Linked Souls

Chapter 53

Chapter 53: New Leader

That's I think the best decision I've ever made since I turned into a vampire— giving in to Brixton Wenz Cardinal. He managed to eradicate all my doubts and fear in just a single night. Now that I think of it, I couldn't help but to smile.

Tumabi sa 'kin si Abel at sumandal sa bench habang ako naman ay pinanatili ang tingin sa mga magsasaka na walang tigil sa pag-ani ng mga pananim.

"How was your stay here?" he asked.

Pinaglaruan ko ang mga daliri ko at bumuntonghininga.

"What can I say?" I chuckled, shaking my head. Inayos ko sa likod ng aking tainga ang ilang hibla ng buhok kong kumawala. "Gusto ko pa ngang magtagal pa."

Sa kabilang dako ay nagkulay kahel ang kalangitan dulot ng palubog na araw. Habang tumatagal ako rito sa labas ay ramdam kong palakas nang palakas ang hangin.

"You can always come back here, Astra."

Napalingon ako sa kanya. "Are you giving me a free pass since you are the son of the leader?"

Ngumiti ito bago natawa. "Sige lang. Pero... gano'n naman talaga kami rito. Bukas kami sa lahat ng nangangailangan. You know? Those insurgents... we could have provided them food if they only approached us in a good way."

Sandali akong napatitig sa kanya. "You will be a good leader just like your father, Abel."

Lumingon siya sa akin. "Oh. Thank you for saying that. It means so much to me."

Muli na lang ako tumingin sa kalangitan. Unti-unti na ring nagpapaalam ang liwanag. Nakaramdam ako bigla ng lungkot. Bukas din ay lilisanin ko na ang lugar na ito.

"Seryoso, Astra. Kung gusto mong bumalik ay huwag kang mag-alinlangan. When that time comes, I will give you a more comfortable place. A cozy room. Better foods. You and Sev."

"Uhm. Any place as long as here..." I responded, letting out a weighty sigh. "I am good with that."

"Ano'ng oras ka aalis bukas?" tanong niya.

I feel sad again that he mentioned that. "Bago sumikat ang araw..."

"Oh." Ramdam kong lumumbay ang boses niya. "Mukhang hindi na kita makikita pagkatapos nito. So..." He stood up and offered his right hand to me. "Thank you for coming in Esparago Clan..."

Ngumiti ako bago tumayo. Inabot ko ang kanyang kamay. "Thank you for letting us stay without asking for anything in return, Abel. I will surely miss this place."

"No worries. Can I get a hug?" he requested.

Binitiwan ko ang kanyang kamay para yakapin siya. "It's nice to meet you, Abel..."

He hugged me back. "You are the best visitor I've ever had. Please come back..."

Matapos no'n ay nagpaalam na ako babalik sa tinutuluyan ko. Naabutan ko si Brix na naglalakad. He was wearing a sweat pants paired with his favorite white t-shirt. I really think it's not Brixton if he's not wearing that familiar plain white shirt. Basa pa ang buhok nito. Nakayuko siya habang naglalakad.

I stopped walking. Huminto rin ito. Umangat ang tingin nito sa akin. Ang seryosong mukha nito ay biglang ngumiti. Just like that, I feel like melting. That smile suits him perfectly.

"Hey..." he said. "I've been looking for you around."

I smiled. "Na-miss mo ako agad? Hindi ba kasama mo ako magdamag?"

Ngumuso ito. "What about it?"

I closed the distance between us as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Tiningala ko siya at sinabayan ang kanyang tingin. "Susunod ka rin naman agad sa akin, hindi ba?"