Strings and Chains (The Frey, #1)

22. Something is wrong

"And?" tanong ko.

"She offered me a deal," sagot niya.

Lumunok ako. I'm worried about this. Anong gustong makuha ng master niya sa kanya? O anong gustong ipagawa nito sa kanya kapalit ng ano?

"I was given a task. If I completed it, tatanggalin niya ang parusa sa 'kin."

That's... good, I guess. But what is his task?

"What does she want you to do?" tanong ko.

He didn't answer directly, instead he answered in riddle.

"You'll hate me, I guess."

I bit my lip.

"You stink," sagot ko. Lumayo ako ng kaunti at tiningnan siya. "Take a shower."

"I'll go back to my house. You stay here with your parents," sagot niya sa akin.

"Bu-" I want to insist na magstay na lang siya rito pero narealize kong maybe he needs time to be alone. I guess. I also know he doesn't want to stay in a house na punong-puno ng werewolves. It's uncomfortable for him. Base na rin sa nangyari kanina.

Tumango na lang ako.

"Okay," sagot ko pero nag-aalala pa rin ako. Paano kapag inatake rin siya ng mga incubi? He's alone. I know he's strong pero-

"Mag-iingat ka," dugtong ko pa.

Tumango siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo. Tiningnan ko siyang naglakad paalis, palayo sa akin. I don't want him to go. I want him to stay here. I want to be with him. Alam kong may gumagambala sa isip niya and he's not really well. That's why I want to stay. Pero paano ko magagawa 'yon kung hindi rin okay ang parents ko?

So bago pa man ako tumakbo patungo kay Rai ay pumasok na ako ng loob at dumiretso sa guest room kung nasaan sina Mama't Papa.

Umupo ako sa upuan at tumingin kay mama na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring malay.

"Ano ba talagang nangyari, Pa?" tanong ko.

Naka-upo sa gilid ng kama si Papa habang hawak-hawak ang tagiliran niya kung saan siya may tama. Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya.

"Inatake kami sa bahay ng mga incubi. We were ambushed and defenseless kaya wala kaming nagawa. We were also outnumbered. I thought your mom and I were going to die." Tumingin siya kay mama.

"We were saved by that man. He easily killed them all," dugtong pa ni papa.

So he did kill.

"What's your relationship with him?" tanong ni papa.

"I..." Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko i-e-explain 'to kay papa. But I only know one thing.

"I love him," sagot ko.

"And him?"

Ngumiti ako. "Ano sa tingin mo, pa?"

"He does."

Mas lalo akong napangiti. "And you're okay with it? Kahit na hindi natin siya katulad?"

"Your mom is not going to like it. I'm also protective. I don't want any of them to be near you. We agreed to Trojan because we know him since he was young and we know his family. He did save us pero hanggang doon lang 'yon. We're in debt, but the price is not you, Maru."

Nakatingin lang ako kay Papa. I already expected this. I already imagined the scenario na ganito ang isasagot sa akin ni Papa. But I expected much worse, then I guess mas okay pa 'tong nangyayari ngayon. Ang nasa isip ko ay sisigawan ako ni papa at mama.