Ember Grace

Chapter 8

Ember Grace

I don't even know what the hell happened back there. Kaaalis lamang ni Coco. We agreed to pass both of our essays to Ms. Avellano. Hindi kami makapili, parehas na maganda iyong naisulat namin.

Parang may sumaping kung anong masamang espiritu sa akin at bigla ko na lamang nagawa ang mga bagay na 'iyon'.

Now, don't get me wrong, we just kissed. That's it. After that, awkward na naman ang atmosphere sa pagitan naming dalawa. Pero pakiramdam ko, mas nakilala ko siya ng lubusan dahil sa sinulat niya.

"I need to tell you something, Ember Rose Grace." Biglang turan ni Mama Ysabelle. She looked serious, at ginamit niya ang kumpletong pangalan ko.

"Don't get too close to that boy, it's for your own good, anak."

I looked at Mama Ysabelle like she's grown five heads on top of her neck.

"What the heck do you mean? I don't understand." I answered her.

She sighed and said, "Just don't, trust me, he's not good for you."

"If anything, I'm the one who's not good for him! Why do you keep on trying to control my life?!" At this point, I completely lost it.

"I'm trying to protect you, anak!" Lumalakas na rin ang boses ni Mama Ysabelle.

"You're not even my real mother." I barely whispered.

She was silent. I felt like I was walking on the edge of a very sharp knife. I looked at her face, she looked hurt. I hurt her.

"I-- I'll never do anything to hurt you anak, I'm just trying to protect you." She was about to cry.

"From what?" I softly said.

"From that boy, from that boy's family. Y-you don't understand." Pabulong na sagot ni Mama Ysabelle, whilst crying.

"What is with his family? Alam mo bang siya ang pinaka-unang sinubukang kaibiganin ako? Why are you trying to suddenly drive us apart?" I asked her.

"Because his sister killed your father! At pinatay ng tatay ng mate ng kapatid ng kaibigan mo ang nanay mo, naiintindihan mo na ba?"

"H-- Hindi ko maintindihan."

"I-- I'll make you understand, why don't we sit down for a bit?"

I obliged.

"Well, I was a hired nurse sa pack house 'nila'. And I was the one who took care of your mom when she was pregnant with you. Your daddy loved your mommy so much, she changed him in a good way. She gave him life, she gave him you."

I was just looking at Mama Ysabelle, waiting for her to say more.

"But then, your grandfather, your daddy's father, was not in favor of your father's relationship with your mom, because she was a mortal--- I remember it still, so vividly. What that horrible monster did to your mom."

***

Mama Ysabelle

Flashback

Mistulang natuod ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Nanlalaki ang matang nakatitig sa nangyayari sa harapan ko. It was a horrific scene.

I watched Alpha Konnor stab Eloiza repeatedly. I was frozen. I tried screaming but I was voiceless.

Noong naghihingalo na si Eloiza, roon lamang siya tinigilan ni Alpha Konnor. Napaatras ako ng ilang hakbang nang bigla siyang bumaling sa akin, at naglakad patungo sa direksiyon ko.