Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 10

Present...

All my expectation of a fancy and warm welcome party was absolutely over. I was welcomed, yes, but it was definitely not what I wished for, it was even beyond what I could think. I definitely blacked out last night and I couldn't remember anything. My last memory was the scene right after I talked with my father. A group attacked us and held us up.

I am so disturbed about what happened last night. I was scared and even until now. I thought I would feel safer that I'm home, but I'm not. It's the other way around. Ayoko na ulit maranasan ang ganitong pangyayari. I don't think I could deal with it again. Akala ko talaga ay mamatay na ako sa punto na iyon.

Ano na ang nangyayari dito? Bakit may ganito? It was so peaceful back then, that I didn't even know what a sound of a gun was like.

I am staring at a white ceiling. I could smell the familiar scent of a hospital. I moved my head to look around. I saw two men. One is sitting on the sofa and the other one is standing near the door talking on the phone.

I'm already in Soralia. Where's Papa? For sure, by now, he heard about what happened already. Where is he? My body was exhausted but I forced myself to sit. The man sitting on the sofa immediately walked toward me.

"How are you feeling, Ms. Trea?" he asked. "You should just stay lying."

"Who are you? Where's Papa?" I asked.

"Pabalik na dito si Don Sebastian. Humiga ka na muna ulit at tatawagin ko ang nurse para tignan ka," utos nung lalaki na may kausap kanina sa cell phone.

"Where's Artemis? Is he alright?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.

"He's in the next room," the other guy answered. "I'll call the nurse."

Tumalikod na ang lalaki kaya ay naiwan ako kasama ang isa. Hindi ko nalang sya pinansin at sinubukang bumaba sa kama.

"Dyan ka nalang muna at hintayin ang Don," saway nito sa akin.

Nahihilo ako ng konti at medyo may masakit sa katawan ko. Wala naman akong planong umalis kasi hihintayin ko si Papa. Gusto ko lang igalaw ang katawan ko.

"Nauuhaw ako," sabi ko sa kanya.

Tumango sya at tumalikod para magsalin ng tubig sa may lamesa malapit sa sofa. "Magpapahanda na din ako ng agahan mo. Siguro ay uuwi din kayo ngayon ni Don sa mansion."

"Are you one of my father's men?" I asked him.

"Oo," sagot nya.

"Who were the people who attacked us last night?" I asked him.

"Wala akong maisasagot sa iyo. Siguro ay kayo nalang ang mag-usap ng Don tungkol dyan," tanging sagot nya. 

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa ulit dahil pumasok ang isang doctor kasama ang isang babaeng nurse. Pagkatapos kong uminom ay bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo sa kama para harapin ang doctor. May mga tanong ito sa akin habang ang nurse naman ay naghihintay lang ng utos nito.

Kalaunan ay umalis na din sila at ilang sandali ang nakalipas ay dumating si Papa. Agad akong tumayo at sinalubong sya ng yakap. I missed him.

"Papa," naiiyak na tawag ko habang nakayakap pa din sa kanya. Ang tagal ko ng hindi nayayakap si Papa, antagal na din noong huli kaming nagkita.

"It's alright. Are you feeling better now?" he asked as he caressed my back.

"I was scared. Who were they? Did you catch them?"

"They are still in search. Don't worry. You'll be fine," he reassured me and then looked me in the eye. "I'm sorry that this happened to you."

"Who were they?" I asked him.