Scent of Eclipse

Chapter 52: Blue Wind

Zion

Mula sa kalayuan, tinanaw ko siyang umupo sa sahig at manlumo sa kapalarang paulit-ulit siyang dinurog. I can't take it. I can't see her crying like this. I'm afraid that if ever I will turn my back again to catch you from falling down, I might not let go of you again.

I'm scared that I might be your downfall when I promised to be your safest home. I wanted to be the man who will always be your shield... Not your danger, not your thorn, neither your death.

If being far away from you means saving you, then I will. I am ready to abandon you just so I could protect you. I would rather die being sorry everyday for not being there at your side than to see you live like this. You're already tired... You've gone far, Ruby. I want nothing but for you to get your dreams... And to be loved by the people you wanted to love you.

Oras na huminto ang ulan, binanggit ko ang mga katagang alam kong hindi niya maririnig.

"How can I breathe again after this? I want the clouds to burst so I won't hear your cries."

I looked at her for the last time.

"Nangako ka sa kanya."

I can't believe he's doing this. He's looking at me with those burning white eyes.

"Pareho pala tayo. Kinain ko lang mga salita ko." I nodded at him slowly.

Umiling siya para sabihin na sobrang mali ang ginawa ko.

"Sa oras na mawala siya dahil sa pagmamahal niya, sana hindi ka magsisi na natakot kang samahan siya sa mga huling oras niya." Binangga niya ako bago niya ako lagpasan saka huminto. "Nililigtas mo ba talaga siya o natatakot kang ikaw ang iligtas niya dahil duwag ka?"

"Hindi ako kagaya mo na kayang lulunukin ang lahat kahit na mapahamak siya." Sambit ko at binangga ko rin katulad ng ginawa niya para lagpasan siya.

Am I taking the wrong way?

The phone rang so I picked it up to receive the call.

"Dix?" Basag ko.

"Paano ko itratransfer kay Drine itong posisyon? Kailangan ko ng mga papeles mo para sa registration ng pangalan niya sa legal declaration."

"Aling papeles?" I asked, brushing my palm into my face in frustration.

"That you're an adopted son of Tita Dianne and you own shares and you're giving Drine the position." Umubo siya. "Alam mo naman ang mga Hidalgo, hindi ba?"

All should be done clean, no mess, no lies.

"Nandiyan na 'yan hindi ba?"

"We can't find your record from the orphanage kaya kasama no'n ay hindi namin mahanap yung record niyo ni Tita Dianne."

Dinig kong inagaw ni Drine ang telepono. For a moment, nakalimutan ko siya. Maybe I can forget about her by living back in this world I used to be in. I should've known my place from the very start so I haven't gone this far.

"Hoy, insan galing ako roon wala raw!" Sigaw niya kaya bahagya ko iyong nilayo sa tenga ko. "Tama ba yung pinuntahan kong bahay ampunan? Paano kung mali? Sigurado ka ba?"

I laughed lightly when I heard her voice. Bigla kong naalala si Ulfa. She's just like her kung mag-ingay.

"Hope Orphanage, Drine. Baka kamo inuman pinuntahan mo." Pambibiro ko habang naglalakad palayo sa kanya.

Two worlds, apart. I still want to stay with you and stare at you every second.

"Inuman ang mukha mo! Tanga ka ba?"