The Dissolving Flower

Kabanata 28

THE BIRTH OF THE WITHERED DRAGON

"YES," Aster replied in a low voice making the Desert Fae smiled in fascination.

Meanwhile, Lisianthus was keeping his annoyance in check. He might strangle the neck of Hon any minute now if by chance he chose to surrender from his carelessness. Ano ba ang ninanais nito at mga ganito ang tanungan kay Aster?

Did he want them to get angry? Kasi kung iyon nga, nagtagumpay siya. He was clearly pissed. Hindi lang sa mga personalan nitong tanong kundi na sa katotohanang may nakakaalam sa mga bagay na dapat ang Royal Dragon at limang lineages lang dapat ang nakakaalam.

"All right. Next."

Hon was ready to flip the coin, but he chose to interfere. Pabagsak niyang nilapag ang kamay sa lamesa at bahagyang tinulak si Aster patagilid upang palitan ito.

"No more for him. Ako na," saad niya. Sinulyapan niya si Aster na namumutla ang mukha habang nakayuko pa rin.

"Wait, Chief. Hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko kanina? You're not allowed to—"

"I'll interfere if I want to." He cut him off.

Pinaningkitan naman siya nito. "I don't like how you use your tongue."

"I don't like you either." Pinantayan niya ang mga tingin nito. "Besides, do you think he can still answer?" dagdag niya pa patukoy kay Aster na nanigas na sa kaniyang tabi, ang mga kamay nito ay nanginginig na.

Hindi niya mapigilang mag-alala. Kahit ilang libong taon na ang lumipas, apektadong-apektado pa rin talaga ang kaibigan niya.

Damn that Desert Fae. It was all his fault for making Aster remember. He was very careful on not mentioning about the past, but the insensitive A-gene just spit the question as if it was no big deal at all.

"Well, you have a point." Hon shrugged like nothing happened. "Okay, shall we focus on you now, Chief?"

"I'm waiting."

Ngumiti ito sa kaniya at mapanuya siyang tiningnan. He flipped the coin and just like earlier he slapped it on the table, covering the result fast with his hand. Nang inalis niya ito, sumalubong sa kaniya ang simbolo ng isang pigura na hindi niya kilala.

"Head." Hon clasped his hand while smirking at him.

Lalong kumulo ang dugo ni Lis sa mga galawan nito na para bang kung sinong importanteng tao. Ang mga tingin nitong parang minamaliit siya at ang hugis ng ngiti na may balak na hindi maganda ang higit na nagpapakiliti sa inis niya.

"Do you miss your mom?"

"Yes."

"How about your father?"

"Yes."

"How about your rival?"

He gritted his teeth. "Yes."

The damn fae had started his game again. He was trying to hit on his nerves and to his favor, it was working. Lalo na nang ngumisi ito dahilan para lalo siyang mabalot ng galit.

Muli nitong hinagis ang Meo at kagaya kanina, head pa rin ang lumabas.

"Do you think it's your fault why your rival died?"

Nerves from his head started to pop out as the fae continued to mess with him. Hindi dapat siya magpadala subalit ang kaniyang emosyon patungkol sa kakamatay lang niyang kaibigan ay presko pa sa kaniyang puso. Hanggang ngayon paulit-ulit niya pa rin iyong pinagsisisihan. Nandoon pa rin ang bigat sa kaniyang damdamin na kahit kailan ay hindi na maaalis pa, at ito'y dadalhin niya hanggang kamatayan.