Unopened Rose (DRAFT! DRAFT!)

Chapter 59

Napapikit si Mameh ng mariin at kinakabahang napakagat-labi nang magbangga sila ni Matthew.

Matteo, you are really hard-headed. aniya sa sarili.

Nanigas siya at kumunot ang noo sa pangalan na ibinigkas ng binata sa kanya. 

"I... I-I'm sorry." nakayukong hinging paumanhin ni Mameh.

Matthew didn't answer and just looked at how Mameh bowed respectfully in front of him. 

Sari-sari ang mga emosyon na nararamdaman niya. Iyong tipong biglang sumaya ang puso niya pagkatapos makita si Mameh pero ngayon dahil sa tipo ng pagsasalita nito sa kanya at inasta nito ay napalitan ng pagkalito ang puso't-isipan niya. 

"What are you doing here?" tiim-bagang na tanong ni Matthew kay Mameh.

He knew she isn't Yanna but his heart and her familiar eyes say so. But there is no way that Yanna is still alive.

"I... uhm... the horse... I was just..." putol-putol na sagot ni Mameh habang nakakagat-labi. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang isasagot niya.

Hindi nagsalita si Matthew habang nakatitig lang kay Yanna hanggang sa marinig niya ang boses nina Luke at Yuhan sa kinaroroonan ng mga kabayo. 

"Who's with you? Why are you here?" tanong ni Luke kay Matteo nang maabutan nila itong pilit na humihiwalay kay Matteo dahil hindi siya nito pakakawalan habang tumatawa.

Matteo stopped while the horse was still rubbing it's face on his back.

Nang mawala ang atensiyon ni Matthew ay doon naman tumakbo si Mameh ng mabilis na huli nang namalayan ni Matthew. 

She stopped in a distance and put on her veil to avoid people seeing her. Napagdesisyonan niyang hintayin na lang si Matteo sa unahan at sabay na silang uuwi.

Napailing-iling na napangiti si Yuhan. 

"It seems that those with the same names can interact with each other." sabi ni Yuhan. 

Lumipad ang tingin ni Luke kay  Yuhan. 

"Are you kidding me? That saying only fit for humans. The other Matteo is a horse, stupid."

Yuhan was speechless that Luke called him stupid.

"You!" tanging nasabi na lang niya.

"Why is he here?" tanong ni Matthew nang makalapit siya sa kanila.

Matteo was still trying to play with the kid while Matteo tried himself to stay away.

"This horse must be a prejudice. How could he be so happy and playful with Philip's son? While he won't even play with me except for letting me drive him." hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Luke.

"Just be thankful that he didn't kick you." sabat naman ni Yuhan na kinainis ni Luke. 

"I pay my respect to you, your Majesty." magalang na bati ni Matteo kay Matthew habang nakayuko.

Sabay namang nanlaki ang mga mata nina Luke at Yuhan sa sinabi ni Matteo at mas lalo silang nagulat sa reaksiyon ni Matthew nang ngumiti siya bilang sagot saka bahagyang umupo sa harap ni Matteo habang bahagyang ginugulo ang buhok nito.

"W-what... Hey Matthew..." nauutal na sabi ni Luke.

"Your Majesty, how did he know you? Isn't it dangerous for you?"

"Yeah. Exactly! How come this child know your identity?" sang-ayon naman agad ni Luke saka bahagyang tinakpan ang bibig habang  tumitingin sa medyo madilim at walang tao na paligid.