Aranew is 23 years old Filipino writer who began her writing journey in 2014, when she wrote her first story, Stupidly In Love with You, in a notebook. After several months of writing by hand, she discovered Wattpad in 2015, an online reading platform where she attempted to publish stories but initially faced challenges. It was on Wattpad that she created her pen name, aranew, when the platform asked for a username and she couldn’t use arabellathenew, leading her to shorten it. Around that time, Aranew found it difficult to continue using Wattpad due to not owning a laptop, but when she received her first cellphone, she began sharing her stories on Facebook. Her first widely accepted story on the platform was Summer Kisses and Winter Tears, which told the tale of Renalyn Venerola, a childless wife who urged her husband to sleep with their maid to conceive. Through Facebook, Aranew found her first group of dedicated readers, who supported her through the completion of the novel. She continued sharing her stories on Facebook groups, gaining readers for works like Kill Me Not (Historical Fiction), Play with Fire, Belligerent Stares, and The Greatest Gift. Her writing career took a significant turn in 2018 when she joined various writing groups on Facebook. These groups helped her develop her skills, and she later became an admin of one that aimed to assist writers in improving their craft. That year, she applied for a job at a publishing house on a whim, never expecting to be accepted, but ended up working as a manuscript evaluator. Eventually, she left this job when another opportunity arose in her writing career. 2018 was a pivotal year for Aranew. Through her work with two publishing houses, she learned valuable writing tips, which she applied to writing short stories and poems for anthology submissions. Some of her accepted works included Buhay na Titig, Melancholy of Twilight and Dawn, Clear Night and Tomb, May Sasabihin Ako, Halika Mahal, and Pahinga. Later, Aranew joined a writing club where she connected with underground writers and rediscovered Wattpad. She published a series titled Cheat Series, which takes place in the fictional country of Venansala. This setting also inspired her first full-length English novel, Kissing The Wind, as well as her Tyrant King Academy series. The Cheat Series includes titles like Will You Cheat on Me, Can You Cheat on Me, and Shall You Cheat on Me. While watching a YouTube video of a long drive through Mantalongon, Cebu, Aranew was inspired to write a series set in the region, which she called the Mantalongon Series. Stories in the series include Hush and Let Me, When Night Falls, Somewhere in Mantalongon, and Don't Fret. The last title also became the name of her first sci-fi adventure novelette. Though Hush and Let Me was rejected by a publishing house, it motivated Aranew to improve her skills. In 2019, Aranew read Loving a Believer by MoldedMind on Wattpad, which had a significant impact on her career and inspired her to write stories with spiritual themes. This led to the creation of Tyrant King Academy, with Constant being the first story in the series. The character Sidine was named after a real person, Sidine, a girl Aranew met while registering for a government scholarship. Sidine, a Wattpad reader, gave Aranew permission to use her name. When news of the COVID-19 epidemic emerged in early 2020, Aranew was inspired to write a novel about escaping the authorities during a pandemic. She reached out to a Wattpad reader named Angela, who allowed her name to be used for the main character. Aranew named the novel Don't Fret and completed its first chapter by January 30, 2020. By the time the pandemic hit and the lockdown began in March, Aranew had finished the novel and was revising it. Following the completion of Don't Fret, Aranew started a series called Revival Series, which focused on the sins described in the Bible. She reached out to her readers on Facebook, asking if she could use their names in her stories, and to her surprise, they agreed. The first story in the Revival Series, Moonlight Serenade, used the name of Jewel Laine, followed by For The Stars Have Sinned (Rishell), The Tongue of Death (Jemima), and Tower and Malice (Shane), among others. Later that year, a close friend, Monic, invited Aranew to write for pay-to-read platforms. Aranew took up the opportunity and began publishing her Revival Series for free on various platforms to reach more readers. However, she reminded her followers to stick to the platform where they initially read her stories, such as Wattpad, if they hadn’t downloaded other apps. Currently, Aranew is revising and translating her completed stories, working on ongoing projects, and planning for future installments in both the Revival Series and Tyrant King Academy series. She is active on Messenger: Aranew Taliman and Discord: @author_aranew are open to readers who wish to connect or simply say hello. For business-related messages, please send her an email at aratoga143@gmail.com
Moonlight Serenade [English Version] Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Meet at the Aisle
The Aisle of Medellin is Cebu's longest straight road. A seven-and-a-half-kilometer highway connecting Dayhagon and Curva in the heart of sugarcane fields owned by the Mangubat since the founding of Medellin until the present day. The green and glorious field is the crown of Don Sebastian Mangubat and Donya Belinda Sanchez-Mangubat. And their daughter, Jewel Laine, prefers the small nipa hut on the opposite side of the field. The peaceful atmosphere is something she appreciates about that location. From within the hut, she could see the green sugarcane field and the white road of the Aisle in the distance. But what she enjoys the most is that no one dares to interrupt her reading time. It's an ideal location for her avid reader. Cool air, birds chirping, a peaceful setting —- "Miss Laine! Miss! Here are the books I've purchased!" She blinked and raised her head. She'd just finished praising the stillness of the place when a loud maid shouted outside the hut. It felt like someone slapped her in the face. Jewel groaned and stood. 'Never mind the noise,' she reasoned. She stepped out of the small hut and frowned as she saw Dalya smile as the girl approached her. Dalya was carrying two large bags, which she knew contained Pandayan and NBS books. "Can't you shout, Dalya?" she grumbled as the maid placed the two large bags in front of her. "And why are you throwing these bags on the ground when you could just bring them with you?" "But, senorita, Pedro told me that Don and Donya were in the mansion, and if they see me bringing these books there, they'll burn me alive! You know how strict your parents are!" Did her maid just scold her? Jewel shook her head and crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "Place it inside the hut, and where is Pedro?" Dalya made a pout. "He's waiting for you on the Aisle, Miss." "All right, he'll be here later. There's a box inside the hut; put these books in it and wrap them safely; someone will fetch you later. Bring the box straight to my room. I'll talk to Mama and Papa to give you enough time to deliver it." Dalya gave a sheepish grin. "Why are you embarrassed about these books, Miss? Doesn't Donya prefer to see you reading?" "Dalya," Jewel said, raising her brow and narrowing her eyes at the maid. "Yes?" "Why do you ask? Do you still want your daily tip in addition to your salary?" Dalya's eyes glowed. "I'd like a tip from my lovely Miss!" exclaimed the girl. "I was only kidding earlier, Miss. Don't be too serious." She huffed and stuffed the phone into her pocket. She knelt and crammed the erotica book she had been reading earlier into the bag alongside the newly purchased books. "I'll go. Keep an eye on these. Don't tell anyone what kind of books are inside. Are we clear?" "Yes, Miss, I won't let you down!" Jewel wore the summer hat that hung around her waist and the boots that were lying by the hut's door. "Did he bring Francisko?" she inquired, smoothing her waist-length black and wavy hair. "No, Pedro rented a motorcycle at the Aisle entrance, and he can't bring Francisko into the city." Her brows furrowed. She finished smoothing her hair and turned to face Dalya. Her pupils constricted. "Do you think I didn't know horses were prohibited in the city?" "Of course not, Miss. You know Pedro can't bring Francisko, and I'm just reminding you," Dalya smiled. Jewel's lips twitched as she walked past the maid, who was sweating profusely due to the scorching sun in the sky. "There's a refreshment inside. Wait for Pedro," she said as she marched out into the sun. She heard Dalya yell, "Be careful, Miss!" but did not return the girl's gaze. Dalya had been her maid since she was in elementary school. She was used to her maid's attitude, but Dalya couldn't keep her poisonous mouth shut all the time. Many people, including Ramos, had complained about Dalya's domineering demeanor. The gardener recently expressed his displeasure. In front of the other gardeners, Dalya chastised the poor man. Her maid cursed, and Ramos silently accepted Dalya's hurtful words. Ramos is unable to harm Dalya because she is a woman and there is a city ordinance prohibiting men from laying their hands on women (hurting women). Nonetheless, Jewel dislikes people who are unable to control themselves. If Dalya couldn't stop herself from hurting others, her maid might offend people she shouldn't offend in the future. It appeared that she needed to discipline Dalya. Jewel took a few steps alone in the hot summer sun. Soon after, she noticed Pedro in the distance. He was conversing with a man wearing a large hemp hat. She could only see the stranger's pointed nose and thin lips. But because the sun was so hot and she was sweating profusely, she put aside her curiosity and focused her attention on Pedro. She extended her hand to take the motor key from him. Jewel was only concerned with getting home as soon as possible in the hot summer sun. "But, miss," Pedro sighed and crinkled his nose. "First, we have to pay the fare, which is a thousand for a round trip." "Huh?" Jewel wrinkled her brow. "Are you serious?" she asked, drawing a breath as Pedro nodded. The hot breeze blew her hair away, and she clutched her summer hat to keep it from flying away. "Who pays a thousand for a trip?" Peter gestured with his forefinger to the man he had been speaking with earlier. Jewel turned to face the stranger. The wide smile on the man's lips was the first thing that caught her eye. "He's the owner of the motor, Senyorita. Two thousand for the entire Aisle trip, but I asked for half the price earlier to deliver the books first to the hut, and you will give the other half because the money you gave me earlier was not enough because the price of books went up," Pedro said, clearing his throat before looking away. Jewel shifted her gaze between the two men for a few seconds. She eventually fanned herself. "Why beating around the bush when you could just tell me earlier?" she grumbled as she took her purse from her pocket. She handed the stranger a thousand bills and said, "I'll run the motor. You know who I am, right? Just get your motor later at my father's mansion." The stranger lowered his gaze to Jewel's hand. Pedro cleared his throat and reached for the bill before looking at her. "However, Miss —-" She raised her brow when it was Pedro who received the bill, but she didn't mind the strange expressions on the men's faces. She took a deep breath. "I'm not going to ride with anyone." "Don Sebastian will be furious," Pedro worried. Jewel raised her hand and folded her arms across her chest. She locked her gaze on Pedro. "We wouldn't have had any problems if you had just brought my horse, but Francisko is nowhere to be found, so don't make things difficult." Pedro scratched his chin and turned to face the stranger. "Let me take you to the end of the aisle," the man who had been silent earlier said to her. She shook her head. "No," she said, holding out her hand to the man. "Give me the key. Don't worry, I have a student permit here. You won't be harmed if there's a checkpoint ahead." After a few seconds of silence, the man sighed and took the key from his pocket. She expected him to place the key in her outstretched palm, but he instead took her hand in his. Jewel arched her brow. She could feel the key between the man's palm and hers. "Let go," she warned. However, the man simply smiled and tightened his grip on her hand, and drew her closer to the massive motor. Her heart beat faster. "Hey!" she exclaimed, but the man's grip was firm. Was this the kind of yandere man she'd read about in books? She turned to face Pedro, but all she saw was a sheepish smile on his face. Hah! Aren't Dalya and Pedro a good match? What's the matter with her servants? If someone tried to kidnap her, would they just smile sheepishly? Her expression darkened. "Pedro!" she yelled, gritting her teeth. "Just stand there and smile!" "All right, Miss. Have a safe trip!" What the heck is happening? He didn't get sarcasm? Pedro's carelessness irritated Jewel to the point of tears. "Ah! Just wait and see! I'll tell father!" She turned her sharp gaze to the man who was dragging her. "Let go! Don't you know who I am?" The man grinned. "Everyone recognizes you, Jewel." "Then let go, because my father will not spare you!" Gideon approached her. He smiled and lifted her onto the motorcycle without saying anything. Her lips parted. "Hooligan!" she yelled as she attempted to jump off the motorcycle, but the man quickly stopped her. He chuckled before getting on the motorcycle and did not give her another chance to jump because the engine suddenly revved up. Jewel grabbed his shoulder. "Sir, let's meet at the mansion!" Peter yelled from behind. Sir? Jewel's pupils constricted. She knew it. Pedro would never allow someone untrustworthy to take her away. But... Who was this man? She had never met Gideon. The man's presence was unfamiliar, and so was the perfume he was wearing. So she was certain he wasn't from Medellin. And if the man was from Medellin, he didn't live here because she knew almost all of the son-rich men in town but had never seen the rude man. On the straight Aisle, the motor picked up speed. The wind slapped her across the face. A few strands of her hair fluttered freely to the front. Her eyes widened as she realized what was going on. They aren't even wearing helmets! She raised her hand and placed it on her brow. Her hat was gone, and her face had darkened even more. The engine came to a complete stop. She screamed as her face nearly collided with the back of Gideon's head. Fortunately, she was able to avoid it in time, and her face instead sank into his shoulder. "Don't be such a reckless girl, Jewel," he said, grabbing her clinging hands and guiding them around his stomach. He even lightly tapped her hands. Jewel took a deep breath. It was her first time hugging a stranger, and she shivered in annoyance. She clenched her teeth. "You're a jerk —-" "Shh," he whispered. Gideon turned on the engine and revved it up. She had no choice but to wrap her arms around the man. "Prevention is better than cure. Have you heard of that saying, Jewel?" he asked gently, but it appeared to her that he was mocking her for her ignorance. Hah! She considered pushing this man aside and taking over the engine. Who cared if this conceited jerk fell on the Aisle's dusty road?
Kissing The Wind Reviews
Moonlight Serenade Reviews
Conviction of Justice [Last Chapter]
Chapter 160
Naibigay na ni Lamech sa pulisya ang kopya ng video at naghain na siya ng affidavit sa korte laban kay Narciso Clasiso. Bumalik na siya sa lungsod nang isang araw at agad siyang pinatawag ni Alibata sa mansiyon. Dahil wala si Simmy sa mansiyon, malaya niyang naipakita kay Alibata ang kopya ng video ng pag-amin ni Andrie, pati na ang video na ginawa ni Azora para sa ama. Hindi na niya tiningnan ang video na pinadala ng babae bilang privacy na rin ng mag-ama. Matapos ng pagkikita nila ni Alibata ay nag-report na siya sa opisina ng head prosecutor saka inasikaso ang demanda laban kay Narciso. Si Alibata bilang complainant ay nagpasa ng complaint sa opisina ng prosecution. At dahil kakilala niya ang Deputy Chief ng City Prosecutor Office, binigay sa kaniya ang complaint ni Alibata na agad niyang tinanggap. Nagsagawa siya ng preliminary investigation at nakakuha ng sapat na ebidensya para maging ground for trial kay Narciso. Nalaman niya sa kakilala niyang clerk na nagbigay na ng counter-affidavit si Narciso at matapos ang ilang araw ay pinatawag na sila sa korte para sa hearing. Ilang proseso at pagdinig pa ang pinagdaanan nila hanggang sa nagdesisyon ang korte na guilty si Narciso sa salang falsification of documents dahil sa ginawang malisosyong pagtanim ng ebidensya laban kay Azora, adultery dahil nakipagtalik kay Aurora habang kasal pa ito kay Alibata, paglabag sa Anti-Stalking Act dahil sa palagi nitong pagsunod kay Azora sa lahat ng oras na minsan ay naninikil na sa dalaga. Nagpalabas ng restraining order ang korte at pinakulong ng hindi bababa sa isang taon saka pinamulta ng higit limang milyon si Narciso. Hindi iyon sapat para mapanagot si Narciso sa lahat ng kasalanan nito sa pamilya ni Alibata, pero sapat na ang panahon na 'yon para matahimik ang dalawang kampo. Gusto sana ni Alibata na isali ang frustrated murder sa kaso ni Narciso, pero hindi ito ang may direktang gawa sa paglason kay Azora. Sa iba niya binaling ang sisi na 'yon. Kay Simmy. Malinaw na narinig ni Alibata ang pangalan ni Simmy sa video na pinakita ni Lamech. Nandoon din ang kalokohang ginawa ni Simmy kay Aurora at Azora sa gabing naaksidente ang dalawa sa highway. Pati na ang pakikipagsabwatan nito kay Narciso. Kaya naghain siya ng panibagong complaint sa opisina na Prosecutor. Hindi na si Lamech ang may hawak sa kaso pero kakilala nito at isa ring magaling na prosecutor. Hindi nagtagal ay nagkita rin sila ni Simmy sa korte. Pinilit pa ni Simmy na pakiusapan siya pero hindi siya nakinig. Ilan taon na siya nitong niloko at nagsisi siyang hindi niya pinakinggan si Azora. Nagpabulag siya kay Simmy dahil sa labis na utang na loob niya sa babae. Hindi niya alam na ito pala ang may kagagawan kaya nagkandaloko-loko ang buhay nila ni Azora. "Ali, pakiusap!" sigaw ni Simmy nang hinawakan ito ng dalawang police. Guilty sa kasong murder at frustrated murder si Simmy. Reclusion perpetua o habambuhay na pagkakakulong ang pinataw na parusa sa babae at kanina pa ito pumapalahaw ng iyak sa harap ng korte. Pinatahimik na ito ng judge pero pagkatapos ng trial ay pumalahaw na naman ito ng pakiusap sa kaniya. Malamig niyang sinulyapan si Simmy. "You've played well. And I'm sick of it," aniya at nauna nang lumabas ng korte. Kasunod niya si Lamech na tahimik lang. Tirik ang araw nang lumabas sila ng gusali. Inaya ni Lamech si Alibata sa kaniyang kotse at wala namang tutol ang ama ni Azora. Sabay silang lumulan ng kotse at nilakbay nito ang south coastal road. "Puntahan natin si Azora sa Santander," biglang sambit ni Alibata. Napasulyap si Lamech sa lalaki pero hindi na tumutol. Diniretso niya ang kotse tungo sa timog ng Cebu. Ilang oras ang ginugol nila sa biyahe, at huminto na rin sila sa ilang fast food para kumain saglit, hanggang sa marating na nila ang pinakatimog na munisipalidad ng lalawigan. Papalubog na ang araw sa kanluran at nakasindi na ang mga ilaw na nakasabit sa mga puno malapit sa bahay. Dahil na rin sa matatayog na puno kaya medyo madilim na sa parteng 'yon. Sabay silang humakbang papunta sa entrada ng malaking bahay. Dahil nabigyan na niya ng abiso si Hana, nakatayo na ito sa tapat ng entrada at ngiti silang sinalubong. "Nagbabasa siya sa balkonahe," kuwento ni Hana habang ginigiya sila papasok ng bahay. "Mahilig pala siyang magbasa." Marahang natawa si Alibata. "Halos puno ng libro ang kuwarto niya sa mansiyon." Masaya namang tumango si Hana. "Hindi na namin ginawa ang EDM dahil malaki ang pag-improve ng condition ni Azora sa nakalipas na mga araw." "Really?" ngiting sambit ni Alibata. "Yes. Pwede mo siyang makausap ngayon sa balkonahe." Hindi na sumunod si Lamech kina Hana at Alibata tungo sa balkonahe. Hinayaan niyang magkaroon ng pribadong pag-uusapp ang mag-ama at dumiretso siya sa kuwartong tinutuluyan nila ni Azora. Magulo ang kuwarto. Napailing siya. Inayos niya ang unan at kumot na nagkalat sa couch at kama saka palang muling lumabas at pinuntahan si Azora sa balkonahe. Nando'n pa rin si Alibata at nakita niyang magkayakap ang mag-ama. Naghintay pa siya ng ilang sandali saka pa lumapit sa dalawa. Nalaman niyang nagkaayos na sina Alibata at Azora. Pinaalam din ni Alibata ang nangyari sa kaso nina Narciso at Simmy. At dahil naging witness si Andrie, binigyan lang ito ng mababang sintensya ng husgado at pinagbayad ng ilang halaga. Bumaba ang stocks ng Clasiso at unti-unti nang nalulugi ang kompanya dahil sa biglaang pagbenta ni Andrie sa shares nito sa kompanya. Binenta din nito ang natitirang shares ni Narciso bilang bayad sa ginawang pagmaltrato nito kay Azora. Lingid sa kaalaman ni Lamech, sinabihan na ni Alibata si Andrie na ibenta ang lahat ng shares na pagmamay-ari ng mga Clasiso para hindi na makabangon ang ama nito at makapaghiganti kay Azora. Ang hindi nila alam, sikretong binili ni Robert ang shares ng kompanyang pagmamay-ari ng mga Clasiso. Si Robert na ngayon ang may pinakamalaking shares sa shipping lines at ilang negosyo ng pamilya ni Andrie. Pero hindi na nag-usisa pa si Alibata sa kung anong mangyayari sa negosyo ng kalaban niya dahil sapat na sa kaniyang nagkaayos na sila ni Azora. Ngayon na nasa mabuting kalagayan na ang anak niya, hindi na siya mag-aalala pa. ~~~ Pagkalipas ng dalawang taon... Masakit sa balat ang sinag ng araw nang lumabas siya ng malaking bahay. Gayunpaman, hindi nabawasan ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Azora. Sa araw na 'yon kasi ay malaya na siya. Dineklara na ni Hana na magaling na siya. Pero binigay niya lahat ng pasasalamat sa Diyos, dahil Siya lang naman ang tumulong sa kaniyang gumaling sa sakit at pighating dinanas sa nakalipas na mga taon. Dalawang taon na rin nang huli siyang dinalaw ng ama sa malaking bahay. Hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi na ito nagpakita simula noon. Nang tanungin niya si Lamech, tikom ang bibig nito at sasabihing mas mabuti nang walang masyadong bumibisita sa kaniya para hindi siya ma-distract. Hindi na siya nagtanong pa. Simula nang nagkaayos na sila ng ama niya, bumalik na si Lamech sa lungsod para ipagpatuloy ang pagtatrabaho nito. Halos hindi na niya ito nakita buong maghapon na siyang nagpaligalig sa kaniya. Noon kasi ay halos nakikita niya ito araw-araw. Pero nilibang niya ang sarili sa ibang bagay gaya ng pagbabasa at pagpunta sa pebble beach. Nagpapahatid lang siya kay Eman doon saka naman siya susunduin kapag naisipan niyang bumalik sa malaking bahay. 'Yon ang naging buhay niya sa nakalipas na dalawang taon at namangha siya habang inalala ang mga oras na siya lang mag-isang naglalakad sa kahabaan ng dalampasigan. Pwede pala siyang maglakbay nang siya lang mag-isa. Hindi pala. Kasama niya ang Diyos kaya hindi siya mag-isa. Napangiti siya. "Ihahatid na kita sa lungsod," sabi ni Eman at pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan ng passenger seat. Lumingon siya saglit sa kasamhan niya sa malaking bahay sa nakalipas na mga taon. Marami sa orihinal na kasabayan niya ang nakalabas na ng malaking bahay habang 'yong iba na tulad ni Sena ay piniling manatili sa loob ng bahay. May ibang bagong mukha siyang nakilala sa nakalipas na mga araw. Kumaway siya. Kaway at ngiti ang sinukli ng mga ito sa kaniya. Tumango siya saka lumulan na ng kotse. Hindi nagtagal ay nilakbay na ng kotse ang daan palabas sa malaking lupain ng mental institution. Nakita na naman niya ang kalsada kung saan matayog na nakatayo ang mga puno sa gilid at ang sanga't dahon ng mga ito ay nagbibigay ng lilim sa kotseng mabagal na tumatakbo sa tuwid na kalsada. Inaliw niya ang sarili sa panonood ng mga tanawin sa labas ng bintana. Hindi niya pinaalam kay Lamech maging sa ama na ngayon siya babalik sa lungsod. Gusto niyang sorpresahin ang dalawa sa paggaling niya kaya hindi na siya makapaghintay na makarating sa mansiyon. Balak niyang doon maghintay dahil sabi ni Lamech, doon na raw ito pinatira ng ama niya. Hah. Mas lalo siyang nasabik na makita ang lalaki na limang buwan nang hindi nagpapakita sa kaniya. Ilang oras pa silang bumiyahe hanggang narating nila ang Naga. Huminto ang kotse sa tapat ng tarangkahan ng mansiyon. Gusto sanang imbintahan ni Azora si Eman sa loob pero tumanggi ang doktor. Kailangan pa raw nitong bumalik sa Santander bago gumabi kaya hindi na siya nagpumilit. Nilakbay niya ang distansya ng tarangkahan at entrada ng mansiyon. Pumasok siya diretso sa loob. "Miss Azora?" manghang sambit ng isang kasambahay. Napalingon siya sa babaeng nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa kaniya. Mahina siyang natawa sa gulat nitong mukha. "Yes, it's me." Napakurap ang babae at hilaw na ngumiti sa kaniya. "Magpahinga na muna kayo, Miss. Tatawagan ko lang po si Sir Lamech." "Okay," aniya at dumiretso sa second floor, sa kuwarto niya. Pagbukas niya ro'n ay natigilan siya. Walang pinagbago sa kuwarto niyang 'yon. Pareho pa rin ang kulay at disenyo. Kaya lang ay may pabango ng lalaki siyang nalanghap sa paligid. Nangunot ang noo niya. Nilagay niya muna ang shoulder bag sa couch at umupo't tumihaya sa kama. Dahil na rin sa pagod sa mahabang biyahe ay nakatulog siya sa gano'ng pwesto. Nagising lang siya nang maramdamang may nakatitig sa mukha niya. Minulat niya ang mata at dilim ang sumalubong sa kaniya. Kumurap siya at umupo. Kaso napahiyaw siya sa gulat nang makita niya si Lamech na nakatayo sa harapan niya. "You startled me!" aniya. Marahang natawa si Lamech. Binuksan nito ang ilaw ng kuwarto gamit ang remote control. Nangunot ang noo niya. Hindi niya alam na may gano'n na pala sa kuwarto niya. "What are you doing inside my room?" tanong niya saka hinawi ang buhok at inipit sa likod ng tainga. "Dad might get angry at you." Napalis ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Lamech saka napaikhim. "That... I have something to tell you." Napantastikuhan siya sa pagiging seryoso ni Lamech pero hindi na nagbiro ukol doon at nakinig na lang sa lalaki. "I acquired this whole mansion from your Dad," kuwento ni Lamech. Tumaas ang kilay ni Azora sa sinabi nito. "Really?" Bumuntong-hinga si Lamech. "Yes. He put me as one of his benefactors." "Benefactor?" Seryosong tumitig si Lamech kay Azora. "Your Dad is dead." Ilang minutong katahimikan ang namayani sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Kunot ang noo ni Azora at hindi naniwala sa sinabi ni Lamech pero nang makita niyang seryoso ang lalaki, bigla na lang bumigat ang dibdib niya. Ilang sandali pa ay humagulgol siya. Mabilis naman siyang niyakap ni Lamech. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay tumahan si Azora at tinanong ang sanhi ng kamatayan nito. Kinuwento ni Lamech na matapos nitong bumisita sa Santander dalawang taon nang nakalipas, nakita na lang ng ilang estranghero ang bangkay ng ama niyang nakahandusay sa gitna ng kalsada. Ayon sa pinalabas na autopsy report, may ininom na lason si Alibata kaya nahimatay ito sa daan. Nabagok ang ulo nito at iyon ang sanhi ng kamatayan nito. Si Lamech na ang nag-asikaso sa libing ni Alibata at lumapit sa kaniya ang isang abogado para sabihin na binigay sa kaniya ang mansion pati na ang negosyong naiwan nito. Ang nakuhang mana ni Azora mula sa ama ay isandaang milyong piso. Ibig sabihin ay napunta lahat ng monetary assets kay Azora habang private property assets naman ang kay Lamech. Silang dalawa ang ginawang benefactor ni Alibata at naghabilin na ito ng last will para kay Azora at isang liham. Binigay ni Lamech ang liham kay Azora na agad niyang binuksan at binasa. ... Azora, Isa sa pagkakamali ko ang iwan kang mag-isa sa oras na kailangan mo nang makakasama. Patawarin mo ako, anak. Labis akong nasaktan nang mawala ang ina mo at hindi ko nakitang kailangan mo ako sa panahon na nawalan ka ng isang ina. Hinayaan kita sa kamay ng babaeng sumira sa pamilya natin. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko para makabawi sa 'yo. Labis ang pagsisising nararamdaman ko ngayon, Azora. Gusto ko nang makalimot at baka sakaling makita ko ang ina mo sa pagtulog ko nang mahimbing. Nandiyan na si Lamech upang alagaan ka. Hindi na ako mag-aalala pa. Mag-ingat ka, Azora. Mahal na mahal kita. Nagmamahal, Alibata ... Mabigat ang loob ni Azora nang bumisita siya sa puntod ng ama niya. Kaya pala dalawang taon na itong hindi nakadalaw sa kaniya. Matagal na pala itong nahimbing sa libingan na hindi niya alam. Napaluhod siya at napahagulgol sa harap ng puntod ng ama. Ilang oras ang pananatili niya sa gano'ng posisyon nang may nagpatayo sa kaniya. Si Lamech. Niyakap siya nito at hinagod ang likod. Pikit-mata siyang gumanti ng yakap. "I will take care of you," bulong ni Lamech. Marahan siyang ngumiti sa pangako nito at hinigpitan ang yakap sa lalaki. Matapos bumisita sa puntod ni Alibata ay nagpalipas sila ng gabi sa isang resort. Sabay nilang tinanaw ang papalubog na araw sa kanluran. Naramdaman niya ang paghawak ni Lamech sa kamay niya. Pinagsiklop nito ang daliri nilang dalawa. Napatingin siya rito. Nakatingin din pala ito sa kaniya. Marahang ngumiti si Lamech kaya ngumiti rin siya pabalik. Hinigit siya ni Lamech palapit saka binalik ang tingin sa malayo. Kasabay ng paglubog ng araw, unti-unting naghilom ang lungkot sa puso ni Azora. Bukas, isang panibagong hamon na naman ang kakaharapin niya. Pero hindi siya nag-aalala dahil sa gitna ng gabi, alam niyang hindi siya iiwan ni Lamech. At mas lalong hinding-hindi siya iiwang mag-isa ng Diyos... THE END. 12/12/21.12:01P
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