WMS7: Chapter 6

With my hands in my pockets, I am standing firmly, looking at the vast field of vines from where I stand. We are at the terrace of Atlas Sanctuary facing the grape farm. The breeze is soothing and warm which gives me calmness, ready to hear what my grandpa is going to tell me.

"I want you to be my successor, Atlas."

I scoff and turned abruptly toward Grandpa who is standing just a couple of meters away from me. The same as me, his hand in his pockets, one holding his walking stick, and facing the fields.

I'm not surprised anymore as I expected him to tell me to be the leader of the group.

"Lo, look! That is your cult, not mine! Why should I lead them?" agad na kontra ko sa sinabi ni lolo.

"As I said, it's not a cult!" Mabilis na tanggi ulit ni lolo. "I created this group for you. I promised that this is for my first grandson."

"Doing all activities, illegally? Grandpa, I may be tenacious at times but I didn't see myself leading a group that will go against the law," I answered contradicting his words.

"No! You are wrong, Atlas. My goal is to give everyone a better life. Exterminate the bad from the good."

"How? Behead anyone who disobeys you and your damn rules?" Hindi ko na naitago ang inis ko sa kanya. Hindi ko mawawaan kung bakit kailangan niyang pumatay.

Naisuklay ko ang aking buhok gamit ang aking mga daliri dahil sa naiinis ako sa katotohanang ipinanganak ako na may lahing kriminal.

"That's the judgment that the group agreed. Punish those who defy the rules," he answered calmly like it's nothing for him to take people's lives.

"I can't, Grandpa. I'm sorry!"

"Your Dad is right. Don't get me wrong, but you are the reason for your mom's demise," Grandpa added which angered me. Naikuyom ko ang aking mga palad at naningkit ang aking mga matang tinapunan ng matalim na tingin si lolo.

"Pati ba naman ikaw?"

Holding his customized carbon fiber walking stick, Grandpa walked slowly toward the balustrade.

"There is a group who wanted to get rid of me and tarnish my mission, but they failed many times," he said while facing the vast field with a few glances at me.

He continues. "Knowing the truth that I have an heir to replace my place once I perished, they started the hunt for that heir—"

"Am I that heir and when they found me, that's the day when mom died. Am I right?"

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa si lolo sa iba pa niyang sasabihin at sinagot ko siya. 

"You are right! They aim to kill you since you were young so nobody can inherit the group once I'm dead," tugon ni Lolo na sinang-ayunan ang mga sinabi ko.

Marahas akong napabuntonghininga. My knuckles turned whiter as I tightened my grip against the concrete colonial balustrade.

"That's it? They killed my mom because of me. . .because they want to dominate the group? And who are they?" sunod-sunod kong tanong kay Lolo.

Grandpa lifted his head and confidently answered me. "Accept my offer. If you do, you will find out who those people are."

"All these years, you know who those people are, yet you haven't done anything to get rid of them?" I told him sarcastically.

"That is why, I want you to be here so you will start learning everything as soon as possible."

"Why don't you use your power as a leader to get rid of them? You are old, I know but what's the use of your men? What's the purpose of them being a member if they can't do their duty to you?" I asked. I'm mad at him. If he didn't make me his heir, I'm sure Mom is still alive and my life would be different from what I have now. Dad wouldn't be mad at me.

"Huh! Lo, I thought Monsieur Louis Diudonne has no fears and was powerful enough to win over those people? Where did that person go, Grandpa?" I told him sarcastically. I saw him clenched his jaw. His veins protruded from his temples as he suppresses his emotions. I know, I touched his ego this time.

He took a deep breath and respond, "I care about you and Devon, that is why I am resisting but waited for the time for you to come and accept my offer."

I don't want to say anything. I am now in the dilemma of whether to go back to the Philippines or stay and accept his offer to become the leader of the cult whatever group is it.

"Are the members know about me? I mean as an heir to your throne?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"Yes! They were excited to meet you and waited to be their new leader but not everyone wants you and those people are the ones you have to be aware of," he answered.

"Are those people involved in Mom's death?" Curiosity led me to ask such a question.

"Maybe yes, maybe no! I don't have evidence yet but I have people on my list."

"Staying here would be easy for those people to get rid of me," I said, stating the fact that I'm getting close to the people who have I'll intentions against me as an heir of my Grandpa.

"I can protect you while you're here."

I fell into silence again, turning gently while taking glances at the men behind us. They're all in black, standing stiff with their hands resting on their backs.

"I'm going back to my room."

Mabilis akong humakbang pabalik sa loob nang mapatigil saglit nang muling nagsalita si Lolo.

"Think about it, Atlas. We don't have much time left."

I took a deep breath and continue heading inside. I didn't bother to respond. Wala naman akong dapat alam isagot pa sa ngayon dahil hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang magiging desisyon ko.

When I get in my room, I throw my body on the bed. I felt exhausted just thinking about my Grandpa's offer. I closed my eyes, thinking to rest and getting away from the predicament that my Grandpa has brought me, but I cursed when my phone started ringing.

"Fuck!"

I swipe it to answer the call when I saw Elliot's caller ID, 'Mr. Grumpy'. Yes, I called him that way as he is always cranky. Siguro it's genetic. Lahat kami medyo mainitin ang mga ulo kaya naging dahilan din why I didn't have a good conversation with my Dad every time we need to discuss some issues.

"Yes?!" padaskol kong sagot kay Elliot.

"Wow! You seem not in a good mood, my dear cousin, huh?"

"And who do you think will be happy sa nalaman ko?"

"Why? What is it? Is your grandpa confirmed you about the cult?"

I got up and walked towards the balcony. I leaned against it facing back at the cascading view behind. The warm breeze is touching my skin which swiftly gave me chills.

"He denied it. He said, it's not a cult, and the mission of their group is to eradicate the bad from good," I replied, frowning.

"Oh, but why are so mad when your grandpa is doing what is good for society? Imagine Dax, your grandpa is helping the authorities—"

"That's not what I saw Elliot. Do you think, beheading those he said bad people is good? We have due process and he only needs to report to the authorities!" Iritable kong tugon sa pinsan ko.

"You have a point but we don't know exactly what he is doing," Elliot said. "By the way, have you decided? Tatanggapin mo ba ang offer ng lolo mo?"

I heave a sigh, breathe out, and looked up at the sky like the answer is there before I answer Elliot. "Not yet! I don't know exactly what to decide."

"Hmm. . .think about it. I guess, once you accept it, there is no taking back so better think about it a million times."

Muli akong bumuga ng hangin pero hindi ako susuko ng basta-basta sa lolo ko.

"How is my twin?"

"She's fine. Hindi mo pa ba siya tinawagan?"

"She called me earlier. Nangungunusta lang."

We both fell into silence momentarily. My mind is in chaos. Samu't saring bagay ang gumugulo sa aking isipan.

"So, you're not coming home as planned?" Ilang sandali ay tanong ng aking pinsan.

"I think so! My conversation with Grandpa boost my curiosity about his group," I replied.

"Did he mention your Mom's murderer?"

"He is, but not directly told me who they are. He just told me that they were those people who are interested in his position. I don't understand exactly."

I heard my cousin heaves a sigh. I know he is also interested to know the truth. Wala kasi akong unang napagsasabihan kung 'di siya kaya siya palagi ang unang nakakaalam ng mga pinaplano at magiging desisyon ko.

"Dax, I don't know if this is the right thing to do and what you like to do, but I suggest, you stay for a while. Kilalanin mo ang Lolo at ang grupo to answer the questions that bother you right now."

"I'm thinking the same. I will stay here to figure out everything."

"Okay! Good luck. Update if you have time."

"Sure! Thanks!"

"Uhm. . ."

"Is there anything you wanted to say?" Naitanong ni Elliot nang nag-alangan akong magsalita.

"Do you have any news about Dad?"

"Don't have. Why? Do you miss your dad?" Pang-aasar niya. Halata sa boses niyang napangisi ang loko.

"Stop it!"

"Come on, Dax!"

"What?!" Uminit bigla ang ulo ko. Sa tuwing napag-uusapan si Dad, hindi ko talaga kayang kontrolin ang pag-alsa ng aking emosyon.

Every time I heard or remember his name, my emotions are raging like monstrous waves pounding and crashing mercilessly against the shore.

"He might forgive you if you avenge your mom," Elliot told me.

"I don't need his forgiveness. All I want is to give justice to Mom," I replied, tightening my grip on my phone subconsciously as I gritted my teeth thinking of the people responsible for Mom's death.

"Accept your Grandpa's offer then."

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