The Taste of Forgotten Love (Sweet Sin's Revenge 2) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 18: Clockwork Orange

Germany

One year ago,

Sweet symphony rendition of Bach's Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Concerto in D major played in the air of the huge halls of Friedrichstadt-Palast.

Nathan and Lucindra are on the balcony row watching Merrida Hermosa's fifth recital for the month.

She looks so effortlessly beautiful in her long white dress and waist long hair.

Dati pa naman ay ito na ang pinakamagaling sa kanilang lahat pagdating sa pagtugtog ng kahit na anong instrumento. The kid's simply gifted and now, she's improved so much over a span of only a year.

She's playing with her violin like she never saw her do it before.

Pero may napansing kakaiba si Lucindra. Kahit anong saya ng tugtugin ay hindi sumasalamin sa interpretasyon nito.

The message of the piece is not going through. Masaya naman ang bawat nota pero wala siyang maramdaman.

Parang nagpapanggap lang ito. Umaarteng masaya kahit hindi.

The feeling is fake. Huwad. Just like all the memories she had now.

Walang buhay ang mga mata nito na animoy iiyak na sa sobrang lungkot. Nakangiti naman ito ngunit hindi umaabot sa mga mata.

"She looks so happy and contented, Lucy. Look at her eyes. They sparkle like never before."

Napailing siya. What happiness is he seeing? Pareho ba talaga sila ng pinapanood o gusto lang talaga nitong lokohin ang sarili.

"Is this the reason why you kept the truth, Nathan? I don't think Alcindra is really happy. Look at her. She looks so hollow. She's like a mechanic playing on that stage. She's confused. Parang hindi na siya ang Alcindra na kilala ko."

Nathan's face went grim. "That's because of the trauma she went through. Masaya ang kapatid ko Lucindra at 'yan lang ang pinakamahalaga sa akin. This is the best life for her. I made sure of it. That man will take care of her forever."

"Who? Howard? Your paid actor?" she said snorting while referring to the man behind the piano. "I don't think Alcindra ever needed him. We both know who she really needs right now, Nate. It's her loving brother who sacrificed his love for his sister."

"Lucy, alam mo ba ang naramdaman ko nang makita ko siyang nakalutang sa dagat at halos wala ng buhay? I wanted to kill not just that man but all the Asturians. You can't tell me otherwise what's good or bad for my sister. Hangga't nakikita ko siyang nahihirapan sa dilim, hinding-hindi ko hahayaan na makabalik ang alaala niya. I'll hinder it no matter how many lives I should kill."

"Nathan!" Medyo tumaas ang boses niya kaya napalingon sa kanila ang iilang concertgoers. "Ang dami mo ng kasalanan. Tigmak na ng pagkarami-raming dugo ang kamay mo. Would you still aimlessly kill? Ganiyan ba ang klase ng kapatid na gusto mong makilala ni Cin? Tinitingala ka niya. Kung alam lang niya ang mga pinaggagawa mo ngayon ay alam kong siya pa ang unang pipigil sa iyo. Please Nate. Do not go this way. Stop your manipulation already. I told you there's a better way!"

"And what is that?"

Pumailanlang sa ere ang mga palakpakan kaya nahinto pansamantala ang kanilang bangayan.

Sighing, she followed Nathan to the side of the stage to congratulate Cin.

"Kuya!" masayang sigaw nito nang makita ang kapatid.

Lucy's eyes glowed. It's the first genuine smile she saw from Cin since she got on the stage.

"Merrida." He handed her a bouquet after embracing her and kissing both of her cheeks. "That was wonderful. Congratulations."