In the Vampire's Territory

Twenty-ninth Step in their Territory

Chapter 29
I am

Limang oras na ang lumilipas at tagaktak na ang aking pawis. Bumibilis at bumibigat na rin ang aking bawat paghinga habang patuloy kong itinutuon ang aking atensiyon sa mga kalabang nasa aking harapan.

“More force, gezeth!” Sir Alfonso said with authority.

My first day in training had totally blown me away, I mean I am only learning the basic yet it is already taking too much toll on my body. Ngayon ko mas nararamdaman ang kahinaan ko.

“Don’t restrain your elbow!” he said as I punched the bag hanging in front of me.

Sa loob ng limang oras ay tinuruan ako nito ng ilang mga dapat kong tandaan pagdating sa pagsuntok at pagpapakawala ng mga sipa. Nagbigay rin siya ng ilang basic na reminders kapag iiwas sa kalaban.

Sir Alfonso had mentioned awhile ago that great protectors were trainied in here and now I know why for every people who’s training in here is thoroughly trained. In five hours, my only focus is only directed in this punching bag that I consider as my enemy for this moment.

“Good,” sabi nito, “and that’s it for today.”

Huminga naman ako ng malalim at napapikit saka wala sa sariling napatingala habang dinadama ang init ng aking katawan, mga pawis na tumutulo sa iba’t ibang parte ng aking katawan.

Pagkalingon ko ay bumungad sa akin ang isang bote ng malamig na tubig hanggang sa nakita ko si Eres na may tipid na ngiti habang inaabot ito sa akin. Agad ko naman itong kinuha na bahagya niya ring inilayo. Napakunot noo pa ako hanggang sa binuksan niya ito saka muling iniabot sa akin.

Napailing na lamang ako saka ito kinuha at mabilis na nakalahati. Pero mas nagulat ako ng bigla itong pumunta sa aking likod saka itinali ang aking buhok.

“Sorry it’s messy,” he said as he chuckled looking at what he did to my hair.

“Thank you,” I answered sincerely.

“She’s a fast learner,” Sir Alfonso intervened, “Add the fact that she had learned the basics before making my job easier.”

“She’s great,” Eres answered while looking at me. Iniwas ko naman ang aking tingin at pinaglaruan ang bote ng tubig na hawak ko.

“We’ll see each other again tomorrow,” Sir Alfonso declared as he exited the room.

Saglit na rin akong nagpahinga saka bumiyahe pabalik sa bahay ni Eres. Sa biyahe ay tahimik lamang at dahil rin siguro sa pagod ay pakiramdam ko naubos lahat ng enerhiya ko. Lalo na at last minute decision ang ginawa ko. Although, everything is worth it because I feel every cells in my body becoming active like my training awhile ago switched them up.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakaidlip na ako. Naalimpungatan na lamang ako ng naramdaman ko na para akong nasa hangin hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang malambot na higaan sa aking likod. Minulat ko ng dahan dahan ang talukap ng aking mata at sumalubong ang seryosong mukha ni Eres habang inaayos ang aking posisyon at tinatanggal ang aking sapatos.

“Eres,” I called him causing him to look at me.

“I suggest you take a rest and have a shower but looking at you now, I can say that you can do it tomorrow and rest for tonight,” he said as he successfully removed both of my shoes.

“Why are you so kind to me?” I asked not minding what he said.

“Sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow,” he answered as he sighed.

“Why are you so kind to me?” I insist asking.

Seryoso ang mga matang nakatingin sa kaniya. Eversince I came here I notice how my three protectors obey him especially the people inside this house. Maski ang kabaitan niya, na hindi ko naman kinukwestiyon, pero hindi ko maiwasang kwestyunin dahil kakaiba ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya.