HOWLINGS AND SHADOWS (Thindrel Howzit Hawthorne)

🐾XXXVI. Talk🐾

Thindrel Howzit Hawthorne

I don't know what but I can feel Ilaria's coldness. Her eyes is so transparent kaya noong una pa lang naming kita ay alam kong may naramdaman na ito para sa akin.

Pagdating namin sa Moldova ay kaagad namang bumukas ang malaki at matayog na gate. Behind those gates at walls are three Kingdom. For me, for Amara and for Freya.

Nilingon ko kung ano ang reaksyon niya. Ng makita na maaliwalas ito ay napangiti ako. I'm glad she's enjoying the view in our home.

Pinarada ko ang sasakyan sa harapan ng malaking fountain. Ten chupacabra line up to welcome me and give an assist.

Paglabas ko ay nakalabas na rin si Ilaria dahil pinagbuksan ito ng isa sa naroon. I pouted. I want to offer that I should open the door for her pero naunahan na ako.

"Her luggage are at the back. Prepare her room", sabi ko.

Yumuko silang lahat. "Yes, Your Majesty", they all said.

"Lets go", anyaya ko sa kay Ilaria.

She look at me and flash a small smile on her pretty lips. Nauna na akong pumasok at sumunod naman siya sa akin. Hindi ko na siya nilingon para kumpirmahin na nagagandahan siya sa desinyo. Her gasp and amusement sound is already enough to know.

"The chupacabras will guide you to your room", sabi ko ng tumapat kami sa malaking hagdanan.

She nodded. I thought she'll ask me to go with her but she didn't. Id be glad to offer that. Iyon naman talaga dapat ang gagawin ko kaso lang ay kailangan kong magpakita sa mga magulang ko.

Lumabas ako sa palasyo at dumiretso sa likod nito kung nasaan ang mansyon namin at naroon ang aking mga magulang.

Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa bahay ay nakaabang na ang ina ko doon. She look at me with so much sadness in her eyes. Tumayo ang ama ko galing sa pagkaupo sa sofa.

"Honey, I'm so sorry you have to go through all that", sabi ng aking ina na naluluha.

Dad look at me with tears in his eyes. He pull me and my mom for a tight embrace. "Honey, I'm so sorry. Son, I'm so sorry for bot being there", iyak ng aking ama.

"Mom, Dad, I'm fine. That's what matters now. I'm here and alive", sabi ko ng kumalas sila.

Piniga ng ina ko ang aking dalawang kamay.

"We knew. We sent someone to look after you. Kaya lang ay hindi makapasok para sana iligtas ka anak", ang aking ama ay naluluha muli.

"Dad, it's alright. Do you know your son? He's a monster. A beast", sabi ko para matawa ang dalawa.

Dad chuckled while my mom is still crying.

"I almost lost my baby", sabi ng aking ina.

"Mom, I am not a baby anymore", reklamo ko sabay tawa. Natawa naman ito sandali. "I'm all grown up now. Gawa nalang kayo ni Papa ng bagong baby".

The talk went smooth. I confessed to them everything. Kahit na ang parte kung saan pinatay ko ang aking beloved ay natanggap nila. Naiintindihan nila. But father said that the consequences are really that great. Swerte ko nalang daw siguro kung may magmamahal pa sa akin.

At dinner, sa bahay kami kumain. Together with my parents, Ilaria joined us. Nakikipag-usap naman siya sa mga magulang ko. She talk to the them normally, like how she used to talk with someone pero pagdating sa akin ay malamig ang kanyang tungo.

After the dinner ay babalik na rin naman kami sa palasyo. Sabay kaming lumabas ni Ilaria. Sabay kaming naglalakad ngunit malayo ang kanyang tingin.

Hindi naman ako nagsalita dahil baka pagod lang siya.

Ng makapasok na kami sa bahay at makaakyat na sa tamang palapag ay ganoon pa rin.

I even said my goodnight but she just nodded at me. Without smiling.

"Hey! Are you alright?", I asked.

She look at me after opening the door of her room. Na katapat lang ng akin. It was a room prepared for my sibling pero mukhang walang balak na magkaanak ulit ang mga magulang ko.

"Yeah. Just tired. I'll sleep now", aniya at tuloyang pumasok tsaka sinara ang pinto.

Napatulala naman ako sa harapan at nakatitig lamang sa pintoan. She's not my business bur there's something inside me that wants her to know everything. Lalo na't sinama ko pa siya kanina. I should have drive her home before I went back to Sighisoara pero hindi na kasi ako makapaghintay at takot na baka mahuli ako.

Umamba akong kakatok sa pinto when ir flew open. Nagulat pa siya ng makita ako doon. Her eyes widened in surprise and still manage to be pretty.

"Hey---", she cut me off.

"I, umm, I'm so sorry for treating you coldly. I-I was....", she trailed off and look away. ".....jealous".

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Her honesty really gets me.

"Y-You were dreaming earlier and y-you called h-her. You said you're sorry and you said my love. I-I was jealous because I-I like you so m-much", nauutal na sabi niya sa akin habang nakatitig sa aking mga mata.

"I'm so sorry , too. I should have told you what we really came there for I just--".

"It's okay if you can't tell me now. If you're not ready for it. I'll just wait. I understand", she said and softly smile at me.

I know she's being shelterer but she's too understanding. She's so kind.

Umiling ako. "I was about to talk to you about it. I want you to know", sabi ko.

Muli kong nasilayan ang matamis niyang ngiti. She open the door of her room wide.

"Come in", aniya.

I step inside the room with her. Sinara ko naman iyon. Nakita kong naupo siya sa sofa na naroon at handa ng makinig. She really looks so interested with it. Napatawa nalang ako at bahagyang nawala ang kaba at lungkot sa dibdib.