Simula
As I stared into an empty space, I felt the wind crash onto my face. The sound of the waves beneath me is like music to my ears. How can a scenery like this be so aesthetic? The way the sun goes down as the sky gets darker. The darkness that slowly conquers the sky gives me a fleeting feeling of relief and satisfaction. Staring into nature shows that I'm alive and breathing.
The wind moved its direction to the north that made my hair fly away like the leaves on a branch. Napangiti ako dahil sa aking nararamdaman.
"Emma!" Napalingon ako sa aking likuran. "Emma, what are you doing here? You might catch a cold."
Napangisi ako. "I'm fine, Oscar. You already know that I have a strong body."
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Getting a cold won't make your body stronger. So, please go inside with me? Your cousin, Dash, is waiting."
"Dashiell? Ano ang ginagawa niya rito?"
Ngumiti si Oscar. "Bakit? Kailangan niya ba ng rason para bisitahin ang kanyang pinsan? Don't tell me you're still bitter about your relationship with your cousin?"
Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Oscar, you already know that he's just my first cousin once removed in papers. Anak siya ng kapatid ni Lolo Claude."
"Psh! It doesn't matter. You already know why Dash is so hostile towards you ever since you have come of age. You have a stable job, you have a lot of money, and you also have a strong sense of responsibility."
Inirapan ko siya. "That's not an excuse, Oscar. His hostility towards me was overwhelming. If he just wanted to have The Clemonte Industries for himself then all he could do is ask! Wala akong balak na agawin sa kanya ang kayamanan dahil nasisiyahan na ako sa aking buhay ngayon."
"So? Are you going inside or not?"
Pinagmasdan ko ulit ang karagatan. I always feel an unknown presence everytime I watch the ocean and the skies. It's like I'm looking for something besides from the picturesque scenery from nature. Parang may hinihintay ako o 'di kaya parang may gusto akong aalahanin--- but what? What exactly am I looking for? It's strange.
"Emma? It's gettind cold out here."
Lumingon ako kay Oscar. "Let's go inside."
We walked quietly towards my home. Bakit tuwing kakausapin ako ni Oscar ay parang may gusto siyang sasabihin sa akin? I always felt like he wants to say something important but he always hesitates. What makes him hesistate to talk? Hindi naman siya ganoon dati dahil komportable siya sa akin. We've been best friends since we were kids.
"Emma, if anything happens to you--- you can always talk to me right?"
Tumango ako. "Oo naman. Why are you saying stuff like that so suddenly?"
Umiling si Oscar. "Nothing! I just want you to be happy after all that you've been through. You deserve to be happy, 'ya know?"
Marihin akong napatawa. "I don't know what have gotten into you but thanks for that thought."
"Just wait and see."
Hindi ko narinig ang huling salitang binanggit ni Oscar dahil binulong niya lang ito. Ever since I woke up from a deep slumber, he was docile towards me. He always took care of me like I'm a sick patient and he visits me everyday like he was waiting for something to happen. Hindi naman sa hindi ko nagugustuhan ang kanyang ginagawa pero nakakapagtaka lang ang kanyang mga galaw.
He was never like this to me in the past because after my 18th birthday, he suddenly went cold. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon ang kanyang ugali sa akin. He's getting weirder everyday like a maniac but he means no harm.
Nang makapasok kami sa mansyon, nakita kong may kausap si Dash na lalaking kakaiba ang kasuotan. His clothes are like from a historical drama. He's wearing western clothes? Eastern clothes? I don't really understand his fashion sense but I'm definitely sure that his clothing is out of trend.
Nang magtagpo ang tingin namin ni Dash, bigla siyang tumayo at iyon din ang ginawa ng bisita. Nilapitan ako ng bisita at ngumiti siya sa akin.
"We meet again Lady Adel or should I call you...
Lady Emma?"
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- Rivernia