Symphonian Curse 8: Serpent's Kiss

Chapter Twenty-Eight- Umbra

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Umbra

EXACTLY nine o 'clock ay nasa library na ang lahat ng expected na naroon. Kanya-kanya ng hanap ng upuan ang mga kapatid ni Eli at mga in-laws nila. This was supposed to be their wedding night but they purposely cancelled it. Sila na talaga ang mahilig mag-cancel ng mahahalagang event. She didn't mind the cancellation, though. Kasal na sila ni Eli at kahit ano'ng araw ay pwede silang magbakasyon.

"So, ano ang pag-uusapan natin ngayon?" tanong ni Zee. Tumayo si Eli sa harap ng lahat.

"I want to make clarifications about my accident few months ago," intro ni Eli. Everyone was all ears. "Sinadya kong ibangga ang kotseng sinasakyan ko."

"Gaya ng hinala ko," seryosong sabi ni Zee. "Ayon sa naging imbestigasyon ng Black Stag International, nobody was chasing you. Maayos ang brake ng kotse at walang nakitang sira na posibleng magpalya sa takbo no'n. May naramdaman akong kakaiba sa nangyari. Something na alam kong hindi pangkaraniwan. Wala akong naging chance na kausapin si Queen Diamond tungkol dito at may amnesia pa si Eli noon kaya wala akong pinagsabihan."

"Sorry to cause you much trouble," ani Eli. Noong una nitong sinabi sa kanya ang totoo ay hindi rin siya makapaniwala. "May dahilan ako kaya ko 'yon ginawa. It has something to do with my daughter who happened to be a First Born."

"Si Zara?" tanong ni Elijah.

"Yes. Let me tell you first a little background of what a First Born, for the benefit of those who are not familiar with it. First Born or Primogenito is the title given to a first born child of any Symphonian who has a supernatural ability. Take note, lahat ng Primogenito ay mga panganay na anak, pero hindi lahat ng panganay na anak ay Primogenito. Now, here is the most intruiging part," huminga muna nang malalim si Eli at sumulyap sa kanya bago nagpatuloy. "Centuries ago, our great patriarch Oswaldo Symphonia, on the night before he died created a secret group to make sure that the curse will remain a secret. The group was named Umbra."

"Shadow," Anna translated.

"Exactly because this group has been lurking in the shadow and is hidden by the clan. Their sole purpose is to secure that the curse will remain a secret. They are not allowed to tell their identities to others outside the group. Ang direktang may koneksiyon sa Umbra ay ang clan matriarch or patriarch lamang. In every turnover of leadership, mamanahin din ng pinuno ang pagiging commander ng Umbra."

"Paano napasok si Zara sa usaping ito?" tanong ni Faye.

"Ang mga kasapi ng Umbra na tinatawag na segador o segadores ay mga First Borns. Few months ago, one of their members found me. The accident happened because I refused to surrender my daughter to them," Eli clenched his fist. "No First Born shoud be taken away from his own family unless he is orphan or forsaken. They want me dead so that Zara will be left orphan. During those time, Debbie won't pass as Zara's guardian under the clan's law kaya wala siyang magiging laban sakaling mawala ako."

"Hindi naman papayagan ni Ate na kunin na lang ng kung sino'ng tao si Zara," sabi ni Star na tila nahintakutan sa mga narinig.

"Our family believes in hierarchy at ang angkan natin ay may istriktong batas tungkol sa kung sino ang may responsibilidad sa sinuman. Nang mamatay ang mga magulang natin, napunta sa panganay ang responsibilidad pero sa oras na magkaroon tayo ng sarili nating mga anak, tayong mga magulang na ang may responsibilidad sa kanila. Queen Diamond's responsibility is to her siblings only, not to her nephews and nieces. I am the head of my own family just like you are the head of your own families."