Prios 6: Prios Extinction

18. Decisions

Palubog na ang araw nang makarating sa Bernardina sina Edric at Zephy. Sinabihan na rin naman si Zephy na huwag munang tumanggap ng paperwork, pero sinabi na niyang kukuha na siya ng mga kailangang lakaring dokumento at gagawin na lang sa makalawa, eksaktong araw ng Lunes.

Habang abala sa mga dokumento ng anak ng numen, gaya ng nakasanayan, nasa loob na naman ng nursery si Edric at nakikipaglaro sa anak ni Chancey. Hawak-hawak ng bata ang hintuturo niya habang pangiti-ngiti.

"Zephy's back," parinig ni Alastor kay Edric habang nakatingin lang ito sa mga record ng batang kaharap nila. Naglipat pa ito ng kasunod na pahina para sulatan ng ibang detalyeng kailangan niyang bigyan ng sagot bago iuwi ang bata sa mansiyon sa gitna ng kakahuyan.

"She is," sagot ni Edric, pinipisil-pisil ng hintuturo ang matambok na pisngi ng bata.

"You see, Zephy is a human, Ed."

"I know."

"She's not using any charm or powers."

"I'll be surprised if she can use those."

"Do you love the numen?"

"Why do you insist on imposing that concept on me all the time? That witch has nothing to do with the human. They were friends, but they're not the same. That witch was Van's wife."

"Do you love Zephy?"

Doon lang nag-angat ng mukha si Edric para pagtaasan ng kilay ang tiyuhin. "Relevance, Uncle Las."

Mahinang natawa si Alastor at ipinagpatuloy ang sinasagutan niyang mga tanong sa record na hawak. "That human is favored by the Red King. Her kindness was acknowledged by the family. She's a hard worker with a lot of ideas."

"And why do you mind about my human all of a sudden, Uncle Las?"

"Your human?" natatawa pang tanong ni Alastor nang mapahinto sa pagsusulat.

Tumindig na nang deretso si Edric at nagkrus ng mga braso habang nakataas ang mukha para magmalaki. "She's mine, Uncle Las. We already had a lifetime deal in place."

May ngiti sa mga labi ni Alastor nang titigang mabuti ang pamangkin. Mababasa sa mukha ng ginoo na sinusukat si Edric at ang sinasabi nito kung gaano iyon katapat.

"Zephy is a human. She has emotions. Anyone can hurt her feelings, regardless of their kind."

"And the point of this discussion is?"

"You can't just throw her away like you did to your previous food."

"She's not food."

"Uhm-hmm. And what is she for you?"

"She's my human."

"How long?"

"As long as I breathe."

"What about as long as she breathes?" hamon ni Alastor na dahilan ng pagtahimik ni Edric. "Your contract with her doesn't imply that she'll live indefinitely as a human. She's going to die sooner or later. And you never know how long this land will remain as tranquil as it is now. The Seers had already warned us about the impending conflict."

"Is this about our death, Uncle Las?"

Napailing si Alastor. "It's all about allowing Zephy to choose her own happiness. For a human like her, life isn't very long. Allow her to choose where she wants to stay, and give her what she deserves. Don't force her to be with you simply because you desire it."

"What happens if she decides to leave?"

"Nothing will happen if she decides to leave, Ed. Unless you already gave her something that was returned to you when the numen died. That's why I'm wondering if you genuinely love that human. It comes down to your happiness and hers. You can't have both unless she chooses to spend the rest of her life with you."