Takipsilim

Chapter 37: Wilted Flower

(A/N: This chapter's soundtrack: Demons by Imagine Dragons)

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"Thank you for tonight, Yael." It was ten minutes past midnight when Yael and Katherina reached the latter's home. Masayang-masaya ang dalaga; it was indeed one of the best nights of her life.

What she did not know is that for Yael, it was the beginning of the worse to come.

Mahigpit na hinawakan ng dalaga ang kamay ng kasintahan habang nakatigil ang kanilang sinasakyan sa harap ng kanilang bahay.

"Anything for you, mahal ko." Yael smiled. He kissed Katherina's left hand over and over again and put it on his cheek.

"Uy, tama na. Hindi naman maglalaho yung kamay ko." She giggled.

Yael was struck with what she said.

Sa oras na maitarak ng sugong Ahren ang kanyang sagradong espada sa puso ng sugong Kataha, unti-unting magiging abo ang huli kasama ng buong lahi nito. The chosen Ahren remembered the words of one of their elders.

He became silent and looked at Katherina with sad, desperate eyes.

"Love, what's wrong?" Nag-alala ang dalaga.

Ngumiti ang binata at umiling. "Wala lang. Naiisip ko lang kung gaano kita kamahal. Araw-araw kong sinasabi 'to sayo pero parang ano e..parang hindi pa rin sapat." Yael reached for Katherina's cheek and looked at her intently in the eye. "Katherina, mahal na mahal na mahal kita. Tandaan mo yan."

Katherina heard how Yael's voice cracked when he spoke. "Yael..."

Yael faked a laugh. "I'm just extra emotional tonight, don't worry." He kissed her hands again. "Love, may sasabihin ako sa'yo."

"Hmmm?" She answered.

"Magtanan na tayo ngayong gabi. Lumayo na tayo. Sa malayong malayong malayo." Yael looked down and smiled. "Tapos magpakasal na tayo, bumuo ng pamilya. Ng masaya at payapang pamilya. Ano, payag ka ba...misis ko?" He smirked. But behind that smirk, he was serious when he asked Katherina that question.

She laughed. "Baliw!" Sumeryoso ang mukha ng dalaga ngunit halata pa rin dito ang tuwa. "Yael, kung ang tanong ay kung gusto ko bang pakasalan ka at bumuo ng pamilya kasama mo, I'd say yes in a heartbeat." She caressed Yael's cheek. They were lovingly looking at each other. "Pero may kailangan ka pang gawin, mahal ko. Mahalaga ang papel mo sa mundo natin. Natatakot ako sa darating na digmaan na haharapin mo. But I have faith in you. Like what I always ask of you, please defeat the chosen Kataha and bring peace to this world. Nakasuporta ako sa inyong lahat no matter what. Dahil lagi namang mananaig ang kabutihan anuman ang mangyari." Katherina said sincerely. She was so proud of Yael, and her greatest wish is his victory against evil. "Pagkatapos nun, magtatapos tayo ng pag-aaral, tapos aabutin natin ang mga pangarap natin, tapos pwede na tayong magpakasal."

However, still unbeknownst to her, Yael defeating the chosen Kataha meant Yael defeating her.

And causing her demise.

Yael just smiled at her. "It's getting late, Love. Hatid na kita sa loob. I'm sure you're tired."

Bumuntong-hininga ang dalaga. "Actually, my feet are killing me. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang pagod dahil sa pagsasayaw buong gabi. Ikaw kasi eh. Ang ligalig!" She smiled.

"Ang galing mo nga sumayaw e." Pang-aasar ng binata.

"Ugggh kainis ka!" Pinalo ng dalaga ang braso nito.