Not Even Death Do Us Part

13

13

Zerina could feel her walls caving in so she clutched the sheets, "Franco, let's talk after this. Okay?"

Franco groaned until they both reached their climax.

It's Saturday morning already, they skipped their classes. Right after their steamy act on the staircase, Franco insisted to have more because he wants to let her feel how much he loves and misses him.

Namumula ang dibdib pati ang pang-upo ni Zerina dahil sa gigil na paghawak ni Franco doon at pagsipsip na rin sa kanyang balat.

"Just wear this for now."

Inabot sa kanya ni Franco at shirt nito. Pagkasuot ni Zerina ay umabot iyon hanggang sa hita niya. Inalalayan siyang makatayo ni Franco.

"Let's talk at the library."

"Okay."

Magkahawak-kamay na pumunta sila sa library ni Franco at doon nag-usap.

"Are you even sure you want to do this now?" Franco asked.

Tumango naman si Zerina, "I'm sure. These images of me and you being so intimate in the different parts of this house are confusing me so much."

Nangunot ang noo ni Franco, "What are you saying?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Zerina, "Simula nang dalhin mo ako rito, nawawala ako bigla sa realidad tapos nakikita kita." Tinuro niya si Franco, "Pero parang nasa ibang panahon, tapos nakikita ko rin ang sarili ko. I was Catherine, and now I was an attorney. We were doing it, Franco."

"You remember?"

"What? What do you mean?"

Nameywang itong si Franco tila ba nag-iisip. "Why do you know Catherine and Leeandrea?"

"You knew them?"

Lumapit si Franco sa kanya, "Baby, what I'm about to tell you may sound unbelievable."

"I've seen unbelievable things already, baby."

"Okay."

May kinuha itong si Franco sa isang drawer malapit sa mga bookshelves. Isang photo album.

"Open it."

Nang buksan niya iyon ay nagulat siya dahil iba't ibang litrato niya pero sa magkakaibang panahon yata hanggang sa makita niya ang isang babae na mas moderno at mas malinaw ang picture.

"That's you. You were Atty. Leeandrea Tiu before you became Zerina Gomez."

"W-What?"

Binalik ni Franco sa unang pahina ang album, at doon ay nakita ni Zerina ang isang babae na naka-Victorian gown.

"That's you too. Catherine Hart."

Isinara ni Zerina ang album at nakatitig sa kawalan.

Pa-squat na naupo sa harapan niya si Franco, "Baby, you were made. And when she made you, she bestowed you the gift of resurrection."

"She made me? W-Who? But I have parents."

"You are the creation of Prende. You are one of her chosen daughters. You're one of the Prende's Scions."

It was her first time to learn about Prende, "Prende? I don't know her. Where is she?"

"This is why I wanted you to read the books I gave you. Prende is one of the Albanian goddesses, she's a deity of love and beauty. She's the protector of women."

Litong-lito si Zerina, "Ito ba ang dahilan bakit nangyayari sa akin yun tuwing Biyernes?"

Hinawakan siya ni Franco sa kamay, "Oo." Masuyong hinalikan iyon ni Franco upang kalmahin siya, "Ang araw ng Biyernes ay sagradong araw kay Prende. She's the goddess of fertility and desire. Friday is typically the day where people get intimate with their partners or do sexual pleasures. It is a form of sacrifice of her Scions. You will feel the intense and unsatiable sexual needs in return, the prayers of procreation sought by her followers will happen."