her pillow tightly while looking at both of us. “See?” Shi added, smiling in assurance.

Mabilis na umupo si Mika sa kanyang kama habang nakanguso at yakap-yakap pa rin ang kanyang unan. “Kasi naman. . . fine!” Tumingin ito sa aming dalawa at paatras na umusog sa kanyang kama. “Lapit kayo, please!” Aniya, at tinapik ang espaso sa harap nito.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I don't understand why we have to, but we chose not to comment and follow her request. Umupo ako malapit sa headboard ng kama habang si Shi naman ay sa bandang dulo, pinapagitnaan si Mika.

Sumandal ako aa headboard at humalukipkip.

“Spill.” Tamad na tamad kong sabi. Tumikhim si Mika, nag iwas ng tingin at parang nakikipagdebate pa rin sa kanyang isipan hanggang sa napagpasyahan nitong sabihin sa amin.

She faced us, seriousness and fear are now visible on her face as she gazes through me.

“I saw Phoebe's fear, yet what confused me is that. . . isn't fear her ability? That should make her fearless, right?” She lowered her head and played with her hands intertwined on her closed thighs as I was suddenly drowned by my deep thoughts.