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"Reyah." I muttered her name. Reyahonne Chaser a girl who hate me the most here in mortal world. Let's say that they have the same attitude with Lexis but I prefer Lexis than her I think.

"Glad and you still remember me," I saw her smirk. As usual kasama niya ang dalawa niyang kaibigan. Kaibigan nga ba? Maybe they're just using each other. Now that I can read them.

"Did you remember that you still need to pay." Kumunot ang noo ko sa tinuran niya. Me? Ano bang utang ko sakanya?

"Sorry but I can't remember my bad." I said. Nakita ko kung paano niya nginitngit ang ngipin niya. Lumapit siya sa'kin at akmang sasabunutan ako pero may kamay na humawak sakanya.

I thought it was Chance but no, It's Asher.

Nakita ko kung paano mas sumama ang mukha niya. Kalaunan ay ngumisi rin.

"Hindi na pala si Chance ang tagapagligtas mo, you have your new knight in shining armor." Then she chuckled.

"Called it whatever you want, but don't you dare touch her again. I don't think twice to kill you woman." Seryosong sabi ni Asher.

Ops, wag niyang insultuhin ang taong may maliit na pasensya. Nakita ko kung paano nawalan ng kulay ang mukha niya.

"I-i can put you in jail if I want to." She said that while stammering.

"Wanna bet on me?" Asher grinned. Hinila ko nalang siya, para maawat na. Minsan napaka childish din ng lalaking ito.

"Pagsisisihan mong binangga mo ako." Sabi ni Reyah.

"What's happening here?" That voice. Napangiti ako.

"Reyah, what are you-- Neah?" Hindi niya natapos ang itatanong niya kay Reyah ng makita ako.

"Hi Xine, It's me." I answered.

"It's been awhile since I last saw you here. How are you?"

"I'm good." I answered.

"I miss you Neah." She hugged me.

Rexine Chaser an older sister of Reyah. They're sisters but they're rivals. 

"Hey sis.." napatingin kami kay Reyah na umiiyak. What happened to her, then there she showed us her scars. My eyes widened, where did she get that scars. Kaso nawala agad iyon noong mabasa ko ang iniisip niya. "That girl... she did this to me..." Then she cried more. Nagsisimula na itong dumugo.

She tried to put me and my friend in jail huh? Ipapamukha niya na kami ang may gawa non. All she need is thw trustworthy of her sister, her sister side. But it's quite impossible to happened, since her and her sister is a rival. I can't disregard that people change in a quick.

Her acting skills again. Will her sister buy that?

"Hey you woman, Neah didn't did that to you." Carla said. I saw how angered she is now.

"Huwag kang maki-alam, sinasabi mo iyan dahil kaibigan mo ang babaeng yan." Sabi ni Reyah.

"Lies will still be covered by truth." She seriously said. Biglang lumindol ang paligid namin.

Biglang nagpanic ang mga tao dahil sa biglaang paglindol. I tried to cancelled it as much as I can.

'Stop!' I talk to her through mind. Bigla itong tumigil. Hindi naman masyadong malakas ang lindol pero nakita ko kung paano natakot ang mga tao.

For them earthquake is a disaster. Pero sa Mania World ay parte lang ito ng kapangyarihan namin. Kaso iba dito.

"What just happened?" Kinakabahang aniya ni Xine.

"Anyway, can I see?" Did she really buy that acting skills of her sister? Alam niyang hindi ko magagawa iyan sa kapatid niya. Well that's her sister after all even if they're rivals but if someone hurt her sister she'll be at her back as always.

Nilapit ni Reyah ang nanginginig niyang kamay sa kapatid niya. Sinuri ito ng mabuti ni Xine tapos nilagay niya ang isa niyang daliri sa sugat ng kapatid niya. May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya, isang tissue paper at pinahidan niya ang daliri niyang may dugo.

"This blood..." Xine started.

"Is a fake one right?" I saw how Reyah's eyes widened.

"It's smells sweet, and it's smells like a food coloring." Pagpapatuloy ng kapatid niya.

"O-of course not, they're trying to hurt me. This people should be rot in jail!" She shouted.

"Stop the acting, you already caught in an act. Lies will still covered by the truth." Sabi ni Carla. Dumilim ang mukha niya at nagmartsa paalis.

"Neah, I'm sorry for what my sister caused you. Noong mga nakaraang buwan nalaman naming may sakit siya. He has this change of moods, tatawa ng walang dahilan, magagalit at minsan umiiyak ng walang dahilan she has a bipolar disorder." I felt pity for Reyah. Hindi ko alam na may sakit siyang bipolar disorder.

"Here take my card, as a peace offering. You can used it, you can withdraw it in any banks. Here's the password ******" Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. She's handing her card on me. Hindi ko magagawang kunin ang card niya.

"Take this as my Christmas gift for you also. Mukhang matagal bago ulit tayo magkita, take care and Merry Christmas!" She put the card on my hand and she run away towards the direction where her sister go.

Xine, thank you. You just save us from a disaster too.

"Ang bait niya Neah." Sabi ni Carley.

"Hindi kagaya ng kapatid niya." Dagdag naman ng kakambal niya.

"Oo nga noh, pero naaawa parin ako sa kapatid niya. May sakit yung kapatid niya." Si Carley. Yes even me, I pity Reyahonne. I hope she'll be okay soon.

"Neah." Napatingin ako kay Carley dahil sa pagkalabit niya sa'kin.

"Hmm?"

"May Arcade games ba dito?" I nod as answer to her question.

"Yes, but let's go to the bank first." I said. Naglakad kami sa may sulok. Iyong walang masyadong tao para makapag teleport kami papuntang bank.

***

Nandito na kami sa mall, naglalakad kami papunta sa arcade.

"Gusto kong mag karaoke tayo girls." What? Sorry but I don't think I'll fit in that. I don't have a talent in singing.

"Neah huwag kang kj." Sabi ni Carley. Teka wala naman akong sinabing hindi ako sasama. Bakit niya nalaman?

"By observing your face." She answered my question in mind.

"Kayo nalang, maglalaro nalang ako dito."

"Walang exempted, kahit mala kambing pa boses natin. Wala silang pake dahil hindi naman sila ang kumanta." Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Carley.

"Oo nga Neah." Sang-ayon ng kakambal niya.

Hinila na ako ng kambal. Napailing nalang sina Viena at Eli na nasa likuran namin.

"Boys enjoy nalang kayo sa paglalaro, sa karaoke lang kami." Paalam ni Eli sakanila. They just nodded at us. Bumili sila ng token's para sa videoke.

Nagsisimula ng kumanta si Carley. She has a good voice.

"Hindi tayo pwede
Pinagtagpo pero 'di tinadhana
Hindi na posible
Ang mga puso'y huwag nating pahirapan~"

Nakatingin siya sa kawalan habang kumakanta. That song has an tragic meaning.

"Suko na sa laban
Hindi tayo pwede~" tumingin siya sa kapatid niya at ngumiti.

"Kay bigat na ng damdamin
Bakit 'di pa natin aminin
Dahil sa una pa lamang
Alam nating wala tayong laban~"

"Sabi ko na nga ba, dapat no'ng una pa lamang
'Di na umasa, 'di naniwala~"

"Hindi tayo pwede
Pinagtagpo pero 'di tinadhana
Hindi na posible
Ang mga puso'y huwag nating pahirapan~"

Napatigil ako sa iniisip ko ng makita ko ang butil ng tubig na tumulo sa mata ni Carley.

Is she crying? Is she right?

"Suko na sa laban
Hindi tayo pwede~"

Agad niyang pinunasan ang luhang tumulo sa mata niya.

"Hindi tayo pwede dahil una pa lang
Alam naman nating mayroong hangganan
At kahit ipilit, hanggang dito na lang
Dito na lang~"

Ako lang ba ang nakitang umiiyak siya? O nakita rin nila ngunit pinagsawalang bahala lang nila.

"Hindi tayo pwede
Pinagtagpo pero 'di tinadhana
Hindi na posible
Ang mga puso'y huwag nating pahirapan~"

If what's the reason why Carley cried. I know she'll get through it. Carley is a brave woman, she's social butterfly but she know how to handle things well.

"Suko na sa laban
Hindi tayo pwede
Hindi tayo pwede~"

There people that aren't destined for each other. They still have free will to choose where they want and who they want. We can't force someone's feelings. All I can say to those people who have pusong sawi just like the writer of the song if she/he is.

Find who truly and desirely love you not just by your appearance but the way they see your heart.

"Neah ikaw naman." Sabi nila. Ha? Anong ako?

"Ako?" I asked curiously.

"Oo ikaw na ang kumanta." Agad akong umiling.

"I can't sing, my troat hurts." I make an excuse. I hope they will buy it.

"Troat hurts pala eh kumanta ka nga nong kumanta si Carley eh." Si Carla. Are they observing me? Hindi ba talaga ako makakalusot nito. This is a disaster.

Pumikit ako at nanghingi ng guidance sa kapangyarihan ng tubig.

'Make my voice good,
For them, they'll calm like an ocean.
As they catch on my voice,
Let it be as my request.' After I said that, I feel like I'm ready to sing.

I feel like I am well prepared on it.

Kinuha ko ang microphone, naglagay ako ng token's at nag select ng kanta.

"Ikaw ang una't huling
Pag-ibig ng buhay ko
Kay tagal mang naghintay
Nandito ka na aking habangbuhay~"

Na gulat ako dahil hindi naman ganito ang boses ko.

"Sinlinaw ng langit na bughaw
Hanggang sa dulo ako at ikaw
Iginuhit na ng tadhana
Na tayong dalawa ay maging isa~"

Wala akong maisip na kanta at ito medyo familiar sa'kin.

"Ikaw ang una't huling
Mamahalin ko ng gan'to
Nais kong malaman mo
Dati pangarap lang ito~"

Napatingin ako sakanila, nakita ko kung paano sila nagulat. Hindi makapaniwala, thanks to the power of water.

"Sinlinaw ng langit na bughaw
Hanggang sa dulo ako at ikaw
Iginuhit na ng tadhana
Na tayong dalawa
Ay maging isa~"

Napako ang tingin ko isang lalaki. I felt my heart beat so fast.

"Habangbuhay
Habangbuhay~"

He looked away when he felt that I am glancing at him.

"Sinlinaw ng langit na bughaw
Hanggang sa dulo ako at ikaw
Iginuhit na ng tadhana
Na tayong dalawa ay maging isa~"

Sana iyong batang lalaki nalang iyong una at huling pag-ibig ko kung sakali man. But that's impossible.

"Una't huling pag-ibig ko~"

I heard a round of applause. My friends are standing, napatingin din ako sa labas. Ang daming tao at may nag vi video pa.

Then there I saw him. He smiled at me, Chance is smiling towards me. Si Asher ay wala dito. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya.

Umalis na kami sa arcade, hinintay pa namin kanina si Asher bago umalis. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya nanggaling, wala rin naman ako sa posisyon para magtanong.

"Neah ang galing mo talaga kanina." Sabi ni Carla.

"Thanks." I smiled at her.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi na maganda pala ang boses mo." Si Viena.

"Hindi naman masyado." Sagot ko.

Gabi na, malapit ng mag pasko.

"Saan tayo?" Tanong ni Eli.

Kinalabit ko si Chance. Mukhang nakuha niya ang tingin ko.

"Let's go to the plaza." Chance answered.

Malapit lang naman dito sa mall yung plaza kaya pwede lang naming lakarin. Habang naglalakad namin daldal ng daldal ang kambal. Minsan pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga tao, at natatawa nalang ako.

I didn't expect that I'll be having this kind of friendship from them. Naramdaman kong tumabi sa'kin si Asher kaya napatingin ako sakanya. Mukhang hindi niya alam ang pagkanta ko kanina since wala naman siya doon.

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

"Naglilibot libot lang." Simpleng sagot niya. Napatango nalang ako.

"When the clock strikes at 12 it's already Christmas right?" He asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"Usually the people here will give gifts since it's Christmas." Bakit parang andami niyang alam tungkol sa pasko? Nakapunta na ba siya noon dito?

"Yes." He answered my question in mind.

"We're here." Chance said.

Nakita ko ang mga nag gagandahang Christmas lights. The plaza have full of light's even the tree where I usually stayed.

"What a beautiful place." Komento ni Viena.

Naghiwa-hiwalay kaming lahat dahil maglilibot daw muna sila at pgsapit ng 12 ay magkikita kami sa may puno para sabay-sabay na panoorin ang fire works.

Pumunta ako sa may fountain. I get a penny and throw in the water. I hope I can spend more time with them.

Naglakad ako papunta sa may puno. May nakita akong taong nakasandal doon. I thought it was Chance but no, it's Asher.

"Akala ko naglakad-lakad ka katulad nila." Sabi ko at umupo din. Medyo malayo ako sa kanya.

"I want this place," He speak.

"This is my only remembrance when I've been here." He continue. That words caught my attention.

"Nakapunta ka na pala dito noon?" Tanong ko sakanya. He nod.

"Yes, I'm with Jacob on that time." He answered.

"Sayang eh noh, hindi kita nakita dito." Natatawang wika ko.

"At least, we may not met in this world. But we're destined to met in Mania." He's right. Siguro nga hindi man ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na makilala at makita siya rito noon, but I'm glad that I met him there.

I suddenly remembered our epic encounter in Herdier. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti habang naalala yon.

"Nandito na kami!" I heard a shout.

"Uy kayo ha, nag date ba kayo dito?" Intriga ni Carla.

"No."

"Yes." sabay naming sagot. My eyes widened in what he muttered. But I just saw him snickered.

"Yung totoo?" Binigyan ako ng nanunuksong tingin ni Carla.

"Hindi nga." Sagot ko. Ngunit narinig kon tumawa si Asher. Oo tumawa talaga siya, napailing nalang ako.

Bigla siyang tumigil ng ma realize niya na siya lang pala ang tumatawa.

"Let's say that you didn't see it." Nahihiyang sabi niya.

Ngayon kami naman ang tumawa dahil sa sinabi niya. Nakita na nga namin siyang tumawa nahiya pa. Namula ang tenga at ilong niya. Is he embarrassed? Cute.

'I am not a dog, Neah.' Ops he's reading my mind again. Minsan talaga naiisip ko nalang kung paano niya nababasa ang mga iniisip ko gayong nakasarado naman ito.

'I'm mastering it.' He said.

Well that's a good thing, his power grow more. Even though there's still disadvantages on other peoples privacy.

"Malapit ng mag twelve." Si Carley.

Nakaupo sa tabi ko si Asher at sa kaliwa naman si Carley, hiwakan ni Carley ang braso ko.

Nagsimula na kaming makarinig ng mga taong nagpapaputok. But still there's no fire works display.

"Let's count." Sabi ko. Tumango naman sila.

"10."  We said in unison

I'm celebrating my Christmas with them.

"9."

No words could tell how thankful I am that I met them.

"8."

Viena,

"7."

Carley,

"6."

Carla,

"5."

Eli,

"4."

Enoch,

"3."

Chance,

"2."

And lastly Asher.

"1."

Thank you and,

"Merry Christmas!" Sabay sabay naming sigaw.

I feel someone kiss my cheeks.

"Merry Christmas, Neah." He whispered.

Muntikan akong mapatalon dahil sa biglaang paghalik niya sa pisngi ko. Nakita ko kung paano nagkaroon ng iba't-ibang kulay ang kalangitan dahil sa fire works.

"Merry Christmas." I also said.

I hope this isn't the last time that we celebrate Christmas together guys. I am looking forward, to celebrate more christmas with you guys.

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

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