"Where are you going?" My brother asked when I passed by in front of him.
I glanced at him. The whole family is at the table, eating like a royalty. Well, they are. I picked a piece of grape and walked out. Inalok ako ni Papa na umupo pero umiling ako. Umupo si Reis sa tabi ni Mama.
"Eat first," malamig na turo ni Papa sa upuan ko.
"What do you want?" Mama asked.
"Kumain ka muna... Magdamag kang gising," turo ni Reis sa upuan.
"Gising for what?" Ulfa asked. She's here.
"Gising sa pag-aalaga kay Zion. Nasugatan siya ng sickle na may lason. Ayan, hindi mapakali," sagot ni Reis.
Para akong lantang gulay kapag walang Zion na kasama... Nawawala ang sigla ko at hindi ko magawang kumilos. I feel so weak without him. When he's here, nagagawa kong ngumiti at humarap sa kanila nang walang takot at tinatagong luha.
"Saan ka pupunta? You should eat first, you look tired," aya sa akin ni Ulfa.
"Take care of Zion, understood? I'll go out and will take a look at his businesses," paalala ko, trying to not to look at them.
"Ayos ka lang ba—
"Reis, pakitingnan si Zion," pamumutol ko kaagad kay Rashea.
Natanaw ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao ni Rashea dahil sa pamumutol ko sa dapat na sasabihin niya kanina.
"Kahit hindi mo ipaalala," tango ni Kuya.
"Should I go with you? Nilalagnat ka yata," nag-aalalang tugon ni Ulfa saka ako kinapa. "Oh my... Nilalagnat ka nga!"
"Hindi na kailangan... Stay here with Reis," tipid akong ngumiti.
"Sama ako," tuumayo ang babaeng anak niya at kumapit sa akin. I smiled at her.
"I'm going to a bar? Will your parents let you come with me?" Tanong ko at inayos ang buhok niya.
"You can come with her," payag ng nanay niya.
"You will not go out, Zarkas. You will have your classes."
She pouted hearing her father locking her up in this boring pack. Napangiwi ako sa kanyang inasta. Rude father...
"Come on. She's a royalty in the Academy... Why don't you let her go outside this realm?" Naiinis na tanong ko.
"I said do not go out, Zarkas. Ruby, huwag mong kunsintihin."
I gritted my teeth and gave him a deadly look.
"Para saan pa na ikulong niyo 'yan? Payagan niyo na para magkahiwalay sila ng lalaki niya," bigkas ni Havier.
"Havier... Ang pananalita mo. Napag-usapan na natin 'to, hindi ba?" Suway ni Rashea.
"Useless," Havier whispered.
"Are you mad again?" Zarkas raised her tone.
"Zarkas. Hindi ka aalis. Stay here and study. Babantayan ka ng kapatid mo," ma-awtoridad na utos ng tatay niya.
"Pa! Sabi ko naman kasi hindi niyo ako kailangang ikulong!" Depensa ng bata.
"Conard... Kalma," si Rashea.
"Hindi siya lalabas at mag-aaral siya. Isa..." He counted. "Sa oras na tumapak ka palabas o palayo sa tingin ko, ang malalagot ay si Flint," banta niya sa anak.
"Fine!" Galit na umupo ito pabalik.
"Andami mong alam, 'kala mo naman mabuti kang ama," diin ko at umalis sa hapag. "Call me if he's already awake," pahabol ko bago tuluyang umalis.
BINABASA MO ANG
Scent of Eclipse
FantasiaRuby, a powerful werewolf that holds a deep grudge against her pack, was assigned to bring the enemy of their clan down to end the war. She encounters Zion, a man who wants her to help him find the werewolves who murdered his parents and took his si...
