SERIES TWO: Devil's Disguise (✓)

Chapter 38

Peek of the truth

"Do I have a boyfriend or don't I!?" Pagmamaktol ko kay Sham.

"You want one?" Pagsulpot ni Pierre sa likod ko. Masama ko siyang binalingan ng tingin.

"Walk away." He gulped saka umalis.

"Tsk, ewan ko ba sayo Phyr, iniwan mo pero ineexpect mo parin na kayo."

"Do I have to use my gun for that brainless head of yours?" She just rolled her eyes at umalis sa harapan ko.

"And where the hell is Demitri?" Tanong ko sa kanila.

"Something happened on the Devi." Simpleng sagot ni Sham.

Demitri Davis. He's my brother. The Devi took him from us nung bata pa lang siya. I don't know how did he found out about me. And when he learned about the plan of the Devis, nanatili siya roon para protektahan ako. We meet each other, pero limitado lang.

A big change happen after I left Caius. A lot of things happened.

I packed my things nang makitang tulong na si Caius sa kama nito. I tried my best not to make any noise. As silent as I can.

Nang matapos sa pag-eempake ay dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto ng kwarto namin at lumabas.

I dialed my brother's number. Ilang ring bago niya nasagot ang tawag. I know he's busy kahit na hating gabi na.

It's his idea after all.

"You done?" Tanong ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Yes, meet me at Dos." Sabi ko dito at tuluyan ng naglakad palayo sa pinto.

I got into my car and looked at the school for the last time. I wanna spend my life with him, but fate won't let us.

"Just let me know where are you going." Demetri said. My flight is 30 minutes from now.

I said my goodbye bago ako lumabas sa sasakyan nito. 

You know what hurts the most? When the people you trusted stab your back back. Your biggest enemy is the one who's closest.  And I failed to see that

Gusto kong magwala. Gusto kong magalit sa kanilang lahat. Pero hindi pa 'to ang pagkakataon. I need more to fight. I need more power to go against them.

Nang makarating ay bumungad sa'kin ang napakalaking gate ng mga Devi.

There was a black aura surrounding the barrier of the house. The gate automatically opened so I drove inside. Sa gate pa lang alam ko ng black theme ang buong mansyon. At napatunayan ko 'yon nang pumasok na mismo ako sa bahay.

Napakatahimik. Walang kahit anong kaluskos. The furnitures are all black. Kung hindi lang nakabukas ang itim na kurtina ay malamang madilim din sa loob kahit na umaga na.

So this is my mother's place. Ibang iba sa naaalala kong tirahan. My dad's place is brighter. But this, is totally the opposite.

"I didn't expect you'll come so early." Napatingala ako sa veranda ng mansyon.

I titled my head nang mamukhaan ko siya. She once visited our house when I was in the Philippines.

"Sham." Banggit ko sa pangalan nito. She walked her way pababa sa grand stair case.

Lumapit ito sa akin and bowed on her knees. Just like what she did the first time we met.

"You're being not formal, my lady." She said habang nakaluhod parin.

"You can stand up now." I said. Tumayo siya ng maayos at hinarap ako.

"They're waiting on the hall. Everyone will welcome you there." Tumango ako sa sinabi nito.

She guided me to my room. 'Yon daw ang dating kwarto ng Mama ko bago pa siya mapunta sa poder ng Papa ko.

She bid her goodbye at sinabing  babalik din ito. Malaki ang bahay ng mga Devi, kaya baka nga maligaw ako kung 'di ko siya kasama.

The room is also black. 'Di mo aakalaing babae ang nakatira dito. There's also so many creepy paintings. Just like a painting of a cat hanging itself. My mom's taste.

Lumapit ako sa vanity table doon. May mga gamit din namang pambabae. Accessories that has the same color as everything in this house.

I saw a camera nang buksan ko ang drawer nito. I opened it. My mom's face welcomed me on the screen.

"Day one of me as a wife. Say hi baby." The camera turned to my Father.

My father didn't respond dahil abala ito sa pagmi-mix ng kung anong kemikal sa experimental glass cup nito.

My mother frowned and grinned. Lumapit ito kay Papa at kinuha ang isang glass cup na may lamang asul na likido at binuhos sa hinahalong kemikal ni Papa. The glass cup automatically reacted and it broke.

Wala namang nasaktan. Masamang binalingan ng tingin ni Papa si Mama. I next the video. And this time, nasa hospital sila.

Dad is holding the camera this time. Halos mahilo ako sa gulo ng pagvi-video niya.

"Can you just fucking calm down!?" My mother frustratedly said.

"You're about to let a child out of your vagina Athena, how am I suppose to calm down!?" My father said in panic.

"Fuck, shit!" Mom screamed in pain.

"Hang in there love, I'm here." Dad comforted.

"Shut up." Sabi ni Mama nang makakalma ito. Narinig ang pag-iyak ng baby, tanda na nakalabas na ito.

"Said by the woman who brings camera on her due. Rest for now, love." Huling sabi nito bago mamatay ang record.

Ibinaba ko ang camera. They looked so happy together. I wanna spend those days with them too.

I was about to close the camera when another video played kaya nabalik doon ang atensyon ko. My mom setting up the camera, and sat on the single chair nang matapos ito.

She looks bothered and tried to speak but always fails to let out a word. She heave a sigh at nakatingin sa baba. Nagsimulang gumalaw ang mga balikat nito at marinig sa camera ang mahihinang hikbi niya.

"Carious baby, I'm sorry for dragging you in my mess. I'm sorry kung pumasok ako sa buhay mo. I really want to forget everything. About who I really am, and what kind of fucked up life I'm living. I don't want our child to be like me. I don't want my little angel be taken away from us." Mahabang lintaya nito. Inangat niya an tingin sa camera at malungkot na ngumiti.

"Elli, no matter what happens, know that I'm always at your back." And after she said that, sunod-sunod na putok ng baril ang narinig. Hindi na nito nakaya pang kunin ang camera nang may mga lalaking nakaitim ang sumugod. And the cam got disconnected. 

Napatingin ako sa kawalan. I looked at myself on the mirror. What a beautiful eyes that awakens everyone's greed.

Inalis ko ang contact lenses na nagsisilbing panakip sa totoong kulay na nakakubli dito.

The brown eyes I'm seeing on the mirror faded. And now, I'm looking at an unfamiliar eyes I never thought existed. Masiyadong brown ang mata ko nung gingagamitan ko ito ng contact lenses.

Pero 'di maipagkakaila na kahit may contact lenses na ito ay makikita parin ang dilaw na kulay nito.

The Davis are not related to me. They are the reason why my father died. He didn't die dahil sa sakit. And I can't believe myself that I can't  remember that.

That my father was killed right before my eyes.

Zephyr.

Sorry for mabagal na updates. Malapit na rin kasi ang exam so I'm preparing for it. But I really appreciate you for waiting and informing me to update. Nagkakaroon ako ng motivation na mag-update despite the hectic schedule of mine.