Taste of Poison

Kabanata 26

Charles

I don't know what to think anymore. Was everything a lie? Hindi ko na alam kung sino at ano ang paniniwalaan ko. New York...

My father is there, yet Azar... Kasinungalingan na lang ba ang lahat? Ang ideya na nahanap niya ang aking ama, at nagtatago kung saan mang lupalop ng mundo, sinabi niya lang ba iyon para pagaain ang kalooban ko?

Pati si Mama Astrid na hindi ko alam kung nagsasabi ba ng totoo o lahat na lang ba sa kaniya ay parte ng plano niya?

"Let's talk..." Pinili kong maging kalmado sa harap ni Azar.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumango at sumunod sa akin palabas ng bahay ni Lia. The rest of us stayed inside and were all silent as we exit. My heart is beating drastically thinking all the possibilities, the possibility that he lied about everything.

I sighed deeply and stopped walking when we reached the corridor. Malalim akong huminga bago siya hinarap.

"Tell me everything you know," I started, trying to be calm as much as possible.

His eyes darted to mine for a second then looked away, sighing.

"Emory..." he called softly.

Hilaw akong ngumiti sa kaniya. "I won't get mad, Az. Just tell me what you know."

I know I told him that I won't see my father because knowing he's alive is at least, enough for me. I don't have plans to see him but, after everything that happened today, after all the words that Mama Astrid spit to me, there's something inside me that pushes me to search for his location.

"I'm sorry," aniya. "It wasn't my intention to lie, Emory. I just had no choice."

"Why?"

"It's for your own good."

"My own good? You're just my boyfriend, Azar. You don't have a say on this. Ako ang nakakaalam kung ano ang nakakabuti sa akin at ang pagsisinungaling mo? Hindi 'yon nakakabuti!"

"I had no choice," he stared at me. "You wanted to know his whereabouts! I saw how you suffered for these past months and I wanted to help you, Emory... I may be heartless but, I don't want to see you in pain."

He tried to reach for my hands but, I just backed away, totally avoiding him. His lips parted a bit because of my response. Nanghihina ko siyang tinitigan.

"You should've just told me the truth, right?"

"I did it for you..."

I shook my head and sighed deeply. Tumalikod ako sa kaniya. "Tell me what you know."

"Your father's in New York."

"So, my mother was telling the truth..." baling ko sa kaniya. "How do you know each other, huh? Don't lie to me, Azar. Huwag mo nang dagdagan ang pagsisinungaling mo. You lied about the existence of my father, then yours..."

"My mother and yours are friends..."

"And you didn't even tell me?"

"I'm telling you now."

"Because I asked. Kung hindi ko pa nalaman kay Mama, patuloy sana akong maniniwala sa mga kasinungalingan mo."

Then, I walked past him to go back inside the house without glancing at his direction.

Nakita ko si Mallory sa sala kasama si Kuya Aamon pero hindi ko na sila pinansin. I climbed upstair to get my things and when I went down, the two were standing at the end of the stairs, waiting for me.

"Are you going?" Kuya asked cooly. Nakapamulsa siya roon.

"Where?" sarkastiko kong tanong at nagpatuloy sa pagbaba.

I'm sure they know something. Ako lang naman yata sa amin ang pinagkaitan ng katotohanan.

"To New York," si Mallory.

"For?" pagsusungit ko. "I know nothing. You two should just go back there and keep everything to yourself."

Nang tuluyan na akong makababa ay humarang si Mallory sa daanan ko. I tucked the strands of my hair behind my ear and rolled my eyes, feeling irritated.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sakto namang kay Azar tumama ang mga mata ko na kakapasok lang.

My heart twitched when he stared back. I could see the tiredness on his eyes but I never let those pair of dark brown softens me.

I'm angry inside.

Parang ang dating sa akin ay wala silang tiwala sa kung paano ko i-handle ang mga bagay na maaaring makasakit sa akin.

Am that I weak on their eyes? Is that how they see me?

A weak person who can't handle things.

"We need you there..." mababa ang boses ni Mallory.

"I'm not needed," ngumisi ako.

I saw Lia coming out of the kitchen holding a tray with her both hands. Nang makita ang sitwasyon namin ay agad rin siyang tumalikod at bumalik mula sa nilabasan.

Muli akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Don't you want to see your father?"

I stilled when I heard Kuya Aamon but it was just for a second.

Nanunuya akong tumingin sa kaniya.

"Now, you're using that card on me? To get what you all want?"

"We need you there," ulit ni Mallory.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko.

"I am not needed," mariin kong sinabi. "Go and find the cure. Whatever you do, I don't care anymore."

Nilagpasan ko si Mallory at dumiretso sa pinto. I stopped midway when I felt his hands sliding to mine. Nanatili ako sa pwesto, nakatalikod mula sa kaniya habang naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng kapit niya sa akin.

"I'm coming with you," he whispered gently.

"To where?"

"Kahit saan. I'll come with you..."

I glanced at him. "Then, come..." I said and let go.

It's still morning. Sa huli ay napagpasyan kong pumunta sa Columbarium para bisitahin sila Simeon.

"May I come with you?"

Mabilis akong umiling. "Just stay here inside the car. Mabilis lang naman ako."

"Okay... Just shout my name and I'll be there."

Ayoko man ay tumango na lang ako para matigil siya. I opened the door beside me and went out silently.

Naramdaman ko ang malamig na hangin dito sa sementeryo. I rubbed my arms and stared at the blue clear sky.

It looks calm unlike my insides which filled with chaos.

"Take care, luv..." I heard him before closing the door.

The side of my lips rose up. Hindi ko na siya pinansin pa at pumasok na sa loob ng Columbarium. I walked towards my loved ones urn, Lolo Gaspare, Lola Adra, Simeon... then just five urns away, was Charles.

I stopped in front of his urn.

Charles was killed by a vampire when I was twelve. He was fifteen, and I witnessed how he died.

He was the reason why I became a huntress. I wanted revenge so, I asked my mother to train me which she did anyway.

I considered my love for Charles as a puppy love. I knew I loved him. I cherished him and until now, the memories we shared together is still planted in my mind and to the deepest part of my heart.

My eyes landed on the small picture frame.

He really looks cute. Ano kaya ang itsura niya ngayon kung sakali?

Napunta naman ang tingin ko sa bulaklak doon. That's when I realized that I forgot to bring the flowers we bought while on our way here.

I palmed my forehead then, knotted.

The flower is fresh, that's I'm sure of. Who would visit him?

I mean, his parents died in a plane crashed the same day he died. Baka ang iba niyang kamag-anak ang bumisita sa kaniya.

I just shrugged the thoughts away and turn around to go back to the car and get the flowers but, my eyes caught Azar from afar, walking towards my direction with the flowers on his hand.

I tried to keep my cool. I shouldn't think of anything aside from the fact that I'm angry to everyone who lied.

I turned my back from him and made my way to my grandparents and brother's places.

I smiled at them. I really hope they're fine whenever they are.

"You forgot the flower," medyo paos na sabi ni Azar mula sa likuran ko.

Sa gilid ng mata ko ay nakita kong inabot niya ang bulaklak. I uttered thanks before taking it from his holds.

Isa-isa kong nilagyan ng bulaklak ang tabi ng urna nila. As well as Charles.

I smiled again. "I miss you all. See you soon," ani ko sabay atras ng kaunti.

Madadagdagan na naman kayo riyan. I hope Audrey's with you. If you ever heard all my silent prayer every night, before I go to sleep, please... I hope you'll grant all those wishes I uttered.

"Who's Charles?" I heard him asked seriously behind me.

"A friend," I simply answered.

Hindi na siya nagtanong. We just stayed there in silent and for a minute before I decided to go.

As he started the car, I took a deep breath and peek at him.

"If I go to New York, would you be there?"

He stopped from what he's doing.

"Would you go there with me?"

He licked his lower lip and looked away. Nanatiling hindi nakaandar ang sasakyan habang ako ay nakatingin lang sa kaniya. Mayamaya pa ay pinatay niya muna ang makina.

"Azar?" I called. "Would you go there with me?" I asked for the third time around.

Bumaling siya sa akin na seryoso. "Would you let me go with you?"

I focus on him. "Well, yes. I know you're needed there."

Slowly, he nodded. "Still mad at me?"

"Yes," tuwid kong sabi.

"Okay..." He started the engine again and drove off.

"Should we book a ticket now?"

"Yup," he said which I did when afternoon came.

Three days passed and we were heading to the same airport where the incident happened.

So, I learned that Mallory went to New York that day as well as Kuya Aamon. Sa huli ay binilin namin si Lia sa kaniyang magulang para bantayan siya.

"Come closer, Emory..." Azar said gently.

Hindi pa man ako nakakakilos ay agad na niyang pinulupot ang braso sa aking beywang habang tulak niya ang aming bagahe papasok sa eroplano.

Dinikit niya ang aming katawan sa isa't isa. I stayed calm and silent.

Honestly, the anger I've felt three days ago vanished the same day. I don't hold grudges at some things aside from the thought of vampires, killing humans especially my loved ones.

That's something I will forever hate.

We travelled for hours and I was really feeling tired when we arrived at the airport in New York.

"Hungry?" tanong ni Azar habang naglalakad kami.

"Yes, but I don't feel like eating. All I want right now is to rest and sleep for hours."

"You can rest once we arrived at our place."

"You have a place here?"

He hummed. "I lived here..."

"Oh," was all I can say.

I excused myself to go to the restroom to pee. Then, I washed my face as I'm not feeling comfortable with my make up after wearing it for hours. Nang matapos ay lumabas na ako para lang mapatigil.

"You..." I stuttered, my finger pointed at the familiar face.

"Welcome to New York, Emory Du Marais," ngumisi ang panauhin.

"b***h," mahina kong sinabi at magpapatuloy na sana sa paglalakad nang magsalita siya.

"I told you to address me with my name and not a b***h!"

"Whatever you say!" I fired back and continued walking.

And what is she doing here? Tama ba ang hinala kong may koneksiyon nga siya kay Mama Astrid?

Shaking my head, I looked back and saw her pouting while gazing at me.

Muli akong umiling. Childish.

Lumapit ako kay Azar na ngayon ay kunot ang noo na nakatingin sa likuran ko. I just clung to his arms because I'm really tired at still feeling dizzy due to hours of flying.

"Let's go," pag-aya ko rito at akma na siyang hihilain nga nang marinig ko na naman ang boses ni Relani.

"Emory!" she shouted.

I hide my face through his arm and force him to walk.

"Tara na sabi! Huwag kang manigas diyan," may halong gigil kong sambit.

"Wait a minute, luv..." he said softly.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "What? Are you waiting for someone? If that's the case then, I'll go first. Just tell me your address and I will leave you here."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa akin. "Just a minute, hmm?" he, then kissed my hair.

I rolled my eyes and stood straight. Akala ko kung sino ang hinihintay niya pero nang makalapit sa amin si Relani ay agad niya itong nginitian.

Tumikwas ang kilay ko upang itago na rin ang pagkagulat.

They knew each other? What are they? Friends? Or what?

Ngumisi si Relani sa akin sabay akla ng braso kay Azar.

"Hi, Emory..."

"Bitch..." I called her again.

Sumimangot siya. "Kuya, oh..."

My heart beat fast. Kuya... Are they blood related?

"Your sister?" I slowly asked.

"Nope! But he's my cousin!"

"Yes?" Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata.

"Yup! We're cousins, right?"

Azar nodded. "We are... cousins, yes."

I just smiled lightly. Go and lie again, Az. The truth will prevail.

And Relani? She's the daughter of Leo Madrigal.

The father Azar told me about.

Kung naging nobyo nga ni Mama Astrid si Leo Madrigal na nakita ko sa mga litrato, pihadong siya nga ang may kagagawan kung bakit malayang nakakapasok at labas itong si Relani sa kompanya.

And they're cousins, huh? What a small world.

I stared at her eyes for a second. I could really see my brother on her.

"Let's go," muli kong pagyaya at nauna nang maglakad sa kanila.

All I want right now is rest after a long flight. This is jetlag speaking.

Naramdaman ko silang sumunod. May sumundo sa amin sa airport at diretso nga kami sa bahay na sinasabi ni Azar.

I tsked. Ang dami niya kamong bahay.

I wasn't able to roam around his house but it's white second-story home. Binagsak ko ang katawan sa kulay abo na sofa roon at pumikit saka pinatong ang braso sa noo.

"I'm so tired..." I groaned.

We dropped off Relani somewhere so, I'm just alone with Azar.

Naramdaman ko ang presensiya niya sa malapit at mayamaya pa ay tinatanggal na niya ang sapatos ko sabay marahan niya itong hinilot.

I didn't open my eyes even when he sat on the sofa and let my legs lay on his lap.

"I have a comfortable room upstair," he offered.

I just hummed and moved my feet in circular motion.

"What do you want to eat? Any cravings?"

Hindi pa rin ako sumagot.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago ulit siya nagsalita. Patuloy pa rin niyang salitan na minamasahe ang aking paa.

"We'll go to the lab tomorrow where the tests are conducted. You should prepare yourself."

This time, I lift my arm and rested it above my tummy. Nagmulat na rin ako ng mga mata na sinalubong naman niya ng tingin.

"What do you think about the cure?"

"Honestly, I don't know if this is curable. We've been trying to find the cure for years but, we still don't have any progress."

"If ever... Once you discover the cure, what would you do?"

He smiled faintly. "If you want me gone, I will. But if you still want me after everything, I will stay and endure all your wrath..."