Barangay Series #3 : Calius Dashkov

Kabanata 30

“I like him.”

I pouted and turned my gaze at my sister. She looked at me with her sharp pointed amber eyes. It's shining, it is so beautiful.

"You can't like a Dashkov, Ellena." She then placed the comb on the bed.

Suminghab ako nang hawakan niya ang braso ko at inilapit ako sa kaniya.

"You want to risk your life over that kid, huh?" She whispered.

"But-"

I gasped again after she cursed.

"Don't you see I'm trying to learn how to fight to protect you and my land from those uncharitable vampires?"

Binawi ko ang braso ko sa kaniya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Now after mamá, it's you?" Mangha kong wika. "I thought you love me? But why are you controlling my feelings over Silas Dashkov?! You know he's good!"

"I am not dominating your feelings! I am protecting you from death!" Sigaw niya rin sa akin.

"You are! I love him!"

"You can't love a man who can't protect you from his own father, Ellena." Mariin niyang wika.

Nawala ang reaksyon sa mukha ko. Unti - unti siyang ngumisi at nagmurang muli.

Right . . .

Silas can't even protect himself from his father. How can he protect me if he can't do it? Right?

"You choose. Your sister who is ready to serve her life just for your safety or that kid? That kid who can't even hold a single saber or a wooden sword."

Unti - unting pumatak ang luha ko sa pisngi.

"But I can protect myself . . . I . . . I can also protect him," sinalubong ko ang tingin ng aking kapatid.

Humalakhak ang aking kapatid at tumayo.

"Look at me. Look at me, Ellena. Look who I protect. Look who I value. My land, right? My land, my sister, and my people." Taas noo niya akong tiningnan. "I never protected any man, not unless it's our father."

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko sa aking pisngi. Suminghab ako nang hawakan niya ang baba ko at pinatingala sa kaniya.

"I know what's good for you. You better look for a man who doesn't nourish you to death. He doesn't deserve your tears."

"Amanda, anak. Gising."

Agad akong nagmulat at kinapa ang pisngi ko. Naupo ako at napansing basa ito. Tiningala ko si Papa.

"Bad dream?" Malambing niyang wika.

Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kaniya nang muling maalala ang apelyedong nabanggit sa ala - alang pumasok sa aking panaginip.

Dashkov . . .

Dashkov ang apelyido ni Papa. Pero sino si Silas Dashkov? Bakit konektado siya kay Ellena? Isa pa rin si Elatasia. Bakit siya nandoon?

Pinagagalitan niya ako . . . hindi, si Ellena. Pinagagalitan niya si Ellena dahil may gusto siya kay Silas na ipinagbabawal naman ni Elatasia.

Sinapo ko ang dibdib ko at pinakiramdaman ang tibok ng puso ko.

Ang tinitibok ng puso ni Ellena ay si Silas Dashkov . . .

"Amanda?"

"H-ha?" Tila bumalik sa reyalidad kong wika. "A-ano po, Papa?"