Darkest Light

DL 7: The Siren

Vile POV

I cooked breakfast for Zion. I'm so happy so serve him. Well, I owe my life from him. Siya ang dahilan kaya naging ganito ako. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, baka patay na ako ngayon.

"Let's go Vile, baka ma-late na tayo. Wait, where's my shoes?" he asked.

"Wait..."

I went quickly to my room. Kinuha ko ang shoes niya. I shined his shoes last night together with mine.

"Here Zion, I shined your shoes," I said while smiling.

He's just looking at me. He looks in shock and I can't read this kind of expression.

"Vile, you don't have to do that. You're too caring," he said seriously.

"But I love doing this for you," I said and then I smiled at him.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at inayos ko ang neck tie niya. He is just looking at me with his confused face.

"Ayan, ang gwapo mo talaga..." I said.

I can't read his eyes. He looks confused and he is just staring at me.

"Hmmm... We need to go," I said.

Parang natauhan siya bigla at kinuha na niya ang bag niya. He started walking so I follow him.

He's silent... Sometimes, I am wondering why he is cold and quiet. Parang malalim palagi ang iniisip niya. I should open a topic.

"Hmmm... Zion, what do you want to eat for dinner?" I asked.

"Don't cook for me. Sa mall na tayo kakain. My treat..." He said seriously.

"Ok... Thanks."

He's too quiet. Ano kaya ang iniisip ni Zion? I think it's not a bad idea if I ask him right?

"Zion, do you have a problem? Pansin ko na malalim ang iniisip mo. You can tell it to me," I said curiously.

He sigh...

Huminto siya sa paglalakad. He looked at me seriously.

"You are serving me because you love doing it, right?" He asked.

I nodded...

He's serious... I think I am the reason why he is acting like this.

"You're doing it because you owe your life from me right?" He asked again.

"Yeah," I said.

He sigh again...

"Please, stop being too caring. Please stop being too nice at me. Just show me your true color and I'm fine with it," he said.

So, he is serious and confused because he is thinking that I'm faking myself in front of him?

"But it's the true me. It's my true nature," I said honestly.

Napakagat siya sa labi niya. Parang nag-iingat siya sa mga sasabihin niya.

"I'm sorry, I forgot that you're so kind like that because you are a healer. Lahat naman ng healer mabait maliban na lang kung..."

Naputol siya sa pagsasalita. I can see sadness from his eyes. What is it? He looks uncomfortable. He looks secretive.

"If you can't tell it then I won't push you."

"Ok, I'm just clearing some things. You're caring because it's you're true nature as a person and you don't have other reason or motive right?"

Naguluhan tuloy ako dahil sa tanong niya. I don't get him.

"Other reason or motive? Like what?" I asked innocently.

"Urrrggghhh! Ok, please never mind!"

Tumalikod na siya at naglakad siya ng mabilis kaya sinundan ko siya.

"Hey! What happened Zion? Are you mad at me?" I asked nervously.

"I'm not mad at you and I said never mind what I've asked you," he said seriously.

I just nodded...

Pumasok na kaming dalawa sa room. Zion is so quiet this day. He looks irritated.

Wala ang prof namin ngayon kaya nag-uusap lang ang iba. Hinayaan ko na lang na manahimik si Zion at baka mamaya mainis siya sa akin at makulitan.

Maya-maya ay lumabas ng room si Zion. Pupunta yata siya sa comfort room.

"Hey Vile, what happened to Zion?" Wanda asked.

"Yeah... He looks irritated," Sandra said.

"Hmmm... Kanina kasi may pinag-usapan kami. He's asking me few questions and I don't really understand him," I said honestly.

"Questions like what?" Wanda asked curiously.

"Hmmm... He said that I should stop being too caring at him so I said that I love serving him and it's my true nature as a person. Tapos tinanong niya ako kung baka may iba raw akong dahilan or motive kaya mabait ako sa kanya. I said don't understand him. Tapos ayun... Nainis na siya but he said he's not mad at me," I said.

Wanda and Sandra laughed hard because of what I said.

"Hmmm... Bakit kayo tumatawa?"

"Kasi hindi mo na-gets kaagad ang ibig sabihin ni Zion hahahah," Wanda said.

"Hahahahhah... Zion is thinking that you like him because you are too caring towards him," Sandra said while she's laughing.

Nabigla tuloy ako sa sinabi ni Sandra. Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin. Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko.

Kinakabahan tuloy ako. What if they ask me? I never lie. I should always tell the truth.

"I know that you're just a healer that's why you're too kind and caring," Wanda said.

Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag. I know that it's not yet the right time for me to confess.

"Hmmm... Kanina may sinabi pa si Zion kaso hindi niya tinuloy. I'm just curious about it," I said.

"Then, what is it?" Sandra asked.

"Sabi niya, lahat naman ng healer mabait maliban na lang kung... Then he stopped and I can see sadness from his eyes," I said.

"Hmmm... Maliban na lang kung magbabago siya at lalamunin ng galit."

Napatingin kami sa likod at si Zion pala ang nagsalita. Nakabalik na pala siya.

"Ka-kanina ka pa nakikinig?" I asked.

"Yeah, I heard everything," he said.

Parang nahiya tuloy ako bigla. It's so awkward to know that he can hear us talking about him.

"And I'm sorry if I acted like that. My bad..." He said seriously.

"It's ok," I said and then I smiled at him.

"Actually, we have seen cases of a healer who converted into a dark sorcerer," Wanda said.

"Huh? I don't know anything about it. Is it possible? Ang alam ko kasi, mababait talaga ang mga healers," I said curiously.

"Bago ka, may mga nauna pang healers sa guild natin. Some of them died, 'yung iba nag-quit at 'yung nauna sa'yo, nilamon ng galit at sumali sa kalaban ng guild natin," Sandra said.

"Huh? I know nothing about that. Bakit naman naging masama 'yung healer na 'yun?" I asked.

"Hmmm... Her family was killed by humans," Zion said.

I just looked at him. Nalungkot na naman siya. Now I understand... Malaki naman pala ang dahilan ng healer na 'yun kung bakit siya naging masama. It's a very sad story.

"And that healer was Zion's ex-girlfriend," Wanda said.

Nagulat ako dahil sa sinabi ni Wanda. Napatingin na lang ako kay Zion. He looks so sad. He looks in pain.

"Is it true Zion?" I asked to confirm.

He nodded...

"We broke up because she joined Ruvekha. Sinisisi ko rin ang sarili ko kung bakit naging ganun siya. I didn't protect her family because I don't know where they are," he said.

"Zion, we all know that it's not your fault. It's also her decision that made her like that," Sandra said.

I feel bad... Ayoko na nakikitang malungkot si Zion. I just want him to smile.

"Do you still love her, Zion?" I asked seriously.

He shook his head and he smiled at me.

"Matagal na 'yun Vile. I finally moved on. Kapag naalala ko lang, bumibigat ang pakiramdam ko. Naawa kasi ako sa kanya, our family are both dead so I understand her pain," he said.

"Don't worry Zion. I'm not gonna be like her. I can promise that whatever happens, I will always be kind. I will always serve our guild," I said and then I smiled.

Ngumiti na lang din sa akin si Zion.

"So... You will be Zion's next lover, Vile? HAHAHHAHA," Wanda said.

Tumawa din ng malakas si Sandra. Nahiya tuloy ako bigla. I bit my lip.

"Hey Vile! I'm just kidding. Don't feel bad," Wanda said.

I forced myself to smile. Mabuti na lang at nagbibiro lang pala si Wanda. Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag.

After our classes, we went to the hallway to wait for our comrades.

Napagkasunduan kasi nila na sa mall na lang mag-dinner.

"Hmmm... Zion, I think we should ask help from Sandra about my nightmare last night," I said.

"Yeah... I almost forget it. Sandra, can you please use your power to see my future. Nanaginip kasi ng masama si Vile. There's a dark sorcerer who will kill me in the future according to him," Zion said.

"Really? It's creepy. Let me use my power," she said.

A sky blue light is blinking on her eyes. She seems confused.

"I'm sorry... My magic is not working. I think the dark sorcerer that Vile saw from his nightmare is a demigod or a saint that is powerful like us," Sandra said.

I feel bad... Isa na lang ang dapat 'kong gawin. I will never let anyone to kill Zion. I will do everything to protect him.

"Sige na... Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko. I should train harder and I know that I can change my future," Zion said.

"It's true! All of us is capable of changing our future using our own decisions," Sandra said.

Pumunta na lang kaming lahat sa mall. Kausap ni Zion ang mga lalake naming kaibigan. Kasabay ko na naglalakad si Sandra.

"Hmmm... Sandra, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah... What is it?"

"Hmmm... Anong favorite color ni Zion? Alam mo ba kung ano ang mga gusto niya?" I asked.

"Hahahahah why are you asking me like that? Why don't you ask him directly?"

"Hmmm... Kausap niya kasi sila Jester."

"Ok... He likes silver because it's the same color like his magic. He's not materialistic because he will appreciate everything that you will give lalo na kapag may sentimental value," she said.

"Thanks..."

She is looking at me. Parang may ibig sabihin ang mga titig niya. Parang may ibang iniisip si Sandra.

"You seem to be so kind towards him," she said.

"Yeah because I owe my life from him," I said.

"I know... Nakita ko na kasi sa nakaraan. I used my magic. But I think hindi lang 'yun ang dahilan kaya mabait ka sa kanya. I think you really like Zion," she said.

Nabigla tuloy ako. Wala nga pala akong maitatago sa kanya. She's a seer.

"Don't worry, I'm not pushing you to confess and I will keep everything as a secret," she said and then she smiled.

"T-Thank you..." Sabi ko na lang.

"Don't worry Vile, naiintindihan ko naman. I've seen so many cases like your feelings towards him. Tayo lang ang nakakaalam nito so we need to become bestfriends," she said.

She looks kind and I don't have any bestfriend.

"Sige... I'm happy to set you as my bestfriend, Sandra."

Naalala ko bigla, paano kung nakita niya ang buong nakaraan ko?

"Hmmm... Sandra, nakita mo ba ang lahat sa nakaraan ko?" Tanong ko.

Kumunot na lang ang noo niya...

"Some parts of your past. Hindi ako chismosa, Vile. Minsan nga hindi ko maintindihan kasi hindi ko makita ng malinaw ang nakaraan mo..."

I smiled...

Mabuti na lang...

"Guys! Tingnan niyo 'yung nasa stage!" Sigaw ni Dexter.

Tumingin na lang kami sa stage dito sa mall. There is a girl who is holding a microphone and she's about to sing. She's cute; she's beautiful.

"Who is she?" I asked Sandra.

"She's June; Zion's ex-girlfriend."

Tumingin ako kay Zion. He is just looking at June. Everyone is looking at her.

"Hey everyone specially boys! Look at me!" June said using a microphone.

Tumingin tuloy lahat ng mga tao na nakarinig sa kanya dito sa mall.

"I'm going to sing a song for all of you!"

A music is playing and it sounds familiar. I know that this type of music was casted using her spell because it is not played using human speakers.

(Play the multimedia above)

There's only two types of people in the world                                                            The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe

Well baby I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl

Don't like the backseat, gotta be first

Napatingin ako kila Zion. Mukhang tama nga ang hinala ko. She is using Britney Spear's song for her own spell.

I'm like the ringleader

I call the shots (call the shots)

I'm like a firecracker

I make it hot

When I put on a show

Her spell is affecting all boys in this mall. They looked hypnotized because of June's voice. Tumingin ako sa mga babae at walang epekto sa kanila ang spell.

"Sandra! Wanda! We need to stop her! She's hypnotizing all guys here!" I said.

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins 

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break 

I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage 

Better be ready, hope that ya feel the same

Tumingin sila Sandra sa paligid at nagulat sila. Zion and other boys was totally under her spell.

"Ba-bakit hindi ka tinatablan?" Wanda asked.

"I will explain it later. Please stop her from singing!" I said.

All the eyes on me in the center of the ring

Just like a circus 

When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip

Just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me

Show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor

Just like a circus

"You are all under my spell! Hahahha!" June said.

"I'm here to stop you, b***h!" Wanda said.

Wanda held June's hand and they both vanished quickly.

"Where are they?" I asked Sandra.

"She was teleported in other place. Walang dapat makakita sa kanila na naglalaban. Don't worry, Wanda can handle her," she said.

Tumingin na lang kami sa paligid ni Sandra. Nakatulala lang lahat ng mga lalake. Nagtataka naman ang mga babae sa mall.

"How should we counter her spell?" She asked me.

"Hmmm... We need a voice that is good as her. We need someone who can also cast a siren spell. Someone that can sing with his full emotions; with his full heart and soul," I said.

"Siya nga pala, bakit 'di ka tinablan ng spell eh lalake ka pa rin?" She asked.

"It's because I'm immune to a siren song. I'm a healer. I have a pure heart; a heart that will never be deceived by anyone," I said.

"So, hindi pala pure hearted sila Zion?" she asked.

"Well, they all are but not the same as mine," I said and then I smiled.

"Sige na... Kumanta ka na para bumalik sila sa dati."

"Huh? Hindi maganda ang boses ko. I'm not as good as June," I said.

"I know you are. I saw you in my eyes singing at the beach while Zion is just staring at you."

I bit my lip. Nahiya tuloy ako... Pati ba naman 'yun nakita pa ni Sandra?

"Sige na bes! Use your heart while singing. I know that you're only shy but I know that you can counter June's spell. Come on, you can do it," she said.

Well, I have no choice. Kailangan 'kong kumanta para bumalik na silang lahat sa dati. Hindi naman pwede na nakatulala lang ang mga lalake dito sa mall.

Umakyat na ako sa stage. I have to do it for my friends; I have to do it for Zion. I get a microphone and I am holding it tightly.

I started singing...