Masked Glamour

Chapter Eight

Ferula

I woke up on a white sheet bed and wrapped in a warm blanket. The unfamiliar scent lingers on my nose. I roamed my eyes to the whole room but couldn't recognized where I am. The room wasn't the typical room I used to see. The wall was rough and uneven just like a cave. A soft gasped slipped from my mouth as I try to get up. I could still feel the pain on my back.

Inilapat ko ang aking palad sa aking likuran ng tuluyang makaupo. I uttered some words before I felt the warmth feeling spreading on my bruised back. Inalis ko ang kumot na nakabalot sa aking katawan saka ibinaba ang paa ko sa sahig.  I saw my ankle boots on the floor. Before I could slip my feet on it, I heard some footsteps coming near behind the room's closed oak door.

My eyes settled to door when it swung open. A woman wearing a knee-length yellow dress walked in. She was holding a tray of tea pot and cup.

“Hello, you're awake, how are you feeling?” Her soft voice soothed my ears. Isinalin niya ang tsaa sa tasa saka iyon iniabot sa akin. Reluctunt, I accepted her offer.

“Uhm, salamat. Maayos na po ang pakiramdam ko,” I uttered with my hoarse voice. I cleared my throat before sipping on the cup of tea. I watched the woman sit down on the wooden chair in front of me.

“I am Laurette. I am Kryion's wife.” She smiled while looking at me drinking the tea.

Ibinaba ko ang tasa sa kalapit na mesa. Ramdam ko ang mapanuri niyang mga mata na nakatutok pa rin sa akin. Ngumiti ako kahit bahagyang nakakaramdam ng pagkailang. “Ako po si Ferula.”

Tumango siya sa naging sagot ko. “Pupunta kami ni Kryion sa bayan mamaya. Isasabay ka na namin,” aniya.

“S-Salamat po. Nasaan po pala si Mr. Kryion?”

“May ginagawa lamang siya sa labas.” Tumango ako. Saglit na binalot kami ng katahimikan. Inubos ko ang ibinigay niyang inumin. Kalaunan ay muli siyang nagsalita.

“You are a brave lady.” Umangat ang aking mga mata sa kanyang mukha. Mayroong tipid na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. “But as possible as you can, please, don't ever come back here again.”

“I-I'm sorry.” I bowed my head and played with my fingers. I know what I've done was stupid. I just put myself in the verge of death. “I-I am just looking for my anklet. It is a very precious gift from my mother.”

I heard her sighed before her hand touched my fingers. “I understand. But you just put yourself in danger when you entered the beast's territory. He could kill you.”

Iniangat ko ang aking paningin sa kanya. Naroon ang pag-aalala sa kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin. Ang mga tanong sa aking isipan ay muling nabuo.

“The beast... you live with the beast? H-How?” Alam kung wala ako sa posisyon para magtanong pero hindi ko lang talaga mapigilan. Why are they living with the beast? “Are you some sort of a family?” I almost slapped myself. How could I ask such question? They're clearly not a family. He's a beast while Mr. Kryion and her are wolves.

With a half smile, she answered, “It's a long story. But... yes, you can call us a family.”

My forehead creased with confusion. I want to ask again but the door opens, revealing Mr. Kryion. He smiled the moment he saw me.

“Mademoiselle, are you feeling okay now? You lost your consciousness a while ago. Dinala kita rito para makapagpahinga na muna,” he said then walked towards us. He stood beside his wife and put his hands on her shoulder.

“Salamat po, Mr. Kryion,” I muttered softly. He nodded then looked down to his wife.

“Azarious went away with Aslan. He looks like a kid sulking when I tried to talk to him.” Tumawa siya sa sariling sinabi. Napailing naman ang asawa saka tumingin sa akin.

“Mabuti pang umalis na tayo para makapagpahinga ka na rin nang maayos sa inyo,” aniya. I nodded my head in return.

Noong lumabas kami sa silid na pinagdalhan sa akin ni Mr. Kryion ay halos hindi ako makapaniwala na naroon nga ako sa loob ng kweba.

I looked around in my surrounding. My lips hanged open and couldn't help the amazement in me. Sa paglabas namin sa silid ay ang salas ang bumungad sa akin. The lightened chandelier dangling beautifully. Different paintings hangs on the cave's wall. Everything around me looks expensive, from the furnitures, ornamentals and down to the persian rug. The colors of gold, red and black dominates the place.

While standing in the living room, I could see a glimpse of the kitchen behind the stone wall partition in my left side. The whole place looks vibrant because the light reflects to the creamy white color of the cave's wall.

I kicked off my ankle boots before lying on my bed. I felt drain. Katulad nga ng sinabi ng asawa ni Mr. Kryion ay sabay-sabay kaming umalis sa gubat. Hindi na sila nagtagal pa matapos akong maihatid dito sa aking bahay at dumiretso na sa bayan katulad ng plano nila.

I closed my eyes and hugged my pillow. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako. I just woke up in a dream of what happened a while ago in the cave. I could feel the sweat on my forehead. Tuluyan akong bumangon sa aking higaan ng maramdaman ang kalam ng aking sikmura. Kalat na ang dilim sa paligid ng mapatingin ako sa labas ng aking bintana.

Bare footed, I walked to the kitchen. I opened my cupboards only to find one cup of noodle. Hindi nga pala ako nakapamili sa bayan kanina. I only found two pieces of apple and a box of milk inside my fridge too.

I settled myself with the cup noodles and a piece of apple for my dinner. I take note to make some groceries tomorrow. Matapos kumain ay muli akong bumalik sa aking silid. A bittersweet smile appeared on my lips when I saw my necklace's replica on my bed.

Matapos makapagpalit ng damit ay muli akong bumalik sa pagtulog. I flicked the lamp to dim the light in my room. With a yawn, I laid on my bed and completely shut my eyes. It did not take me too long to fall asleep again. Though, my sleep was interrupted in the middle of the night. I opened my eyes only to be greeted by a murderous golden eyes looking straight at me while he stood at the edge of my small size bed.