Taste of Poison

Kabanata 23

Lies

Ang katotohanan na makikilala ko ang ama ni Azar ay sapat na dahilan upang ako'y manlamig sa kaba at takot. Ngunit pagkagulat at pagkalito ang rumehistro sa akin nang makita ko rin si Mama Astrid sa loob kasama ang sa tingin ko ay ama ni Azar.

I was damn confused. What is she doing here?

Pihadong kagagawan din ito ni Azar. Pero sa anong dahilan?

Greet and meet, ganoon? Meeting between us and his parent? Kung gayon, nasaan si Tita Anna?

Tumayo ang lalaki mula sa pagkaka-upo sa ulunan ng mesa at hinarap ako.

"Please, take a sit..." sabi niyang nakangiti.

I stilled on my spot. Azar was behind me and holding my waist. Si Mama ay nasa kaliwang bahagi ng panauhin, tahimik na nagmamasid. She didn't even glance at me. She was just there, sitting.

I looked at him.

He looked weak. Given his pale white and wrinkled skin, there was something wrong on his eyes. 

It was sparkling but I know better. It wasn't because he's happy, but something more... He's on the verge of crying, smiling, as he lends his arms to hug me tight. Kasabay no'n ay ang pagbitaw sa akin ni Azar. While my arms remained on my sides.

My eyes landed on my mother. Alam kong nababasa niya ang katanungan sa aking mukha pero pinili niyang umiwas.

Hindi ko maintindihan.

"I finally got the chance to meet you..." the man whispered.

Hilaw akong ngumiti. Nang siguro'y mapansin na hindi ako gumalaw ay humiwalay siya. He stared at me with smile plastered on his lips.

"You looked so lovely, ija..." he complimented, still teary-eyed

"Thank you..." I smiled a bit. "I'm Emory..."

Natawa siya. "I know you, darling. Azarius told me things about you, and those were all true, seeing you now in person," he glanced at the chair. "Take a seat... Azar..."

Azar my back as he pulled the seat for me. Tahimik akong umupo at ganoon din siya sa aking tabi.

"Nag-order na rin kami dahil baka hindi pa kayo nag-aagahan..." ani Tito.

Since I don't know what to call him, I'll just stick to Tito.

May mga pagkain sa mesa. I'm thankful as it wasn't heavy meals. Just the usual breakfast. Kaso ang dami. Para namang isang batalyon kaming kakain e, aapat nga lang kaming kakain.

I gulped. "Mama..." I called.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Azar sa akin sa ilalim ng mesa. Bahagya niyang pinisil ang aking kamay na ikinatingin ko sa kaniya.

"I called your mother to formally introduce myself, luv..." sabi ni Azar sa pabulong na paraan.

I slowly nodded my head. That made sense.

Ngumiti na lamang ako. Azarius haven't tell me about his father so, I really don't know anything about him even his name. Ang alam ko ay sa kaniya nakuha ang pangalan ni Azar kaya siguradong magkalapit lang ito.

I wanted to ask about Tita Anna but, Azar spoke to satisfy my curious mind.

"My mother has important things to do. Hahabol naman siya..." he said.

Napatango ako. Napalingon ako sa kaniyang ama nang tumikhim ito.

"How was he as a boyfriend?" he asked seriously.

Muli akong napalunok. Baka sa pagkakataong ito ay kasal na ang aabutin namin.

I mentally tapped my forehead. Seriously, Emory?

"He's..." I blinked twice. "There's no perfect prince but, Azar is beyond okay, Tito..."

"Just okay?" Azar contradicted.

Tumango ako. "Beyond..." I corrected.

I heard him groan but he didn't bother to talk again. Lihim akong nagpasamalat doon.

Ngumiti si Tito. I wanted to ask for his name but, I just keep my mouth shut. Baka mamaya ay sinadya talaga niya na hindi magpakilala sa akin.

"C'mon, dig in..." Iwinasiwas niya ang kamay sa mga nakahaing pagkain.

"Thank you..." usal ko sa mahinang boses.

Azar did the work for me. Nilagyan niya ng pagkain ang plato sa harap ko gaya ng nakagawian niya. Sinalinan niya rin ng tubig ang aking baso. I uttered thanks when he finished filling my plate. 

Kinuha ko ang baso ng tubig at uminom dito. Then, I averted my gaze to my mother. She was staring blankly at her empty plate.

"Mama..." tawag ko rito.

Napatuwid siya ng upo at ilang beses pang kumurap bago tinuon ang atensiyon sa akin.

I smiled a bit. I'm angry but, this isn't the right time and place to pour my anger.

"This is Azarius, my boyfriend..." pakilala ko sa kaniya.

Akmang tatayo si Az nang mabilis umiling si Mama.

"I've met you already... I'm glad you two ended up together," her voice was intact.

The way she said that I knew she's not happy to hear my announcement. She did warn me about vampires, yes. Hindi naman siya ang tipo ng ina na kakainin ang lahat ng salitang binitawan sa anak.

I knew her too well. Yet I don't care.

Pinagkanulo niya si Simeon... She failed so maybe, it's my turn now.

Nilingon ko ang ama ni Azar na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring pagkakakinlanlan.

"Thank you for having us here," sabi ko sa mahinanong boses.

He just let out a heartwarming laugh. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti dahil doon.

He looked so genuine. Parang si Tita Anna lang din. They welcomed me with warmth and acceptance despite our differences. I couldn't ask for more.

"I should be the one who's thanking you, ija. Salamat sa pagdalo mo sa paanyaya ko."

Kahit ang boses niyang malalim ay sobrang gaan sa pakiramdam. Para ako nitong iniingatan dahil sa kaniyang tunog mabait na boses.

"Can you tell me more about yourself?" he asked gently.

"I was a model, then now, I worked as the marketing head in our company. I also mastered the art of archery when I was still young, and a vampire hunter three years ago. I have a twin named Simeon but he died months ago..." I stared at my mother who looked away.

Nagbaba siya ng tingin.

"I'm sorry to hear that..." his voice almost broke, which I didn't mind.

Maybe he's just really sad. Just the thought of losing someone...

"It's okay..." I said politely.

He turned his head to my mother. Ngayon ko lang naalala ang marahil na dahilan kaya wala si Tita Anna. It's not because she's busy like what Azar told me earlier, they're not on good terms, I guess.

Azar hated his name because of his father yet we're here.

I smiled secretly. My heart is happy. Kahit ramdam kong may hindi sila magandang pagsasama, hinarap pa rin siya ni Azar dahil sa akin.

To introduce me. And I couldn't ask for more.

"Let's eat. I hope you're hungry, Emory."

I just nodded as a response. Sinimulan ko na ang pagkain nang makitang kumain si Tito. In the middle of chewing my food, I leered at Azar who's sitting beside me silently. He also started eating but the way he scooped his food, I knew he's not in the mood.

Magsasalita pa sana ako nang magsalita na naman si Tito.

"Azarius, you should take care of her. You can't love anyone so, at least make her feel so special despite your deficiency."

I felt like I was stabbed by his words. He called it deficiency? Being heartless...

I thought Azar would answer him back but, he just stayed silent, not minding anything. Instead, he poured a drink on my glass. 

"Az..." I called.

"Eat, luv. You need energy."

I almost pouted. Energy for what?

Hindi ko alam kung manyak ako o kung ano dahil iba ang naiisip ko.

I mentally pinched myself. Good god, why am I thinking of it in front of these delicious foods?

"Well..." his father talked again.

Napalingon ako sa kaniya.

"How long have you been together?" he asked seriously.

I almost choked. Like one day ago?

"We just started..." I answered truthfully.

"Oh..." he reacted. "How long have you known each other?"

"Almost one year na rin po..." sabi kong bahagyang nahihiya. Then, I looked at my mother. "How did you know each other, Ma?" I stared at her intently.

Just like earlier, she blinked her eyes more than twice like she didn't expect my question.

"He's... " her throat moved. "A college friend..."

Hindi sinasadyang tumikwas ang aking kilay. That was when I heard Azar's father laughter.  Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil doon. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang pinagtawanan niya pero nakakahiya pa rin talaga.

"It seems that Astrid hasn't changed. Still the same, huh?" he commented. "We were friends back in college. A very good friend... She's someone whom you could lean on anytime."

I smiled fakely. It seems like they've known each other for such a long time. He's really genuine by the way he talked about their college memories.

Pinagpatuloy namin ang umagahan habang nagbabatuhan ng kuwento pero bihira lang din naman ako magsalita. Si Azar ay tahimik lang talaga sa aking tabi. And Mama Astrid was silent the whole time, too.

It's all about them, anyway. I think we're here not to  formally announce our relationship but to listen to their throwback Saturday.

Ang awkward tuloy. Parang kami lang ng kaniyang ama ang narito dahil kami lang ang nag-uusap.

"I left to make things right and it was nice to see you with my son, Emory. Who would have thought that friend's daughter would be my son's partner right, Astrid? Ang liit lang talaga ng ating mundo."

A realization hits me. He must be the person my mother told us about. Iyong minsan niyang nai-kuwento sa amin ni Mallory na isang kaibigan na umalis. He's a vampire so, I assumed I'm right with my conclusion. Gayunpaman, nanatili akong tikom ang bibig.

I wanted to ask something. Like what happened? Why did Tita Anna and he splits? Bakit kinamumuhian siya ni Azar? But I don't want to cross the line. Sabi ko nga, handa akong maghintay kay Azar na sabihin ang lahat sa akin.

"Azarius..." he called. Nagulat pa ako nang biglang tumuwid ng upo si Azar sa aking tabi.

"Sh-t..." he whispered under his breath when the spoon jumped out of his plate.

"Mag-ingat ka naman," kunot ang noo kong sinabi.

"I'm sorry..." aniya sabay pulot ng nahulog na kutsara. Itinabi niya iyon bago maliit na tumikhim.

"I heard your business is getting bigger every year. Building branches all over the world and..." he stopped for unknown reasons.

I tried to hide my frown. Tito covered his mouth and coughed. Mabilis naman inabot ni Mama ang baso ng tubig sa kaniya. I was watching them the whole time and I noticed their simple gestures just like this.

Like how their eyes sparkled as they stared at each other.

My heart pounded a bit. Namamawis ang aking mga kamay sa naiisip.

"Since you're my son's girlfriend, and if you two ended up together at the end, would you quit your job and help him, Emory? I mean, you two are not getting any younger. You should start planning your future."

"Huh?" Bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata. "Plans? Future?"

"They just started. They still have a long way to go," mataray na sinabi ni Mama Astrid. "At least get to know each other first before you two plan for your future. Mahirap na't baka may tinatago pa lang baho ang isa sa inyo 'di ba, Azarius?"

"Ma..." pagpigil ko rito.

She just shrugged. "I've warned you before, Emory. Vampires are no good, they will just break your heart like what they did to you since you were young."

"Stop throwing your hate to our kind, Astrid. You know us very well more than anyone else."

Mama Astrid just rolled her eyes in response.

"She's right, Emory..." I heard Azar talk beside me. "You should try your best to know me more. You might want to run away once you find out everything."

"I'm trying," baling ko sa kaniya.

He smiled a bit. "Try harder, luv."

Even after we finished our breakfast, Azar's words was still stucked on my mind. I should really try harder but, am I not doing my best now? Or for the past months that we were together? Am I lacking? Ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin para pagkatiwalaan niya?

Bakit parang ako pa ang may kulang sa pagitan naming dalawa gayong wala akong binigay 'kundi ang buo kong tiwala at ang puro kong pagmamahal para sa kaniya.

I'm not complaing though. I just can't help it. It seems to me that he can't trust me fully. Why? Is it because of our gap?

"I have a trip to New York to work for something important," ani Tito.

"How long will you stay there, Tito?" I asked curiously.

"Once everything is settled."

Nang matapos namin mag-umagahan ay agad na nagpaalam si Mama Astrid umalis. We were left with Tito who'll leave the country any minute now. Kaya naman nag-presinta na akong ihatid siya. Hindi naman nag-reklamo si Azar at tahimik na lamang nag-maneho papunta sa airport.

"I hope to see you again, soon."

"Thank you, Tito..."

"You stop thanking me now, honey. A hug will do though," aniya na bahagya kong ikinatawa.

Lumapit na rin ako sa kaniya para bigyan siya ng yakap. It was just a short hug but it hits me big time. He felt like a father to me. He's someone whom I can call a father. If only Azar knows how to forgive...

"Mag-ingat po kayo," sabi ko nang humiwalay sa yakap.

"You, too. If my son hurts you, please don't hesitate to call me for backup, okay? I'd fly back here to suck his blood 'till he drops."

I nodded playfully. "I will."

He chuckled inwardly. "That's nice."

Nasa likod namin si Azar nang binalingan niya ito. "Remember what I told you, Azarius."

Azar  lazilynodded his head. "It's stuck right here," he tapped the side of his head with his forefinger twice.

"Just make sure,"seryoso ang boses ni Tito.

"I won't do anything that would harm Emory. I promise you that."

Ilang segundo silang nagtitigan. They were both serious but at the end, Azar averted his gaze and let out a fake cough. Muling bumaling sa akin si Tito na ngayon ay may malaking ngiti sa labi. I almost frown when I noticed it. Ang moody naman niya.

"Mag-ingat po kayo, Tito..."  muli kong sinabi.

I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Suntukin mo kapag sinaktan ka."

"Noted po," usal ko.

Ilang minuto lang ay tuluyan na siyang umalis. I felt my heart kicked in sadness. Ako ang nalulungkot para kay Azar. Although they seem civil the way they interact with each other but still. Pero wala naman akong karapatan na pangunahan siya.

Tipid akong ngumiti sa kaniya nang mawala na sa paningin namin si Tito.

"Let's go?" paanyaya ko.

He moved closer to me and put his arm on my shoulder as he insert his other hand inside his pocket. Tiningala ko siya kasabay nang pagdungaw niya sa akin. We both smiled lightly.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked with a hint of excitement.

Napasimangot ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. He really mastered the art of pretending. Kung sa ibang tao, punong-puno ng emosyon ang kaniyang mga mata. Walang khairap-hirap kung magsuot siya ng maskara.

"We still have a lot of time," I said. "'Di ba may kompanya ka? I wanted to see your workplace."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakaakbay sa akin. I squeezed it lightly as we started walking slowly.

He hummed. "Maybe some other time."

"You asked me yet..." I shook my head. "Wala kang isang salita, luv."

"Now is not the time for that," natatawa niyang sinabi. "C'mon, think of something else."

"Siguro may tinatago ka sa workplace mo," sabi kong diniinan pa ang pagkahawak sa kaniyang kamay pero hindi man lamang siya natinag.

"What's there---" he was interrupted by a terrified shout.

"May patay! May patay!" a woman shouted.

Kaagad kong napansin ang kaguluhan sa likod ng babasaging mga pader. People outside were running away from the chaos, fear was visible on their faces. Napabaling ako kay Azar nang mabilis niyang tinanggal ang braso mula sa pagkakaakbay sa akin. I thought he would just run and leave me but instead, he held my hand tightt as we ran fast towards the exit.

"Az!"

Napuno ng takot ang loob ko nang mapansin ang ibang tao na dinambahan ng bampira. Ilang segundo lamang ay nangangatumba ang mga ito na may bakas ng dalawang butas sa kanilang leeg. They fell on the ground, lifeless.

"Az, hindi ba natin sila tutulungan?" Nanginig ang labi ko.

"We need to get out here."

"Pero... "

"We can't fight them, Emory! They're countless and we don't have a weapon!"

"You can! You're a vampire after all!" I shouted back.

Nahihilo na ako at hinihingal. He was running fast and I don't have any choice but to keep up. Nakalimutan ba niyang tao ako at hindi bampira sa sobrang pagpa-panic niya?

Damn. I wanted him to stop but I can't. Vampires are now everywhere. Guards were firing their guns, people were shouting and some are dying. Naiiyak ako habang paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isipan ko ang nasaksihan.

What happened? Bakit bumalik na naman sa lahat ang dati?

"Azar..." I called with teary eyed. Sino ang tutulong sa loob?

Tuluyan ng umalpas ang luha sa aking pisngi. I was a hunter but I couldn't even do anything now. Bakit tila ang lahat ng aking pinag-aralan ay nawala sa isang iglap?

I wanted to help but I'm too weak to even shout for help.