Blood~
"Bes, ano? Ayos ka lang ba?"
Tanong sa'kin ni Zain nang akmang matutumba ako sa hilo. Inalalayan niya ako maupo sa aking kama.
"Ayos lang." sagot ko sa kan'ya habang bahagyang minamasahe ang aking sentido.
"Clardia Halley Royaldes, anong akala mo sa'kin? Kahapon lang pinanganak?" she raised a brow. "Ang putla-putla mo na. At ilang araw ka na ring patumba-tumba diyan. Ano ba talagang nararamdaman mo?"
"Hindi ko rin alam... I don't know why I've been feeling like this. "
"Baka dahil sabi mo sa'kin 'di ba, hindi ka makatulog dahil inaalala mo si Prince Xavier?"
"And also..." Nebula spoke. Tito Cranstan just brought him here few days ago. "I saw you sometimes that you've been sitting in front of bro's room as if you're waiting for him to open up."
I lowered my head. That's all true. Since the day that your majesty... left, he locked himself up inside his room and never went out. That's what I'm most afraid about, the moment that he'll isolate his self again.
It's been almost a week. Araw-araw sinusubukan ko siyang dalhan ng pagkain sa kuwarto niya. Pero ni isang beses hindi niya 'ko pinagbuksan. Maski si Tito ay hindi rin nakakapasok dito. We're not forcing to open the door. Dahil sa labas pa lang ng kuwarto, nararamdaman na namin ang lakas ng kapangyarihan na bumabalot dito.
We know that when Xavier's trauma is triggered, the greater monster inside him awakens as well.
Gusto ko ring irespeto ang nararamdaman niya kaya hinahayaan muna namin siya mag-isa. Pero habang lumilipas ang araw na hindi pa rin siya lumalabas mas tumitindi ang pag-aalalang nararamdaman ko. Kulang na lang ay umiyak ako araw-araw sa tapat ng kuwarto niya dahil sa sobrang pag-aalala.
Baka 'yon nga talaga ang dahilan kung bakit palaging masama ang pakiramdam ko nitong mga nakaraang araw.
"Oh, saan ka pupunta?"
Zain asked me as I stood up from my bed again.
"I'm... I'm now ready to face them." I looked at her eyes. "My parents."
"Samahan kita?" She smiled a bit.
"H'wag na. I'll ask Sgt. Harvey to come with me."
She nodded then, opened the door for me.
"Bye, Clardia! See you later!" Paalam pa sa'kin ni Nebula nang may malapad na ngiti sa labi.
I wonder when I'll be able to smile like that again.
Paglabas ko ng kuwarto ay sumalubong na sa'kin si Sgt. Harvey at Celeste.
"Ms. Clardia,"
"Sister,"
Bati nilang dalawa sa'kin. I gave them a small smile.
"Sgt. Harvey," I called him and he immediately gave his attention to me. "Can you accompany me to the dungeon?"
"Sure, Ms. Clardia."
He lead the way while I was following him from the back. Iniisip ko kung pa'no ko haharapin ang aking mga magulang. Ngayon lang ulit kami magkikita matapos lahat nang nangyari. Kusa silang sumuko kay Tito Cranstan kahit pa ayaw talaga silang ikulong nito.
Ako naman, hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. Sa totoo lang, nagagalit ako sa kanila. Ang dami nilang tinago sa'kin, ang dami nilang kasinungalingan. Yung dating pagtitiwala ko sa kanila bilang mga magulang ko, parang hindi ko na kayang ibalik. Yung respeto ko sa kanila, parang naglaho na. But, there are still some part of me that reminds of how much they sacrificed, how much they suffered, and that's what made me to continue loving them still. I want to give them a chance, who am I even to not do so? Besides I know that they have a reason I must hear about.
Nakapasok na kami sa loob ng dungeon. Katulad ng dati, madilim pa rin sa loob nito at mga maliliit na ilaw lang sa gilid ang nagbibigay liwanag.
"It's cell number 25, Ms. Clardia. On the second floor. I'll just be staying here." Sgt. Harvey said.
"Okay," I answered. I roam my eyes around first on the ground floor. I saw the three other elites in the cell no. 7. Yes, they were also captured. Yung iba nilang mga kasamahan ay nahuli rin at kasalukuyang nakakulong dito sa dungeon ng Eros.
Then, I started approaching the stairs going to the second floor of this circular prison. Habang humahakbang ay nakaramdam agad ako ng hingal. Ewan ko ba, hindi naman ako mabilis mapagod pero ngayon, onting hakbang pala ay nahihirapan na 'ko.
Kahit matagal ay narating ko pa rin ang ikalawang palapag. I immediately looked for cell no. 25. I didn't had a hard time finding it cause it's just near the stairs.
I saw Dad and Mom sitting on the floor with a thick blanket on it. It's dim out there. It hurts me seeing them like this.
"M-Mom, Dad..." I called both of them. They immediately turned their gazes at me.
"Clardia... Clardia, anak..." si Dad. He stood up from his sit and Mom did the same.
When we are already facing each other, a sudden silence ensued between us for a while.
"Why?" I asked, directly gazing at them. "Why did you never told me about it? That our family is involved with the chaos here in Acelatoria??"
"Clardia, we intended to not let you know about it. Cause we are afraid that you won't understand us..." Mom answered.
"I don't really understand, Mom. Is Dad... really the one who killed Xavier's grandmother?"
Nagkatinginan silang dalawa. Then Dad lowered his head afterwards. I noticed him wiping his tears while sniffing.
He now lifted his gaze. "A-Anak... S-Sorry... Sorry, sorry. Patawarin mo 'ko. I was blinded by my anger to Sabrina that t-time."
"But you kill your majesty as well."
"I... I attempted to do that b-but, it wasn't me who actually killed him, a-anak."
"I saw it with both of my eyes Dad! You stabbed him! What's the use of denying it anymore?!" I raised my voice.
"It wasn't your Dad, Clardia." Mom spoke in a calmed tone.
"Then who?! Who else?!"
"It's the guy who just showed up at your majesty's throne. He commanded your Dad to do it."
I breath heavily and tried to calm myself.
Is Mom referring to Lt. Lorius?
"Are you not lying to me this point of time?" I asked, looking directly at their eyes.
"We're not." Mom answered with her straight face.
"Dad?"
"I really didn't done it..."
What they're saying starts to sink in to me now. I recalled how Dad struggled to stop himself from plunging the dagger into your majesty's body. And how Lt. Lorius put his two fingers on his temple and command Dad to kill the latter. Does that mean that Lt. Lorius have the same ability as I am? Is he a traitor? Is he... an enemy?
But there's something that is also bothering me more than that: How come I didn't get to control Dad's mind? Why do I felt powerless that time?
Muntik na naman akong matumba nang bigla akong mahilo.
Ano ba 'tong nararamdaman ko? Why do I keep on feeling dizzy?
"Clardia, anak, ayos ka lang ba?" Dad asked, his brows furrowed. He is the second person who asked me that today.
"Aren't you eating properly, Clardia? You look so thin and pale." Mom said, with a hint concern in her voice.
I stared at them. "I'm fine. I need to go now."
I was about to turn my back when Dad spoke.
"Anak... Mahal ka ni Dad."
I swallowed a lump on my throat.
Then, I turned my back without saying anything.
Masama pa rin ang loob ko kayla Mom at Dad. Hindi ko matanggap na... nagawa ni Dad bumawi ng buhay ng ibang tao para makapaghiganti. Hindi gano'n ang pagkakakilala ko sa kan'ya. That's why I can't deny that I feel disappointed and betrayed.
I can't forgive yet. At least not at this moment.
"You're such a gentleman are you? You really gave us food and water."
Narinig ko ang boses ni VU nang pababa ako sa hagdan. Mukhang kausap niya si Sgt. Harvey.
"Probably, he's just pretending so don't believe to his actions easily. He's still a man." Pherkad said.
"She's right, VU." Leticia agreed.
"We're not all the same. Don't compare us to each other." sagot ni Sergeant sa kanila.
"Stop cleaning yourself. Don't be a hypocrite." si Pherkad.
"I'm not cleaning myself. I know that I'm not perfect but, I'm trying to be one of those people who want to make a difference in this planet especially, that I'm a Sergeant. I should be a role model to everyone."
"A man of his principles, eh?" si VU.
"Principles my ass." Pherkad spat.
"You're beautiful." Sgt. Harvey then, said. Bigla silang natahimik lahat. "But, I don't like your attitude though."
"Pfft. Let's have a shake hands, Sergeant. I don't like her attitude too. Her mood is sometimes very hard to complement with." Leticia commented.
Nakababa na 'ko ng hagdan at nakita ko si Sgt. Harvey na nakaharap sa isang selda. I went closer and saw the other elites inside. Nakinig muna ako sa usapan nila at hindi nagpakita.
"Elites?? Hello? He's our enemy may I remind you." Pherkad rolled her eyes.
"Wait, who cooked this food? It's so tasty! Do you have a female chef in the palace?" VU asked.
"It's Chef Justine's foods. He really makes the most delicious recipes in this Kingdom." Sgt. Harvey answered her.
"The man with two dimples? Is that him?"
"You're right."
"I think I already fought him. He's actually a good fighter too."
"If you knew a good fighter Epsilon, I just met the most clumsy man I've ever known. I always strikes against him. I can't believe he's even part of the army." kuwento ni Leticia. Nakikita kong kumakain siya sa lapag ng selda.
"Are you referring to Lt. Charles?" Sgt. Harvey asked.
"I don't know. But, I'm sure I met him in Thoren Palace before."
"Then, maybe that's really him. He's not actually clumsy. He just not like taking things that serious."
"Oh,"
Maya-maya nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa pagitan nila. Walang nagsasalita, hanggang sa may itanong si Sgt. Harvey.
"I... I'm actually been thinking on why your organization suddenly decided to ambush Ace Palace. I mean, the Royals didn't made any actions to trigger you all for a war. I bet you didn't do it by merely having the old grudges with you." He said gazing at the Elites.
That made me think too. He have a point. For their organization to suddenly have such impulsive decision, they must have such great reason that pushed them to do all of this.
"Is it because you knew that they have already located your fortress? Is that it?" He asked again when nobody answered.
"Why are you acting like you didn't know anything?" asik ni Pherkad.
"What do you mean?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Sergeant.
"Didn't the royals killed numbers of Hallenors this past weeks? Didn't they killed the Farkadains? Why do you act so innocent about it? It just annoys me more."
I saw how mad Pherkad is with her tightly gripped hands and flaring eyes.
So that's it. They believed a lie that's why all of this happened. I walked away from where I am and let them see my presence. They all lifted their gazes on me.
"Ms. Clardia," Sgt. Harvey said, acknowledging my presence.
I turned my eyes on the Elites inside the cell. "The Royals didn't do it. You're all fools for believing that."
Then, I lead the way out of the dungeon. Hindi ko na sila nilingon. Naramdaman kong nakasunod naman sa aking likuran si Sgt. Harvey. Nagdire-diretso lang kami hanggang sa sumalubong samin si Lt. Neud na kung saan-saan lumilingon at parang may hinahanap.
"Lieutenant," bati dito ni Sgt. Harvey.
"Flirty girl." He turned his gaze on me. I raised a brow. "Have you seen, Celeste?"
"And why are you looking for her?" T
tanong ko.
"I... I'm just worried. I haven't seen her yet today." umiwas siya ng tingin.
"She's in front of my room door's earlier. Right Sergeant? You two are together?"
"What do you mean 'they are together'?" Nangunot ang noo ni Sore eyes.
"Together. As in physically together. You're overthinking. Stop making yourself jealous, Lt. Neud." I said, teasing him.
"W-What the heck? Shut up, flirty girl."
"Lieutenant, I will look for Celeste." Sgt. Harvey said. "If it's only okay for Ms. Clardia that'll I'll leave for now..."
"Sure, no prob." I answered.
"No." Matigas na sabi ni Sore eyes. Napatingin kami sa kan'ya. "I'm the one who'll find her. Instead. Thank for your offer, Sergeant."
"No." sabi ko rin. "Sergeant, go with Lieutenant. Find Celeste together. That's an order from me."
Nakita ko kung pa'no ako binigyan ng masamang tingin ni Lt. Neud. Tusukin ko mata niya dyan eh.
"Go, leave now."
Matapos kong sabihin 'yon ay lumakad na nga paalis silang dalawa. Samantalang ako naman ay nagtuloy-tuloy ng aking daan pabalik sa aking kuwarto.
But, I didn't went inside my room. I gaze at the room adjacent to mine. Lumapit ako dito at sinubukang buksan ang pinto. Pero katulad ng dati, naka-lock pa rin ito. I tried to put my ears closer to the it. I heard nothing but silence.
Napagdesisyunan kong katukin ito ng tatlong beses.
"Xavier... It's me, Clardia, your wife. Please open up now... I'm already so worried. Let me empathize with you, okay? You know that I'll always understand your feelings as I can."
I sat on the floor, my back facing his door. "I'm so tired right now, hubby. I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted. I don't know what to do with my parents. I love them but, I can't just accept what they have done. I need you... But, you're not here beside me. I can't blame you though. Maybe you're mad at me. Sometimes I'm even thinking that you don't love me anymore. And it hurts me. It hurts me a lot, Xavier.
Napayuko na lang ako sa sarili kong mga tuhod habang yakap ito. "I miss you so much... I'll wait here until you open up... I love you, hubby."
***
Opened my eyes slowly as I got awake. It seems like I have slept outside Xavier's room earlier. I tried to move but, my whole body aches. Ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko at nilalamig din ako. Para 'kong nilalagnat.
"Bes! Gising ka na ba?" tanong ni Zain sabay lapit sa kama ko.
I roamed my eyes around first and saw Nebula—on Kiefer's arm—and Celeste on the side, both gazing at me. I also saw Tito Cranstan talking to a man with long white coat on the other side.
Then I now directly looked at Zain. "What... happened to me?"
"Nakita ka ni Kiefer na walang malay sa labas ng kuwarto ni Prince Xavier, Clard. Tapos nung chineck namin ung temperature mo, inaapoy ka na sa lagnat." she said. The word 'concern' is etched all over her face.
He didn't opened-up.
Hanggang kailan mo ba gagawin 'to, Xavier?
Alang-ala na 'ko sayo...
I tried to sit on my bed while Zain helped me. Ang sakit talaga ng katawan ko.
"May gusto ka ba, Clards? Tubig? Pagkain? O baka may masama kang nararamdaman? Sabihin mo lang sa'kin." she said, fixing my pillows so that I can lean on it.
"I'm cold... and I want some water." I answered.
"Okay, okay."
Tinawag niya si Celeste at Kiefer. She asked the former to get me a glass of water while the latter put Nebula on my lap to keep me warm. I'm already wearing sweater and socks yet, I feel so cold.
"Hi, Clardia! How are you feeling? Does your headache? Do you feel dizzy? Nauseated? Do you want to sleep again?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Nebula.
"Don't bombard her with questions. Ikaw talagang aso ka kita mong kakagising palang nitong kaibigan ko, eh." saway ni Zain sa kan'ya. Ganyan talaga 'yan kapag maysakit ako. Daig pa niya nanay ko.
"But, seriously Clardey. How are you?" tanong ni Kiefer. Bakas din ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya.
"Honestly... I'm not feeling good but, I think it's not that bad." sagot ko naman at tumango siya. "By the way... Why is Tito here?"
"When I saw you outside Prince Xavier's room, I asked help to Mr. Lincoln and he called Prince Cranstan. Actually, he just arrived here. Mukhang nagmadali siyang pumunta dito."
"Oh," I looked at Tito. He's still talking to the man with a white coat which is probably a doctor.
Maya-maya lang ay parehas silang lumingon sa banda ko. Tito Cranstan has furrowed brows and pursed lips. May sinabi pa sa kan'ya yung doktor bago ito yumuko at nagpaalam. Tito then went out of the room as well without saying anything to me.
Binuhat ko si Nebula paalis sa may hita ko at dahan-dahan akong umalis sa aking kama.
"Saan ka pupunta, Clard?" tanong ni Zain.
"I have to talk to Tito."
Tumayo na 'ko at naglakad palabas ng aking kuwarto.
"Ms. Clardia," sumalubong sa'kin si Sgt. Harvey sa labas. Hindi na ko nakasagot sa kanya dahil agad akong lumingon sa magkabilaang hallway upang hanapin si Tito.
He is in front of Xavier's room.
Nasa tapat pa 'ko ng aking kuwarto nang biglang kumalabog nang malakas.
Sinipa ni Tito 'yung pinto ng kuwarto ni Xavier. Nasira agad ito.
He immediately went inside it. He looks furious.
Sinundan ko siya habang umaalalay ako sa pader.
"Ms. Clardia, please just stay here," sabi ni Sgt. Harvey pero 'di ko pinansin ang sinabi niya.
Pumasok ako sa loob ng kwarto ni Xavier. Madilim dito. Walang kaliwa-liwanag. When my eyes have adopted to the light, I saw Xavier sitting on the edge of his bed—his eyes closed. Meanwhile, Tito was already in front of him, standing. I roamed my eyes further to his room. Nanindig ang mga balahibo ko nang makitang halos lahat ng mga gamit sa kanyang kuwarto ay nakalutang. Literal na nakalutang bukod sa kamang inuupuan niya.
I was only at the corner and trembling while being froze to my place.
"XAVIER," Tito called his son. His voice was deep and threatening. Ngayon ko lang narinig ang ganitong pananalita ni Tito. Nakakatakot siya.
"XAVIER." ulit nito nang hindi natinag ang anak niya. Ngayon ay napansin kong nanginginig ang kan'yang mga kamao.
Nang hindi pa rin sumagot si Xavier ay nagulat ako nang biglang tumama ang kamao ni Tito sa kan'ya. Kasabay nito ang tila pagsabog ng malakas na enerhiya at ang biglang pagbagsak ng lahat ng mga gamit na nakalutang kanina. Tumama ang likod ko sa pader at dahan-dahan akong napaupo sa sahig.
"Ah!" Dumaing ako sa sakit.
I felt something streaming down in between of my legs. My hand trembles as I touched it.
It's a violet liquid. A blood.
ฅ'ω'ฅ