Chapter 25: Falling

Isang araw bago sumapit ang Sabado, isang marangyang sasakyan ang huminto sa harap ng bahay namin. At first, I thought, it just stopped there for some reasons. And yeah, I was right. It stopped there for a reason and that's to pick me up.

"Order from Lord Severo," said the driver in a monotone attitude.

I was just about to go to work but I didn't know I would have another schedule. Sumakay ako sa marangyang sasakyan. Halos bumilog ang mga mata ko sa ganda at bango ng loob. Everything was in black and I could tell just by its sight that it was worth more than I could ever earn in my whole life.

I looked at the driver. Diretso lang ang tingi nito sa kalsada. Nakasuot pa ang shades niya.

"Do you know what's this for?" I asked.

In the back of my mind, I had a hint of what's this for.

"I don't know," simpleng sagot nito.

Napairap ako. Ang cold magsalita, parang robot na naka-program lang para sunduin ako at hindi para sagutin ang mga tanong ko.

I cleared my throat and tried to question again. "Are we going to the mansion?"

"Yes," he responded.

That's it.

I knew it. It could be the preparation for tomorrow. Damn. Right. The event will be tomorrow. Ilang araw kong hindi ito inisip. Bizarrely, I am feeling thrilled.

After the skyscrapers, we are now passing the green field. I remember the first time I arrived at the mansion of the Cardinals. Wala ako gaanong maalala na detalye. I was beyond upset and muddled at that time.

But If I remember a thing, this is the wide field on the way to the mansion. Ito lang ang tumatak sa alaala ko. Ang hapon na hinatid ako ni Brix pauwi.

I breathed. It's been days since Brix disappeared. It's not like I miss him. Nakakapanibago lang na walang biglang sumusulpot sa harapan ko at pagbabantaan ako gamit ang mga salitang mapanakit.

Sa hindi kalayuan ay natanaw ko ang mga higanteng pader at ang main gate na kulay black. May mga lalaking nagbabantay roon. Magkakasing-katawan lang sila at pare-parehong may shades.

Malayo pa kami pero nakakamangha na ang laki ng mansion.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I am not expecting Nath or Brix to be there. Wala akong ibang kilala sa loob maliban kay Mr. Billy. I just hope Oscar or Celeste will be there.

Binuksan ang dalawang higanteng tarangkahan nang tumapat kami sa harapan. I was welcomed by the wide space filled with bushes and pine trees. Gano'n pa man ay natanaw na ang malaking mansion sa hindi kalayuan.

"Stop here," utos ko.

Without asking, the driver stopped the car. Hindi ako nag-atubiling lumabas agad ng sasakyan. Napasinghap pa ako nang malanghap ang malamig at sariwang hangin. Kulisap lamang at ang makina ng sasakyan ang naririnig ko.

Nilapitan ko ang mga malalabong na halaman at pinaragasa ang kamay ko sa mga 'yon habang naglalakad. Tinitingala ko rin ang mga pine trees. It seemed like I was in a maze and I didn't want to find the way out.

"This is huge," I murmured.

"Yes."

Humarap ako sa likod ko. Nakasunod pala sa akin ang driver. Diretso lang ang tingin nito at matikas ang pagkakatayo. Mas pinapapatotohan niya tuloy ang hinala kong robot lang siya.

Anyway... I continued to walk on the pathway filled with bushes. The floor was made of granite stones. Everything here was screaming calmness and peace.

How could I miss the most breathtaking part of this hell?

"You can't go there," the driver stopped me when I was about to cross the line to go to the rose plant nearby. "That's Lady Nathalia's roses. It's forbidden to get near to it or worse touch it."

I rolled my eyes. " I am friend with Lady Nathalia. I don't think this is a big deal. Saka aamuyin ko lang naman!"

Naglakad ako sa mga rosas at nilapit ang aking ilong para amuyin ang bulaklak. I am not into flowers but I think the ambiance and spirit of this place are really getting in me.

I closed my eyes while sniffing the fragrance of the flower.

"I didn't know heaven could exist in hell," I murmured.

I opened my eyes when I got satisfied. Tumambad sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Oscar. Napakurap ako at nang mapagtanto kung sino ang kaharap ko ay napaayos ako ng tayo.

"You love flowers?" he asked, still smiling.

Napatikhim ako.

"Not really," kalmado kong sagot. "Kanina ka pa d'yan?"

Pumitas ito ng bulaklak at inamoy 'yon. He's still smiling when he lent me the flower. Tatanggapin ko pa lang sana ito pero iniiwas niya rin agad sa akin.

"Flowers look good on your hand but..." Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa kabilang tainga. Doon niya nilagay ang bulaklak. "It's better beside your blushing face."

Mas lalong namula ang mukha ko.

"Wala ba 'tong tinik?" tanong ko.

He chuckled while shaking his head.

"Do you really think I would hand you a flower with thorns?" Huminga ito nang malalim bago sumulyap sa driver. "Welcome back to hell, Astralla Martin. I think your second time here is better huh?"

"Yeah," tanging lumabas sa labi ko.

I'm still blushing. Shit.

"So... would you mind if I give you a quick tour around first?" he said as he casually put his hands inside the pocket of his pants. "Or do you want the driver to do the pleasure which would make me feel sad?"

I didn't hesitate to nod my head.

"I want you," I said.

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Tumagos ang tingin niya sa driver. Pagkatalikod ko ay wala na ito. Whoa. That was fast.

"Shall we?" Oscar asked.

I was just beside Oscar while walking. Ni hindi ko nga magawang lampasan o paunahin siya. Halos sabay ang mga yapak namin. He didn't stop explaining things to me.

Napansin ko ang mga ibang bampira na umaaligid. Malamang na mga guard 'yon. But unlike the usual guards, they don't stay in one place. They hover around. Like... all of them. Kaya iisipin mo na namamalik-mata ka lang.

"Everything you see in red is Nathalia's," Oscar explained again. That's the time I gave attention. "Could it be a tree, a flower, stone, water, or even wind. It's all hers."

"Whoa. That was such a revelation!" I laughed.

"Yeah. She really loves red."

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko dahil mukhang hindi niya naintindihan na sarkastiko ang pagkakasabi ko no'n. He even explained that everything Nathalia wears is red which is something I had realized the first time I saw her. Dense.

"What's yours here?" I asked instead.

"Hmmm. The ranch!" he said and I could tell how thrilled he was with that thought. "I love horses like I lost the count winning horse riding competitions. Do you want to see it?"

Tumango ako.

Imbes na papunta sa malaking bahay ang daan namin ay lumiko kami. Pansin ko agad na napapabilis ang paglalakad ni Oscar. Mukhang excited talaga siyang ipakita sa akin ang lugar na 'yon na kulang na lang ay hatakin na niya ako para makabilis na maparoon.

"Let's go!" Tumakbo na ako.

Tumawa ito bago sumunod. Sa isang kisap-mata ay nagawa niya akong lampasan. I just pouted my lips and he's already back beside me, pinapatayan ang bilis ko.

"You are slow huh?" he joked.

"It's just you are fast."

Hinatak niya ako sa kulay kayumangging kabayo na nakatali sa isang puno. Humuni ito nang makita si Oscar. Maging ang kanyang kabayo ang malaki kung ikukumpara sa mga nakita ko na.

What in the hell is not big in here?

Binitiwan ako ni Oscar para lapitan ang kabayo. Hinawakan niya ang ulo ng alaga pababa sa katawan nito. Hindi na mapakali ang kabayo sa kagagalaw.

"He's Armando. My main horse," he said, smiling. "We need to ride him to be able to reach the ranch faster. Wouldn't you mind?"

I gulped. "Like... for real? I haven't ridden a horse yet."

An amused expression crossed his face. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto kung gaano siya kagwapo habang nasa tabi ng kabayo. He looked like modeling with the horse and I could catch thousand of photos without the need for photoshop to look good.

Damn. He looked unreal.

"It's fine," he smiled which snapped me back from my thoughts. "We won't ride him if you're not comfortable."

Pinagsalikop ko ang aking mga kamay at nakaramdam ng hiya. Tumikhim ako. No. I want to ride it. I mean... I want to experience riding a horse.

"Let's go?" aya sa akin ni Oscar, hinayaan na si Armando.

"Wait," I bit my bottom lip.

Fuck it. Whatever.

"What?" he asked.

"I want to ride your horse, Oscar. But I want you to be gentle," I said and God knows how embarrassed I am when Oscar cackled hard.

Does he even know how ashamed I am? Tinatawanan pa ako.

"I hate my mind sometimes," he said, still laughing. "Anyway, sure. I'll be gentle for you, Astra. You will ride my horse and I am gonna make sure it won't hurt. Still, just a heads up. It's huge."

Saka siya humalakhak nang mas malakas. Sobrang pula na rin ng mukha niya dahil sa katatawa sa isang bagay na hindi ko mapagtanto.

"Ayos ka lang, Oscar?" sarkastiko kong tanong.

Natatawa pa rin ito habang kinakalag ang tali at hanggang sa makasakay. He stared at me after he stopped laughing. He looked confused this time.

"Is this how it works?" he asked.

What in the hell? I am so lost. Hindi ko masakyan ang mood niya. What is it this time?

"About?" tanong ko.

"Ako muna ba ang dapat na sumakay bago ikaw o ikaw muna?' tanong nito habang naguguluhan pa rin. "Ladies usually go first but you are scared, right? Kaya nauna ako. Aalalayan naman kita."

I winced. "It's fine. No biggie."

"I told you it's big."

Pinigilan kong umirap.

"Come here," alok niya sa akin.

Inalalayan niya akong makasakay. Napayakap ako agad sa kanya nang gumalaw ang kabayo. Narinig ko pa ang mahinang pagtawa ni Oscar.

I get it. He's just happy whenever I am confused or scared.

"I'm sure you want to ride on Brix's horse, too."

"Does he even have a horse?" I asked.

"Of course, we all have. Can't tell which is bigger..." And he chuckled again. "I mean, even Nathalia has one. It's big, too. Pero hindi naman niya sinasakyan lagi."

Okay?

"You good there?" he questioned.

"Yes. Dahan-dahan lang ah?" paalala ko.

"Hmmm. Okay. Just tell me when to go faster."

Hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa likod ni Oscar nang tumakbo na ang kabayo. Bumubunggo pa ang mukha ko sa likod niya kaya kinailangan kong umatras nang konti.

He smells good, too.

"You are the first woman to ride Armando, Astra," he announced that immediately swept by the wind. "Forgive me if I don't know how this works."

"No. I'm perfectly fine," sagip ko.

Ramdam ko ang pagpipigil nitong mas bilisan. Am I ruining the moment?

"Faster now, Oscar." And I closed my eyes.

"Damn. Thanks!"

Naramdaman kong mas bumilis ang pagpapatakbo niya. Hindi ko magawang pakawalan ang kapit ko sa kanya para man lang maayos ang buhok ko na tinatangay ng malakas na hangin.

"Welcome to my ranch..."

That's the moment I opened my eyes. Sumalubong sa akin ang malawak at kulay berdeng kalupaan. There were horses everywhere. Walang kulungan. Lahat ay malaya at kumakain ng dayami. Sa hindi kalayuan ay tanaw ko ang malaking kamalig.

There's not much in the scene. It just feels I am in the world of horses. I just hope Oscar can't read my thoughts. He seems joyful in the scene.

"What do you think, Astra?"

"Ay... wow!"

"I knew you would love it." Hininaan niya ang pagpapatakbo kay Armando. "They actually have names. I mean... all of them. That one is Ermit... Fino... Yorge..."

Napasimangot ako nang umpisahan niyang banggiting ang pangalan ng mga kabayo. Hindi ko alam kung mamamangha ba ako o mapapairap.

"That one is Cranos—"

"Oh, wow! Ang sarap ng hangin dito!"

"Yeah. Baba muna tayo."

Mauuna na sana siyang bumaba pero inunahan ko na. Binitiwan niya lang ang tali ni Armando kaya tumakbo ito sa ibang panig at sumalo sa iba pa.

Malamang na kapag nalingat lang ako nang kaunti ay hindi ko na matutukoy kung sino si Armando sa mga nagkukumpulang kabayo.

"How do you feel?" tanong ni Oscar. Umupo ito sa mga damo at tumingala sa akin. "I mean... you are going to be my Dad's accompany tomorrow. How do you feel about that?"

I sat beside him. Tinanaw ko ang mga malayang kabayo habang pinaglalaruan ang mga damo sa kamay ko.

"I don't know," I responded, honestly.

Pinasadahan ko ng daliri ang aking buhok.

"I'm glad you are going, don't get me wrong."

He caught my attention with that. Malayo ang tingin nito.

"It's just..." Huminga siya nang malalim bago humiga at ginawang unan ang kanyang mga braso. "I don't know. You are right. I don't know is the right answer to that question."

"I bet it's going to be fun," I said.

Napatingin sa akin si Oscar.

"I mean..." Humagilap ako ng idudugtong. "You are there... and Celeste. I'm going to meet other vampires. Conversations. Drinks. Fun."

"Yeah," he forced a smile. "Just don't impress him that much. Baka hindi ka na pakawalan ni Papa." Saka siya tumawa.

"Err. Can't promise," I laughed, too. "I do it unintentionally."

"Wicked."

Humiga rin ako sa tabi niya. Pinagmasdan ko ang malawak at kulay asul na himpapawid. Pinanuod ang iba't ibang hugis ng mga ulap at ang pagtawid ng mga ibon.

"I am happy you are now embracing who you are," dinig kong saad ni Oscar. "I still remember the first time you learned about this. You were freaking out. You almost curse us."

I closed my eyes to feel the breeze.

"Ano sabi ni Brix tungkol sa pagsama mo bukas, Astra? Balita ko ay pinuntahan ka muna niya bago siya umalis."

"Nothing. He just gave me the go signal. He wants me to impress you Dad."

I felt his attention darted on me. "Really? Just like that?"

"Don't tell me you are expecting him to stop me." I laughed, still eyes closed. "He also reminded me not to do stupid things and he has eyes everywhere."

"Hmmm..."

Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at tumingin kay Oscar. Sa himpapawid pa rin ang tingin nito.

"Bakit?" tanong ko.

"I see..." Nakangiting bumaling din sa akin si Oscar. "He's starting to take over the position."

Naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya.

Magtatanong pa lang sana ako nang maramdaman na may tumulong tubig sa akin, hanggang sa bumuhos na ang malakas na ulan. Tumingala ako sa itaas. Sa isang iglap ay napawi ang kaninang maaliwalas na himpapawid.

"I like the rain," Oscar said.

Hindi kami kumilos sa hinihigaan namin.

"Same..." I agreed.

"Brix, too..." banggit ni Oscar. "Anyway, we should get back now. Marami ka pang gagawin para sa okasyon bukas. I'm sure Dad wants you to own that night."

He stood up and offered a hand to me.

"What do you mean Brix is starting to take over the position, Oscar?"

He just smiled at me.

Sa huli ay tinanggap ko na lang din ang kanyang kamay. Sumipol siya at hindi nagtagal ay may isang kabayo na tumatakbo sa direksyon namin.

Napatingin ako sa damit kong basang-basa na.

"Let's go, Astra..."

Pagkarating namin sa malaking bahay ay si Mr. Billy ang agad na bumungad sa amin. Si Oscar naman ay umalis uli para ibalik si Armando.

"Maligo muna kayo, Lady Astra," saad ni Mr. Billy bago bumaling sa dalawang babaeng nasa likod niya. "Kayo na ang bahala sa kanya. Mayamaya rin ay darating na si Lady Merryl."

Yumuko ang dalawang babae bago lumapit sa akin.

"Sumunod po kayo, Lady Astra..."

Hinatid nila ako sa kwarto kung saan ako dinala rin dati ni Nath. Aktong huhubaran na nila ako kaya agad ko silang pinigilan at pinakiusap na ako na lang.

"Sino si Lady Merryl?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"Siya po ang magsusukat sa inyo at mag-aasikaso, Lady Astra."

I see...

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng paliguan. Sumalubong sa akin ang halimuyak ng mabangong bulaklak na malamang na nanggagaling sa bumubulang tubig ng bathtub at kandila sa paligid.

Hinubad ko na ang basa kong damit at itinabi sa gilid. Binabad ko ang katawan sa mabangong tubig at pinahinga ang likod.

I let out a heavy sigh of relief. I can't believe I'm here again.

Pinahinga ko ang mga mata ko habang dinadama ang tubig sa katawan.

I couldn't help but to keep thinking about the vague words of Oscar earlier. What does he mean Brix is starting to take over the position? Being the leader of Nightfall Clan? How?

How's that connected to me dating his father?

Does Brix have a plan? Is he playing a façade game just like I do? Am I also a pawn on his game?

My fists clenched.

Am I falling on his game?