Tale as Old as Time (La Fortuna Series #1)

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

Vow

"Anastacia, where have you been?!"

Pagod kong tinapunan ng tingin si Rowan. My limbs were weak when I arrived at the Ysaguirre's porch. Basa pa mula sa mga luhang ibinuhos ang pisngi ko at lutang pa ang utak ko dahil sa mga sinabi ni Senyora sa 'kin kanina.

A hallow pit formed in my stomach when I realized that the whole Ysaguirre was in front me. May madilim na anino ang mukha ni Rowan, Atlas, at Tito Thomas. Tita Lucy was breathing rappidly while Priamos was trying to keep himself calm.

Dahil ba 'to sa pagtakas ko? In the first place, why weren't they in the mansion when I woke up? May pinuntahan ba silang hindi ko alam?

"Hija," Tita's voice cracked.

Lumapit siya sa 'kin at mahigpit akong niyakap. Nanginginig ang balikat niya dahil sa mga hagulhol niya. My eyebrows furrowed. Bakit... ang lungkot naman yata nila? When she broke away, she cupped my face with her hands. May tira-tira pang luha sa gilid ng mga mata niya nang marahan siyang ngumiti sa 'kin.

"I'm going to miss you, Tacia. But you need to go now."

Napunta ang tingin ko sa maletang nasa gilid ni Rowan. Takang-taka ako, ngunit may parte sa 'king wala nang pakealam kung ano man ang mangyari.

The worse had happened already. Senyora's words broke me into pieces already.

Siyempre, ina siya ni Chamuel kaya ganoon na lamang ang bigat na dulot ng mga salita niya sa 'kin. She raised him and loved him even when he wasn't born yet. I loved his son, but I knew she loved him more than anything in the world. Walang papantay sa pagmamahal ng isang ina.

The fact that she was angry with me was one thing. But her saying that Chamuel didn't love me and never will was another. Hindi na mahalaga kung totoo 'yong sinabi niya o hindi. She knew him better than I did.

What's the use of finding out the truth, anyway? Would it take away the pain? Would it turn the tables around? Hindi naman, 'di ba? The damage had been done... and nothing or no one could ever undo it.

"It's best if you never go back here again, hija," Tito Thomas interrupted. "Napamahal ka na sa 'min ngunit hindi ka namin dito mapoprotektahan. We are pitted against the whole town. And even though we own thousands of formidable soldiers and undercovers, still, you will not be able to live a normal life here."

I hicupped. "N-ngayon na po ang alis namin? Bakit po napaaga? Akala ko..."

"We have no choice. Hanggang ngayon ay may mga taong-bayan pa rin sa dulo ng kalsada na nagbabantay sa paglabas mo. May mga sulo silang dala at mukhang handang magpalipas doon ng gabi. They are hostile and angry. Besides..." he trailed off.

Bigo siyang bumuntong-hininga. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Besides, what, Tito?" I asked courageously.

"We're from the Headquarters. And we've received a lead about who's responsible for the news. I'm so sorry, hija."

The solemnity in their faces never went unnoticed to me. I darted my eyes at Rowan, searching for answers. He had no choice but to oblige to what my eyes asked him for.

"Anastacia," he started. Madilim ang mukha niya. "Chamuel Valtierra released your personal information. Our men went to the news station and that's what the management told them. He exposed you."

Unti-unti kong natutop ang labi ko. My chest tightened and my vision blurred with another set of tears. No, he wouldn't betray me! May plano kami! We're supposed to run away! We would meet at the Raya's mansion tomorrow night. Doon, may naghihintay sa 'ming barko sa paanan ng talampas. His men will help us escape and Admiral Rodriguez will pilot the vessel!