The Immortal Blood [Taglish Version]

CHAPTER 25 - SEATTLE

Jade Cardwell

SUMMER vacation reminds me so much of Raphael. Para mawala lahat ng traces ni Raphael sa isip ko, pumapasyal ako sa iba't ibang cities para mag-aral tungkol sa mundo ng supernatural.

"Jade Cardwell?" tanong ng isang lalaki sa akin habang nasa loob ako ng coffee shop sa Seattle.

"Yes? I am sorry, I don't mean to be rude. Do I know you?"

"Hindi mo ba ko nakikilala? I'm Christian Almonde. We are on the same class every Friday in Advanced Geometry under Professor Rochester. Teka, anong ginagawa mo dito sa Seattle?" tanong ni Christian na biglang umupo sa katapat ko na chair.

"I'm really sorry, Christian, I'm not really good in names, pero nakikilala nga kita. You are the one who sang in our class as Professor Rochester caught you making out with another freshman."

"Ouch naman! Masyado na palang sira ang reputation ko. Teka are you reading GRRM?" tanong ni Christian nang makita niya ang librong hawak ko.

"Uhmmm... Yeah, mahilig kasi ko sa mga fantasy novels."

"That man is a murderer! I can't believe he killed Ned at the start."

"Fan ka ba niya?"

"Definitely! He is the new age Tolkien and Robert Jordan combined, but with a serial killer instinct!"

"Bakit ka nandito sa Seattle? Vacation din?"

"I'm here in Seattle for a quick vacation. Taga dito ang mommy ko, samantalang ang daddy ko naman ay nasa Fordbridge. They got separated, yet they are cool with it. They are best of friends, imagine that. Taga dito ba ang parents mo?" tanong niya.

Masyadong unstoppable itong lalaking ito sa pag-share ng kanyang personal life. His talkative feature is definitely his asset. I can't help, but to like the cheerfulness of this guy.

"No, taga Fordbridge talaga ako. Nagbabakasyon lang ako dito."

"Alam mo, palagi kita nakikita sa library. You are always researching on dark stuffs. Are you writing a novel or something?"

"Yep, gusto ko gumawa ng isang fantasy horror book. Naghahanap lang ako ng materials and background for my story. Paano mo naman nalaman na palagi ako nasa library?"

"Ang bestfriend ko kasi na si Ethan Brelsford, may teeny weeny crush sa'yo. He is a third year Political Science student in Fordbridge. He noticed you one time when we were in a library. Since then, he is kinda stalking you."

"Ethan Matthew Brelsford, is kinda stalking me?"

"Kilala mo si Ethan?"

"Christian, lahat ata ng students sa Fordbridge University ay kilala si Ethan. He is quite famous lalo na sa mga kababaihan. But he is definitely not stalking me. I will definitely know if---"

"If someone is stalking you? My friend, that is why it is called stalking. Observing someone with stealth and secrecy, and you are not supposed to know it. Anyway, kahit may playboy reputation si Ethan, I can assure you na mabuti siyang tao. He thinks that you are mesmerizing."

"Mesmerizing? Big word ah? It sounds like I am a mermaid that can lure men to destruction," natatawa ko na sagot sa kanya.

"Jade, kilala ni Ethan ang parents mo. Alam din niya na may ex-boyfriend ka na iniwan ka. He knew that Dean George Atkins is taking care of you. He really admires you for being smart, independent, and of course for being mesmerizing!"

"Wow, stalker nga si Ethan, pero wala naman siyang confidence para kausapin ako."

"Ewan ko nga ba sa friend ko, bahag ang buntot pagdating sa'yo. He is a womanizer and he loves girls, but he transformed into Mr. Bashful whenever he sees you. Anyway, if you want to know more dark stuff and underground cult, I am the right person for this thing."

"Totoo? Don't tell me, part ka ng isang kulto?"

"Jade, hindi ako cult member, pero may mga kakilala ako na maraming alam sa ganyang bagay. We are talking about real supernatural stuffs here. Where do you want to start?"

"May kakilala ka ba na isang paranormal or ghost expert?"

"Meron, I can give you their contact details or pwede din ako mag-set ng appointment."

"Are you sure about this? I mean gusto ko lang naman ng interview para sa gagawin kong novel. I am not used in these kinds of stuffs."

"Don't worry, I am also a fan of the occult. I can assure you that more than half of them are fraud. Konti lang ang legit sa kanila. My aunt is also a witch and she knows some dark stuff. If you want to interview her, she is here in Seattle."