Taste of Poison

Kabanata 28

Hope

"We should spend Christmas here together, what do you think?" saad ni Tita Maureen sa kalagitnaan ng aming panananghalian.

"That's one month from now, Mau."

"What? Christmas in Pinas starts in September," depensa niya. Sinasabi ko lang ang gusto kong mangyari since nandito na naman tayong lahat."

I heard Tito Arthur's deep sighs. "We don't have time for that. Just focus on our work."

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagkain at hindi na sila pinansin pa. While eating, the thought of Azar's heart keeps running inside my mind. His heart beat before, it was alive but what made him lost its beat? I wanted to know.

Parang gusto ko na lang pumasok sa laboratory at yugyugin siya nang yugyugin sa pag-asa na magigising siya upang malaman ko ang nangyari. Damn it! Why is he so secretive? Ang unfair naman niya.

I told him everything about me. I shared secrets but he can't even express himself to me. Hindi ba ako mapagkakatiwalaan? Was he afraid that I might judge or left him once I find out whatever secrets he's hiding?

"Emory!" Napakurap ako nang kalabitin ako ni Tita Maureen.

Nabitawan ko pa ang kubyertos sa gulat. Nalilito along tumingin sa kaniya.

"What?" I asked, clueless.

"Ang sabi ko ay kumain ka. You lost weight, wala ka pang maayos na kain at tulog. You should take a rest, darling."

"Tama ang Tita Maureen mo, Emory. Don't worry about that vampire. Hindi makakabuti sa 'yo 'yan," segunda ni Tito.

Hindi ko naitago ang pagsimangot ko. Hindi ko naman maiiwasan ang pag-aalala. He's been lying there for three days and I'm not even sure if he would wake up. O kung gaano pa siya katagal na matutulog.

I miss my man. Sa bawat araw na dumaan ay nagiging doble ang pag-alaala ko.

"You should see him if you're not comfortable. It's just one floor away," masungit na sabi ni Mama Astrid.

Hindi ko siya nilingon o nagbaling ng atensiyon sa kaniya.

Muli kong kinuha ang kubyertos at pinaglaruan ang pagkain sa tinidor. Inikot-ikot ko roon ang pasta.

"Well," tumikhim si Mal na nasa kabilang gilid ko. "Can we talk about the progress now, Dad? Or about something na nakita niyo sa kaniya?"

"Right..." Uminom si Tito ng tubig saka pinunasan ang kaniyang bibig. "So, you all know why Azarius is in that lab now. We chose him as he's the only vampire who possessed a special blood like."

"But why is it green?" I asked now.

"That's something we're currently working, Ry."

Tumango na lang ako at nagpatuloy sa pagkain habang nakikinig sa kanilang sasabihin.

"We just need to take care of this place because once they find out that we're all here and experimenting, they will hunt us down."

My brows furrowed. Nadagdagan na naman ng katanungan ang isip ko.

"Who?"

"The one your mother is looking for," he simply answered.

Napunta kay Mama ang tingin ko na hindi man lang kumurap sa sinabi ni Tito Arthur.

Ang taong 'yon ba ay pareho sa tinutukoy ni Mama? Kung saan kailangan niya akong gamitin para mahanap kung sinuman iyon?

Is he dangerous? Does he have something my mother wanted?

"Eyes and all ears here," aniya sabay tikhim.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya. He's serious now.

"We are family here. The Du Marais clan which came from a family of hunters. We were hunters and huntresses and we killed vampires before for a living, and for everyone's safety and now, it changed."

"How so?"

Napatingin sa akin si Tito. "We're trying to find the cure to save those vampires who were forced to become one. We won't kill them unless if they're violent."

"A rogue?" I corrected.

He nodded and sighed. "Yes, I'm talking about those rogue vampires."

I nodded at continued eating slowly.

"You know the history of this virus, right?"

Silence.

"I will tell you a secret," he inhaled. "I was one of the scientists who found the virus."

Silence filled in again. Dahan-dahan kong binaba ang kubyertos sa plato at awang ang bibig na pinagmasdan siya.

Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kanilang tatlo.

Si Tita Maureen, si Mama... si Tito, were they also part of this?

Iyong nakita kong litrato, lahat ba sila ay kabilang sa pagtuklas ng virus noon? Were they the reason why vampire exist now?

They made them and now...

"As well as our father, your grandfather."

"Where is he?" My voice was low.

It seems like I'm the only one who didn't know this. Hindi man lang nagulat si Mallory at alam kong alam na rin ito ni Kuya Aamon na tahimik lang sa gilid ni Mama.

They all know yet they kept it from me for a long time.

"He's hiding..." he gulped. "With the man Astrid is looking for."

"Who is that man?" mariin kong tanong.

Saglit siyang sumulyap kay Mama. "Leo Madrigal."

Napakurap ako. "And who is Leo Madrigal?"

I know he's not my father since three days ago. Pero ano ang role niya sa buhay namin? Kaya Mama Astrid...

I remember the picture. Si Lolo at Leo Madrigal, they're also part of this. Isa rin sila sa nakahanap ng virus.

"Our father and Leo wanted to released the virus to the public. Astrid wasn't part of our experiment before... She just happened to be Leo's ex."

Pumasok sa isip ko ang kuwento ni Mama Astrid noong nanatili ako sa bahay matapos kong matuklasan ang totoong katauhan ni Azar.

Nanginig ang labi ko nang magsalita.

"Sino 'yong dalawang tumakas? The one who left before the virus was made, and the one who has cancer. The forced one..."

"I was the one who left and—" my mother cut him off.

"We need to go down. I heard something in the basement," she said and stood up then, left.

I heard Tita Maureen sighed deeply. "You finish eating at magligpit na rin kayo. And you two," turo niya sa dalawa. "Huwag muna kayong pumunta sa basement if you don't want to watch another episode of drama."

Umalis na si Tita at sumunod naman si Tito Arthur.

Silence dominated the whole dining. I stared at my plate blankly.

Who was the person who has cancer and was experimented? The first vampire in human history.  

They didn't show up for the rest of the day. Nanatili silang lahat sa laboratory samantalang abala ako sa kaiisip. I stayed in the small library inside Tita Mau's house and read books to distract myself. 

Wala rin naman akong mapagpipiliaan kung hindi ang maghintay ng resulta.

I was busy reading when I heard a loud thud. Nanatili ako sa puwesto upang makaramdam pero sa bawat segundo na dumaan ay palakas nang palakas ang ingay.

I even heard loud cusses. Kaya naman binaba ko na ang libro at tumayo para lumabas sa silid aklatan.

There, in the living room I saw Kuya Aamon and Mallory panicking.

"What happened?"

Mallory walked towards me. Her eyes are filled with worry.

"I don't know. I just heard a thud from the basement and they won't open the door for us!" 

"Baka may nahulog lang?" saad kong naguguluhan din.

Wala na ang ingay. I thought it was just an equipment or something to do with their work but, we heard another noise again!

Nag-panic na rin ako dahil hindi ito tumigil. Ang ingay na iyon ay malakas, at malalim na animo'y nasasaktan. Then, my eyes widened when I recognized his voice!

"That's Az..." I whispered and without further ado, I ran towards the door and climbed down the stairs.

But the door was closed so, I slammed my palms against it hard and loud.

"Open the door! Open the door!" I shouted as keep banging the metal door.

"Stay out of this!" I heard a voice inside.

"No! You're hurting him, Mama! Let me in!" I shouted back.

I could still hear him groan in pain and that's made my heart twitch. Ramdam ko ang sakit sa bawat daing niya.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa loob at gusto ko iyon malaman. I want to see his state now. After three days, I deserved to see him at least. To know if he's fine and fighting.

"Mama..." nanghihina kong sinabi. "Open the door. Gusto ko siyang makita."

"Ry..." tawag ni Mallory.

I glanced at her, standing in the middle of the stairs.

"Tita Maureen!" I called wearily. "Let me see him! Tito Arthur, please..."

Pahina nang pahina ang pag-iingay sa loob pero hindi iyon naging dahilan upang tumigil ako. The situation inside may hurt me but, I'm willing to set aside everything just to see him.

Akma kong hahampasin ulit ang pinto nang bumukas ito. Tito Arthur showed up catching his breath.

Sumilip ako sa loob saka siya tiningnan.

"What happened? Is he okay?"

He nodded and made a way for me.

"He woke up and ruined things," he said.

My lips parted when I saw the mess inside.

"He did these?" tukoy ko sa mga basag na gamit doon.

"He went berserk." Nilagpasan niya ako at dumeritso doon sa mahabang mesa.

Ginala ko ang tingin. I saw Mama Astrid trying to calm Tita Mau as like Tito, she was catching her own breath, too. Si Mama ay kalmado lang na mahinang tinatapik ang likod ni Tita.

I searched for Azar and there, I saw him lying inside the oblong shaped glass with wires connected to his body.

"Nilipat na lang namin siya riyan. I'm sorry for we have to tie him in case."

"Ano ang nangyari?" Lumakad ako palapit kay Azar at pinagmasdan siya mula sa labas ng salamin.

He lost weight and his skin are pale than before. Maitim ang ilalim ng kaniyang mga mata. His cheekbones are also visible now. Tumutubo na rin ang kaniyang facial hair.

I bit my lower lip. I raised my hand to trace the glass wall between us.

He looked so weak. Helpless.

"We tried to fed him blood through  intravenous therapy but his body rejected it. Then, he woke up and this happened."

"Why would his body reject the blood?" Baling ko sa kanila.

I was confused. Why would he reject the blood? It's their primary needs!

"I think he changed his diet, or drink. Or whatever. Wala ba siyang nabanggit sa 'yo?"

"Like?"

Tito shrugged as he continued picking those small tools.

"Umiinom pa ba siya ng dugo? What type of blood?"

"I don't know," sagot ko. "I only saw him once or twice drinking blood for the past months. I thought he drink that red liquid secretly because I don't want to see him drinking it in front of me."

"Flash news, niece. He didn't drink blood for ages now," aniya habang nasa monitor na ang atensiyon. "But we'll check it further. Susubukan ulit namin siyang salinan ng dugo."

Napatango ako. "Why was he angry and shouting?"

Nagtinginan silang tatlo at mayamaya pa ay sabay nag-iwas ng tingin.

Tito faked a cough and walked towards me. He looked at Azar before me.

"He's in pain, Emory."

"I know but..."

"We can't tell you a thing for now. Kailangan pa naming makasiguro. Hindi basta-basta ang dugo niya at minsan para kami nitong pinaglalaruan," he chuckled. "The results just keep on changing and changing so, we're still coping with it."

"He will wake up soon, right?" I stared at Azar softly. I wanna hold him.

"Yes, niece..." he assured me. "Gigising siya. He's just asleep, okay? You don't have to worry about anything."

Tumango ako. "Just please don't hurt him more, Tito..." pakiusap ko.

He put his hands on his back and stared at me intently. Then, he tilted his head.

"You really love him?"

I nodded again. "Yes..." I answered softly.

"We will give him back to you in right condition. Ang mainam lang sa ngayon ay maghintay tayo hanggang sa matapos ang lahat. And pray that those assholes won't find us here."

Tuwid na tumayo si Tito Arthur.

"Bakit nila tayo hinahanap?"

"They don't want us to find the cure. Ang nais nila ay manatiling bampira ang lahat at mas magkalat pa."

"So we really need to find the cure..." I whispered.

"Yes, we have to. If not, vampires would dominate the world and they will run it. They will control us."

Nay narinig akong ingay mula sa aking likuran. Nilingon ko iyon at nakita sila Mallory at Kuya na unti-unting nagliligpit ng mga gamit.

I looked away. "I just want his safe, Tito..." then, Tita Anna's face flashed in my mind.

Napaatras ako. What should I do?

"What about his mother? I... I..." natulala ako.

Ano ang sasabihin ko sa kaniya? I'm sure she's worried sick about him already. Knowing they're close to each other, I can't imagine how worried she is thinking about her son!

"Oh, don't worry about Anna. We informed her already. Astrid did," lingon niya kay Mama.

I don't know if I should be relieve or what.

She let them used him for their research? She must trust them this much to give her son.

"You all should rest now. C'mon! Go to your rooms and you two," tinuro niya ang dalawa. "Leave it there. Don't pick up anything. Go and rest!" Pumalakpak siya.

That's what we did. I took a rest for the whole day. I slept and mediate when the sun smiled at me through my window.

Uminom ako ng tubig mula sa aking tumblr pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pahinga sa yoga. I then, stretch my arms for the last time before closing the sliding door then, took a shower and decided to went downstair.

"Breakfast?" Dumaan si Mallory sa akin bitbit ang plato na may lamang pancakes.

Napatigil ako. Hindi ko alam kung ako ang inalok niya o sa taong kausap niya sa selpon

"We're getting there, Alec..." she said.

Nagkibit-balikat ako at nagpunta sa kusina. May nakahanda na roong pagkain. All were for breakfast.

"How was your sleep?" Pumasok si Tita Mau na umiinom mula sa tasa.

"It was fine," I pulled the chair and sat. "Breakfast?"

"I just had a bite," she winked. "Eat well, niece. Your mother is being grumpy. May dalaw siguro."

Natawa siya sa kaniyang tinuran. I just shook my head and filled my plate with food.

"Any update, Tita?" I asked gently.

She hummed and placed the cup on the table. Kumuha siya ng slice bread.

"Nothing much, Ry. Still the same."

Kumagat ako sa pancake at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"How long would it take?"

Silence.

"I don't know..."

Tumango ako. "Sa tingin mo, Tita Mau?"

"Months? A year? We've been finding the cure for years, Emory and still haven't found anything yet. So, we're hoping that Azar's blood is the answer."

I went silent.

Everyone seems to believe that he's the answer. That his blood might have something to do with the cure but, what if it's not?

Would they stop? Would they blame him for getting their high hope for something we are not even sure of?

"Maureen, come here! You have to see this!" I heard Tito's voice from afar.

Agad kumilos si Tita at aligaga pang tumakbo kung saan nagmula ang boses.

"Sumunod ka. I think it has something to do with Azar," baling niya sa akin bago nawala sa aking paningin.