Night of the Eclipse Moon

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15 - CONFRONTATION

Everything has gone well since Pinunong Romulo left La Sangrienta. It was found out that he has the idea of Florence being a spy in our place, but he stands firmly by our side and says that he is not a traitor. But it seems that the Morois and Dhampirs living in this small bario don't want to give their full trust to him, so he decided to leave.

Few days later, Janella comes back. As much as I want to talk to her about what I know about her ability, I haven't done it yet. I needed some time. Thankfully, she is now living with her dad and not in our house anymore.

One day, she came to visit me. I guess she heard what happened to me, but I'm not ready to face her yet, so I declined. Since the day she arrived, she never missed to pass by our house and ask about me. Though I miss her, it is just hard for me to accept the truth.

Same goes with my mom, we haven't been on good terms since then, but one thing unexpectedly happened and it is the friendship made between me and Emily.

"Hi Tita! Pwede na po ba kausapin si Thea?" Nasa labas na naman si Janella.

"N-naku, hija.. umalis siya." pagsisinungaling ni mama.

Isang linggo na siya rito, ngunit wala pa siyang ka ide-ideya na I'm in a relationship with a Strigoi.

"Ganun po ba? Sige po, sa susunod na araw na lang po ulit."

Wala na akong marinig na boses galing kay Janella, siguro ay umalis na siya.

"Why are you always hiding from her?" Emily asked while she crossed her arms.

I'm lying on my bed while she is sitting in front of me.

"I'm not hiding. I'm just… not ready to talk to her."

"I feel bad for her to be honest. Janella is innocent and yet aside from Strigois, you are also blaming her for the death of your father."

I sighed. "If you're going to lecture me, next time na lang pwede?"

Emily rolled her eyes and stood up. "You better make up your mind, before things get more complicated." Then she gets out of my room.

**

"Okay ka lang? Kanina ka pa tulala dyan." Marco offered me a drink and sat beside me. I'm with him at his small house and spending the night with him.

"I'm thinking about the situation between me and Ella."

"Hindi pa rin kayo nakakapag-usap?"

Umiling ako at ininom lahat ng laman sa maliit na baso.

"I don't know how to start a conversation with her and pretend that we are okay."

Inakbayan niya ako at hinalikan ang gilid ng noo ko. "You don't have to pretend, love. Just be yourself and tell her what you feel. Remember, she is your best friend. For sure she will understand."

I just shrugged "I don't know…"

"Come on, you can do it." Ani ni Marco at niyakap ako.

After that small talk, we decided to rest. Hinatid ako pauwi ni Marco ng sumapit na ang madaling araw. At ang ganda lang ng timing dahil nakita kami ni Janella paglabas niya sa bahay nila ni Tito Claudio.

Mabilis niya kaming nalapitan, good thing ay suot ni Marco ang kanyang concealing ring kaya hindi siya ma-distinguish na Strigoi siya.

"Bes!" tawag niya sa akin. Niyakap niya ako pagkatapos. "How are you? Tagal na nating 'di nagkita. I heard you were attacked by a vampire slayer, I'm glad you're well now."

Sunod sunod niyang sabi. Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at makikita sa mukha niya ang kagalakan. Tipid lang na ngiti ang sinukli ko sa kanya.

Hinawakan naman ni Marco ang kamay ko at parang sinesenyas niya na kausapin ko na si Janella. Bumaling naman si Janella sa kanya.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Tumango ako. "Y-yeah." I answered awkwardly.

"Pakilala mo naman ako.." masigla niyang sambit.

Tumikhim ako. "Ahm.. E-Ella, si Marco. Love, si Janella.. bestfriend ko."

"Nice to meet you!" Masaya niyang inilahad ang kanyang kamay.

Kinamayan naman ni Marco si Ella at nginitian. "Nice to meet you too."

"Ah, s-sigi. Iwan ka na namin." Sabi ko at hinila na ang kamay ni Marco. Pero pinigilan niya ako.

"Love, it's dangerous for her." bulong niya sa akin.

"What do you mean?"

“You’re so preoccupied and you didn’t even notice that there are Strigois who're keeping us on the lookout.”

“f**k!”

Binalikan ko si Janella. “Ah, B-bes.. uwi ka na muna.”

“Why? May problema ba?”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Marco. “Wala.. Pero kailangan mo na muna pumasok sa bahay niyo.”

Sinubukan ko siyang itulak pabalik sa bahay pero ayaw niyang sumunod. Hinarap niya ako, I know Marco is watching us.

“Teka nga! Ano bang meron?”

“Wala nga!”

“Eh, kung wala bakit mo ko pinapabalik sa bahay? Gumagawa ka na lang ata ng rason. Yung totoo? Iniiwasan mo ba ako? Ilang araw na kitang pinupuntahan sa inyo pero lagi kang wala or baka naman nandoon ka lang sa bahay niyo ayaw mo lang lumabas. May nagawa ba ako? Bakit ayaw mo ako makita?” May namumuo ng luha sa kanyang mga mata.

“Please, Ella.. wag muna ngayon. Nakikiusap ako.”

Tatalikod na sana ako pero hinawakan niya ako sa braso. “Galit ka ba sa akin? Is it about my ability? What, Thea?”

“Oh for f**k sake don’t provoke me, Janella!” Hindi ko na napigilang pagtaasan siya ng boses. Nabigla siya sa ginawa ko.

“Lower your voice, love. Ginigising mo yung mga nakatira dito.” sabi ni Marco na nasa gilid ko na pala.

“Tell me please.. bakit pa tayo maghihintay ng ibang araw kung pwede naman ngayon?” pagsusumamo ni Janella.

Inuubos niya talaga ang pasensya ko.

“You really want to know the truth?!” singhal ko sa kanya.

“Thea!” awat ni Marco sa akin pero hindi ko na talaga ma-control sarili ko.

“OO! Galit ako! Galit ako dahil sa lahat ng Morois na magkakaroon ng espirituwal na kakayahan ay ikaw pa ang nabiyayaan! Bakit ang bestfriend ko pa?!” Butil butil ng luha ang lumalabas sa mga mata ko. Pilit akong kinakalma ni Marco pero huli na. Namataan kong lumabas si Tito Claudio mula sa bahay nila. Naramdaman ko din na nakalapit na si mama sa amin at sa di kalayuan ay nanonood na sa amin ang iba pang mga Morois at Dhampir kasali na sina Ginang Rosa at Emily.

“I’m sorry, Thea.” umiiyak na rin siya.

“Anong nangyayari dito?” tanong ni Mama.

I just looked at her and faced Janella again. “Kung hindi dahil sayo, buhay pa sana si Papa!”

To be continued…