Chapter 10: I Promise

I got back to the place where I found Kristan lying unconsciously. I had to move away a little bit because of the stinging smell from the dumpsters. The burnout lightbulb of the lamp post made this side of the street less noticeable from any incidents.

I slid my hands inside the pocket of my red hoodie. Sandali kong ginala ang paligid bago napagpasyahang akyatin ang isang mataas na pader.

I nearly threw up when my sandals accidentally stepped on a decomposing head of an animal which I assumed was a dog. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil mas malala pa pala ang nasa likod ng pader. Hindi lang pala tapunan ang lugar na ito ng mga basura, kung hindi maging ang mga patay na hayop ay rito tinatapon.

Now, where are the assholes?

Naglakad-lakad ako sa kadiliman habang iniiwasang maapakan ang mga basura. I should have worn my knee high boots instead of these flat sandals.

Oh, my feels! I couldn't believe I was walking through these tons of garbage just to look for a damn cat that I don't even own in the first place.

Natigilan ako nung may mga marinig na boses sa hindi kalayuan. Sa likod ng isang malabundok na basura ay may kaunting liwanag akong nakikita.

I sighed. I found them.

Habang palapit ako nang palapit sa kanila ay palakas nang palakas ang tawanan nila. No'ng madatnan ko ang lugar ay wala akong naabutan. Tanging isang siga lang ang andoon.

"Meow."

There, I saw the poor Lilly just near the campfire. What are they even trying to do by putting her near the fire?

Nakatali ang mga binti nito kaya hindi makagalaw. Nilapitan ko siya at aktong kakalagan na no'ng may naramdaman ako sa likod ko.

"What are you doing here?"

I knew he wasn't alone.

I knew they were not humans.

Still, I ignored them.

Napangiti ako nung makalagan ko si Lilly. Binuhat ko siya sa aking braso bago tumayo. Hinarap ko ang mga kalalakihan na masama ang tingin sa amin.

"A woman..." One of the garbage men looked so surprised. Sa kanilang lima, siya ang sa tingin ko ay pinakabata. "What in the world are you doing in our territory?"

"Hey, easy..." One of his acquaintances tapped his shoulder.  "She's a girl. We don't talk like that to girls, Owen." Tumikhim siya saka lumapit sa akin. "Why don't you sit down and let's have some conversation?"

"Fuck. I am feeling a bit horny lately," I heard one whisper.

"Is that your cat?" The young boy asked.

Napatingin ako sa kamay nung isang lalaking lumapit sa akin dahil hinawakan niya ako sa braso. Thankfully, I am covered with jacket. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magagawa ko sa kanya kapag hinawakan niya ako sa balat.

"We will calmly give you back your cat after our, of course, nonviolent conversation," he smiled, showing his fangs. "We promise to be gentle with you."

I stood still. These men are gangsters or they called them insurgents in our place. Matagal-tagal na rin magsimula nung maka-encounter ako ng gaya nila.

I flinched my head when he tried to touch my face.

"She's a vampire," the young boy noticed.

Tila mas lalong naengganyo ang mayabang na lalaki sa sinabi ng kasamahan niya. Tumawa pa siya saka tinangka ako uling hawakan.

"Boys..." He faced his friends. "I think I found my wife."

Sinipa ko ang likod ng tuhod niya at nung mapaluhod siya ay sinipa ko naman ang ulo niya kaya napahiga siya sa lupa. Inapakan ko ang kanyang ulo at sinubsob ang kanyang mukha.

They all tried to attack me. With only the use of my right foot, I managed to put them all down... except the young boy who didn't even attack me. He stood still with an awe expression plastered on his face.

"W-who are you?" the young boy asked.

"Retreat. Let's go!" their acting leader announced.

Siya ang unang sumugod sa akin kanina, siya rin ang unang tumakbo palayo. Nagsunuran naman ang kanyang mga kasamahan. Nanatili ang isang lalaki sa harapan ko.

"Thank you," he smiled at me. "I was thinking of a plan to release that cat. Thank you for coming to save her. Take care, Hoodie Lady!"

That's when he ran away to follow the rest.

Nung mawala sila ay inalis ko ang hood na tumatakip sa ulo ko. Pinagmasdan ko si Lilly. She has a scratch on her right leg, but I think she's fine. She doesn't look hurt at all.

The day has been long enough. I had to wrap it all up here.

"Let's go home, Lilly..."

Pagkauwi ko ay naabutan kong gising si Kristan. Basa ang buhok nito, malamang na nabahuan din sa sarili kaya naligo muna.

"Nath!"

He immediately ran towards me.

I swallowed. "She's safe."

"No. Are you hurt?"

No. I wasn't, but I could feel that there's something wrong with my body. Hindi ko ramdam ang pagod, pero parang may pumipigil sa lakas ko.

I shook my head. "She has a scratch on her right leg. I don't think there's still an open clinic at this moment. Magdasal ka na lang siguro na umabot pa siya ng umaga."

Binigay ko na sa kanya ang pusa dahil gusto ko nang pumasok ng kwarto ko. Pagkatanggap niya kay Lilly ay agad niyang sinuri ang sugat nito.

"She's going to be fine," I heard him say.

I managed to get into my room, but I collapsed on the floor before I even reached my bed. My body started to numb as I couldn't feel my feet anymore. Napahawak ako sa leeg ko dahil parang sinasakal ako.

Shit!

My necklace. I overused it!

"Nathalia!" I heard the panic from Kristan's voice as he carried me to my bed. Maging siya ay lumalabo na sa paningin ko. "What's wrong? Did they hurt you?"

I couldn't find even my own voice. Habang tumatagal sa leeg ko ang kwintas ay pababa nang pababa ang lakas ko. This is the downside of over using this necklace. Kapag nagamit mo ang lahat ng bisa nito ay sa 'yo na ito mismo kukuha ng lakas. Hanggang sa maging ikaw ay hindi mo na ito maalis.

I could still Kristan's frantic voice.

"Remove the necklace..." I got into his head for the first time.

I was hoping he could hear me even with my slowly dropping strenght, but I don't think I made it. Naramdaman ko pang niyugyog niya ang balikat ko.

Fuck this idiot!

What could nudging even do? I am not fucking unconscious!

I tried to touch my necklace again, but I just got electrified. That's when I knew I fucked up. Only Kristan could take it off at this point.

I was losing my consciousness, until I felt his hand on my necklace. Imbes na hubarin ay hinatak niya ang kwintas. Naramdaman kong napigtas ito kasabay ng unti-unting pagbalik ng lakas ko.

A loud gasp escaped my lips in relief. I immediately recouped the strength that the necklace absorbed from my body.

"Fuck! Are you okay now?"

Nung bumalik ang lakas ko ay hindi ako nag-aksaya ng panahon. Hinila ko si Kristan saka sinandal sa pader. Hawak ko ang kanyang leeg.

"How are you this fucking dumb?" I gritted my teeth as I felt my fangs rapidly growing on my gums. "Or you are just playing around as your way of killing me?"

I wanted an immediate answer from him, but I think my tight grip on his neck was stopping him to. Niluwagan ko nang kaunti ang pagkakahawak sa kanyang leeg para makapagsalita siya.

"I-I genuinely had no idea what to do," he said while looking into my eyes.

Some could tell if a person is lying just by looking in his eyes, but all I could see was his natural long eyelashes and deep dark eyes.

"You knew what you were doing!" I insisted.

"I'm sorry. I really had—"

"Get out," I released him and stepped back to give him more space. "Get out of my room, Kristan. Now."

Napaupo siya sa sahig nung pakawalan ko siya. Mabilis naman siyang nakabangon. Sa halip na sundin ang gusto ko ay nanatili pa rin siyang nakatayo sa harapan ko.

"Thank you for saving Lilly..."

Binuksan ko ang pinto ng kwarto ko at sinenyasan siyang lumabas na. Tumango naman siya at ginawa ang gusto ko. Pagkalabas niya ay kinandado ko ang pinto.

How dumb!

Pinulot ko ang napigtas na kwintas saka umupo sa kama. I can't repair it once broken. It's that vulnerable. That means... I don't think I can go out tomorrow and do my job.

I bit my bottom lip. Did he really have to rip it off? Hindi ba niya alam na may hook ito at puwede naman niyang alisin 'yon kaysa pigtasin?

I pulled a box out of my drawer and opened it. Tinago ko roon ang napigtas na kwintas kasama ng iba pa. Hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na napigtas ang kwintas ko.

Hinawakan ko ang leeg ko para damhin kung nag-iwan ba ang bakas ang kwintas. Subalit may iba akong naramdaman kaya nagmadali akong pumasok ng rest room.

I took off my clothes until I was completely naked. Nanlumo ako nung mapagtanto kung bakit may iba akong naramdaman sa leeg ko. Hindi lang pala sa leeg. Buong balat sa katawan ko ay nangulubot.

I felt horrified with what happened to me. Napansandal ako sa pader dulot ng pagkalugmok. I closed my eyes as my fists balled up. I was breathing heavily, trying to conceal it inside me.

Until I gave up and a roaring scream came out of my lips.

Lahat ng bagay na nahawakan ko ay hinagis ko dahil sa pagkayamot. Nawalan din ako ng balanse kaya napaupo sa malamig na marmol na sahig. Naramdaman kong dumausdos sa mukha ko ang mainit-init na tubig.

This is not happening. I looked... shit and old.

Fuck!

The worse part was Kristan must have seen me in this horrifying state. He didn't just tell me... but I knew he saw it. He saw my old wrinkled skin and dark, dry lips. It could have been better if only me, but someone else saw me.

I spent almost two hours sitting on that cold tiled floor, thinking why did I reach this far. I should not have worn that necklace for this long. I knew what was going to happen, yet I neglected it.

No. I should have not helped him. Dapat ay hindi na ako lumbas para tulungan siyang iligtas ang kanyang pusa. What was I even thinking?

I need some wine.

Is he still up?

Nagsuot ako ng makapal na jacket, jogging pants, gloves, face mask, shades, at iba pang pwedeng pantakip sa kulubot na balat ko. Nung makuntento ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto.

The place was quiet, so I thought he was already asleep with his cat. I walked to the kitchen to get myself a bottle of wine and a glass.

I was about to ran back to my room when Kristan's sudden disappearance startled me. Nakatayo siya sa bungad ng kusina. Muntik ko pang mabitiwan ang alak dahil sa gulat.

"W-who are you?" he asked, confused.

My lips parted under the face mask. What did he just ask me?

"I said who are you and what are you doing here?" His firm expression made him look terrifying. I swear this was the first time I saw him wearing that expression, and it suited him perfectly.

What the fuck am I thinking? Why am I complimenting him while he is insulting me?

Wait. Hindi niya ba talaga ako nakikilala? Just because... I'm covered with clothes?

I gasped when he suddenly appeared in front of me. Inagaw niya sa akin ang alak saka nilagay sa counter. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko saka ako hinila sa sala.

"Get out of here," he said.

What the fuck?

"What are you doing?" he asked when I pushed him away. He pinched the bridge of his nose before pointing his finger at the door. "Get out, or I will call the cops."

"Do it," I said.

As though the realization hit him, his lips slightly parted. Bumagsak ang braso niyang nakaturo sa pinto para sana palabasin ako.

"N-Nathalia?"

Tinalikuran ko na siya saka binalikan ang alak ko. This scene was not just insulting me, but also embarrassing as fuck.

"Hey. Bakit ka nakabalot?"

"I have nothing to explain in my own house."

Before I even got into my room, he said something.

"It's fine, Nathalia."

No. It's not. It's never acceptable to look like this.

I poured myself some wine while scrolling through the movie list on my TV. Halos nakalahati ko na ang bote ng alak pero wala pa rin akong nauumpisahan.

"Fuck," I whispered. "I hate myself."

Sa huli ay nabato ko ang remote control ng TV. Sumandal ako sa ulunan ng kama habang mapait ang mukha na umiinom ng alak.

Hinubad ko ang buong telang nakatakip sa katawan ko dahil ang bigat sa pakiramdam. Hindi na ako nag-abalang tingnan ang katawan ko.

I heard a knock on my door.

Is it not enough, Kristan? You have embarrassed me enough!

"I'm coming in," he said.

I couldn't care less at this point. Kahit na makita niya ako sa ganitong estado ay wala na akong pakialam. Pakiramdam ko ay naubusan na ako ng dignidad.

He entered my room. Hindi ko siya pinansin. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa screen ng TV kahit na wala naman akong pinapanuod. Naramdaman kong umupo siya sa tabi ko.

"Was it worth it, Nath?"

"Don't start with me, Kristan."

He chuckled. "Why do you sound frustrated?"

"Because you are acting like a fool."

"Is it foolishness that I want to kiss you?"

That stopped me from sipping on my wine. Napalingon ako sa kanya. Saka ko lang napagtanto na wala rin siyang damit pang-itaas. Naka kulay grey lang siyang jogger pants.

He took the wine glass from my hand. Siya ang umubos ng alak doon.

I was speechless.

"Can I look at you?" he asked for permission.

I gulped. "Can you look at me?"

Without hesitation, he titled his head to me—a smirk formed on his lips.

"What rights do I have to you?" he asked again.

"Just be honest, Mr. Admiral."

"You know what..." He pulled me closer. Napasandal ako sa kanyang dibdib kaya inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya. "Nothing has changed. Just your skin. You still look... gorgeous."

I chuckled. "Mas lasing ka pa yata sa akin?"

"I am completely sober, Milady."

"So am I." Lumayo ako sa kanya at pumwesto sa gilid ng kama. Nasa magkabilaan kaming panig ng malawak kong kama. "I know when someone is lying or not. I don't need you to comfort me."

He shook his head. "What are your plans tomorrow?"

I gritted my teeth. "Sinusubukan mo talaga ako? Hindi ba lumayas ka na rito?"

"Lumayas?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit naman ako lalayas?"

"Is it embarrassing enough for you to lie?"

"No. Dinala ko sa vet si Lilly para ipa-check up. Hmm..." Umiwas siya ng tingin. "I found some cash on the counter. Baka pera mo 'yon. I used it to pay for Lilly's vet."

"You are lying..."

"I am not!" he insisted.

Kinuha ko ang kumot saka binalot sa katawan ko. Pinanatili ko ang palawak na espasyo sa pagitan namin ni Kristan.

"Pero bigla akong hinarang ng tatlong lalaki, eh," aniya pa.

Natawa ako. "Mahina ka pa."

"I didn't fight back, of course. Humans are not allowed to know about us."

"They are not humans, idiot!" I scowled at him. "Those garbage men are vampires, too. Just like you."

Halatang nagulat siya sa siniwalat ko. Napailing na lang ako. Tanga talaga.

"You mean... I could have fought back without holding back?"

"You could have torn their body into pieces, and you are good."

"Fuck!" He brushed his fingers through his hair. Huminga siya nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili. Napansin kong kumuyom ang mga kamao niya.

I sighed. "Mabuti na ring hindi ka lumaban. Baka mas malala pa ang nagawa nila sa 'yo."

"So... they hurt you?"

"What about it?" I arched my brows. "What if they hurt me, Kristan?"

"Then..." he smirked. "I will—"

"Oh, please," I cut him off. "I don't need some cheesy lines, Kristan. Do you really think they can hurt me? I was a soldier before I became a model."

An amused expression crossed his face. "Y-you were once a soldier?"

"Pour me some wine," I said.

Pinagsalin naman niya ako ng alak sa baso. Umusog siya palapit sa akin para ibigay ang baso. Nanatili na siya sa tabi ko. Hindi ko na lang pinansin.

I sipped on my wine. "You see... I was born before everyone in this universe, right at this moment, was even born. Do you really think I was a model all my life?"

"Cool."

"I became a soldier, one of the mistresses of a king, runaway daughter of the wealthiest family, wife of an emperor, and even a leader."

"What the fuck?" he laughed. "I didn't know you could be cooler than I thought. Then... how did you end up as a model?"

"As I said, I don't stick in one place. We are vampires, Kristan. We will stay here until the end of the world. It would be boring to stay in one personality. I mean... what's the point when you can explore and be anyone you want?"

"Then... bibitiwan mo rin ang pagiging model?"

I shrugged my shoulder as I finished my drink.

"I have been watching everyone come and go. I remain."

Pagkatapos no'n ay hindi na uli siya nagsalita. Akala ko ay nakatulog na siya kaya nilingon ko. Nakatingin lang siya sa malayo at halatang may malalim na iniisip.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"Wala lang..." Malungkot na tumingin siya sa akin. "Naisip ko lang na... iiwan din ako ni Lilly."

Imbes na maawa ay natawa ako. Really? Sa dami ng puwede mong problemahin ay ang pagkawala pa talaga ng alaga mo?

"We are alone at the end of the day, Kristan. That's our truth."

"What's the point of being alone when..." He turned to me. "I am a vampire, and so are you. You are my master, and I am your slave."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya.

He held my chin up to give me a peck of a kiss on my lips. He stared into my eyes before kissing me again, but this time, longer and more passionate.

I froze and couldn't kiss back.

I have so many thoughts in my head.

"I don't mind living the same life with you throughout my history, Nathalia. I promise to stick with you no matter what happens."

No.

Slaves are not meant to stay with their masters forever. They are just temporary companions.

I should tell him.

"With me..." he whispered in my ears. "You can be who you are. You are safe with me, Milady."

That's when I closed my eyes and kissed him back.

Let's see, Kristan.

But right now, I am slowly learning to accept that reviving you... is not a mistake.