In The Professor's Shadow

Chapter 45

Jasmine

I am hugging myself while watching the waves in the sea. Malamig pero mas ramdam ko ang emosyonal at mental na sakit. Maya-maya ay may naramdaman akong jacket na ikinumot sa akin.

"What are you doing here?" I asked without landing my eyes on him.

"I came here for you." Kiglen calmly said and sit beside me pero may kaunting space sa amin.

"I made it clear kanina diba? I want to be alone. Can't you give that to me?" I asked without glancing at him.

"You can act like I don't exist. I want to be by your side, especially at this kind of moments. Don't isolate yourself alone, with the pain." He softly said.

The atmosphere become silent again but I can feel him staring at me.

"Stop staring at me." I said without looking at him kasi mugto ang mga mata ko.

"I can't stop." He replied. Why does he needs to act this way?

"Sobrang sakit Kiglen. Being tortured inside hurts more than the physical one." I uttered while stopping my tears. Kakayanin ko pa ang makipaglaban ng pisikal kaysa sa ganito.

"Kung pwede lang ipasa ang nararamdaman mo sa akin, I will accept it. You don't deserve all of this." He said to me.

"I guess I deserve it because I am a granddaughter of a killer. Sa amin nagsimula ang gulo.The blood of a criminal is running through my veins. Tama nga si Riza, lumalaban ako without knowing na kami pala ang may kasalanan.I am fighting what I believed without knowing the whole story." I said and fake a laugh.

"That's not true Jasmine." He replied.

"Then what's the truth then? My grandfather is a criminal. It's a karma in our family." I asked and look at him.

He is looking straight to my eyes.I can see sadness and mercy on his eyes. His hands is trying to hold me but I can see that he is controlling himself.

"It's my grandfather that started the fight Jasmine." He confessed to me.

I don't know if I will believe him or not. After everything that happened, it's hard for me to believe.

"You're making up stories again. I'm tired." I said and glance at the sea. Pagod na akong makinig pa sa kanila.

"Can you listen to me Jasmine? I want to make things clear. I don't want you to be like this. I can't bear it." He calmly said but I didn't speak. Kanina lang ay magkaaway kami ngayon ay iba na naman ang trato niya sa akin.

"If you're not ready yet. It's fine. Just let me stay by your side." He said and we become silent again. I want to finish this already, it's such a burden to carry.

"Tell me the story then." I said and look at his eyes.

"I want the truth Kiglen, no more lies please." I added that's why he nod.

I never thought that he is carrying a heavy burden like me. Everyone really has a baggage to carry in this life.

"I am the grandson of Juliano Mercado, my whole name is Kiglen Mercado Adler. Ang lolo ko ang dahilan kung bakit nagkaaway ang pamilyang Verlice at Laurier. Dahil sa inggit at selos ay pinag-away ni lolo ang dalawang pamilya hanggang sa umabot ng patayan. Hindi pinatulog ng konsensiya niya si lolo." He confessed to me. This is the true Kiglen Adler.

He also told me on how he became a member of the organization, his relationship towards my mother and how he became a servant of Mr. Laurier.

"I told the organization that I can handle it but they said that you are a good bait for Mr. Laurier. I didn't accept it at first kasi natatakot ako na baka maulit muli ang nangyari dati. I was too late when I came to the abandoned building to save you and Mrs. Verlice. I am scared that I may not be there if ever that you face trouble again." He said and I just stayed silent listening to him.