CAN YOU SAY IT? 05 :  Taste of the Moonlight

CAN YOU SAY IT? 05 :

Taste of the Moonlight

RAY

Days after Lloyd was brought to the hospital. I payed a visit to his mansion para makita ang mga reapers. Mabilis na nakapunta sa kanila ang balita kaya hindi na namin kinailangan ni Ishtar na sabihan pa ang mga ito. Wala pang nasasabi si Schenizel patungkol dito.

"The doctors said that he's already fine. Nasa mabuti na siyang lagay pati na rin ang puso niya. They mentioned that he had a panic attack kaya iyon nangyari but the cause of his hearts' abrupt stopping is currently unkown. They admitted that he's not very healthy that's why we'll look over him when he finally wakes up." Ceb announced.

We're currently inside the living room. Discussing about Lloyd's condition. Almost everyone sighed in relief after listening to him.

Ilang araw na rin kasi ang nakalipas simula noong dalhin siya sa ospital, sa ngayon hindi pa 'rin siya nagigising at hihintayin na lang namin mangyari 'yon.

"Wala naman siyang sakit sa puso right? or any other failures." Guido raised his hand. Mahina itong hinampas ni Lawliet sa braso.

Ceb nodded, "Right."

"But what can cause his heart to abruptly stop? It's very unusual. Yes, indeed he's not healthy but.. what just happened?" Mordred also raise her hand.

"Even me, doesn't have any idea. Let's just not think about it. The important thing here is he's finally alright and we have nothing to worry about, as of now." He also let out a sigh of relief.

"May possibility ba na mag-short circuit ang puso ng tao? parang ganun kasi ang nangyari." Hyacinth thought beside me. Napapagitnaan nila akong dalawa ni Arthur habang may kanya-kanyang puwesto naman ang iba.

Si B-2 at Jack lang ang wala dito sa ngayon.

Arthur only shrugged at her at patuloy lang si Hyacinth sa pag-iisip. Not only her, all of us here is probably giving it a thought. Ano kaya ang dahilan ng biglang pag-tigil ng pag-tibok ng puso ni Lloyd?

As Ceb dismissed everyone, we all parted our ways. Kaming lang nila Hyacinth, Freya at Eri lang ang naiwan dito sa may living room habang ang iba ay nagkanya-kanya na. Eri and Freya pay no mind to us while doing their business.

"Hyacinth, you're thinking so deeply onto it. Why not take a rest?" payo ko sa kaniya. Saglit muna itong tumingin sa'kin bago toothy na ngumiti at magpaalam na pupunta na sa kwarto niya.

"But then again.. what could possibly be the cause of Sir Lloyd's heart sudden stop?" Freya repeated. I thought she was having a conversation with Eri but the gal is nowhere to be seen.

Parang kanina lang magkatabi pa sila...

"I don't know.." I mumbled, looking down.

Kahit na anong isipin ko, hindi ako makahanap ng matinong dahilan. Kahit na ang mga doktor na tumitingin 'kay Lloyd ay hindi rin alam ang dahilan ng biglaang pagtigil ng pagtibok ng puso niya. Paano pa kaya ako na kakaunti lang ang alam patungkol sa puso ng tao.

It pumps blood through the whole body.

As long as it is beating, the human body will remain alive.

But the cause of it's sudden stop.. what could that be?

Sumasakit na ang ulo ko kakaisip. Sa ngayon ay nasa ospital ang kambal, looking over at Lloyd. Baka mamaya ay bumalik na sila.

A cup suddenly blocked my view, looking up to see Arthur's soft smile. I thanked her as I take the coffee she had offered. Naupo ito sa tabi ko taking a sip to her coffee.

"Everyone is also giving it a thought just like you, but don't think so deep about it. The important thing here is Sir Lloyd is safe, just like what Ceb said earlier." aniya. Of course I understant what she meant by that.

I also took a sip on the coffee, eyes immediately widened after realizing it was a cold coffee, with ice. Not bad at all.

"Are you possibly worried for us?" I looked at Arthur na nahuli kong nakatingin sa'kin. She must be reading my face.

I looked down, slowly nodding followed by her giggling. "I knew it. Matagal na rin simula noong napabisita ka. I could tell na hindi ka pumunta dito para lang sabihin sa amin ang nangyari."

"I wondered.. how will the reapers react after finding out what happened. And here I am, having a coffee beside you." she rested her back comforably, eyes looking up at the beautiful ceiling.

"Well, of course for me it was a shock. But now that he only needs to wake up, my worry soon fades away slowly. Sir Lloyd is a very mysterious person just like our Boss, they keep their true feelings and emotions inside. Builds a thick wall between them and the world. Sometimes, I just want to break that wall to finally unveil their true nature." she let out a deep sigh, giving me a meaningful glance.

I also rested my back on the sofa, "I know that feeling. They are all a mystery to us up until now. Yet sometimes, we don't need an effort to break those walls they build. Because in the mean time, they are the ones who will break it for us. To finally show their true nature."

"Right.."

After that, the both of us fell silent for a minute until she spoke up again, rosing from her seat.

"I bet you're already feeling tired after coming all the way here and deal with the others. Rest up, Raychel. I'd walk you to your room."

I finished the coffee she gave me before lazily standing up, walking beside her. Lloyd is too kind to give me a room inside his mansion.

Standing infront the wooden door, I thanked her once again before entering the room. Still the same room as the others. I plopped on the soft bed, tiredness quickly running on my whole body.

"Why is it that.. I already drank the coffee but I still felt really really tired?"

♡ ♡ ♡

🎶What do you want from me?

Why don't you run from me?

Why are you wondering?

What do you know?

Why aren't you scared of me?

Why do you care for me?

When we all fall asleep..

Where do we go?🎶

WAKING UP by the music playing too close to my ears na para bang may katabi itong speaker. I look at my side, blinking twice bago makita ang maliit na pigura ni B-2. May hawak itong mp3 sa kamay at nakasuot ang dalawang earphones sa may tenga ko.

I took it off before sitting up, stretching my limbs one by one. Her small body stood there like a doll. After stretching, I turned to her. Her lifeless orbs keeps staring into mine.

"What is it B-2? do you need something?" I sweetly asked. Nasa kamay parin niya ang parang puppet na thingy.

Ilang saglit pa ang lumipas bago ito sumagot, doing her magic para ipakitang ang hawak niyang puppet ang nagsasalita. "Ishtar went somewhere.."

Oh, so walang magbabantay sa kaniya ngayon.

She's really good at ventroquilism, kahit na nakatingin ako sa bibig niya, hindi ko ito nakikitang gumagalaw kahit na nagsasalita siya. What an amazing talent she have.

"May sinabi ba siya kung saan siya pupunta?" tanong ko, she shakes her head.

"Then, do you want to do something maybe? play? anything? I'll play with you." I gave her a smile, it does feel really nice kapag may bata.

Hindi muna siya sumagot, so I asked again. Maybe she's already playing with me. Hindi ko pa naman literal na alam ang pag-uugali niya.

"Don't tell me.. you're hungry?"

I saw her puppet slightly nodded dahilan para lumapad ang ngiti ko. I stood up, brushing my hair first and tinignan muna kung maayos pa ba ang lagay ng damit ko.

I lend her my hand, "Come. Let's eat."

"B-2 doesn't want to eat lunch, she wants sweets."

"Can I take you outside? may alam akong shop na nagbebenta ng sweets. Baka mas lalong magalit si Ishtar sa'kin kapag nalaman niyang nilabas kita." I worriedly asked her.

"You can take B-2 outside, only for a bit."

"Okay, then bilisan na lang natin."

Her vacant hand hold onto mine, halos matunaw ang puso ko ng maramdaman ang malambot at maliit niyang palad. Damn, kung alam ko lang na ganito ang feeling ng magbantay sa kaniya edi sana dati ko pa ito ginawa.

We got outside, medyo napahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya. Tumawag ako ng taxi saka nagpahatid sa isang shop na malapit lang sa St.Celestine, dito kami dati tumatambay kapag nangangati ang gilagid namin na kumain ng sweets.

Hanggang sa pagsakay sa taxi, hawak ko pa rin ang maliit niyang kamay. She kept staring outside the window making me look at her in awe.

"B-2." I called her, she slowly turn her head to face me. "Can I ask.. some things?"

The puppet on her left hand faced me at ibinalik niya ang tingin sa may bintana, as her puppet slowly nodded, sinimulan ko na ang pagtatanong. Medyo malayo pa naman kami sa may Moonlight Shop.

"How old is B-2?" I asked her puppet, I noted na B-2 ang tawag niya sa sarili niya, she's not using I or I'm.

"B-2 is between 10 and 12." as usual, the puppet answered.

Oh, so she's currently 11 years old. Napaka-bata niya talaga para maging isang reaper. Dapat ang isang kagaya niya ay nasa school at gumagawa ng maraming kaibigan.

"I see. Does B-2 attends school?"

The puppet shakes it's head, "B-2 doesn't need to attend school. B-2 has Ishtar. Ishtar teaches B-2 everything."

"Aside from Ishtar, does B-2 have a family?"

Saglit munang tahimik ang puppet bago ito dahan-dahan na umiling, "B-2.. doesn't have a family. Ishtar is not B-2's family. Ishtar saves B-2. B-2 only has Ishtar. Ishtar said that he is B-2's new family."

I got shocked after she said that. For an 11 years old kid, I wonder kung ano na ang mga naranasan niya sa buhay. It makes me think, I want to know about her more.

I let go of her hand and pulled her on a warm embrace. I heard her gasping. I patted her head to her long wavy blond hair.

"I'm also here for you B-2. Raychel will always be here. The other reapers, Lloyd, Schenizel, Nash, Nile and Me, will always be here for B-2."

I held her tight, It must've been hard for her to loose her family.

"Okay.."

The taxi finally takes a stop, we got out. Still holding B-2's soft small hand which literally melts my heart. I look down to look at her, her face never changed. I lead the way papunta sa famous Moonlight sweets shop.

A bell jinggle's after I opened the door, walking inside the not so big place.

Hindi nagbago ang inner design ng lugar, maganda parin ito na napapaligiran ng glow in the dark stickers ng mga stars, planets at iba-iba pang makikita sa solar system. There's also a few chairs and tables kung sakaling gusto mo kumain dito sa loob. Other than selling sweets, they are also selling cupcakes, cakes and other pastries, of course they also have drinks.

"Feel free to pick anything, I'll buy it for you." ngiting wika ko sa kaniya. Her eyes seemed to spark a little dahil sa mga nakikita.

I let go of her hand saka naupo sa isang tabi. Watching her look adorably while deciding what to buy.

"Hm? Ray, long time no see." A woman on her mid-20's emerged from inside the shop. Wearing a dark blue apron, her raven locks on a high ponytail. Napatayo ako ng sinimulan niyang maglakad papunta sa'kin saka bumeso, taking a seat beside me.

"Long time no see, Ate Luna."

Luna Sullivan, Moon's 2nd older sister. She's the one who runs this shop.

She smiled at me saka napansin ang maliit na pigura ni B-2 sa maiging tinitignan ang mga sweets sa isang stool.

"Cousin?" turo niya dito.

I shaked my head, "I wish, but she's a friend."

"I see, kamusta ka na nga pala? matagal na rin noong last time na napadalaw ka dito kasama ang dalawa mong friendshie." she giggled after saying the last word. Iyan kasi ang tawag niya 'kay Lori at Wendy.

Ang aking mga "friendshies."

"I'm good, maayos din naman silang dalawa. How about you?" I smiled, Ate Luna also gives that Ate Naru vibes kaya hindi siya mahirap pakisamahan.

"Also good, kakaunti na lang ang customer na dumadalaw dito kaya baka one day ipasara ko na din kasi baka kailanganin ako ni Dad sa trabaho. Pero kung sakali na makahanap ng taong kayang ituloy 'to, baka ibigay ko na lang sa kaniya." She failed to smile while trying to said those words. Isa kasi sa pangarap niya ang magpatakbo ng ganitong business but Ate Luna is also a police officer na ngayong nasa break kaya siya nandito.

Isang Senior Superintendent naman ang Dad nila kaya naman.. medyo mahigpit para sa kanila ang magpahinga sa trabaho. Ganito din ang magiging sitwasyon ni Moon kapag nagkataon.

"My future sister-in-law takes a liking on making sweets and baking kaya baka matulungan ka niya dito. I'll gave you her number kaya mag-usap na lang kayong dalawa." I gave her my number kasama na ng number ni Ate Naru at nagpasalamat naman ito.

It felt too fluffy inside nang makita ko na mawala ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. She thanked me and I rubbed it off, masaya akong makatulong lagi. I also told her na tawagan lang ako kung kailangan niya ng assistant kahit na hindi ako marunong mag-bake, she can teach me step by step.

She stood up saka naglakad papalapit 'kay B-2 na busy parin hanggang ngayon. Kinausap niya ito, hindi ko naman alam kung anong pinagusapan nila. B-2 is still using her ventroquilism skills while having a conversation with her.

Laking gulat ko ng biglang naglakad ito sa'kin, her eyes is sparkling for some reason. Dahil kaya 'yon sa pinagusapan nila? I curiously looked at Ate Luna as she only smiled at me giving a thumbs up.

"Bakit B-2?"

"The lady told me that everything I want is free."

"She did?" Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa kung nasaan si Ate Luna ay wala na ito, maybe she sneaked while walking back inside.

B-2 tugged my hand making me look at her.

"Can I have the whole shop, for free?" her eyes sparkled at napalibutan siya bigla ng sunshine aura. Just like this: (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧

My sweat dropped (¯―¯٥), "You can't." (ーー゛)

Her face immediately fall making me sweat drop more. Bumalik sa dati ang walang emosyong mukha nito. Like this: (ー_ー)

"What do you mean Raychel is here? tsaka isa pa busy ako sa pag gawa ng Moon cake! don't drag me-hey! Sis!"

Sabay kami ni B-2 napatingin sa commotion na nanggaling sa loob, isang lalaki ang mukhang pilit na pinalabas 'don. He's also wearing a colored apron at may panyo ito sa ulo.

Wait.. that voice.

"Moon?" I called, nakatalikod kasi ito mula sa amin kaya hindi ko makita ang mukha nito but I clearly know that voice. Hindi ako puwedeng magkamali.

The guy slowly turn around, kahit na medyo malayo kita ko kung paano namutla ang mukha nito ng magtama ang mata namin. No doubt, it's really him.

"Raychel? w-w-what are you doing here? Also.. who's child is that?" He pointed at B-2 who only stares blankly at him.

Mabilis niyang tinanggal ang bagay sa ulo niya at nag-ayos ng buhok. Bihira lang makakita ng Moon na nasa kaniyang natural habitat kaya naman hindi ko na napigilan ang pag-ngisi. He started walking closer to us, cheeks tainted in pink.

He stood in front, crossed arms, darting his eyes somewhere.

"Hindi ko alam na tumutulong ka na rin pala dito." I wiped a few fake tears habang pinipigilan ang pagtawa, kahit na nasa tyan ko na ang isa kong kamay.

"I'm only helping her dahil nasa break ang mga trabahador." He pouted. Kulay pink parin ang pisngi nito.

"Then? who is this little girl?" he looks down to B-2 na tahimik nakatayo sa may tabi ko who's also looking back at him.

"She's a friend. Mahiyain siya kaya huwag mo takutin." I joked, patting B-2's head.

"Wala naman akong balak na takutin siya. At isa pa, hindi mo lang alam pero lapitin ako ng mga bata." he started to approach B-2 at bigla itong yumakap sa'kin, making him stop.

I gave him a smug face, "Well, looks like she's not like the other childs who you can approach."

Bumagsak ang balikat niya saka tumalikod.

"By the way, how are you? active pa rin ba sila?"

"As of now, hindi pa naman sila umaatake, which is good. At first akala ko may ginawa silang masama 'kay Wendy because she suddenly went missing, pero tumawag ito last month na bumisita siya sa probinsya. Babalik na nga din siya pero hindi pa alam kung kailan. I'm so excited to see her again, hindi niya alam kung gaano ako nag-alala ng bigla na lang siyang mawala ng walang pasabi."

I can't wait. Wendy.. kailan ka uuwi?

"Uh.." he started, nakatalikod pa rin ito samin.

"What?"

"Aalis na ba kayo agad? may gusto sana akong ibigay sa'yo bago ka umalis. As you can see, we fled to Germany last Christmas.. and I got something for you. Pasensya na kung late ko na maiibigay."

I stood up saka iniupo si B-2 sa kung saan ako umupo, I walked up infront of him saka ito nginitian.

"Kahit hindi mo na ako bigyan ng kahit ano pa masaya na ako. You already gave me too much. Hindi ko nga alam kung kaya ko pa tanggapin ang ibibigay mo ngayon."

He continue pouting, "Please, accept it. Pinaghirapan ko pa 'yon kuhain dahil sa bidding."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nito, "You bid.. for me?"

He looked at me, "Yeah..?"

"Isn't that ridiculous? why bid a gift for me when you can buy anything..? in the first place masaya naman ako kahit wala kang ibigay."

"First of all, It's not ridiculous. Second, I'm the one who's going to decide whether I give you a gift or not. Third, it's my money. And last, I wanted to give you something and I want you to treasure it."

Napangiti na lang ako ulit sa sinabi niya. "You better get it now, hindi kami pwede magtagal ng kasama ko."

He quickly got inside again at si Ate Luna naman ang lumabas, grinning ear to ear.

"His face is red." she giggled.

I just shrugged at lumapit ito muli 'kay B-2. She kneeled infront of her while the girl looked at her blankly.

"So, what does your highness want?"

"Truffles, Chocolate cake and choco balls."

She turned to me, "Ikaw Raychel?"

"E?"

"May gusto ka ba? libre ko na."

"You sure?"

She beamed a smile, "Of course! matagal na rin simula noong nakita ko na namula si Buwan e."

Natawa ako sa sinabi nito, "You know it." I winked at her. Alam ko na alam niya na ang favorite 'kong gawa niya.

We got outside the shop, yakap-yakap ni B-2 ang paper bag na may logo ng Moonlight Sweets Shop. She was smiling so lightly dahil dinamihan ni Ate Luna ang pagbibigay sa kaniya maging ang sa akin.

"I'm a bit sad, gusto ko sana na tumagal pa kayo kahit saglit." she whined, wiping a few fake tears off her eyes.

"Don't worry Ate Luna, we promise to visit again sometime." I assured her.

She adjust to B-2's height, patting her head.

"I can't wait to see you grow, your highness. Please come back again, okay?"

B-2's smile lightly widens, "B-2 will surely come visit again with Raychel and Ishtar."

"Ishtar..?"

"Her butler." I covered, ayoko na mag-explain pa.

"Oh, I see. Then make sure to tag him next time." B-2 nodded, hugging the paper bag tightly.

Tumayo ito saka sa'kin naman ulit humarap. Hindi lang si Ishtar ang dadalhin namin, sisiguraduhin ko na kasama ang lahat.

"Ingat kayong dalawa sa pag-uwi."

I called a taxi saka pinauna na si B-2 sa loob. Ang tagal naman ni Moon, aalis na lang kami wala pa.

"Ate Luna, saan ba nagpunta si-"

"Raychel!"

Just in time!

He ran out from the inside, he's sweating a lot ng nasa harapan ko na ito nakatayo. Saan ba siya galing? Did he run a mile?

"You're late."

"Sorry, may tinapos lang ako. Here."

He handed me a box, wait-

"You bid for a Moon cake? hindi ba expired na ito?" taas kilay kong tanong habang nakatingin sa maayos na pagkakabox ng isang Moon cake.

May transparent na part doon kaya nalaman ko na Moon cake ang laman nito.

As I looked at him, straight face itong nakatingin sa'kin. The face of disappointment.

"Stupid, I made that."

"This..? You can bake..?" I asked him amused. Wala pa akong kahit anong natikmang pagkain na gawa niya.

"No. But Sis teached me how to, and that's my first ever well-made cake. I hope you like it. I know it's not the best Moon cake but still.. I want you to appreciate it." He again avoided his gaze making me grin like Ate Luna na nasa likod niya lang.

"Thanks, I'll gave you my ratings after I finished eating it." he looked at me.

"You're not gonna share it to anyone..?"

I shaked my head, "Nope. I'll be selfish for this cake just this once because you made it." His cheeks turned red again. I put the cake inside the taxi beside B-2.

I turned to him with a waiting hand. He searched on his pocket and finally, after finding it. He put it on my waiting hand but his hand never leaves.

"Merry Christmas." nahihiya niyang sabi, I tried my best not to laugh. Sa lahat ba naman ng magandang sabihin, yan pa ang napili niya. So cute of him.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas."

Nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya and they both waved us off. Napapagitnaan naming dalawa ni B-2 ang gawa niyang Moon cake kasama na ng paper bag na naglalaman ng sweets naming dalawa. It's just a plain white cake, walang kahit anong decorations. Just a plain white cake.

As I look on my hand, A shining silver pocket watch was resting on it with a chain like lace. Medyo may kalumaan na ang itsura nito but as I opened it, maayos pa itong gumagana.

There's a folded paper inside:

"This is an old pocket watch owned by a traveler. I bid for this and decided to give it to you as a gift because I want you to know the importance of time for me. More importantly our time together when we're still together.

They said that the traveler who owned this was travelling because he's searching for his missing lover and he successfully find her after 143 days. I want you to know that wherever you are, wether missing or not. I'm always here, ready to search for you and stay by your side. Forever. - Moon."

I smiled after reading the note, "I'll treasure this forever."

"Raychel..?" I heard B-2's voice called out. I turned to her, keeping the pocket watch and the note inside my breast pocket.

"Yes?"

"Let's go there again.. together with Ishtar and everyone."

I take her small hands again, I hold onto it softly. Smiling at her.

"Yeah,"

♡