Taste of Poison

Kabanata 33

Charles

He walked towards us and Mama Astrid motioned him to put the basket on the table. Sinunod naman niya iyon at nilagay sa may duluhan.

"Sit beside her," aniya.

My brows furrowed when an unfamiliar smell filled my nostril. Tumingin ako kay Azar na kakaupo lang sa tabi ko.

"What's that smell?"

"Oh..." Inamoy niya ang sarili. "I changed my perfume."

"Changed? You don't wear one."

His upper lip rose up then, he looked away. Narinig kong palihim na tumawa si Tito Ean na kaharap niya sa hapagkainan.

I shook my head. Kay Sloan ko na tinuon ang atensiyon ko.

"You want to drink milk?" I asked, smiling.

Inabot ko ang gatas doon. I made him drink the milk through syringe feeding. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapangiti tuwing sinisipsip niya iyon. He was drinking while eyes fixed on mine.

"Any update about Leo Madrigal?" tanong ni Tito.

Saglit akong napatigil.

"My men is still searching for his whereabouts. Sa ngayon ay wala pa akong natatanggap na balita mula sa kanila."

Napataas ang kilay ko. So, they're looking for him? Ano? Uunahan ba namin si Leo Madrigal na sugurin?

And men? Really. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin kami nag-uusap ng masinsinan. Everyone is busy and we have no time to talk about this. But I will surely make time.

We should talk. No secrets if he wants us to work.

"We also have men at the airport. Malalaman agad natin kung pumasok siya ng bansa. But it seems that he's still outside the country and plotting something to attack us here."

Nagsimula na silang kumain. "Meanwhile, my father is in England. I sent someone to watch over him."

Napasulyap ako kay Mama. I wonder what she feels now. Knowing that my grandpa is also behind this chaos.

"They won't really stop," ani Tito. "We are still in the process of finding the cure. Wala pa kaming nakukuhang data dahil sa inconsistency ng resulta. But we're getting there."

"It should be released before they could get a hold on it," saad kong kay Sloan pa rin ang tingin.

"We're aiming for that," malambot na salita ni Tito Ean. "I won't let them destroy our plan. Ilang taon na kaming naghahanap at ngayon ay may posibilidad na mahanap namin ang sagot, hindi ko hahayaan na sirain pa nila ito."

I raised my head to look at him. I can see hatred in his eyes, even his hands holding the cutlery were tightly clenched. Nag-isang linya rin ang kaniyang labi na animo'y gigil na gigil sa naiisip.

Umiwas ako ng tingin. "You should not. You were one of them, the virus ruined people's lives."

"Emory," Mama Astrid warned which I ignored.

"It's okay," huminahon si Tito.

I continued feeding Sloan. Nang tapos na ay kinuha siya ni Mama at siya na ang nagbuhat para makakain ako.

We eat in silence. Hindi ko tinapunan ng tingin si Azar sa tabi ko.

"So," Tito cough fakely. "May I know when and how did you two meet?"

Naramdaman ko ang tingin ni Azar sa akin. I just continued eating, ignoring his question. If he wants to answer him, then go.

"In a restaurant, one year ago..." he answered.

"That's super detailed," I sense the sarcasm in Tito Ean's voice.

"Well, there's nothing much."

"U-huh," bakas ang ngisi sa tono ng boses ni Tito.

I just shrugged. What does he want to know? We simply met in a restaurant one year ago. There's actually nothing interesting in the way we met aside from the thought that Azar was a vampire and still.

That was something that caught my interest.

"So, you're serious with her?"

"Yes," ani Az.

Natigil sa ere ang kutsara ko. Dahan-dahan ay binaba ko iyon sa plato at uminom sa baso ng tubig.

"I am serious with her," he added.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya matapos kong uminom. I swallowed hard and pretend that it didn't catch my attention.

"You should," seryoso na rin si Tito. "Emory's my only daughter. If I ever see her cry because of you, you know what would happen."

"It's between us two," singit ko.

"Oh, darling..." he wiped the sides of his lips. "You wouldn't want to know the secret he's trying to hide from you."

"Ean!" sigaw ni Mama bago bumaling sa akin. "Emory, you'll be late. Azar, ihatid mo na lang siya sa opisina. Mag-ingat kayo."

Mabilis akong tumayo at kinuha ang bag. Walang lingon akong umalis mula sa kusina. I even heard Sloan's faint cry when I went out of the kitchen. Then, I felt him followed me from behind.

"Emory," Azar held my arm.

Iwinaksi ko iyon at hindi siya pinansin.

"Emory!" he called again but, I didn't bother to stop walking.

Instead, I went straight to his car but it was locked so, I have no choice but to wait. Marahas kong nilagay sa likod ng tenga ko ang takas na buhok. Nanatili akong nakatalikod sa kaniya kahit pa nang muli niya akong hinawakan sa siko.

It was cold but I could feel that it was warm, at least. Unlike before that, I thought I would get frostbite because of his coldness.

"Emory..." his voice was soft. "You will be late."

Nanunuya akong tumawa. I thought he would open up about the secret Tito was talking about inside. Iyon pala ay nag-aalala siyang mahuli ako sa trabaho.

"Yes, so open the door now."

I sighed in annoyance. Tumabi ako upang mabuksan niya ang pinto ng sasakyan. I was about to go inside when he closed the door which made me frustrated. Humarang pa siya roon at mariin akong tiningnan.

"Give me time," he asked.

Walang gana akong tumango na sinabayan ko ng pag-irap. I don't know why everyone's asking for time. Binigay ko rin iyon kay Mama, pero hindi lahat ng tanong ko ay nabigyan ng kasagutan. And now Azar. paano ko naman masisiguro na sasabihin niya ang lahat sa akin?

Him being a guild leader. His relationship with Leo Madrigal, though they're blood-related still, I want to hear it from him! Simula nang magising siya at noong araw na nalaman ko ang tungkol sa bagay na ito ay wala siyang ni isang sinasabi sa akin!

But okay! Fine. "I will be late," tanging nasabi ko.

"Love..." pakiusap niya.

Nanghihina ko siyang tiningnan. "Let's talk about it some other time. If you're ready, then better. If not, still okay."

"I... I can't," napapikit siya roon.

Still, I let out a weak smile. "It's okay. I truly understand. I'm just your girlfriend, anyway."

Tinulak ko siya at ako na mismo ang nagbukas ng pinto. Kinabit ako ang seatbelt at sumandal sa upuan.

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko.

Should I go back and ask Tito about the secret? It seems like he knows, as well as my mother.

Pinigilan niya si Tito. So, maybe. They're doing it again, eh?

"I will fetch you after work," aniya pagpasok sa sasakyan.

Hindi ako gumalaw o sumagot man lang. He started to drive and I just kept my silence for the whole ride. Wala rin naman akong mapapala kung magdakdak ako rito.

Katulad ko ay mananahimik din siya.

Mabilis lang kaming nakarating sa kompanya. Without looking, I opened the door beside me and went out of the car without a word.

Saka ko lang narinig ang sasakyan niyang umalis nang makapasok ako sa elevator sa basement.

I sighed in relief. Hindi ko yata kakayanin na makasama siya sa isang lugar sa ganitong sitwasyon.

I am clueless. I don't know what to think anymore. Am I not worthy of those secrets?

Sumandal ako sa elevator at napatitig sa kawalan. If that's the case, then why are we still together?

I knew some secrets needs to be kept. But knowing that the people around me know what it might be, I at least deserve to know it, too.

Buong araw na iyon ay wala ako sa hulog. I stayed inside my office and tried to distract myself. Kahit nang kumatok ang sekretarya sa opisina ko para ipaalala na break na ay hindi ako magpatinag.

The sky was starting to get dark when I got out of my office.

Inaayos ko ang bag ko nang makita si Azar sa labas ng aking opisina.

I stopped midway.

He was leaning on the wall just beside my office door. Nakayuko siya at ang mga kamay ay nasa loob ng bulsa ng kaniyang hoodie.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at dahan-dahang umayos ng tayo.

"I heard you didn't eat lunch," aniya. "Hungry? What do you want to eat?"

I shook my head. "I'm feeling tired. Gusto ko na umuwi para magpahinga."

His jaw clenched. "You need to eat dinner. Even just a bit."

"Uuwi na ako."

"Emory..."

Bumuntong-hininga ako. "Uuwi na ako," pag-ulit ko.

"I will drive you home but, you need to eat first. My mother cooked food, it's inside my car. You can eat there, too..."

"No," sabi ko at nagsimulang lumakad. Nilagpasan ko siya roon.

"Damn it," he uttered in frustration. "Makinig ka naman, Emory."

Natigil ako sa paglalakad. Then slowly, I turned around to face him.

I smirked. "You didn't listen to me. If you want me to follow every word you say, then tell me what you know."

"I need time!"

"No," iling ko. "You just don't want to tell me. What? I'm not a psychic, Azar! Oh god, how I wish I was so, I wouldn't be this problematic thinking about you! Your secrets, your intention, and all!"

I walked near him and pointed to his chest. Ilang beses ko siyang tinulak doon.

"What am I to you, huh?! I am your girlfriend yet I don't know my place in your life! I understand that you can't love me—"

"I love you, Emory," he gritted his teeth, trying to control himself.

"No," nanunuya akong tumawa. "How can a heartless vampire love me?"

"Mahal kita," bulong niya.

Muli akong umiling. "Just drive me home, Azar. It's hard for me now to believe in your words when all you do was lie to me."

He cursed under his breath in which I just ignored. Pinagpatuloy ko ang paglalakad. Kahit pa nang nasa loob kami ng elevator ay tahimik lang kami hanggang sa makababa sa basement.

"Wait," ani Azar nang akma akong lalabas ng elevator.

"What?"

"Close the door," he said seriously.

"Why? I want to go home for god's sake!"

"Just f*****g close the damn door, Emory!"

Rolling my eyes, I pushed the button there and it had not completely closed when an unexpected thing happened.

Napasigaw at napatalon ako roon. I even held on to his arms tight as I closed my eyes emphatically. 

"What the hell! What the hell, Azar!" I shouted over and over again.

I hid in behind him to not get close to that body that was thrown in front of us. Nasa gitna ito ng pinto ng elevator kaya hindi natuloy ang pagsara nito.

My body shivered as images flashed inside my mind. Natingnan ko iyon kanina bago pa man ako pumikit at hindi na iyon mawala sa isip ko.

I killed and saw a lot of bodies before. But it wasn't just anyone.

I'm sure it was our secretary basing on her clothes.

"Oh god, no..." I chanted.

"I'm here, relax..." he hushed as he held my hand to calm me down.

"How can I relax at times like this, Az?"

Naiiyak ako. We have lost another person again because of a vampire. Hindi ba sila titigil?

"It was Leo," he whispered. "He always left a mark on his victim."

"What mark?" My eyes were still closed.

"L stands Leo. There's always an L on his victim's neck beside the bitten area."

I stilled.

Naramdaman ko ang panlalamig ng buo kong katawan. My mind wanders in the past. The woods, his cries, vampires from afar, Charles eyes begging me to not show myself that time, that I need to hide behind that big tree to be safe.

My lips parted as tears roll down my cheeks.

Marahas kong kinusot ang bandang dibdib kung saan ang puso ko.

Naninikip ang dibdib ko. I felt like the pain I thought was gone came back.

"L..." I sniffed.

"Baby..." he turned around to face me.

He cupped my face and made me look at him.

"You're alright, okay? Nothing happened," pampakalma niya.

Umiling ako. "The one I told you about that night was Charles. He was killed by a vampire, and it has L on his neck."

Umawang ang labi niya. Then, he closed it and gulped.

"It was Leo," he whispered. "Yes, he did. My father killed him, Emory."

"He killed him," I sobbed hard.

Tumawag kami ng pulis para linisin ang pinangyarihan. I was just inside his car as he answered their questions. Tahimik lang ako sa loob at nakatulala sa kawalan.

Yakap-yakap ko ang tuhod nang pumasok si Azar sa driver seat. He immediately hugs me when he got inside.

"All is well," he assured.

"Leo killed him. Your father killed him," I cried.

"Yes, he killed him..." ulit niya. "Let's go home and rest, okay? Today's a long day, Emory. You need to sleep and relax."

Tumango ako. "Okay..." I hiccuped.

Inabot niya sa akin ang bottled water at uminom naman ako mula rito.

"But you need to eat first."

"Sa bahay na."

He nodded and turned on the engine. Hinatid niya ako sa bahay at siya na rin ang naghanda ng pagkain sa mesa na luto ni Tita Anna. My parents were just silent the whole time as I eat.

Hindi ko sila pinansin kahit pa nang matapos ako kumain.

"Just leave the dishes there, Ry. Ako na ang bahala," si Mama Astrid.

I was feeling tired so, I let her. Azar also stayed with me even after I finished fixing myself.

Patihaya akong humiga sa kama at tulala na naman na nakatingin sa kisame. Memories from the flash came rushing back.

Charles was my childhood sweetheart. He was my mom's friend's son but unfortunately, his life was taken away when we were just twelve because of a poisonous bite.

Vampire. Because of it, I chose to be a huntress to get my revenge.

"Was Charles, uhm..." Azar started who was leaning on the bed wall.

"He was my friend. A childhood sweetheart," kuwento ko. "I was hiding behind the Acacia tree when he got bitten by a vampire. I witnessed his death, Azar. It was painful I thought it would break me literally. We just wanted to play that time. It was daylight yet..."

Napasinghot ako. It was Leo who killed him so, it's no wonder why could walk under the sun.

"The sun won't affect my father."

"He killed him," I chuckled bitterly. "How can he kill a young and innocent child? Is he that heartless?"

"I'm sorry," he let out. "Everything's gonna be okay starting now, Emory. Don't worry about anything."

"You always say that," I said. "But I hope so."