The Dissolving Flower

Kabanata 14

REMNANTS

LIS almost had his head cut off when Aryl smashed her axe on his direction. Ni hindi niya nga alam kung saan nito kinuha ng babae dahil bigla na lang lumabas, at sa isang iglap, nandito na agad sa harapan niya at handa siyang bawian ng buhay.

"Oh, dear spells! My four hundred and fifty years of existence just flashed before my eyes," he exclaimed, his hand on his chest, acting like he almost got a heart attack.

"Tigilan mo 'ko, Lis. Huwag mo 'kong buwisitin ngayong araw," kunot-noong asik nito. "Labas!"

She gestured her hand for him to get lost. Sa isang kamay naman nito ang palakol na unti-unting naging usok hanggang sa tuluyang nawala na para bang dinala ng hangin.

He tried to act innocent. "Hindi naman kita inaano d'yan tapos bigla kang manghahambalos ng palakol mo. I was just asking about earlier where you and Aster—"

"Manahimik ka!" she shouted, veins popping out her neck. Her face slowly turning red. "Tumahimik ka! Tahimik! Tahimik!"

Hindi na napigilan ni Lis ang sariling matawa sa pagmumukha nito. Buti na lang walang mga customer na pumapasok kaya malayang-malaya siyang asarin si Aryl.

Pagdating talaga kay Aster ang bilis nitong maasar. Masiyadong halata.

Muli siyang humalakhak habang napapapalakpak pa. Sinakop na ng kaniyang tawa ang bawat sulok ng tindahan. Naubo na siya ng ilang ulit at nasamid sa kaniyang laway pero tuloy pa rin siya sa pagtawa.

Nasaan na ba kasi si Aster? Magbabandang hapon na ngunit 'di pa rin ito bumabalik.

Speaking of, Lis immediately turned to the direction of the entrance when he saw his friend entered.

Grinning like an idiot, he greeted him. "Aster, ang tagal mo raw sabi ni Aryl."

"W-wala akong sinabing ganoon!" Isang sapok sa ulo ang natanggap niya dahilan para mapadaing siya.

"You're not allowed to do that, miss." Aster intervened as he walked toward them at the counter. Salubong ang mga kilay nitong nakatingin kay Aryl.

He wanted to punch him for saying that and for acting so cold at the woman.

'That's not how you make a move, idiot!'

Hindi naman niya masisisi si Aster dahil trabaho naman nitong bantayan siya. And to make sure that he is treated with respect. Smacking the next chief of Mythria was a big move that shouldn't have happened. It was an act of arrogance and disrespect towards their lineage.

He witnessed how his friend stared at Aryl. Nasa harapan sila ng isa't isa at ang counter lang ang pumapagitan sa kanila, habang siya naman ay nasa gilid at nag-aabang sa susunod na eksena.

"How dare you look down on my master's lineage."

Despite his butler's cold gaze, he sensed something from it. Something different from what he just spouted.

"I'm not looking down on anyone," sagot naman ni Aryl at 'di rin nagpatinag sa mga titig nito.

Lis couldn't help but form a grin. Napakagat siya sa kaniyang labi para pigilan ang sariling matawa. Siyempre, ayaw niya namang sirain ang eksena.

'I should've asked Aster earlier to make me some Vegie Sal. It will be perfect while watching this scene.'

"You smack the master's head, clearly showing your disrespect. And whoever got the foolishness to do that to the master, I, his butler, will lay my judgement on you."

His eyes shook in panic. Kahit kailan talaga masiyadong sineseryoso nito ang lahat ng bagay. Mabilis niyang hinawakan ang balikat nito upang pigilan sa gagawin. "Enough."