A Thousand-Year Old Prophecy

34: Money Problem

Hindi na gaanong ininda ni Nyssa ang pang-iisnob ni Toby sa kanya.

Well, she had something to distract her anyway.

With the upcoming Martial Arts Test and Central City Festival, she had a lot of things to do.

"First, I need money. Paano ako makakapagregister sa festival competition kung wala akong pera?

"Let's see what my options are...

"Alexandra will surely send me some allowance this week. If I can make a call to her before that, baka maconvince ko pa siya na dagdagan ang ipapadala niya."

"And if she doesn't? Anastasia might be favored by Czar but Alexandra would not spoil her like that. Bakit di ka na lang dumeretso kay Czar?" Maru challenged her.

"I won't be able to pay it back kapag sa kanya ako dumeretso. He won't allow me to pay."

Maru raised an eyebrow habang pinapanood na magparoo't parito sa dorm room si Nyssa.

"I will try borrowing from Alexandra first. Let me think about the problem at the moment. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko eh."

"Wow, ha. Tagal mong nag-isip at naghhaywire agad yang kakarampot mong brain cells?"

"Hay nako. Bakit kaya di na lang kayo ni Toby ang maging magmaster? Bagay kayo eh. Tabil pa lang ng dila."

"Ooopsies..." Biglang lumipad si Maru.

Nyssa's glares followed her hanggang sa dumapo siya sa balikat ni Toby who was standing at the door and obviously, heard what she had said.

Her jaw dropped for a moment tapos ay inirapan siya ni Toby.

Saka lang siya napaayos ng expression niya at mas lalong sinamaan ng tingin si Maru who was evidently smirking at her with its bird face.

"Tch..."

***

"Dagdag? For what?" Mataray pa na pagkakatanong ni Alexandra sa kanya.

Kasalukuyang kahologram video call ito and she just said what she needed to the older lady.

"W-well... I need money eh. May bibilhin lang ako. Babayaran ko din naman."

Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Alexandra.

"And that is..."

Napaiwas ng tingin si Nyssa and touched her nose.

"Do you really need to be this nosey?"

Mahina lang niyang sabi but Alexandra heard it.

When she looked at the latter again, she saw her expression changed.

She smiled awkwardly and gave her a peace sign.

Inirapan lang siya ni Alexandra then breathed deeply.

"I cannot send you more money than the usual, Anastasia."

"Eh? Is it because I called you nosey?"

Napapikit si Alexandra. Talaga naman. Kung mababatukan lang niya si Nyssa, ginawa na niya eh.

"No, you dolt. Kung ako ang nagmamanage ng pera ng Meng family, malamang yun ang reason. But...

"It is being oversee by Astra at the moment. So unless you ask her to send more money to you, maisasabay ko pa yun kapag nagpadala ako ng allowance sayo."

Alexandra saw the changes to her younger sister's face. From disappointment to annoyance to sighing.

"If that's the case, then I guess I need to look for another way of having money."

"You can ask father, you know. Walang magagawa si Astra if you ask him."

"Ayoko. He won't let me pay that for sure. Utang na pera ang kailangan ko, hindi utang na loob."

Alexandra was silent for a moment.

What Nyssa had said was too cold. Para bang hindi sila pamilya nito. But knowing her younger sister, it could be just a slip of the tongue.

"Ana, Papa won't like it if he hears your words just now."

Nyssa opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again as she realized what Alexandra meant.

She coughed.

"Sorry. I'll be more careful around father."

Alexandra rolled her eyes. So kapag kaharap lang ang tatay nila saka siya mag-iingat?

But then again, she realized that she would really like to figure out her younger sister more.

It was true. She had never this comfortable talking around her.

Probably because Anastasia used to be aloof towards her. Sa lahat ba naman ng pambubully niya dito noon kasabay sila Astra, Ariana at Alyanna.

There was even a point na naisip niya na baka iniisip na nitong kaaway siya na nito.

She didn't do anything though. She had to continue her facade to protect her.

Until she got her accident...

Who would have thought she would change this much?

"Oh well, I'll find more money on my own then. Thanks for your time, Big Sis."

Alexandra raised an eyebrow towards Anastasia.

Sa sobrang eager nito na magkaroon ng extra money, parang gusto niyang kabahan ah. Parang may hindi maganda itong gagawin eh.

"May kalokohan kang gagawin no?" Pinaningkitan pa niya ito.

"Wala no. Grabe ka talaga sa akin, Alexandra." Reklamo nito sa kanya.

She could have laughed dahil sa expression nito. But she stopped herself by means of a cough.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Anastasia.

"Anyway, holiday yung week after ng Martial Arts test niyo. Umuwi ka ha. Sumabay ka kay Zaki."

Nyssa just nodded without looking at her.

After that ay nagpaalam na si Alexandra at namatay na ang hologram.

She, on the other hand, just breathed deeply.

She needed a Plan B.

***