Soulstone Academy

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Light

Nakaupo ako sa napakalaking opisina ni Paham. Inabala ko ang sarili sa pagtitig sa isang figurine na mayro'n siya. It was a small statue of a woman with both her arms raised. The magnificent sun floated in her right hand while the mysterious moon is in her left.

Hindi naman siya bago sa paningin ko. If I remember correctly, may ganitong figurine din si Dad. It's probably about Hiraya and her daughters that bear the day and night. So honestly, it was nothing new.

Pero siyempre, wala akong magawa. Not when three pairs of disappointed glares are sent my way!

Isang mabigat na buntong-hininga ni Dad ang nagpaayos ng upo ko. I kept myself alert. Baka mamaya may lumipad na lang na sapatos tapos hindi ako makaiwas.

"You broke one of the rules-"

"Sorry, Dad. Wala naman kasi akong nabasa na rulebook-"

"Don't interrupt me!" singhal niya sa'kin na hindi niya rin pinatapos magsalita. "Do you need a rulebook to understand which places are off-limits or not?"

Uh, duh.

"Siyempre, Daddy. Paano ko malalaman ang rules 'pag 'di ako tinuruan?"

I can see Ellis rolling her eyes. Si Paham naman ay hindi alam kung magagalit ba dahil sa katigasan ng ulo ko o maaaliw sa bangayan namin ni Dad.

"Sinasagot mo ba ako?"

"Dad, you asked." I pointed out.

"Ikaw na bata ka!" he scowled, gesturing at me to come closer. "Halika dito. Halika dito para maturuan natin ng leksiyon 'yang matigas mong ulo."

"'Yoko nga! You'll either pinch my arm or flick my forehead. Masakit!"

I stuck my tongue out when Dad got up from his chair, taking the effort to come closer.

Mabigat na bumuntong-hininga ang pagod na si Ellis. Agad niyang nahuli ang braso ko habang tumatakbo palayo sa ama. Her deadly glare made me stiffen and stop all at once, standing as straight as a statue.

"Can you stop playing around when we're discussing a serious issue here," naiinis niyang saad. "Hindi lang isang rule ang binasag mo, kun'di dalawa. You were out in the halls during curfew hours and you entered a prohibited area. To make matters worse, you threatened three of your classmates to go with you."

"Not threatened, tricked." I corrected, cutely pursing my lips after. "Hindi ko naman alam na prohibited-"

"A bloody sign is plastered in the door, Raven! Huwag mo sabihing hindi ka na marunong magbasa?!"

"Sa dilim, oo. Mahirap."

The anger on her face fell. "Hindi ka ba talaga nauubusan ng excuses?"

I shot her my signature annoying smile, 'yong tipong nagpapasabog ng inis sa puso nila. I'm playing everything cool now to hide the fact that my brain is in shambles.

The Academy council has long left, after being assured that I will be penalized according to my faults. Hindi naman sila nabahala pa dahil nandoon si Paham, Ellis at Dad. Most officials would doubt leaving an offender to their family, but I've been rumored to have a distant relationship with both my parents and siblings. Hindi din sikreto ang pagkamuhi ni Ellis sa'kin.

One of the councils, Ellis' friend, took charge of lecturing my three companions. Sinamaan pa ako ni Tamara ng tingin nang umamin akong may kasalanan sa lahat. They tried to argue but with my super bad reputation and their good records, syempre hindi sila pinaniwalaan.

Sometimes, having everyone dislike you provide a couple of advantages.

"We can't let you go. You made some serious offense, far inexcusable from the favor you asked of Helios."