Wainwright Series 2: A Doll Not to be Replace

CHAPTER 37

TRIGGER WARNING

Drug overdose, intentional murder, kidnapping

⚠️

KOHLEN

Kheilanie could not tolerate my bullshits. And it was the last straw to let the walls crumble down as I set my eyes on her. 

"With or without evidence, Wrieck was the cause of our misfortunes. I convinced myself it was his doing..." The words stuck on my throat. My eyes stings as the nightmares that flooded my rest, were the memories I buried in my subconscious could no longer contain it. "We were kidnapped; trapped in vices and drugs!—Ang hirap kalimutan iyon. Ang hirap na ibaon iyon sa limot dahil araw-araw nila kaming binubugbog. Araw-araw na nilulong si Codhille sa droga na hindi namin alam kung para saan iyon." I choked over the dump trauma that bottled up. 

"They tortured us. Almost killed us. Tapos wala akong magawa noon dahil bata pa lamang... mga menor de edad na wala pa ring kamuang sa mundo. Mga batang hindi pa kayang ipagtanggol ang sarili... Gusto ko siyang mamatay noong nakabalik kami sa palasyo. Gusto kong patayin ito dahil nasisikmura niyang ngumiti sa amin na parang wala itong kinalaman sa nangyari sa amin!"

I muffle a cry. I let out the frustrations that I kept when I were young. 

"Let me hold you," Kheilanie softly whisper. She moves closer, enveloping me into an embrace. "You did not deserve that, Kohl." 

"I really don't, Khei," I sobbed in her arms. 

Her gentle caress created a release on my emotions. Just by her contact, I became that Kohlen who could show his weakness when it was too much.

"I'm waiting to the proof... My brother is helping Codhille's older brother with an investigation about Wrieck." I wipe away my tear and wrap my arms around her back. "Kapag malaman namin na siya ang may kagagawan noon sa amin, ay sisiguraduhin kong mabubulok siya sa bilangguan."

She nods her head. "That's good. And we should schedule a departure for you soon, Kohlen."

"Departure?" Napawalay naman ako dito. "You want me to depart?"

She nods again, "It is a must. At dapat na rin na ikaw itong humarap sa imbestigasyong iyon. Hindi mo kailangan maghintay ng kasal. Hindi mo rin kailangan na gawin pa ang mga bagay na nagpipigil sa kung ano ang kaya mo." Hinaplos ulit nito ang likod ko. "There should be no constraint if you value to protect the people that you love."

"There is no need, Kheilanie." I slowly shook my head.

She frowned; gently backing away from me. "Kohlen," I cut her off.

"I'll wait for Xio's report. I don't have to rush back home."

"Isn't this urgent?!" I snicker and nod. "Then we have to do something!"

"Mayroon pa akong problema dito. Kung aalis ako, kailan ko naman haharapin ang andito."

Namilog ang mapupungay nitong mga mata. "What? Anong problema ang hinaharap mo dito?"

"My marriage prospect... The Wainwright princess who I am betrothed to." My voice drops, the same way her face glooms. 

"But you don't want to marry yet."

"Pero hindi ko pa rin nakukumbinsi ang hari na hindi ako magpapakasal. At mukhang wala pa itong alam sa totoong kalagayan ng aking pamilya." 

Unti-unting umatras si Kheilanie. "Anong gagawin mo? Anong sasabihin mo?"