Card 2 ♠ Her Quest

[Mavis Alair Celestine]

It was a long, boring ride for the twins, but, not for me.

Hanggang ngayon, pinag-iisipan ko pa rin ang sinabi nila kanina. They assured me that their head master, one whom they referred to as Miss Elina, would help me find my mom, in exchange for my acceptance of the invitation for the upcoming Game of Cards. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang Game of Cards na sinasabi nila. I would’ve thought of it for a while, pero iba ang lumabas sa bibig ko. And the next thing I knew, nagda-drive na kami papunta sa academy nila.

I let out a long, frustrating sigh. Tama ba ‘tong pinasok ko?

“Akira Seichi. King of Spades. House of Piques.”

Napatingin ako sa driver seat kung saan nakaupo ang lalaking nagngangalang Akira Seichi. Inilabas niya ang badge at itinapat ito sa maliit na square machine for security pass. In just a few seconds, naramdaman ko ang mahinang pagyanig ng lupa habang dahan-dahang nagbubukas ang malaking gate na nasa harap namin.

If the outside feature of their academy looks haunted and abandoned, the internal aspect is just its opposite. Kung titignan kasi sa labas, napapalibutan ito ng mga nagtataasang puno, and their wide fortress, which I hardly see both ends of it, is made up of grey stone bricks covered in thick, brownish vines. The place clearly states to keep out of it. But as we pass the gates, who would’ve thought that a paradise exists in here?

There is a ten-minute drive from the gates to the centre. Kaya pala nagrereklamo ang kambal kanina, nakakapagod ang byahe papunta rito. They were mentioning about a portal, pero hindi ko naman masyadong naintindihan. Still, how could they not appreciate this place? What lies beyond the driveway is a vast evergreen field. At yung mga puno dito, mayabong at malago, ibang-iba sa mga nakakatakot na puno sa labas. The leaves and grasses sway gently in the rhythm of the soft tune created by the wind. Samahan mo pa ng magagandang huni ng mga ibon na malayang nakakalipad sa asul na kalangitan.

The place looks serene, far away from the chaotic reality outside the gates.

Sa di kalayuan, natanaw ko ang isang puting mansyon. Dahan-dahang inikutan ni Seichi ang malaking fountain sa tapat nito, saka pumarada sa tapat ng puting staircases ng mansyon.

“Oy Eiji, nandito na tayo.” Pinalo niya ng mahina ang kakambal sa braso at saka lumabas ng sasakyan.

“Ah shit, inaantok pa ko.” Nag-inat si Eiji na nakaupo sa passenger’s seat. Buong byahe, wala siyang ginawa kundi matulog. Palibhasa, nanalo sa toss coin na ginawa nila ng kakambal kanina, kung sino ba ang magda-drive at kung sino ang hindi.

Nang lumabas si Eiji, doon ko lang narealize na wala talaga ata silang balak pagbuksan ako ng pinto ng sasakyan. Nagtuloy-tuloy lang silang dalawa paakyat doon sa mansyon. Napailing na lang ako at saka lumabas para sundan sila.

Pagdating ko sa may pintuan ng mansyon, isang lalaking nasa mid-20s ang naka-tuxedo at kausap ng kambal. Naramdaman ata nila ang presensya ko kaya napatigil sila sa pag-uusap at napatingin sakin.

“Celestine, Mavis Alair.” Lumapit sa akin yung lalaking naka-tuxedo at ininspeksyon ako mula ulo hanggang paa, saka tumango-tango. “I see.”

Inayos niya ang kanyang itim na salamin at inilahad ang kanyang kamay. “I am Professor Sebastian Xavier, one of the House’s instructor for music as well as the assigned lecturer for potions and spells. It is nice to finally meet you, Miss Celestine.”

Kinamayan ko siya at tumango. I wasn’t sure if my mind was playing with me but I had seen a faint glint in his eyes. His mysterious aura sent chills to my spine. It felt like he is hiding something behind that smile of his.

Matapos niya akong kamayan, humarap siya sa kambal. “Very well then, your task is done. You may now go back to your House. And as for you Miss Celestine, follow me this way. Miss Elina would like to see you.”

SInundan ko siya papasok sa loob ng masyon. We climbed the grand staircase that leads to its second floor. Doon, sumakay kami ng elevator and he pressed 12.

We were both silent until we reached the 12th floor. Naglakad pa kami sa mahabang pasilyo, bago marating ang isang arch-like oaken door na may kakaibang ukit sa harap nito.

Kumatok ng tatlong beses si Professor Sebastian. “Miss Elina, Miss Celestine has arrived.”

“Please send her in.”

Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko noong marinig ko ang boses niya. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko. Ganito rin ang naramdaman ko noong una akong makaharap ng ‘isa sa kanila’. Natatakot ba ako? Malumanay ang boses ni Miss Elina pero hindi ko alam kung bakit nakakaramdam ako ng takot.

“Miss Celestine,” bigla akong napatingin kay Professor Sebastian. Nakangiti ito habang hawak-hawak ang door knob ng nakabukas na pinto.

Tumango ako sa kanya at pumasok. Narinig ko na lang ang pagsara ng pinto sa likod ko, at ang mga yabag na papalayo mula sa kwarto.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at inilibot ang tingin sa buong lugar. May kalakihan ang kwarto, malinis, maayos ang mga gamit at ang mga libro ay maayos na nakapwesto sa apat na bookshelves na nakahilera. Maaliwalas tignan dahil sa puting pintura ng kwarto, idagdag mo pa ang dalawang naglalakihang bintana na nasa harapan ko. Mula dito, tanaw na tanaw ang dinaanan namin kanina, mula sa gate hanggang sa fountain.

 “It’s quiet and peaceful, isn’t it?” Doon ko lang napansin ang babae na nakatayo sa may gilid ng bintana at nakatanaw rin sa labas.

“Yes.”

Humarap siya sa akin at ngumiti. Mukhang magkasing-edad lang sila ni Professor Sebastian. Her shoulder-length hair black as the night sky rested freely and neatly on her shoulder. She was wearing formal attire with a badge pinned on the left side of her chest. Kahawig ng badge na iyon ang badge na hawak ni Seichi kanina, at nasa tuxedo ni Professor Sebastian. May ilang pinagkaiba lang, siguro dahil sa ranking na rin.

“I wish the whole world can be serene as that place. Sadly, as long as the hearts are corrupted and the Hollows lurk in the darkness, peace can never reign.” Naging malungkot ang ngiti sa labi niya. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko kaya nanahimik na lang ako.

Matapos ang ilang segundong katahimikan, naglakad siya papunta sa lamesa niya. She motioned the chair in front of her, asking me to sit. Sumunod naman ako.

“What is bothering you Miss Celestine? Could you tell me about it?” diretsang tanong niya nang makaupo kami. “Tea or juice?”

Sasabihin ko ba ang tungkol sa nararamdaman kong takot?

“It’s classified information. If you don’t mind, I don’t want to talk about it. Tea please.”

“I see. You don’t want to talk about it,” ulit niya na para bang natutuwa siya sa sinabi ko. “Snacks?”

“Any sweets would do.”

“Very well then.” She rang the little bell twice and a servant came in, holding a tray. Inilapag niya ang dalawang plato ng chocolate cake kasama na dalawang teacups at sinalinan ito ng tsaa. Nagpasalamat si Miss Elina at nagbow naman ang servant.

Now that was fast.

“I presume that you have been informed about the agreement.”

“I only know about the invitation for the upcoming Card Games. I will represent you, in exchange for helping me find my mom.”

 “It’s a pretty fair deal,” pagpapatuloy ko. “Pero gusto ko po ninyong malaman na papayag lang ako sa agreement na ‘to kung ipapangako niyo sa ‘kin na hindi kayo titigil sa paghahanap kay mama hangga’t hindi niyo nakikita ang katawan niya.”

Lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya. “Is that all, my dear? Then it’s settled.”

Binuksan niya ang drawer at naglabas ng mga papeles. “You don’t have to worry Mavis, I will do everything under my power to find your mom. Naging malapit na rin siya sa pamilya.”

“Excuse me?” bigla akong napatingin sa kanya. Hindi ako sigurado sa narinig ko dahil ibinulong niya lang ang huling sinabi niya pero.. “Ano po ang tungkol kay mama?”

Bahagya siyang umiling. “Oh? Am I blabbing nonsense again? Pardon me. I do have a habit of that. Anyway, sign these papers for our agreement and for the application as a student in this House. From now on, you would attend daily training and nightshift academic classes. As a student, or should a say as a card player, you will have to stay inside the House unless you are permitted to cross the boundaries. Any violation against the House Rules would result to termination, including this contract. Further more questions about the House will be answered by the House President Card Player. Are we clear?”

“I do have a question about the upcoming Card Games. When is it and how does this event work?”

“My dear, you don’t have to worry for the event right now. I’ll give your further instructions when the time comes. What I want you to do for now is enjoy being a student of the House. This is a rare opportunity and I want you to seize it. Learn all the things you can, and be ready for the serious training that will come.”

Tumango ako at pinirmahan yung mga papeles. Pagkatapos ay ibinigay ko ulit ito sa kanya.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to—“

Biglang naputol ang sinasabi niya nang makarinig kami ng pagsabog.

May mga nagsisigawan sa labas ng kwarto, parang may pinipigilan sila. Lalong lumakas ang mga yabag sa may pasilyo, mga nagmamadaling lakad, nagtatakbuhan. Tinignan ko si Miss Elina, walang ka-ekspresyon-ekspresyon ang mukha niya.

Bahagya akong nagulat nang bumukas ang pinto. Nagsihulugan ang ibang libro nang tumama ng malakas ang pintuan sa dingding. Pumasok ang isang lalaki at dire-diretso ito sa harapan ni Miss Elina.

“Head Master, pasensya na po. Pinagsasabihan po namin siya pero—“

Itinaas ni Miss Elina ang isang kamay para patigilin ang guard. Nakakumpol pa sa likod niya ang ilan pang security.

“It’s okay. You may leave us.”

“Yes, Head Master.”

Itinuon ni Miss Elina ang atensyon sa lalaki. Hindi na siya nagulat pa nang ibagsak nito ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa.

“Why the fuck did you freeze my card?” Galit nitong tanong.

“Did you leave your manners again, Mr. Silverblaze?”

“Don’t fucking answer my question with another shitty question. You have fucking no right to joke around with me.”

“As your head master, I believe it is my duty to discipline you as long as you are inside this House. There are reports that you are not attending your night shift classes, thus having failing grades. Not only that, we have been receiving news that several students and teachers were complaining about your attitude. I think it is time for you to receive your disciplinary lesson.”

“Don’t fuck with me, Elina.”

“I expect you to move out from the House of Piques the day after tomorrow.”

“Where the fuck do you want me to live?”

“That, Mr. Silverblaze, is up to you. If you want your life back, you know what to do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still have my meeting with Ms. Celestine.”

“You’re gonna regret this, Elina.” Muli niyang binagsak ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin bago sinipa ang upuan na nasa tapat ko at saka umalis.

“Ah, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin sa batang ‘yon.” Hinilot-hilot ni Miss Elina ang magkabilang sentido niya. “I’m sorry you have to see that.”

“Okay lang po.”

“Well then this is the end of our meeting; I’ll leave the tour to the House President Card Player.”

Tumayo kaming dalawa at inilahad niya ang kanyang kamay. Kinuha ko naman ito.

“Welcome to the House of Cards, Mavis Alair Celestine. I do hope you enjoy your stay here.”

~

Kyamii's Note: Akira Twins at the right side. Credits to google for the picture. Next chapter: The House