|| Adriano
My mind observes around the busy College of STEM hallways as I stroll to exit. It does smell like midterms fast approaching, no?
This building is usually quiet, but it gets somewhat chaotic whenever it is the so-called 'Hell Week'. Engineering and architecture students cramming their plates, medical students memorizing those hefty binded papers, and some are making their models and inventions in the last minute. Everyone is in their fastest pace as if there is a promotion/sale going on.
Again, it's a chaos. How fascinating, and it annoys me quite a bit. They are setting a reminder, a reminder of how weary this week would be.
I felt my phone vibrating from my blazer's pocket in a wrong timing. I picked up, and it was a call that I was expecting. I expected those commands from a senior, and I can't help but to just agree, or else I would fail.
"Hello, sir?"
"Yes, yes, my paper is almost done. Is your schedule free for consultation? I'd like to hear your opinion and if there is something more I could change."
"Okay so I'll meet you tomorrow at 7 am, then?"
"I'm already done proving the theory of general relativity used in that study. I used the formula and tried to come up with other results."
"Noted sir. Have a great day ahead."
I dropped the call and I placed my phone onto my blazer pocket and sighed. It seems that my schedule will be packed once again, but at least I'm almost done with my nerve-wrecking thesis, though I have more research papers to go Also, I was reminded by Lawreign that we would be having a sixth meeting today, and my thoughts were hoping it would be serious this time. For now, I wanted things to run smoothly and efficiently, in which we did not take seriously because of her impractical jokes.
God... even my thoughts are annoyed. I may not look like it, but I quite hate to be overworked. Maybe the building's ambiance is getting into me? I am kind of... uncertain.
I just hope something good will happen today.
I was about to leave the College of STEM's hallways when a familiar woman passed before my gaze. Her long black hair swept into the direction of her fair transluscent skin and white medical technologist uniform. Her almond eyes showed some traces of exhaustion from her everyday routine; looks fainted but still astonishingly beautiful. I've been watching her afar for years, but her vibe hasn't changed.
You know who am I referring to.
Yes, speaking of the angel.
My antagonizing perceptions faded with her trails. I think I'm getting more cringy than I was. I think my prayers have been answered.
I took some courage to approach her, wearing the same mask I've been wearing these past few weeks. Gladly I wore the undergraduate uniform today. "Hey Maryl!" I gave a cheerful greeting.
She slightly raised her head to check who's in front of her. I can't blame her for doing so, I stand 6 foot tall, and she was about 5 foot and 4-ish.
"Oh hey Adriano! It's good to see you here." she greeted back, with a painted duchenne smile on her face.
I'm utmost glad to see you here as well. I can feel my lips returning the genuine smile she gave.
"Are you going to AXU-RC for the meeting? Sabay na tayo." I directly asked, expecting an accurate response from her.
"Yeah, and sure. We've already met in the STEM premises naman eh." she agreed.
Thankfully.
"Did you have lunch?" I asked curiously as we walked our way. She looked tired, so I was hoping she grabbed something to eat or I'll take her somewhere to eat first.
Her head moved with a nod. "Yeah don't worry, I had lunch at the café beforehand."
Her eyes may be Asian, but it looks more weary than it used to. Unlike the others, I noticed her eyes are more honest than her mouth. She may be a STEM student but I hope she gets to rest whenever she needs to, I'm worried.
We had an exhange of conversations with regards to school and potential topics at the meeting. With what happened to Axis the last time, I'm glad Maryl and I shared the same sentiments. It wasn't funny, rather it was an epic fail. Knowing Axis, he could have sued Lawreign, and it was easier for him since their family owns a law firm.
I'm having tons of theories why he didn't do such though...
We were in the AXU-RC's elevator when Maryl's phone buzzed from her lab coat's pocket. She checked who was it and read the text. "Sèan texted in the app that they were waiting for us." She immediately replied and placed her phone back to her lab coat's pocket.
My heart sank, and it felt like threads are wrapping around it, but I don't know why.
I can't help but to look at her lifelessly as she typed her reply on the OP: SEIRA app.
-----
Carlo
"Okaaay. Wala si Axis so ako daw muna magsastart ng meeting. Tawagin na yung mga dapat tawagin para makapagsimula na tayo within a few minutes." Reign instructed, in which it was obvious na kami palang dalawa yung nandito.
I was checking the OP: SEIRA app, and Maryl wrote that she and Adriano are on their way.
Jealousy started to creep into my spine.
Moments after the said text, Maryl and Adriano entered the conference room together, exchanging laughter and blinding gazes.
Jealousy started to wrap around my heart.
"Yo. It seems that Miss Midford would be leading our meeting today. Waw. Anong nakain mo sa kitchen lab?" Adriano looked at Reign and jokingly asked.
"Of course. Wala si Axis eh. Sino ba naman kasi may kasalanan?" I teased as well.
I guess I'm starting to feel irritated, nagpipigil lang ako. I know I don't have the right to feel such, but why?
Calm yourself Carlo, goddammit.
"Mga gago talaga kayo. Mas naguguilty ako eh! Umupo na nga kayo para paguusapan na natin yung plano." Reign annoyingly instructed.
Adriano sat infront of me, and Maryl sat beside him. I can feel the comfort between them, and how relieved Maryl looked.
Jealousy started to choke me.
"Now I will formally start the meeting. And what I mean formally, seriously. As in seryoso na. Seryoso na talaga since wala na yung isang asungot na nagpapabwiset ng buhay ko, magagawa ko na to." she clarified, in which made us three sighed in relief.
"Madagdag ko pala, next time gumamit na tayo ng projector para may visual si Axis at di siya patanga-tanga." she delivered in a humorous manner, kaso parang may deep meaning?
And we proceeded to the actual meeting; Adriano re-discussed the effectiveness of the spy cams, and is eager to make more batches if needed, and Reign asked for its night and motion sensors to be re-upgraded; we wouldn't want another Midford Hotel incident to happen. I also re-discussed the effectiveness of the OP: SEIRA app, especially in emergency situations. Maryl had to transcribe the meeting for it to be sent to Axis.
"Oh I have an idea." Reign suddenly had her face enlightened with an idea with her mind. "Firstly, prepare new set of camera transmittors."
"No worries Reign. Already have a blue print for the satellite camera as well." sagot ni Adriano.
"Bilis naman?" she asked.
"I have a backup after backup." Adriano grinned at her.
Upon realization, she murmured to herself "Ay oo nga pala..." and she looked at Maryl. "Secondly, Ryl, prepare biochemical weapons for external and internal use."
Maryl choked on the earl grey tea she was sipping, almost spritzing it out. She managed herself to gulp and gave Reign a quizzical gaze. "P-pardon...?"
"Yes Maryl, you heard it right." Reign shifted her tone into a dark, secretive tone.
"Wait wait wait Lawreign Ellison, what the heck?" tanong ni Maryl sa kanya, even had her widened in shock. "Don't you realize how dangerous that sounds?!"
"Of course I do. I wouldn't order such thing kung di ko alam."
"You do realize that this could lead to a pandemic, don't you?"
"I do. And I entrust you on that."
Maryl sighed deeply and whispered to herself.
Reign went on with the meeting after a shocking command "Lastly, we also have to find a person with the codename L.A.W."
Adriano raised his hand in confusion, and asked. "Excuse me Lawreign, but is this related to the Midford Hotel incident?"
"Yeah, bakit?"
"Who and what is your source?" he asked again in a hinting tone.
Maryl and I had to stop what we were doing with our laptops to watch these two.
"Malakas lang intel ko, saka naiinis ako sa ginawa nila kay kuya."
"So, you were responsible for the abandoned building massacre, the one happened after the engagement party?"
The last question shook Reign to her nerves. Natameme siya bigla.
"Bingo." Adriano's face painted with a victorious smirk.
Reign cleared her throat and gawked at Adriano. "Hoy, paano mo nalaman yun?!"
"Simple. Malakas intel ko." Adriano answered in a mocking tone. "Pero no worries Lawreign, I know na 'malinis' mong plinano yun, so your secret is safe with me."
"Oh, nasa news yun di ba?" Maryl asked calmly, I guess she already predicted such thing.
"Ghad. Akala ko ako lang makakaalam nun!" medyo tarantang reaksyon ni Reign.
"The police can't even trace who's who. So as your future brother-in-law, I'll keep my mouth shut. You need a better killing spree tactics." Adriano adviced in a mocking tone, again.
"Kala ko tahimik buhay ko ngayon na wala si Axis."
"I just asked Reign, no other hidden meaning right here." pangangasar ni Adriano.
Still in the state of shock, Reign dismissed the meeting. "The meeting is adjourned!"
We were preparing to go out of conference room, when Axis had a surprise entrance na medyo hinihingal pa at may suot pang cervical brace.
To get out of her shocked state, inasar niya yung kawawang Axis nang pataray. "You sir are too early to the next meeting. Tapos na meeting, tska bat ka nandito eh dapat nasa hospital ka? Di ba pinaubaya mo sa akin 'to?"
"Unang una, nawalan na ako ng tiwala sa iyo Lawreign. Pangalawa, gago noong Tuesday pa ako pinalabas!" gigil na sagot ni Axis.
"The meeting went smoothly bruh, no need to worry." Adriano intervened on this upcoming tension.
Axis sighed. "Buti naman, pagbibigyan ko si Lawreign ngayon."
"Yes, thank you!" Reign cheerfully replied and exited the conference room swiftly.
_____
Beyond the Spectrum | Wave 18: Telepathic Battle • © mxylms