Series of Shadows: Khalifa

Mission Eleven: Red

Naglalakad sila Asty at Throwa papunta sa office ng council that day. As usual, marami na namang dala-dalang gamit ang boyfriend niya dahil kakatapos lang nitong magpresent ng proposal sa design class nito. 

Tahimik lang si Asty. Lately hindi na sila madalas mag-usap. He’s always busy. Hindi na rin siya nayayaya ng lalaki na lumabas. Hindi naman niya masingitan ang lalaki dahil alam niyang mahirap ang schedule ng mga students ng Architecture.

“Asty, are you busy later?” tanong ni Throwa.

Napatingin sa kanya ang lalaki .”No. Why?”

Napangiti si Throwa. “We will be celebrating my parents anniversary. They’d like you to come.”

“Really? Anniversary na nila Tito at Tita?”

“Yeah. So, can you come?”

“Okay.” simpleng sagot ng boyfriend niya.

“You know what Asty,” sabi pa ni Throwa. “There is something going on with you, right?”

Napatingin lang si Asty kay Throwa, with the same blank expression. Hindi ito sumagot hanggang makadating sila sa office ng council.

Tahimik lang si Asty as usual nang dumalaw ito sa bahay nila. Busy ang parents ni Throwa sa pagprepare ng dinner nila. At habang naghihintay, nanonood sila ng movie ni Raiden at Throwa sa sala ng bahay nila. Ang sabi kasi ng mama ni Throwa, siya ang maghahanda ng food nila sa gabing yon.

Katabi ni Throwa si Asty sa sofa habang nakaakbay ang lalaki sa kanya. Nang mapansin yata ni Raiden na need nila ng quality time, nagpaalam ito kay Asty.

“Kuya Asty, I’ll go upstairs. I’m quite tired.”

Tumango lang si Asty.

“Why is it that you call him kuya, when you only call me by my first name?” tanong ni Throwa.

Napakamot lang ng ulo si Raiden. “He’ll help me get women someday, Throwa.”

Napasimangot si Throwa. Napangiti lang si Asty.Nang maiwan sila ni Throwa sa sala, the girl asked.

“Is there something wrong?” tanong ni Throwa.

“What do you mean?”

“Those men who attacked us, you really don’t know them?”

“No. Lola doesn’t have any idea if  there are other enemies.”

“The problem with your clan is that Dawn created a lot of enemies sa time niya. Pano kaya natin sila mahahanap?”

Napatingin si Asty kay Throwa. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll protect you if needed.”

Napangiti si Throwa. Tumingin siya kay Asty. “I am Aphrodite, Asty. I  am capable of protecting myself.”

“It seems that you don’t need me,” nakangiting sabi ni Asty.

Hinawakan ni Throwa ang mukha ni Asty. “D’you know what? I wanted to protect you instead. Lagi mo na lang kasi akong binabantayan. You remained faithful to me kahit alam mong posibleng patay na ko, at baka hindi na ko bumalik.”

Napangiti si Asty.

“But you still had 8 girlfriends.” dagdag ni Throwa.

“Does it matter if I had girlfriends before? You have me now.” sagot ni Asty.

Napangiti si Throwa. “What are they like?”

“Well,” sabi ni Asty, “I don’t know. They don’t seem to be like you though.”