Song of the Winter Solstice (Gauntlet Series 1)

Chapter 42 -The Song of Winter

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko sa oras na makita ko si Killan. Halo-halo ang tumatakbo sa utak ko. May isang parte sa sulok nito na tila sumasang-ayon sa desisyon nilang palabasing patay na ako sa mata ng Springgan at mabuhay ng payapa kasama ang aking mga kapatid. It's what I've always wished for. Pero tila tutol ang puso ko sa mga kaganapan sa pagitan nina Killan at Princess Lanuza. Hindi ba't mahal ako ng lalaki? What if I tell him I love him too?

Kanina pa pababalik ng tingin si Kenru na nasa tabi ko lang habang tinatahak namin ang underground walkthrough ng House Calore. I have no idea how he managed to get access to such a highly guarded place. He's a great spy afterall.

"Why are you doing this, Kenru?"

"It's my duty to let you see all the chances and possibilities."

I do not respond. Kenru would always say that. It is his duty.

I can only hear the tip-tap of our shoes on the old, bricked floor. The air becomes thick as we move closer. I smell moss and molds. My heart becomes heavy with the thought that this could be our last talk.

Ilang metro ang nilakad namin papasok ng kastilyo. Hindi ko alam kung saang punto na kami. My stay was shortlived here. I did not have the chance to memorize the corners of the castle. I wish I had. I wish I still have.

Dahan-dahan kaming umakyat sa hagdanan na magdadala sa amin sa kinaroroonan ni Killan. I wonder how Kenru knows everything even people's whereabouts. Wala ding nakabantay na guwardiya sa dinadaanan namin at walang kahirap-hirap kaming nakapasok sa study hall ng kastilyo kung saan inaasahan namin ang presensya ng prinsipe.

May nakasalubong kaming butlers bago namin marating ang study hall. Mabuti na lang at pawang nakasuot kami ng mahabang cloak kaya marahil ay hindi kami namukhaan ng mga ito. Mabilis kaming pumasok sa malawak na silid kung saan nakapalibot ang malalaking shelves ng libro.

Akmang maglalakad na kami patungo sa malawak na royal study table na nasa dulo ng silid nang masagi ko ang isang display book na nasa tabi ng malaking antigong shelf. Nahulog ang isang makapal na libro at gumawa iyon ng ingay. Tatangkain ko na sanang pulutin ang nahulog na display book nang marinig ko ang isang pamilyar na boses.

"Sino yan?" he asks as I hear his feet rushing towards the sound of the falling book.

Natigilan ako. Hawak ko na ang libro at tatangkain ko na sanang ibalik ito sa display table nang magtama ang aming paningin.

Just by merely looking at him, my heart starts to fall into pieces. His gorgeous structure, his face, his dark eyes, and sultry lips. Such beauty. A beauty I cannot have. He blinks making me reminded of how we met the first time.

My heart flutters as he slowly walks towards me. "Idrish?" he asks but not to confirm who I was.

Ibinaba ko ang talukbong sa aking mukha. My eyes meet his. Napalunok ako.

Umawang ang kanyang bibig. His jaw falls unexpectedly. His eyes starting to shadow the longing he had for me. "W—why? Aren't you supposed to be with Poras and Cali?"

My heart breaks. Nonstop. But my pride keeps the tears suspended on the frame of my eyes. "I just want to see you and bid you good—"

"I don't want to ruin you further by making you stay, Idrish. I know how much you've been wanting to have a peaceful life. So, when I saw the chance to orchestrate a fake death for you to have the chance at peace, I willingly said yes."

"Did you really want me gone because you thought it's what I wanted?"

"I just want you to be happy," gumaralgal ang boses nito. His eyes become teary. His lips are pursed together to stop them from mumbling sadness.