Takipsilim

Chapter 50: Us Against The World

"Anong ginagawa ninyo dito? Paano ninyo nalaman na nandito ako?" Yael's voice was hard as he protectively gripped the brown paper bag containing Katherina's medicines. In front of him was his father, Ricardo Romualdez, and James Trinidad, Regan's father. The group rushed outside the hospital upon seeing each other and went to a vacant lot nearby to talk privately.

Yael saw three more Ahrens arrive and stand behind the two older men.

"Dr. Andrew Gatchalian is assigned in that hospital. He saw you and immediately reported it to us." Ricardo answered. The said doctor was also an Ahren like the rest of them. "Alam na namin ang katotohanan, Yael." Ricardo's voice was calm, but one can see in his eyes that he felt otherwise. "Nandito kami para sunduin ka na at si Katherina, ang sugong Kataha."

Yael stiffened. Nakaramdam siya ng labis na pag-aalala para sa kasintahang nahihimlay sa kanyang silid sa ikaapat na palapag ng ospital.

Kailangan kong puntahan si Katherina.

"Makakaalis na kayo. Ako na ang bahala dito." The chosen Ahren's firm rebuff was directed towards his father.

"What is this, Yael?" James Trinidad exclaimed in an open disappointment. Neither Yael nor Ricardo relaxed their aggressive poses. "We all know that you love her, but what if it's just the Katahas' scheme to send her to you and to make you fall in love with her? They know that it will be easier to defeat you that way!"

Ricardo's eyes never left Yael. Tila sumasang-ayon ito sa sinabi ng kaibigan.

"It is not like that. Hindi ninyo naiintindihan! It was only recently that Katherina learned all of this. Biktima lang din siya ng propesiya." Yael almost snarled. "Give this one to me. Ako na ang bahala. With all due respect, please leave."

"Anak, listen." Ricardo said in a low voice, his tone impatient. "Huwag na nating hayaan pa na matuloy ang digmaan sa pagitan ng mga Ahren at ng mga demonyong Kataha. Napakarami nang buhay ang naiibuwis at siguradong higit na marami pa ang madadamay kapag pinatagal pa natin ito." The older Romuladez's hands formed into fists. "Did you know that Miko Cristobal died in battle last night?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng sugong Ahren sa nalaman. Malapit sa kanya si Miko, and it broke his heart to learn of his friend's demise. His shoulders hunched with grief.

"Habang hindi pa huli ang lahat..habang mahina pa ang sugong Kataha-"

"No!" Yael cut off his father. "Huwag ninyo siyang gagalawin!"

James glanced in disbelief and aggravation at Yael, and exchanged a brief look with the other Ahrens behind them. Their eyes flickered edgily.

"Sugong Ahren, kung hindi ninyo nais na mamatay ang Sugong Kataha sa mga kamay ninyo, ako na lang ang gagawa!" A swift rigidity fell on all of them when one of the Ahrens lurched backward and headed towards the hospital. Yael was caught off guard but out of his fear for Katherina, he immediately came back to his senses. He ran as fast as lightning and as soon as he reached the other Ahren, he crouched in front of him in defense. Napuno ng galit at labis na pag-aalala si Yael kaya't hindi na nito napigilan ang sariling saktan ang lalaki sa kanyang harapan. He punched the guy everywhere. "Huwag na huwag niyo siyang sasaktan!" Not too long after, he felt several hands hold him – Ricardo and his companions were trying to stop his violent attacks.

"YAEL!" Ricardo shouted in anger. Hindi na rin nito naitago ang inis at kabiguan na nararamdaman sa anak. "Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo?!" Kinuwelyuhan nito si Yael kahit alam ng lalaking higit itong malakas kaysa sa kanya. "Wake up! Hindi kayo pwede ni Katherina! You need to end her life because that is what you and only you can do to stop to the evilness of the Katahas!" Ito ang kauna-unang beses na pinagbuhatan ng kamay ni Ricardo ang anak.