Mainit pa din ang ulo ni Liza hanggang sa pagpasok nya sa school. Kung maka-preno naman kasi ang driver ng bus na sinasakyan nya eh..wagas.. Namumula tuloy ang noo nya at nagbabanta ang isang bukol.
"Badtrip. Kasira ng umaga ah.. Isa pa tong si Maica, talagang halatang may inililihim sakin. Hmp!!"
Pagpasok nya sa gate..si Nico agad ang bumungad sa kanya at nag-inspect ng gamit nya. He frowned when he notice the red spot on her forehead...kinapa nito ang bulsa nito at may kinuha. Kinuha nito ang kamay niya at may inilagay..sya naman ang napasimangot.
"Piso?"
He grinned and nodded.
"Para san toh?"
"For the incoming bukol sa noo mo."
"Aanhin ko to sa bukol?"
"Ilagay mo yan sa bukol mo tapos medyo diin-diin mo..mawawala din agad yan.."
Diskumpyadong tumingin sya dito, "Effective ba?"
"oo naman! Si lola ang nagturo nyan sakin. At tingnan mo naman..kahit lagi akong nagkakabukol noon, gwapo pa din."
Her look remained blank.
He winked.
She blushed.
"sige na. Pumasok ka na. Baka ma-late ka na."
"Uh..sige. Salamat sa piso."
Nico just smiled at her and crumpled her hair bago bumalik sa trabaho. She tried to hide her smile hanggang sa makarating ng room pero agad naman syang napansin ni Maica. She tried to ignore her bestfriend dahil sa dami ng atraso nito sa kanya. Madami na itong hindi sinasabi at pati ang dahilan ng pag-absent nito kahapon ay ayaw sabihin...but she knew something's different. Pati ag pakikitungo nito sa kanya. Umupo sya sa upuan nya at hindi pinansin ang sumusunod na kaibigan.
"oi..Liza..bakit naman ang aga-aga ganyan mukha mo? Kanina pagpasok nakangiti ka..tapos ngayon nakasimangot ka na."
"hmp!!"
"May bibigay nga pala ako sayo."
"What?"
Naglabas ito ng isang brown envelope at ibinigay sa kanya bago bumalik sa upuan nito. Dumating na ang prof nila and he started discussing matters about English communication. Habang nagdi-discuss ito..unti-unti nyang sinilip ang nasa envelope and she...
>Aaaahhhhh!!!!!<
"What is it, Elizabeth?" sita ng prof nila.
Napayuko na lang sya habang namumula ang mukha, "N-Nothing, sir. I'm sorry."
Ibinaling nya ang tingin kay Maica na nakangising nakatingin din sa kanya. She just nods at her at nagkaintindihan na sila. Nagtaas sya ng kamay at nagpaalam na magsi-Cr. She secretly grab the envelope at maya-maya ay nakasunod na sa kanya si Maica sa cr.
"At talagang nakablow up pa as in kasing laki ng bond paper???Wala bang wallet size ha, Maica?"
"Ready ako dyan friend..here..oha,..wag ka na magtampo sakin."
Liza smiled dreamily, "Ang gwapo nya talaga..cute-cute."
"Yeah...mas approachable nga sya kesa kay Dylan eh..kita mo naman...naka-peace sign talaga with Christian.."
"HAi..sana ligawan na nya ako."
"Wow..na?? sure ka na na liligawan ka nya?"
"Well...I can feel but I don't want to assume. O kamusta pala kayo ni Dylan?"
She looked away, "O-Ok lang naman kami. "
"Maria Cassandra Anastasia Soledad, kilala kita. You cant look at me kapag nagsisinungaling ka sakin. At alam kong ilang beses ka nang nagsisinungaling sakin, pinapalagpas ko lang kasi alam kong may malaking problema ka. Now.. it's time para ipaglaban ang rights ko bilang bestfriend mo. I want you to tell me everything."
"I-I'm sorry..Liza.. ayokong madamay ka pa."
"Maica..kaibigan mo ako..natural damay ako sa kung ano mang yang pinagdadaanan mo. Alam kong may kakaibang nangyayari sayo.. like your eyes..your skin..your face and hair.. May kapangyarihan ka pa na talagang scary.. Please tell me..at may nangyayari din sakin hindi nagkakatugma-tugma. Naaalala ko..nagkita pa kami ni sir Raoul at alam kong may iba pang nangyari doon but I just cant remember it. The night of Christian's concert..nakita kitang pumasok sa clinic ni sir Jayden tapos paglabas mo..umulan ng malakas..pero ang weird kasi nandon pa din ang buwan."
"Tama na, Liza. Please stop analyzing everything. Mas simple ang lahat mas mabuti para say—"
Maica's shocked when Liza slapped her..her eyes wide at napahawak na lang sya sa pisngi nya. But the pain in Liza eyes is more unbearable than the hurt she felt when she slapped her.
"What do you think of me? Stupid? Numb?! Shit naman Maica!!!
I'm your bestfriend!! At ang sasabihin mo lang sakin,mas simple mas mabuti para sakin while I can see you suffering from something I'm not allowed to know?? I'm starting to feel like stupid here!! Kahit naman madalas akong may pinagkakaabalahn,that doesn't mean hindi ko na napapansin ang pagbabago sating dalawa. Yeah! Malaki na nga ang nagbago mula ng mapalapit ka kay Dylan..I don't want to blame him pero pakiramdam ko kinukuha ka nya sakin..pakiramdam ko—," napahikbi na sya, "shit..ayoko ng ganito. Fine then..kung ganito ng ganito..let's just forget na magkaibigan tayo."
Tinalikuran na sya nito at ilang saglit na pinahid ang luha. Tumutulo na din ang luha nya..her hearts aching habang naririnig ang hinanakit ng kaibigan nya. Her bestfriend's start to walk away and that's what she can't bear..to lose her bestfriend..her sister..
"I'm a vampire, Elizabeth."
Napahinto ito at hinarap sya.."Hindi ko kailangan ng ganyang kalokohan!!"
"look."
She closed her eyes and showed her white sharp fangs. She heard gasp from her bestfriend at nagulat na lang sya ng biglang sya nitong yakapin.
"I'm sorry if I doubted you. "
"L-Liza.."
"You should have told me..i'm willing to donate my blood for you, Maica. H-how come—"
"Hindi ko din alam kung bakit nagkaganito ako but—sobrang komplikado ng lahat, Liza."
"Tara sa mcdo, madami kang dapat ipaliwanag."
"Pero may klase pa tayo."
"The hell with that boring class. Mas exciting to. Let's go."
"Paano mga bag natin?"
"Papabantayan ko na lang yon kay Alison."
After two hours of questioning and interrogating..nasabi nan i Maica ang lahat sa kaibigan nya. And when she sigh after a very long talk..ang tanging nakuha nya sa kaibigan ay...
"Grabehan na toh...astig. Ang cool..may bestfriend akong bampira. Pwede mo din ba akong i-turn as vampire?"
"Liza!!! Don't you ever say it again!! You want Nico to kill you huh?"
Nag-peace sign lang ang kaibigan nya, "Charot.."
Maica sighed, "Hindi ko alam ngayon kung ano ang paniniwalaan ko..my dream or the letter from my parents.. Gusto ko din munang iwasan si Dylan."
"As if you can avoid him eh daig pa non ang mighty bond sa pagdikit sayo eh..look..eto na sya.."
"Oh shocks..I shouldn't have think of him.."
"Because of the bond?"
"Hai..oo..kaninang umaga lang ako naging aware sa epekto ng kagat ko...ugh.."
Ilang saglit lang umupo na sa tabi nya si Dylan..he's looking at her as if she did something unkind. Gosh..he looks sad and she can't stand him looking like that. Pero sa mga nangyayari..hindi na nya alam ang dapat maramdaman dito.
"Hi, Dylan." Bati ng kaibigan nya dito.
"Hm..Hi, Elizabeth, I see you're having a nice chat eh?"
"Yeah. O sige...mukhang may dapat pa kayong pag-usapan dyan."
"Pero hindi mo pa tapo—" habol nya sa kaibigan sa takot na makasama mag-isa si Dylan.
"Ite-take out ko na lang. Bye!"
Wala na syang nagawa ng tumayo si Liza. Tumingin sya kay Dylan and she saw him watching her movements.
"A-Ah...magsi-CR lang ako."
Pero bago pa sya makatayo...nahawakan na ni Dylan ang kamay nya. He's looking at their linked hands.. "You're avoiding me. I can feel it."
"H-Hindi ah.." tanggi nyang hindi makatingin dito.
"Yes..you are. You didn't even wait for me...umalis ka agad sa bahay habang natutulog ako. Why?"
"D-Dylan.."
"Nagkaganito ka lang mula ng makawala tayo sa bangungot mo. Ano bang nakita mo bago tayo makatakas, Cassandra?"
"N-Nag-aalala lang ako sa mga magulang ko Dylan."
"Hindi lang yon, Cassandra. Nakikita ko ang takot sa mata mo habang tinitingnan mo ako."
"I..I..."
Pero hindi na nya natapos ang sasabihin when a girl..cupped Dylan's face upward and kissed him in front of her. She gasp at dahil sa sobrang sakit at gulat naramdaman...nabitawan nya ang kamay ni Dylan at napatayo...Dylan pushed the girl with a very gentleman approach. At kunot-noong tumingin dito..then his eyes widened..
"Veronica"
Veronica grinned, "I'm back, love."
"H-How.." she can feel the shock from Dylan's body.
"Aren't you happy that I'm back, Dylan?"
"You're dead."
"Pero nabuhay na ulit ako. I am revived by your love, honey. For the past three years..you keep on weeping on my tomb..blaming yourself.."
"And.." he sniffed, "you're a vampire."
"Hindi naman yon problema diba? Tatanggapin mo pa din ako kahit ganito ako? I know you love me."
Maica can't take it anymore..masyado nang masakit ang nakikita nya. Mukhang nakalimutan na din ni Dylan na nandon pa sya so she move and walk away...pinagtitinginan na din kasi sila. Tinawid nya ang papunta sa school. Naglakad sya papunta sa room nya na wala sa sarili until she bumped on to someone's chest...tatalsik sana sya kung hindi sya nito nahawakan..
"Maica." Jayden started at lalo syang nalungkot sa seryosong mukha nito, gone is the boyish smile that always made her day complete.
"U-Uh..Jayden. I'm sorry.. I-I have to go."
"You're crying."
"C-Crying??"
Doon nya lang napansin na umiiyak na pala sya..na wala na palang tigil sa pagtulo ang luha nya. Yumuko sya at pinunasan ang basang pisngi. She took a deep breath bago sinalubong ulit ang nagtatakang tingin ni Jayden. Mukhang hindi na ito galit katulad ng nakita nya kahapon.
She forced herself to smile at him, "Hindi ka na galit sakin?"
"Hindi ko kayang magalit sayo. I have to understand you dahil masyadong mabigat na responsibilidad ang ipinipilit ko sayo."
"Thank you. Ayokong magalit ka sakin ha. You're my friend and the one I can trust the most."
"If you dont want me to get angry..then you're wish is my command, regina."
"Thank you. Kaya pala lagi mo akong tinatawag na regina eh? Akala ko endearments mo lang yon sa mga friend mo."
"no. It's a very important duty. At pakiramdam ko nababastos kita kapag tinatawag lang kita sa pangalan mo but I should do it to keep my profile..hidden."
"Ah..Jayden...pwede pa bang mabuhay ang isang taong matagal nang patay at mabuhay bilang isang bampira ngayon?"
Jayden frowned at her question, "No. The change should be done after a few hours of the human's death or they can change habang kinakagat sila ng isang bampira. Why?"
"Wala. Sige ha."
"umiiyak ka. Bakit? I would never want to see my queen crying..and I would like to kill whoever made you cry..though I can made an exception for your parents or your friend but never to your hunter lover."
"Uso talaga ang kill sa inyo eh.. I'm fine. I'll be fine, Jayden. Sige ha."
Nauna na syang umalis at kinuha ang bag kay Liza. She hugged her friend at umuwi mag-isa. Hanggang sa jeep sobrang sakit ng nararadaman nya at paulit-ulit nyang nakikita ang mga nangyari kanina.
'Now what? Ibe-break na nya ako dahil bumalik na ang babaeng mahal nya talaga. And since natanggap nya ako na bampira, madali na sa kanya tanggapin ulit ang totoong mahal nya.Haii... Ang sakit-sakit naman nito. Bakit ganito? Sobrang sakit. Hindi pa naman ako siguro ganon ka-inlove diba? Kasi saglit pa lang naman..or am I that inlove? Kaya ba ganito kasakit?'
Nagulat sya ng biglang may magpunas ng panyo sa mukha nya. Napangiti sya ng makita ang isang bata sa tabi nya..a very cute boy..mga nasa sampung taon na ang bata. At sa tabi nito, nakangiti ang mama nito.
"Ma'am, stop crying."
"Ok."
"Ma'am, I'm Aaron."
"I-Im... Cassandra."
"That tears because of your boyfriend?"
"Clever boy Aaron, why would you think that?"
"Because no one can make one cry except the one you loved the most.."
"So you think I love my boyfriend?"
"Yes, Ma'am. If he don't want you anymore..I'm here!! I will take care of you like I take care of my mama."
"Very good boy."
After a few minutes...bumaba na sya at nagpaalam kay Aaron at sa mama nito. Kahit papano nakalimutan nyang nasasaktan sya. Pero pagdating nya sa bahay nila...the wound in her heart seems to be so fresh again. Nagkulong sya sa kwarto nya at pinilit itulog ang nasasaktang damdamin but...everytime she close her eyes..nakikita nya lang si Dylan at si Veronica. Kinuha nya ang phone nya at lalo lang nasaktan ng makitang wala kahit text si Dylan.
Then..something happened..hindi nya namalayan napapikit na sya and her stomach rumbled. Pagmulat nya..nasa harap na nya si Dylan. His iris red, like hers..but..unfortunately, mukhang nagising na naman ang katauhan nyang isang bampira. Tumayo sya at lumapit kay Dylan kahit ayaw nya, kahit ang gusto nya lang gawin ay magtago dito at hindi na ito makita ulit.
"Cassandra, I'm really sorry. Hindi ko akalaing mabubuha—"
"Tell me, Dylan Caleb, ngayong bumalik na si Veronica, will you still choose me or would you rather dump me?"
"Don't be like this, Cassandra."
The vampire grinned, "Dump me and hurt me, Dylan Caleb. I dare you.."
Dylan frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"Maica's hurting now.."
'Please, wag ka na magsalita, Cassandra!!! Please stop!!'
"Hindi nya na alam ngayon kung itutuloy pa ang relasyon nyo..but for me, I'd rather you forget her and let her live her life with vampires."
"Who are you??"
She laughed evilly, "Ako toh, the real queen..ang may-ari ng katawan at ng pagkataong toh. The Cassandra you knew is just a mere human who possess my power. And soon...nararamdaman ko na ang tuluyan kong paggising.."
"What do you mean?"
"Well,,wag muna nating pag-usapan yan. Ang pag-usapan natin ngayon ay ang nararamdaman ko..or nya..ahahaha..your Veronica is back, ano na ngayong balak mo sakin? Dump me? Leave me? And choose that trying –hard vampire?"
'tama na!'
"No!" Dylan shouted.
"Alam mo ba kung bakit ka nya iniiwasan? At unti-unti na syang natatakot sayo because she saw your eyes...the eyes of the person who killed her parents in her nightmare. Maica's slipping away from you, Dylan Caleb. At lalo na syang mapapalayo sayo ngayon because your love of your life is back. Ugh..Disgusting.. She's a fake vampire.. I can still smell her corpse..."
His eyes widened as if he just figured out something, "The person who killed her parents has my eyes?? Shit!"
'ayoko na..ayoko na..umalis ka na lang Dylan.'
She just grined and walked closer to her man, "Hmm..Dylan..Dylan..Dylan.."
"Cassandra.."
"Now I repeat... I dare you to dump me."
"No. I will never dump you, Cassandra. Hindi kita iiwan."
Biglang nag-ring ang phone ni Dylan...he answered it.. immediately.. unfortunately for him..masyadong matalas ang pandinig ng isang elite.
"Dylan..please..sunduin mo ako dito. Hindi ako marunong kung paano umuwi. Natatakot pa ako kasi pinagtitinginan nila ako dito....bakit ba kasi bigla mo akong iniwan dito?" boses iyon ni Veronica.
Dylan sighed, "Allright. Stay there. Wag kang aalis dyan. Papunta na a—"
Cassandra grab the phone at itinapon sa labas ng bintana..She's now furious...
"Sa oras na lumabas ka sa kwartong toh..you'll never see me again, Dylan Caleb!!"
"Cassandra..."
"I dare you to hurt me!!!"
Her iris's filled with red dancing blood...at wala nang nagawa si Maica when Cassandra kissed him aggressively. The kiss is very fierce that she tasted blood from Dylan's mouth.. That's when she took over her body...agad syang lumayo dito. She saw his eyes wide..his lips scraped with blood. He grinned at her...and grab her waist back to him.. .and again..they kissed fiercely. She tried to move away pero mahigpit na ang yakap nito sa katawan nya and her body grew weak with the heat starting to stab her body. She surrendered in his arms..in his strong arms. She savored herself with him... comb her hand on his soft hair...
He started to move his hands up and down her back and walk her towards the bed...his eyes fixed with hers..when they were both laying on the bed.. that's when they separate.. Dylan rests her forehead against hers and cupped her cheeks while they were both breathing hard.
"Don't you dare think that I will dump you over Veronica, Cassandra. I don't love her and I didn't love her sa tagal ng pinagsama namin. Our relationship is just plain...walang thrill..walang excitement..no intimate moments..," napatawa pa ito, "she once asked me if I'm gay..."
"Di hinalikan mo din sya?"
"No. Ikaw lang ang hinalikan ko dahil sa pagtatanong mo sakin ng ganon. Ewan ko..maybe I'm afraid na isipin mong hindi ako pwedeng mahalin that's why I have to prove it to you in a very evident manner. Or maybe you I just can't resist you anymore."
"Bakit naging kayo?"
"Just to experience having a girlfriend..though..she's just like a bestfriend to me."
"So pano na ngayon?"
"I love you, Cassandra. I will never leave you kahit ipagtabuyan mo ako."
"Really?"
Napakanta pa ito, "Pag-ibig ko sayo'y totoo..ni walang halong biro..kaya't sanay paniwalaan mo ang pag-ibig kong ito.."
Maica laughed, "Kinikilig ako..kahit sintunado ka.."
"Dapat lang kiligin ka..sayo lang ako napapakanta ng ganito. At ikaw lang ang nakakarinig nito.
He tickled her and they both laughed hanggang sa katukin na sila ni Manang Rona.
"Iha!! May kasama ka ba dyan? Para kang sinisilihang manok dyan kung tumawa..aba.."
Takang tumingin sya kay Dylan, "Hindi ka ba sa pinto dumaan?"
"Uh..sa bintana ako dumaan eh."
"Ano, iha?"
"Hindi na po, manang."
"O sige, bumaba ka na kapag nagugutom ka na ha."
"Opo."
"Te iubesc, lady vampress," he whispered close to her ears that made her fall in love with him over again.
She can't resist his sweet sexy voice so she kissed him again.And the fire inside them grew into big firestorms... their body surrendered with passion... and they were now both prisoner of their own desire to have each other..They were captivated in wonder..stuck in visions of a better future.. and drawing their destiny together.
"tell me to stop, Cassandra.. I don't want you to regret this.." he whispered harshly, his eyes smoldering inside hers..
She cupped her face, "how can I?"
Dylan chuckled, "I'll tell you, tomorrow..when all your senses is back..this will be a mistake.."
"If this is a mistake..Dylan..then this will be my favorite mistake..and if this is a sin..this will be the sweetest sin I'll ever made."
"How can I resist those words, Cassandra. Then drink my blood..my blood is all yours, my love.."
*********************
Nagising si Dylan mula sa malamig na hanging nanggagaling sa bintana ni Cassandra. He smiled down at the lady beside him..her arms wrapped around his waist..her face snuggling against his shoulder. He purr against her messed curly hair and went back to sleep...whispering sweet words..endearments to her while she snuggled closer.
********************
Maica almost screamed ng madatnan si Dylan sa tabi nya...and they were both naked...she realized what happened last night. The wondrous night with him..her first everything with him. Napangiti sya but she also feel guilty..they were still both young at nag-aaral pa sya. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga magulang nya? They shouldn't let their passion took over their minds..
"You're frowning.."
Napatingin sya sa katabi at nakitang seryosong nakatingin sa kanya, she smiled though, "Gising ka na pala."
"Hindi ba maganda ang nakita mo sa katawan ko? Hindi ba macho?"
"HAi..ikaw talaga..ang aga-aga. Nag-aalala lang ako," she blushed, "K-Kasi—"
"Tingin mo ba mali ang ginawa natin?"
"No."
Dylan tugged her against his chest, "Never think of it as a mistake, Cassandra. Maybe...the timing is wrong..but the evnts last night feels so right. Don't worry, I'll stay by your side and we'll face all the consequences of this."
"Natatakot ako..what if...sobrang bigat pala ang kabayaran ng nangyari sa atin?"
"Then we'll face it. Sige na, magbihis ka na..baka ma-late ka pa sa klase mo."
"Paano ka?"
"May aasikasuhin pa ako..."
Naligo na si Maica at nagbihis na din pero paglabas nya ng banyo...wala na si Dylan sa kwarto nya. On her bed...he left a note...
See you later. Eat your breakfast and take care. I love you.
-DCR3
She smiled at tiningnan ang sarili sa salamin but unfortunately.. tuluyan ng naglaho ang repleksyon nya.