The Nation's Outcry

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Good Citizen
Zanashi

"Already tired?"

That voice owned by a man standing in front of me and blocking the sun from my view was familiar yet so unfamiliar. This is not my friend's voice, this is not Kysler's.

This voice was full of mock, insult, and disgust. Its familiarity doesn't hit home. Instead, it made me suffer more. This tone of him was intended for me, to belittle me, and to make my conscience eat my sanity.

Too much sadness drained my energy so instead of picking fight with him, I decided to just ignore him. Umangat ako mula sa pagkakahiga at muling tinupi ang sleeves ko hanggang siko.

"You have tears on your face, by the way.." he started. Having his remarks being ignored was not very appealing for him so he continued beating me through his words. "Was that a sign of realization? You've realized now the effect of your principle both to your enemies and allies, haven't you?"

Tumayo ako at umiling sa kanya. "Stop talking, will you? You don't know anything."

Ayaw kong magalit nang tuluyan sa kanya. Naiintindihan ko siya at iintindihin ko siya, tulad ng lagi kong ginagawa. Hindi biro ang dinanas niya lalo na't nakita niya mismo ang kalupitang sinapit ng kapatid niya. He's just mad. He just want revenge and though I understand him, I will not give him satisfaction. Ayokong ipakita na apektado ako sa bawat salitang binibitawan niya.

Nilagpasan ko siya pero hindi pa rin siya tumigil.

"Ano pa ba ang hindi ko alam, mahal na prinsesa?"

Wala pang isang segundo ay tila bigla kong sinaway ang mga salitang kakasabi ko pa lang. Ayokong ipakita na apektado ako? Ha! Paano ko iyon gagawin kung hindi mapigil ang paglabas ng mga nakakairitang salita sa bibig niya?

Sa sobrang inis ay mabilis ko siyang nilingon at itinapon ang hawak kong walis sa pagmumukha niya. He avoided it nonchalantly and raised his eyebrow afterwards as if insulting how lame my throw was. I badly want to punch his face right now! Just one punch, please! He crossed his arm and slowly move his head from left to right, showing his fake disappointment to me.

"Years and years of training and yet you still threw very lame?" He seemed to know what caught me off guard so he repeated it again. "Mahal na prinsesa?"

"Stop talking!"

"Did your father know about how lame you are? I'm sure he won't like this."

"I said stop talking!"

"Or maybe you're good at something else. Killing innocent people's lives, perhaps?"

"I said stop!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Tears were streaming down my face because of how his words hit directly at me.

Mahal na prinsesa? Lame? What did he say again? My father won't like this? Killing innocent lives? I couldn't believe how insensitive his mouth was and I couldn't believe how scared I was to clarify and explain myself to him. He wouldn't understand! No one will understand me! Because the only person who tried to understand me was already gone! Gone!

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang tuloy-tuloy na pag-agos ng luha. He seemed very please with what he has done. He seemed very satisfied when he saw my face soaked with tears. The side of his lips rose and he then slowly shook his head while piercing his threatening eyes through me.

"Even if you cry a river and shed your own blood right here and right now, you cannot undone what has been done.." he moved closer and whispered his next words to me. "It would never bring my sister back. Your tears and blood couldn't bring back the lives of innocent people that you've taken brutally."