The Princess' True Name

***A week ago***

"There's one more thing that I need to talk to you about..." Ismael said in a more serious tone.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Zeek as he waited for his father to talk again. Ismael walked towards the sofa, umupo doon. And gestured for him to sit as well. Alumpihit na sumunod siya rito and sat at the chair his father pointed at.

"You've heard what happened to Hacienda Dela Torre. And you understand that they are not part of the Callejos bloodline," umpisa ni Ismael.

"But Tita Mina is considered family, right?" tugon niya. He first thought that his father would tell him na papakasalan na nito ang Tita Mina niya and totally bind the Callejos and Dela Torre clan of Sejanos, but it doesn't feel that way.

"She is. And we will still take care of her whatever happens," sabi pa ni Ismael.

"I'm sorry, Dad. But I can't get through. Where are we going with this?" He is so confused kung ano ba ang pinag-uusapan nila.

Ismael took a deep breath at sumandal sa kinauupuan. He looked back at Zeek.

"You're Tita Mina is the wife of an old friend, Hernan Dela Torre," kwento ni Ismael.

Zeek knows that. He might have a little knowledge of what are the Dela Torres about. But since he grew up away from Sejanos, he's not really comnected to the drama that have happened there in the past. All he understood is, when he arrived from China, the Sejanos is being taken care of the Callejos clan, whatever side it is. This confuses him even more nang banggitin ni Ismael ang mga Dela Torre.

"They have a daughter. She ran away 12 years ago because of what happened to the Hacienda," tuloy na sabi ni Ismael.

Zeek's curiosity was piqued. Mariin natuon ang atensyon niya sa sinasabi ng ama.

"And all this years, I tried everything to bring her back to Hacienda Dela Torre. But, it wasn't that easy," tugon ni Ismael.

"Wasn't that easy? Why?"

"She believed otherwise. She think of the Callejos as enemies. And kapag nalaman niyang we are still in their lands, I believe she will be furious."

"You know her?" tanong ni Zeek.

Ismael just nod.

"Does Tita Mina knows that you know where her daughter is? Or does she even knows that her daughter is alive?"

"Zeek, she has no memory of the incident. Nagka-Amnesia siya at the same time she got blind. She doesn't know anything. The Dela Torres and Callejos are enemies from the past. Do you think Mina will allow us to help her if she remembers who I am? She'll hate me. Like how her daughter hates me."

"But you didn't do any harm to them. Hindi naman ikaw ang dahilan ng nangyaring insidente in the past. Why won't they understand?"

"It's more complicated that what it is, Zeek. Especially Hernan is no longer here to proove that I am not an enemy," patuloy ni Ismael. "But I still want you to protect her, you're Tita Mina's daughter."

"Protect her why?"

"She doesn't know her real enemy. She is being taken care of a person that she thought was her friend and protector. But in reality, that person is keeping her away from her real home," kwento ni Ismael.

"What?" Zeek thought how naive his Tita Mina's daughter could possibly be. "How can she trust someone that hard?"

"She was saved differently at a young age. These people somehow helped her survive. Hindi niya alam that this person is actually doing it for his personal intentions. She looked at him as a protector. And for 12years, he was there beside her bidding his time. He acted as her older brother. She will believed him rather than think of us as the one who will help her," turan ni Ismael. "I tried talking to him once but pinagbantaan niyang he will harm her. But then, he accepted my offer just to make sure that he can give a better life for Mina's daughter."

"A better life? That's not even close. He hid her away from her true identity. Inilayo niya sa totoong buhay na dapat she's living it. He let her live in lies. How was it better?" Zeek got furious to the person his father is referring to.

"That's why we have to protect her at all cost. There's a threat for her safety that she didn't realize yet. And I think it's time that we do something," turan ni Ismael.

"Where is Tita Mina's daughter now?" tanong ni Zeek. Kung hindi makakapag-explain ang ama niya sa anak ng Tita Mina niya, he will do it once and for all.

Ismael didn't speak. He gave an even deeper sigh.

"Dad..." Zeek realized that it is harder for his father to tell him the truth.

"You're assistant, she's Yumie Arguellez, right?" tanong nito pagkuwa'y. Nilingon pa nito ang pinto kung saan nasa labas lang si Yumie. Zeek did not reply. Nakatingin lang siya sa ama. "Arguellez is your Tita's maiden name. They named their daughter Mayumia Arguellez Dela Torre."

Natigilan si Zeek sa binanggit na pangalan ng ama...

****

Zeek was looking worriedly sa tulog pa ding si Yumie. She had been checked by a doctor. And the doctor confirmed that she passed out becaused of shocked. She is somewhat ok though. But hindi niya ito iniwan kahit sandali. He waited for her to wake up.

Zeek thought that it must've been too much to take for Yumie. When his father told him about her being a Dela Torre, it was almost impossible for him to believe. He did asked for signs or affirmations. The first thing his father did was gave her the calming oil specially formulated by her Tita Mina. Yumie's reaction at that time almost made him understood that what his father told him were true. But he still had doubts.

He knew that Yumie must be a true Dela Torre but does she really hate the Callejos? If so, why would she work for them? Bakit tila nalapit ito sa kaniya? Why does he feel that Yumie wanted him to protect her? Why did she let him fall inlove with her?

He needed answers but he can't even ask Yumie. So he brought her back to Sejanos to finally understand what's on her mind. Habang unti-unting napagtatanto ni Yumie ang pagdating nila sa Sejanos, he had caught what her true feelings were. It was very obvious that she knows the place. He can sense her excitement when he heard that they were in Sejanos. She seemed very happy when she rode Bright earlier. Ramdam niya ang longingness nito nang muling makapasok sa Hacienda Dela Torre.

Zeek realized that Yumie didn't hate it. She didn't showed any grievance towards him all throughout. Her longingness to come home was so evident in her actions. And he understood, that if its a possibility she will definitely stay there and won't be back. But like what his father had told him, they need to protect Yumie at all cost.

Napalingon si Zeek sa pinto when her Tita Mina came in.

"Zeek, is she ok?" nag-aalalang turan nito sa kaniya.

Zeek smiled at her kahit hindi nito iyon nakikita. "The doctor said she'll be fine. Napagod lang sa byahe," pagdadahilan ni Zeek.

"Mabuti naman. I brought the calming oil you asked for. Ipahid mo sa kaniya for she can rest well," turan ni Mina.

Inabot iyon ni Zeek. "Thank you po," he said.

"Hindi ka pa kumakain. Ipapahanda ko ang pagkain mo," ani Mina.

"Later, tita. I'll wait for Yumie to wake up," turan ni Zeek.

"Yumie? Is that her name?" tanong ni Mina na napagtuunan ang sinabi niyang pangalan.

Napagtanto ni Zeek that he hadn't formally told her about Yumie. "It's actually, Mayumia. Her real name is."

"Mayumia?"

"Yeah, like the name of your calming oil. Mayumia's Scent," iniangat ni Zeek ang botelya and read it's label.

Mina became silent. She must've have named her calming oil that but because she can't remember some of her past, she didn't really understood why she named it that. But then, she liked it and remained it as that.

"She has a beautiful name. I bet sing-ganda niya ang pangalan niya," turan na lang ni Mina.

Napangiti si Zeek and looked at Yumie adoringly. "She is. The prettiest girl I have met."

Napangiti si Mina sa tinuran ni Zeek. She heard it. Kahit hindi niya nakikita ang itsura nito, she could feel that Zeek adores Yumie so much.

"I really wanted to meet her. I can feel she's lovely," turan ni Mina.

"You want to feel her. I bet she won't mind letting you touch her," sabi ni Zeek. Mina nodded. Lumapit si Zeek rito and pushed her wheel chair close to the bed Yumie is lying. Tinulungan niya ito na abutin ilapat ang kamay sa mukha ni Yumie.

Mina touched Yumie's head first. And slowly she slid down her fingers towards her face. Napapangiti siya as she slowly feels the warmth of her beautiful face. With her touch, it's as if nakikita niya ang magandang features ng dalaga.

She was in the midst of caressing her, when Yumie suddenly opened her eyes. Naramdaman niyang tila may kumakapa sa kaniya. It was a loving touch that she wanted it to last.

"Yumie..." mahinang tawag ni Zeek nang mapansing unti-unti na siyang dumidilat. Dahan-dahang inalis ni Mina ang kamay palayo sa kaniya.

Napabangon si Yumie nang makilala ang ina na nasa tabi. Zeek was sitting on the side of the bed. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa dalawa.

"Are you ok, hija?" tanong ni Mina.

Hindi siya sumagot lumingon lang siya kay Zeek. Tinanguan siya ni Zeek as if telling her to respond.

"Uhm... I-I am."

"Did I wake you up? I just wanted to meet you and since hindi ako nakakakita, all I can do is touch your face. I hope you don't mind," paumanhin ni Mina.

Yumie felt like crying. She was more of grateful to see her mom alive. She reached for her hands and held it hard closed to her heart. "You can feel me all you want, I won't mind," aniya starting to build up the tears.

She missed her mom so much. Mahirap ipaliwanag rito in words kung sino talaga siya. Her mom got blind but she was still thankful that she is alive. All she wanted to do was hugged her.

"A-are you crying?" Mina felt Yumie's emotions.

Zeek m reached for Yumie's hand at sumenyas dito to stop crying. She understood that Mina might sense her emotions. Mabilis niyang pinahid ang pumapatak na luha and fixed her composure.

"Hindi po. I'm just so happy to finally meet you," turan ni Yumie with a forced smile.

Mina smiled as well. "Forgive me, Hija. But I only heard about you from Zeek's Dad. As you know, this bratty son of his wouldn't dare to visit his blind Tita," sarkastikong turan ni Mina na kay Zeek patungkol.

Yumie gave a soft chuckle. "My apologies as well. But Zeek didn't tell me anything about you. Kaya I was really surprised when I saw you."

"Hmp! That's hurtful. Zeekcarias, I know I am not your mother but I believe I still have a say to whoever you wished to bring her in Sejanos. It's a good thing that Yumie here is adorable," ani Mina.

Napailing na lang si Zeek saka natawa na rin sa sinabi ni Mina. "She's indeed, Tita. That's why I didn't tell you about her because kahit hindi ko sabihin, I know you'll gonna like her no matter what." Zeek was looking at Yumie adoringly. Sinalubong niya ang tingin niya with a slight smile on her face.

"Are you sure you're ok now, Mayumia?" muling tanong ni Mina.

Napalingon si Yumie kay Zeek as if asking him why is her mother calling her that. Ngumiti lang si Zeek.

"Much better na po," sagot niya na kay Zeek nakatingin.

"You haven't eaten yet. Ipapahanda ko ang pagkain niya. Just wait a moment," nagmaniobra na ito palayo sa kanila. Mabilis na tumayo si Zeek para itulak ang wheel chair ni Mina na akmang lalabas na ng silid. Tinawag nito ang nurse na umaalalay rito na sumalubong naman agad sa kanila. Zeek went back on the room and sat beside her.

"I told you, you were really weird today," anito.

Malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ni Yumie at sinalubong ang tingin ni Zeek.

"I wish I can tell you why. But can you not ask me for now?" she said. Zeek looked at her but nodded. "I assure you I will tell you someday but please not now."

Zeek just look at her assuringly...