TWENTY-SIX
THANARA MORRIGAN
"I'M REALLY sorry that they have to leave," I apologized as soon as I faced Ate Acial.
"It's fine Thana," Ate Acial answered with a smile. "As long as you and your siblings are fine, no worries. At saka tapos na ang kasal nang magpaalam silang kailangan nilang umalis."
I smiled at her. She's really very kind. This is my first time meeting her personally but I've already talked to her on the phone many times because of Aciel and Allux.
"Your face's a mess, wala ka namang serious injury?" she asked, concerned.
I shook my head. "Just scratches Ate." I smiled. "The former Commander was pretty weak," I joked, making her laugh as she subtly shook her head.
"Eat as much as you can, okay? Enjoy," paalam niya bago ako iniwan. I watched her walk away, towards the other guests.
Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses ni Aace dahil sa lakas nito. I shook my head when I saw him arguing with Aciel again. Napunta sa isang babaeng nasa likod ni Aciel ang tingin ko. My eyes widened as I recognized who she was.
"Wow, that's Ury Alcazar," I said, amazed.
"I want to bring you to her and greet her but she still isn't fully recovered so strangers are forbidden to talk to her," sabi ni Allux na nasa tabi ko pala.
Oh that's right. I think it's already been two months since the ASA war. So... she still hasn't fully recovered? Tumingin ulit ako sa table kung nasaan siya. There are only five people with her there unlike the other tables that have around twelve people.
Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa venue nang umalis sa tabi ko si Allux. Sabi ni Azie, the first party was held in the Cansadov Mansion's ballroom. Ngayon, itong pangalawa ay dito naman sa napakaluwang na greenhouse garden. The architectural design of the building was playing with gold and green. Halos full bloom din lahat ng bulaklak ngayon sa loob.
"Hello Thanara."
I recognize that voice. Umikot ako at sinalubong ang tingin ng lalaking kumausap sa'kin. "You. You asshole."
The man in front of me,Kalyk, laughed hard. "Naaalala mo na ako?" natatawa niyang sabi.
"Are you aware that you almost got yourself killed?" may bahid ng inis na tanong ko.
"What?"
"I was on a mission at that time. I was looking for someone, and I was supposed to kill him. I suspected you! I thought you were him because you knew my real name!"
Nawala ang ngisi sa labi niya. "Your part of MAKEN now?"
"God, I almost killed the son of the man that saved my life," naiiling na sabi ko. "You're still an asshole," singhal ko sa kanya.
"Well I am sorry," sabi niya at humawak pa sa sariling dibdib. I want to punch him? "I saw a familiar girl, I walked up to her and confirmed that she was someone I knew. I was amused when you did not recognize me. That's why I acted that way. I wasn't aware that you're part of MAKEN now, let alone was on a mission," depensa niya.
Umiling na lang ako. "Lumayas ka nga sa harap ko, my blood is climbing to my brain."
Tumawa ulit siya. "Ciao," sabi niya at itinaas ang hawak na baso ng alak bago naglakad palayo.
Umirap at umiling na lang ako. "He's still the same," I said. Naalala ko na ngayon kung sino siya dahil sa mga sinabi ni Azie. It was the guy from my teenage years. The one who always annoyed me within the three days I spent in Gigunte. Actually not just me, even the cousins consider him an asshole. Because he is! He makes fun of the things he finds amusing.
