Aloisia's View
"Hmmm-mmm~ Hmmmm~ Hmmmm~" I hummed habang maingat akong bumababa ng hagdan. Devil's still not around. I was all alone here but I know his mens are outside. I went to the kitchen to look for some food.
"Err." I winced before closing the refrigerator. I dislike it's smell. Ugh.
"Shoot, Devil's not here. I don't know how to cook. I'm hungry~" I babbled at humalumbaba sa counter. I'm so bored. Devil always cooks for me. And he's really a good Chef. His dishes are delicious, pati siya din.
I checked my phone. No messages nor calls from him. I sighed before climbing upstairs again. I think I should sleep again. *yawns*
~
"A-Awww... M-My---hurts..." nangingiwing sabi ko at napa-hawak sa tiyan ko. O-Oh fuck, what's happening!? Manganganak na ba ako!?
"D-Devil! S-Someone! Aaaahhhhh!!!" I reached out my phone and immediately called him. I-It's really painful! I can't bear the pain!
"D-Devil! H-Help me!"
[W-What's happening!? I'm on my way already! Angel!?]
I gasped when I felt something wet. M-My water's broken! I'm really going to give birth now! Oh fuck, oh fuck. What should I do!?
"D-Devil, it really hurts---AAAAAAAHHHH! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! LIORE!" I shouted. Someone kicked the door open, and it was his mens. Mga natataranta at hindi alam ang gagawin.
"What are you waiting for!? Ready the fucking car! Dammit!" Tumayo ako at naglakad palabas. They were supporting me. We're in the hallway already when I saw Devil running towards me. He never thinked twice at agad akong binuhat.
"Hang on, Angel! The hospital's near and I already called them. Hang on!" He said, pale. I hugged him tight. Tears rolls down my cheeks. Mabilis nila akong dinala sa ospital. Inihiga agad ako ni Liore sa stretcher at tumulong sa pagtutulak. Naging dahilan 'yon para mabilis akong maipasok sa ER.
"ONE, TWO, THREE---PUSH!"
"A-AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! LIORE!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and gave my best. It makes me numb in pain. It was unbearable. It feels like I was being cut into two. It's so painful. Really, really painful.
"U-UWAAAAAHHHHHH! UWAAAAAAHHH!" The baby cried. My eyes widened in surprise and delight the moment I heard my baby's cries. I looked at my baby.
"It's a baby GIRL!" G-Girl?
I was about to speak when I felt...something p-pushing.
"I-I think there's another one..." I said under my breath na ikinatigil nila. The doctor looked at it again. She gasped.
"There's really another one! Oh god! PUSH! DELIVER IT! PUSH!" Oh---GOD! For real!?
"FUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK!!!! GERSON FUCKING LIOREI!!!" I screamed oncd again and gave my best shot. I felt it slipped out from me. It cried too the moment I delievered it perfectly.
"YOU HAD TWINS! AND BOTH OF THEM ARE GIRLS!" The doctor anmounced in glee. It made me smile. I gave birth to a twin baby girls. Our princesses. T-This is really tough, huh. Good thing I managed to do it. I delievered them well. Their cries...are music to my ears. It all worth it. The discomforts, mood swings, sensitivity and all.
I smiled in relief as my eyelids starts to block my sight. And everything went dark.
***
"Good morning, Angel." Bungad sa akin ni Liore na naka-ngiti habang namumula ang mga mata. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga hawak niya.
"Kakatulog lang nila. I'm sorry if we didn't wait you to wake up." He said with hoarse voice, pumipiyok pa. Tumulo ang mga luha ko at binuhat silang dalawa.
"They're h-heavy. They're so healthy." Humahagulgol na sabi ko at hinalikan silang dalawa. He wiped my tears using his hands at sinamahan ako sa stretcher. Mahigpit niya akong niyakap at hinalikan sa loob.
"I'm sorry if I wasn't there, inside, to support you. I know it's really hard. Giving birth to such beautiful things. You're truly amazing, Honey---"
"W-Who the fuck is 'Honey'?" Nangungunot ang noo kong tanong sa kaniya na ikina-kurap niya. He looked at me.
"Y-You. You're Honey, Baby." Baby?
"You have so many endearments to me. I hate it. I don't know if you're cheating on me and you've just mistaken me---"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"What's so funny!?" Naiiritang singhal ko sa kaniya. He's lucky that I have the babies on my arms. Baka kanina ko pa siya nasuntok.
"I'm sorry. I just---find it funny. I will never cheat on you, okay? You're the only woman in my life aside Mom and to our princesses. I love you so much that I already forgot that word." Matamis niyang sabi at hinalikan ako sa labi. Ngumuso na lamang ako at inismiran siya. Dapat lang.
"Dapat, matatangkad kayo para---"
"Don't you dare insult me in front of them, Liorei. Baka palabasin kita." Madiin na sabi ko na tinawanan na lang niya. Pinanggigilan niya ako.
"Fuck, you're so adorable, Baby. I love you. I adore you. Truly." Hindi ko napogilan ang sarili kong mapangiti dahil sa sinabi niya. The nurse came to get their names.
"I want the eldest one to be Lorreign. Lorreign Xerenity. What do you think, Angel?" That was a good one.
"I'll agree to that. The last one will be Selene. She'll represent the moon." Naka-ngiting sabi ko at hinaplos ang ulo ng pinakabunso. She smiled at me while sucking her hand. I don't know why but everytime I'll look at her, I'm having a weird feeling. I can't explain it. But all I know is, the moon is somewhat related to me. So I'll name her Selene.
"Selene Azazel. I want her to be Selene Azazel." I said with a wide smile na tinanguhan ng nurse at isinulat ang pangalan ng bunso namin. After that ay lumabas na siya.
"Why Selene Azazel?" Tanong agad niya sa akin na hinahaplos si Selene.
"I don't know but the name 'Azazel' pops on my mind. So I named her that. Isn't it cool? Selene, sounds like a weakling and girly one. But after that, the name Azazel, sound badass. I want her to be like me. A great, great assassin." Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at inilagay sa pisngi ko. I gasped when something flashes in my mind.
"Luna."
"Angel? You okay?" Liore. Agad akong napa-tingin sa kaniya. L-Luna? W-Who calls me that? Who calls me 'Luna'? It wasn't Liore's voice when I heard it. Someone...I feel who's so dear to me but I can't remember who. Someone...I forgot who.
"Nothing. Go out, I'll feed them already---"
"I want to taste your milk too that's why I'm here." Putol niya sa sasabihin ko na ikinamilog ng mga mata ko. He smirked at me teasefully before pinching my nipple. I immediately let out a moan.
"Stop it, Liore. Kakapanganak ko pa lang." May inis sa boses kong sabi na nginisihan niya lang ng nakakaloko't nakakaasar.
"What? Wala naman akong gagawin pa sa 'yo. I just want to taste your milk." Wika niya na ikina-simangot ko na lamang. Lumapit siya sa akin at ibinaba ang hospital gown ko. He sucked my breast.
I immediately let out a moan at nag-init. My toes curled.
"L-Liore..." I bit my lower lip. I'm already squeezing the twins because of him. He just stopped when they cried.
"It's sweet. I can live with it." Mapang-asar niyang sabi at dinilaan ang ibaba niyang labi. I was so flustered because of him.
"I want to be fed by you too, Angel. Feed me too with your milks."
"LIORE! >//////////////////////////////<"
H-He's so---silly!
***
"You can sleep now, Angel. I'll be the one to take care of them." Naka-ngiting sabi sa akin ni Devil na buhat-buhat ang kambal.
"Are you sure?" Paninigurado ko. Gustong-gusto ko na talagang matulog. Gising ko ng buong gabi kagabi dahil sa kanila. They're so energetic hanggang gabi. At ngayon, tulog na tulog silang dalawa.
"Yes. I know you're tired. You should have woken me up last night para ako na ang nakipaglaro sa kanila." Mahinahon niyang sabi at hinalikan ako sa noo. He's sleeping peacefully last night. So, I didn't bothered to wake him up.
*baby sneeze*
"Oh, bless you, Princess." Natatawa niyang sabi at hinalikan sa noo si Selene. Napa-ngiti na lamang ako habang pinagmamasdan sila. He's really doing his best as their father. He always plays with them. Binabantayan niya rin ang kambal hanggang sa pagtulog nila. Wala na halos akong ginagawa dahil siya na ang umaasikaso sa lahat. He's so sweet.
"What about your...parents? Hindi ba sila uuwi para makita ang kambal?" Tanong ko. I never heard news about them ever since then. Ni hindi ko pa nga sila nakikita. I just knew them by their names. But by their faces? Never.
"They're still busy until now. They were about to accomplish their new invention. Maybe they'll be able to attend our wedding?" Oh, speaking of our wedding, hindi ko pa nako-contact ang wedding planner namin.
"Oh, I see. Matutulog na ako. Wake me up if they're hungry already, hmmm?"
"Yup. Let's go shopping tomorrow. We'll buy a breast pump so we could store their milks. At para mas makapagpahinga ka ng maayos." He's really dear. I never regret choosing him instead of his brother who's so obssessed with me. *sigh* Let's not talk about him.
Umakyat na ako sa itaas at humiga sa kama. I closed my eyes. I'm really, really tired. Havibg twins is tough. But I want this to last. Time passes by fast. I want to give them the childhood they will never forget. A kind of childhood that will make them smile whenever they reminisce it. I want to watch them as they grow up. Give them the best things in this world.
I am really happy to be a mother of two.
***
"I will be fine, Devil. Panonoorin ko lang naman ang Examination Day. And they invited me to be one of the judges. It's an honor for me."
"Then what about the twins? Who will feed them?"
I rolled my eyes on him, "Who will feed them or who will feed YOU?" I emphasized na nginisihan niya lang. Then he frowned.
"You don't need to go there, Angel. It's not that important. Let's just travel. Let's go to Japan." Napakakulit talaga. Tigas ng ulo.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya and cupped his cheeks, "Don't you trust me? Isang linggo lang naman akong mawawala. Kung gusto mo, sumama ka. Bring your friends with you para naman may bagong kalaro ang kambal." Sabi ko at tumingin sa dalawa na subo-subo ang pacifier nila.
"Okay. Sasama na lang kami." Sabi niya at pumunta agad sa banyo. Nalaglag na lamang ang panga ko. I shooked my head before heading to the crib.
"Hello there, Princesses. How's your day? Hmmm? Did you had fun playing with Daddy? Cute, cute, cute." I said with high pitched voice at pinaglaruan ang maliliit nilang kamay. They swiped it and chuckled. I can't help to smile.
"Oof! Don't bite your sister's hand, Reign." Sabi ko at marahang inalis ang kamay ni Selene sa bibig niya. They followed my moves with their eyes habang inaayos ko ang mga gamit nila.
Tumingin ako kay Liore na katatapos lang maligo at nakatapis lang. H-His body is really toned. I sat down in our bed to appreciate a god's body in front of me.
"Can I borrow your blower, Angel?" He asked before facing me. Nangunot ang noo niya nang mahuli akong tinititigan siya at pinagmamasdan ang bawat galaw niya.
"Hmmm. Sure." Sagot ko at nginitian siya. Lumapit siya sa akin dala ang blower at itinulak ako pahiga sa kama. Puma-ibabaw siya sa akin.
"Mommy, I'm hungry." Oh, fuck. Here he go again. Siya na ang umuubos ng gatas ko! I feel bad for the twins. Ninanakawan na sila ng Daddy nila nang hindi nila alam.
~
"All rise and give respect to the greatest assassin, ALOISIA!" They announced habang papasok kami ng gym. Lahat sila ay nagtayuan at mga nagpalakpakan.
"This sure brings memories, huh." Nangingisi kong sabi kay Devil habang tumitingin sa paligid. I remember, when it was newly established, kasama kaming dalawa sa first batch ng mga gruamduate dito. I miss ICU. Really.
"Do they held the same Examination Day?" Tanong ko at umakyat sa platform. Naiwan ang kambal kina Arone and Kris na iginagala silang dalawa. I hope they get along well.
"Nope. We're trying something new each year. MorGue and ER are here too to join ICU. And to test who are really the strongest." He explained na tinanguhan ko naman. Ibinigay niya ang mic sa akin. Lahat sila ay nanahimik. I cleared my throat and faced them, standing tall. Though I'm short. Whatever.
"I wanted to thank the one who invited me to be one of the judges first before anything else. It was really an honor to be one. I am really delighted when I heard the invitation. I'll had the chance to watch each students who really worked hard and did their bests. I want to see the fruit of their trainings. I hope to see your extraordinary abilities, skills, and capableness. As a former student here, I'm happy to det foot here again. I wish you all goodluck! Do your best and be a great assassin too. That's all." Naka-ngiting sabi ko sa mga kalahok at isa-isa silang tiningnan. My eyes nailed on him.
Van...
My chest suddenly pound hard. Para bang may nakadagan sa dibdib ko. Sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko and I don't know why but I feel like crying. It was so heavy that I wantes to cry.
"Devil, why is your brother and cousin here?" Nangungunot ang noong tanong ko sa kaniya na walang emosyon.
"That's why I don't want you to be here. I know they are here." Sagot niya at hinapit ako sa bewang. What? Dito na sila nag-aaral? Thdy wanted to be assassins too?
"I...didn't know. I'm sorry." I know how much he dislike his brother the fact he's being so kind to him. Hindi ko alam pero napakalaki ng galit sa kaniya ni Van. Maybe because they are half brothers? But Liore did everything he can makuha lang ang loob niya. But nothing happened. He really loathes Liore to death.
"Whatever happens, avoid contact with him, okay? You know. He's so obssessed with you." He said coldly na tinanguhan ko naman. I have a grudge against his brother too. He tried trape me, good thing I'm not a weakling and wounded him. Liore was so kind para hindi siya gantihan. That became a cause for him para kagalitan na din si Van. He's really wicked, sick and a freak. Nothing will happen to him kung ipagpapatuloy niya ang ugali niya.
"Let's all call the representative of each class. From the Conquerors of ICU, Fierce Quo and Frost Venturin!" Everyone gave them a round of applause and so am I. Nakipagkamay sila sa iba pang judges. I smiled at them and stretch out my hand.
"Do you best." I said. They were looking at me with narrowed eyebrows. Confused, they speak.
"Aren't you Disaster? What happened to you? Where's Serpent, Venom and Calamity? We never heard news about you. Dragon and the rest ain't saying anything to us---"
"Excuse me? I don't know what are you talking about." Naguguluhang sabi ko na nagpa-milog sa mga mata nila.
"Just go. Tsk." Liore. I can see that they still wanted to talk to me pero wala na silang nagawa kundi ang bumaba.
"Next is Dragon and Silent from Elites! As we can all remember, they strived and went all the way from being one of the Tyros to being the strongest of the Elites. Let's all give a round of applause to history-makers of I-C-U!" Malakas na sabi ng Emcee na nagpaingay sa crowd. They were screaming and chanting their names. Tumingin ako sa sinasabi nilang Dragon and Silent.
It was Van. With his cousin Yohanne.
"Luna..." he said as he look in my eyes. My eyes widened. I-It was the same word I heard before. Same voice. Same tone. Nakatulala lang ako sa kaniya habang nakatitig sa mga mata niyang nangingintab. I can see mixed emotions in his eyes and I can't even name one.
"Xerene... I-It's...nice to see you again." Yohanne. As far as I remember, we just met once. We never talked. So, it's a kind of ironic for him to say those words with 'again'.
I gasped when Van suddenly pulled me close to him. I never had the chance to push him away because he locked his arms around me. He was hugging me tightly. As if we just met after parting for years. This feeling...
My chest became heavier.
"Please, come back to me, Luna. I m-missed you. I want you back. Luna, I want you back---"
"FUCK OFF, VAN!" Singhal sa kaniya ni Liore at pinaghiwalay kami. Nagulat kaming lahat nang sorpresahin siya ni Van ng isang malakas na suntok.
"Bastard! What did you do to her!? What did you do to Xerene!? ANSWER ME! Ibalik mo siya sa akin, Gerson Fucking Liorei! She's mine!" Panggagalaiti niya bago ako hinila at malakas siyang sinipa. That caused a ruckus. Lalo na nang gantihan pa siya ni Liore.
"STOP! WHAT THE HELL!?" Bulyaw ko sa dalawa at sinalo ang kamao nilang parehas. They were glaring at each other as if they're ready to kill each other. How could they---!?
Ibinaba ko ang kamay ni Van at hinawakan ang kamay ni Liore. Itinulak ko siya, "What's your problem!? Hindi ka ba talaga titigil!? Let us be! Stop your obssession over me! You make me feel sick!" Madiin na sabi ko sa kaniya at dinuro-duro pa siya. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang naguguluhan akong tiningnan.
"What are you talking about, Luna!? Me? Obssessing over you!? What's with this sudden turning of the tables!? He is the ONE who's OBSSESSED to you. Akin ka! Inagaw ka lang niya!" What!?
"Are you sick, Van? We've been together for years! Both of us graduated in here! Everyone knows that!" Giit ko na naiinis na rin. Mahaba ang pasensya ko pero naiinis ako sa mga sinasabi niya.
"This is absurd. What kind of brainwash did you used against her, Gerson Fucking Liorei? Luna, can't you remember US? Did you already forget what he did to you? HE RAPED YOU! He's the bad guy here---" hindi ko na pinatapos ang sasabihin niya nang dumapo ang kamao ko sa mukha niya. Agad naman akong hinila ni Liore palayo sa kapatid niyang napakakapal ng mukha.
"Don't put the blame to him, Van! You are the one who TRIED to assault me here. I know Liore's a bad guy but you're the worst! I can't believe you. You're a crazy bastard!" Hingal na hingal ako pagkatapos dahil sa pagpupuyos. He looked at me with sorrowful eyes.
"L-Luna...? If this is just an act, stop. I don't know what he did to you but trust me! He's the bad guy here! Come, come back to my arms again. I missed you so much. I will never do that to you. Why don't you ask the Tyros here? Sabay tayong pumasok dito! You are DISASTER! You're Franchetti Xerene Covry! What about Max, Paris and Volt? Pikachu! You used to call him Pikachu, Luna! Ain't Tito Raghkeid your first love? You're my father and mother's bestfriend! Believe me! I'm not lying! He is!" Pagpapaliwanag niya at punung-puno ng pagsusumamo. Akmang hahawakan niya ako nang tabigin ko ang kamay niya. He's insane. Talagang hindi siya susuko? At gagawa pa siya ng mga kwento? I don't even knew who his parents are! And who's Max? Paris? Volt? Pikachu?
"He's referring to Lethals. Maxism Ford, Paris Kean and Voltage Xirquit." Liore whispered. That three who's famous too? They are my FRIENDS? As much as I remember, they tried to kill me and ambushed me before. They are good in stealing targets. That's why I hated them so much.
"Whatever you say, Van, I'll never believe you and your white lies. Just leave. Don't ruin the opening ceremony, for pete's sake." Kalmado kong pakiusap at pumunta sa tabi ni Liore. Yohanne, who's looking at me blankly, tapped his shoulder. I glance at Van, and he is now emotionless.
"I will never forgive you for whatever you did to her, Gerson Fucking Liorei. Just so you wait. The real owner of that face will hunt you." Those were his last words before they turnrd their backs at us. That is when I let out a deep breath. He's ridiculous. Mas lalo pa siyang lumala.
"Are you okay, Devil?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko sa ka iya at hinawakan ang mukha niya. Pinunasan noya ang dugo sa gilid ng labi niya at tumango.
"Yeah. It felt like I was bitten by an ant. Tsk." I sighed. Kinuha ko ang panyo ko at pinunasan ang dugong patuloy na lumalabas sa labi niya.
"Let's go to the clinic?" He shooked his head.
"I'm alright. Don't worry. It's nothing. Yours was more powerful." Pagbibiro niya at hinapit ako sa bewang. Inirapan ko na lamang siya. Gumawi ang mga mata ko kay Van. He was looking at me. Then he turned his back and walked away.
"I love you, Luna."
Why am I feeling...nostalgic?
BINABASA MO ANG
The Dragon's Seal: DEATH after LIFE (UNDER REVISION)
Science FictionPrevious Title: Their Final Battle THE REVISED VERSION IS UP.
