𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟓┊ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑

𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐄

"You didn't know that a Love Collar is used to make someone fall head over heels for you? Now that he's wearing it, he won't stop and will follow you everywhere. That's the only thing we all know. Aren't you aware that this is the second case of someone wearing the Love Collar?"

Napasapo ako ng noo habang kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad ni Mateo. As far as I understand, the Love Collar is used to make someone fall in love with you.

Why didn't I even think about why it's called Love in the first place? Bakit nga ba ako naniwala kay Carden?

''Why are you two so close?'' I took a deep breath the moment Castor inserted himself between Mateo and I as we were walking.

''Please tell me more about it.'' Patay malisya kong sambit kay Mateo habang naglalakad.

I could feel the awkwardness as Castor kept bouncing his shoulders against Mateo. Hindi siya nakakatuwa dahil mukha siyang sigang bata na nag-aaya ng away sa kalye.

I felt sorry for Mateo. Alam kong kahit sino ay hindi gusto ang ganitong atensyon. Everyone is staring at us and I know they are aware of what just happened. Sigurado akong narinig nila kung paano sabihin ni Castor na mahal niya ako. Mukha siyang tanga.

''The effect of the Love Collar is only temporary. It just tricks the wearer's brain. Don't worry, you can take it off.'' Mateo side-eyed Castor.

''Hey! Look at me! Why can't you look at me!''

"How does it work?" I asked. Saglit na natahimik si Mateo na para bang iniisip kung ano ang sagot sa tanong ko.

''My chest hurts when you don't look at me!''

''Books and history professors tell a lot of stories. They say that it was the very nature of the necklace itself. While some stories have a touch of horror. Did you know there's an ongoing story where they claim the creator dropped his own blood on the collar? They say the first wearer of the Love Collar was also revived by necromancy.'' Napangiwi ako dahil sa kuwento ni Mateo.

Napasapo ako ng noo dahil hindi ko ba alam kung bakit ba ako nakinig kay Carden. I'll admit that I liked the idea of punishing Castor. But how come Carden gave me the Love Collar?

''I changed my hairstyle, didn't you notice it?!''

Napabuntong hininga ako't huminto sa paglalakad bago lumingon kay Castor. His face brightened up while I stared at him with disgust. Kung tatanungin moko kung nagsisisi ba ako sa pagbigay ko sa kaniya ng Love Collar ay sasabihin kong hindi. It was satisfying. After what he did to me?

Castor scoffed. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall while combing his bangs upwards. ''You really like my attention, don't you? Hah! I may be in love but don't worry because my feelings are only temporary—'"

''Ang baho mo. Amoy sigarilyo.'' Tinakpan ko ang ilong ko't tiningnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

I walked past him while he stood there statue-like, staring blankly. Ramdam ko naman ang titig sa akin ni Mateo.

"Don't you think you're being too harsh?" Tumaas ang isang kilay ko sa sinabi ni Mateo. I diverted my gaze from him and he just stared at me apologetically.

"Harsh? Mas masahol ba ang sinabi ko kumpara sa ginawa niyang pagkaladkad sa akin at pagtali na parang aso?'' Mateo pursed his lips because of what I said.

As we were walking, I finally glanced back at Castor but he was still standing in the same spot. Nalukot ang noo ko dahil bukod sa mukha siyang tanga ay pinagtitinginan na rin siya ng iba.

I could see some wizards laughing at him but Castor stood there like a statue. Kung sa tingin niya ay maaawa ako sa kaniya ay asa pa siya. Kahit isang dekada siyang tumayo sa puwesto niya ay wala akong paki.

"'It seems like he's aware the Love Collar made him love me. Why doesn't he just remove it himself? Pinapahirapan niya lang sarili niya.'' I rolled my eyes as we took another turn.

Mateo told me that I should go with his class, as it was important for me to understand how their world works. Hindi na dapat ako sasama dahil tutal ay p'wede lang ako bumalik sa mundo ko. I just got curious about how they study. And I wanted to know the truth behind how I was able to transmigrate to this other world.

"The Love Collar can only be removed by the one who gave it to the wearer." I gazed at Mateo and he gazed back at me.

''Are you telling me to remove the Love Collar on his neck?'' Mateo's eyes widened. Siguro'y hindi niya inaasahan ang tono.

Removing the Love Collar may be easy but I'd rather not. Not because of the idea that Castor was in love with me but the idea of him looking like a fool. Sa tingin niya ba ay papalapagpasin ko lahat ng ginawa niya sa akin? Lintik lang ang walang ganti.

"'I apologized for sounding that way but the Love Collar seems to have some effect. Napansin mo ba na halos hindi siya gumagalaw sa puwesto niya kanina?''

Tumaas ang kilay ko. ''Oh, ano naman ngayon?''

''What you said hurt his chest. It literally hurt and he couldn't do anything about the pain.''

Oh, talaga? Deserb.

''Mas masakit ang ginawa niyang pagkaladkad sa akin,'' sikmat ko pabalik. Mateo didn't even speak and just stared at me apologetically.

Napangiwi na lang ako habang nakatitig kay Mateo. After passing through their hallway full of robed wizards, we now stood in front of their classroom. I noticed their structures seem mostly inspired by medieval architecture. Their school even looked like Harry Potter's Hogwarts.

''Hindi masama ang magsabi ng totoo. Talaga namang amoy sigarilyo siya.'' Nagtitimpi kong saad.

''That's because Castor loves smoking—'' We stopped talking when Castor walked over.

Hindi ko alam kung talagang sinadya niya bang maglakad sa gitna naming dalawa ni Mateo. Ni hindi siya lumingon sa akin at diretso lang ang lakad niya.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Mateo dahil alam kong kahit siya ay nagtataka. Castor is still wearing the Love Collar. Impossible namang hindi niya ako nakita. What just happened? He just ignored me? Well, I don't care. Hindi ko ikakamatay kung hindi niya ako tiningnan.

Unlike him, who wears the Love Collar and seems to need my attention, maybe the Love Collar was just an act to fool me? Who knows? Sabagay, nakalimutan kong hindi nga pala ako galing sa mundong ito't madami paa kong hindi nalalaman.

''It's weird that he ignored you.'' Kahit na si Mateo ay tila nagtataka. Nakatitig lang siya kay Castor na ngayon ay pinagtitinginan ng mga wizards sa loob ng kanilang classroom.

"Wala akong paki. 'Wag niya na akong pansinin dahil hindi ko kailangan ng atensyon niya." I rolled my eyes.

''I hope that you don't mind that Castor is my classmate?''

''Castor is your classmate? Why would you only tell it now—''

We were interrupted by the ring of the bell. Isang malalim na buntong hininga na lang ang binigay sa akin ni Mateo. Pinanood ko ang mga kaklase niyang panay ang pasok sa loob ng classroom.

Mateo was right when he told them that his class were all golden cloak-wearing wizards. I'd noticed that their attention was all on me too. Bawat lalaki na pumapasok sa loob ay nakukuha pang titigan muna ako.

I looked away and observed their classroom. It was quite huge, and I noticed that there were only a few students inside. The walls and floor were made from typical woods that shone. Long tables were everywhere, with floating pens. May isang malaking black board sa harap at mukhang teacher's table ito.

''I forgot to tell you that our class have two sessions.'' Mateo explained. Sumunod ako sa kaniya nang pumasok na rin siya sa loob kahit na ramdam ko na lahat ng mga mata'y nakatingin sa akin.

''Just ignore them—'' Mateo suddenly stopped walking. Nauntog ang mukha ko sa likod niya kaya napadaing ako.

Sunod ko siyang pinagkunutan ng noo at humingi siya ng tawad sa akin. Seconds later, I heard murmurs. Isang sulyap ang ginanti sa akin ni Mateo kaya sinundan ko ang tinitingnan niya.

''He's really losing it. Did you see his face when the woman rejected him? He looked like a fool.''

''Castor looked funny. Aren't you glad that everyone could see him in that pathetic situation?''

''Is he crying? Dude! Nakakatawa!''

My eyebrows furrowed when I saw Castor sitting on the floor. Nakayakap siya sa mga binti niya habang nakasuksok sa gilid. Mukha siyang batang nagmumukmok at walang pake kung pinagtatawanan na siya't nilalait.

"He can feel the pain because of the love collar. Nabasa ko na rin ito," Mateo whispered.

''What do you mean? What kind of pain?'' Nagtataka kong sambit. Isang diretsong tingin ang binigay sa akin ni Mateo na para bang iniisip kung paano niya ipapaliwanag sa akin ang lahat.

"I told you to be careful, right? Every move and every word you say will affect him because of the love collar. He probably felt heartbroken when you left him and went with me." Napangiwi na lang ako dahil sa sinabi ni Mateo.

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko. ''Puwes, hindi ko na kasalanan 'yon. I already told him to leave me—''

Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang itago ako ni Mateo sa likod niya. Castor stood up and everyone fell silent. Lalo akong siniksik ni Mateo sa likod niya nang lapitan kami ni Castor. Nakipagtigasan naman ako ng tingin sa kaniya dahil subukan niya ulit may gawin sa akin ay makikipagbasagan ako ng mukha sa kaniya.

''What?'' sikmat ko.

''Is it true you don't like men who smoke?'' Walang tigil na sambit ni Castor.

''What are you talking about?'' Mateo interrupted.

''Is it true you don't like men who smoke?'' Pag-uulit ni Castor sa tanong niya na para bang hindi narinig ang sinabi ni Mateo. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako't hinawi ang buhok ko.

''I don't like you.'' Prangka kong sambit. I saw Mateo eyeing me while Castor didn't even flinch but I could tell that what I said had hurt him.

We stayed that way for five minutes. Nakipagtigasan ako ng tingin sa kaniya dahil mukhang madami naman siyang gustong sabihin sa akin. I was still behind Mateo, but I didn't bother stepping out from behind him. Suwerte nga lang siya at hindi ako makalaban noong una dahil una sa lahat ay may kapal ng ambog siyang posesan ako.

''You are wasting me time. Let's go, Mateo.''

Hinawakan ko ang laylayan ng likod ni Mateo at natigilan kaming lahat nang itaas ni Castor ang wand niya.

I could feel the anxiety that everyone felt because of the silence. Hindi ko naman inalis ang tingin ko sa kaniya dahil alam kong may gagawin uli siyang kabalastugan.

And I was right as Castor cast a spell causing everyone's wizard's catalogs to float.

Not only that, but he also burned every page that contained information about smoking products.

''What is he doing?!'' Natataranta kong sambit kay Mateo. Napuno ng usok ang paligid. Mateo pointed his wand at me and in instant, there's a barrier surrounded me. Pati ang iba'y na-aapektuhan na rin sa laki ng usok.

''What did you just do, Castor!''

''Huwag mo kaming idamay!''

''Damn, Castor! I was planning to buy cigarettes!''

Napuno ng reklamo ang paligid. The sounds and complaints are hurting my ears. Tinakpan ko na lang ang mga teka ko dahil sa mga ingay na dulot ng pagrereklamo nilang lahat.

Mateo covered me and raised his wand into the air. After that, a wild yet gentle breeze appeared. Pinawi ng hangin ang mga apoy mula sa mga wizard's catalogue ng lahat.

''What is your problem, Castor?!'' It was Lee who approached Castor.

Isa na rin si Mateo sa umawat sa kaniya nang hilain nito ang kuwelyo ni Castor. Based on everyone's stares, I could tell that they were blaming me. Napahilamos na lang ako ng mukha dahil pati ako ay hindi alam ang gagawin.

Love Collar? It's a real headache!

''She told me that she doesn't like men who smoke!'' Castor defended himself. Napataas ang kilay ko dahil mukhang ako pa ang sinisisi niya sa ginawa niya.

''Excuse me? Hindi mo kailangang sunugin lahat ng—'' Mateo gently pinched my arm, telling me that he'll be the one to talk with Castor. Tinikom ko na lang ang mga labi ko habang nagkakagulo sila sa gilid.

''You don't need to do this, Castor! We understand that you felt this way because of the Love Collar in your neck—''

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Castor. ''What did you just say? You understand?''

''Castor. It's better if we let you spend the day on the teacher's conference room—''

''No! It means that I won't see her again!'' Napangiwi ako nang iduro ako ni Castor at lahat ay napatingin sa akin.

''You said you understand what I was feeling? Hindi mo naiintindihan. My heart feels good when I look at her. Everything looks good on her. Even the way her hair strands move. I don't even like what I felt. It's all because of this Love Collar!'' Napanganga kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Castor.

''Look at me! Hey! I said look at me!'' He shouted. Napahilamos na lang ako ng mukha dahil sa hiya.

I can't even describe the secondhand embarrassment I'm feeling right now. Gago ba siya?

''Cease the noise, everyone. What's the problem?'' Natahimik ang lahat nang dumating ang kanilang prof.

He was a very large man in his mid-50s. He was wearing a shiny golden cloak curved with diamonds and holding a large, thick book. Tinapunan ako ng tingin ni Mateo dahil lahat sila ay nagbalikan sa kanilang mga upuan na tila walang nangyari kanina.

''It's our homeroom teacher. It's time to go back. You can sit beside me. It's a vacant seat,'' Mateo told me. Isang ngiti ang tinapon sa akin ng kanilang homeroom teacher kaya nama'y binalik ko ang ngiti na binigay niya.

The homeroom teacher recognized me in the class. Wala rin akong choice kun'di ang umupo sa tabi ni Mateo ang makinig sa klase. Their subject is about history and I can tell.

I looked at my surroundings and my eyes widened when I saw Castor standing between Mateo and me. Tumigil ang klase nang isiksik ni Castor ang sarili niya sa gitna naming dalawa ni Mateo.

''What is he doing?'' Nanggigigil kong bulong kay Mateo habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

''Castor, this isn't your seat—''

''My heart hurts.'' Hinawakan ni Castor ang kaliwang bahagi ng kaniyang dibdib habang nakatitig sa akin.

''Castor, go back to your seat.'' Professor Diffle, their homeroom teacher, exclaimed. Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang binigay niya bago ako tinapunan ng tingin.

''I said my heart hurts when she's far.''

Pinagkunutan ko ng noo si Castor nang iduro niya ako. Sa totoo lang ay mukha siyang tanga na nakasiksik sa gitna namin ni Mateo. I moved a few inches away but Castor moved closer. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang magdikit na ang mga siko naming dalawa.

"It's good to see that there's really a woman here. The rumors is true. I heard the woman is closed with the reincarnation of Shakrila's smartest scholar." Napansin ko ang pagpawi ng ngiti ni Mateo dahil sa sinabi ng home room teacher nila.

"And I can also see that the chaos this morning is about the thing on your neck, Mr. Alastov. Do you want to go to Mr. Black's office before the lunch break?" Castor rolled his eyes.

Napangiwi na lang ako dahil hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan niyang sumiksik sa akin.

"I don't want. It means that I won't be able to see her again. This hurts whenever she's far. Whenever she's with him!" Sunod na dinuro ni Castor si Mateo. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses niya nang sinabi 'yan. Para siyang bulate na binudburan ng asin.

Kulang na lang ay takpan ko ang mukha ko dahil sa kahihiyan. Nagkatinginan na lang kaming dalawa ni Mateo. What the hell is this Love Collar? Does it makes someone insane?

Professor Diffle continued to discuss. I just observed them when they conducted a long quiz. Nawindang ako sa sunod kong mga nakita. Professor Diffle chanted spells and different gemstones started appearing. Tiningnan ko silang lahat at lahat sila'y hawak ang feather pen nila.

My forehead knotted when I stared at Castor's paper. Hindi ko mapigilang hablutin ang papel niya nang mabasa ko ang pangalan ko sa papel niya.

"What the hell?!" Nanggigigil kong sambit.
I panicked internally when they announced that the time was over. It was time to pass their papers.

𝘾𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙇𝙒𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙍

𝘾𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙇𝙒𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙍

𝘾𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙇𝙒𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙍

𝘾𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙇𝙒𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙍

"What is this?!" Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong sambit ngunit wala akong magawa nang lumutang palayo sa akin ang papel. My eyebrows furrowed because I wondered why Castor knew my name.

"You are always the answer." Castor's gaze soften. Nagsitayuan lahat ng buhok ko sa katawan nang hablutin niya ang kamay ko.

Mateo stood up from his position and stopped Castor. Agad namang tumaas ang kilay ni Castor.

''Why are you holding her?'' Tila siga sa kanto kung umasta si Castor. I rolled my eyes at them. Ako na mismo ang bumitaw ng kamay ko para hindi na sila mag-away na parang bata.

''What's the noise about? I told you to past your papers.'' Nanahimik ang lahat nang magsalita si Professor Diffle.

I watched them pass their papers, and in that moment, their homeroom teacher waved his hand. Everyone felt nervous as the papers danced upwards, surrounding the Professor's wand.

Halata sa itsura nila ang pagkabahala kaya naman ay nahulaan ko na checking of papers na pala. Hindi ko rin maiwasang magtaka dahil ganito pala sila mag-check ng papel.

"Let's see who got the highest score?" Professor Diffle's eyes squinted as he stared at the one paper that floated in front of him.

Nagtagal ang katahimik sa loob ng classroom. Hindi ko nga alam mapigilang pagkunutan ng noo si Castor dahil sa sinulat niya sa kaniyang papel.

Cassie is always the answer? Is he fucking serious?

''Mr. Castor Alastov. Please come to my office. Let's talk about what you written in the office.'' Winagayway ni Professor ang papel ni Castor samantalang napakamot naman ako sa noo dahil sa inis. Mukhang alam ko na kung bakit. Alam ko talaga kung bakit.

"Congratulations, Mateo. You got the highest score. You are indeed the reincarnation of Shakrila's smartest scholar, Travis Salvio." Everyone clapped for Mateo. Tinitigan ko siya't nakangiti siya ngunit halata kong peke ang ngiti niya.

I watched as Mateo stood to receive his paper. Saglit niya itong tinitigan bago pilit na ngumiti sa lahat ng pumupuri sa kaniya. I observed him as he went to sit back down in the chair beside me. Nanahimik lang siya hanggang sa matapos ang klase.

''I told you I don't want to go! How about my heart?! It hurts when she's far!''

Pagproprotesta ni Castor kay Professor at talagang dinuro niya pa talaga ako kahit malayo ako.

Mateo eyed me, he was probably preparing himself to shield me again. Sinundan ko na lang ang bawat yakap niya dahil hindi ko rin naman alam kung saan ako pupunta.

We walked through a garden where there was a large open space, with tall grasses, trees, and a fountain in the middle. I could see some wizards gathering there as well. Karamihan sa kanila ay may dalang makakapal na aklat.

Ang hula ko ay tambayan ito tuwing lunch break. Pinanood ko si Mateo nang umupo siya't sumandal sa isang matayog na puno. Ginaya ko na lang ang ginawa niya at umupo sa tabi niya.

"You don't look glad that you got the highest score." Panimula kong sabi dahil kanina pa siya hindi nagsasalita.

Wala naman akong maisip na dahilan para manahimik siya. He took a deep breath and forced a smile while looking up at the blue sky.

"Do you hang out with me because I'm the reincarnation of Travis Salvio?" Mateo's smile looked bitter.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko dahil sa tanong niya. ''I don't even know that person. But that's your reincarnation, right?''

Mateo didn't answer my question. He moved his wand and a small stone from the ground started floating. Tinitigan ko siya habang pinapanood kung ano man ang ginagawa niya. That's right. Napansin kong nalungkot siya nang banggitin ang pangalan ni Travis.

''Are you disappointed because people always mention Travis?'' I asked. The stone fell as if I had hit a bull's-eye with my question. Mateo gazed at me. I leaned closer to him. Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin.

''Who wouldn't? Everyone is attaching my reincarnation to me. Everything I do, it's always because I'm the reincarnation of him. My achievements, my plans, my personality, the way I think, the way I talk...'' Napabuntong hininga siya't sinuklay ang kaniyang buhok. Nanatili namang akong tahimik.

''Do people only like me because I'm the reincarnation of Travis?'' Mateo leaned against the tree and looked up at the sky.

My eyebrows furrowed. ''Of course not. You and Travis are two different people.''

Saglit siyang napangiti sa sinabi ko. ''I don't mean to say this, but Lee told me that I'm the complete opposite of Castor, who openly announces that he's the reincarnation of Crown Prince Arthur.''

''Maybe that's his karma from his past life. Don't think about it. Hindi lahat ng iniisip, kilos at mga sinasabi mo ay connected kay Travis. You are Mateo. You two are different people. I can relate too because I was labeled as the Governor's daughter not for who really am I." I whispered. I even explained to him what a government means.

I looked away. Muli siyang nagtanong at hindi ko ba alam kung bakit ko sinasagot ang mga tanong niya. Honestly, this is the first time that I opened my sentiments to other people. Alam ko namang walang makakaintindi sa akin.

The main reason why I never opened is because I'm not good in expressing my feelings. I'm not good in comforting people too. And I thought when I open up, I felt like a burden.

"Hindi pala ako nag-iisa." Mateo chuckled. I gave him a faint smile because that's what I thought too.

"Hindi rin pala ako nag-iisa." Ginaya ko ang tono niya. Our conversation went smooth.

Yet when I stare from a far my forehead knotted when I saw Castor climbing into a tree.

Napanganga na lang ako dahil hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit nag-aksaya pa ako ng oras para patapusin siya hanggang sa maka-akyat siya sa tuktok ng puno.

I didn't know why he would rather climb it by hand instead of using his wand. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Castor nang umupo siya sa tuktok ng puno habang naniningkit ang mga matang nakatitig kay Mateo.

I didn't know that such a hybrid of a monkey and a cat existed.

Are you telling me that I'll have to deal with someone like this for the rest of my life?

𝙒𝙊𝙈 𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎 #2 | 𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙀𝘿...