THE BROKEN MAN'S AFFLICTION

CHAPTER 55

CHAPTER 55

TEAM OLDIES and the first Arkhon himself were so careful not to reveal the first Arkhon's identity. Napapansin 'yon ni Happy habang nasa labas sila ng pribadong kuwarto ng ama. Hindi pa sila makapasok dahil nasa loob pa ang doktor at sinusuri ang lagay ng daddy niya.

"They're very secretive," bulong sa kanya ni Blaze.

Pasimple siyang tumango. "Napapansin ko nga."

"Why do you think?" Blaze asked.

She faced her husband as she hugged him around the waist. "I don't know, Blazey. Siguro dahil ayaw niya talagang malaman ng iba kung sino siya kahit pa sa atin? O dahil nandito lang siya para sa daddy ko. That this is a risk for him. Maybe just like Dad, he has a good life with family to protect?"

Blazey sighed. "Akala ko pa naman nandito siya para tumulong. That way you can rest."

Tumango si Happy. "'Yon din ang inisip ko nang ipakilala siya sa akin ni Uncle Vent." Bumuntong-hininga siya. "For once I want the responsibility off my shoulder. It's very heavy."

"I know, baby." Blaze kissed her forehead. "I'm here. I'll help."

"I know," she whispered.

"Doc, how is he?" Boses iyon ni Daddy Von na ikinabaling nila ni Blaze rito.

The doctor smiled. "He's responding to the medication very well. If it continues, he'll be out here in two weeks."

"Thank you, Doc," sabi ni Uncle Klaus.

Everyone was relieved, including her.

"Come on," aya ni Daddy Von. "Let's go in."

Nang hindi sila pumasok ni Blaze, nilingon sila ng unang Arkhon.

"Come on," sabi nito.

Ngumiti siya, saka umiling. "We don't want to intrude."

"No." Umiling ito. "Come on in. You should be present, and I want to talk to you later. Please?"

Tumango si Happy at magkahawak ang kamay nila ng asawa na pumasok sa kuwarto ng kanyang ama.

"Daddy..." Pansamantala siyang bumitaw sa kamay ni Blaze para lapitan ang ama at halikan ito sa noo. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel alive, princess," sabi ng ama niya na nakangiti.

Tumayo si Mommy Henreitta at hinalikan sa pisngi ang kanyang ama, saka pinisil ang kamay niya. "I'll go look for Beth."

Happy smiled. She knew Mommy Henreitta was just going out to give them some privacy.

Pinisil niya rin ang kamay ng ama bago bumalik sa tabi ng asawa niya at tahimik na pinagmasdan lang ang Team Oldies at ang unang Arkhon.

"Zachariah," sabi ng ama niyang nakangiti habang nakatingin sa unang Arkhon. "It's been a long time."

Zachariah went to his father side and they did a forearm handshake. The kind of handshake used by Team Oldies all the time and some of Blaze's friends.

"I heard what happened," sabi ni Zachariah.

Mahinang tumawa ang ama niya. "And here I thought you went off grid. You and Kennedy."

"We are." Umupo ang unang Arkhon sa gilid ng kama. "But that doesn't mean that my connections are gone. It's still there. The ten families are still supporting me, hoping that my first born will someday take my position."

"Why didn't you stay off grid?" tanong ng ama niya. "This is risky for you, Zachariah."

"You're like a big brother to me, Dominick, I couldn't stay away after what I heard." Zachariah shook his head. "I've heard that your daughter had taken over but I didn't actually believe it." Sinulyapan siya nito. "I know how much you treasure her."