Darkest Light

DL 5: His Servant?

Vile POV

It's been a long time since I last saw Zion. I'm really glad to meet him again. It's so sad because he didn't recognize who I am.

Siguro nga hindi naman ganoon ka-importante sa kanya ang una naming pagkikita so he forgot it but I'm sure that he will remember me if I will tell him.

I'm here at the school. Nakikinig ako sa lessons ng prof namin. I'm really happy to have this life. I feel so blessed and I know that I'm just lucky.

"Mr. Zion, can you please give one of the essential features that entrepreneurs should possess," sabi ng prof.

Tumayo si Zion. It looks like he is having a hard time in answering the question. I should help him.

"Come on, Mr. Strauss! We are studying business here! You should know it," sabi ng prof.

Medyo masungit ang prof namin. Hindi ko matiis na 'wag tulungan si Zion. Nandito ako dahil sa kanya so I should help him. I owe him everything that I have now.

Kumuha ako ng notebook. Mabuti na lang at nasa harapan ako ni Zion. I wrote the answer using a marker para makita niya.

"Entrepreneurial Heart Flame," Zion said.

I smiled a bit. I'm glad to help him. Mabuti at nakita niya agad ang sinulat ko.

"Very good Mr. Zion Strauss. You may sit now," our prof said.

I believe that Zion is smart. He is just busy these days kaya wala pa siyang time mag-review. I will do everything I can to help him.

I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks Vile," he whispered.

Ngumiti na lang ako. I will do everything to fulfill my promise to him. I'm just starting. Utang ko sa kanya ang lahat lalo na ang buhay ko.

"Mr. Vortex, please stand. Tell me the meaning of Entrepreneurial Heart Flame," our prof said.

Tumayo na lang ako para mag-recite.

"It is just about the passion to discover and enter into a business," I said.

"Very good... You may seat now."

Umupo na lang ako at nagbasa na ako ng libro.

After a few hours, natapos na rin ang klase namin. Half day lang naman kami ngayon.

I am here at the corridor. I'm walking with Zion and his friends.

"Vile, hindi naman namin alam na matalino ka pala," sabi ni Wanda.

"No, I'm not. Nagbasa lang ako ng book kanina. I should study hard para hindi sayang ang pinapaaral sa akin ng tita mo. I don't like wasting even one penny," I said.

"Naks naman! Healer ka nga talaga. You're kind... Tama lang na ikaw ang pinili ni lola na healer sa guild," Sandra said.

I just smiled at them. I like to have so many friends. I'm so lucky to have everything like this.

"Oh paano? We should go home," Zion said.

"So... Saan ka naman tumutuloy ngayon Vile? We want to hang out in your house," Dexter said.

"Sorry guys, sa akin muna tutuloy si Vile and I don't like hanging out in my house," Zion said seriously.

"Yes naman, Zion is so strict. I don't know na close na pala kayo. Parang kahapon lang medyo ayaw mo kay Vile," Jared said.

Well, I can't blame Zion. It's my fault. I acted so weird but I didn't how to approach him. My bad...

"So, kayo lang palang dalawa ang magkasama sa isang bubong?" Dexter asked.

"And yesterday, I saw two of them at the beach. They are having a sweet talk," Rex said.

Nahiya tuloy ako bigla dahil sa sinabi ni Rex.

"No! It's not like that. I'm just having a chat with Zion and it's not a sweet talk," I said.

"Don't deny it... Bagay kayo," Wanda said.

"Aaaaayyyyyiiiieee," sabay-sabay nilang sabi.

Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko at hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Sobrang nahihiya ako sa kanila lalo na kay Zion.

"Guys, please stop it already."

Napatingin na lang ako kay Zion. He looks so serious. They all stopped talking.

"Don't mind them Vile. Malakas lang talaga sila mang-asar," Zion said.

"Sorry Vile... Ang cute mo kasi and you look so innocent," Jester said.

"Alam niyo guys, ang lalake kasi ay para lang sa babae. Please stop having a nonsense trip," Zion said.

Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko dahil sa sinabi ni Zion. He's actually right about what he said.

I can't deny the fact that it's true but I can't help myself. Napahawak na lang ako sa gilid ng uniform ko.

Parang napansin ko na tinititigan ako ni Sandra. I looked at her but she looked away.

After a few minutes, we parted. Naiwan kami ni Zion na magkasama. I'm just walking with him.

"My house is nearby. Pagpasensyahan mo na ang mga kaibigan natin. Ganyan talaga sila," he said.

"It's ok... They are all nice and cool like you," I said while smiling.

Maya-maya ay nakarating na kami sa bahay niya. His house is huge.

"This house is huge and you're the only one who's living here," I said.

"My parents gave this house to me."

Pumasok na kaming dalawa sa loob ng house niya. Nilibot namin ang loob at nilagay ko na ang mga gamit ko.

"Pasensya ka na, medyo makalat at maalikabok. I have no time to clean it," he said.

"It's ok! Hmmm... What do you want to eat for lunch? Ako na ang magluluto," I said.

I opened his refrigerator. Puro de lata ang nasa loob.

"You shouldn't eat processed foods. It's bad for your health," I said.

"Sige, ako na ang bibili ng ingredients for our lunch. Just wait here," he said.

Umalis na siya... It's my chance to serve him. I want to spend my life serving him.

Nagsimula na akong ayusin ang mga nakakalat. Medyo magulo nga. Bihira lang naman kasi sa lalake ang mahilig maglinis.

Hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan. Binilisan ko na ang paglilinis sa bahay niya.

Napatingin ako sa mga pictures na naka-display.

He is so cute when he was a child and now, he's extremely handsome. He looks so happy with his parents. Too bad... Both of us has no parents.

Medyo matagal si Zion. I'm almost done cleaning his house.

"Sorry natagalan, mahaba ang pila sa grocery," he said.

Pagpasok niya ay nabigla pa siya nang makita niya ako.

"Wait! Why are you cleaning my house? I didn't ask you to clean it. Hindi kita katulong," he said seriously.

"I'm bored waiting for you. Hayaan mo na, masaya ako sa ginagawa ko," I said and then I smiled at him.

Tumahimik na siya at nilapag na niya ang ingredients sa kusina. Tinignan ko na lang ang mga ingredients.

"So, you love to eat beef kaldereta?" I asked.

He nodded...

Mabuti na lang at marunong ako magluto. Ramdam ko na hindi marunong magluto si Zion kasi puro instant ang nasa ref niya at puro box ng fast food ang mga nakakalat kanina.

Nagsimula na akong magluto at nagbabasa lang ng book si Zion.

Maya-maya ay natapos na rin ako sa pagluluto at hinanda ko na ang hapag.

"Zion, kakain na tayo," I said.

Lumapit naman siya kaagad at nilagyan ko na siya ng kanin at ulam.

"Masyado mo akong inaasikaso, stop it. Baka mamaya masanay ako," he said seriously.

"It's ok... I won't stop because I'm so glad to serve you," nakangiti 'kong sabi.

Umiwas siya ng tingin at tinikman na niya ang niluto ko.

"It taste really good! Masarap ka pala magluto," he said.

I just smiled at him. Kumain na rin ako at tinitignan ko lang siya.

"Dahan-dahan lang baka mabilaukan ka," I said.

"Pasensya na... Ngayon lang kasi ako ulit nakakain ng totoong pagkain. Puro processed foods at order ang kinakain ko. Hindi kasi ako marunong magluto," he said.

"Hmmm... Then I will cook for you everyday," I said.

Bigla siyang nabilaukan dahil sa sinabi ko. Nagmadali akong kumuha ng juice sa ref at pinainom ko agad siya.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"You're too sweet. Ganyan ka ba talaga?" He asked seriously.

"Hmmm... Oo. I would like to serve you. I would like to do everything for your sake," I said.

Kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Why?" He asked curiously.

I sigh...

"Hindi mo pa rin talaga ako maalala. Ok... I'll tell you then," I said.

•••

Weeks passed and I am always running. I have bruises and wounds on my feet. Gutom na gutom na rin ako. I am a beggar now... Pulubi... Palaboy sa kalsada.

I need to escape from them. There are strange people who are hunting me. I don't know their reason. I don't know what they want from me.

I know that they are not normal people. They have magical and haunting capabilities.

Nagugutom na ako habang tumatakbo. I don't remember when is my last meal.

Habang tumatakbo ay nakakita ako ng basurahan. I stop and stare in that trash can. Kinalkal ko na ang basurahan and luckily, I found rotten fruits. Sobrang gutom na gutom na ako kaya wala akong choice kung hindi ang kumain ng basura.

I don't mind its taste. I don't mind if it will ruin my stomach. Ang alam ko lang ay gutom na gutom ako.

"He's here..."

Nagulat ako at napatitig ako sa likod ko. Nandiyan na naman sila.

I tried to run but there are people who blocked my way. They are glaring at me. I don't know who they are.

"Please... Let me go. I just want to live in peace," naluluha 'kong sabi.

"Take him!"

Two guys grabbed my wrists. I can't move. They are holding me tightly.

"What do you want from me?" Umiiyak 'kong tanong.

"We want you dead," he said with his serious face.

Tinulak na lang nila ako kaya napaluhod ako sa harapan nila. Napapalibutan na nila ako. I can't find my way out.

A guy in front of me raised his hand in the air and suddenly, a silver sword appeared from his hand.

I know that any moment, he will s***h me using his sword. I know that he will really kill me.

I just closed my eyes. I don't have anyone. I'm nothing... There are no people who will cry if I die.

"Angel's halo!"

I just heard an explosion. Napadilat na lang ako bigla.

There is a guy who's glowing in his silver-white armor. He is fighting the guys who are trying to kill me.

He raised his hands in the air and...

"Holy beam!"

A silver jet light flashed on his enemies. Tumalsik silang lahat at umusok pa sila.

Naguguluhan ako... Who is he? Why did he save me? I know that he is not a normal person. He is walking towards me. Napaatras na lang ako.

"Don't be afraid. I'm not a foe," he said while he is smiling.

I suddenly felt something. I can feel that he is not an enemy. I can feel no harm from him.

His armor vanished in just an instant and he is now wearing pants and shirt.

"What do they want from you?" He asked.

"I... I don't know," I said while my body is shaking in fear.

"I can feel that you're hungry. Follow me..." Nakangiti niyang sabi.

He started walking. Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya. We stopped in front of a burger stand. Bumili na lang siya at umupo naman kami sa gilid ng kalsada.

Inabot niya na lang sa akin ang isang balot ng burger.

"T-thanks..." I said.

Kumain na lang ako. I'm so hungry. If I'm not mistaken, it's my first meal this week.

"Dahan-dahan lang, baka mabilaukan ka niyan," sabi niya.

Hindi ako nakinig. Kumain na lang ako dahil gutom na gutom na talaga ako. He is just staring at me.

Pagkatapos 'kong kumain ay napatingin na lang ako sa kanya. He's handsome as hell. His eyes are gray, his lips are rosy pink, his body is gym-fit and his skin is flawless.

"What are you?" I askedo out of nowhere.

I already know that he is not a normal human. He possessed magical power.

"I'm a sorcerer..."

Napatingin na lang ako sa kanya. Akala ko ay sa fairy tale at movies lang may sorcerer.

I looked at his arm. Nakita ko na dumudugo kaya nabigla ako.

"Your arm is bleeding," Nag-aalala 'kong sabi.

He sigh...

"Don't worry... Healers will heal my wound. I should go."

"Thanks for saving me and thank you for the food," sabi ko.

He just smiled at me. He started walking away from me.

He's cool... He's my savior. He saved my life. I owe him a lot. Balang araw ay babawi rin ako sa kabutihan niya.

I stood up...

"I promise... One day, I will become a Healer. I will also protect you. I owe my life from you. One day, I will be the one who will heal your wounds everytime that you will fight."

Lumingon na lang siya sa akin. He is smiling at me.

"Healers are pure hearted but they are the weakest type of sorcerer," he said.

I clenched my fists. I know that I can't repay him for now.

"I don't care as long as I have the power to help you," I said firmly.

"I'm looking forward with your promise," nakangiti niyang sabi.

He is walking away. I am counting his steps. One day, I will help him. One day, I will be the one who will save him in every battle.

Maybe I'm just a beggar now but I still have hope. Balang araw ay magiging Healer din ako and I will help him someday.

That guy just gave me hope; he gave my life a new meaning...

•••

"So you mean, ikaw 'yung beggar na niligtas ko years ago?" He asked.

I nodded...

He looks shocked because of what I told him.

"I owe my life from you. I will do anything for you, Zion. Ikaw ang nag-motivate sa akin kung ano ako ngayon. I will side with you always," I said seriously.

"What happened after we parted?" He asked.

"Lola Veron found me. She saw that I'm capable of being a healer."

"Hindi mo naman kailangang gawin ito dahil lang sa utang na loob mo sa akin. I almost forgot everything that happened before. I never expected na ikaw pala 'yung taong 'yun," he said.

"I'd like to do everything for you. Hayaan mo na ako. It's my way to repay everything for you."

Tinitigan na lang ako ni Zion. He looks confused while looking at me.

Napatakip pa siya sa mukha niya at parang may iniisip siya.

Malapit ko nang matupad ang pinangako ko sa kanya. Mabuti na lang at nakita ako noon ni Lola Veron and she trained me to become a healer.

Well, I owe everything to Zion. Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanya.

Zion is my savior and my dashing knight. I would like to be a squire for him.