CAN YOU SAY IT? 06 :  The two lost souls

CAN YOU SAY IT? 06 :

The two lost souls

???

SLAP!

"Ishtar!"

Everyone gasped as they heard a loud slap. All the reapers inside the mansion and the twins quickly made their way to the main hall where the loud sound echoed through the whole mansion.

There, they stood dumbfounded as they see Raychel who's touching her cheek as it start to redden. She's looking up to the man who's anger seems to go out of his body for some reason.

Mabilis na tumakbo papalapit sa kaniya ang kambal saka ito itinayo. Ang maliit na pigura ni B-2 ay nakatayo sa likod ni Ishtar na walang ibang magawa kundi ang panuorin lang ang nangyayari.

"Ray, are you okay?" Nile worriedly asked, he slowly took Raychel's hand that's resting on her left cheek.

His heart sank ng makita na sobrang namumula iyon at nagsisimula ng mamaga.

"HINDI MO BA ALAM KUNG ANO ANG GINAWA MO?!" Ishtar yelled on the top of his lungs. The little girl beside him started to tremble.

Ilan sa mga reapers ay lumapit na rin sa kaguluhan. Ceb, Arthur, Mordred and Hyacinth stood protectively infront of Raychel kasama na ang kambal habang ang iba naman ay nanatili lang sa likod.

"I'm sorry.." Raychel silently mumbled. Looking down, not wanting to meet Ishtar's deadly glare.

"Wala akong pakielam kahit ilang sorry pa ang sabihin mo." Masama ang tingin niya dito at halos mapatid na ang mga litid niya sa sobrang panggigigil.

He has gone very mad.

"Ishtar, what is the meaning of this?" Ceb stood infront of Ishtar, trying to calm the guy down.

"Why asking me? Bakit hindi siya ang tanungin niyo." The guy scoffed, malalim ang paghinga nito dahil sa galit. Halos magsilabasan ang ugat sa mukha niya sa sobrang galit na nararamdaman.

"Ray, what did you do?" Mordred asked worriedly to the girl, kanina pa kasi ito nananahimik at walang kibo.

"I.. brought B-2 outside with me.. we got to my friends shop to buy some sweets dahil gusto niyang kumain ng matamis." she answered quietly.

Guido appeared beside them na may dala-dalang ice bag at iniabot ito sa kaniya. She only nodded at him matapos iyon tanggapin.

"What's wrong with that?" Nile asked the guy, ramdam niya na ang unti-unting galit na namumuo sa katawan niya.

"Wala kang alam kaya huwag ka mangielam."

"Wala akong pakiealam sa sinasabi mo." He quickly retorted back, glarring daggers to the guy.

"B-2 is not allowed to go outside without Ishtar's presence. He's the one responsible for her that's why Raychel deserves Ishtar's anger." Eri commented.

"And what kind of bullsh!t is that?" Singit naman ni Nash, kanina pa ito tahimik dahil ayaw niyang ilabas ang sumisigaw na emosyon sa loob.

"For your information, that's no bullshit. Dapat nga hindi na kayo nakikielam at hayaan lang si Ishtar na gawin ang nais niya 'kay Raychel dahil sa kasalanan niyang nagawa." Pag-singit naman ni Freya.

"Lumabas kayo para lang dito? This is nothing!" Napadpad ang tingin ni Ishtar sa isang malaking paper bag at isang kahon, he quickly approached it saka ito pinag-aapakan.

Raychel who doesn't have any time to react. Only watched in horror as the food inside kasama na ng Moon cake na gawa ni Moon ay unti-unting nasisira sa harapan niya.

"ISHTAR!"

The latter immediately stopped after hearing B-2's voice calling his name.

The little girl is clutching her bunny puppet tightly on her chest as she yelled. No one, kahit na si Ishtar ay hindi pa naririnig ang tunay na boses ng batang ito. Everyones eyes landed on her. Crystal like tears started to escape from her eyes, letting out silent hicks.

Ishtar's eyes were wide habang nakatingin sa batang babae. His heart slowly breaking down at the sight of B-2 crying.

"B-2.. " Raychel mumbled while looking at the girl in awe.

"Raychel.. " the little girl started, trying to stop her overflowing emotions. "It's not Raychel's fault. It's B-2's fault. Raychel asked B-2 if B-2 is allowed to go outside. B-2 told Raychel that she can only for a bit. It's B-2's fault all along!"

"B-2 wanted to go outside with Ishtar but.. Ishtar went somewhere, leaving B-2 all alone that's why B-2 came to Raychel. Raychel takes B-2 outside and went to Sister Luna's shop. B-2 is very happy because Sister Luna gave B-2 free sweets. Then, Ishtar.. Ishtar messed it all up with Raychel's special cake! B-2 can't forgive Ishtar for what Ishtar did!"

"B-2 hates Ishtar!"

After letting her emotions out. B-2 fainted, before her small body can even touch the carpeted floor. Jack suddenly appear, now holding her unconcious body.

"Do not get closer to her ever again." was she all said to Ishtar, giving him a death glare before she quickly vanished into thin air. Leaving everyone there dumbfounded.

B-2's last words echoed to Ishtar's head over and over again like a distorted record. The plopped down, kneeling beside the ruined sweets. Head hanging low as tears slowly came out of his void like eyes.

"Don't mind him." Arthur said before they started to walk out of the main hall.

"Let him cool his head. We will talk to him later."

Raychel was brought to her room with the twins and Hyacinth. Ceb, Mordred and Arthur will going to talk about things with Ishtar. While the other reapers distracted themselves on what just happened.

Tahimik na napangiwi si Raychel matapos mapahidan ng gamot ang pisngi niya. Isang mahaba at hindi naman gaano kalalim na hiwa ang natamo niya sa malakas na sampal ni Ishtar.

"Sorry.." bulong ni Nash saka ipinagpatuloy ang pagpapahid ng gamot.

"Ano ba talaga ang nangyari?" tanong ni Hyacinth sa kaibigan. Nakayakap ito sa sarili, maamo ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa babae.

Kinuwento niya ang nangyari sa tatlo magmula sa umpisa hanggang sa makauwi na sila. Hindi alam ng kambal ang mararamdaman matapos marinig ang pangalan ni Moon at ang ginawa nito.

"I feel really sorry for you Ray, sorry I can't do anything to Ishtar." Hyacinth apologized.

"It's okay, don't let it bug you Hya. Puwede ko ba makita si B-2? I want to see her." Nash finished patching her cheek and she thanked him, he only gave her a smile planting a peck on her forehead which makes the girl turn red.

"Let me check first," she quickly ran out of the room matapos maramdaman ang mabigat na atmosphere doon.

"That freaking lunatic.." Nile who's still gritting his teeth thought to himself.

"I need to apologize to Moon and B-2 about his cake and for the sweets. " Ray sighed carefully feeling her bandaged cheek.

"Any updates on Lloyd's condition?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan, tahimik lang kasi ang dalawa at ayaw niya kapag nananahimik ang mga ito.

"He's good, baka ngayon or next week daw ay magising na ito." Nash softly smiled at her, taking her hand to his. He wants to comfort the girl, but not infront of his brother.

She sighed in relief, she wanted to hear his annoying voice again and his mocking personality, kasama na ng nakakairitang pagmumukha nito everytime he grin or smirk at her.

"Let's visit him tomorrow." wika naman ng kanina pa tahimik na Nile, hindi ito nagsasalita dahil natatakot ito na baka kung ano ang masabi niya patungkol sa nangyari.

For a while, he's feeling guilty for his self dahil gusto niya pa naman maging isang reaper. Nagdadalawang isip na ito kung itutuloy niya pa ba o hindi ang binabalak.

"Okay.." Ray answered. Looking at Nile's back, nakatalikod kasi ito sa kanilang dalawa. Simula kanina pa lang ay hindi niya na magawang tignan ng diretso sa mata ang babae.

"Glenn? may problema ba?" alalang tanong ni Ray dito.

"Of course there is! that guy freaking hurted you. Hindi ko puwedeng palampasin 'yon. Noong may umaapi sa'yo, wala akong magawa na kahit ano dahil hindi ko sila nakikita pero ngayong nasa harapan ko lang ang bwiset na lalaking iyon. Gustong-gusto ko siyang bugbugin sa harapan mo. I don't want a single person hurt you. I don't want you to get hurt. Look what he did to your face! natatakpan na ng benda ang makinis mong pisngi. I promise to fucking beat that guy off kapag nag-iwan ng peklat ang ginawa niya. Not only your beautiful face but also your feelings!" was the words he wanted to let out.

"No, nothing." but that was the only thing that left his mouth.

He excused his self and got out of there bago pa man niya mailabas ang mga salitang 'yon.

NILE GLENN

"Shit!" I thought, kakarating lang namin dito kani-kanila lang tapos ito ang makikita ko. I swear to god pagbabayaran niya ang ginawa niya 'kay Raychel.

Kung puwede lang kausapin ang President na tanggalin siya sa trabaho gagawin ko na ngayon pa lang.

Feeling ko ay sasabog ako sa sobrang galit. How dare he lays a hand to Raychel. Ni kahit na ang Kuya nito ay hindi siya magawang saktan.

"Nile, kamusta na si Raychel? okay lang ba siya?" I almost jumped nang biglang marinig ang boses ni Dawn behind me. I turned to him.

"Okay lang naman siya." ani ko, kita kung paano bumagsak ang balikat niya sa sagot ko.

So kahit papaano nag-aalala siya kay Ray..

"To tell you the truth, nakita ko silang dalawa ni B-2 na lumabas. Ang akala ko nga lang ay sa garden sila pupunta. I should've stopped them." he somehow felt guilty for not stopping them.

Sighing, nilapitan ko ito at hinawakan ang braso niya, giving him a light smile.

"Huwag mo na isipin pa 'yon. Nangyari na ang nangyari. Kahit na sabihin pa nating alam mo na lalabas sila hindi na man na mababago pa 'yon."

He looked at me saka mahinang tumango, understanding what I meant for what I've said. Pinabalik ko siya sa kwarto niya saka sinabihang magiging maayos lang ang lahat.

After all he's just a kid, parehas lang sila ni B-2 at Jack. Pero hindi parin tama na nandito sila sa madilim na lugar na ito. They need to be freed from this prison. All of them. Their time will come and the soil will ate them soon that's why they need to get out of this place and live a normal life.

"Yet here I am.. already living a normal life but wanted to be like them. How ironic.."

I chuckled to myself. Pag-iisipan ko ng mabuti ang idea na 'yon. Ngayong hindi maalis sa utak ko ang mga binitawang salita noong nasa loob kami ng orphanage. Lalo na ang sinabi niyang..

"Because I love her already. I love Raychel Olenyeva."

How lucky Ray, being loved by my brother. I'm sure na kapag magkasama na sila, siya na ang magiging pinakamasayang babae. And of course, I'll still standing by her side kapag nangyari 'yon. After all, hindi ko siya puwedeng iwanan kahit na nandyan na si Kuya Nash para sa kaniya.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa idea na pumasok sa utak ko once na tinitigan ko ang picture na iyon. At matapos pa na ma-confirm iyon sa tulong ni Lloyd. Hindi ko na nga lang alam kung paano ito sasabihin 'kay Raychel pati na rin kay Kuya Nash.

Alam kaya ito ng pamilya niya? ng Kuya Ryle niya? Kung halimbawang alam nila ito, bakit hindi nila sabihin kay Raychel ang totoo? natatakot ba sila? at saan naman sila matatakot? Maiintindihan naman ito ni Raychel kung halimbawang alam nila ito.

Pero ngayong kaming dalawa lang ni Lloyd ang nakakaalam. Paano na lang?

Napapagod na ang utak ko sa kakaisip.

I still can remember kung paano ipinaintindi sa akin ni Lloyd ang kaya kong gawin ngayong nalaman ko ang nasa likod ng pangalan ng dalawa.

Raychel Olenyeva.

and..

Sofia Arellano.

The truth behind their names and their existence. I knew it all. But this information is still not enough. I still need to know behind Haumea's name and her connection to that Raychel na kasama niya sa picture.

And that mysterious person behind H's identity. Kasama pa ang Hecate Ross na iyon na biglang pumasok sa spotlight. I swear to take his mask off completely.

Hindi pa sapat ang lahat ng nalalaman ko. I need more. I need to connect the dots kung may connection ito sa isa't-isa.

Another one, about sa pag-alis ni Ray papuntang Italy. Kung mapipigilan man namin siya o hindi, okay lang naman sa'kin. Totoo naman na maganda doon but still.. baka mamatay na ako sa pag-aalala sa kaniya. Hindi ko naman siya puwedeng samahan dahil baka pahawakin kami ni Dad sa company kung sakaling hindi kami payagan na makaalis.

Sana lang talaga maging maayos si Ray doon kapag nakaalis na siya. I will always contact her para hindi siya malungkot or ma-home sick. Sigh, she will be there for 4 years. Ano naman kaya ang mangyayari sa loob ng 4 years na iyon? At isa pa, kung aalis siya ngayon.. hindi na kami makakapag-graduate ng sama-sama.

Also.. about our parents. Sinabi ni Kuya Nash kay Raychel ang plano namin na lumayas at magpaka-independent na after ang birthday namin but..

♡ ♡ ♡

We stood infront of our Mother once again, ngayon magkasama na kami ni Kuya Nash. naka-ready na ang mga gamit naming dalawa at ang pag-alis na lang ang kailangan.

"Mom." Kuya Nash called her. Nandito kami ngayon sa office niya. Ramdam na ramdam naming dalawa ang pagbabago ng hangin sa paligid once na pinasok namin ang lugar na ito.

It's our birthday today at kakabalik lang namin mula sa orphanage. Ilang oras na lang at didilim na rin ang kalangitan. Hindi na kami bumalik sa mansion ni Lloyd para makita si Ray dahil dumiretso na kami dito para makausap siya.

Ang liwanag lang ng araw na nanggagaling sa labas ang tanging nagbibigay liwanag sa kwarto na ito. Kahit na nakapatay ang aircon ay pakiramdam ko ay mamamatay ako sa lamig.

Nakaupo siya ngayon sa swivel chair at nakatalikod naman sa amin. Nakakabinging katahimikan ang tanging maririnig.

The creeking sound of her chair almost made the both of us jump. Finally, after she slowly turned to face us. My nervousness increased faster than forever. Ganito na lang lagi ang eksena sa tuwing makikita ko ang walang buhay na mata ng babaeng gumawa sa aming dalawa na tila ba ay nakatitig sa kaluluwa ko.

I wonder kung anong naramdaman ni Raychel once na nakaharap niya ang babaeng ito. For me, she's more scary than our Dad. Because he will atleast listen to our words hindi gaya niya. She'll only listen to you when she feel like it.

"My, my.. what does my two loving children wanted this time? nag-effort pa talaga kayong dalawa na pumasok dito." Her words are like venom. Making me ask myself, ano kaya ang nakuha namin sa kaniya.

Kahit na gaano pa ka-amo ang boses at ang mukha niya, that cannot change the fact that she's hiding a demon inside her.

And that demon itself is her.

"Go, spit it all out."

Kuya Nash cleared his throat first, "We would like to live independently after this day ends."

"Right, please accept our request Mom. We'd like to leave this place for good. We do not want to live under your rule anymore. Puwede na kami umalis sa puder niyo ngayong nasa legal na edad na kaming dalawa ni Kuya Nash."

I managed to say the least, without stuttering a word. I know she'll immediately laugh kapag narinig niyang manginig ang boses ko.

Her cat like eyes stare deep into us. Kanina pa ako pinagpapawisan sa kinatatayuan ko dahil sa matalim niyang mga mata.

"Pfft.."

W-what? she's holding her laughter. I looked over to Kuya Nash para makita ang seryosong mukha nito.

"Kuh.. Hahahahaha.. AHAHAHAHAHA!"

Her laughter filled the whole room. She laughs like a witch, at isa pa sa pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat ay ang ganiyang tawa.

"I doubt. There's nothing laughable sa sinabi namin." Kuya Nash said, I could see his hands curling.

Mom's laugh died as wipe a few tears out of her eyes. She's now grinning, which is no good at all.

"YES! OF COURSE THERE IS!" she yelled, totally mocking us.

"Can't you hear yourselves? Are the two of you totally went nuts for a girl? a GIRL? I doubt hindi niyo kayang kumuha ng maayos na trabaho without our help ngayon pa lang. Tapos naisipan niyo na mamuhay ng wala kami? at saan kayo dadalhin ng pride niyo? tell me, saan?"

"We will find a job, kahit na hindi mataas ang suweldo basta't makakain lang kami sapat na. Hindi namin kailangan ng malaking halaga ng pera para mabuhay." Kuya Nash confidently answered.

Mom stood up as she started to walk infront of us. Her heels clicking everytime she take a step. Naupo siya sa table niya, elegantly folding her legs. This woman is already at her mid-40's but her body beats Raychel's.

"What would you do kapag kinuha ko ang munti niyong condo unit? saan niyo balak tumira? sa St.Celestine? how funny, baka mapatalsik din kayo 'don ng wala sa oras. Kahit na sabihin nating malaki ang kikitain niyong dalawa, still not enough para makapasok kayo sa college if ever na himalang maka-graduate kayong dalawa." She snickered.

Kahit na siya ang babaeng nagbigay ng buhay sa amin. Hindi ko parin maialis sa isip ang ideyang saktan siya ngayong minamaliit niya ang mga kaya naming gawin ng wala ang tulong nilang dalawa ni Dad. My palm is starting to itch.

"Without you, I can assure you and Dad that we can graduate from St.Celestine and go to college." pag-singit ko, hindi na lang puwede na si Kuya Nash ang magsasalita.

"Really?"

"Yes. You can abandon me kung hindi man 'yon mangyari."

She let out a laugh again saka pumalakpak. Umi-echo sa buong lugar ang lahat ng tunog na ginagawa niya which really ticks me off.

Between me and Kuya Nash, mas maliit ang pasensya ko kaysa sa kaniya at mas mainitin din ang ulo ko that's why I kept a happy go lucky persona para pagtakpan ang mga totoong emosyon ko.

"My my, kahit na sabihin natin na masama ang ugali ko, Nile~ I can't abandon you. I'm still your mother and you're still my child. A mother can't possibly abandon her child kahit na wala na siyang kahit anong magawa sa buhay. The same goes for the both of you. Kahit na abandunahin niyo kami ng Dad niyo, hindi parin namin kayang abandunahin kayo. That will be a shame for us, after all ginawa namin ang makakaya namin para palakihin kayo ng maayos at walang kakulangan, we gave you our everything."

She's sweet coating her words again. Napakadami niya pang sinasabi. Gusto ko na matapos ito at makaalis sa lugar na ito.

"Mom, can you atleast understand us? hindi niyo po ba naiintindihan ang ibig sabihin namin?" Kuya Nashs' voice is already pleading.

This woman.. she's only toying with us.

"Oh yes I completely understand the both of you! at ang gusto niyong gawin. But I need to take down your request. You can't leave the mansion yet. I'd bet kahit na ang Dad niyo ay hindi magsasayang ng laway na sumagot hindi gaya ko." Umalis siya sa pagkakaupo sa table saka bumalik sa kaniyang swivel chair.

Her eyes seemed to glow just like a cats eye while looking at us.

So.. we can't leave this hell yet.

"The both of you hasn't experienced how cruel the outside world is. That's why it's better for you to stay inside. Hindi niyo pa alam kung gaano kahirap ang kayang ibigay sa inyo ng mundo, trust me the two of you can't handle it kahit isang araw lang kayong nasa labas. Believe me or not, I care for the two of you because the two of you are like a blessing to me and your Father."

Oh god, I want to leave this place as soon as possible. I don't want to hear anything that comes out of her mouth.

She huffed, "I'm sorry Nash and Nile, I can't do anything."

"Okay Mom, but we can't promise to come here again just to see you for the last time."

With that said, nilisan namin ang office niya. Wala na itong sinabi pa kaya mabuti, baka hindi ko na talaga mapigilan ang sarili ko kapag nagkataon.

Me and Kuya Nash got to our room. He fall harshly on his bed.

"Can't we just run tonight?" tanong ko, puwede naman kasi kaming umalis ngayong gabi.

"We can't Nile," naaawa ako 'kay Kuya Nash. He must be really feeling tired.

"I still respect her decision." I hear him mumbled, it quickly triggered something inside of me dahilan para mawala ako sa postura ko.

"But she didn't respect ours!" I yelled to him. Unknowingly curling my palm out of anger. I badly need to hit something right now at ang mukha lang ng babaeng iyon ang tanging nasa isip ko.

"Calm down," he simply said.

"We must calm down at all cost. We can't loose our posture. That woman can't beat us. We just need to think further. Don't let your anger be the reason of your lost, Nile. Just like you, I'm also angry but we can't do anything about it. I'm also frustrated like you. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko.."

I groaned, sighing heavily. Napadpad ang mata ko sa nakahandang maleta na nasa tapat lang ng pinto.

"This is all bullshit." I fall on my bed, feeling my chest slowly tightening.

"Everything is, even from the start."

♡ ♡ ♡

The both of us was all too depressed dahil sa nangyari, causing us not to go out of our rooms for the rest of the day. Hindi ko naibigay kay Kuya Nash ang regalo ko but I still managed to gave it to him noong humupa na ang mabigat na pakiramdam ng pagkabigo.

In exchanged, he gave me a spare of a ring. It was just a simple ring with our initials engraved inside. It doesn't fit on any of my fingers that's why I buy a chain lace at ginawa na lang na kwintas iyon.

Remembering Kuya Nashs' panic face nang malaman niya na hindi iyon kasya sa daliri was one of the must remember days of my life. Ginaya niya 'rin ang ginawa ko para daw pair kami.

I pulled the necklace off my t-shirt and looked at it. The simple design of it is the reason why it's too beautiful in our eyes. He said that the ring reminds him of the two of us. Sinabi niya 'yon sa'kin habang namumula ang pisngi niya.

Which makes me realize it, the two of us are like a two lost souls.

♡