Ren
Gaya ng request ni Kai ay di ko siya pinapansin. Para lang kaming invisible sa isa't-isa. Simula nang dumating si Allison ay hinahatid at sinusundo na sila ng kotse. It reminded me of how Kai was before we became friends. Katatapos lang ng Klase namin at naghahanda na ako palabas.
"Uy Seiren, birthday mo na pala sa biyernes?" Paniniguro ni Nigel.
Nginiwian ko lang siya. Wala akong balak ipagbigay alam sa kanya 'yun. Isa pa wala ako sa mood mag celebrate.
"Pareho pala kayo ng birthday ni Kai?" Usisa niya.
"Ahhh, Oo." Walang ganang sagot ko.
"21st Birthday niyo diba?" paniniguro niya.
"Everyone is busy in the mansion, it was just the two of us before and a cleaner who visits every weekend to clean the house. Pero ngayon di ako makakilos ng maayos. They throwing a party for him." Pagbibigay alam niya sa akin.
"Okay, Ikain mo na lang ako." Walang ganang sagot ko.
"Aren't you coming?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Nope, I'm not invited and Birthday ko rin yun so ayun. Ayoko maging gate crasher." sagot ko sabay sukbit ng bag ko sa balikat ko. Napatingin ako sa kinauupuan ni Kai he was there sleeping. Maya maya lang ay gigising na yn dahil susunduin siya ni Allison. Kaya nagmadali na akong lumabas muntik na akong matumba nang may mabangga ako. Tinignan ko kung sino yun, kung mamalasin ka nga naman si Allison pa.
"Sorry," pag-hingi ko ng paumanhin. Inirapan niya lamang ako. May problema talaga sa akin ang babaeng ito. Tinalikuran ko na lamang siya, ngunit di pa ako nakakalayo nang bigla na lamang siyang umiyak. Napalingon ako sa likod ko at nakita ko si Allison nakaupo sa sahig at humagulgol.
Anong nangyayari?
"Ren, what did you do?" tanong ni Kai akin habang pinapatahan si Ali.
"Anong ginawa? Seriously Kai?" naiiritang tanong ko. Alam kong alam ni Kai na wala akong ginawa.
What's the point in blaming me?
"Ren, just apologize," he asked me. I saw Allison smirk.
Ang bruhang ito!
"Bakit ako mag-aapologize ulit? Nag-sorry na ako nang nabangga ko siya kanina. Anong gusto mong gawin ko lumuhod?" Inis na sabi ko.
"Just do it please." He was pleading.
Bakit ba pinipilit niya ako?
Why does he look uneasy?
I was about to apologize again when Nigel stopped me.
"Kai, stop making a scene. Seiren already apologized, why does she have to do it again?" singit ni Nigel.
"Halika na," hila sa akin ni Nigel. Sinunod ko na lamang siya. Hindi pa rin mapalagay ang loob ko sa nangyari kanina.
"Dahan-dahan naman Seiren, mabibilaukan ka sa ginagawa mo," nag-aalalang sabi ni Nigel.
Paano ba naman kanina pa ako lamon ng lamon.
"Alam ko naiinis ka sa nangyari kanina. Pero h'wag mo naman ibunton sa pagkain yung inis mo." Sita sa akin ni Nigel. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako.
"Kitang-kita mo naman may galit sa akin ang Allison na 'yun, pero ang kinaiinisan ko ay ang pag-kampi sa kanya ni Kai," pag mamaktol ko.
"Hindi sa pinagtatanggol ko si Kai, but I know he have his reasons. We should have faith in him." Pangungumbinsi sa akin ni Nigel.
"I know he do have his reasons, pero I'm his bestfriend. I should know if somethings bothering him," panunumbat ko.
I really feel useless right now.
...
I was on my way to the library nang bigla na lamang akong harangin ni Allison at hilahin sa isang tabi.
"Anong kailangan mo? Ano bigla ka na naman iiyaka tapos pagmumukhain mo na naman akong masama?" Mapanuyang sabi ko sa kanya. This is really unusual for her.
Hindi niya ako sinagot sa halip ay may inabot siya sa akin.
"Ano yan?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Invitation," sabi niya.
Out of curiousity ay inabot ko iyon at binuksan. It was an invitation at Kai's Party.
Pero bakit siya pa ang kailangang mag-abot nun?
"Hihintayin ka raw ni Kai," sabi pa niya. Pagkatapos niyang sabihin yun ay iniwan na niya ako. Napatingin na lamang ako sa invitation na hawak ko. It is really weird.
Pupunta ba ako?
....
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" nagtatakang tanong ko kay Nigel. Nakatayo siya sa labas ng pinto ng bahay namin may hawak na cake at lobo.
"Di ba obvious? Siyempre mag cecelebrate tayo ng birthday mo," sagot niya sa akin.
"Di ka ba pupunta sa birthday ni Kai? Baka hanapin ka nila roon?" kwestiyon ko sa kanya.
"Sa dami ng tao dun ngayon, di na nila mapapansin na wala ako roon," pag-dadahilan niya.
Wala akong nagawa kundi ang papasukin na siya sa loob ng bahay. Wala talaga akong balak mag-celebrate ng birthday. Kung di dumating si Nigel ay matutulog na talaga ako.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you," kanta nila Papa, kuya at Nigel sa akin.
Nakakapanibago it was always me, kuya, si papa, at si Kai but now we have Nigel. We always share the same cake, after kong i-blow ang kandila ay si Kai naman ang kakantahan nila.
They sang Happy Birthday but I was not happy.
"Bakit nakabusangot ka diyan?" tanong sa kin ni Kuya.
"Ang pangit mo kasi kuya," inis na sabi ko.
"Huwag na kayong mag-away, mabuti pa hatiin na natin tong cake," suhestiyon ni papa.
Kumuha siya ng platito at binigyan kami ng slice ng cake. Tahimik naming kinain yun. During this night naglalaro kami ng annual game namin ni Kai, at kahit kalian ay di pa ako nanalo sa kanya.
"Tuwang-tuwa ka diyan?" Nagtatakang tanong ko kay Nigel.
"Pumayag si tito na ditto muna ako matulog," sabi niya.
"Akala mo naman first time makitulog dito."
"Sa kwarto mo raw ako matutulog." sabi niya, habang nakangisi nang nakakaloko.
"Sapak gusto mo," Banta ko sa kanya habang nakataas ang isang kilay.
"Tawagan mon a kasi si Kai at batiin ng Happy Birthday nang matahimik ka na," saad ni Nigel.
...
I could see the lights from the Mansion through my window.
I was holding on the invitation Allison gave me.
I'm really torn, pwede naman sigurong sumaglit ako roon?
Babatiin ko lang siya ng Happy Birthday tapos uuwi na ako. May invitation naman ako o hindi ako magiging gate crasher.
It was a masquerade party and we have to wear white. I was prepared beforehand I was a simple Silver mask and a Knee length long sleeved dress.
I decided to sneak out when everyone was asleep, with a flashlight on my hand I walk through the road and reached the Mansion. Instead of entering at the main gate I decided to enter through the secret entrance. Ang lakas ng tugtog nila, and it looks like the party is in the front garden.
Ang main goal ko talaga ay ang batiin lang si Kai, kay nagdesisyon akong pumasok sa loob. Ang nakakapag taka lang ay walang tao sa loob. The halls were empty. Kahit isang katulong ay wala akong nasalubong.
Di ko alam kung nasaan ngayon si Kai, kaya napag desisyunan kong hintayin siya sa kwarto niya.
Katulad nang inaasahan ko ay wala siya roon, I decided to wait for him. I still find his room too big for him. Bigla na lamang namatay ang mga ilaw, but the music was still playing.
My adrenaline started take over my whole system. I began to panic, my heart began to race and breath becomes, my knees started to quiver involuntarily. My eyes started to throb, I heard footsteps coming from outside.
I couldn't stand straight but I wanted to know what's happening, I crawled towards the door.
I started to hear a faint scream, along with loud music.
What's happening?
A part of me wanted to know what is happening. With my trembling hands and watery eyes, I reach towards the door.
There were glimpse of light coming from the moon. My eyes widened, I immediately covered my mouth with my two hands to stifle my scream. There was a man holding a girl with a slightly tilted neck, she started to went limp The man then just released the girl at let fall on the floor. And began to walk away. I'm still confused of what was happening, I started to crawl towards the body.
I was praying that she was still alive, but the body was already starting to get cold and I couldn't feel any pulse. My eyes began to well up, this is something serious. I couldn't just stay here.
Should I stay or run?
But what about Kai?
I need to save him too. I took deep breath to calm myself. I need to think straight and I need a plan. But first I need to find Kai. Inalis ko ang suot kong sapatos, para mabawasan ang ingay ng paglalakad ko. I need something to protect myself, habang nag-iisip ay bigla na lamang akong nakaramdam ng kakaiba-iba tila may nanonood sa akin.
"Found you," whispered tremulously to my ears that it sent shivers down my spine, as froze in place.
"I'll give ten seconds to hide, but I'm sure I'm going to find you." He continued.
The loud music began to disperse. The mansion was dead silent.
"One," he started counting.
I felt like a rabbit being chased. I need to run and hide or else I will die.
"Two," I stood with my trembling knees.
"Three," I don't want to die in here.
"Four," My eyes welled up.
"Five," I started to run.
"Six," I could hear the thumping of heart on my chest and my raged breath. Adrenaline is the only thing that's making me move.
"Seven," I reached the staircase.
"Eight," I run through the Kitchen and took a knife.
"Nine," I stayed hidden.
"Ten."
I crumpled in fear, I heard someone coming, the soft footsteps were like a threatening whisper that approach me was lurking closer. A narrow stream of moon light was like spotlight on the floor when I started to see a shadow.
I am terrified.
I'm trying to catch my breath, covered my mouth trying not to make a sound. Each second feels like forever. Sweat began to trickle down my neck. My hands were sweating and trembling.
I am not safe here, I am not good in fighting but I have to do something. I'll die anyway at least I tried. I stand up and plunged my knife to the man. Only to realize it was a mistake.
He caught my hand, and my grip on the knife loosened until it fell to floor. His free hand held my neck and pushed me on the wall. I felt a throb on my back. I couldn't feel my feet on the ground. I held unto his arm trying to free myself.
"I told you, I was going to find you." He chuckled. Behind the masked was red eyes, full of hunger it was frightening.
I struggled to breathe, I could even scream. He was choking me, my body started to get limp and my eyes started to get blurry. I couldn't even move. I felt teeth sank on my neck and it stings, I could hear him gulp felt warm liquid following down my neck.
Memories started flashing on my head. The memories I have with my father. The petty fights with my brother. The time I met Nigel. The moments I shared with Kai.
"Kai," I cackled.
I'm sorry I couldn't greet you a happy birthday even for the last time.
I felt my body slammed on the floor. I could hear faint voice.
"Seiren wake up," I knew it was Kai, but I think it was too late.
I wanted to see his face for the last time but my eyes were heavy. He was saying things pero wala na akong maintindihan.
Sana pala kinausap ko siya kaninang umaga nang kami pa lang ang nasa room. I have many regret, I should've told them how much I love them.
...
Kai
I wished I could celebrate my birthday with Ren and her family, just like we used to. But I need her stay away from me right now, at least until our birthday ends and already left.
I'll make it up to her, I promise. It was a family tradition to celebrate the 21st birthday of every boy born in the household.
Most of us are in the front Garden few blocks away from the main Mansion everyone was trying to catch up with each other. After the ceremony the guys same as my age left.
"Where are you going?" I asked Allison.
"Playing games at the mansion, wanna come?"
I was just sitting there having a drink while everyone was busy chatting. I can't wait for this night to end. I can't wait for everything to get back to normal.
"Kai!" Someone was calling my name and it caught my attention. I saw Nigel approaching.
"What's wrong? I thought you're not coming?" I asked with confusion. He told me that he will stay at Ren's place.
"I was looking for Ren, I'm sure she came here. Did you see her?" Nigel asked.
"No, I haven't seen her. Why would she go here? I thought you informed her not to get near me?" I answered Nigel.
"Where could she be?" He looks agitated.
"It's dangerous for her if ever she's here."
"Where's Allison?" He asked suspiciously.
"She's with the others, playing games." I answered casually.
"Where?" Tanong kong muli.
"At the Mansion."
"Don't tell me you're suspecting her."
"Why are you acting clueless!" He snarled at me.
He started running to the main mansion, I followed him.
...
Nigel
Malakas ang kutob kung may kinalaman si Allison sa pagkawal ni Seiren.
We arrived at the Main mansion. All the lights are all out, I have a bad feeling about this.
"What's going on here?" I questioned the six of them.
"We are just playing hide and seek." Allison answered.
Sinubukan kong pumasok sa loob ng mansion, pero hinarangan nila ako.
"The game is on-going, don't interrupt." Matapang na sabi ni Allison.
I don't have a match with the six of them.
"Why do I smell blood?" Kai questioned her.
I was surprised to see Kai, I thought he was not coming. Lalong lumakas ang kutob ko, I could only smell a faint scent.
"I knew that scent." He said. This time Kai's eyes turned red and fangs extended.
"Let us through," Kai said, he was different from his usual calm self.
"No," Allison protested. The six of them blocked our way.
"You don't wanna do this Kai." Allison warned.
I could feel my adrenaline raise, I could feel my senses at its peak.The atmosphere was tensed. They began to charge at us, they obviously have the upper hand.
All I did my best to avoid their attacks. I couldn't have a grasp of what's happening. I was throwing punches and kicks to whoever attacks me. I ended up being thrown against the wall. Before I could get back on my feet someone hit my back, and I ended up hitting the ground. I don't know he is stepping on my head right know, everything happened too fast.
"Nigel," I woke up with Kai's voice.
I looked around, everyone was on the ground except him. He was holding someone in his arms. I came back to my senses when I realized who it was. I was right, Seiren is here. I approached them.
"How is she?" I couldn't hide my concern.
"She's okay, I let her drink my blood, enough for her to recover. She just needs to rest." Explain niya sa akin. I nodded as a sign that I understood what he said.
Shortly the members of the league who attended at party, came to the scene. They were all confused on what was happening.
"Anong nangyayari?" tanong ni sir Carl.
All of them were confused about those familiar faces who were lying on the ground.
"Allison and the others were playing games, involving humans." Kai explained. Their eyes widened in horror. It was a big Taboo to attack humans.
"We the adults will deal with them." Sir Carl managed to say.
"Apparently there were two girls involve," explain ni Kai. Saka ko napansin ang babaeng nakahiga sa lupa.
"We couldn't let them live." Saad ni Sir Douglas.
"Yes we could." Mariing sabi ni Kai.
"But, they will know about our race." Pag-kontra ni Sir Arthur.
"I have the ability to erase their memories." Hayag ni Kai.
We were all shocked to hear about Kai's abilities. It is one of the rare abilities a vampire could have.
"Are you sure?" Paniniguro ni Sir Carl.
"Yes, I've been doing it months from now." Kwento ni Kai.
"He's telling the truth." Si Tita Luisa naman ang nag-salita.
"He erased the memories of three boys he had a fight with." Pagki-kwento ni to.
"Hindi tayo pwedeng maging kampante." Sabi naman ng iba.
"We can observe them after, if their memories won't come back." Sabi ni Sir Carl.
"Let's have a short meeting regarding this.," Sabi ni Sir Carl sa mga kasapi ng league.
They went inside the mansion, the others took care of Allison and the others. We were left outside the mansion, waiting for the league's decision. Nawala lang ang kaba ko nang bumalik sila.
"We decided to let them live, but they will be watched. Any signs that they gained back their memories, will result to their death." Sir Carl informed us with Authority.
Saka lang nawala ang tinik sa dibdib ko nang marinig ko iyon. Pero di kami pwedeng makampante.
"Thank you," pagpapasalamat ni Kai.
Binalik namin sa kwarto niya si Ren, together with Tita Luisa we remove any thing that will remind her about this night.
...
Nag-usap kami ni Kai sa kwarto.
"Are you certain that she will not remember anything about tonight?" I asked Kai.
I just wanted to make sure that Seiren is safe.
"Yes." He answered.
"What would you do if she happens to remember?" I asked again.
I wanted to know what's going on his mind right now.
"I'm going to protect her with my life." He answered without thinking twice.
"Just trust me on this Nigel." He said reassuring.
If it was to happencan I put my life on the line to protect her?
< End of Chapter 15>