Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 29: This is the start of a Revolution [Part 3]

Chapter 29: This is the start of a Revolution [Part 3]

Everyone were laughing, and somehow, the atmosphere became lighter. I do not know if I should be pleased or not though because I feel like I have become a laughing stock. Still, whatever I have done has put the Union at a great advantage, as one word of ‘hi’ has somehow managed to divert their attention from the death of other Imperial Knights and the Champion.

I went back to my seat after I was awarded, and the awarding proceeded. Sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko sa mga sandaling ito, ngunit kailangan kung ipeke ang aking nararamdaman, lalo na noong nasa entablado ako kanina. I felt suffocated, I felt like I was being manipulated. I feel the eyes of every people on me, as if watching me carefully—both the Union and the Society, in order to see which side really do I belong to... And whatever I did back then, it has somehow made it look like I was with the Union. I sighed, whatever it is that the Society has stored for me, with my initiation and all, I hope I can manage.

“Congratulations,” nakangiti sina Elizabeth at Marina sa akin, si Lag naman ay tumango lang sa akin at saka siya muling tumingin sa entablado. Hindi gaanong nagsasalita si Lag sa mga nakalipas na araw din, hindi ko alam pero pakiramdam ko ay dumidistansya sa akin? Or I guess that is not really the case, I think there is a lot going on inside his mind, and he is too lost and deep within his thoughts.

What could possibly be bothering him? I’d like to find out, I want to ask him, but I do not have the courage to do so. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang gagawin ko, o paano ko rin io-open up sa kaniya kung may mali ba, o kung may tinatago ba siya. Because that is his privacy, and I do not want to invade someone’s personal space. Hahayaan ko na lang siya at hihintayin na mag-open up... But will he, though? That is something I am unsure of.

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ng awarding ay nakaramdam ako ng bagot at antok. I slept late too because a lot of things bothered me, kaya naman nararamdaman ko na ang pagdalaw ng antok. Mabibigat na rin ang talukip ng aking mga mata, and without further notice, I felt myself being lulled to sleep by the lively music of the Arena... And I had the strangest dream.

“Astaroth, you were gone for one month! Saan ka nagpunta? Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sa iyo, ni hindi ka man lang nagpaalam, you seemed to be spirited away too. Ano ba ang nangyari sa iyo?” Kumunot ang noo ng babaeng nasa harap ko—it was me. I remember this. It is a memory, way back in 2018, during the time that Astaroth suddenly disappeared, with no traces of him, as if he never existed in the first place.

Astaroth looked different and strange, it was as if he has seen something he should have not. He looked at me, with wide eyes. “What year are we in now?” He asked.

Kumunot ang aking noo, “did you hit your head or something? We are on year 2018...”

“Oh.” He gasped, “I have miscalculated.”

“What do you mean miscalculated?” I asked, curious. Naglakad na ako palapit kay Astaroth at saka ko siya tinitigan sa kaniyang mga mata. He seemed different, “Astaroth, I am your best friend and your co-scientist, I have the right to know whatever it is that is going on, right?” I asked.

“I cannot really explain, but you have to trust me... I have everything under control.” Ngumiti si Astaroth sa akin, “someday, you will understand and you will see whatever it is that I have seen.”

“Tell me, though... At least give me an idea.”

“You remember the Time Machine?” He asked—he planned to make one, to invent one... Don’t tell me he managed to make it real? My eyes widened with the realization, that is why he was gone for a month! He time travelled!

“What year were you at for one month, Astaroth?” I asked.

“I don’t know—but the world is in ruins. It is in the far distant future, and the world is in dystopia and apocalypse. There is this government, and they are doing human experimentations—something went wrong, though.”

“What went wrong?” I frowned.

“I don’t know, I somehow forgot it while I time travelled back to the present.” He sighed, “my memory is vague, must be because the system is still incomplete and it has affected me, but I am glad I retained my rationality and self,” he sighed. “I still have not perfected it, but soon—I will... And when it is finally safe, I will let you see it for yourself.” Astaroth smiled at me.

“I am still shaking by the idea that you have travelled to the future.”

“I cannot really put it into words, but I will try my best to explain. The universe is very big, actually, I think there is a multiverse that is gradually multiplying each second, and that parallel universes and worlds exist, and such. This is very complex, I know, and it is also beyond me... But a rule that I know is that travelling to the future is safe, but travelling to the past is not—because it can alter the ‘present’ and everything else that transcends it, also, if you travel to the past to where you already exist, and you happen to meet your ‘past’ self, it will cause complications to your existence. Nature will rewrite you itself, because it has to keep its balance. I do not know if I am making any sense...”

“Astaroth, tell me,” I sighed, “what year are you truly from, though? From the present or from the past? What year were you truly born?” I asked, as I already was having suspicions.

Astaroth smiled and it seems like I caught him off guard.

I watched the scene unfold before me to go dark, and this dream of a memory of the distant past that resurfaced felt like a warning to me, like the universe is telling me something connected is about to happen. And the idea that Time Travel is really existing, it gave me hope—I can travel back in my time, to 2020.

Was I actually travelling in time though, and not really hibernated in a Time Capsule? The way I see it, the dream makes more sense if I have travelled to the future.

Another scene unfolded, and this time—it was the first day I laid my eyes on this world.

“Eh, I just wanted to accompany that pretty doll because she seems lonely!” The young girl replied. I opened my eyes again and tried to look at where the voices were coming from. That’s when I heard a gasp. “Tiara, bumukas ang mata ng manika!”

“What?! That’s impossible!” Gulat naman na saad ni Tiara. I couldn’t see them clearly at all because of the distortion caused by the water and glass that separated us, but I saw their figures. There were two of them and they were both women.

With the little energy I had, I raised my hand and pressed my palm against the glass, para ipaalam sa kanila na ako ay gising na. Sumigaw ang dalawang babae at tumakbo paalis ng silid na tila nakakita ng multo.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps coming into the room. Palakas nang palakas, isang indikasyon na sila ay lumalapit sa akin at habang lumiliit ang distansya sa amin ay naririnig ko ang mga tinig nila ngunit hindi gaanong naiintindihan dahil mahina lamang.

“Master Lucius, gumagalaw ang manika!”

“Did anyone play with the buttons?” Tanong ng isang makisig na tinig. This must be the man whom they are calling Master Lucius.

“Sorry, Master Lucius. Hindi ko na po uulitin.” Saad ng batang babae.

“So, you did break my number one house rule—to never enter this room and touch anything here. I will deal with your punishment later, Ingrid. For now, we will deal with her.”

“Master Lucius, buhay po ba ang nasa loob ng aquarium na iyan?” This time, the woman who seems to be of my age inquired.

“That aquarium is a Time Capsule and I do not know who is that woman inside. All I know is that she is someone that my late ancestor has fallen in love with and there were circumstances which happened that led her to hibernate. She is from the Year 2020.” Pagpapaliwanag nito.

Now, this complicates things... Since if it was a Time Machine, then I supposedly should not be displayed through the Time Capsule, right? Dapat ang aking existence sa mundong ito ay abrupt, but my existence was gradual. I was hybernating, really...

Naguguluhan na ako. So, what was it, truly? Did I time travel or hibernate?

“I am Lucius Arturius Ghani, the servants here call me Master Lucius, you are?”

“Primrose Nightingale.” My voice was hoarse and shaky. “How long was I asleep?”

“It says in the machine that you were frozen in time on the year 2020. We are currently at Year 2395, the 24th century. That means you have been sleeping for more than 3 centuries. 375 years, to be exact.”

Nagulat ako dahil sa aking narinig. “You’re lying!” Siningkitan ko siya ng mata. “That cannot be possible! If it has been that long, I should look old then!”

“I am not lying. I have no good reason to lie.” Sagot naman niya sa akin. “And you do not look old because the cells in your body were frozen, that means time for you has stopped when you were already inside the Time Capsule which was invented by my ancestor, Astaroth.”

At the mention of his name, agad akong nagalit. “Tell me, where is that traitor?!”

“He is already in heaven, if there is such a place. He died on the Year 2050. All of the people you knew before are already dead, that is to be precise.”

The scene started to blur once more, and another landscape appeared. Somehow, this dream seems more like flashbacks to me, as if there were clues being given in order for me to decipher. But I was unaware, and I do not know.

Marami pa kaming mga bagay na pinag-usapan habang naglalakad. His house, or should I say ‘mansion’, is really big and I just found out that it is built on top of a big skyscraper. Now not to mention, I didn’t have the chance to admire the view outside a while ago as I was too preoccupied with getting information on the current state of the world.

The city was beautiful and glowing. It was already night time and you won’t even know the sky is fake because it looked so true. The universe seems to be closer to us as well because of its effects. Ang napansin ko rin ay ang mga sasakyan na lumulutang—so, traffic isn’t a problem anymore. Everything has really changed and I need to learn more of this new world.

But despite of the manmade beauty and aesthetic that I see, I sighed. Saktong iyon ay nasa silid-kainan na kami at sinalubong ako ng maraming mga ulam sa mesa.

I smiled and looked at Lag who gestured his hand for me to take whatever I want to my plate.

“Before we eat, do you know what is the biggest threat to humanity, Lag?”

“Lag?” Kumunot ang noo niya kasabay ng pag-ulit ng kaniyang palayaw.

“Yup, from now on, I will call you Lag. You can call me Prim.” I smiled. After all the things he has done to me upon waking up, I declared to myself that he is trust-worthy. “So, do you know what’s the biggest threat to humanity?” Tugon ko.

“The things you can acquire outside these walls, like deadly diseases.” Aniya sabay turo sa matatayog na pader na aming natatanaw mula sa bintana ng silid-kainan.

Umiling ako.

“The biggest threat to humanity is humanity.” I declared.

The scenery started to blur out once more, and there was another memory.

It wasn’t that long when Lag and I met at the dining hall to have our breakfast. We ate in silence as I gazed at him. He still had his messy bed-hair which made him look sexier and he wore a minimalistic pajama that matched his sleeveless shirt, this showcased his well-crafted biceps and muscles. Bigla akong napaisip, if he was a product of in-vitro fertilization or of a natural s****l intercourse... That made me think, where are his parents too? They are not around the mansion, it was just him and the two beautiful robots who serve him, Tiara and Ingrid.

“Lag, where are your parents?” Hindi ko maiwasang matanong, “I never saw them yet... Are they out for business, or something?”

Tumango si Lag, “yes, they are rarely home... They are actually explorer scientists, and there are only a few of them, they are personally selected by Imperium, and are the only ones allowed to go out of the walls in order to explore, in the hopes of searching for life, and possible habitats... And such...”

“Or so that is what those in power say?” I said.

Hindi umimik si Lag, then he sighed. “Indeed... Whenever they are at home too, which is very rare, whenever I ask, they say they cannot disclose such information regarding the outside world as well, as it was confidential and strictly prohibited to leak such crucial data.”

That, itself, made whatever it is that they are saying about outside the wall to be more suspicious as well.

“Anyway, did you have a good night sleep?” Tanong nito upang ibahin na ang topiko, as it seems like he was stuck in a spot already where he knew the talk shall go next. Nakita ko naman sina Tiara at Ingrid na nasa tabi lang at tila nakikinig muli sa usapan. They were robots, but they sure do act like human beings. You can see the keen interest that was plastered on their face. I guess they just find this scene as something new because Lag normally does not have a guest on his mansion which is on top of a skyscraper.

“For someone who has been asleep for 375 years, I actually did have a good night sleep.” There was a hint of humor in my voice and somehow, Ingrid was able to catch it that is why she giggled. She immediately covered her mouth after when Lag looked at her. I went along to Lag, as I do not want him to feel uncomfortable around me, he is also not yet ready for these kinds of conversations, and I also have to know first if he is also like his parents, who are very loyal subjects of Imperium... Baka may masabi pa akong masama, at palayasin niya ako rito. I cannot risk that.

“As promised, your papers are already settled. You have your identity. You can move freely around the city—but there were slight modifications that we had to do.” He trailed off at the last part of his sentence.

“Slight modifications? Like what?” Tumaas naman ang kilay ko habang sumisipsip ako ng kape.

“Your name by legal papers is Primrose Ghani—but of course, you shall always be Primrose Nightingale.”

“Ghani?!” I asked, dismayed. Napansin naman iyon ni Lag kaya kumunot ang kaniyang noo. He seemed offended by my reaction but I didn’t care. Who the hell would want to have her surname to be replaced by the name of the man who betrayed her? “So, I am your wife?” I scowled after a few seconds.

Dahil dito ay bahagyang humalakhak si Lag, it was a beautiful laughter, though it was brief as he regained his posture after. “Of course, not.”

“Then what am I?” I raised one eyebrow once more.

“I see that you are not pleased... but there was no choice.” Matigas na sambit ni Lag, “and it isn’t like I wanted you to be my little sister as well. It was far from my plan. But doing this was for the best as if you are under my custody and you have my name, people will never dare to put you in harm’s way and such. You are more protected—by papers, you are my adopted sister.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, sister. Fine. Fine.”

The scenery blurred out once more, and there was another.

“Lag, sinabi mo sa akin na nag-aral ka rin. May I ask what you studied?”

“History.” He smiled, “I am the only Historian in the world because History isn’t much of an option as a discipline for many of High Tiers—many prefers to go for becoming politicians, scientists, inventors, artists and such...” He declared. “But I am fond of the past, of uncovering untold stories and such. It makes me more connected to this world where everything seems artificial.”

Well... He had a point. Everything, indeed, seems to be artificial.

“Wake up, Prim! It’s the most awaited part of the event already!” My dream was interrupted when Elizabeth was already shaking me as if we both were close. I mentally groaned, ramdam ko ang p*******t ng aking ulo. Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal na nakaidlip, but I guess I slept the rest of the event, and now we are at the last part of it.

“Now, we shall proceed to ranking of the Imperium Union Bank in regards to the percentage of shares that each district will get. This is to reiterate that the ranking is based on merit and standing in the events that of the Bicentennial Foundation Week Celebration of the Imperium Union.” Blare announced, halatang natuwa ang ibang mga tao at nagpalakpakan sila, ngunit ang pinakamaingay ay ang Tre—alam na agad ng mga Trens na sila ang panalo... Ah, right. Tren na rin pala ako. So dapat kami pala ang hindi sila. Anyway, I am still adjusting to the idea that Filipinos are now called Trens. Parang dati lang din ay mga Filipino ang nahuhuli, ngayon sila na ang nangunguna. Oh, how the times really have changed.

Gaya ng inaasahan, Tre ang may pinakamalaking share—we somehow managed to win 30% of the total share, I was uninterested with the rest and who got the 2nd, 3rd, and so on. I was just dreading to go back to Palace already so I can continue my sleep and when the awarding ceremony was already finished, I was very happy and excited to finally be with Pantaleon and my bed.

I slumped into my bed with the notion as well that tomorrow is my last day on this ship, and I have successfully answered most of my questions that I have written in my journal, but I know this is only the tip of the iceberg, and there is more.

I wanted to try and remember whatever it is that Astaroth and I talked about before, but the memory is obscure and vague. I sighed, maybe in due time, I will remember it because it feels like I missed something important.

And I also have to put another goal in my list—aside from toppling down the Union, I will also have to go back to 2020. There is hope. Time travel is possible, I guess.