Chapter Two

Chapter Il: Wolf

"W-what are you doing here?l" Mom asked in shock when she saw me appear in the kitchen.  My jaw dropped.  wow  So, she doesn't want me here?  It is removing the dining table.

 I followed her every move. They didn't even wait for me or if they had a plan to wait for me.

 "I-is it true?"  stuttering question .  I am now standing in the passage that separates the living room from the kitchen.  She was the only one left there.  My brothers and father were not in the living room.  They seem to be in the room.

 "W-what do you mean?"  it asked back to me.  she turned herattention to the Plates she was putting away, then turned her back on me and placed the plates in the sink.  she just turned her back on me like nothing happened.

 "Is what I heard from manang H-Helen true?"

 My throat felt like there was a lump while swallowing.  I saw that mom stiffened when I said that.  I was secretly cursed.

 It is true?

 I want mom to deny what I heard from Helen.  I want her to say that I was just delirious, I was dreaming, so I didn't understand what Helen said to me.  I want her to tell me that.

 "Mom.." my voice was almost pleading as I mentioned it.  I want her to confirm what I heard.  But why doesn't she speak?

 she let out a deep breath.  she started washing the dishes as if she didn't hear me.  That's when I decided to approach her to talk to her.  But I hadn't even gotten close to her when she faced me.

 "Why are you here?! I wish you had stayed in the mansion? Why did you leave there? Don't you know that he might take it back from me--"

 "So, is it true? Is it true that you made me pay the debt?!"  I screamed in pain.  I couldn't handle the heavy feeling I was feeling earlier.  How many times have I denied it to myself, because I don't understand why mom would do that to me?  What have I done?  Does he not love me?  Am I not his family?  Why could he do that to me?  There are so many questions in my mind, and I can't think of any answers to them.

 "YES! It's true that I made those Lancasters pay off the debt! Now?! What are you going to do?l You're going to talk to me?l Go ahead, do it because I will never change my mind about what I've done

 I was silent at what mom said.  It's like every word he says makes my heart hurt.  Shooot!!

 I just cried, I couldn't stop crying.  I heard footsteps approaching behind me.  And then I confirmed that my brothers and father were there when he spoke.

 "What's going on here?!"  Dad asked in shock.  I didn't look back.  I don't want dad to see me like this, crying.  Maybe he too, will confirm what mom said.  I will be hurt even more because of that.

 "Sister! You're here! Have you had dinner yet? The dish is delicious. Mom, did you leave something for sister?"  Karlo, our youngest brother, said happily as he ran towards mom.  Maybe he was surprised that mom didn't pay attention to him so he looked at me.

 "Sister, why are you crying?"  it asked in surprise.  I immediately wiped my tears.  At the same time, he placed a hand on my shoulder.  I immediately turned around, father's sad face was revealed to me.  As if it wanted to apologize.  I cried again.  Nope.  He knows?

 "Y-You know, d-dad..?"

 I don't need to hear his answer.  Because after I said that, he removed his hand from my shoulder and immediately looked away from me.  I bit my lip.  It is true.

 I closed my eyes tightly.  I wish.  I hope this is not true.  Hopefully, I'm just having nightmares.  But a few moments passed as if nothing was happening.  Tears continue to flow from my eyes.  I'm not dreaming.

 "M-Maria.. forgive us."  I heard my father say.

 I opened my eyes and faced my father.  I noticed that my brothers were wondering what was happening.  I wiped my wet cheek.

 "W-why?'  the only thing that came out of mouth. I wanted to ask them so many questions. But that's all I could say.

My father did not immediately answer.  I saw his eyes start to water.

 "Why, dad? Why?"  I asked him again.  It closed its eyes and then faced me completely.

 I heard mom stop but I ignored her.  My eyes remained on father.

 "Our farm is mortgaged with them my child."  father admitted.  "Karlo was rushed to the hospital while you were in the city studying. We didn't harvest enough rice to pay for the hospital. We were forced to mortgage it to Mr. Lancaster for a large amount. We thought we would be able to pay right away but no, no  we had a child because Karlo was going back and forth to the hospital. We had already paid the hospital for the crops we harvested from the farm that were supposed to pay Mr. Lancaster. But again, that was not enough and we owed him again. We have nothing  ran away, only Mr. Lancaster offered to help. Old Lancaster was fine with us paying any time. But when old Lancaster left the country and his son was left in their mansion, it was found out  he owed us to them. He immediately asked for the payment. But we couldn't give anything. Nothing. Dad was crying while he was telling the story. His shoulders were lifting because of crying.

 My mind processed the words of father one by one.  When I was studying in the city, I didn't know that Karlo was rushed to the hospital. yes, I know his body is weak, but I don't know how many times he has been back and forth to the hospital.  I looked at my brother, that's why I immediately noticed his weight loss when he got home last month.  It's not as lively as I used to be. it suffers from the hospital's. If only I knew.

 "We don't want to let you know. Because I know you'll be worried when you find out Karlo is going back and forth to the hospital. We don't want to affect your studies. So... We can.. do that."  Dad continued to explain.

 "But.. but why did you make me pay the debt? Why me? Because I can't help but think that I'm not one of you? How did you do that? It's like I'm just an object ready to be exchanged for money?!  I'm human?! Am I worth that much?!"

 "It's too late for me to know! It's too late for me to know that your mother agreed to the agreement between her and the Lancaster boy. In exchange for our almost ten million debt, you are the one she is asking for as payment! I couldn't have stopped you earlier.  I just found out that you went to the Lancaster mansion with the agreement. I didn't know, forgive me."

 

I turned to where mom was.  she was sitting on a chair, her hands folded as she sighed.  I noticed her wet cheek.  Why did she cry?  Because of what she did to me?  In conscience?

she must have noticed my gaze on her that's why she turned to me.  she just stared at me again then turned her gaze in another direction.

 "Why Mom?"  I will ask.  she seemed surprised because of that.  "Why did you do that to me?'  I continuity ask her.

 "Your father already explained to you Maria—"

 "That's not what I meant! Why is it so easy for you to decide to agree to your agreement with that man?"

 "I don't have a choice, Maria! What do you want me to do? Just let him finish taking the rest of our land? We only get food from that land? Where are we going to live? What about your siblings' education?  If I only had a choice Maria, I would never agree to the deal between me and the Lancaster boy! I would rather be alone even for a little while.  when they know we have a new house, that they can continue their studies properly! I don't want.. I don't want that to happen. Even if it's your welfare, thought. If I don't agree to the deal, you can't continue  your studies. No. You won't be able to graduate from the course you want. And that's what I don't want to happen."  mother explained crying.

 That's when I came to her and immediately hugged her.  she cried on my shoulder and returned my hug.  I cried again, because of what I heard.  Although I can't agree with my parents' decisions, I just understand them.  They were on the verge of a difficult decision, and they were able to cling to an easy way to alleviate the problem.  I understand.  I would also rather see the relief on my children's faces when I am actually at mom's feet.  I will sacrifice.

 "I understand, Mom. I understand."  Mom cried even harder because of that.  He apologized to me one more time.  I just don't respond anymore.  I don't know how many minutes we cried.  We just see ourselves standing up from the floor together.  Mom wipes her wet cheek.  He looked up at me.  "I'm really sorry."  it apologizes again.  I just smiled at her a little.

 "I'll just take care, Mom. There's nothing we can do. It's over."  that's all I could say.

she smiled mischievously.  Her eyes were red from crying.  I don't know if it's the same for me.

 We walked towards the living room, where

 father sat on the bamboo sofa and scratched his head.  He woke up when he noticed that Mom and I were in front of him.  He also apologized to me.  Of course, who am I to hold a grudge against my parents?

 "If I really had a choice.." my mother said before I could leave the house.

 I smiled slightly.  I want to tell her that she has a choice.  I will venture to Manila.  After all, I have finished my studies.  I will be able to provide them with needs.  But I know I'm just convincing myself.  As I concluded, it's hard to find a job that pays well if you don't have connections.  And we don't really have a connection.  I just really like psychology because I get to study people's actions and thoughts.

 "If you want, we'll take you. It's getting late."  father's reminder.

 "I'm fine. I can go back by myself, Dad."  I convinced him.  I noticed his hesitation, but in the end he nodded.

 I smiled at them to make sure I was okay.

 Before I left, I hugged them tightly.  Very tight because I don't know when our next meeting will be.

 I heard the screams of Karlo's cries.

 I just started crying while walking away from our house.  I forced myself not to look back, because I might not be able to take it and go back to my parents and let the agreement go.

 Or

 But no, I have to fulfill that, I love my family and my siblings.

 I will just understand what they did to me.  Even if it hurts, even if I feel, they train me.  I will just fully accept what happens.  I will fully accept the decisions made by my parents.  Because in the end, the welfare of their children is still their first thought.  Mom and dad are still thinking about our welfare.

 While walking in the middle of the road, I couldn't help but think.  Why does the Lancaster boy want me to pay off our debt?  Why?

 I wiped my tears and looked at the sky full of moon.  I stopped walking and felt the silence around me.  I don't even know when I will experience it again.  I want to see the moon.  Other than the sun, for me, the moon is enough because it can give enough light to the dark surroundings.

 I continued walking.  And my mind was almost filled with questions.  What will happen next?  Shall I serve him?

 I hugged myself very much because of the coldness around.  This is one of the reasons why the province is beautiful, apart from the fresh air, coolness or the surroundings caused by the trees.

 I stopped walking again when I heard something.  I listened to that.  I turned to where it came from when I heard again another footsteps in the woods to my right.  I could see nothing but a few glimpses of moonlight hitting the ground.  But suddenly I was nervous when I heard the footsteps again.  And with every step that happened I heard the rustling of leaves, the snapping of small branches.

 "W-who is that?"  I asked scared in the middle of the silence.  No one answered so I decided to walk again.

 I feel like I want to regret not sending my parents.  I fully thought that nothing bad would happen.  But now, I have a strong feeling that someone is following me.  Not just behind me but on both sides of the path where the towering trees stand.

 It was too late when I noticed that I was almost running.  From where I was, I was approaching the Lancaster mansion.  Somehow I felt relieved because of that.

 But that disappeared immediately when some animal appeared in my path.  They came from the woods.  I stopped running.  I looked carefully at what those animals were.  At first I thought it was just dogs, but as I got closer...

 I noticed its almost glowing eyes.  It was blazing yellow.  I can't tell what color they are.  Is it black or brown?  I immediately swallowed because of fear.

 I've only seen such an animal.

 Even more, I can feel their anger towards me.

 They slowly approach me.  I also slowly walk backwards.  I calmed myself down and slowly turned back the way I had come earlier.  But I was very surprised to see from a distance that there was the same creature following me.  I felt even more apprehensive because of that.

 It's not good.

 I look back and forth in front of me and behind me.  I'm looking for a way to escape.  But my only choice was the dark woods.  I swallowed.  I looked back at the animals that were several meters away from me.  I swallowed because of nervousness.

 Come what may.  I have to save myself.

 I immediately ran into the woods.  Maybe because of the adrenaline rush, I didn't realize that my clothes were hanging on the small branches of the tree.  I also noticed that I was running very fast.  With the help of the moon's rays, I can somehow see what I'm running to.

 I heard the growling of those animals.  It sounds like a dog growling.  But more fierce.  I felt like I realized the incident.  Once there was a rumor that a wolf was seen here in our village.  But.. But it's impossible..

 He stopped running when he reached the bright part of the forest.  It is a space without trees.  But in front of me were high crags, a high cliff.  I looked to both sides of me, but I couldn't see where I could run.  And there was nothing I could do because I noticed the appearance of animals chasing me.

 That's when I confirmed what they were.

 The news seems to be true.  I'm not mistaken.  The creatures in front of me now are wolves.  But how did Red Brooke get a wolf?  As far as I know, they live in cold places.  How did they end up in our area?

 I immediately looked for something that could be used as a defense against them.  I saw a long branch of a tree so I immediately picked it up.  I'm nervous, scared.  But I try to calm myself because there is a big chance that they might feel my fear and nervousness.

 "D-Don't come near.." I threatened them while firmly holding a long piece of wood.

 But they came closer to me.  There were four of them, and they all surrounded me.  I stepped back as they stepped closer.  That's when I noticed their color.  Dark brown color.  And I was right that its eyes were blazing yellow.  Their mouths were slightly open because I could see their sharp fangs.  Like an article I once read.  I swallowed.  Is this the end of me?  Will anyone see my dead body?  Or the question, will there be anything left of me when I become dinner for the wolves in front of me now?  I winced when I felt the pain in different parts of the body 1<0.  I don't have time to look at that.

 I was alert to notice that someone rushed to my wolf first.  I hit it with all my strength with the wood causing it to fall not far from me.  The wolves around me howled again.  Maybe angry at what I did.

 It rushed at me one by one.  I don't know how to defend myself.  That's why I let go of the wood I was holding and sat down.

 "Aaaaahhhhhh!!!"  I screamed because I was so scared.  This is it, this is the end of me.  I couldn't even say goodbye to my parents properly.

 Lord, you will take care of me.

 I waited for the wolves to attack me.  But a few moments have passed since I felt nothing.  Only the wolves grunted as if in pain.  At the same time, I heard an even fiercer growl of a wolf in front of me.  I woke up, looked in front of me.

 My eyes widened when I saw what happened.  There is a wolf.. a black wolf who is now not far from me.  I caught sight of the departure of the four wolves as if in fear.  I didn't witness the incident but I noticed that the other wolf was shaking while running away.

 My mouth dropped because of that.  Wait, did another wolf save me?

 I stood up from the seat.  Then looked at the wolf in front of me.  I was still in doubt whether to go near it or not because it might bite me.  But in the end I decided to just approach it.  But I hadn't taken three steps when suddenly.. Suddenly the wolf stood up with two legs.  And what happened next almost surprised me.

 It became.. it became a person!l

 I screamed in fear, causing it to turn to me.  When our eyes met, that's when I completely lost consciousness from shock.