Nagising si Vlad na masakit ang ulo dahil sa dami ng nainom niya kagabi. Pagka-gising niya ay may nakita siyang tray ng pagkain kaya bigla siya nakaramdam ng gutom. Pero may nakita siya note doon.
𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙡𝙖𝙙! 𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧! 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚; 𝙕𝙚𝙧𝙖 "Tanga ba talaga ang babaeng yon? Sa lahat ng sinabi ko sa kanya parang hindi man lang apektado." Sambit ni Vlad bago kumain. Ilang sandali pa mag kumatok sa kanyang silid. "Come in. It's open." Walang gana Sambit ni Vlad. Ng marinig nisy si Zera ang kumatok. "Good morning Vlad! Nakapag breakfast ka na?" Tanong ni Zera na parang walang nangyare kahapon. "Done. What do you need?" Tipid na sagot ni Vlad. "There will be a banquet party tonight and we received an invitation for it." Tugon ni Zera kay Vlad. "So?"Isang salita sagot ni Vlad sa asawa. "Let's go together Vlad." Nahihiyang sagot ni Zera. "Go by yourself if you want Zera. I'm not going. Kung wala ka ng sasabihin makaka-alis ka na." Sambit ni Vlad kay Zera. "I see...sige mauuna na ako." Sambit ni Zera. Mahahalata mo na disappoint siya sa sinabi ng asawa. Piniling gugulin ni Vlad ang buong araw sa pag tatrabaho. Hindi na niya namalayan ang oras sa buong mag-hapon. Hindi na rin niya nakita si Zera buong mag-hapon na medyo nakakapagtaka. He went out around 8 in the evening to look for some food and also to see if Zera is still alive out there. Vlad went to her suite pero walang sumasagot doon. He decided to get dressed to go to the banquet party. Naalala kasi niya sinabi iyon ng asawa kanina. Pagdating niya ay marami ng tao doon ng puro elegante ang mga suot. Inilibot niya ang mga mata to check if Zera is there pero hindi niya ito makita kaya bumaba na siya sa staircase ng banquet hall. Vladimir was busy talking to some businessmen when he noticed that there has been a little commotion going on. Heads are turning towards the grand staircase. That is when she saw Zera. Napakaganda nito wearing a bloody red evening dress showing her bare milky white shoulders. His jaw dropped as well as the other men in the hall. She is stunningly beautiful tonight. He knew Zera is really a beauty. A head Turner as a matter of fact but tonight she seems to be a goddess. As she stepped doen on the grand staircase, he can see that those men are like bees swarming over her just to get a glimpse. Zera on the other hand is overwhelmed by the attention she's getting until one man had a courage to approach her. "Hello my lady. Forgive my intrusion but are you here alone?" Tanong ng isang napakagwapo nilalang na lumapit kay Zera. "Unfortunately yes, I came here alone." Sambit ni Zera. "That's actually a good news for me. May I escort you to the banquet? Oh, I'm sorry. How rude of me not to introduce myself, I'm Andrew." Sambit ni Andrew habang inilalahad ang isang kamay. "Zera...thank you but I prefer to go alone but maybe I'll see you around later on." Sambit ni Zera. Na medyo kinabigla ni Andrew but right then and there he knows that Zera is avery elegant and well mannered lady and it impressed him. Nakita naman ni Vlad at ng mga kausap niya ang nangyayari. He impressed with Zera na hindi ito sumasama kung kani-kanino. "Looks like someone finally got the attention of the high and mighty duke Andrew." Sambit ng isang businessman na kausap ni Vlad. "I can't blame him, that lady is really something." Sagot naman ng isa pang negosyante. "I wonder why is she alone. With that kind of beauty, there should be at least a million guys out there who would love to be with her." Sagot naman isa pang businessman na kausap ni Vlad. Nakikita lang ni Vlad ang asawa mula sa malayo pero hindi niya ito nilalapitan. Nang magsimula na ang tugtog para sa mga sa mga Gustong mag-sayaw ay kitang kita niya na lumapit ang lalaking kumausap kay Zera pag-karating palang nito at halos lahat ng tao sa hall nakatingin sa kanila. Kung hihingi ito ng sayaw ay malamang pagbigyan ito ni Zera kesa Ipahiya ang lalaki dahil hindi ito ganoong klase ng tao. "Hi Zera...may I have this dance.?" Sambit ni Andrew. Nag-aalinlangan si Zera pero pinagtitinginan na sila. "Don't worry my lady. I don't bite." Sambit ni Andrew ng makita niya pag aalinlangan ni Zera at saka ito binigyan ng isang ngiti. "Alright Andrew but just one dance." Sambit ni Zera saka inabot ang nakalahad na kamay ni Andrew. "One dance then..."Sambit ni Andrew. Saka inalalayan si Zera patungo sa gitna ng banquet hall. Nang mga oras na iyon ay hindi mapaliwanag ni Vlad ang nararamdaman. He doesn't love Zera because there's already someone in his heart. "What a lucky man that Duke is. He is now dancing with gorgeous lady." Sambit ulit ng kausap ni Vlad. Nang malapit ng Matapos ang kanta ay tila mo may sariling buhay ang mga paa ni Vlad at pinuntahan si Zera. "Excuse me for a while gentlemen. Let me just get my wife?" Sambit ni Vlad ng makalapit siya sa gawi nila Zera. "Excuse me. May I dance with my wife?" Sambit ulit ni Vlad ng tuluyan na siyang makalapit kay Zera. Tila naman nagulat si Andrew sa narinig pati na rin si Zera. "Vlad....you're here. You came."Sambit ni Zera. " Yes I did... Now can I dance with my wife?"Tanong ni Vlad. But Andrew understand so he give way. Disappointment is over Andrew's face but he can't do anything because that man just announced that Zera is his wife. Habang nag sasayaw sina Zera at Vlad ay matiim na nakatingin sa asawa. " You came Vlad....Thank you." Sambit ni Zera nahihiya man pero nakangiti siya. "Yes and how dare you Zera. Don't ever try to ruin my name to anyone by flirting to some random guy. Ano na lang sa tingin mo ang sasabihin ng mga tao sa ginagawa mo." Sambit ni Vladimir kay Zera. "No Vlad... I'm not flirting. Nakakahiya lang kanina kung ipagtabuyan ko siya dahil nakatingin samin ang mga tao." paliwanag ni Zera. "Binabalaan kita Zera. Wag na wag ka lang mag kakamali na sirain ang pangalan ko. I may not like you but it's your fault we're caught up in this marriage so deal with it." Sambit ni Vlad. Hanggang sa natapos ang kanta hindi nakasagot si Zera. Pinili na lang niyang umalis at bumalik sa kanyang kwarto dahil baka doon pa siya mapahiya ni Vlad. Ang hindi niya namalayan ay sumunod na pala si Vlad para makausap nito ang asawa. "Let's talk Zera..." Sambit ni Vlad. Kinagulat naman ni Zera pero pinapasok rin niya ito sa kwarto. "What do want to talk about." Sambit ni Zera. "One year Zera. That's all I can give." Sambit ni Vlad. "What do you mean?" kinakabahan Sambit ni Zera. "We're getting an annulment after a year. Napagbigyan ko naman ang lolo ko. Kaya wala na siyang magagawa." Sambit ni Vlad. At hindi nakapag salita si Zera. Si Vladimir naman lumabas na sa kwarto pag katapos sabihin yun naiwan naman si Zera ay hindi parin naabsorb ang mga sinabi ni Vladimir/Vlad."Baby... I know this come a little too late... That ex boyfriend of yours didn't even give the chance to propose... But here we are...." Sambit ni Vladimir na lumuhod bigla sa harapan ni Chandria."I love you since you were seven... I love you since you hold my hand that day and saved my life... I hated you thinking that you are replacing the little girl who had my heart not knowing that you're right there all along... I know I have made you cry a thousand times and I can't find any excuse for that... But here I am... I have no title I can offer you except for the love I have for you... Zera... Will you marry right now and make you happy for the rest of our lives...?"Sambit ni Vladimir sabay labas ng isang engagement ring na galing pa sa yumao niyang lola."Yes... Yes Vlad... I will marry you over and over again..." Sambit ni Chandria who is still in tears."God, I love you..." Sambit ni Vladimir na dali dali tumayo at isinuot kay Chandria ang singsing saka ito niyakap ng mahigpit.Ze
Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Andrew sa kamay ni Chandria na tila ayaw itong bitawan."Whatever happens my Lady, remember that I will do anything for you... That I love you..." Sambit ni Andrew na hindi nakatingin kay Chandria.Napalingon si Chandria kay Andrew pero kita niyang mariin ang pagkakapikit ng mata nito until they heard the Royal priest."Everyone, let us begin the Royal union of the future of our land."Sambit ng priest.Tahimik ang lahat para sa pag sisimula ng seremonya Ngunit binasag ni Andrew ang katahimikan."Before we begin, I would like to make an announcement... To seek mercy for my mistakes..."Sambit ni Andrew na puno ng kaseryosohan ang mukha."Andrew...?" Sambit ni Chandria."What is this Andrew..?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Alonsa sa anak."I'm sorry mother.... Forgive me my Lady..." Sambit ni Andrew na nakapikit at kumukuha ng lakas ng loob para Ituloy ang nais sabihin.(𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞)𝘕𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘨 𝘴𝘪 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘺
"Chandria Sweetheart, can I come in?" Sambit ni Margarret ng kumatok sa silid ng apo."Come in grandma..." Sambit ni Chandria sa lola niya sabay pahid ng luha sa kanyang mata."I thought that when he's here your tears would stop... Look at you..." Sambit ni Margarret."Grandma... I'm hurting them both... It's killing me..." Sambit ni Chandria."Shhh... Sweetheart, don't you think it's about time for you to be happy... Whatever your choice would be there will be someone to get hurt... Why not make the pain worth it... That at least there would be happiness along with it..."Sambit ni Margarret na nakayakap na sa apo."You want me to be with Vladimir... What about Andrew? If I would do that he will take all the blame grandma... I won't let him do that..." Sambit ni Chandria."And if you chose Andrew... What do you think will happen to Vladimir... Nit just him... What about your child...? You think it would be fair that he will not know who his father is..? Chandria, the decision that you
"Are you sure about this Vladimir?" Tanong ni Marcos kay Vladimir.Dahilan ang araw na iyon ay nagpasya na si Vladimir na puntahan si Andrew."Yeah, I have to do this. It's me whom Zera loves. It ain't fair for her or him to be trapped wit each other." Sambit ni Vladimir."I understand. I just hope everything goes well." Sambit ni Marcos."I hope so too dad. I can't bear to see Zera marrying another man." Sambit ni Vladimir."I just don't want to see my daughter unhappy. Come on let's go downstairs, i papahatid na kita sa driver." Sambit ni Marcos.Nang palabas na sila ay nakasalubong nila si Chandria."Wish me luck baby..." Sambit ni Vladimir at nginitian si Chandria."What? Why? Where are you going?" Tanong ni Chandria."I'm making you mine Zera so wish me luck." Sambit ni Vladimir at nginitian si Chandria at binigyan ito ng isang mabilis na halik sa labi at saka dali daling umalis.Hindi na nakapag react pa si Chandria dahil wala na si Vladimir sa harapan niya."He really loves you
"Ang tigas mo Zera... Ang tigas mo... Your not the woman I married anymore... Na kahit sa konting pagkakataon ipaglalaban ako... Put this in your head Zera... Hindi ako papayag na ikasal ka kay Andrew. I'd rather die than witness that... Hindi rin ako papayag na iba ang mag-aalaga sa anak ko... Hate me pero pag itinuloy mo ang pagpapakasal mo kay Andrew, ilalayo kita dito at sa lahat... Trust me baby, I couldn't care less if I will be charged for kidnapping but I will not watch you be miserable with him... Akin lang kayo ng anak natin. So think again baby... Mas gugustuhin mo bang ipahiya mismo ang Andrew na iyon sa araw ng kasal niyo or you would stop it by being happy with me..."Sambit ni Vladimir bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto." Dammit Vlad! Why do you have to make things harder than it already is."Sambit ni Chandria ng maiwan siyang mag isa sa kanyang silid.Nang makarating naman si Vladimir sa kanyang silid ay mabigat ang kanyang hininga."Better no
"What happen with your face Vladimir?" Tanong ni Marcos ng makita ang pasa at dugo sa mukha ni Vladimir."It didn't went good. He doesn't want to let her go..." Sambit ni Vladimir."Can't blame him... He loves my daughter so much..." Sambit ni Marcos."Yeah... I know that he's hurt. I know that he was the one with her when she's going through the worst part of her life... But I can't give up now. I can't do that... I will do anything to make sure that she'll be happy..." Sambit ni Vladimir.Hindi nila napansin na nakita sila ni Chandria at nakalapit na ito."Oh my god... What happened?" Tanong ni Chandria na nakalapit na kay Vladimir. Hindi maitatanggi ang pag-aalala nito.Hindi naman sumagot si Vladimir but he stared at her pero napansin na siya ni Chandria."Vladimir, stop staring and answer me. What happened?" Tanong ni Chandria."You're worried..." Sambit ni Vladimir na tila hindi makapaniwala."Of