Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 44: Lucian

Artemis' POV

Something changed in me. Madaming nagsasabi, I can feel it also. Mas naging masuri ako sa mga ko nakakasalmuha ko. I wear the mask of nothingness.

Kung una ay madalang ang pagngiti ko. Ngayon ay bilang na lang yata ang iba ay pilit pa.

"Artemis..." pilit na tinatawag ni Justin ang atensyon ko. I can't hear him because of the earbuds.

"Ano iyon?" I ask looking at him.

"Bibisita kami sa sementeryo. You want to come?" alok niya.

As much as I want to alam kong may naghihintay na sa gate ng school.

"I can't go..." I force a smile.

"Sayang naman." Lindsey sadly side commented.

"Send my regards to him." I ruffled her hair.

"Let her be." Lincoln understands my reason. Tulad ng kapatid niya hindi ako makakalabas ng wala si Kuya.

"We'll pay you a visit." Genevive assured me.

Out of habit ay nililingon ko ang table sa likod ko though walang nakaupo. Old habits never die. I remember the memories but he is not here anymore.

The lobby bussle with students. Diretso ako sa parking lot. Waiting for a car to pick me up.

A box caught my attention. May nakasulat na: 'Adopt me'. A yipping cry came from inside. Nilapitan ko ito, baka may nantitrip na naman sa akin.
Magwawal na talaga si Papa at Si Mama.

A puppy is inside. The fur is white, she has this chocolate brown eyes.
Hindi ako maalam sa lahi ng mga aso but he looks like a labrador. Siguro mga two to three months pa lang ito.

"Hi sweet heart." Kausap ko dito.
Her tails wag when I pick her up.

May bumusina sa likod ko. He's here.

"Can we keep her?" tanong ko sa kanya showing the puppy.

He stare at the dog before staring at me. He is contemplating whether to allow me or not.

"Get in." Is that a yes or no?

Pumasok ako sa loob ng kotse bringing the box with me. That will be his temporary bed. Dumaan kami sa isang pet shop para bumili ng dog food.

Umiiyak ito sa likod kaya binuhat ko na lang ito. She fell asleep on my lap.

Kuya retrieved our bags sa likod habang buhat ko ang aso at dala ang dog food.

Ibinaba ko siya sa sahig ng bahay.

I called him Lucian meaning light. Akala ko noong una babae siya but I saw na lalaki siya. Nalibot niya agad ang buong bahay.

Mother carried the dog when she came from the kitchen. The dog licked her face making her giggle like a kid.

"Lucian" she read the collar on his neck.

Umiiyak pa ito ng hindi makaakyat sa hagdan. Binuhat ko na lang siya ulit papunta sa kwarto ko.

I gave him hot bath pagkatapos kong magbihis. Saka siya pinatakbo sa bahay.

"This is better" sabi ni Papa "you'll be busy at home."

"He came at the right timing." I chirped petting the dog on my lap.

Katabi ko siyang matulog sa kwarto. My bed is his bed. He learned how to climb the stairs by watching us.

"Did Daniel send you?" I ask the sleeping dog bago ibaba ang librong binabasa. Ginawa niyang unan ang stuff toy ko sa kama.

"I love you, Lucian." I kissed his head bago ako matulog.

The next day excited akong umuwi. I can't wait too see the dog. Dadalahin ko siya bukas sa training grounds.

"I'm home!" sigaw ko sa pinto. Mama hugged me. Ganun din si Kuya.

My furbaby jump to meet me. He is my adoptive sibling already. He is getting spoiled by mother. Nagsimula na ngang magselos si Papa sa kanya.

Mama is about Lucian. Lucian this, Lucian that... Binawi na niya ang puso niya kay Papa at binigay sa bunso niya.

When I brought the dog to the training ground. The owner—Lolo Marco—played with him while I train.
An unecpected play date for the two of them.

"Dito ka lang mas malambing ka pa kaysa sa apo ko." he talked to him.

Speaking of apo hindi ko pa nakikilala ang apo niya. I didn't see him after bringing me to the mansion. Takot ba iyon sa tao? Sayang hindi niya nakita si Lucian.

Doon na kami nagdinner. Tinawagan niya sila Mama sa bahay. His reason he can't let the dog go.

Lucian even get a free veterinary check up and vaccine because of him.
Umalis pala sila habang busy kami.

"You are getting spoiled aren't you?"
He sleeps on my lap, his only talent: snoring.

"Are you happy?" Kuya's question made me flinch. Am I?

"Yup, this little furball of energy made me happy!"

That night imbis na tumahol ay nakipaglaro siya sa hindi kakilala.

"You get a dog to push me huh?" nagangat ang kanyang tingin sa akin.

"I have one on the other room, and him" sabay kuha sa aso pero nabalik ito sa kanya. "to guard me."

"He likes me." obviously. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"He likes everyone. Don't be happy about it." Lacing my voice with sarcasm.

"Did you miss me?" saan kaya ito humugot ng kapal ng mukha?

"No." I produce a lopsided smile.
"Umalis ka na matutulog na kami."

I took the dog from his arms.

"I did." he's voice is firm and serious.

"Tomorrow. Training grounds. Magdala ka din ng tissue baka umiyak ka."

He pet my dog's head before leaving.

Pwede na siyang magakyat bahay sa ginagawa niya. Ipapako ko na talaga ang bintana sa susunod.

"You like him already?" Lucian licked my face.