Embracing the Burning Passion

Ash Blake Evergreen McKnight

“Where’s Ash Primo, Blake?” tanong ni Mama habang nakahawak sa malaki niyang tyan.

I boredly looked at her and shook my head.

“Haven’t seen him,” tanging sagot ko.

Umupo siya sa isang sofa na nasa harapan ko at tila pagod na sumandal doon.

“Why are you still walking around, Ma? Kabuwanan mo na at alam mong maselan ang pagbubuntis mo,” ani ko.

“Primo has been out since this morning. Buong araw ko siyang hindi nakikita,” parang nagtatampo niyang sagot.

I internally cringe. Them and their freaking matebond. They’re in their 60s, for Christ’s sake!

“Ayaw na ayaw ni Papa na gumagalaw ka, Ma. Mismong paghakbang mo lang ay nauubos na agad lakas mo. Come on. I’ll take you back in your room. I’ll go get Papa after.”

Tumango lang siya sa akin at hinayaan akong kargahin siya. Mama has been weak after entering her 2nd trimester. Ang sabi ng mga healer na nagmo-monitor sa kan’ya ay mabilis daw na ina-absorb ng bata ang lakas niya. Kaya naman palagi namin siyang pinapakain nang marami para kahit papaano ay may lakas siya para sa sarili niya.

The baby is strong. She’s a she. Hindi matukoy kung anong kapangyarihan niya ngunit nakikita ko mismo kung paano pahirapan ng kapatid ko si Mama.

Agad naman siyang nakatulog nang ihiga ko siya sa kama. Lumabas ako agad pagkatapos para puntahan sa Magestics Academy si Papa. I know he’s busy running the academy, but he has a pregnant wife to take care of. I wonder what kept him long in the academy today. He never did this before, especially now that Mama’s soon to give birth.

“Good evening, Sir Blake,” bati sa akin ng iilang studyanteng night class.

Tumango ako sa kanila at dire-diretsong tinahak ang daan papuntang opisina ni Papa.

“Tito Blake.” It was August.

“What are you doing here?” tanong ko.

“I had a History class. Pauwi na rin ako sa pack. Ikaw po?”

“I’m going to go get Papa. Si Akivel ba?”

Ngumisi siya sa akin. “Still in the library.”

I nodded. Akivel got his father’s attitude, seryoso at mainitin ang ulo. Si August naman ay nagmana kay Ate Ashley, pilyo pero mapanganib. He was always the playful one between the two of them.

“I have to go. Send my hi to Ate,” paalam ko at tinapik ang kan’yang balikat.

“Sure. Ingat, ‘To. Baka madapa ka,” biro niya.

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at tumuloy na sa opisina ni Papa. I didn’t knock when I was outside his office. Walang pasabi ko itong binuksan.

He was there with Tito Ace and Tita Brieve. Kuya Acieve was also there. Beside him was his wife and mate, Ate Tiana, a witch from Witchery World. They met years ago. I don't really know the whole story but I heard they met when Kuya was tasked to help the Witchery World in rising again after the war.

“Blake? What are you doing here? Sinong kasama ni Fiona sa bahay?” agad na tanong ni Papa nang makita ako.

“She’s looking for you, Pa. Get your ass out of here and go to her. Kanina ka pa nagtatrabaho. Naghahanap na ang asawa mo sa ‘yo,” naiinis kong turan.

“We’ll continue the discussion tomorrow. My wife needs me,” paalam niya agad sa mga kasama.

“Sure. We have to settle this issue. Baka kung ano pang mangyaring gulo sa Mortal World kapag walang umaksyon sa atin dito,” saad ni Tita Brieve.