4 days before the 2nd full moon...
Lolo Isco's daughter texted Maica about his burial. Maaga na daw itong ililibing since wala na namang hinihintay na kapamilya. Agad na tinawagan ni Maica si Liza. Napag-usapan kasi nilang makikipaglibing sila kay Lolo Isco.
Liza: Let's just meet them at the church.
Maica: Sige. Magkita na lang tayo bukas.
It's still midnight and she was waken up by something, maybe the cold breeze of air. Na-realize nyang nasa kama nya sya at wala na si Dylan. She smiled, sila na nga pala. And she fell asleep thinking about Dylan.
Pinagmamasdan lang ni Jayden mula sa bintana nito si Maica. Nalulungkot sya sa mga nangyayari.
"You can't fall in love with him, Regina mea. He'll kill you. Sasaktan ka nya. Sasaktan ka nya ng sobra."
3 days before the 2nd full moon
Kinabukasan, maaga pa lang ay nakaayos na si Maica. She's wearing a black dress and black high heeled shoes. Humarap sya sa salamin. Napakunot ang noo nya ng mapansin lumabo ang repleksyon nya. Pinunasan nya ang salamin pero ganon pa din ang itsura nya. Nang tingnan naman ang sarili, mukha pa din naman sya tao??well, she's still visible. Doon nya naalala, she's a vampire. Hindi na sya normal na tao. May mga mangyayari sa kanya na dapat na nyang asahan. She better prepare for the worst, for lusting human blood and for drinking it. She takes a deep breath and turns away from the mirror.
She's about to leave the house ng biglang mapansin ang paparating na kotse. It stopped in front of her.
Kunot ang noong lumabas ng kotse si Dylan, "why are you dressed like that?"
"Makikipaglibing ako kay Lolo Isco. Nasa simbahan na si Liza."
"Can I come with you?"
"Ah..o, sige. Bakit ka pala nandito? Di ba may trabaho ka?"
"Nag-off ako. I want to ask you out," he said then smiled widely, "pero mukhang naunahan na ako ni Lolo Isco."
"Buti na nga lang, wala kaming klase ngayon."
Sumakay na sya sa kotse nito. At first, awkward ang pakiramdam nya. Hindi nya kasi alam kung paano maging girlfriend. Pasilip-silip lang sya dito while he's busy, driving.
"Uh...Dylan?"
"Yes?"
"Kumaen ka na?"
Dylan smiled devilishly at her..
"Pwede ba? Wag kang ngumiti ng ganyan? I'm just trying to act like a nice girlfriend," namula naman sya sa paraan ng pagkakangiti nito.
"I don't like nice girlfriend. I like you to be yourself. And to answer your question, yes, kumaen na ako."
"Hmp. Ang hirap mo naman kasi basahin. Alam mo bang kayo lang ng mga kasamahan mo, yung mga nurse ni Jayden at si Jayden lang ang hindi ko nababasa ang nasa isip? Kaya nga napagtanto ko na puro sa mga normal lang ang itsura gumagana ang powers ko eh."
"Si Dr. Serafim? Hindi mo din nababasa ang nasa isip nya?"
"oo. Pero in fairness, mas madali basahin sa mukha ang iniisip nya. He's super nice and friendly."
"And me?"
"Ang hirap mo basahin. Laging blangko ang mukha mo tapos minsan ka lang ngumiti. You're very intimidating."
He raised his eyebrow at that, "Intimidating?? So sinasabi mong mas gusto mo sya?"
"Hindi ah. I just like him as my older brother. Ang dami kasi nyang trivia at payo. At alam mo, madami din syang alam sa mga katulad ko."
" Vampires??"
"oo."
"I see."
"B-But I like you more," wika nya ng mapansing kumunot ang noo nito.
Dylan smiled at that and hold her hand, "Good. And..Cassandra.. you look stunning in black. It compliments your skin."
She smiled bitterly and tighten her hold of his hand, "Yeah. My pale skin..ahm.. kapag naging bampira na ako at hindi ko na kayang kontrolin ang sarili ko...can you..can you please...kill me?"
Biglang nagpreno ito sa pagkabigla, "What?"
"K-Kapag nakapanakit na ako ng tao...and I became a monster.. I want you to k-kill me."
"Let's not talk about it, Cassandra," malamig na wika nito, closing the subject.
"P-Pero baka—"
"Cassandra."
Maica just sighed, "Ok."
Huminto na sila sa tapat ng simbahan at nakita nya si Liza sa tapat ng bahay. Napansin nyang sakto din ang damit ni Dylan, a dark blue longsleeve polo, almost black.
"hm..at bakit nandito si future bf?" her friend asked.
"AH.. Kami na," she confessed, blushing.
"OMG!! Kayo na? Sinagot mo na sya?"
She nodded.
"Congrats, Dylan. Nakoo..wag mong saktan ang kaibigan ko ha."
"I'll never want to hurt her."
"Pasok na tayo. Madami na bang tao?"
"Kaunti nga lang eh. Tara na."
Hinawakan ni Dylan ang kamay nya, she looked down at their linked hands and smile. She tightens her hold and look up at him. Tumingin ito sa kanya. For a moment, they stared at each others eyes. Naalis lang ang tingin nya dito ng hilahin na sya ni Liza sa braso.
Pagpasok pa lang sa simbahan, nahirapan na syang huminga. The church's not even crowded and yet, she's suffocating. Pinilit nyang magtagal pa dahil nag-uumpisa na ang misa. Pero habang tumatagal, napapasandal na sya sa balikat ni Dylan. She tried to act normal para hindi mag-alala si Liza. Kunwari ay gusto nya lang humilig sa balikat ng boyfriend nya and she can read her bestfriends mind. Natutuwa ito para sa kanila ni Dylan and she thinks that Maica's just acting like a sweet girlfriend. Nadako ang tingin nya sa estatwa ng mga santo. They look angry..and when she looked at the statue of God..He looked sad. Napapikit na lang sya..there she realized..ang una ay sa chapel nila..ngayon ay sa simbahan. It's now clear to her.
Napansin ni Dylan ang pagbilis ng paghinga ni Cassandra. He look at her..napakunot ang noo nya ng mapansin ang pawis nito at ang paghawak sa dibdib. She's panting while her eyes closed.
"Cassandra? Are you okay?" Dylan asked noticing her problem.
"No.. I...I..can't...breath..Dylan." habol ang hiningang sagot nya.
Agad nyang itinayo si Cassandra at inalalayan palabas. At pagkalaba, doon lang ito nakahinga ng maayos. Nasa tapat sila ng mismong pinto at doon nakatayo. She rested her forehead against his chest and heard her weak voice.
"God hates me. I am not allowed to enter His kingdom, His house. God hates my being.. Dylan. I am a creature from hell.. cursed being from hell.."
"You're not yet a vampire, Cassandra.. Pwede mo pang pigilan yan..pwede mo pang—"
"Maica?? Ok ka lang? Bakit lumabas kayo?" tanong ng kaibigan nya.
"B-Bigla akong nahilo. H-Hindi ko na kayang makipaglibing, Liza."
"Ganon ba? O sige, magpahinga ka na."
"Ok ka lang ba?"
"Oo naman. I can handle myself. Sige na, Dylan, ihatid mo na sya."
Naging tahimik lang ang byahe nila ni Dylan. Nakatingin lang sya sa labas ng bintana to hide her tears.
"Impyerno din pala ang bagsak ko. God can't accept me as one of his sons, as one of his own."
" Lord, bakit ganon? I know you dont want to hate me..but why do this fate have to be so unfair? Ang gusto ko lang naman, simpleng buhay tapos ngayon...ngayon ..kahit anong pagpapakabait ko, kahit anong pagsunod ko sa salita Mo, impyerno pa din ang sasalubong sakin. Ni hindi ako makalapit Sayo. Lord..bakit ako pa? Sa lahat ng pwedeng itakwil ng langit? "
Paghinto ng kotse sa tapat ng bahay nila, dare-daretso na syang bumaba at pumasok sa loob. Paakyat na sana sya ng pigilan sya ni Dylan. He stared at her and tugged her tired body against him. He hugged her tightly.
"Don't stop talking to Him. He'll hear you. He'll make miracles for you.. for those who have faith in Him, for those who deserves miracles. We'll work things out, Cassandra."
She just hugged him back, gripping hard in his words, trying hard to believe in Him.
"Hindi mo ako iiwan? Wag mo akong iiwan, Dylan," she pleaded.
He kissed her head, "Hindi kita iiwan."
Nang kumalma na si Cassandra, saka lang napilitang umalis si Dylan. Tinatawagan na sya ng mga kasamahan nya and he also need to tell them ang mga sinabi ni Cassandra sa kanya.
Nang makarating sa bahay nila. "Bakit?" tanong ni Dylan ng mapansin ang seryosong mukha ng mga kasama.
Si Nico ang unang nagsalita, "Our current master hunter is very busy. Ilang linggo na din syang hindi nagpaparamdam at sinasabi lang ni Jared na nasa main laboratory to. Wala ba syang instruction sayo?"
Napakunot ang noo nya, "Wala. Bakit nasa main lab sya?"
"We also don't know. Bigla ngang ipinatapon sa isang branch ng lab si Jared."
"Call Jared. Mukhang may ibang binabalak ang magaling kong ama."
"Bakit ang sama ata ng araw mo?" puna naman ni Vlad sa kanya.
"Ah..yeah.. Look for Jayden Serafim's file. Hindi gumagana ang kapangyarihan ni Cassandra sa kanya as well as sa atin. So I assume hindi ordinaryong doktor ang lalakeng yon."
"Woah..he's either hunter or vampire eh? We can't classify him as a wizard dahil matagal nang extinct ang lahi nila."
"Yeah..I heard na nakita ng buong mundo kung paano sinunog ang lahat ng witch at wizard sa ibang bansa."
"Isa pa..Cassandra's being punished inside the church," he smiled bitterly, "God's updated on what's happening here."
"Woah..di kung sa loob lang pala sya ng simbahan mamamatay, di dalhin at ikulong na lang natin sya doo—"
Nagdilim ang paningin ni Dylan sa sinabi ni Nico. Huli na ng maisip ang ginawa..nasapak na nya ito at kinwelyuhan.
"Don't you dare talk about her death, Nicholas. Not in front of me."
"Ano ka ba, Dylan??! Our mission is to kill the elite as soon as possible para hindi na to makalaban pa sa atin!"Nico shouted at her.
"Tama si Nico, Dylan. Ano bang nangyayari sayo? Mukhang masyado ka nang naaapektuhan ng elite?" dagdag ni Vlad.
"Remember, Dylan, bampira si Cassandra. We, hunters, can't live with vampires because we live to kill them. Wag mong masyadong seryosohin ang panliligaw mo sa kanya," Phillip said.
Ilang segundo pa syang nagtitigan sa mga ito and he smiled sardonically at them, he step back a little, when he finally realized...
"You should have reminded me bago nya ako sinagot, bago ko naramdaman ang hindi ko dapat maramdaman para sa isang bampira, bago ko hinayaan ang sarili kong maging masaya kasama sya."
He turned away and walked out..habang napamura na lang ang mga kasamahan nya.
2 days before the second full moon.
Niyaya ni Jayden si Maica magkape habang wala pa silang pasyente at wala pa din ginagawa. Lumabas sila sa clinic at naglakad papunta sa vendo. It's 4:30 in the afternoon at palubog na din ang araw. Minsan, kapag tahimik lang silang naglalakad, pinagmamasadan nya ang anino nya at ni Liza but today..she noticed..wala sya anino..at pati si Jayden.
"Tingnan mo oh, parehas tayong walang anino."
Jayden smiled, "Oo nga noh. Ano kayang meron sa araw ngayon?"
"Baka hindi lang tumatama satin ang light?"
"Maybe. Oo nga pala... may na-research na akong bago about sa mga katulad mo."
"Talaga? Ano yun?"
"Vampires are not allowed inside the church.. Hindi man sila mamatay, hindi sila makakagalaw ng ayos."
"I discovered that yesterday. Muntik na talaga ako dun. Buti na lang nandon si Dylan...kung wala siguro sya dun.."
"Oh. Isa pa..may mga pumapatay ng bampira. They are called hunters."
"hunters?"
"Vampire Hunters actually. Yun ang nakita ko."
"Meron pa ba non hanggang ngayon?"
"Malay natin. Malay natin nasa tabi mo lang.." he said mysteriously.
"Pero bakit hindi pa nya ako pinapatay?"
"Maybe because he wanted you to suffer more..yung tipong pahihirapan ka. Kaya please, wag kang masyadong magtiwala sa mga taong bigla na lang lumalapit sayo."
She then smiled, her heart knew someone who will protect her, "Don't worry, nasa tabi ko na si Dylan. He'll never leave me. And I know he'll protect me."
"W-What?" natigilan ito.
"Sir Jayden, minsan ang slow mo. Kami na ni Dylan."
"Kayo na?"
"Yes."
Jayden seemed to be lost in his thoughts hanggang sa mabayuot na nito ang paper cup.
"Jayden?"
"What if he's a hunter?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper and as if controlling a seething anger.
"He's not, Jayden. Wag ka ngang ganyan."
Jayden sighed sadly, "Maica..please, just be careful."
Pabalik na sila ng clinic ng masalubong si Dylan. Kitang-kita ni Jayden ang pagbabago sa itsura ng dalawa. Maica's eyes turned fuchsia while staring at him while Dylan's features softened for her..a small smile lingering on his lips. Jayden felt a pang of pain while looking at them. Kung ordinaryong tao lang sila, he'll let them pero hindi. Maica's their queen and Dylan's their enemy.
Maica's feeling awkward ng makasalubong si Dylan.Hindi nya malaman kung paano ia-approach sa school ang isang boyfriend. Well, isang security guard at gwapong boyfriend. Nagulat na lang sya ng hawakan ni Dylan ang kamay nya.
"How are you?" his simple question made her heart swell with love. It's the way he asked her, his eyes searching inside her soul.
"O-Ok na ako."
"Good. Pauwi ka na ba?"
"H-Hindi pa."
"Hihintayin na lang kita sa office. Madami pa akong isa-submit na report sa presidente eh."
She nods, "Sige."
Nang makaalis si Dylan, dun lang nya na-realize na nasa tabi pa din nya si Jayden.
"Hmm.."
"Tara na nga."
"Be careful, Maica. Don't fall for him too much dahil baka kapag nasaktan ka nya, hindi ka na makabangon. May mga taong nangangailangan sayo."
Napatango na lang sya. Nagtataka sya sa mga ikinikilos nito ngayon. He looks desperate and somehow pained pero hindi naman nya ito maintindihan. But for him, she'll be careful.
Pauwi na sya ng makita si Liza na tuliro na naman. Dalawang araw na lang kasi at magko-concert na si Christian Bautista at kelangan pa nya ng mga pirma mula sa department heads. Lalapitan na sana nya ito ng maunahan ni Nico. Liza lighten up and she saw her panicked mind calm.
Napangiti na lang sya at dumaretso na sa office ni Dylan. Sumilip sya at nakita itong mag-isa at nakayuko sa mesa nito. Umupo sya sa harap ng table nito.
"Ok ka lang ba?" she asked trying to read his mind.
Dylan looked up and smiled, "Hm? Andito ka na pala. Lets go?"
"Mukhang masama ang pakiramdam mo?"
"My head aches.."
"Bakit? Uminom ka na ba ng gamot? Teka..ihihingi kita—"
Bago pa sya makalayo, nahawakan na ni Dylan ang kamay nya. And before she had the chance to react, he kissed her again..but this time..it's so much nicer. She closed her eyes and give in on the feel of his lips. When their lips parted, Dylan smiled. "That's enough."
Sumimangot naman sya dito, "Kahit kelan talaga magnanakaw ka."
"I'm not. I didn't steal that kiss."
" you did," this time, napangiti na sya.
"I didn't."
"Next time, magpaalam ka naman please. Ayokong nabibigla."
"As you wish, my vampress."
Nagkangitian na lang sila at saka nya hinawakan ang kamay nito. Nakasalubong nila si Phillip at Vlad. She smiled at them pero hindi man lang sya tiningnan ng mga ito.
"Galit ba sila sakin?" she asked Dylan.
"No."
"E bakit ganon sila?"
"Ganon lang talaga sila minsan. Don't mind them."
Pagkauwi nila, Maica asked Dylan to stay for a while. Pumayag naman ito at nag-dinner sa kanila. Pagkakaen, magkatabi silang umupo sa sofa at nanood ng tv. "alam mo, parang pakiramdam ko, ayaw ni Jayden sayo," kwento nya dito ng maalala ang usapan nila ng gwapong doctor.
"hm? Bakit?"
"Ewan ko. Nung sinabi ko kasi sa kanya na tayo na, parang bigla syang nag-iba. Ayoko pa naman kapag seryoso sya. Nakakatakot. Tsaka may nabanggit din sya tungkol sa mga hunters."
He stilled, "Hunters? What about hunters?"
"Sabi nya, they kill vampires. Tapos he keeps on telling me to be careful dahil marami pang umaasa sakin. Maybe because of my powers?? Makakatulong pa ako sa iba?"
"M-Maybe. What else did he told you?"
"What if daw you're a hunter? Eh hindi naman di ba? Kasi kung hunter ka, di matagal mo na ako pinatay. Tsaka bakit naman liligawan mo pa ako kung hunter ka?"
Dylan looked away, "I will never hurt you."
Hinawakan nya ang kamay nito at ngumiti, "I know. You'll never want to hurt me. I trust you, Dylan. Ikaw lang ang pinagkatiwalaan ko ng ganito that even my life depends on you."
"Don't say that. Your life depends to no one. You'll run your own life, Cassandra."
"But I want to run it with you. Gusto ko kasama kita."
He tugged her against his chest and hugged her, she can feel the wild beating of his heart, "I will be with you..i'll do everything to be with you, Cassandra."
Nang lumalim na ang gabi, nagpaalam na si Dylan. Pero nanatili syang nakatingin sa bintana ni Cassandra. His heart aches, hindi na nya maintindihan ang nangyayari sa loob ng puso nya. Tuluyan na nyang hindi makontrol ang mga pangyayari. Tuluyan ng lumalim ang nararamdman nya kay Cassandra and yet he still have to kill her.
Umuwi sya na malaki ang problema. Nakita nya ang mga kasamahan na seryosong nag-uusap sa sala. Hindi na lang sana nya papansinin ang mga ito ng tawagin sya ni Nico.
"Dylan."
"What?"
"Alam mong misyon natin ang patayin ang lahat ng bampira."
"I know."he answered coldly.
"Pero bakit nagkakaganyan ka? At sa isang bampira pa?"
"Hindi ko din maintindihan, Nico!!! I can't even understand myself!!! See?!!! Hindi ko pa to nararamdman kahit kaninong babae!! Even with Veronica!! When I'm with Cassandra, masaya ako, my soul relaxes when she's near, when she's with me!!! Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari sa akin!! All I wanted is to be with her! Damn it!"
"anak ng tupa!! In love ka, pre!!" Vlad shouted ng marinig ang mga sinabi nya.
Natigilan sya, "I'm what?"
"You're in L-O-V-E, love..at sa kamalas-malasan mo, na-inlove ka sa elite," Phillip concluded.
"I don't love. Alam nyong lahat yan. Si mama lang ang minahal ko."
"Then what do you call that thing? Yang gumugulo sayo? Yang nararamdaman mo para kay Cassandra?" Nico asked.
"h-hindi ko alam. I'm not capable of loving. I grew up without a heart."
"Tsk. Then you must know it on your own and better make it fast..ramdam ko na ang malaking pagdating ng bagyo na dala ng elite."
"Isa pa, si Jayden Serafim. Hindi sya hunter. At malinis ang lahat ng records nya na isa syang normal at ordinaryong doktor."
"He's a vampire, damn it!! Kaya kumukulo ang dugo ko sa kanya tuwing kasama nya si Cassandra."
"Pare,,that's what humans call selos.You know."
"That's another thing..pero halos sabihin na nya ang lahat kay Cassandra. Konti na lang at malalaman na nya ang lahat."
"Then let's go vamp hunting."
"No. Pakikiramdaman natin sila. Hindi pwedeng patayin agad sya ngayon dahil may alam na si Cassandra. Magtataka sya kapag biglang namatay si Jayden pagkatapos nyang sabihin sakin ang alam nya."
"Fine. Fine. Master InLove Hunter."
He just glared at their amused looks at saka umakyat sa kwarto nya. He change his clothes at humiga sa kama. When he closed his eyes, ang tanging nakikita nya ay si Cassandra. Her hunting beautiful face. That's when he started thinking for their future but he can't see it. He can't imagine his future with her, a vampire and a hunter, magpapatayan lang silang dalawa. He smiled at the thought of that. Kapag naging mag-asawa sila, magiging pisikal ang away nila that even their kids will have to use their power para patigilin sila.
His eyes snapped open when he really saw their future..Cassandra and him..with their kids..fighting happily with each other. Napangiti na lang sya when he remember their kiss earlier. He covered his forehead and laugh silently..
Dylan: It's nice..
Pero nawala din ang ngiti nya ng maalala ang misyon nya. Kung gusto nyang pagkatiwalaan sya ni Cassandra, kailangan nyang sabihin ang lahat dito. He has to tell her everything bago pa nito malaman sa iba. He has to tell her bago ito tuluyang mamuhi sa kanya. Hindi na muna nya iisipin ang ikatlong kabilugan ng buwan. Ang mahalaga ay ang mapanatili nya ito sa tabi nya. He'll just think about his father's anger later kapag nandon na.
On the other hand..desidido na si Jayden sabihin ang lahat kay Maica. Dumating na ang araw na kailangan nyang ilaban ang kanilang reyna.
"Prepare all the knights, Felix. Ipakalat nyo sila bukas sa buong university."
"Kikilos na tayo?" Garrett asked.
"Yes. We'll get her whether she like it or not. I'm desperate. The second full moon will show up tomorrow night and she will need our blood. She will need us. Make sure na may malapit na bampira sa kanya once she crave for blood.
Wag hayaang makalapit sa kanya ang hunters lalong-lalo na si Dylan."
"Pero..mas mabuti kung dugo mo ang makuha nya. You deserve to be our king, Jayden. Ikaw ang may kakayahang humawak ng isang imperyo."
"I agree with Garrett."Felix added.
"I also hope so.. kahit hindi ako maging hari.. Ang gusto ko lang ay matulungan ang lahat ng kauri natin. At kapag nasiguro ko na maayos na ang lahat, I can go back to hell."
"Kakaiba ka talaga. Pagkatapos mo paghirapan, iiwan mo ang langit na ginawa mo para sa amin?"
Jayden smiled sadly, "Gusto ko lang tuparin ang pangako ko kay Lessandra. She died fighting for our dream..and I will die doing the same thing."
"I admire your love, Jayden. I admire your devotion. But I think it's time for you to let go of her."
"I let her go a long time ago. Pero wala pa akong planong magmahal ulit. Kailangan ko pang ayusin ang buhay natin."
Felix grinned, "Why not try our regina? She's beautiful..the most beautiful among all of us..and maybe you're her Gabriel. Isa pa ding malaking misteryo ang katauhan ni Gabriel. No one really knew his appearance. Sa loob ng ilang libong taon, walang kahit isa ang nakapagtago ng litrato ni Gabriel..at tanging si Corazon lang ang nakakaalam non."
Last day before the 2nd full moon...
Christian Bautista's Concert...
Busy pa sa pag-aayos ng sarili si Maica ng makita nya sa sala si Dylan.
"Bakit nandito ka?" she asked.
"Well, I want to escort you."
"Escort? Bakit?"
He crossed his arms on his chest and laid his head back, closing his eyes, "I hate to think that someone will realize that he likes you because of how you look today. Why do you have to prepare this much?"
Tinaasan nya ng kilay ito, "Of course, concert to ng ultimate crush ko. Tsaka sa itsura mong yan, may magtangka pa kaya sayong manulot?"
He frowned that made her smile. " Sige na. Mauna ka na sa school. Matagal pa ako dito eh. Ang aga mo naman kasi."
Tumayo ito at naglakad palabas, "Ang tagal kong naghintay dito tapos paaalisin mo lang ako."
She giggled ng marinig ang pagtatampo sa boses nito at talagang parang batang tumalikod sa kanya. Fortunately..suot na nya ang heels that she's able to cling around his neck without tiptoeing.
"You're being childish," she whispered at him.
"Because you're being mean," he said, holding her hand and wrapping her arms around his waist.
She inhaled his sexy dark scent and sighed, "Kung kaya mo talagang maghintay ng matagal."
"I can wait..I will wait for you...even if it's forever."
She hugged him tighter and rested her head against the back of his, "Hm...akala ko masyado kang stiff and cold. Kaya nga ayaw kitang sagutin eh kahit ang pogi pogi mo. E hindi ka naman pala masyadong bato."
"Hindi masyado??"
"Oo. You're sweet. Kinda. Slight."
Dylan chuckled, "Sweet??"
"Hindi ba?"
Humarap na ito sa kanya, a playful smile plastered on his lips, " If you say so. Go. Baka male-late na tayo."
Dumating si Maica at Dylan sa concert grounds na malapit ng mag-umpisa ang concert. Kinawayan na sya ni Liza at humiwalay naman sa kanya si Dylan para magtrabaho. Umupo sya sa tabi ng kaibigan and she excitedly asked about Christian Bautista.
"Ayun kakapasok lang sa dressing room. Ikaw kasi palate-late."
She laughed, "Ok lang yon. Makikita ko naman sya ulit."
4:00 pm.
Lumabas na si Christian Bautista and all the girls including Maica screamed out of their lungs.
Mula sa malayo, Dylan's watching Cassandra. She looks like she's really enjoying that Christian Bautista's voice. Nakangiti lang sya habang pinapanood ito. Pero biglang nawala ang ngiti nya ng mapansing may mga lalakeng palapit ng palapit ng upo dito. Their eyes are fixed only to Cassandra while their lips curved in a very evil grin. That's when he smelled a faint scent of vampires. When he heightened up his senses, he discovered the hundreds of vampires around them. Hindi ito nagawa ng ilang hunters dahil umiinom ang mga ito ng gamot para hindi maamoy si Cassandra. Tinawag nya ang mga kasamahan.
"What?"
"Nagkalat ang bampira sa buong university."
"What?!!!"
"Listen, babantayan ko si Cassandra. Hindi natin alam kung anong pakay nila sa kanya. Ikalat nyo ang lahat ng hunters and I allow you all to go hunt those monsters."
The three answered in chorus, "Yes, master."
Nagulat na lang si Maica ng biglang may umupo sa tabi nya and when she smelled his blood, she relaxed.
"wala ka bang trabaho?"
Dylan smiled, "I pulled out myself. I'm starting to envy that Christian. Do you really have to scream like that?"
"like what?"
"Na parang wala ng bukas."
"Huh. Gusto ko lang ilabas ang kilig ko noh. Hmp. Alangan naman magpakabato lang ako dito like you. Ayoko nga non. Baka kung san pa lumabas tong kilig ko."
"Bakit sakin hindi ka kinikilig ng ganyan?"
"ai..jealous ka nga oh." Natatawang sabi nya dito.
"Dylan, trust me, ayaw mong kiligin sya ng ganyan sayo araw-araw," her friend said.
"oo nga," she agreed.
"Gusto nyo ba ng food?" Liza asked.
"depende."
"Depende san?"
"Depende kapag nilibre mo ako..pero pag hindi.."
"Ang yaman-yaman mo tapos kung makapagpalibre ka, para kang naghihirap."
"Ee..alam mo naman lambing ko lang yun sayo."
"oo na. Sige na. Dylan, bantayan mo yan ha. Kanina ko pa yan gusto itali sa upuan at talagang susgurin nyan ng yakap si Christian."
"Don't worry, I wont let her near that man. I wont let her near to any of my potential rivals."
"hindi mo naman sya rival ah."
"I treat him as my rival. So better behave Cassandra if you don't want to get the center of attention instead of that Christian," banta nito.
"oo na."
Ilang sandali pa, nasi-CR na si Maica. Tumayo sya para mag-CR pero talagang seryoso si Dylan sa pagtino nya sa upuan.
"Ano ka ba? Naiihi na ako."
"Oh. I'll come with you."
"Ba yan, magbabanyo lang ako."
"Malay ko kung bigla mo makasalubong si Christian—"
Maica laughed at his irrational behaviour, "Tara na nga."
Hinila na lang nya ito patayo kesa mangulit na naman tong parang bata. Bago makapunta sa CR, nakasalubong nila si Jayden. He's wearing a midnight blue shirt and pants. Malayong-malayo ang itsura nito sa kilala nyang doktor. She excitedly walked towards him habang hila-hila pa din si Dylan.
"Jayden. Nandito ka din pala."
He offered her his sweet smile, "Of course. Gusto kong makita ang hinahangaan masyado ng student assistant ko."
"Sinong kasama mo?"
"My nurses. Oh," napansin nito si Dylan, "Dylan, good evening."
"Pleasant evening, Dr. Serafim." His voice cold and awry.
"Sige, Jayden. CR muna ako."
Iniwan na muna nya ang dalawa sa labas at pumasok na sa CR. She look at herself on the mirror pero tuluyan ng nawala ang repleksyon nya. She tried to ignore the increasing fear inside her.
Pagkapasok ni Cassandra sa banyo, agad na hinarap ni Dylan si Jayden.
"Vampire." Dylan hissed.
Ngunit nanatiling nakangiti ang bampira, "Hunter."
"Anong kailangan nyo kay Cassandra? You're supposed to protect her pero bakit pinagtatangkaan nyo pa din ang buhay nya?"
"We're different from those vampires, hunter. Hindi ko tatangkaing saktan ang aming reyna. We needed her badly. There's a group of unidentified vampires na gusto syang patayin..well except my brother. He's crazy kaya nya napagtangkaan ang buhay ng reyna. But don't worry, he's now in hell."
"I can sense your courage vampire. Hindi ka takot mamatay."
"I'm not. Pero natatakot ako para sa kapakanan ng reyna. Alam ko ang ginagawa mo hunter. Alam kong ikaw ang papatay sa kanya. Alam kong sasaktan mo lang ang aming reyna."
"I will never hurt her, Serafim."
"Sinasabi mo lang yan ngayon. But in the near future..you'll never escape your fate..No one can ever escape their fate. Kahit ikaw..the future master hunter cannot escape your own fate. And for the meantime.. hinayaan ko sa kamay mo ang aming reyna dahil kami mismo, baka hindi sya ma-protektahan sa kamay ng mga hindi pa kilalang bampira. But tonight, we will fight for her."
Ilang sandali pa silang nagtitigan hanggang sa lumabas na si Cassandra. She smiled at Jayden but she stared at Dylan.
"Maica, can I talk to you in private?" tanong ni Jayden.
"Tungkol saan?"
"About you. May mga nakuha na akong impor—"
"No. She's mine, Serafim."
Maica frowned sa inaasal ni Dylan, "Dylan. Stop it. Kaibigan ko si Jayden at tinutulungan nya akong makilala ang buong pagkatao ko."
"Don't worry, Dylan.."he then stared in his eyes, "I will not tell her things that will hurt her the most."
"Cassandra.."
Niyakap nya ito as she felt some of his fear, "Babalikan kita. Babalik ako sayo and I hope you'll still accept me."
Dylan nods, "I will accept you kahit maging sino ka man."
She giggled at that, "Parang kanta lang eh? Sige. Mauna ka na—hala!! Si Christian, nagpapa-picture na!!! Wait lang Jayden, pwede magpa-picture muna ako sa kanya."
"I will wait for you inside the clinic, regina mea."
"tara na, Dylan."
Hinila na nya si Dylan pero bago pa sila makalapit kay Christian, humarang na si Nico.
"Nico, nakita mo ba si Liza?"
"Ah..yeah, may mga kausap syang estudyante kanina."
"Ganun? Busy pa din sya? TSk. Dylan, pwede isingit mo na ako sa mga babaeng yun? Security ka naman dito eh. Please."
"Ayoko. I'll let you talk to Jayden but I wont let you near that man. Kung gusto mo ng picture, ikukuha ka na ni Nico. Ikuha mo na din si Maica ng autograph, Nico."
"Ok."
After a few minutes, bumalik na si Nico dala-dala ang phone nito at isang papel. Nagbluetooth-tan na sila and she laugh aloud ng makita ang picture.
"Nicholas, sinabi ko bang dapat kasama ka sa picture with that-that peace sign???" Dylan incredulously asked.
Napakamot na lang ng batok si Nico, "Eh..pasensya na. Nadala lang din ako gawa ng mga babae."
"Ang cute mo dito, Nico ah..." Maica said then thinks, "Ibibigay ko to kay Liza. She'll be happy."
"oh eto pang autograph nya. Napagkamalan pa akong bading kasi Cassandra ang ibinigay kong pangalan."
"O sige na, Dylan, kailangan ko pang kausapin si Jayden."
Dylan held her hand tightly, "Bumalik ka sakin. I will wait for you in the forest..near the quiet river na nadaanan natin dati ng 'maligaw tayo'."
"Bakit don?"
"I just want this night to be special for you and me."
"Ok. I'll meet you there."
Nang makarating si Maica sa clinic, bigla na syang kinabahan. She didn't know why pero natatakot na sya, sa maaaring sabihin ni Jayden. Bago pumasok, napansin na nya ang paglabas ng bilog na buwan mula sa makapal na ulap. And when the moonlight struck her, a wave of hunger hit her hard.
That's when a strong scent of blood came to her. Jayden, his eyes turned green.
"pumasok ka."
"J-Jayden.."
"We'll ease your hunger..but first, come with me, regina mea."
Umupo sya sa isang upuan sa clinic at doon pinigil ang matinding pagnanasa sa dugo. Hindi na din sya makapag-isip ng tama dahil sa nararamdaman. But still she managed to wonder why Jayden's eyes are green.
"B-Bakit i-iba ang kulay ng mata mo? M-May contacts k—"
Instead of answering..lumuhod ito sa harap nya, his right hand in front of his stomach, like a knight kneeling in front of his queen.
"Regina mea...the second full moon has come. We, your slaves, will ease your hunger. The first blood you'll taste will be the last blood you'll ever need."
Takot na napatayo sya, "J-Jayden..ano bang kalokohan to—"
Mula sa dilim, lumabas ang ilan pang mga nurse nila, their eyes the same with Jayden and some the color of blood.
Sabay-sabay lumuhod ang mga ito sa harap nya. Tumabi kay Jayden ang dalawang lalake na nagpakilalang Garrett at Felix.
"Jayden!! Ano ba toh??"
Jayden smiled at her showing his white fangs, his white sharp fangs. Napatayo sya bigla, a great surge of fear enveloped her. Gusto nyang tumakbo dahil malapit lang ang pinto sa harap nya. It's not even blocked, meaning hindi sya gustong ikulong ng mga ito. The urge to run and stay for her self battled inside her. Natatakot sya pero ito na lang ang tanging paraan para malaman kung sino talaga sya, kung anong klaseng nilalang sya. The vampires just look at her, measuring her, no one's moving while looking at her, as if they also fear of scaring her away.
"J-Jayden..b-bakit? B-Bampira k-kayong l-lahat."
"Yes, and you're our queen. The last elite ..our last salvation from hunters..from our own fate. We needed you, regina mea, to protect us..protect us from hunters..from humans. Ikaw na lang ang tanging pag-asa ng mga bampira."
"Elite??"
"Sa ngayon, hindi mo pa kayang kontrolin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan mo pero sa ikatlong kabilugan ng buwan, mapapasayo na ang lahat at ang tanging desisyon mo ang bubuhay o ang papatay sa aming lahat."
"I-I cant rule you..I c-cant rule monsters!!"
Her mind panicked at tanging takot na lang ang nararandaman nya. She tried to run pero bago pa makalayo, her hunger stopped her. Punong-puno na ng dugo ang buong paligid but she can't drink, she can't be a monster like them. That's when she remember Dylan..si Dylan..naghihintay ito sa may ilog. She have to run to him..she have to return to him. But vampires including Jayden block her way to forest..
"Regina..hear us out.." nagsusumamong pakiusap nito.
Her eyes turned bloody red as she's already set to return to Dylan, the only man who can calm her, Da-te din drumul meu!!!! (get out of my way) Eu nu cred in tine, monstri!! ( I don't believe in you, monsters)
"Regina noastr.." (our queen)
" Alis!!"
Biglang tumalsik palayo ang mga bampirang nakaharang sa daan nya maliban kay Jayden.
"Do not make any decisions now, regina.. Hahayaan kita sa ngayon..pero babalik kami.."
Nagulat si Dylan ng may pumatak na tubig mula sa langit. It's weird, umuulan na pero kitang-kita pa din ang buwan..it's as if the cloud's avoiding the moon. Hindi nya maintindihan ang sarili but when he heard the desperation in Jayden's voice that they needed her, he allowed him, trusting him his own fate, nasa kamay na nito ngayon kung sasabihin nito ang lahat kay Cassandra at dito na lang nya hihintayin ang kapalaran nya. Kung bumalik ito sa kanya, ibig sabihin wala pang nasasabi si Jayden pero kung nasabi na nito, he'll still wait kahit alam nyang hindi na ito babalik.Masakit man..
"Where does this hurt come from??Bakit nasasaktan ako samantalang hindi ko naman sya—mahal ko sya? Tama ba si Vlad?? I'm in love with her?? Damn it.. gago ka talaga Dylan."
Mula sa pagtitig sa tubig, napalingon sya sa likod nya ng maramdaman ang isang presensya. Cassandra. She's already wet from the rain...she hugged him fiercely and sobbed against his chest. Lalong lumakas ang ulan.
"Ayoko..Ayokong maging reyna nila.. I can't handle them..they are monsters..and I'm a monster, Dylan...anong klaseng buhay toh? Ang hirap-hirap intindihin."
"I-I have to tell you two things, Cassandra. Two things that will definitely change us both."
Nanlamig si Maica, not from the rain but from the cold voice of Dylan. Napaangat sya ng tingin and realized that he's not holding her. He looks awkward. He swallowed hard and step back from her.
"I'm...I'm..I'm a hunter."
Biglang kumulog at kumidlat ng napakalakas but after that strike..silence followed. Tanging mga patak na lang ng ulan ang naririnig. Napaatras na lang si Maica until she tripped on a stone at napaupo. Her eyes wide, her tears streaming down, flowing with the rain.