The Song of the Wolf and the Moon (Published Under PHR)

Chapter 21: The Treasure Hunt

"HINDI BA DAPAT masaya ka ngayon?"

            Naputol sa pagmumuni-muni si Paul sa tanong na iyon ni Michael. Ibinaling niya ang tingin dito na mabusising pinag-aaralan ang mukha niya.

            "Masaya ako," aniya, kahit ang sarili ay hindi kombinsado sa sinabi.

            "You don't look like one. Kanina mo pa tinititigan ang iniinom mo." Nasa isang bar sila kasama ng iba nilang kaibigan. "We should celebrate, man. Hindi ba't ito 'yong plano sa simula pa lamang? Ang mawala sa landas mo ang asawa mo?"

            "Of course," he said.

            "O baka... mahal mo na ang asawa mo?"

            "Alam mong si Ysabelle ang mahal ko."

            "Kung ganoong puwede kong ligawan si KM?" tanong nito, nanantiya.

            He killed him through his stare. Hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa baso na may alak. He couldn't explain why but it angered him envisioning KM and Michael being together.

            "Oh, easy, pare. I am now convinced that you love Ysabelle," he said, sarcasm was evident in his voice. "Let's cheer to that," he said, teasing.

            Nakiayon na lamang siya rito kahit ang gusto niyang gawin nang oras na iyon ay suntukin ito. Sumama sila sa ibang kasamahan at umayon sa kasiyahan. Hindi nagtagal ay nagpaalam na siya sa mga ito.

            Makikipagkita pa siya kay Ysabelle sa apartment nito. He promised to be at her place by ten. Her family owned the Memento, one of the biggest advertising companies in the Philippines. His company had been tied up to them since last year. And Ysabelle, acting as the newly appointed president of Memento, was handling their company.

            She smiled upon seeing him. She was beautiful from head to toe. He kissed her cheek. He inhaled her sweet scent. He had been in love with this woman for eight years. And he could still remember that day when he met her.

            He was in the library, studying for their finals. He was staring at the door absentmindedly when Ysabelle meandered gracefully. Parang pinigil ng mga diyos ang pag-ikot ng mundo. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. From that day, he admitted he had fallen for a woman. Niligawan niya ito at naging sila. Si Ysabelle ang kauna-unahang tao na nakaalam sa takot niya sa kulog at kidlat. Ito rin ang unang tao na yumakap at tumangkap sa kanyang takot.

            She was the woman of his dreams. He vowed to marry her. But she left her five years ago. He stopped her, made her chose between his big ego and her uncleared reason of leaving. She chose to go.

            She was back. Did it hurt her now that he was married? He could tell so by looking to her eyes. Her eyes could open his soul, her eyes that could ease his pain. She was his everything. And he chose her over KM.

            A surge of pain sauntered him at the thought of his wife. Naaawa ka lamang sa kanya, Paul.

            "Nakainom ka?" she asked. She had the voice of an angel, it soothed his nerves before.

            "Napasubo," he smiled.

            "Anyway, I cooked your favorite dish – adobong baboy na may itlog ng pugo. Alam kong namiss mo ito. Natatandaan ko noon, hindi mo pinapalampas ang mga luto ko," anito saka tumawa, pino iyon at malamyos, hindi gaya kay KM na malakas, punong-puno ng buhay at nakakahawa.