The Immortal Blood [Taglish Version]

CHAPTER 16 - CATHEDRAL

Jade Cardwell

TIME quickly flies as we walk around the cobblestones covered roads of Saint Malo. Pumasyal kami sa ilang parks at nag try ng iba't ibang delicacies.

Palubog na ang araw nang marating namin ang Saint Malo Cathedral. Isang middle-age na lalaki na nakasuot ng black suit ang mabilis kong napansin dahil nakatingin siya sa amin ni Raphael. Gusto ko sana tanungin si Raphael kung kilala niya ang lalaking ito, pero nakaluhod siya sa church kneelers at tahimik na nagdadasal.

"Gusto mo ba ulit ng oysters?" tanong ni Raphael pagkatapos niya magdasal.

Hindi ko inaasahan na masyadong devotional si Raphael. Palagi siyang taimtim na nagdadasal sa bawat pagbisita namin sa mga simbahan.

"Raphael, may lalaki nga pala na kanina pa tumitingin sa atin. I think he knows you."

I quickly gave him a brief description of the man that I saw. Tahimik na nakikinig si Raphael na parang kilala niya ang lalaking tinutukoy ko.

Paglabas namin ng church, nakita namin ang lalaking sinasabi ko. Mukhang hinihintay niya nga kami ni Raphael. He has the same angelic face just like Raphael.

"Raphael," bati ng lalaki sa amin.

"Dad," maikling sagot ni Raphael.

Teka, daddy ito ni Raphael Lancaster?

The man in front of us is too young to be his father. Mukhang nasa early forties na siya with gray hair. I must admit, his father looks gorgeous up close, just like Raphael. He reminds me of the Count of Monte Cristo actor, Jim Caviezel.

"Jade, this is my father. Eleazar Lancaster," seryosong pakilala ni Raphael sa daddy niya.

"Sir, pleasure to meet you po. I am Jade Cardwell," I offered my hand to him which he gladly accepted.

Teka teka, bakit nasa Saint Malo ang daddy ni Raphael? Totoo kaya ang sinabi ni Raphael na business related ang pag-alis namin ng Seville?

"Likewise, Jade. I hope I am not bothering your vacation. If you don't mind, I just want to personally talk to my son."

Tinignan ko si Raphael, pero tahimik siyang nakatingin sa daddy niya. I am not sure if the father and son have some sort of altercation. Mukhang hindi sila masaya sa pagkikita nila dito sa Saint Malo.

"Ok lang po, Sir. Pauwi na rin po kami ni Raphael. Would you like to join us for dinner po?"

"Jade, my father is a busy man and he will be leaving shortly. Is that right dad?" sabi ni Raphael as if he is commanding his father to say yes.

"Yes, I apologize as I will not be able to join both you. I have important matters to attend to. May I borrow my son for a few minutes?"

Nandito ba talaga si Eleazar Lancaster para sa isang business affair? Paranoid lang ba ako?

Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa niya dito, pero malakas ang pakiramdam ko na may tinatago si Raphael at ang kanyang daddy sa akin.

"No problem po. Raphael, I will go ahead. Malapit naman ang hotel dito, wait na lang kita doon."

"No!" The father and son answered at the same time.

Bigla akong natawa dahil sabay pa sila sumagot, pero mukhang hindi sila natutuwa base sa reactions nila. Tama ako, may nililihim sila sa akin.