HOWLINGS AND SHADOWS (Thindrel Howzit Hawthorne)

🐾 XXV. Vampire🐾

Esmeray Vozenilek

For months of being with Thindrel, it feels just like a day. Hindi mo talaga mamalayan ang oras kapag kasama mo ang talagang mahal mo.

Minsan ay pumupunta kami sa kanila at napakahabang byahe nito.

At first, I was hesitant but his parents are so kind even though they're monsters for us humans. Ngunit iba sila. They are even more kind and better than my own parents.

They accepted me without any questions or validation. Pinakilala lang ako ni Thindrel as his beloved and then his mom hug me tight and welcomed me to their family. His father also gives me a hug to welcome me as his daughter.

Nakakagaan ng pakiramdam at nakakaantig sa puso. He has little cousins and big cousins too. Doon ko lang nalaman na they are a family of vampires and werewolves.

And Thindrel is half. He's a hybrid. Just like his cousin who's an Alpha.

"Your family are better than mine", sabi ko kay Thindrel.

Isang araw iyon at gusto niyang pumunta sa bahay para magpakilala sa aking mga magulang.

He laugh. "Dad's a bit strict though", aniya sa akin.

Ngumuso ako. "He's a bit intimidating but he's kind. My father is...", natigil ako sa pagsasalita at bumuntong hininga nalang. I shrug my shoulder.

"Hey! No matter what happens. Whether your parents will accept me or not, I'm not leaving you, okay?", he said and kiss my forehead.

"I know", ngumiti ako.

Tumulak na kami papuntang mansyon. Ako ang kinakabahan para kay Thindrel. I know my parents won't get easy on him.

And I haven't seen them for months simula noong dito na ako tumira sa apartment ni Thindrel. And they didn't even look for me. Siguro ay alam nilang dito na ako at wala lang talaga silang pakialam sa akin.

Huminga ako ng malalim when Thindrel parked his flashy car in front of our mansion.

Si Esmeralda ang unang nakakita sa amin dahil nasa labas siya. Ng lumabas ako ay nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

"Esmeray?", she said to me.

Tumango lang ako sa kapatid.

"No wonder why you didn't go home for months. You're with some old rich guy", she said in a judgmental way.

Ng tuloyang lumabas si Thindrel ay kita ko kung paano nalaglag ang kanyang panga.

"Good morning, I'm Thindrel Hawthorne. Esmeray's fiancee", nagulat ako sa pakilala ni Thindrel. He grab my waist and pull me close to his chest.

Nanlumo ang mukha ng aking kapatid at kita ko ang talim ng titig niya sa akin.

"Mom, they're here!", rinig kong sigaw ni Emerald ng buksan nito ang pinto.

Kaagad kong niyayang pumasok si Thindrel sa bahay ngunit hindi siya gumalaw. He remain standing outsiour door.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. He pull me close to him and whisper.

"I can't get in. I need your dad to invite me inside", aniya sa akin.

Oh! Right, he's a vampire. Bumaba ang mga magulang ko galing sa hagdanan. Formal na formal si mama at papa habang si Emerald ay simpleng dress lamang. Si Esmeralda naman ay naka crop top at maikling palda.

"Why are you still standing there. Come inside", sabi ni papa.

Tumango ako at hinila si Thindrel. He's still hesitant but when his feet touch the carpeted floor of our foyer, I heard him heave a sigh.

Lahat kami ay naupo sa hapag para sa isang umagahan. Maraming nakahandang pagkain kaya iyon ang pagkakaabalahan ko.

My parents are asking Thindrel basic questions kaya alam kong masasagot niya naman iyon.

Kakapanibago ang design ng bahay. dati ay lumulusot ang sinag ng araw sa malalaking bintana ngunit ngayon ay may nakatabon na na blinds dito. The room is dark kaya nakabukas ang mga ilaw.

My sister Emerald is listening to what my parents are asking him and eat. Habang si Esmeralda naman ay titig na titig sa kay Thindrel.

"Are you sure you want Esmeray? She's a mediocre compare to her sisters. We have Esmeralda here, more beautiful and intelligent", pagmamayabang ng aking ama. "She's a whole lot more, we also have Emerald", dagdag pa nito.

Napayuko ako. "Sorry to tell you, but I don't need such girls like that. I just need Esmeray and her alone", he said and hold my hand that's just on the table.

Napangiti ako doon kahit na ngumiwi ang lahat ng nasa mesa.

Dad laugh after a second. "You only choose her kasi siya ang una mong nakita. If only you've met Esmeralda first, I'm sure it's her you'll choose and not that.....", dad trailed off.

Ramdam ko ang pagdiin ng hawak ni Thindrel sa aking kamay.

"I'm sure it is still Esmeray", ramdam ko rin ang paglamig ng boses niya.

Oh! No! This isn't good.

"It's not yet too late. Now that you've met Esmeralda and Emerald, I'm sure your mind is in doubt. You still can change your decision, hijo. Her older sisters are a best choice", he smile at Thindrel in a sarcastic way.

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Thindrel kaya mabilis ko iyong hinawakan. I look at him in the eyes and shook my head.

"I have no idea why you badmouth Esmeray in front of me. She isn't what you think she is. She's the best of all the women I know. So I don't understand why you belittle her. I love your daughter and I'm here to pay respect you as her parents. Thank you for your concern but if you continue to talk ill of her, then we're leaving", he said and stands up.

Napatayo na rin ako.

"Sit down!", my dad commanded. His voice boomed all over the corners.

Lahat kami sa silid na iyon ay takot na takot na. Except for Thindrel. What do you expect from the King of vampires? He'll never bow down to anyone.

"Baby, let's go", he said to me gently pero ramdam ko ang galit na namuo sa kanya.

Kung magtatagal pa kami dito ay baka lalala lang ang sitwasyon.

I quickly pick up my purse and follow him. Malakas na nagsusumigaw si papa sa kusina at sinundan pa kami sa labas.

Ng tuloyan na kaming makalabas ng bahay ay nakasunod pa rin ito sa amin.

"Antonio!", sigaw ni mama bago tuloyang nakalampas sa pintoan ang aking ama.

Right before my eyes. My father burned to ashes as the sun hits his skin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

W-What!?

Kita kong nagpapanic na si Esmeralda at Emerald ng makita ang reaksyon ko. They know. Oh! Well, they know.

"NO!", my mom shouted horribly.

Napatingin ako kay Thindrel. Did he do this?

Umiling ito sa akin. Nagkatitigan kami.

"Let's just go home", aniya.

"Did you do this? Are you the one who turn my father to vampire?", I asked.

Umiling siya. "No!", mabilis na sabi niya at paulit-ulit na umiling.

Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba ako o hindi. I run towards my father's burned body. Kita ko ang pagtataka sa mga mata ng aking ina at dalawang kapatid.

"Are you a vampire too, mom?", I asked her at nanlaki ang mga mata niya.