The Devil's Bride

BLOOD 10: Confused and Confession

SHANA WAS writing at the ground floor living area of the Florence Mansion when a woman suddenly stepped inside of the manor and was yelling for Vlad's name. Una, hindi na muna niya ito inintindi dahil naka-focus siya sa kanyang sinusulat.

Ayaw pa naman niyang mapuputol ito lalo na kung gumagana ng tuloy-tuloy ang utak niya. Nakuha na niya kasi ang ibang impormasyon kay Vlad kaya sinisimulan na din niya ang kanyang trabaho.

"Vlad, darling!"

"Come out, come out! Your lovely Evette is already here. Would you like me to seek you from your hole?"

"Or maybe you're not still dressed, aren't you? Well, I'd love to dress you but you know I'm a real pro when stripping you off."

Shana was gritting her teeth dahil habang binibilasan niya ang kanyang pagsusulat ay lumalakas din ang boses ng babae at pakiramdam niya ay nasa-tenga na niya ito. Idagdag pa ang mga walang kakwenta-kwentang pinagsasabi nito. Kung hinahanap nga niya si Vlad eh bakit hindi pa ito umakyat sa taas? Panay lang kasi itong sigaw.

Pinipigilan talaga niya ang kanyang sarili na pansinin ang babae.

"Sugar pie honey bunch, Evette is waiting."

Napapalo si Shana sa laptop niya nang makita niyang everything she wrote got mixed together in disorder at ang mas malala ay biglang nag-hang ang computer niya. A loud cry came from her as she close the computer.

She felt loss of courage. Everything she wrote there has not been saved yet and what if she couldn't get it back? What will she do? Bweysit lang kasi ang babaeng 'yon kung bakit pinipeste siya sa araw na 'to. Sino ba kasi nagpapasok sa kuliglig na ito?!

She muddled her hair in frustation. She stands up and directly went to the woman who was standing and looking its reflection into the mirror. Tinignan niya muna ito bago kalabitin. The woman was wearing a modernized of 1890's design of victorian blue gown. It has a high collar and the tiny wasp waist was noticeable.

Shana had raised her eyebrow for recognizing it and became conscious to her waist too. Nonetheless, she continued to look the woman and reached the upper part. The lady's hair was raised at the top of the head by padding and it shape like a huge beehive.

Napatawa si Shana ng kunti. Ngayon nagmumukhang sinaunang tao ito sa itsura ng hairstyle na gamit nito. At tama lang pala na tawagin niya itong bubuyog dahil sa buhok nito.

"Darling, stripping off and now sugar pie honey bunch. What else would you like me to hear, BEEHIVE lady?" panimula ni Shana para tawagin ang atensyon ng babae.

Nakita naman siya ng babae sa salamin at napahinto ito. Humarap sa kanya na magkasalubong ang mga kilay. "And who are you? Hindi kita dito nakikita. And are you calling me a beehive? How dare you! You low-class woman!" Namula sa galit ang babae pero sandali ay kinalma niya din ang sarili.

Humawak pa muna ito sa sentido niya. "Oh, I'm a refined and dignified woman. I should not be wasting my time to argue with you since you had a little education about costly and fine of arranging hairs," She added while copying a remorseful face.

Nang-init naman ang tainga ni Shana at hindi niya napigilan na mainis sa babae. "Mukhang bagay nga 'yang buhok at pulburang nasa mukha mo nag-cocompliment sa pagiging makapal mo! And excuse me lang ha, I don't intend to have a weird hairstyle like yours. At mali pa lang tinawag kitang kuliglig kasi bubuyog ka. Yeah, you look like a queen bee with a beehive on top of the head. And ngayon pa lang gusto na kitang i-congratulate dahil mananalo ka talaga niyan for the most horrible custome award sa halloween," Shana responded sharply.

Wala na siyang pakialam sa babae dahil sinira lang nito ang araw niya. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagkainis niya dito na halos gusto niyang mapulbos ang babae. Hindi na din niya pinatuloy pa ang babae sa sasabihin nito.

"At pwede ba? Kung hinahanap mo si Vlad darling mo, why don't you go upstairs? At do'n ka magsisigaw or find him in his hole you say and undressed him total pumasok ka rin lang ng walang paalam, eh bakit hindi muna tuluyan 'di ba? Ugh! You ruined my work at hindi mo alam kung ganu nakakasalalay do'n ang buhay ko!"

Evette was displaying her annoyance to Shana and as if an electricity was coming out of her eyes pointing to Shana's. Mukhang nakakainitan na nga sila sa pagtititigan. And behind of the storming-looking and heated atmosphere, Vlad has finally came down.

"Please ladies, you don't have to fight over me. You know I could not choose." Parehong napalingon ang dalawa sa boses na pinanggagalingan. Agad naman na kumalas si Evette kay Shana at dali-dali itong pumunta kay Vlad na ngayon ay pababa na ng grand stair case.

Napatingin din si Shana. She was astounded by the time she gazed at Vlad's look. Hindi niya maikakaila na ang gwapo nito sa suot. Vlad was dressed in a dark tail coat and trousers with a dark waist coat, a white wide necktie that was looped into a loose knot. His hair was also in double comb over that Shana found it very attractive together with his two different colored eyes.

"Vlad darling!" Evette called and was already embracing Vlad's arm. Napatirik naman ng mata si Shana nang makita niya ang ginagawa ng babae.

"Sugar pie honey bunch, I was attacked by a witch earlier and thank goodness you saved me!" nagpapacute na sabi ni Evette. Napahilamos naman ng mukha si Shana at nagpipigil.

"Oh my poor dearly loved cherry bum-bum. Have you got any bruises? Where?" sabat ni Vlad na animo'y concern sa babae. Napaawang naman ang bibig ni Shana sa narinig niya kay Vlad. Cherry bum-bum? Like hell!

That was the most disgusting words she heard. At kailan pa nag-akto si Vlad ng ganito? Parang hindi yata siya makapaniwala na sinasabi at ginagawa ito ng isang oreo-monster. Nakaka-turn off sa suot niya.

Nagpatuloy lang ang dalawa sa harap ni Shana at dahil hindi na ito maatim ng dalaga eh napatikhim na siya.

"O, Red. Sorry I forgot about you."

"No, it's okay go on with your stupid lovey-dovey. Baka gusto mo i-film ko pa." inis na sagot ni Shana.

Napabusangot naman si Vlad at kinuha na lang ang pekeng monsieur mustache sa bulsa niya and placed it under his upper lip. He proudly presented it to Shana while holding the curled tip, acting like it was his real facial hair. Pero napasigaw na lang siya sa sakit nang bigla itong alisin ni Shana.

"Red! Anu ba! What do you think you're doing?" pagtatanong nito habang hinihimas ang ibabaw ng ilong niya. Malakas kasi ang pagkakahila ni Shana sa pekeng mustache ni Vlad.

"What are you? Some kind of idiot vampire? At tingin mo bagay sa'yo 'yang balbas na 'yan?"

"Fine! Sinubukan ko lang naman 'yon. You just have to say, you know."

Shana just rolled her eyes heavenward and throws the mustache away. Pero sa isip-isip niya talaga ay gusto na niyang humagalpak sa tawa. Tinignan naman siya ng masama ni Vlad at napatigil siya. Alam kasi niyang nabasa nito ang nasa isipan niya.

Gumawa naman ng eksena si Evette para maputol ang atensyon ni Vlad kay Shana at nagpapaawa ito sa lalaki. "She's the one who attacked me munchkin. Who is she anyway?"

Vlad gazed at Shana and widely grinned. "Ah, She's Red. My future bride."

"Eh? That girl? But she's not fitting the position. And I could tell that she don't belong in a wealthy or ranked family. Bakit siya?"

"Well, You know me Evette...I don't like people who questioned me." Vlad showed Evette a dagger and ghastly look. Napayuko naman ang dalaga at lumuwang ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ni Vlad. She was nervously alarmed. Nakakatakot si Vlad sa salitang iyon. Maging si Shana ay napalunok din.

The menacing of surroundings loosens when Hal interrupted.

"Master Vlad, it's already time."

"Damn! Oo nga pala."

Agad namang isinuot ni Hal ang dala-dala niyang frock coat ni Vlad at iniabot nito ang top hat.

"Hal, please take care of the house and including our guests. I'll be back at 1 a.m."

"Yes, master," Hal vowed.

"Come on cherry bum-bum baka malate tayo," Pagyaya ni Vlad nang makasuot siya ng coat at inimuwestra ang kanyang braso para kapitan ito ni Evette.

Without hesitation, Evette grabbed Vlad's arm at madali niyang naiwala ang pakiramdam kanina.

"Oh yes Vlad darling!"

Vlad and Evette went out of the mansion and Shana was left hanging and confused to what she saw on Vlad. Bigla-bigla na lang kasi itong nag-iiba ng aksyon at sinasabi. Natakot din talaga siya sa huling sinabi ng lalaki.

Sumilip-silip pa siya sa labas and she saw the two were already inside of the black brougham---a horse-drawn passenger carriage with an open seat for the driver and a closed compartment at the back for the passengers.

Napa-arko ang kilay niya. Buti at nagkasya ang buhok no'ng beehive girl sa compartment. At kailan pa nag-uso ang gano'ng sasakyan sa Montgomery? Ang akala niya sa Vigan lang ang merong gano'n.

And all the same time, she returned to her own situation at magtatanong na lang siya kay Hal dahil napapaisip siya kung saang lupalop pupunta si Vlad.

"Mr. Hal." She called the silvery man who was standing not so far from her.

"Milady?" agad na responde ni Hal.

"Sino 'yong beehive girl?" pagtatanong ni Shana pero nakita niyang nalito si Hal kaya inulit niya pa. "I mean 'yong babae na kasama ni Vlad."

"Right. She is Evette Sutton. A daughter of a well-known businessman and an ex-bride of Master Vlad. They're going for an annual celebration of joining forces of royalty vampires and humans familiar."

"Ah, so madami na din pala naging bride itong si oreo-monster Bah and ibig sabihin madami na din siyang naging ka-fling. At sa lahat ng makaka-fling bakit 'yong beehive girl pa?!"

Tumikhim naman si Hal. "Nasagot ko na po ba Milaady ang tanong ninyo?"

"Ah ha-ha o-oo. Maraming salamat Hal. Nga pala pwede ba mag-request?"

"Go on Milady."

"Anu...Shana na lang ang itawag mo sa'kin mukhang mag-kasing bata lang naman tayo saka..." Nagpakamot-kamot muna siya ng ilong. "Pwede ba ngumiti ka?"

Pagkatapos ng sinabi ni Shana ay agad namang nagpakita ng ngiti si Hal. Ngiti na hindi normal at sadyang pilit lang.

Napaawang naman ang bibig ni Shana sa nakita. Hindi pala talaga marunong ngumiti si Hal. At ang kakaiba do'n ay nakaramdam siya ng pagtaas ng mga balahibo niya. "A, ha-ha 'w-wag na lang pala. Balik ka na do'n sa dati mo na facial expression," nag-aatubili at anhihiya nitong sabi.

Agad naman bumalik ang expression ni Hal. Mukhang mali ang na-i-request ni Shana. She left the man while vowing to her at dali-dali siyang umakyat ng hagdan.

THE DOOR squeaked allowing Shana to go inside. She thought to visit her friend Jett since Vlad had permitted her to do so. Nalaman din niya kung bakit no'ng una ay hindi siya pinayagan ni Vlad na pumunta sa kwarto ng kaibigan. She was told that Jett caught a bacterial disease called Porphyric Hemophilia.

The disease came from the monster who attacked Jett that undesirable night. Pwede daw siya nitong mahawa kung ma-expose siya sa infected na katawan ni Jett. And it was almost 2 days before Jett was given an atibiotic treatment dahil 'yon daw talaga ang curable way.

Kaya naman no'ng una niya itong makita ay halos mapaiyak siya sa kaibigan. Ngayon ay bibisitahin na naman niya ito. At katulad ng dati, madadatnan niya itong tulog pa rin.

Lumapit siya sa binata at malungkot na tinignan ito. Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama at hinawakan ang kamay ni Jett.

"Jett, magpagaling ka. Ilang araw na din akong walang katulong sa pagsusulat. Ambagal ko pa naman," natatawa niyang sabi.

"Saka kapag hindi ka pa bumangon diyan tutusukin ko na talaga adams apple mo for real. Nga pala, nag-hang 'yong computer ko. Aayusin mo 'yon pag gising mo ha. Kailangan nating ma-retrieve 'yong mga sinulat ko. Si Sir Buenaventura naman, natigil ang pangungulit sa'kin. Mukhang kung anu-ano naman ang inaatupag no'ng terror-nasaur. Nag-post kasi siya sa tweeter at mukhang may dinaluhan siyang business. Pero parang may nakasagutan siya do'n. Tapos sa i********: nag-post din siya, ay naku matatawa ka kasi obviously na nakasuot siya ng wig do'n. Naka-pompadour hairstyle nga eh. Akala mo talaga buhok niya."

Simula no'ng nabibisita na niya si Jett ay kinukwentuhan na niya ito sa nangyayari sa kanya. Tulo-tuloy lang siya hanggang naubusan na siya ng sasabihin. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kamay ni Jett, nalungkot siya pero ngumiti din siya kalaunan at nagpaalam na ito.

And as she was about to walk away, ay ang pagtawag din ni Jett sa kanya. "S-Shana..." mahina nitong sabi. Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Shana at agad itong bumalik sa kinaroroonan ng kaibigan.

"Jett, gising ka na. Thank goodness!" masayang hiyaw ng dalaga at napayakap pa ito sa kaibigan.

Nagulat naman si Jett at nakaramdam siya ng kaba. "B-Bakit? And what happened last night? I can't remember clearly." Umaayos ito ng upo pagkatapos makawala sa yakap ng dalaga at inilatag ang likuran sa headboard ng kama.

"Ah...you got drunk while waiting me and so I grabbed you home."

"Really? Medyo masakit nga ulo ko. Hey, how about the information?"

"H-Ha?"

"I kinda remember you said you'll get information in the bar."

"Ah, I didn't get much there."

"How about the guy?"

"G-Guy?"

"Yeah the one you mentioned and who owned this." Shana had frozen after hearing Jett's question and suddenly she remember what Vlad had told her.

"When he woke up, his memory will stop from the moment you were their in the bar. Hanggang do'n lang ang maaalala niya kahit ilang araw na siyang tulog. And you'll gonna pretend that it happened."

"Right. He's not here. He got some business. He said he'll get the whole information for us." Nag-aatubili niyang paalam.

"Great! Hindi na tayo nito mahihirapan."

Shana looked at her friend. She knew how he was being manipulated. He was so innocent in those words. And it's hurting her. She was driving by her guilt. Hindi niya kaya makita si Jett ng gano'n. Hindi niya kayang magsinungaling sa kaibigan.

She's having the urge to tell him the truth dahil karapatan iyon ni Jett na malaman ang nangyari sa kanya. Gustong-gusto niya humingi ng patawad pero hindi niya masabi dahil alam niyang ipagtataka iyon ni Jett.

Pumikit siya ng mata at nagbuntong hininga. "Otis..."

"What?"

"T-There's something I have to tell you..."

"Yeah I'm listening."

"You're not---" Hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ni Shana nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at laking gulat niya nang pumasok si Vlad.

"Oh there you are honey. I've been looking for you. I got really bored at the party without you there so I hurriedly went back here to see you."

Hindi nakagalaw pansamantala si Shana sa sobrang gimbal at gulat niya. How did Vlad knew that she was going to tell it? O tama ba niyang itanong 'yon samantalang alam niyang bampira si Vlad.

Napatayo na siya nang unti-unting humahakbang papalapit si Vlad sa direksyon nila. She swallowed the forming lumps inside her throat at napapitlag na lang siya nang yakapin siya ni Vlad.

"You remember the pre-seal kiss? That is how it actually works. To know human's emotion." Shana widen her eyes as she was whispered by Vlad. Hindi niya inaakala na meron palang purpose ang paghalik ni Vlad sa kanyang noo.

"So, gising na pala ang kaibigan mo." Vlad said nanag makaharap na sila kay Jett at nakahapit ang isang kamay sa waist ni Shana.

"Yeah thanks for helping." Jett mentioned.

"No big deal since kaibigan ka ng soon-to-be-wife ko."

Nangunot naman ang noo ni Jett. "Soon-to-be-wife?"

"Ah, sorry. Didn't she tell you yet?" Vlad acted like he's surprised at tinignan niya ng makahulugan si Shana.

"'Yon na nga sasabihin ko BAH," untag ni Shana at lumipat ang tingin niya sa kaibigan na naguguluhan.

"A-Ah Jett, W-We're going to marry soon. Sorry at ngayon ko lang nasabi sa'yo. We actually planned this already, matagal na. I didn't tell you. S-Sorry." Napakagat labi si Shana. Inuusig na naman siya ng konsensya niya.

"R-Really? H-How unexpected. I mean, I know you're in relationship but it's to soon for marriage." Matagal bago nakapagsalita si Jett. Hindi din niya mapigilan ang kumakalabuso niyang dibdib.

Hindi dahil sa kinakabahan siya kundi dahil pakiramdam niya'y mawawalan na siya ng pag-asa sa dalaga. Akala niya magkakaroon siya ng chance para makapasok sa puso ni Shana pero mukhang dihado na siya ngayong narinig niyang magpapakasal na ito.

"K-Kelan ang kasal niyo?" Kabadong tanong niya sa dalaga.

"3 days from now."

Namilog ang mga mata ni Jett. "Th-Three days from now?"

"Yes, isn't it exciting? You'll be his escort," pagsisingit naman ni Vlad.

Pero hindi siya inintindi ni Jett at nakatuon lang ang tingin nito sa dalaga. "Pero ang papa mo Shana..."

"He could not make it at isa pa dito lang naman kami ikakasal," muling pagsisinungaling ni Shana.

Pumilit ng ngiti si Jett sa kaibigan sa kabila ng nararamdaman niyang sakit. Kahit pa na mapupunta na sa iba ang dalaga at malungkot siya, ay ayaw niyang ipakita na ayaw niya itong mangyari.

Pagkatapos ng ilan pang pag-uusap ay umalis na muna si Vlad. He said he wanted to give Shana and Jett time to talk about other things since alam daw nitong ma-mimiss ni Jett ang kaibigan.

Hindi naman umiimik si Shana at nananatili lang itong nakayuko kaya naglakas loob muli si Jett na sirain ang katahimikan sa kwarto.

"Shana...hindi ko 'to inaasahan."

Umaangat naman ng tingin ang dalaga. "I know right. Khait din ako Jett."

"Do you love him?"

"H-Ha? O-Ofcourse."

Napahigpit namanang hawak ni Jeet sa kumot and formed his hand into a ball. "Y-you can't."

"Ano? Ano sinasabi mo?" Naguguluhang tanong ng dalaga.

"You can't love him dahil mahal kita. Mahal kita Shana."

Nahinto ang sistema ni Shana. Naguguluhan talaga siya. Mayamaya ay binawi rin niya ang pagkakaistatwa. "You're kidding right? It's just a line you practiced and wanted to tell to your someone, isn't it?"

Lumapit si Jett kay Shana at diretso nitong hinawakan ang kamay ng dalaga. He looked the woman with a strong and tender affection. "Yes and that someone is you."