Takipsilim

Chapter 23: Rapunzel

"It's confirmed. I will use her against him." Cedric was playing billiards with Hunter in the former's home.

"Nasaan ba siya ngayon? I haven't seen her around Malaya these past few days." Hunter asked as he striked a shot.

"Apparently, she's under house arrest." Cedric said.

Tinaasan ni hunter ng kilay si Cedric na tila nagtataka sa sinabi nito. He looked at his friend, waiting.

"Oddly, Tita Clara never sensed my presence kahit ilang araw na akong nakasunod sa kanila sa Tagaytay. I've been observing them since the chosen Ahren's 21st birthday."

Nagbukas ng isang bote ng beer si Hunter. "Then, what happened?"

"It's funny how she's on house arrest right now. All because the chosen Ahren declared his love for her, then nahuli sila ni Tita Clara." Cedric laughed.

Hunter gulped his beer.

"Romantic, isn't it?" Nagbago ang ekspresyon ng sugong Kataha. Ang kaninang nakatawa nitong mukha ay napalitan ng nakakatakot na ngiti. Ang kanyang mga mata ay nangungusap na parang sa mamamatay-tao. "This is the perfect tragedy even Shakespeare would be jealous."

Nakatingin lamang si Hunter sa kanya. "You're so evil, Ced."

"Thank you." He smirked. "I take that as a compliment."

Hunter drank from his beer bottle again. This time ay naubos niya ang laman nito. "As always, Cedric. Count me in."

-----

"I need to find her." Yael said to Regan and Sam. "I need to find her now!"

"Calm down, Yael. We're gonna help you." Sam said to him.

Bumuntong-hininga ang sugong Ahren. "Sam, Regan. Hindi natin sigurado kung kailan muling susugod sina Cedric. It's better that you're here while I find her. I promise, bibilisan ko lang."

Tumingin siya sa mga kaibigan.

"All this time, I've been observing Cedric. Malakas na talaga ang kutob kong siya ang sugo ng mga kalaban ever since."

Yael did not see how Regan and Sam meaningfully glanced at each other.

Sam didn't believe what Regan told him before about his theories, but he trust the latter's instincts.

"Are you sure he's the one?" Sam asked his bestfriend. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Regan.

"What do you mean? Na hindi siya ang totoong sugo?" Yael asked.

"Let's just be open to all possibilities, Yael." Regan quickly answered before glancing at Sam. "Tuso ang mga Kataha, we'll never know kung ano pa ang mga itinatago nila."

"I am observing if there are loopholes with regard's to Cedric's status as well. Up until magising ang natutulog na demonyo sa sugong Kataha, we'll never know." Tumingin si Yael sa mga kaibigan. "Pero kung si Cedric man o hindi ang sugo, kailangan pa rin nating maging handa."

The chosen Ahren looked intently into Sam and Regan's eyes.

"Sam and Regan, I will look for Katherina first. Sa sinabi ni Cedric, hindi ako matatahimik hangga't di siya nahahanap. Nakikiusap ako, hayaan ninyong hanapin ko siya. I will do my best to find her as soon as possible." He looked at them with pleading eyes.

"We understand, Yael." Sam said. "Call us if you need anything. Kami na muna ang bahala dito."

Tumango si Regan kay Yael as a sign of his affirmation.