The King's Queen

Ikalabing-anim na Yugto

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at tumindig mula sa pagkakaupo. Tumalikod ako mula sa mapanuri niyang paningin. Isang malalim na hininga ang aking pinakawalan bago ako muling humarap sa kaniya.

"You asked Duke to go to the Philippines?" mahinahon kong tanong sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo. Kitang- kita ko ang mga guhit doon na sumisimbulo sa mga taong nagdaan.

Pumungay ang kaniyang mga mata at tila napagtanto ang epekto ng desisyon niya sa akin.

"Gomennasai Hime, but Duke is the only one I trust in this matter. Please understand that." Lumapit siya sa akin at muling hinaplos ang aking mukha.

Mabilis ang pintig bg aking puso sa naging tugon ng aking ama. Ayaw kong pumunta roon si Duke. Ayaw kong pumunta siya sa teritoryo ng mga kaaway. Ayaw ko siyang isugal.

"Then I'm going with him Papa!" I shouted. "There is no way that I'm letting him do this alone."

"Iie! Wakarimasuka, ie!" Malakas na sigaw ni papa na siyang nagpaatras sa akin.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata habang tinitingnan ang taas-baba niyang dibdib, namumula ang kaniyang mukha at nangangalit ang kaniyang mga panga.

Ngayon ko pa lamang siya nakitang ganito kagalit.

"Papa..." nanghihinang bulong ko. Agad na uminit ang sulok ng aking mga mata, dahil ngayon ko pa lamang naranasan ang masigawan mula sa kaniya.

"Please princess. Don't make it hard for me." Hinawakan niya ang tungki ng kaniyang ilong na tila ba nagtitimpi sa akin.

Hindi ko gustong pasakitin ang kaniyang kalooban ngunit hindi ko rin naman maaaring maipagsawalang-bahala si Duke. Now, I'm torn.

"Just let me go with Duke, Papa." I sighed and stood up.

Mariing pumikit siya at nang magmulat ang kaniyang mga mata'y namumula na ang mga ito.

"Papa..." mahinang bulong ko. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at marahang hinaplos ang kaniyang braso.

Ikinulong naman niya ako sa kaniyang mga bisig at naramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa tuktok ng aking ulo.

"I love you, Mika... you are my daughter and you can't blame me if I'll freak out knowing you want to go back to that place. I am just proctecting you. Because that's what fathers do, protecting the family."

Tumango lang ako at yumakap sa kaniya.

" I know I can't stop you from going there, but please, bring your brother with you."

I gasped at his words. Mas lalo ko pa siyang niyakap.

"Please, take good care of Kiro. I'll surely miss him."

"I will Papa. Thank you! I love you." Kumalas ako sa kaniya at marahan niyang pinunasan ang aking mga luha.

"The first time I saw you, I knew my life was already complete. You completed me Princess. I love you," he whispered as tears continously flow from his eyes.

Through the thick emotion clumping inside my throat, I just nodded and wiped his tears dry. I hugged him again and went out to meet Duke who was worried waiting for me.

Upon seeing me, he stood up and went to face me. "What happened? Did he hurt you?"

I got a bit offended by his words but I tried to understand him. My father is cruel to others. "He is my father, Duke. He won't hurt me."

"I'm sorry."

"I understand."

"Who... I mean, did he permit you to come with me?" he asked. I can almost taste his weary as he uttered those words.

I looked into his eyes, carefully voiding my face with any emotions. "I'm going with you there, along with Kiro," I said and gave him an assuring smile. I am excited to go back where I grew up but these nervous feelings are always eating up the happiness building inside me.

A part of me wanted to see him but a part of me is afraid. Afraid for my fragile heart and afraid that I might hurt the man who stood up for me. Duke.

And most of all I am afraid that he might see Kiro. I can't let him take away Kiro from me.

"Do not be scared. I will always be beside you and I will never let him near you again. I will never let him hurt you again, Mika!" he assured me as if reading my thoughts and doubts.

He looked straight into my eyes as if memorizing every feature of my face. "I love you," he admitted as tears glazing his eyes.

"Thank you."