Destined by Prophesies

Chapter 8: Memory Lane

Ethan

I looked at big old granpa clock to see the time. Dammit! I've been staring at her for forty-five minutes?!

Wait, maybe that time is enough for her wound to heal. Huminga ako ng malalim at maingat na lumapit sa kinaroroonan niya. Dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang kumot niyang kataka-takang hanggang leeg at....

“s**t!” tinakpan ko ang bibig para hindi na makagawa pa ng ingay. Why is she in a sexy nightdress?!

Hinihingal akong lumabas ng kwarto, napasandal pa ako sa pinto para suportahan ang pagtayo. Nang marinig kong may ilang mga yapak na paparating ay inayos ko ang pagkakatayo at ibinalik ang prince Ethan na lagi nilang nakikita.

“Do you need something, your highness?” the palace maid asked after she bowed.

“Can you please call Lourdes. I need her as soon as possible.” Tumango lang siya saka lakad-takbong umalis.

When I was left alone, I'm torn between going inside or if I'll just wait for Lourdes to come. “Bakit ba ang tagal?” naiinip na ako.

Wait, why am I acting like a virgin? Ano ngayon kung naka-sexy nightdress siya? I've seen hundreds of women naked!

Humarap ako sa pinto para pihitin ang doorknob.

“Your highne – “

“Ay virgin!” parehong nanlaki ang mata namin ni Lourdes sa sinabi ko. s**t, nakakahiya!

I quickly recovered from my embarrassment and acted like nothing happened. “Lourdes, you’re here.”

Bahagyang yumuko ang matanda saka sumagot. “Opo, sabi ni Niña hinahanap niyo raw po ako.”

“Yes, may I ask why did you dressed the visitor like that?” itinaas ko ang isang kilay para ipakitang seryoso ako.

“K-kasi po..” bakit siya nauutal?

“Finish the sentence, Lourdes.”

“K-kasi po akala k-ko m-magugustuhan niyo.”

Uminit ang pisnge ko nang mapagtanto ang gustong sabihin ni Lourdes. This malicious old woman is driving me nuts!

“Why made you think that I'll like that?” tanong ko para hindi mahalatang alam ko na ang ibig niyang sabihin.

“Ah p-para po sa ano...”

“What, Lourdes? I told you to finish you sentence!” my pitch is getting higher.

“P-para po k-kapag magtatali – “

“Enough. I wasn’t pleased with what you did. Dressing a visitor with a sexy nightdress while she's sleeping is somewhat disrespectful and not practical. What if she wants to go outside? You think she'll look presentable walking through the hallway almost naked?”

Hindi na siya sumagot pa. Sa haba ng sinabi ko, hindi ko alam kung nasundan niya.

“What can you say, Lourdes?” I tried my best to calm my tone down.

“A-akala k-ko po kasi, gano'n ang g-gusto niyong idamit niya dahil g-ganun din po ang ipinahatid niyo sa akin k-kanina.”

Naalala kong siya pala ang pinaghatid ko ng seductive clothes para kay Aoife. Gusto kong magpalamon sa lupa dahil sa matinding kahihiyan

“P-pasensiya na po m-mahal na prinsipe. P-puwede k-ko naman po siyang b-bihisan ulit kung g-gusto niyo,” nauutal na, nanginginig pa ang boses niya. Baka atakihin ito, pagalitan pa ako ng hari.

“No need, baka maistorbo ang tulog niya. Just don't do it again. Okay?”

“Opo, mahal na prinsipe. Magdadala na lang po ako ng presentableng pares ng mga damit.” Tanging pagtango na lang ang isinagot ko sa kanya. Tinalikuran ko na siya saka pumasok sa kwarto.

Para akong kinakapos sa hangin nang maisara ang pinto sa likod ko. Sumandal ako dito para makakuha ng suporta.

Shit! Nakakahiya. I cringe endlessly as I recall what happened a while ago.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata at ginawa ang pag-inhale, exhale para pakalmahin ang sarili. “It’s okay, what’s done is done.”

Nang naramdaman kong kalmado na ang sistema ko ay dumilat na ako at idineretso ang tingin sa target.

“Why am I acting like a p***y, huh? Titignan ko lang naman ang sugat niya."

I confidently walked towards her. I tightly gripped her thick blanket and gently pulled it down.

“Why is this so f*****g hard?” tanong ko sa sarili nang maramdaman ang muling pag-akyat ng dugo sa aking mukha.

Nararamdaman ko rin ang pamumuo ng pawis sa aking noo.

She looks so damn sexy in this lingerie. Pinilig ko ang ulo para maialis sa utak ko ang naiisip.

Nakita ko ang parteng may sugat kaya't maingat ko itong diniinan. I flinched with her sudden movement, she even groaned in pain. Mukhang hindi talaga niya kayang pagalingin ang sariling sugat.

“Negative.” I silently whispered to myself. If she doesn’t have vampire blood, then what kind of sorcery does she posses?

I was about to pull her blanket up when suddenly our eyes met. Napatalon pa ako sa gulat.

“Anong ginagawa mo sa'kin?!” pinilit niyang bumangon pero agad siyang napadaing sa sakit at hinawakan ang sariwang sugat.

“Huwag mo munang pilitin baka lalong lumala ‘yang sugat mo,” mahinahon kong sabi kahit na namumuo na ang pawis sa noo ko. What can I do? Her half-naked body is exposed!

Tinignan niya ako na para bang kahit anong sandali ay kayang kaya niya akong patumbahin. Halos kapusin ako ng hininga nang ibinaba niya ang kaniyang tingin sa sugat.

“Put – “

“Let me explain!” maagap kong sabi para hindi niya ako pag-isipan ng masama pero wala pa ring epekto dahil muli niyang binalot ang sarili ng kumot.

“’w-wag kang lalapit s-sakin!” bagama'y nagbabanta ang tono niya, iba ang sinasabi ng mata niya. Kitang kita ko ang takot niya.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Para bang tinaga-taga ang puso ko sa sakit. Why is this so familiar?

~Flashback~

“Please let me go, Ethan.” Mahina na ang boses niya, halatang pagod na sa kakaiyak. Ibinalot niya ang katawan sa makapal na kumot.

“No. He's too dangerous for you.” I coldly said as I walked back and fort across the room.

I stopped when I heard her chuckled. “You have the guts to tell me that’s he's dangerous when you're the one who locked me in here for days and almost naked!”

Hinarap ko siya at lalong nadurog ang puso ko nang nakitang muling nilamon ng takot ang mga mata niya. Muling napuno ang silid sa mahihinang paghikbi niya.

“If this is what it takes to get you out of this mess, then I'll do it. I'll be the bad guy. You can forever hate me after this as long as I know you’re safe.”

“But I love him, Ethan....” her statement was almost inaudible because of her loud sobs but it was enough to crush my soul.

“I know, that's what makes it more dangerous.” I said as i stormed out the room, making sure ti lock the door behind me.”

~End of Flashback~

The unwanted wave of memory was disturbed by a loud knock on the door. Sa lahat ng istorbo, ito ang pinaka-helpful.

Bago ko buksan ang pinto ay bumaling ako sa kaniyang direksiyon kung saan kitang kita pa rin ang takot sa mata niya. I shook my head, hoping to erase the memory I had a while ago.

“Mahal na prinsipe, ito na po ang maayos na pares ng damit para sa bisita.” Inilahad ni Lourdes ang hawak na damit.

“Go inside and help her change her clothes. Sariwa pa ang sugat niya, hindi siya makabangon.”

“Opo, pasensiya na po talaga.” Yumuko ng husto si Lourdes bilang pagpapakita ng paggalang.

“It's okay. Just don’t do it again.” Pinapasok ko sa kwarto si Lourdes para matulungan si Aoife. Before I could even shut the door, I captured her eyes which shows an emotion that's far from what it gave a wile ago – conscience.

“Ngayon nakokonsensiya ka?” tanong ko sa kawalan nang maisarado ko ang pinto.

I won't blame her for judging based on what she saw. It's natural, like an instinct to react solely on what's present without taking a look at the bigger picture. Without asking an explanation from the other party.

The question is, why does it always happen to me?

~Flashback~

The cold sweat dripping down my face was replaced by warm blood. My breathing was heavy, I'm so damn tired.

“You piece of s**t,” I can barely hear his voice.

“Yeah, coming from you.” The nerve of this guy to call me s**t when he's the one who looks like what he accuse me to look like.

I calmly walked towards him and kneeled down to see how much I made him suffer. His lips have deep cuts and can hardly open his eyes. The only movement he can do is to show me his middle finger.

“You jerk, if only you didn’t row your boat on two rivers then – “

“Ano naman sa'yo ‘yon?” natigilan ako sa tanong niya. Parang tanong lang ng batang nang-aasar pero bakit ang hirap sagutin? “You're affected because I placed my boat on the river you like but can never have.”

“Damn you,” what else can I say? I'm out of words.

“Did I hit the spot, brother?” kahit pa nahihirapan ay nang-iinsulto siyang ngumiti. “If only I can give you that river. I don’t want it anyway.”

His words triggered my rage that I raised my fist ready to land it on his f*****g mouth when suddenly it was stopped in mid air.

“Ethan! What are you doing?!” his voice thundered across the room. He tightly gripped my coat and harshly pulled me up to face him. I don’t want to look at him.

“Leroy!” in my peripheral vision, I saw her running towards my f*****g brother.

I heart shattered pieces of my heart falling on solid ground. After all the bullshits he's done, she still cares for him.

“Answer me, Ethan!” father shouted. I slowly turned my head to face him.

“My king, what I am doing is the least that I could do for your chosen daughter-in-law.”

He titled his head, showing that he have no idea on what I'm talking about.

“Why don't you ask your firstborn then maybe you can thank me later.” I vigorously took his hands off me and fixed my coat. “The floor is yours, brother,” I said as I made my way to the door.

“I cheated.” I stopped midway in shock. I didn’t expect him to tell him the truth this quick! Silence ruled for a few seconds then it was replaced by sobs.

If only you trusted me...

~End of Flashback~

“What the – “ marahas kong hinila ang pintong sinasandalan ko para makita kung sino ang nagtutulak sa likod.

“P-pasensya na po m-mahal na prinsipe. Hindi ko po a-alam na nandiya p-po kayo.” Nanginginig si Lourdes sa takot.

“You could’ve just knocked the door,” I confidently said.

“Mahal na prinsipe, galing po ako sa loob ng kwarto kaya wala po sa isip ko ang kumatok kung lalabas.” Oh right. Damn, hanggang ilang beses ba akong mapapahiya ngayong araw na ‘to?

Naagaw ang atensiyon ko ng pigil na pagtawa ni Aoife na ngayo'y nakapagpalit na ng marangal na damit. Tawa ka diyan. Inirapan ko lang siya kaya hinarap si Lourdes na nagpipigil rin ng tawa.

“What’s funny, Lourdes?” Napalitan ng kaba ang kaninang nabubungisngis na mukha. Tawa-tawa ka rin, palayasin kita eh.

“W-wala po mahal na pri – “ hindi ko na siya pinatapos at ibinagsak ko na ang pinto sa harap niya.

I can’t afford another embarrassment!

“What are you laughing at?” masungit kong tanong sa babaeng prenteng nakahiga sa kama ko.

“’yung katangahan mo.”

The fvck?! Ako pa ngayon ang tanga ah?

Mukhang hindi na niya napigilan pa ang pagtawa niya kaya napahagalpak siya ng malakas kaya bigla siyang napahawak sa sugat niya.

“Sino ngayon sa'tin ang tanga, mahal na prinsesa?” I made sure to sound sarcastic.

Binalot kami ng panandaliang katahimikan that's why I decided to make myself busy with something to ease the awkwardness in the air. “I'm sorry.” Narinig kong sabi niya pero hindi ko pinansin.

“Sabi ko, pasensiya na,” pag-uulit niya, ngayon ay mas malakas na. Saglit akong tumigil sa ginagawa saka siya tinapunan ng tipid na tingin.

“Dalawang lenggwahe na ang ginamit ko, hindi mo pa rin naintindihan?” muli ko akong bumaling sa kanya at piniling ‘wag ulit siyang sagutin kaya nagkibit-balikat na lang ako.

Ilang segundong katahimikan ang lumipas na bigla ulit niyang sinira. “Uy Ethan engot.” WTF did she just called me?!

Padabog akong lumapit sa hinihigaan niya. “What did you just call me?”

“Ethan engot.” Aba! Inulit pa talaga ah. The nerve of this woman, kung hindi lang kita kailangan hinayaan na kitang maglakad-lakad sa palasyo na naka-lingerie.

She even crossed her arms as if challenging me. That familiar movement.

~Flashback~

“Hey Ethan, bet you can't beat me in a horse race.” She said as she crossed her arms, challenging me.

“Oh yeah? I'll be waiting on the finish line.” I whipped the horse's butt and went first without waiting for the signal.

“Hey, that's not fair,” she shouted while chasing after me.

~End of Fflashback~

“Hoy engot, bakit ba natutulala ka diyan?” naistorbo ang ala-ala ko ng nakakarinding pagtawag na ‘yan.

“Psh, ngayon ko lang kasi nalaman ganyan pala ang mga diwata. Hindi marunong tumabaw ng utang na loob. Kung umasta ka para kang kung sinong maprinsipyo pero ang totoo, makapal lang talaga ang mukha mo.”

“Ano bang sinasabi mo? Hindi ba't humingi na ako ng tawad sa'yo?”

“I didn’t feel the sincerity. You haven’t thanked me yet then there you are calling me barbaric names.” Sinikap kong magtunog nagtatampo para kahit papaano ay makaramdam naman siya ng konsensiya sa katawan.

“Eh ano ba naman kasi ang naisip mo't ikaw ang nag-asikaso sa akin. Hindi ba't trabaho ‘yun ng mga manggagamot?”

“Kaya nga dapat mo akong pasalamatan eh! Nagpakumbaba ako bilang para alagaan ang sugatang bisita.”

Tinalikuran ko siya at binalikan ang ginagawa kanina para mas dama ang pagtatampo ko.

“Odi salamat! Salamat ng marami sa pagboboluntaryo mong tulungan ako ng walang hinihinging kapalit.” Sarcasm was evident in her tone. Bakit mukhang nababaliktad ako?

“Psh, puro ka pride. Binulag ka na ng pride kaya hindi ka na marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob,” tuloy-tuloy kong sabi habang ipinagpapatuloy ang ginagawa nang hindi siya tinatapunan ng tingin.

“Anong magagawa ko? Pride na lang ang kakampi ko sa bawat araw na dumadaan. Dito na lang ako humuhugot ng lakas ng loob para magpatuloy,” mahinang sabi niya.

I shook my head in disagreement, “sa lahat ng prinsipyo mo, ‘yan ang mali. Pride is deceiving. Gusto niyang palabasin na kailangan mo siya dahil nagmumukha kang pantas at matapang kapag nandiyan siya but the truth is it’s blinding you.”

“Yes, its blinding me from what I shouldn’t be looking at at the first place,” she firmly answered.

Bumaling ako sa kanya at pinanliitan siya ng mata. “You mean love and and other emotions aside from anger aren’t worthy to be looked at?” napaiwas siya ng tingin sa sinabi ko. “What’s happening? Isn’t that one of your race's virtue, to let love prevail at all cost?”

“It’s theirs, not mine.” She then pulled the thick blanket to cover her entire body as she lies down. What's with the sudden silence? Have I said something wrong?

“Of all rooms in this palace, what caused you to think that bringing Aoife in your room is a great idea?” I jumped in surprise when the king violently swung the door open and asked me in a loud voice.

I have a strong feeling that he's trying to ruin something related to the plan.

“I’m sorry, your highness. I just want to make sure that our wounded visitor gets all the intensive care she deserves,” i politely said as I bow down my head.

“And you think you're the one who should give her that, huh? May I inform you that this palace owns the most excellent doctors this world have ever seen. I hope you remember that,” he said as a matter of fact.

“I clearly remember that, your highness. I would like to make the atmosphere comfortable for princess Aoife.”

Bumaling siya kay Aoife na ngayon ay nakaupo na. Buti na lang talaga at binihisan ulit siya ni Lourdes. “Are you comfortable here, princess?”

“Well – “ hindi pa tapos ang sasabihin niya ay pinutol na agad ito ng hari.

“See, if you’re really doing a great job making that comfortable atmosphere of yours, she will answer yes instantly.” He snapped his fingers and two palace nurses with a wheel chair entered. “I’ve prepared a more comfortable place where you can stay, Aoife. You had a deep cut, I won't allow you to go back to Zimorta until you're okay.”

“O-opo mahal na hari,” wala na siyang ibang nasabi tungkol sa pasiya ng hari.

Gaya niya, wala na rin akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang panoorin sila habang inaalalayan si Aoife na makasakay sa wheelchair.

Lagi ng dati kong ginagawa..

~Flashback~

She's humming a sweet melody as she carefully landed our picnic basket on the blanket. The shed from this tree is enough to cover us both from the hot rays of the sun. The chirping of the birds compliment her sweet voice.

What a perfect moment.

Not long after, the harmonic melody was replaced by the sound of loud horse shoes banging against the ground.

“Hey woman, the king wants us in the palace,” he boastfully said whilst stepping out the carriage.

“But we just got here, can I just – “

“It's the king's order,” he shortly stated and went back to the carriage.

She stood up with an evident sad aura around her. “I’m sorry Ethan, let's do this another time.”

I forced a smile to assure her that it's okay. I assisted her to step up inside the carriage.

“Can you get in faster?” he snorted.

As soon as she sat soundly, the carriage door shut and there's nothing left I can di but to watch how distance made them smaller before my eyes.

Well, I'm actually used to that kind of view.

~End of Flashback~

Nang makalabas sila ay sumunod na rin ang hari. “What are you up to, brother?” I calmly asked. He stopped when he heard my question but he didn’t utter a single word. Instead, he faced my direction and smirked.

I know he's up to no good and I won't let him get what will satisfy him.