MASKED (Rewritten)

*Capitolo Trentanove

Umiling lang si Dama bilang sagot.

"Is there something I need to know?" Singit ko tapos napatingin sa asawa ko, "Are you sick or something?" medyo kinakabahang tanong ko.

Bumunting hininga muna ito ng malalim tsaka tinignan ako ng diretso sa mata, "I'm pregnant."

Sa sinabi nito mabilis na tumigil ang mundo ko. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong nakatanga basta nang maproseso na ng utak ko ang sinabi nito ay humalaklak at nagtatatalon na ako sa tuwa.

"Yes! Whoo!" Tapos mabilis na niyakap ko si Dama, "Yes! I'm going to be father now!"

"That's enough. You're squeezing her too much." Pagkaraa'y singit ni Mama dahilan para mabilis kong niluwagan ang pagkakayakap ko kay Dama at nag-aalalang tinanong ito.

"Are you okay? I didn't mean to -"

"I'm fine. Don't worry." Putol nito tapos napatingin kay Mama, "How did you found out?" tapos naguguluhang tanong nito.

"I have my sources." Simpleng sagot lang ng huli.

Ako naman bigla kong naalala ang nangyayari at biglang sumeryoso tsaka tinignan ng diretso sa mata si Mama.

"You didn't come here just for this." turan ko dito.  She doesn't leave her fortress that easily. Kahit nga noong oras na naghihingalo si Zero ay hindi ito dumalaw.

"What business really bring you here?"

Hindi ito sumagot bagkus ngumiti lang ito dahilan para kabahan na ako ng todo todo. For all I know, there are only two reasons na makakapagpalabas dito. And clearly Fuirma is not yet on the verge of death, meaning...seryosong tinignan ko ito.

"Did Kachino do something?" Pagkaraay medyo kinakabahang tanong ko.

Sa tanong ko naramdaman ko ang biglang paninigas ng katawan ni Dama sa bisig ko. It's not surprising na takot din ito kay Kachino. Dama witnessed enough how scary and terrifying Kachino is. Who wouldn't.

"Ah,  don't worry..." then bumagsak ang jacket na nakapatong sa balikat ni Mama showing her bare shoulders and arms full of intricate patterns drawn into it.

Nang makitang walang nagbago sa mga ito ay medyo nakahinga ko ng maluwag pero panandalian lang ito.

"There's just some disturbances." Patuloy nito and show me her arms particularly her wrists. There were magnificent tribalistic patterns used to be there, but now its already gone. "Someone accidentally stir her cage."

Mabilis na nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "Did she--" but I was immediately cut off by my mother.

"She's still in control. But that is not why I am here. " mahinahong ulat nito.

My whole body tensed up as the atmosphere inside the room suddenly changed. I don't like what's coming...pagkaraa'y muling bumukas ang pinto para saglit kaming maantala...

"Woah! A family reunion." Bungad ni Zero tapos pinasadahan kami ng tingin isa isa, "Where's Kachino or she's the reason why all of us are here?" Patuloy pa nito.

"Good you're here." si Mama.

"So what is this really all bout?" Zero

"Loose all your ties with anyone related to Moirs...and even Zyralkire." Sobrang seryosong wika ni Mama dahilan para matigilan kami.

"W-What do you mean?" Ako

"As of today, you and Zero will no longer communicate or be involve with Kachino. The whole Fuirma will now be under my control."

...
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MORGAN

We've been driving for half an hour pero hanggang ngayon tahimik pa rin si Liyah. Lihim ko itong tinignan at tulad ng inaasahan malalim pa rin ang iniisip nito.