Takipsilim

Chapter 51: Yael's Question

Clara, weak, beaten, and starving, slowly opened her eyes. Nakahiga siya sa isang malamig at maalikabok na sahig at nang subukan niyang bumangon ay nakaramdam siya ng labis na sakit sa kanyang likod at mga binti. Nalasahan din niya ang mala-kalawang niyang dugo, na alam niyang nanggagaling sa kanyang mga labi.

Hindi rin niya kinayang igalaw nang malaya ang kanyang mga braso at paa sapagkat nakagapos sa lubid ang mga ito.

Halos nababalot ng kadiliman ang buong silid kung saan naroon ang babaeng Kataha, ngunit napansin niyang may kaunting liwanag na nanggagaling sa maliit na bintana malapit sa kisame nito.

Gabi. Gabi na naman.

Parang sinasaksak ang puso ng babae sapagkat sa kanyang paggising ay naalala na naman niya kung paano siya napunta sa lugar na iyon na nagsisilbing kulungan niya ngayon.

Kasalukuyan siyang natutulog noon sa silid nila ni Vicente nang magising siya sa sigaw ng lalaking minamahal.

"Go away, Cedric! Tumigil ka na sa kasamaan mo!" Matapang na wika ni Vicente.

"At sino ka para makinig ako sa'yo? You're just a mere mortal who, disgustingly, happened to fall in love with my dear Tita Clara." Cedric mockingly said. "Ang malas mo lang, Mr. Antonio. Sa dinami-dami ng babae sa mundo, sa isang Kataha ka pa napunta." The young Kataha laughed like the demon he was.

"Manang Feliza, huwag kayong bababa dito. Bantayan ninyo si Clara!" Nanginginig na ang boses ni Vicente sa kadahilanang nagpalit anyo na si Cedric sa kanyang harapan. "Tama na, Cedric. Your Tita Clara had been nothing but protective of you. Itigil mo na ito. Wala kang mapapala sa pagpatay ng mga inosenteng tao!"

"Nakakatawa ka." Cedric answered dryly.

"Vic!" Despite being stopped by Manang Feliza, Clara forced her way down the stairs to protect and shield her fiancé.

But she was a second too late.

With a single strike of Cedric's hand, one of Clara's most terrible nightmares came to reality.

Blood came out of Vicente's mouth as Cedric removed his big, sharp claws from his stomach. Tumagos ang mga kuko ng lalaking Kataha sa kanyang katawan, at agad itong nabuwal sa sahig, mulat ang mga mata.

"Vicente! Mahal ko!" Agad na sumalampak ang babae sa sahig at hinagkan ang lalaking minamahal. She was crying furiously, her hands shaking.

More blood dripped to the floor.

"C-clara." Vicente was running out of breath. "Y-you h-have to stay...s-strong. I'm s-sorry.."

Vicente's voice jolted through Clara, unexpected, terrifying. Like the sound of saying goodbye. His voice reminded her of the time when Diana died in her arms after giving birth to Cedric and Katherina, for the situation and emotion were too eerily familiar. She glanced over to see Cedric's demonic face - obviously enjoying Clara and Vicente's tragic situation.

"Vic, no, stay with me! Please stay with me!" She yelled at him. "Do you hear me? Stay! You're not leaving me! You and I are still going to get married! Mabubuhay pa tayo na isang pamilya, diba? Keep your heart beating! Please! I'm begging you Vic.."

Vicente's eyes wheeled, looking for the woman he loved for almost all of his life. With all the strength left of him, he showed her that he still wore the pendant that she gave him when they were eighteen to protect him against Katahas - a proof that it served its purpose after all these years.