The Knights of St. Harfeld

25- A Happy Secret, At Last

Titig na titig si Fenris kay Maryan habang tinatanggal nito ang benda sa kanyang sugat. Hindi lang talaga siya makapaniwalang hindi siya inaaway o iniinsulto nito.

"I know what you're thinking," biglang sabi nito kaya napalunok siya.

"Sigurado kang hindi ka clone? Baka naman nabagok ka tapos nagka-amnesia," hindi na niya napigilan ang sariling sabihin 'yun.

Huminga ng malalim si Maryan saka tumigil sa ginagawa at tumingin sa kanya. "I'm sorry."

Kumunot ang noo ni Fenris. Si Maryan nag-sorry! Isang himala!

"I hated myself for being so mean to you all the time. Kung alam mo lang kung paano ko pigilan ang sarili ko na i-comfort ka sa tuwing nasasaktan kita," namumula ang mga mata ng kapatid n'ya na para bang iiyak na anumang oras.

"So, bakit? Bakit ka lumayo sa akin? We used to be bestfriends," malungkot niyang tanong.

"I'm a nosy person kahit na noong mga bata pa tayo. May narinig ako sa usapan nina Mama at Papa. I was thirteen then and I wish I wasn't eavesdropping to their conversation. Nang nalaman ko ang bagay na 'yun, I couldn't just forget about it. Wala silang choice but to get me involved earlier than planned. I met Lee. He was twelve that time at kakarating lang dito sa isla."

"Dahil nalunod ang barko nila. His parents and siblings died except for one. I know that story," sabad niya pero laking gulat niya nang makitang umiling si Maryan.

Ipinagpatuloy ng kapatid niya ang pagtanggal ng benda n'ya. "Walang shipwreck na naganap. Lee's family is safe and sound in Vergaemonth all this time. He hasn't seen them in six years. Well, except Cole na lageng pumupunta rito."

Ilang beses na napakurap si Fenris. Bigla kasing nanlabo ang paningin niya sa sobrang pagkalito.

What? Ano?

"You can ask him about that. Ask him for the truth and I'm sure he will tell you."

"He lied to me before. What made you think he'll tell me now?"

"Because I told him to lie to you before. I told him to not involve you."

"Whatever. So, tell me, what's your truth? Then I'll decide later kung maniniwala ako. Puro kasi kayo sinungaling."

Huminga ng malalim si Maryan at biglang nalungkot ang mukha nito dahil sa sinabi n'ya.

"Well?" untag niya.

"I didn't get to enjoy my teenage life," panimula nito. "I was secretly training how to fight, learn spells I couldn't use, study things aside from schoolwork. Sometimes become Lee's blood bag. I didn't like my new life, Fen. I didn't want that for you. I wanted you to have a real childhood and I wanted you to grow up normally. I was so happy when you met your bestfriend."

"Kilmar..." she whispered.

"Yes. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, finally, hindi ka na mag-iisa kahit na tinalikuran kita," nagsimula nang mamula ang mga mata nito.

"Wait, ano 'yung sinasabi mong narinig mong usapan nina Mama at Papa?"

Sa wakas ay natanggal din nang tuluyan ang lahat ng benda at agad na namutla si Fenris nang makita ang kanyang sugat sa dibdib.