Taste of Poison

Kabanata 24

Audrey

I thought everything was going well with the help of the alternative blood my mother and others discovered but, I was wrong. Ilang buwan nanahimik ang lahat, ilang buwan ang lumipas na walang balita na pumapatay ang mga bampira pero ano itong nangyayari ngayon?

They started again. They're killing humans again. Hindi na ba pinagpatuloy ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay sa kanila ng produkto?

"Azar, natatakot ako..." naiiyak kong sinabi.

Tumigil kami sa pagtakbo at nagkubli roon sa isang sasakyan. Pahigpit nang pahigpit ang kaniyang paghawak sa akin pero tila'y hindi iyon naging sapat na dahilan upang ako ay mapanatag sa sitwasyon namin ngayon.

I am scared not just for ourselves, but for the people inside and out of the airport.

"I will get you out of here," aniya.

"Of course, you should..." I told him. "Hindi maaari na isa sa atin ang maiwan at mamatay ngayong araw gayong kakasimula pa lang ng relasyon natin."

"Emory," he warned. "Shut up and hide. They're coming."

"Damn it! Can they just burn? Ngingiti na ang araw---" Natigil ang pagsasalita ko nang mabilis niyuko ni Azar ang aking ulo upang mas lalong maitago.

Nasa gilid lamang kami ng sasakyan, tiyak na maamoy at makikita pa rin kami ng kung sinumang bampira ang susugod. But I trust him, I know he'd protect me no matter what. Pero siya lang mag-isa. I wouldn't let him fight those monster on his own.

Subalit kung hindi siya, sino ang lalaban para sa amin? Bakit tila naduduwag na ako sa lahat? I killed tons of them before so, what happened now?

"I could smell Emory's perfume."

Namilog ang aking mga mata nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Napuno ng pag-asa ang aking puso. Hindi maipaliwanag ang saya ko lalo na nang may muling nagsalita 'di kalayuan kung saan kami nakakubli. They're here! Hindi ko alam kung paano pero lubos akong nagpapasalamat na dumating sila.

"Let's find them now before the enemy learns about her."

Without second thoughts, I stood up to looked for them. Isang ikot lang ng tingin ko ay nakita ko na agad sila.

Kung may ikakagulat pa man ako ay tiyak na lagpas langit na iyon. It wasn't just my cousins, Mallory and Kuya Aamon, but also Alaric and those familiar faces I saw on his birthday. What the hell. Did Azar call them even before the vampires attacked? Kung gayon, bakit hindi nila tinutulungan ang mga tao sa loob? At alam ba nilang mangyayari ito?

Until now, I could still hear some voices shouting in pain.

"Mal!" I happily called.

"Ry, you're safe!" Bumitaw siya mula sa pagkakalingkis kay Alaric at tumakbo palapit sa akin.

I smiled. Tumayo rin naman si Azar at hinayaan akong salubungin si Mallory. Agad niya akong dinambahan ng yakap nang makalapit.

"'Di ako sanay," I commented, which made her laugh. "Paano kayo napunta rito? I mean, of course, you drove all the way here and all but still, how?"

"I don't know with them." Humiwalay siya sa yakap at tinuro ang ibang panauhin. "I heard them talking about you and Azar so, they didn't have a choice but to bring me here. Nalaman ko lang ang tungkol sa pag-atake ng mga bampira nang makita ko sa social media."

"How's the situation inside?"

Sa 'di kalayuan ay nahagip ng mata ko ang mga ilan na nagtatago. Some were running back and fourth with tears on their eyes. Ang iilan ay sumisigaw pa't hindi malaman kung saan pupunta.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang maramdaman ko si Azar sa aking tabi. I felt him kissed my head before walking towards my other cousin without leaving a word.

"So sweet," usal ni Mallory nang makita ang kaniyang ginawa. "May mga medical team na sa loob, trying their best to revive those innocent victims. Sa ngayon ay inaalam pa namin kung bakit nangyari ang pag-atake gayong may kasunduan tayo sa mga bampira."

"They must be crazy," I whispered. "Killing humans..." then I remember my mother. "Si Mama Astrid?"

"She's probably busy right now, Ry. No one expected this to happen."

I bit the side of my cheek. We should expect this though. Sumusunod naman sila noong una, pero ngayon... Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagkulang sa pagitan namin. Kaming mga tao ba na nangakong tutulungan sila, o ang mga bampira na binali ang aming kasunduan?

I don't want to conclude but knowing our government...

"What about vampires?"

"They're gone when we arrived. Sa tingin ko ay isang babala para sa ating mga tao ang nangyaring pag-atake, Ry. And there's a rumour that the officials stopped providing them with their needs. I don't know if it's true or what but, there's a big chance... After what happened now," she shook her head.

"Hindi ko na alam but, let's wait for the announcement."

She sighed deeply. "Humans," she said with a hint of disappointment.

Lumipad ang tingin ko kay Azar at sa iba pa. Their faces were all serious, lips were moving as well as their eyed as if an enemy would attack us anytime. Si Kuya Aamon ay panaka-naka ang tingin sa amin, pati na rin sa kaniyang pambisig na orasan.

"You two, come closer," aniya nang mahuli ang tingin ko.

My heart hurts. I remember Simeon... Wish he was still here. Kaagad kaming lumapit sa kanila.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I'm okay, Kuya..." mahinahon kong sagot.

"Good," bumaling siya sa lahat. "We still don't know the reason why this happened so, we need to be careful. For now, let's wait for the official announcement. Wala munang kikilos hangga't wala pang sinasabi ang nakakataas."

"Pero..." sabay naming usal ni Mallory.

Sabay-sabay silang bumaling sa amin dahilan para hindi matuloy ang aming pagre-reklamo. Pati na rin ang apat pang mga kalalakihan.

"Samahan niyo si Lia at alalayan. Huwag na huwag kayong aalis nang walang kasama ni isa sa amin, maliwanag? If something happens and if you ever find someone suspicious, report it to us."

He's too strict. But I understand where he's coming from. Kaya naman wala na kaming nagawa kung hindi ang tumango ni Mallory bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Ihatid niyo muna silang dalawa," utos niya na mabilis sinunod nila Azar.

Bumagsak ang aking balikat. "Too soon? Gusto kong malaman ang kalagayan sa loob, Kuya Aamon."

"Let's just go," matiim na sinabi ni Azar sabay hawak sa aking kamay. "It's not safe here."

Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. The disadvantage of being a woman.

"Okay..."

Kaya naman sa huli ay sa bahay ni Lia kami bumagsak ni Mallory. Without even telling me regarding what happened, Azar left to check the situation at the airport. Bagsak ang tuhod ko sa sahig at nilagay ang ulo sa tiyan ni Lia na ngayon ay nakatayo sa bungad ng pinto matapos kaming pagbuksan ni Mal.

"Hello, little pamangkin. Sumipa ka na riyan palabas, please..." I said.

"Hello, Tita Emory. Give me a cousin na," ani Lia sa nang-aasar na tono.

Napairap ako bago tumayo at nilagpasan siya upang tumungo sa kaniyang sala. I sat on the sofa and laid my back on it. Lia sat on the single chair, her hands on her tummy, caressing it back and forth.

"Dito na lang yata ako sa bahay manganganak," usal niya.

"May hospital naman," kunot ang noo ko. "Mas safe roon 'kesa rito, Lia."

"I agree with Ry," si Mallory na lumabas mula sa kusina bitbit ang isang tray na may inumin. "If you're worried about the situation outside, we will keep you and the baby safe naman. Isa pa, hindi rin naman 'to magtatagal. I'm sure everything will get back to normal."

I nodded as an agreement. Nilapag niya sa centre table ang dala at nagsalin ng inumin sa mga baso. Then, she sat beside me, drinking her juice.

"Hindi tayo nakakasiguro sa bagay na 'yan. They could attack us anytime and anywhere. Kaya mas mabuting dito na lamang ako magluwal. May mag-a-assist naman sa akin."

"'Di mo sure," muling segunda ni Mallory. "We'll see about that, Lia. If everything returns back to normal, sa hospital ka. And if this continues, then we'll assist you."

"Of course, you two should."

Silence invaded the whole living room. Naiisip ko pa lang ang magiging sitwasyon, napapangiwi na ako sa hirap.

Napalingon ako sa kaniyang tiyan. Sobrang laki na animo'y ilang bata ang nasa loob. I wonder what could be my brother reaction once their baby comes out.

"'Di masakit?" I asked out of nowhere.

"Magpabuntis ka na kaya para malaman mo. Ayain mo si Azar," si Mallory.

Sarkastiko akong tumawa. "Ba't 'di mo unahan? Ikaw nakaisip ng ideya."

"Wala pa nga kaming label, ano?" she said while rolling her eyes.

I chuckled. "Weak mo naman," I commented. "You should make a move. Baka mamaya ay naghihintayan lang kayo. Or maybe, he really doesn't want to commit if it's you."

Kinuha ko ang baso ng inumin at uminom dito. On the other hand, I noticed Lia's uneasiness. She kept on moving to her seat as well as her eyes. She was holding her tummy tight as if protecting it from any of us. May nakikita rin akong takot sa kaniyang mga mata na pilit niyang kinubli nang dumako ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Something's bothering you," nilapag ko ang baso sa mesa. "Care to share it?"

Muling naglikot ang kaniyang mga mata. "Nothing."

I squint my eyes. "Lia..."

"Tell us, Lia. Hindi naman kami naiiba," seryosong usal ni Mallory.

She shook her head. "Kinakabahan lang ako sa maaaring mangyari sa oras na magsilang ako. I couldn't help but worry. What if I can't make it? Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa akin? Sa aking anak..."

Umisod ako sa dulo ng upuan at inabot ang kaniyang kamay. "There's nothing to worry about. Walang mangyayaring masama sa inyo, okay? Don't stress yourself by thinking that way. Nakakasama iyon sa bata."

"And we're here, Lia. We won't let something bad happen to you and to your baby."

"I want to live, Emory..." she squeezed my hand tight. "If something bad happens to me, please do anything to keep me alive."

"Lia..."

She was teary-eyed. "I want to live. If I can't make it, please... Kung hindi man ako mailigtas ng doktor, ang dugo ng mga bampira ang tanging paraan upang mabuhay ako. I won't get mad, just save me 'till the end."

Sumama ang aking pakiramdam sa kaniyang mga tinuran.

"Ano ba ang pinagsasabi mo? Do you hear yourself, Lia? Of course, you will make it! Masakit lang naman daw ang labor but after that, hearing your baby cry is enough to ease the pain away. Walang masamang mangyayari ni isa sa inyo, maliwanag?"

Sa bawat salita ko ay ang mas lalong paghigpit ng kaniyang hawak sa akin.

She averted her gaze. "I'm just..." 'tsaka siya bumitaw. "Pakiramdam ko mababaliw ako sa naiisip. Marahil dahil ito sa pagbubuntis ko at kakapanood ng mga nobela."

"Stop your thoughts now, Lia. Walang maidudulot sa 'yo ang pag-iisip ng masama. Just relax, okay? You can make it."

I nodded with my cousin's words as an agreement. "Tunay. Don't stress yourself, Lia. kapag may mangyari sa 'yo, tiyak na mumultuhin kami ni Simeon."

"Then, deal with him."

"He should visit you often. If ever, para naman masilayan niya ang baby."

Pakiramdam ko ay tumayo ang balahibo ko sa tinuran ni Mallory.

"Matakot ka nga sa sinasabi mo," I commented.

She chuckled. "If there are grim reapers, I'm sure he'd apply to become one."

Shaking my head, I leaned on the sofa and closed my eyes. "Vampires are enough, Mallory."

"What? This world isn't made just for us, Ry. Anyone... or anything can live here. Whatever creatures..."

"And what? Create chaos? Kill humans again? They will just bring nothing but fear."

Lia chuckled. "You two should just eat. I prepared something..."

I opened my eyes. "Right. And list all the names we could come up for our baby boy."

"Sure! I'm so excited!" Mallory sang and stood up. "Sino kaya kamukha niya? Ang sabi ay kung sino ang mas nasarapan, sa kaniya magmamana."

"Mallory!" singhal ni Lia na nanlalaki ang mata.

I laughed. "We'll see once the baby is born."

Iiling-iling na tumayo si Lia. Mallory on the other hand, helped her to stand up. Sabay kaming nagtungo sa kusina.

"Let us do it. Upo ka na lang at baka ika'y umere ng wala sa oras," natatawang sambit ni Mal.

Lia just rolled her eyes but then sat still on the stool. Mallory heated the food, and I just filled the glass we emptied outside. I couldn't help but sigh deeply when I remember him. I don't have any idea about the situation outside right now, but I hope they're all okay.

"You have your phone?" baling ko kay Mallory.

She hummed. "Why?"

"Let's call my mother," ani ko. "I left my phone in Azar's car, I just wanted to know what happened."

"Tita Astrid is now dealing with them, Ry. Don't worry," aniya.

"Can't help it. I'm worried."

"We all are, but let's just wait. That's the only thing we can do now."

I sighed and forced a smile. "What happened at the airport was unexpected. I thought everything was going well."

"You think so different now, Emory..." si Mal na inilapag sa mesa ang pagkain.

I sip on my glass as I sit on the stool. "How so?"

She shrugged. "You tell me."

I sniff. "Don't use that on me."

"See what I mean?" natatawa niyang sabi.

I rolled my eyes then, start eating. I don't know what changed but yes, I noticed how I deal with a situation like this these past few months. It wasn't me, but I like how I handle things now. Ayoko na magpadalos-dalos at mapangunahan ng emosyon.

"Well, anyway..." simula ni Mal. "Simulan na natin ang pag-iisip ng pangalan para sa baby boy natin!" she exclaimed.

Lia chuckled. "I already come up with one."

I stopped eating midway. "Akala ko ba wala ka pang naiisip?"

"When did I say it?" she asked innocently.

I heard Mallory scoffed beside me. "So, ano ang naisip mo?"

"Sloan..." she said, smiling.

"It's an Irish name, why though?"

Lia looked at me. "That's the first name that I came up with so..."

Sabay kaming tumango ni Mallory. "Sloan it is! I cannot wait to see him! Siya ang panganay sa pamilyang ito sa henerasyon niya," she giggled.

I smiled widely. "Congratulations again, Lia."

She smiled back as she caressed her belly.

Nagpalipas kami hanggang gabi sa bahay ni Lia. I haven't heard anything from anyone outside but I did really tried my best to stay calm despite of my heart beating so fast. Hindi ko matukoy pero sa wari'y ko, hindi lang para sa kanila ni Azar ang nararamdam ko.

It's something more... And whenever I feel like this, something bad would happen.

"I'm nervous," si Mallory na tumihaya ng higa. Everyone is sleeping now but, we're still awake.

"Why?"

"I don't know..." aniya.

I sighed. "I am feeling the same, too..." I stared at the ceiling. "Have you heard anything from Yves or Audrey?" I asked suddenly.

"Isang linggo na nang huli kaming mag-usap. Should we visit them tomorrow?"

I nodded. "Puntahan natin..."

As if one cue, the whole room was filled with Mallory's ringtone. Mabilis niya itong inabot.

"Speaking of, Yves is calling..." she answered it and then turned on the loudspeaker.

"Hey---"

"Audrey's dead..."