THE VIOLINIST (filipino-english) On Hiatus

18: His name meant Blue & so is Hers (Azul/Azure)

Lumipas ang mga araw at bumalik na naman sa dati ang masyon nang mga Dansk. Malungkot at parang walang buhay. Ang naririnig lang gabi-gabi ay ang malulungkot na himig mula sa isang Violin.

"Tok Tok"

"Pasok", ani Henri nang hindi man lang lumilingon mula sa pagmamasid sa asul na dagat mula sa kanyang kwarto.

"Hey, how are you?"

Isang linggo na ring hindi narinig ni Henri ang boses yun. That warm and deep voice na kahit hindi siya lumingon at kahit nakapikit ay makikilala niya pa rin ang nagmamay-ari. Si Reece.

There he is standing on her doorway with a smile Henri can't describe. It was a smile of worry and relief at the same time.

"Akala ko bukas ka pa babalik?", she replied.

"Tumawag sa akin si Luca, pinilit mo raw siya mag-attend nang conference." may himig tampo ang boses nito.

"Hindi ko naman siya pinilit, he volunteered", depensa naman ni Henri. Pero ang totoo, pinilit nga niya ang pinsan. Naaapektuhan na rin kasi ito sa pagkukulong niya.

"You can't blame us from worrying Henri, bigla ka na lang umuwi at bumalik sa dati. Nagkukulong sa apat na sulok nang kuwartong ito"

"I know he's worried about me. You and Luca, bestfriends kayo right?" biglang tanong ni Henri.

"Yes but he's not the type to talk about personal things. I didn't even know you existed"

"Did he ever talk about someone named Azure?"

"Yes, I was supposed to meet her sa Tokyo with Luca but I didn't make it. Kakilala mo rin siya?"

"What did he tell you about her?"

"She's smart, sweet, bubbly and very pretty. Those were Luca's description about her. Naisip ko nga noon kapatid ni Luca, dahil pag ikinu-kuwento niya, he's like a very proud kuya."

Henri smiled bitterly.. May kaakibat kasing kalungkutan ang pangalan na iyon.

"Come with me", biglang yaya sa kanya ni Henri.

Pagkatapos nang ilang minuto, they're already in horseback, binabagtas ang daan patungo sa burol kung saan madalas pumupunta si Henri. Pagdating nila nang tuktok, may isang puno doon na napapaligiran nang maraming bulaklak at may malaking picture nang isang batang lalaki na ang nakasulat:

"For My Kuya Azul Madrigal Dansk"

Love,

Henriquetta Azure Dansk

"You are Azure?", naguguluhang tanong ni Reece kay Henri.

"I am. I was 3 when my brother Azul died, he was five, nahulog raw siya sa yate but his body was never found. Ni hindi ko alam noon na may kuya pala ako, maybe I was too young to remember then. It was Quinn who told me everything, na hindi ko puwedeng tawaging kuya si Luca kasi may totoo akong kuya. Kaya raw hindi ako tinatawag na Azure because it reminded my parents of my Kuya Azul. But for Luca, it's my name not a reminder of my brother.. Tragic right, losing everyone you love"

Ngayon naiintindihan na ni Reece kung bakit ganun na lang kung protektahan ni Luca si Henri, siya na ang tumayong kapalit ni Azul.

"You still have Luca. You're Azure, ikaw ang Blue princess ni Luca." & 'the Queen of my Heart', Reece almost added.

"Blue Princess?, nakangiti nang tanong ni Henri.

"Yup, blue for Azure. Luca's very proud of you and he loves you dearly. Kung buhay lang ang Kuya Azul mo sigurado ako  he'll be very proud of what you too."

Henri smiled and for Reece that's enough...

Pero bakit kailangang si Quinn ang magsabi nang katotohanan kay Henri, yun ang palaisipan pa rin sa kanya at ano bang sinabi ni Phillippe kay Henri para bumalik ito sa dati.