BC # 4: Breaking Commandment

CHAPTER 4

YESTERDAY was really tiresome and bothersome. After arriving at our house, Bernardo kept on ignoring my questions and suggested that I need to prepare for the lessons today.

Hindi ko masyadong maintindihan pero alam ko na kapahamakan ang tinutukoy ni Bernardo. Hindi ako bibigyan ng sangkatutak na bodyguards kung walang kapahamakan ang naghihintay sakin.

Pero iniisip ko, bakit si Adam alam niya? Bakit ako na mapapahamak din, hindi ko alam? So they just want me to be kept in the dark?

"It's too early to think that deep, Meine Herzogin." Napatingin ako kaagad kay Zed na iika-ikang tumabi sa akin.

"What happened to you?!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya pero tanging thumbs up at ngiti lang ang pinakita niya. "Zed, I swear. Tell it to me now!"

"I heard that you're going to train today? Just like me." Pag-iiba niya ng usapan pero hindi nakatakas sa akin ang nagdurugo niyang hita.

"Ohmy! Anong nangyari sayo?" Halos namumutla kong tanong sa sugat-sugat niyang hita.

"I deserve it." He said firmly. His eyes are full of conscience. "So please, just let me."

"Zed, you don't deserve this! Who did it to you?" Nag-aalala kong tanong. I cupped his face and began sobbing softly. "If I'm just strong enough to protect you from punishments... You wouldn't have to endure this..."

"Sshh." He hushed me and smiled. The same smile that keeps me from turning my back to my life. "Don't be. And besides, you'll be strong soon. You'll train, right?"

"I will be strong enough to protect you. I promise." Sabi ko bago punasan ang luha. "Sorry for being a crybaby."

"It's okay. I understand." He cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

"You're really like a big brother." I hissed and continued looking at his legs.

May sugat-sugat pa iyon dahil bumabakat ang dugo sa shorts niya kahit pa may benda ang mismong sugat.

"It'll heal. Don't worry, Meine Herzogin. I'm fine." Pag-aalo niya pa sakin dahil unting kalabit nalang ay iiyak nanaman ako.

Akmang yayakap ako kay Zed nang dumatin si Bernardo na malalim ang titig kay Zed. Ngunit kaagad itong nawala nang mapunta sa akin ang mga mata niya.

"Are you ready, Herzogin?" Paunang tanong ni Bernardo ngunit kaagad ko siyang tinignan nang masama.

"Did you do it? Sabi ko na nga ba. Between you and Pietro, you're the heartless one. Hindi ninyo siya kailangang tanggalan ng kakayahang makalakad!" Sigaw ko kay Bernardo pero tanging pagtahimik lang ang nakuha ko. "I promised that I will be strong! You just have to wait!"

"Herzogin." Pietro butted in with a dead stare. "It wasn't him. It was me."

"Why, Pietro?" Pag-iyak ko dahil sa nalaman. Pietro and Zed are like brothers. Hindi ko alam bakit nakaya nilang gawin iyon kay Zed.

"Herzogin, it is a protocol. Whether we want to or not, it is mandated that we need to punish servants who do not comply with the orders." Pagpapaliwanag nito sa mas mahinahon na tono. Pero ayaw ko siyang pakinggan.

"How dare you to act like that!" Umiiyak kong sabi ngunit may matigas na hawak ang nagpatigil sa akin sa pag-iyak.

"I just arrived here then you're crying again?" Isang baritonong boses ang nagpatigil sa akin sa pagsasalita. "I ordered them to do so, Reich."

"Why are you here, Adam?" Parang isang mapait na salita ang rumolyo sa dila ko nang banggitin ko ang pangalan niya. "Are you bored?"

"Reich, if this is about your mother please. I don't have anything against you. You know how I treasure you as my cousin." Puno ng sensiridad niyang sabi pero hindi ko iyon pinansin. I'm not buying it.