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Lumabas ako sa kwarto ko at naabutan ko si Viena. Ngumiti siya sa'kin, I smiled back.

"Sabay na tayo." Sabi niya, I nod.

"Saan ka pala galing kanina?" Tanong ko sakanya.

Nakita ko kasi siya sa labas at nadaanan namin ang isa't-isa. Kaso mukhang hindi niya ako napansin sa kakamadali niya.

"To them," When she said that I already have a clue. "They want us to give you immediately or else..." hindi ko na siya pinatapos.

Talagang gumagawa sila ng paraan para makuha ako. Hindi lang naman sila ang may paraan para mapabagsak kami. They play tricky and dirty, so we are. Marami pa akong hindi alam tungkol sa Ordus I neet to search more about them. Bakit humantong sa ganitong sitwasyon, na kailangan nilang maging sakim. Gusto ko silang ubusin but still there's a part of me says no.

"We'll make a plan," I muttered. "We'll make a plan to get your love ones there as soon as possible. I'll make sure on that." Tinignan ko si Viena.

I won't disappoint them, gagawa ako ng paraan para matulungan sila. I hope my knowledge will help them.

"Maraming salamat Neah." Nakita ko ang galak sa mukha ng kaibigan ko. I want to see that face of her always not often once.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad na dalawa ni Viena. The atmosphere of the field is still the same, ang sarap sa pakiramdam. May snow parin dito, parang nasa ibang bansa kami. When I'm here at this World I see the unexpected things turns out to be possible.

Ilang buwan na pala ang nagdaan simula nong nandito ako. Hindi ko man lang namalayan ng panahon. I'm thankful that Grandma send me here, if it's not because of her I wouldn't met this wonderful people around me. I may not that showy to my feelings towards them but they know how much they worth to me.

"Nandiyan na pala kayo!" Binati kami ni Carley pagdating namin doon. Nasa isang food court kaming walo ngayon. Having a bonding together with friends.

"Umupo na kayo." Sabi ni Eli. Umupo kami ni Viena sa bakanteng upuan.

I miss this, na miss ko silang maka sama na kumain. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. It's been awhile since it last happened. We been through a lot together guys, I hope our bonds will be stronger more and more.

Natapos na kaming kumain at ngayon ay naglalakad lakad kami ngayon dito sa field. Si Carley laging naglalaro sa mg booth na nadadaanan namin. Si Enoch naman lagi siyang sinusuway, I feel like they have this romantic feelings towards each other, they look like a dog and cat who always throw barbs.

"You'll always smiling since then," He whispered. Is he observing me again? Napailing nalang ako. "You look lika a crazy woman." I heard him chuckled.

Kung alam lang niya ang dahilan kung bakit ako mukhang timang na kanina pa nakangiti dito.

"I love the way I see you smile."

"I love myself too." I said to him.

Bigla siyang natahimik pagkatapos ko iyong sabihin. I don't have a plan to be sarcastic to him, pero natutuwa akong barahin siya.

"That's new, you always look down on yourself that you can't even trust yourself. I feel fortuitous on those words coming from you." Then Asher pat my head.

Dinaanan lang niya ako at diretso sa paglalakad.

Sometimes I asked myself if I had an affection on him or I am infatuated in him. But no, there's only one boy who I like the most and that's not him. I felt sorry because I can't reciprocate what he felt towards me.

"Ang lalim ng inisip mo," inakbayan ako ni Chance. I feeel my heart pounding, he always make me feel this way. I can't disregard the fact that Asher also make me feel like what I am feeling right now towards Chance... or maybe I just saw Asher as Chance.

"You seems bothered on what you feel right now."

"Hindi naman, sadyang masaya lang ako." Sabi ko sakanya.

"Hindi ka na nagsasabi sa'kin tungkol sa nangyayari sa'yo ngayon. Mukhang may bago ka ng best friend." Natawa ako. Nagtatampo ba siya? Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

"What if meron na nga?" I teased him. "Don't worry ikaw parin naman iyong original." I chuckled. Natawa rin siya sa sinabi ko.

"You really didn't change, you still know how to make me laugh." I saw him smiled. "By the way," he speak up. "Tomorrow is Christmas day in Mortal World."

Napaisip ako bigla. Pasko na pala bukas, hindi ko man lang namalayan. Na miss ko tuloy bumalik doon, na miss ko tuloy mamuhay ng normal kagaya ng dati.

But I can't, this is my fate. I am born to be here, I am born to be one of the Soldier here. I am not born on that world, I am born and destined to be here. But still I misses the atmosphere there, I can't disregard, that world was once a home to me.

"Yeah." I replied.

"You know what I miss that day we go to plaza and rest on the tree there and wait until 12 midnight to see the fire works together." Naalala pa pala niya iyon. Isa lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit ako bumabalik doon.

Dahil sakan'ya, kay Chance.

"I miss that time too." I said and look down.

"Neah," pinaharap ako ni Chance sakanya. I feel my heart racing again.

"What if..." I saw a grin in his face. Anong iniisip ng lalaking to? Parang may masama siyang gagawin dahil sa mukha niya ngayon.

"What if we go to mortal world?" He suggested. Did I heard it right? He want to go to mortal world, how possible is that?

"Paano?" Tanong ko.

"There's a portal between this world and mortal world. Kaso baka susuka ka," I saw him smiled, yung ngiting mapang-asar. "Kidding." Then he chuckled.

Gusto niya talaga akong pinag tri tripan ha? Hindi ka na nasanay Neah eh ganyan naman talaga siya simula palang.

"Anyway we can go to mortal World if you want to." He said confidently. Isn't it restricted? Baka kasi mapagalitan kami pagbalik namin dito. The worse is baka maparusahan din kami. I don't want that to happened.

"Hindi ba tayo mapapagalitan?" Tanong ko sakanya. Umiling lang siya.

"Pupunta kayo sa mortal world?" Excited na tanong ni Carley. Did she hear that? Napalakas ata ang usapan namin ni Chance.

"Talaga Neah?" Pati si Carla excited na tinanong ako. I think I can't get away from this.

"We're planning to go." I answered them.

"We should grab it!" Sabay na sabi ng kambal at nag appear.

"Hoy teka anong pinag-usapan niyo sali kami jan." Sabi ni Enoch at lumapit sa'min. Nagsilapitan na din ang iba.

"Pupunta tayong mortal world!" Excited na sabi ni Carley. She really that hyper huh, hindi pa ba siya nakakapunta sa mortal world.

"Aba sama kami jan." Agad na sabi ni Enoch. Yung plano na kaming dalawa lang ni Chance nadagdagan ng anim na tao.

Ang daldal talaga ni Carley, well hindi na bago. Ayos na rin na sasama sila, para naman makita nila kung gaano kaganda ang mortal world. Kung gaano kaganda ang lugar na pinaggalingan ko noon.

"That's good that we go there, tomorrow is mortal World Christmas day. Mukhang mag-e enjoy kayo doon, it would be better if we go there today." Sabi ni Eli. She's right, our friends might be enjoy the mortal world since there's a lot of fun right now since it's Christmas in Mortal world.

"Good idea, Eli." Agad na sang-ayon ng kapatid niya.

"Matanong ko lang," Carla speak up.

"It's my first time to heard the word Christmas, what was that mean?" She asked. Hindi nga pala nila naranasang tumira sa mortal world.

"Me too." Viena second the motion.

"Me three." Si Carley.

"Christmas is the birth of Christ. Pasko naman kung tawagin sa filipino," Sagot ko. "If you'll go to mortal world, I know you will enjoy Christmas season." I continue and smiled.

"Ikaw Asher alam mo ba ang tungkol sa Christmas ng mga mortal?" Biglang tanong ni Viena. I almost forgot that he's here.

"I heard that word already but I don't know anything about related to that word." He answered. Napatingin ako sakanya dahil sa sinagot niya kay Viena.

Where and when did he heard that word? But I am not in the position to asked.

"Ngayon na ba tayo aalis?" Tanong ni Carley. Tumingin sa'kin si Chance at nagsalita.

"Aalis na ba tayo ngayon Neah?" He asked. They're all waiting on my permission.

"Oo kung gusto niyo," sagot ko. "Pero pwede bang magpaalam muna ako kay lola?"

"Oo naman." Agad na sagot ni Carley at Carla. Halatang excited na excited silang makapunta sa Mortal World. I saw an excitement on Viena's face too.

"Shall we go to Harvena now?" Asher interrupt. I nod to them. Naghawak kami ng mga kamay na lahat at sabay-sabay na nag teleport papuntang Harvena. Narating namin ang gate ng Harvena, binati kami ng mga kawal pagpasok namin noon.

May nagbago sa mga kawal namin dahil may kwintas sila ngayon, no designs at all. Nakapulupot lang hanggang sa leeg nila.

"Mahal na Prinsesa." Ano daw, mahal na Prinsesa? That's unusual. They're not calling me like that last time.

"Neah will do." I said to them and bowed.

"Nandito ba kayo para dalawin ang lola mo?" Tanong ng isang kawal.

"Oo." Sagot ko.

"Wala siya dito ngayon, nasa Avelon siya at may pagpupulong sila ngayon. Ayaw ng lola mo na magpa istorbo ng kahit sino, kaya maari na po kayong umalis." Sabi ng kawal. Oh, ganito pala maging reyna.

"Thank you for the information, you can tell my grandmother that I'll be going to Mortal world first. She don't have to worry about me, I'll be going together with my friend's." I said to the soldier.

"Masusunod." The soldier bow in front of me.

Tinignan ko ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Tara na, wala dito si lola eh." Sabi ko sakanila.

"Yes, pupunta na tayong mortal World." Masayang sambit ni Carley.

"Shut up will you? We'll be going there obviously." Inis na sabi ni Enoch ngunit inirapan lang siya ni Carley.

"I'm just excited." She replied.

Naglakad lang kami. Dahil sabi naman nila na malapit lang dito sa palasyo ang portal papuntang mortal world.

'Neah,' I heard him in my mind.

'Yes?' I said.

'I'm excited to go on Mortal world too.' He muttered. I'm glad that he feel that way.

'That's good, I hope you will enjoy there.' I said and continue walking. Naramdaman kong umakbay siya sa'kin.

'Bakit?' I asked him.

'Nothing, I just feel uncomfortable back when we're in Harvena lately.' He said.

'Bakit naman?' tanong ko.

'I can't tell Neah, basta parang may hindi maganda. As much as possible stay on my side when we get in mortal World,' Inalis niya ang kamay niya sa pagkaka-akbay sa'kin at hinawakan ako.

'What if we will not go there now? Ayaw kong mapahamak kayo.' Tumingin ako sakanya ng diretsl sa mga mata.

'Nothing bad will happened to us Asher. If that's happen I won't let them touch anyone of you.' I assured him.

'I won't let them lay a finger on you either,' Then he suddenly grab me and hug me tightly.

'I can't afford to see you hurt.' He whispered.

'I'll be okay.' I smiled at him. Bakit ba siya ganyan magsalita para namang mapapahamak kami. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang mapa-isip sa mga sinabi niya.

"Nandito na tayo." Sabi ni Chance. Napatingin ako sa tinuro niya. Wala namang meron puno at mga bulalak lang ang nandto. Wait I remembered this place!

Ito yung ginising ako ni lola dahil nandito na daw kami sa Mania World. Naramdaman ko pa nga noon na parang naintindihan ko ang mga bulaklak. Where's the portal did Chance mean? Wala naman akong nakikita eh. Lumapit si Chance sa isang puno na nasa harapan namin. May alikabok ito, hinawi ni Chance ang alikabok ng puno at may nakita akong nakasulat doon.

"Let it be open,
For we will go and be free." After he said that there's a big portal in our front tinangay kami nito at inikot ikot, nahihilo ako what the!

Totoo pala yung sinabi ni Chance na maari akong masuka sa portal na to. Bumagsak kami sa lupa at may muntikan akong babaeng mabangga.

"Sus mariyahosep ka!" Napahawak sa kaniyang puso ang ginang.

"Wala ka naman dito sa harapan ko kanina." Sabi niya at tinignan ako ng mariin. Think Neah think.

"Ah sorry po, baka hindi niyo ako namalayan." I apologized.

"Neah." I heard a voice from my back. Nandoon pala sila sa likuran ko. Umalis na iyong ginang na muntikan kong mabangga. I felt relief muntikan na akong mahuli.

"Ito na ba ang mortal World?" I see amusement in Carley's eyes. I nod.

"Ang ganda." Sabay na sabi ng tatlo, sina Carley, Carla at Viena.

"Bakit parang nasa gubat tayo?" Tanong ni Carla.

"Follow me." Chance said.

Sumunod kami sa kanya at paghawi niya sa isang halaman ay nakita ko ang mga naglalakihang gusali.

This is it!

I'm back in the home where I was once live. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

"Omg ang laki naman ng mga buildings dito!" Excited na sabi ni Carley.

"Shut up, ang ignorante mo." Inis na wika ni Enoch.

"Alam mo ang kj mo." Inis rin na saad ni Carley.

"Oh baka magkatuluyan kayo niyan ha." Carla teased them. Napatawa nalang kami, maliban kay Asher. But I saw he smiled.

"Hindi mangyayari iyan, itaga mo pa sa noo mo." Sabi ng kapatid niya. Nagkakaaminan na sila noon ah pero parang aso't pusa parin. Napa-iling nalang ako.

"My problema ka sa noo ko?" Tanong ng kapatid niya.

"Oo, parang rising sun." Natatawang sagot ni Carley.

"Baka nakakalimutan mo, we're identical." Napa-iling nalang ako tsaka nagsimula na kaming maglakad. Some times I felt unconscious pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao.

"Ang ganda pala dito sa mortal world," Nakangiting sabi ni Viena habang kausap si Chance.

"Mortal world is really different from Mania, walang away, gulo at iba pa." Dagdag niya.

"This world can be perfect." Ngumiti siya habang ginagala ang nga mata at tinitignan ang paligid.

"Hindi rin, kasi may mga pumapatay parin ng tao dito. Hindi para sa kapangyarihan kun'di para sa pera," I said interrupting her.

"May mga halang na kaluluwa din dito. Criminals are not only existing in Mania World but also in this world. Siguro mas marami nga ditong mga kriminal eh." I continue.

"There's no such world as perfect as what you're imagining now." I said. Natahimik si Viena.

"But I think this world is better than Mania World." She replied. I don't think so, nagkibit lang ako nang balikat bilang sagot.

"If I wout be given a chance I want to live here." Viena said.

"We have the same goal," Chance spoke.

"If I would be given a chance again, gusto kong manatili dito at hindi na bumalik doon." Nakita ko kung paano ngumiti ng mapait si Chance.

"But that's impossible." They both muttered. Ako na nakikinig sakanila ay napabuntong hininga nalang.

One day your goals will come true. I am sure of that.

"Mga Ma'am at Sir hindi po ba kayo sasakay?" Tanong ni Manong driver ng jeep. Umiling ako bilang sagot.

"Doon lang po kami panong, no need po." I said.

Diretso lang kami sa paglalakad, minsan nag sta stop kami tuwing may nagagandahan sina Carley, Carla at Viena kaso naalala namin wala pala kaming mga pera.

"Bakit kaya ganito dito, kailangan pa ng pera. Wala bang libre dito Neah?" Tanong ni Carla.

"Walang libre dito, kailangan mong magtrabaho para may pambayad ka sa mga bibilhin mo." Sagot ko.

"Ay meganon?" She pout.

"Mukha kang baboy pag nakanguso." Sabi ni Enoch.

"Umamin ka nga sa'kin..." Biglang nabaling ang atensiyon niya kay Enoch. "May gusto ka talaga sa'kin noh? Kanina ko pa nahahalata eh. Halos lahat ng ginagawa ko alam mo." Confident na sabi ni Carley.

"Alam mo assuming ka." Sabi ni Enoch pero nakikita ko kung paano namula ang tenga niya pagkatapos sabihin iyon ni Carley.

"Hindi rin, nagsasabi lang ng totoo, kasi ako what if gusto talaga kita?" Nakangiting sabi ni Carley. Kung kanina ang pula ng tenga ni Enoch pati mukha niya namula na.

Unang tumawa si Carley dahil sa mukha at reaksyon ni Enoch. Mas tamang sabihin na halakhak pala iyon, sunod na tumawa ang kambal niya at si Eli. Pati ako natawa sa tawa nila. Is this normal? Yung natatawa ka dahil sa tawa nila, hindi dahil sa sitwasyon.

"Is that you Neah?" That voice. Biglang nangdilim ang paningin ko ng makilala ko kung sino iyon.

She's the girl who bullied me since I'm kid up until now. Kung dati hindi ko siya nilalaban well now I have a courage to defend myself now.

"Reyah." I muttered her name.

Mania World: The Imprecation of Prophecy
By DeeYanny
Plagiarism is a crime

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