Shackles of Melancholia (Completed)

Chapter 46

Protect

Hinawakan ko ang aking dibdib nang makita ko ang mailaw at engrandeng venue. There was a long dining table with grandeur decorations, an elegant looking wide pool with no single person on it. Hindi pa kami tuluyang nakararating ngunit parang nahihinuha ko na ang mga hindi ko pa nakita.

Tumigil si Axon dahilan rin ng pagkatigil ko. I look up at him with a heart that is hyperventilating. Hinaplos niya ang aking leeg at aking pisngi. Humilig ako sa kanyang kamay. His eyes held concern. I'm sure he noticed my pale face and cold sweats starting to form on my temple.

"I'm fine," I whispered to his unspoken question. Hinigpitan niya ang pagkapulupot sa aking bewang bago kami magpakita sa kanyang mga kamag-anak.

"Let's go to the backdoor." he whispered in my ear. Iginaya niya nga ako rito imbis sa kanilang harap ng mansion dahil wala pa namang nakakakita sa amin.

Nang binuksan niya ito ay bumungad sa akin ang napakalawak na kusina. There was a huge chandelier tells me it costs fortune.

Hindi pamilya niya ang sumalubong sa amin kundi mga katulong na naka-uniporme. They eyes widened at the sight of us. Bagsak ang mga panga bago dali-daling kumilos. I wonder if they know Axon, since Axon is distant and I bet he rarely goes here... or not at all.

"S-sir, t-tawagin ko lang sila senyora." nauutal na sabi ng isang katulong.

Senyora. It sounds so intimidating that made my heart ran faster than usual, not that the usual is faster enough. I think I have a hint about the senyora thingy. Katulad nga ng sabi ni Lus. They owned ranch and mansions at different provinces. Pero hindi ko talaga inasahan ang senyora, it's so hispanic and classic and... alarming for me. Senyora? Lola ni Axon? Meron ba silang lahing kastila? But Axon... he doesn't look like one. Hindi ako makapaniwalang hindi ko pa alam kung anong lahi niya, he says one fourth, one fourth of what?

I never even saw his father. Wala siyang kung ano mang sinabi sa akin, ganoon ba talaga kalayo ang loob niya sa pamilya niya?

"Natatandaan mo ba ang No Secrets?" biglaang tanong ni Axon. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya.

"Uh..."

"Do you want to ask questions?"

Siguro'y napansin niya ang katanungan sa aking mga mata. I appreciate that Axon really pays attention to my eyes.

"Bakit... bakit malayo ang loob mo sa kanila? Napansin ko kasing parang dalawang beses ka palang nakita ng mga katulong sa buong buhay nila. And of course Axon, your birthday..." Iniwan ko ang pangungusap na iyon sa ere.

Tipid siyang ngumiti sa akin. But that smile was sad and disappointment combined. I felt my heart cracked.

"You're really smart." he said.

Hindi ko alam kung anong tinutukoy niya roon. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, naglaho ang ngiti niya sa labi at nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.

"They almost don't believe in justice. They only knew sympathy. Halos hindi sila gumalaw para hanapin ang pumatay kay Mama." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa akin. "I did it myself. Uncle Fabios, Thor's father, he's the only one who help--"

"Thero!!" A woman exclaimed cutting our conversation. Sinunggaban niya ng yakap si Axon dahilan ng pagkakabitaw niya sa akin. She's unequivocally stunning, and looking so fine in her dark blue dress, the heavy gold necklace complemented to her gold bracelet, earings and her ring that catches my attention because it looks like an heirloom, it's an heirloom. She is graceful in all aspects like elegance is her forte and nothing else. I can say that she's in her late 50's but looking so fine and timeless.