Vampire's Pathos

Blood 15

"This will be your new room."

Dahan dahang binuksan nung babae yung kwarto at napatingin ako sa sobrang lawak na espasyo na nasa harap ko ngayon.

"There's a queen sized bed, carpet, coffee table, television, drawers, closets, study table, terrace, one telephone to call the maids, and a bathroom just on your left."

It took a whole lot to take it in because everything looked so grand.

Ano 'to? Five star hotel? Even my room back at my parents' mansion wasn't like this.

Napailing iling nalang ako sa naisip ko at muling nagsalita yung babae.

"Rion, was it? Can you help Eara to get her things?" Malumanay niyang sambit, and Rion just nodded and went on his way.

Help? What did she mean by help?

They have a lot of maids and butlers in this mansion, and it doesn't make sense na si Rion pa yung pakukuhain nila sa mga gamit ko.

Sana sinabi niya nalang na gusto niya akong makausap na ako lang mag isa.

I just hope that I won't be dead by the time Rion gets back here.

Nanatiling nakatingin sa harapan yung babae hanggang sa nawala na sa paningin namin si Rion, and the two of us are finally alone.

"I'll get straight to the point." I just stared at her as she looked at me.

She puts her right hand on her waist, at tsaka siya may kinuha sa bulsa niya gamit yung isa niya pang kamay.

"My name is Risa Aerovan, this mansion's overseer. Kung may problema ka, you could ask me. If by any chance that I'm not here, then call for Ada. I'm sure you know her." She kept it brief, at binigay niya sa akin yung nakuha siya sa bulsa niya.

Nag alinlangan akong kunin 'yon, but I did take it anyway.

And now in my hands, I saw a small silver key.

"That's the key to your room, you can do whatever you want in there.. But--"

Napatingin ako ulit sa kanya nung natigil siya sa pagsasalita, and she glared at me. That's it. I know the meaning of that stare. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako, and I looked at her once more.

"I won't try anything funny, and if I do then consider me dead."

I saw her eyes widen for a bit, before she reveals a small smile.

After the encounter with the two brothers, sa tingin ko hindi na ako magugulat sa mga ganong tingin ng ibang mga bampira dito sa pamamahay na 'to.

Maybe I should even expect a lot more.

"That's good to hear." She continued with her smile and she turned her back on me in order to leave.

"Oh, one more thing.." Nanatili akong nakatangin sa likod niya, as she comes to a stop and looks at me again.

"'Wag mong kalimutan yung braso mo."

Ako naman yung nagulat sa sinabi niya at napatingin ako sa braso ko. I almost forgot that I have to pretend that I have a wounded arm.

Sa sobrang komportable ng pakiramdam ko, I forgot to act like it.

Muli akong tumingin pabalik kung nasaan yung babae kanina, and when my eyes laid bare on the hall.. She was gone.

Just like that.

"Oh, Miss Eara.. I got some of your things and--" Napatingin ako kaagad sa kabila at nakita ko si Rion na papalapit sa akin. Then he comes to a stop as his eyes looked for something.

"Huh? Nasaan na yung babae?" Tanong niya at natahimik ako.

"She was just here a second ago.." He reasoned and I awkwardly laughed.

Did she really have to disappear with Rion around?

"You must be imagining things." I answered and I saw his eyes fill with confusion, at ako naman nagpatuloy nalang akong pumasok sa loob ng kwarto.

Tahimik kong binaba yung kulungan ni Blank, and I looked inside the cage. Nakita ko yung pusa doon sa loob, and it was just staring at me with its amber colored eyes.

Is it normal for cats to be this quiet?

Dahan dahan ko namang binuksan yung kulungan at saka ko hinayaang makalabas yung pusa.

Nung mapansin ko na parang walang balak lumabas yung pusa sa kulungan niya, napatayo nalang ako napatingin kay Rion na isa isang pinapasok yung mga bagahe ko na dala nung mga maids sa harap ng pinto.

"Um, saan ko ilalagay yung gamit?"

Tanong ni Rion sa akin, at napatingin na ako sa ibang mga gamit na nasa loob na.

I told Rion to move the bag full of clothes to my side, and with my supposedly uninjured arm, hinila ko yung bag papalapit sa closet.

I took care of my clothes, at si Rion na yung nagtanggal ng iba pang mga gamit ko. I guided him to where he should put my other things, and after an hour or so, natapos na kaming mag ayos.

Dahan dahan kong nilagay yung mga bag sa drawers na katabi lang ng cabinet, and I placed the suitcase beside it.

As soon as we finished, napaupo nalang kami ni Rion sa kama.

"Gusto mo ng maiinom?" I asked him, and he nods slightly.

Well, Risa said earlier that I can call the maids..

Kaya ito naman ako, pumunta ako kung saan nakalagay yung telepono at may nakita akong note na nakalagay sa gilid no'n.

Just press the number 1.

Is what it said, kaya naman pinindot ko yung number na 'yon.

Without even finishing the first ring, may sumagot na kaagad doon sa tawag ko.

"Yes, Miss Arella?"

Hindi na ako nagulat nung alam nung maid na sumagot yung pangalan ko, and I just answered.

"Can you please bring refreshments over here?"

After a long pause, may narinig na akong sumagot sa kabilang linya.

"Yes, as you wish." Ang tangi nitong sabi at binaba na yung tawag.

The maid sounded a bit hesitant, pero hindi ko nalang pinansin 'yon at binaba yung telepono, saka muling umupo sa tabi ni Rion.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa dahil hindi namin alam kung ano yung sasabihin namin.

Kasi alam namin na ang tanging mapag uusapan lang namin ay tungkol sa mansyon na 'to. Kung bakit kami nandito ngayon..

At kung bakit ako titira dito simula ngayon.

Magsisimula na sana akong magsalita pero may narinig kaming ingay.

"Blank?"

Rion called for the cat who meowed for a moment, at pareho kaming napatayo para hanapin yung pusa. Napatingin kami sa kulungan, at nakita na naming lumabas na siya sa lungga niya.

Ngumiyaw ulit yung pusa, at pareho kaming natuwa sa nakita namin. Dahan dahan itong lumapit sa amin, and we gently kneeled down the floor in return.

Blank rubbed its fur against our bodies, at nagkatanginan kami ni Rion na may ngiti sa mukha namin. At least, one thing came out good when I moved here.

"Sa tingin mo gutom na siya?" Tanong ko kay Rion, and he gently carried the cat in his arms. Pero hindi naman umalma yung pusa.

"Should we put food in his bowl?" He returned the question back to me at napatingin nalang ako sa food bowl na binili namin para kay Blank.

It was two metal bowls, one was for water and another one for his food.

"Maybe." Sagot ko at kumilos naman ako para kuhain yung cat food sa loob ng isang drawer.

At nilagyan ko na ng pagkain yung lalagyan.

Lumapit naman kaagad si Rion sa pwesto ko, and he gently places Blank down in front of his food. At pinanood namin siyang amoy amuyin yung pagkain niya, and when he noticed that it was food..

Walang alinlangan niya namang kinain 'yon.

We just watched the Blank eat his food, at saka kami napatingin sa likod namin nung narinig naming may kumatok.

It must be the maid I called earlier.

Ako na yung umalis sa pwesto para buksan yung pintuan, at nung mabuksan ko 'yon..

Dahan dahan akong napaatras sa kinatatayuan ko.

Alam kong nakatira nalang kami sa iisang lugar, but you can't expect me to get used to him suddenly appearing our of nowhere right?

And who knew that he could knock on the doors?

Kian Aerovan was now standing in front of my door, and from me, his eyes slowly shifts to look at Rion who was standing across the room.

The atmosphere around the room changed at that moment.

Akala ko magugulat din si Rion gaya ko, but unlike me, he stared right back at Kian with a glare visible in his eyes.

During my days inside the classroom, hindi ko nakikitang nag uusap 'tong dalawa.. But it didn't actually take long for me to notice right now that they have some kind of bad blood between them.

"Why is he here?"

He asked with a scowl, and he looked at me for answers.

Hindi pa rin ako sanay na matitigan ng mga mata niya, pero sinubukan ko namang hindi magbuhol buhol yung dila ko nung sumagot ako.

"Tinulungan niya akong maglipat ng gamit." I was kind of hoping that after that answer from me ay aalis na siya, pero hindi na ako nagulat nung ang sama pa rin ng mga tingin niya.

Is it because Rion is here?

Alam ko sa sarili ko na kinakabahan ako sa pwedeng mangyari, but what could I even say in this situation?

Eh, kung magharap sila parang mortal silang magkaaway?

"Do you have a problem with that?" Napalingon ako kaagad sa likod ko, at nakita ko si Rion doon.

Ano bang ginagawa niya?

Does he have a death wish?!

They were finally in front of each other, at natatakot na ako sa pwedeng mangyari. Parang handang handa na silang magsuntukan. Or even worse than that, since it's Aerovan we're talking about!

Just when I thought that things are actually turning worst than it already was, may maid nalang na biglang sumulpot sa gilid ni Kian.

"These are the refreshments that you requested, Miss Arella."

The maid stated while holding a tray with two glasses of orange juice and a small plate of biscuits.

Parang naging hulog ng langit yung pagdating nung maid at nakahinga na ako ng maluwag kahit papaano.

Napatingin nalang kaming lahat sa maid, at muling siyang nagsalita.

"There is a car waiting outside for Mr. Monte Ferrer. The message was sent by one of your butlers.. They are telling you to come home."

Nakunot ko yung noo ko sa narinig kong sinabi nung maid.

Come home?

"Looks like I need to go now, Miss Eara." He says apologetically, at saka niya muling binalik yung tingin niya kay Kian.

"Mauuna na ako." Sabi mismo ni Rion kay Kian at lumabas na ng kwarto.

There was an strange feeling of unpleasantness in Rion's words that I've never heard before.. This was new to me, since he always used that gentle angelic voice when he talks to me.

Hindi ko na pinatagal yung pag iisip ko, at kumilos naman ako kaagad bago pa makalayo si Rion. 

"Could you please put that on the table over there, ihahatid ko lang si Rion palabas, and please be mindful about the cat." Utos ko doon sa maid at tumango ito, and I gave Kian a passing glance before going after Rion.

Akala ko pipigilan niya ako..

But I was glad that he didn't.

"Rion!" Tawag ko sa kanya at napatigil siya bago napatingin sa akin.

Nakita ko siyang magtaka kaya naman nagsalita ako kaagad.

"I'll take you outside." Ani ko sa kanya at napangiti naman siya at napatango, and I walked beside him.

We were quiet, but it wasn't awkward at all.

We know we enjoyed each other's company, at hindi nalang namin hinayaang maapektuhan kami nung nangyari kanina.

We took our time going down the stairs, and we eventually reached the gates kung saan may sasakyan ngang naghihintay sa labas nito.

It was a black Rolls Royce, judging from the logo anyway, and just seeing one makes the impression..

They said that the Monte Ferrer's wealth are not a joke..

I can definitely see that now.

The gates were already open kaya dire-diretso lang kaming lumabas.

Yumuko yung butler kay Rion nung makalapit kami, and he proceeds to open the car door for his master. Napatigil kami at nagkatinginan lang ulit kami ni Rion, and he smiles lightly.

"I will visit from time to time." Ani niya at napatango nalang ako, and he finally goes inside the car.

Hindi na ako nagsalita, at tinignan ko nalang na makaalis yung sasakyan hanggang sa naglaho na 'to mula sa paningin ko.

I should go back inside.

Tumalikod naman na ako para makabalik sa loob ng bago kong titirahan, at nagulat nalang ako nung nakita kong may tao na sa harapan ko.

Nginitian niya ako, and his smile greatly resembled that of Kean's.

Tinignan ko lang ng maigi yung mukha niya, and I can't shake off the feeling that I've already seen him somewhere before.

And that's when it hit me..

Oh, right.. Siya yung kasama ni Aerovan last time.

"Um, what was your name again?" I know it was rude to ask, but he didn't exactly made a lasting impression in my mind.

Alam kong alam ko yung pangalan niya, but it looks like I forgot right when he's finally here in front of me.

"Ow, that kind of hurts my feelings little princess." He tried to sound hurt by my question, but to me, he just looked stupid.

And little princess? Now where the hell did that come from?

"It's Kei Arsiel Ren."

He said with a warm smile in his face as if this was an introduction inside a classroom, at ito naman ako na iniisip kung saan ko unang narinig yung apelyido niya.

Ren? The Ren Family? The Ren Trading Corporation?

Just like the name, it is a trading corporation, one of the largest ones in fact. At alam kong nasabi na sa akin ng mga magulang ko na nakatrabaho na nila ang pamilya na 'to noon.

And about the son that they want me to meet before..

Don't tell me na itong Kei Arsiel Ren yung lalaking 'yon? If he is, then it's a small world after all..

So the Ren Family are vampires too?

"Girls shouldn't be out during these hours."

Parang nanumbalik yung kaluluwa ko sa lupa nung marinig kong nagsalita yung lalaki, and I immediately looked at my surroundings.

Gabi na?

I didn't even notice.

The guy turns to his side and points his hand towards the mansion na parang inuutusan na akong bumalik sa loob.

Since balak ko na rin namang pumasok, there was no arguments made, at naglakad na ako para makabalik na ako sa kwarto ko.

Tahimik lang akong naglalakad with the Ren guy walking beside me, until I felt a touch on my right arm.

"Huh?"

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya dahil sa ginawa niya, and he pulls his hand away from my arm.

"Hindi ako makapaniwalang gumaling agad 'yon." He states with interest present in his voice, and I swiftly moved my arm out of his reach para hindi na niya 'to mahawakan ulit, at saka ko siya sinamaan ng tingin.

"That's some attitude to show your savior."

Nakunot ko kaagad yung nood ko nung marinig ko yung sinabi niya.

What? Savior? Anong ibig sabihin niya doon?

"Kian might have given you his blood, pero ako yung nagdala sayo sa clinic. You could at least be grateful." I began to process everything he said inside my head, at pinagdugtong dugtong ko yung mga alam ko.

So he was the one who came up with the accident excuse sa nurse.

"So, what? Are you going to let your guard down?" He asked teasingly, and I was wallowed in surprise when he suddenly puts his arms around my waist and pulls me closer.

"Or are we doing it my way?"

He smiled with our faces only inches apart, at bigla nalang namanhid yung buong katawan ko. Wala na akong magalaw na kahit anong parte sa katawan ko, kahit magalaw lang yung mga labi ko para makapagsalita ay hindi ko na magawa.

Is it some kind of spell?

He slowly draws himself away with a smirk showing on his face.

He was planning this.

Halatang halata naman sa mukha niya.

Hindi ko nagawang gumalaw nung hinawakan niya yung leeg ko, before his hands slowly goes up to my chin, and he tilts my face to the side..

Leaving my neck exposed.

He's going to bite me!

Gustuhin ko mang magwala at magsisisigaw sigaw dahil sa alam ko na yung sunod na mangyayari, pero ayaw makinig ng katawan ko.

I was preparing myself for the inevitable, until I heard a voice call out my name.

"Eara."

When that happened, it's like the invisible chains restricting me from my movements were suddenly broken. When the numbness started to fade away, at nagawa ko nang igalaw yung kamay ko, tinulak ko na kaagad palayo yung lalaking nasa harapan ko.

Nung nalayo ko na siya sa akin, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin and he just looked at me in return.

"You broke my charm." Sumama kaagad yung tingin niya sa akin, and what seemed like a fraction of a second, he was now in front of me.

"Nakakapanghinayang naman."

Wala akong ibang nagawa kung hindi mapatingin sa kanya, and he wore such a disappointed look in his face.

Ano na naman bang pinagsasabi ng lalaking 'to?

"Sasayangin ka lang ni Kian." He told me with a sigh, at naiwan lang ako doon na nakatayo at napaisip.

Sasayangin ako? What does he mean by that?

Mukhang may sasabihin pa sana siya since he was just about to open his mouth, but then someone called out his name.

"Kei." Pareho kaming napatingin sa bandang gate, and there we saw him.

He only said his name, pero naramdaman ko yung diin sa boses niya. It's like he holds power over everything- or everyone.

Kian Pierce Aerovan..

Their future king.

"Is it that time already?" Tanong nitong lalaking nasa harapan ko, at nagmumukha lang na ayaw na niya pa umalis dito sa harapan ko.

And Aerovan just blankly stares at him.

"Looks like I'll just save this for next time." He says in dismay, at he turns himself to look at me.

"Wait for me, okay?" He says with a flirty smile, and winks at me for the last time, bago pumunta sa gate kung nasaan ni Aerovan.

Is that guy a walking circus?

Hindi ko naintindihan yung gusto niyang mangyari.

Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin hanggang sa nakarating siya sa pwesto ni Aerovan, at saka naman napadpad yung tingin sa akin ni Aerovan.

"Go back inside."

Utos niya at napatango nalang ako. If I remember correctly, I am his property, right?

So, bakit pa ako magsasalita hindi ba? Hindi niya naman ako tinanong, kaya mas mabuti pang sumunod nalang sa sinasabi niya.

Walang alinlangan akong tumalikod sa kanya at nagsimulang maglakad para bumalik sa loob ng mansyon.

As I walked down the path to the mansion's door, hindi ko napigilan yung sarili ko na lumingon pabalik para makita ko sila ulit. Nung tuluyan na akong napalingon, there wasn't just two of them anymore..

Nandoon pa rin yung dalawa, but this time there was one more guy.. and a girl.

At parang napansin nila na nakatingin ako, kaya lahat sila ay napatingin din sa akin. All of their eyes was on me, and I couldn't help but feel the nervousness slowly creeping up my chest.

Tumalikod naman ako kaagad nung naramdaman kong tama na 'yon, at mabilis akong naglakad papalapit sa pinto at sinarado ko 'yon sa likod ko.

Hinabol ko yung hininga ko at napaisip ako.

I'm going to live here for the rest of the school year..

I scoffed at my thoughts, at dahan dahang napasandal sa pinto bago tuluyang napaupo sa kinalalagyan ko.

Who am I kidding?

I'm probably going to live here.. for the rest of my life.