Chapter 38 Chapter 38
When Aurora glanced at her friend, Leora was silent. She knew Leora was weighing the old man’s words.
"I think you're right about that. What do you think, Aurora?"
"Hmmm..."
"Can we come with you to your house?"
"Of course, hija."
Please don't tell another lie, Leora. If you tell him we're from the DSWD (Social Welfare), I'm definitely going to hit you!
"We want to help you."
"Why? Are you two from the DSWD?"
Aurora immediately covered her friend’s mouth as she was about to speak. She gave Leora a warning look.
"The truth is, our families are well-off. We just want to give back for the help you gave us." In a way, Aurora was telling the truth.
"You shouldn't pity us, hija, because we are doing alright. we can still work, and we taught our children how to be content with what we can provide. We taught them to be grateful for the blessings we receive every day, whether big or small."
"What we feel is far from pity, Tay. We admire you and your family. It's called respect, not pity," Leora answered.
After an hour, they arrived at where the family lived. The old man assisted his daughter as she got down.
"How long does it take before your ten percent water and ninety percent magic works?"
"It’s already taking effect; can’t you see the results yet?"
"Well, her color is changing. Why can't she walk properly yet?"
"Because she’s so used to not being okay, that’s why."
Aurora didn't respond as they headed down the bridge using a bamboo ladder.
"Be careful on your way down, hija..." the old man reminded them.
When they finally reached the bottom and saw the family's situation, they realized the old man was telling the truth. Nothing more, nothing less. They saw a small house made of patched-together galvanized iron, plywood, and sacks.
"Father!" A small girl, about four years old, met them and asked to be carried. She was fair-skinned with corn-colored hair.
"How is our youngest?"
"I'm otay," the child answered. She sounded cute with her slight lisp. "Who are they with you, Tay?" She pointed at them, and they saw her red eyes. Soft red eyes, the color of fire.
"Ah, they are Big Sister Aurora and Big Sister Leora," the father replied.
"The bird? Is that going to stay with us?"
"Ah, no. That’s theirs."
"Ah, why do they look like Big Sister?"
The old man ruffled the girl’s hair, then lifted her onto his shoulders. "Don't ask too many questions, child."
"Let's go, Aurora..." Leora whispered.
"Why?"
"We can't let it get dark."
"Alright. I'll just say goodbye." Aurora called the old man. "We're leaving now, Tay..."
"Ah, alright, I'll just drive you to where you're going."
"No need, sir, we don't want to trouble you. We'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You need to rest too; it's a long drive."
"Well, alright then, if that’s what you want. I'll just call the others..."
"No need," Leora quickly stopped him. She pulled a large bag out from inside another bag and handed it to the old man.
"What's this?"
"A token of gratitude," Leora answered with a smile. "So you can have a good start."
The old man put the little girl down and peeked inside the bag. His eyes widened when he saw the contents.
"G-gold and d-diamonds... W-where did this come from?"
"Don't worry; we guarantee that what we gave you didn't come from anything bad."
While the two were talking, the little girl approached Aurora and pulled on the hem of her dress.
"Big sister..."
"Oh? Why?"
"This is for you. My gift for you..." She handed Aurora a shiny stone that looked like incense (kamangyan).
"What's this?"
"S-stone. You can use it..."
"Okay, thank you," Aurora said just so the child would stop pestering her. She planned to throw it away later.
"Don't frow it away, okay?"
"Yes, okay." The child was naturally persistent, so she had to indulge her. She put it inside her bag. She changed her mind; she wouldn't throw it away and would keep it as a memento instead.
"Let's go!" Leora tapped her shoulder.
"Well, we're off then, okay?" she said to the child.
"Okay. Don't frow the stone, okay?"
"Yes, promise. Tay, we're leaving! Thank you."
"We should be the ones thanking you, hija."
"It’s nothing. People with good hearts are simply destined to be blessed," Aurora said as she turned away.
Once they were far from the place, Leora finally asked.
"What did the child give you?"
"Just a stone. She probably just picked it up somewhere. So, where to now?"
"To Luneta Park."
"What are we going to do there?" Aurora glanced at the bird. "You're still carrying that? I thought you left it."
"Not really. We need to buy something at Luneta Park before we proceed to our destination."
"Okay, if you say so."
"I'm serious here, okay?"
"I didn't say you were joking."
"Whatever. Once we buy what we need there, we'll know where to go."
"Are you okay, Love?"
Iris turned to her husband. It had only been a month since she turned him into her kind. Steve was tamable, unlike other newborns. He wasn't addicted to the blood of others—he preferred her blood.
"Steve..." Iris said.
"What's bothering you, Love?"
One month ago, she almost lost Steve, but she broke their laws so she could be with the one she loved forever. Who would have thought that the man who shouted at her at the mall a long time ago was her destiny? Life is truly ironic sometimes.
He reached for her hand and pulled her up. He placed her hands on his shoulders and began to sway without music.
"So, tell me, what’s bothering my stubborn wife?" She glared at him. "Whoa! Don't look at me like that if you don't want us to end up in bed." He was teasing her again. How many years did he spend in a wheelchair because of the accident? She didn't want to remember. "So, are you going to speak, or are we going to end up kissing here before and after the sunset? What do you think of that, huh?"
"How about I make you fly?"
He laughed.
He pulled her even closer to his body. "I missed you."
"I was only gone for an hour, don't be overacting..."
"It doesn't matter how long or quick you’ve been gone because I miss you every single day of my life. I love you..."
"And I love you too." She kissed her husband passionately.
Steve was a mortal before. This human-turned-vampire fought by her side even when he was still mortal. He wasn't afraid of her, even when he found out the truth about what she was.
"And because we love each other, you're going to tell me what's bothering you?"
"Stop pretending, okay?" She laughed and pinched her husband’s nose. "I know you've already talked to Viper and Nyx. I can even still smell Yuwi’s scent here. So, why would I bother telling you things you already know?"
"Dang it! You're good!"
"Of course. I'm a hybrid."
"And there is a hybrid that needs your help. How old is that girl?"
"20? Not sure."
"I hope she has someone who will fight by her side in this war."
Iris smirked arrogantly. "I hope there's someone like you who would love taking a risk no matter how rough the situation is."
"The thing is, I'm the only one of my kind in the world, and I'm far too crazy about you..." He pulled her by the waist, and as she shrieked, they tumbled onto the bed—the mattress of which she had lost count of how many times they had replaced since her husband could walk again.