Normal
Everyone so far believed my story about my wrist and the few cuts and bruises left on my skin, people ask minimal tanong and Jackson or Lenete always told me when someone didn’t believe my story or thought that Jackson was bashing me.
“I’m going to see mum this afternoon, if that’s okay with you two” I stated to Lenete and Jackson as the kampanilya for the end of lunch went off.
“Dis we won’t keep you from seeing your mum, you know that” Lenete sinabi flicking my ear gently and laughing
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“If you want to I’m just getting the last of my stuff and picking up my car” I laughed as his eyes brightened with enthusiasm
“I’ll come with you” Jackson sinabi laughing as his voice saturated my mind
“I’d like that”
Lenete tugged on my shirt. I gripped onto Jackson’s sando and she let go tapping her foot impatiently behind me.
“See you soon” I mumbled Jackson placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face up to look him in the eyes, before brushing his lips against mine and running a hand down my cheek.
“Come on save it for later… if I’m late for class so help me” Lenete complained and gripped my elbow. I kissed Jackson once before I let Lenete drag me to class never taking my eyes off of Jackson who still stood under the awning of the cafeteria his mouth open like a isda out of water.
“Lenete there is no need to be pushy, I was about to follow you”
“Oh don’t start there were no plans in your head of your smackers leaving his, so don’t say you about to follow”
“Lenny what’s wrong?”
“Why didn’t you ask if I wanted to go with you this afternoon?”
“Oh… you… do you want to come?”
“Yes I would like to come I want to see you mum as well”
I laughed hysterically until I reached the door of our English class and Lenete elbowed me. I took my upuan up the back of the class room and Lenete gracefully slid into the upuan susunod to me. The lesson passed by, I had my IPod on softly and my hand was flying across the page Pagsulat my free form essay. I saw Lenete shake with silent laughter. I cocked my head to the side and mouthed what. She shook her head, exhaled and pointed at a sentence on my page that read ‘he smiled revealing a pair of fangs he lunged towards me inclining his head to the side and biting my neck, my scream gurgled sa pamamagitan ng the force of his body hitting mine’
I laughed out loud, receiving a glance from Mr Freeman.
“I didn’t realise what I was writing” I whispered
“I can see that” she laughed quietly “your mind was blank as a piece of paper as well” she laughed again and handed me a new piece of paper. I began Pagsulat again paying attention to every word I wrote.
I walked to my most hated class, Gym not paying attention to where I was walking. It wasn’t until I ran into a pader that I received my attention back.
“Stupid flaming wall” I blinked to find Jackson standing in front of me. I peeked around him looking for the pader I had run into, nope no pader near us.
“Wall?” the puzzled look on his face was priceless, I laughed, Lenete and Jackson joined in.
“Sorry I wasn’t paying attention so I thought I walked into a wall” I grimaced and flushed red. Jackson ran a hand over my head and my nose.
“Looks like you’ll get another bruise… at least you were wake for this one” We laughed lightly “nothing weird today?” he asked, I gasped
“No nothing, is that good?” I was excited that I was back to normal
“Come on guys, gym has to be better than gossip” Mr Baker called beckoning our small gathering to him with his pointer with a smile that showed his yellow teeth. Jackson kissed the tuktok of my head lightly and I sighed as he clasped my hand and Lenete slung an arm around my waist.
* * *
The road was flying away under the tyres of Jackson’s car and I was resting my head on the headrest with my eyes closed.
“I don’t see you couldn’t have gone on your motorbike Lenny”
“Two reasons, one Jackson want to see Lilly first so he’s driving that tahanan then running back to your house and two ever since you and he have been together publicly you haven’t left his side. I miss my friend Dis!” she pouted and laughed.
“Fine” I stared out the window while I tried to drown out Lenete’s quiet giggling. The welcome to Yehera sign, kalye signs and traffic lights flew by. Wait welcome to Yehera? Traffic lights? Treshone doesn’t have traffic lights. Lenete!
“What are we doing?” I screeched
“Shopping!” Lenete squealed with a huge smile on her face. I groaned
“I can’t get out of it can I”
“Nope” she popped on the P and laughed “well if you’re going to be living with us, you need to get over this fear of new clothes”
“I don’t fear new clothes, I pag-ibig new clothes. What I Fear is the walking around shopping centres for hour’s part; can’t you drive me tahanan and go on your own?”
“What kind of sister fun would that be?”
“Sister?” My voice squeaked in confusion
Her face dropped ‘opps’ she mouthed suddenly looking out the window
“Lenny what happened?”
“Nothing… I promise” but her face sinabi otherwise.
“Fine I’ll ask Lilly she’ll tell me, pull over so I can use my phone” I argued pulling my phone out of my pocket. Lenete snatched it from me.
“Fine I’ll tell you… After you go shopping and you have to keep it off your mind because Jackson will kill me, literally!”
“Lenny no that’s no fair” my voice was drowned out sa pamamagitan ng the squeal of the brakes pulling the brakes from over 300 k’s to zero in less than five segundos - thanks to her fine tuning. My stomach pressed roughly to my spine and winded me. She pulled into the first empty parking spot with no troubles.
“And in other news when we get back from your place—”
“My old place Lenny, i don’t live there anymore, remember” i smiled
“Right, where was i... Oh you’ll finally get to meet Heidi, Dimytri and Aurelia, i guess they trust themselves enough, jasper is doing some business for when we move” she stated while she collected her wallet and car keys “Dis you okay?... Oh you’re worried. Dis there’s no need to worry. Lilly, Jackson and I will be there, Plus Jackson and I will hear her plans before she does it”
I relaxed slightly at the sound of Jackson name. The sound of his voice ran through my head ‘I’ll never let anything touch you’ i smiled and relaxed completely.
“Dis, i don’t want to hear or see for that matter the lovey dovey stuff he says to you” she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“Sorry i can’t help it, i hope you find someone soon then you’ll understand... come on the sooner we get started the sooner we’re finished” the sooner i can find out what’s wrong, i added mentally.
“Nothings wrong, will you ever believe me?” Lenete smiled. I slapped my forehead as i hopped out the car. I looked around, Yehera was the closest town to Treshone a complete two oras drive away, but with vampire speed we managed it in less than half an hour. Yehera was nothing like Treshone, it was a large city plenty of shopping centres, pagkain stores, clothes, pelikula and everything. Sure there were trees but not as many as Treshone.
Four hours later, a whole car full of clothes and one set of tired feet later we were heading back to Treshone.
“Now what’s with your sister talk before?” I sinabi staring out the window.
“First you have to promise not to get mad at me... or Jackson because he does pag-ibig you. segundo you have to keep it off you mind or he will kill me and third-“
“That’s quite a lot of thing i can’t do just to hear one thing”
“Would you shut up and listen, jeez. Third just consider his offer please”
“Okay i won’t get mad at any of you, i will keep it off my mind and i will consider it.” I took a deep breath in “okay apoy away”
Lenete smiled “he wants to ask you to... um how do I put this?”
“Just say it Lenny i won’t be mad swear on my life”
“Promise to death if your voice changes or your face changes I’ll have no choice but to call off your change” she smiled I felt my mouth open i shook my head and looked her in the eyes.
“I promise”
“Okay... It’s nothing big... he just wants to ask you to marry him” she smiled and looked out the window. I smiled
“Really?” i squeaked “That’s awesome... but when?”
“When? Wait what your okay with this?”
“Sure why wouldn’t i be?”
“I don’t know i mean most people wait until you know”
“ I’m cool with it, okay listen when you find that one person... or vampire” i laughed “ then you won’t care what age you are, he’s the one who makes you happy, you feel free, safe, alive and most of all loved—”
“Okay okay i get it just stop” she smiled. I shifted over in my upuan and hugged her
“It’s okay Lenny i won’t leave you in the dark”
“Oh remember keep it off your mind and act surprised when he goes down on one knee” she smiled and hugged me back. I shifted back to my spot and stared at the thickening forest that whizzed past. Lenete tapped the brake slightly slowing the car to about 90 and drove down my street. The only car in the driveway was mine which meant mum was out because Jackson ran to my house. Lenete pulled the keys out of the car i slid out and fell. I waited for the ground to come, i opened my eyes and saw i pair of black eyes staring back at me, Jackson. He helped me to my feet steadying me with his hand under my elbow. I smiled at him and walked to the door. I grabbed the key from in the pot plant and slid it in the lock as i turned it the lock clicked to say “I’m already open”. I turned the handle and stepped in.
“I don’t know what happened it was like this when i got here” Jackson sinabi hugging my shoulders. My mum’s house was empty except for anything that belonged to me. Everything my mum owned was gone.
“Dis come here” Lenete called from the kitchen. I forced my feet to move. I saw Lenete holding an envelope in her outstretched hand. I took it and opened it carefully.
“I’m right here Daisi, we’ll wait for you to read it first” Jackson wrapped his arms around my shoulders and rested his cheek on my hair.
Daisi,
Sorry for not calling, but the house holds to many memories.
I pag-ibig you Dis, you’ve always been my baby
Sorry i didn’t ipakita it. I can’t tell you where I’m going
But i can tell you i pag-ibig you and i won’t change my mobile.
Feel free to call me whenever.
I left everything that belongs to you, including the house, my savings and bank details
I pag-ibig you Dis remember that
pag-ibig always Mum
“She’s gone” i mumbled
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Lenete asked “she didn’t call you or anything”
“I don’t know... here look” i held out my mothers letter to her she’d read it and dropped it the ground only to be caught sa pamamagitan ng Jackson before i could process what my mother had written to me in the note.
“Oh, i see” Jackson whispered
“What do you mean?” i asked curious
“Well... Nafron didn’t actually see this coming until today, I’m guessing because your mum didn’t want you to find out about her leaving then when i shook Nafron’s hand this afternoon he sinabi she was leaving, he’s just curious on how it affects me and not you. But i don’t know” Jackson explained sudden realization hit me.
“She’s in trouble”
“How do you get that?”
“I...I don’t know, but the week before i moved in she was pagganap weird and she had bruises and...”
“Bruises? Like you” Lenete asked worry thick in her voice. I nodded
“We can’t find her she left to long nakaraan and she took her car so there’s no scent to follow, we have to go home... Now!” Jackson ordered us. He and Lenete disappeared as did everything left on the living room floor.
“Oh thanks i was going to do that but i guess i would just get in the way” i thought
“Sorry pag-ibig but we have to hurry” Jackson voice loud and clear in my head even though he was zipping back and forth from the car to a room in the house
“Okay I’ll be in the car”
“NO” He roared in my head “you stay right here with me”
“Okay i guess, but can you please tell me what’s wrong?” Jackson appeared in front of me with a box in his arms.
“Sorry pag-ibig you’ll have to wait until we see Lilly and Nafron, just so we know we didn’t make any rash decisions” he kissed me lightly on my forehead “please wait here I’ll be back in 30 seconds” i nodded and walked over to the sink. I washed and dried my hands then put away the plate that was still sitting in the drying rack. I frowned as i saw the single plate in the cupboard. I felt bad for the plate being alone so i carefully broke it in half and put it back. I then smiled there was no longer a single plate, there were two half plates. I felt better now it wasn’t lonely.
“What was that for?” I jumped as Jackson rested his chin on my head
“The plate was lonely” i smiled and blushed “it’s not anymore, i gave it a friend” i pointed to the two half plates
“That’s nice; we don’t want lonely plates do we?”
“Nope” i smiled
“And what prevented you from putting it in the right cupboard?” he chuckled i blushed even deeper and shrugged “come one lets go”
The car ride was quiet the only sound made was from my CD player currently playing the song Jackson and i made. I felt tears welling up in my eyes; i leaned into Jackson side as he drove with one arm around me and the other holding the wheel.
“I thought i would be happy if she did something like this” i choked out
“you were angry with her when you thought those things and now that it’s actually happened it’s not like you planned, i understand what your going through” i looked up at him a puzzled look on my face “ well you know that we drink blood from mga hayop because Lilly didn’t want to be tempted to kill us when we we’re kids and she didn’t like the thought of killing innocents, well when i was changed Lilly ordered No humans and i obeyed because i didn’t want to hurt Lenete, the days leading up to her change i constantly told her that she was going against who she was and that as soon as Lenete was changed i would leave her” he took a deep breath in and tapped the brakes he pulled over to the shoulder of the road i squeezed myself tighter to him.
“What happened?”
“The segundo Lilly sunk her teeth into Lenete’s throat and i heard her screams of pain, i took off as far away from my little sister as i could go, at my first real meal i was overwhelmed at the taste of... Am i scaring you? I don’t want to do that”
“No it’s okay i have to learn these things, remind me that this week i have to ask your family their stories” he nodded and continued
“I never thought for one segundo that the taste of human blood running down my throat would be as good as it actually was, it was ten thousands times better. From that araw i feed once or twice a week and every time i finished another person i would bite a piece of myself off me and watch it reattach it’s self to me, My form of self punishment for leaving my family. i missed my mother even though i thought i wouldn’t, i pushed it aside every time i thought about her, it wasn’t until Lenete broke into my mind one afternoon that i couldn’t push it aside. I had to go home; i knew Lilly would forgive me even after all the lives i took. I was in the aklatan of the town i was currently in. it was empty; there was a festival on in town. I was pagbaba when i heard the sweetest voice in my head. ‘Jackson mum misses you come tahanan please’ i didn’t recognise the voice but the mention of my mother told me it was Lenete, i ran out of the aklatan to fast for anyone to see me, i picked up her scent quickly i followed it. There she was, now believe me when i say this but Lenete was beautiful when she was human, every female in town envied her and every male stared at her, she was constantly stared at from the araw she matured i always thought of myself as her protector, nobody touched her or looked at her when i was with her. I went where ever she went. But seeing her as a vampire made me even madami aware of how much i need to protect her. She was beyond beautiful. Not even Lilly was as beautiful and i used to think she was as beautiful as you could get. It makes me wonder if your looks will change or not, your beautiful as it is.” He smiled “ she had been a vampire roughly six months from the araw i left, her eyes were black but i knew they should be purple” he looked at me and smiled
“’Hello big brother’ her voice was heavenly ‘well this isn’t the way i planned it to be’ we stood there staring at each other i knew what she saw the hundreds of scars on my arms from my self punishment ‘what happened to you?’ i told her my story about well you know”
I nodded
“Why haven’t you told me this before?”
“You never asked, no one in the family is going to confront you with their stories until you ask” he smiled and pressed his lips to my forehead i looked at his arms
“I can’t see your scars, why can’t i see them?”
“You will eventually, your eyes aren’t strong enough”
“Is that the end of that chapter of your life?”
“There is madami i will keep telling you if you want”
“yes please, i haven’t heard much about you... only the stuff Lenete has told me and she won’t tell anyone else’s stories she’s scared of what will happen if she says it wrong” i smiled
“Well Lenete had told me that Lilly had left her during her change process, she had woken up on her own but aware of what had happened, she had followed our mothers scent until she reached the cliff. Lilly had flung herself of a cliff in an attempt to end her life. Not that it would have done much. I returned tahanan and as I expected Lilly welcomed me back with open arms. To see the pain i had caused her was painful, her scars were the one thing i will never forgive myself for. I am constantly haunted sa pamamagitan ng those” he started the car and pressed his lips to my hair.
Jackson and Lenete had a private conversation with Nafron and Lilly. I was told to not worry that it was alright. Eight o’clock came and went the family and i were in the lounge room awaiting the arrival of Jasper and his small family. I was seated on Jackson lap and Jackson was humming quietly in my ear. Lenete had her feet in my lap and was pagbaba a fashion magazine. Nafron and Lilly were sitting in the corner of the room their fingers laced together there eyes trained on a large book between them. Jacksons humming stopped and i was soon placed on the lounge no one else in the family looked up. I was the only one searching for Jackson.
“Jasper, Aurelia, Heidi and Dimytri are here, he wants to see them before they see you” Lenete clued me in without looking up from her magazine.
“Oh, i see... Wait wasn’t jasper doing errands?” everyone laughed lightly
“he was doing errands but Aurelia wanted him to come, so he did”
“it’s okay Dis we believe your blood will be the same to them as it is for us, but remember that Dimytri and Heidi aren’t attracted to human blood” Lilly soothed me gently not leaving her book either
I sat on the edge of the lounge, my legs bouncing, my puso racing and my nails digging into my palms.
“Dis would you calm down? If your blood is racing that fast through your veins it’s not going to help them” Lenete’s eyes were still glued on her page “believe me when i say this, nothing will happen, besides what’s that line Jackson says to you all the time?”
“I’ll never let anything touch you” i swung around and Jackson planted his lips on mine.
“Yea that’s the line” i smiled and kissed the hollow of his neck “Daisi my love, meet Jasper, Aurelia, Heidi and Dimytri”
Four beautiful Bampira walked into the room from the garage. A tall boy with black hair and a build of a regular gym user, walked in not hesitating at all in his steps towards me. Instinctively i stuck out my hand, but he pulled me to him hugging me tightly. I could feel my face turning red. Jackson tapped his shoulder and he put my feet back on the ground. He stuck out his hand and i took it he shook gently.
“Hi I’m Dimytri, so you’re my new little sister?”
“I guess so... but i wouldn’t call me a sister... Yet anyway” I smiled at Jackson “Ah opps sorry Lenete”
“What did you do?” Jackson roared
“She guessed it i didn’t say anything, did i Dis” she looked at me with a pleading look on her face
“Nope she didn’t say anything Jackson, now leave her alone” i ordered him
“I’m sorry Lenete”
“It’s okay now can we get this over with?”
“Mum, Dad, Heidi its okay she’s cool” He looked at me “Oh I’m Dimytri the um unusual half-half 276 taon old, with an um what was it... oh right a sixteen taon old body” Dimytri smiled.
“Daisi I’m totally human... for now and i am 17 years old” i laughed.
Three beautiful blondes walked in, everyone reacted. Lilly and Nafron were behind them and Lenete and Jackson were standing at my sides, Dimytri had gone to stand susunod to his mother’s side. I could feel my kneecaps hitting each other.
“I’ll never let anything touch you, it will be okay”
“If you say so”
I relaxed a bit. The male took a hesitant step towards me. I froze as he stuck out his hand and smiled
“Hello I’m Jasper; this is my wife the lovely Aurelia, my daughter Heidi and my son you have just met... So everyone was right, you do smell different” jasper looked at Jackson i saw Aurelia take a breath in and smile.
“I’m Daisi and you can’t really say everyone now can you?”
“Oh yes Jackson I see, i believe she would smell better to you” Jasper smiled ipinapakita his pearly whites.
“Wow you are pretty... and you don’t smell normal, I’m Aurelia. I’m glad my family came today, i hope you can forgive us for waiting this long to meet our sister” she looked at Jackson and frowned “oh Future sister, at least Lenete has a new shopping buddy” She smiled and hugged me. Aurelia was beautiful, the whole family was. Her blonde ringlets hung loosely below her shoulders, her facial features were perfectly aligned and her lips were a subtle red. Jasper was tall with black hair and handsome.
“Oh i don’t enjoy those trips i just go to keep her quiet” i smiled and laughed “i have no reason to forgive you, you did nothing wrong, i understand the pain you have to go through around me”
“Thank you, we didn’t believe the family because we didn’t believe it possible, maybe we might be able to go to school” Aurelia smiled as Jasper hugged her tightly.
“If it will make you happy we will enrol for susunod year” Jasper voice was calm as he soothed and encouraged his wife.
“Oh yes please, it be great to have my ‘big’ brother and sister at school, oh the fun” Lenete smiled
“Yea you sure would pag-ibig us there wouldn’t you?”
“Yes actually i would” Lilly interrupted “you two need to get back in to civilization you turning into hermits when you used to be nomads, I’m sure you will be able to control your self”
“Mum we don’t all have self control as great as Nafron’s, Jacksons or yours, i mean what are we going to do when Jackson changes Daisi?”
“Ah Please call me Dis, i hate Daisi”
“Ok what will we expect when Dis is changed—” Aurelia’s eye wandered to Jackson she stared at him for a moment “Oh i see well with that i believe we will change subjects”
“Yes good idea Aura it might be good for you” Jacksons tone was harsh
“Jackson behave” i ordered him hitting him lightly on the stomach, it wasn’t until this moment that i realised that Heidi was a quiet, shy type. She looked at me and smiled. Her Blue eyes were bright and her face was paler and her lips redder than every other vampire.
“Heidi, I'm the same as Dim but I'm venomous he’s not and i need blood while he doesn’t, and my appearance is on your mind i can tell”
“Your paler, your lips are brighter and your eyes are brighter” i shrugged
“Paler and brighter yes because i cannot get away with animal blood, we are unsure why but i cannot have animal blood, same reason for my eyes” She smiled and hugged me, her bright blue eyes sparkled in the dim light “ were going to get along great”
“sorry, well I’m sure you have some catching up to do with Aura, Jasper, Heidi and Dim but i need to speak to them alone for a moment can you please wait in the kitchen?” he clasped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the ground and put them back down shortly after. I was standing in the kusina he kissed me lightly whispering i pag-ibig you in my ear before he disappeared. I began cooking my favourite spaghetti on toast. I couldn’t hear anyone talking so it must be about me. I ate in silence counting the amount of times i chewed my food, staring out into the forest.
“Dis love, can you come here please?” Jackson voice sounded around the house there was excitement in his voice. I skipped out to the lounge room, in a happy mood because Jackson was. Every single vampire and one half human half vampire had a smile stretched across their face. Lenete patted the lounge susunod to her and i sat down. Deep down i had a thought of what was going on but i didn’t want to even think of that thought unless it’s not what was going on. My puso was pounding away under my chest, Lenete giggled lightly.
“Dis” Jackson was standing in front of me if he was human I’m sure he would have been sweating and like me his knees would have been shaking like a leaf “I know it’s only been a little over a taon and we’re still in school, but you make me feel like no other girl in this world does, my puso which has been nagyelo for over 350 years warms up i feel incredible” he gracefully slid down onto one knee, my hands flew up to my mouth “Daisi Rose Hethford, No matter how far or how long, my pag-ibig will still be yours, i will always pag-ibig you, for you—i am here whether in spirit, mind, body. Shall you ever shed a tear, you angel will always be near. I promise to pag-ibig you forever and a day, i only hope you can pag-ibig me that way too. Dis pag-ibig will you please breathe” he smiled as i returned to breathing
“That was beautiful; did you stay up all night looking up poems or what?” I laughed “oh you stay up all night anyw... Oh right continue” Jackson chuckled
“I pag-ibig you Daisi and only you, madami than anything else in this world, Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” Jackson smiled at me, my eyes travelled to every other set of eyes in the room, many shade of purple and two bright sapphire blue sets all staring at me, their smiles seemed to have gotten wider. The set of eyes i lingered on were Lenete’s. She was staring at me madami intense then everyone else. The look in her eyes reminded me of what she sinabi in the car ‘consider what he’s offering’. As soon as i thought it her smile got impossibly wider and she nodded. I took a deep breath and looked at the man kneeling in front of me. The man i wanted to spend my forever with.
“Only if you will do me the honour of becoming my husband” I leaped pasulong and kissed him, his arms pulled around my waist
“I will if you will” he whispered in my ear
“I will and i don’t care that we have only been together one year, i don’t care that we’re still in school, i pag-ibig you that’s all that really matters”
“Thank you” he kissed me lightly before placing me back on the lounge and digging around in his pocket. Nafron tapped his shoulder his smile still stretched across his face and handed him a small box. Jackson placed it on my knee and there it sat. The small insignificant box that held the piece of jewellery that would hold me to Jackson for eternity. The small black velvet box sat in its insignificant state on my knee. I ran my finger over the silky velvet and pinched the lid between my fingers and opened it. Inside the lid of the box were the words ‘More to me than my own life’ were written in silver thread. The black velvet continued inside the box and nestled inside the velvet was a silver ring. It sparkled lightly in the dim light, seven small diamonds sat in the shape of a puso sat snugly in the silver band.
“It’s beautiful” i managed to choke out
“Just like you” Jackson whispered taking the ring from my fingers. He held out his hand and i placed mine gently in his. He kissed my fingertips and slid the ring onto my ring finger. He kissed the ring and looked at me from underneath his eyelashes.
“Thank you, I pag-ibig you” he leaned upwards and kissed me
“I pag-ibig you too” I breathed before halik him back. Someone cleared their throat, i pulled away and smiled. Lenete squealed and hugged me “we’re going to be the best sisters” i laughed and hugged her tighter. I received hugs from every person in my new family. “Welcome to the family” were the only words i received from Jasper before he disappeared upstairs.
Lenete and Lilly were already starting plans and i had only been engaged for an hour.
“Are you sure?” Jackson asked curiously. My legs dangled in the river, the cool water sending gansa bumps up my back. The scent of the forest enveloped me lightly. The smell of the water and the trees along with Jackson beautiful scent made a perfect mix and it relaxed me.
“I’m as sure as I’ll ever be” i kissed his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. My ring sparkled. It was a perfect fit “when did you get the ring though?”
“About three hundred years ago, i saw it in a tindahan and thought it was beautiful, i bought it so i would have it when the time came and i wouldn’t have to buy one of the preposterous ones from this century, if i hadn’t found some one after 500 years i would give it to Lenny” He smiled
“well you were right about the beautiful part, the ring is absolutely stunning”
“Then it bumagay you” he grinned angelically
“It’s not fair i can’t be upset at you, why can’t i be upset at you?”
“Why do you want to be upset at me? Don’t you want to marry me anymore?” I laughed lightly at the puzzled look on Jackson face.
“I want to marry you, i would marry you today if possible” i smiled
“It’s not impossible really”
“Oh yea there’s an idea ‘Mum I’m married sorry i didn’t call you earlier i just wanted to betray your trust and marry the man i pag-ibig without you knowing’ that sounds like a good phone call to my mum” i laughed and hugged him tighter.
The sun was setting behind the trees and Jackson and i were still sitting with our feet in the river. When my teeth started chattering Jackson took me inside and let me change into warm clothes. My thought were all about what was i going to say to my mother, she had left for a reason and probably never wanted to come back. I wouldn’t force her to come back. Lilly would represent for me and I’m sure Nafron would walk me down the aisle. I would have to call mum and talk to everyone before anymore arrangements are made. I opened the door of the wardrobe to find Jackson holding out the phone to me.
“oh right, stupid mind thing, can’t have any secrets” Jackson smiled and dialled a number and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Hello”
“Hi mum”
“Oh it’s only you Daisi, how are you, I’m so sorry i should have—”
“Mum, mum stop, its okay, I’m okay well actually i am over the moon” i smiled at Jackson who was absently playing with the hem of my shirt.
“Oh that’s a new one what’s made you so happy?”
“Um just to warn you before i tell you, nothing you say will change my mind i have made my decision” my tone was involuntarily harsh
“I think i can accept that i mean come on i left with out you knowing I’d do anything to change that”
“I’m engaged” my mother squealed so loud i had to ilipat the phone away fro my ear; i eyed Jackson as he chuckled and kissed my stomach.
“Mum take a deep breath in, I want to hold it in Treshone” her squeals stopped
“If you’re having it there i won’t go”
“Yea i kind of guessed that”
“So you don’t want me there?”
“No mum i do want you there, but you don’t want to be here, i want to have it so... Dad... can be there”
“What?” the puzzled expression she must have been wearing was present in her voice.
“Mum I’m getting married in Treshone, if your not there that’s your problem, But i want dad to be there okay, you don’t have to come, i have back ups if you don’t come”
“Okay Dis it’s your wedding have it how you want it, but i won’t be there”
“Fine, good-bye mum” I pressed end and stared at Jackson, he kissed my forehead and carried me downstairs for – ugh- the wedding details.
Everyone so far believed my story about my wrist and the few cuts and bruises left on my skin, people ask minimal tanong and Jackson or Lenete always told me when someone didn’t believe my story or thought that Jackson was bashing me.
“I’m going to see mum this afternoon, if that’s okay with you two” I stated to Lenete and Jackson as the kampanilya for the end of lunch went off.
“Dis we won’t keep you from seeing your mum, you know that” Lenete sinabi flicking my ear gently and laughing
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“If you want to I’m just getting the last of my stuff and picking up my car” I laughed as his eyes brightened with enthusiasm
“I’ll come with you” Jackson sinabi laughing as his voice saturated my mind
“I’d like that”
Lenete tugged on my shirt. I gripped onto Jackson’s sando and she let go tapping her foot impatiently behind me.
“See you soon” I mumbled Jackson placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face up to look him in the eyes, before brushing his lips against mine and running a hand down my cheek.
“Come on save it for later… if I’m late for class so help me” Lenete complained and gripped my elbow. I kissed Jackson once before I let Lenete drag me to class never taking my eyes off of Jackson who still stood under the awning of the cafeteria his mouth open like a isda out of water.
“Lenete there is no need to be pushy, I was about to follow you”
“Oh don’t start there were no plans in your head of your smackers leaving his, so don’t say you about to follow”
“Lenny what’s wrong?”
“Why didn’t you ask if I wanted to go with you this afternoon?”
“Oh… you… do you want to come?”
“Yes I would like to come I want to see you mum as well”
I laughed hysterically until I reached the door of our English class and Lenete elbowed me. I took my upuan up the back of the class room and Lenete gracefully slid into the upuan susunod to me. The lesson passed by, I had my IPod on softly and my hand was flying across the page Pagsulat my free form essay. I saw Lenete shake with silent laughter. I cocked my head to the side and mouthed what. She shook her head, exhaled and pointed at a sentence on my page that read ‘he smiled revealing a pair of fangs he lunged towards me inclining his head to the side and biting my neck, my scream gurgled sa pamamagitan ng the force of his body hitting mine’
I laughed out loud, receiving a glance from Mr Freeman.
“I didn’t realise what I was writing” I whispered
“I can see that” she laughed quietly “your mind was blank as a piece of paper as well” she laughed again and handed me a new piece of paper. I began Pagsulat again paying attention to every word I wrote.
I walked to my most hated class, Gym not paying attention to where I was walking. It wasn’t until I ran into a pader that I received my attention back.
“Stupid flaming wall” I blinked to find Jackson standing in front of me. I peeked around him looking for the pader I had run into, nope no pader near us.
“Wall?” the puzzled look on his face was priceless, I laughed, Lenete and Jackson joined in.
“Sorry I wasn’t paying attention so I thought I walked into a wall” I grimaced and flushed red. Jackson ran a hand over my head and my nose.
“Looks like you’ll get another bruise… at least you were wake for this one” We laughed lightly “nothing weird today?” he asked, I gasped
“No nothing, is that good?” I was excited that I was back to normal
“Come on guys, gym has to be better than gossip” Mr Baker called beckoning our small gathering to him with his pointer with a smile that showed his yellow teeth. Jackson kissed the tuktok of my head lightly and I sighed as he clasped my hand and Lenete slung an arm around my waist.
* * *
The road was flying away under the tyres of Jackson’s car and I was resting my head on the headrest with my eyes closed.
“I don’t see you couldn’t have gone on your motorbike Lenny”
“Two reasons, one Jackson want to see Lilly first so he’s driving that tahanan then running back to your house and two ever since you and he have been together publicly you haven’t left his side. I miss my friend Dis!” she pouted and laughed.
“Fine” I stared out the window while I tried to drown out Lenete’s quiet giggling. The welcome to Yehera sign, kalye signs and traffic lights flew by. Wait welcome to Yehera? Traffic lights? Treshone doesn’t have traffic lights. Lenete!
“What are we doing?” I screeched
“Shopping!” Lenete squealed with a huge smile on her face. I groaned
“I can’t get out of it can I”
“Nope” she popped on the P and laughed “well if you’re going to be living with us, you need to get over this fear of new clothes”
“I don’t fear new clothes, I pag-ibig new clothes. What I Fear is the walking around shopping centres for hour’s part; can’t you drive me tahanan and go on your own?”
“What kind of sister fun would that be?”
“Sister?” My voice squeaked in confusion
Her face dropped ‘opps’ she mouthed suddenly looking out the window
“Lenny what happened?”
“Nothing… I promise” but her face sinabi otherwise.
“Fine I’ll ask Lilly she’ll tell me, pull over so I can use my phone” I argued pulling my phone out of my pocket. Lenete snatched it from me.
“Fine I’ll tell you… After you go shopping and you have to keep it off your mind because Jackson will kill me, literally!”
“Lenny no that’s no fair” my voice was drowned out sa pamamagitan ng the squeal of the brakes pulling the brakes from over 300 k’s to zero in less than five segundos - thanks to her fine tuning. My stomach pressed roughly to my spine and winded me. She pulled into the first empty parking spot with no troubles.
“And in other news when we get back from your place—”
“My old place Lenny, i don’t live there anymore, remember” i smiled
“Right, where was i... Oh you’ll finally get to meet Heidi, Dimytri and Aurelia, i guess they trust themselves enough, jasper is doing some business for when we move” she stated while she collected her wallet and car keys “Dis you okay?... Oh you’re worried. Dis there’s no need to worry. Lilly, Jackson and I will be there, Plus Jackson and I will hear her plans before she does it”
I relaxed slightly at the sound of Jackson name. The sound of his voice ran through my head ‘I’ll never let anything touch you’ i smiled and relaxed completely.
“Dis, i don’t want to hear or see for that matter the lovey dovey stuff he says to you” she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“Sorry i can’t help it, i hope you find someone soon then you’ll understand... come on the sooner we get started the sooner we’re finished” the sooner i can find out what’s wrong, i added mentally.
“Nothings wrong, will you ever believe me?” Lenete smiled. I slapped my forehead as i hopped out the car. I looked around, Yehera was the closest town to Treshone a complete two oras drive away, but with vampire speed we managed it in less than half an hour. Yehera was nothing like Treshone, it was a large city plenty of shopping centres, pagkain stores, clothes, pelikula and everything. Sure there were trees but not as many as Treshone.
Four hours later, a whole car full of clothes and one set of tired feet later we were heading back to Treshone.
“Now what’s with your sister talk before?” I sinabi staring out the window.
“First you have to promise not to get mad at me... or Jackson because he does pag-ibig you. segundo you have to keep it off you mind or he will kill me and third-“
“That’s quite a lot of thing i can’t do just to hear one thing”
“Would you shut up and listen, jeez. Third just consider his offer please”
“Okay i won’t get mad at any of you, i will keep it off my mind and i will consider it.” I took a deep breath in “okay apoy away”
Lenete smiled “he wants to ask you to... um how do I put this?”
“Just say it Lenny i won’t be mad swear on my life”
“Promise to death if your voice changes or your face changes I’ll have no choice but to call off your change” she smiled I felt my mouth open i shook my head and looked her in the eyes.
“I promise”
“Okay... It’s nothing big... he just wants to ask you to marry him” she smiled and looked out the window. I smiled
“Really?” i squeaked “That’s awesome... but when?”
“When? Wait what your okay with this?”
“Sure why wouldn’t i be?”
“I don’t know i mean most people wait until you know”
“ I’m cool with it, okay listen when you find that one person... or vampire” i laughed “ then you won’t care what age you are, he’s the one who makes you happy, you feel free, safe, alive and most of all loved—”
“Okay okay i get it just stop” she smiled. I shifted over in my upuan and hugged her
“It’s okay Lenny i won’t leave you in the dark”
“Oh remember keep it off your mind and act surprised when he goes down on one knee” she smiled and hugged me back. I shifted back to my spot and stared at the thickening forest that whizzed past. Lenete tapped the brake slightly slowing the car to about 90 and drove down my street. The only car in the driveway was mine which meant mum was out because Jackson ran to my house. Lenete pulled the keys out of the car i slid out and fell. I waited for the ground to come, i opened my eyes and saw i pair of black eyes staring back at me, Jackson. He helped me to my feet steadying me with his hand under my elbow. I smiled at him and walked to the door. I grabbed the key from in the pot plant and slid it in the lock as i turned it the lock clicked to say “I’m already open”. I turned the handle and stepped in.
“I don’t know what happened it was like this when i got here” Jackson sinabi hugging my shoulders. My mum’s house was empty except for anything that belonged to me. Everything my mum owned was gone.
“Dis come here” Lenete called from the kitchen. I forced my feet to move. I saw Lenete holding an envelope in her outstretched hand. I took it and opened it carefully.
“I’m right here Daisi, we’ll wait for you to read it first” Jackson wrapped his arms around my shoulders and rested his cheek on my hair.
Daisi,
Sorry for not calling, but the house holds to many memories.
I pag-ibig you Dis, you’ve always been my baby
Sorry i didn’t ipakita it. I can’t tell you where I’m going
But i can tell you i pag-ibig you and i won’t change my mobile.
Feel free to call me whenever.
I left everything that belongs to you, including the house, my savings and bank details
I pag-ibig you Dis remember that
pag-ibig always Mum
“She’s gone” i mumbled
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Lenete asked “she didn’t call you or anything”
“I don’t know... here look” i held out my mothers letter to her she’d read it and dropped it the ground only to be caught sa pamamagitan ng Jackson before i could process what my mother had written to me in the note.
“Oh, i see” Jackson whispered
“What do you mean?” i asked curious
“Well... Nafron didn’t actually see this coming until today, I’m guessing because your mum didn’t want you to find out about her leaving then when i shook Nafron’s hand this afternoon he sinabi she was leaving, he’s just curious on how it affects me and not you. But i don’t know” Jackson explained sudden realization hit me.
“She’s in trouble”
“How do you get that?”
“I...I don’t know, but the week before i moved in she was pagganap weird and she had bruises and...”
“Bruises? Like you” Lenete asked worry thick in her voice. I nodded
“We can’t find her she left to long nakaraan and she took her car so there’s no scent to follow, we have to go home... Now!” Jackson ordered us. He and Lenete disappeared as did everything left on the living room floor.
“Oh thanks i was going to do that but i guess i would just get in the way” i thought
“Sorry pag-ibig but we have to hurry” Jackson voice loud and clear in my head even though he was zipping back and forth from the car to a room in the house
“Okay I’ll be in the car”
“NO” He roared in my head “you stay right here with me”
“Okay i guess, but can you please tell me what’s wrong?” Jackson appeared in front of me with a box in his arms.
“Sorry pag-ibig you’ll have to wait until we see Lilly and Nafron, just so we know we didn’t make any rash decisions” he kissed me lightly on my forehead “please wait here I’ll be back in 30 seconds” i nodded and walked over to the sink. I washed and dried my hands then put away the plate that was still sitting in the drying rack. I frowned as i saw the single plate in the cupboard. I felt bad for the plate being alone so i carefully broke it in half and put it back. I then smiled there was no longer a single plate, there were two half plates. I felt better now it wasn’t lonely.
“What was that for?” I jumped as Jackson rested his chin on my head
“The plate was lonely” i smiled and blushed “it’s not anymore, i gave it a friend” i pointed to the two half plates
“That’s nice; we don’t want lonely plates do we?”
“Nope” i smiled
“And what prevented you from putting it in the right cupboard?” he chuckled i blushed even deeper and shrugged “come one lets go”
The car ride was quiet the only sound made was from my CD player currently playing the song Jackson and i made. I felt tears welling up in my eyes; i leaned into Jackson side as he drove with one arm around me and the other holding the wheel.
“I thought i would be happy if she did something like this” i choked out
“you were angry with her when you thought those things and now that it’s actually happened it’s not like you planned, i understand what your going through” i looked up at him a puzzled look on my face “ well you know that we drink blood from mga hayop because Lilly didn’t want to be tempted to kill us when we we’re kids and she didn’t like the thought of killing innocents, well when i was changed Lilly ordered No humans and i obeyed because i didn’t want to hurt Lenete, the days leading up to her change i constantly told her that she was going against who she was and that as soon as Lenete was changed i would leave her” he took a deep breath in and tapped the brakes he pulled over to the shoulder of the road i squeezed myself tighter to him.
“What happened?”
“The segundo Lilly sunk her teeth into Lenete’s throat and i heard her screams of pain, i took off as far away from my little sister as i could go, at my first real meal i was overwhelmed at the taste of... Am i scaring you? I don’t want to do that”
“No it’s okay i have to learn these things, remind me that this week i have to ask your family their stories” he nodded and continued
“I never thought for one segundo that the taste of human blood running down my throat would be as good as it actually was, it was ten thousands times better. From that araw i feed once or twice a week and every time i finished another person i would bite a piece of myself off me and watch it reattach it’s self to me, My form of self punishment for leaving my family. i missed my mother even though i thought i wouldn’t, i pushed it aside every time i thought about her, it wasn’t until Lenete broke into my mind one afternoon that i couldn’t push it aside. I had to go home; i knew Lilly would forgive me even after all the lives i took. I was in the aklatan of the town i was currently in. it was empty; there was a festival on in town. I was pagbaba when i heard the sweetest voice in my head. ‘Jackson mum misses you come tahanan please’ i didn’t recognise the voice but the mention of my mother told me it was Lenete, i ran out of the aklatan to fast for anyone to see me, i picked up her scent quickly i followed it. There she was, now believe me when i say this but Lenete was beautiful when she was human, every female in town envied her and every male stared at her, she was constantly stared at from the araw she matured i always thought of myself as her protector, nobody touched her or looked at her when i was with her. I went where ever she went. But seeing her as a vampire made me even madami aware of how much i need to protect her. She was beyond beautiful. Not even Lilly was as beautiful and i used to think she was as beautiful as you could get. It makes me wonder if your looks will change or not, your beautiful as it is.” He smiled “ she had been a vampire roughly six months from the araw i left, her eyes were black but i knew they should be purple” he looked at me and smiled
“’Hello big brother’ her voice was heavenly ‘well this isn’t the way i planned it to be’ we stood there staring at each other i knew what she saw the hundreds of scars on my arms from my self punishment ‘what happened to you?’ i told her my story about well you know”
I nodded
“Why haven’t you told me this before?”
“You never asked, no one in the family is going to confront you with their stories until you ask” he smiled and pressed his lips to my forehead i looked at his arms
“I can’t see your scars, why can’t i see them?”
“You will eventually, your eyes aren’t strong enough”
“Is that the end of that chapter of your life?”
“There is madami i will keep telling you if you want”
“yes please, i haven’t heard much about you... only the stuff Lenete has told me and she won’t tell anyone else’s stories she’s scared of what will happen if she says it wrong” i smiled
“Well Lenete had told me that Lilly had left her during her change process, she had woken up on her own but aware of what had happened, she had followed our mothers scent until she reached the cliff. Lilly had flung herself of a cliff in an attempt to end her life. Not that it would have done much. I returned tahanan and as I expected Lilly welcomed me back with open arms. To see the pain i had caused her was painful, her scars were the one thing i will never forgive myself for. I am constantly haunted sa pamamagitan ng those” he started the car and pressed his lips to my hair.
Jackson and Lenete had a private conversation with Nafron and Lilly. I was told to not worry that it was alright. Eight o’clock came and went the family and i were in the lounge room awaiting the arrival of Jasper and his small family. I was seated on Jackson lap and Jackson was humming quietly in my ear. Lenete had her feet in my lap and was pagbaba a fashion magazine. Nafron and Lilly were sitting in the corner of the room their fingers laced together there eyes trained on a large book between them. Jacksons humming stopped and i was soon placed on the lounge no one else in the family looked up. I was the only one searching for Jackson.
“Jasper, Aurelia, Heidi and Dimytri are here, he wants to see them before they see you” Lenete clued me in without looking up from her magazine.
“Oh, i see... Wait wasn’t jasper doing errands?” everyone laughed lightly
“he was doing errands but Aurelia wanted him to come, so he did”
“it’s okay Dis we believe your blood will be the same to them as it is for us, but remember that Dimytri and Heidi aren’t attracted to human blood” Lilly soothed me gently not leaving her book either
I sat on the edge of the lounge, my legs bouncing, my puso racing and my nails digging into my palms.
“Dis would you calm down? If your blood is racing that fast through your veins it’s not going to help them” Lenete’s eyes were still glued on her page “believe me when i say this, nothing will happen, besides what’s that line Jackson says to you all the time?”
“I’ll never let anything touch you” i swung around and Jackson planted his lips on mine.
“Yea that’s the line” i smiled and kissed the hollow of his neck “Daisi my love, meet Jasper, Aurelia, Heidi and Dimytri”
Four beautiful Bampira walked into the room from the garage. A tall boy with black hair and a build of a regular gym user, walked in not hesitating at all in his steps towards me. Instinctively i stuck out my hand, but he pulled me to him hugging me tightly. I could feel my face turning red. Jackson tapped his shoulder and he put my feet back on the ground. He stuck out his hand and i took it he shook gently.
“Hi I’m Dimytri, so you’re my new little sister?”
“I guess so... but i wouldn’t call me a sister... Yet anyway” I smiled at Jackson “Ah opps sorry Lenete”
“What did you do?” Jackson roared
“She guessed it i didn’t say anything, did i Dis” she looked at me with a pleading look on her face
“Nope she didn’t say anything Jackson, now leave her alone” i ordered him
“I’m sorry Lenete”
“It’s okay now can we get this over with?”
“Mum, Dad, Heidi its okay she’s cool” He looked at me “Oh I’m Dimytri the um unusual half-half 276 taon old, with an um what was it... oh right a sixteen taon old body” Dimytri smiled.
“Daisi I’m totally human... for now and i am 17 years old” i laughed.
Three beautiful blondes walked in, everyone reacted. Lilly and Nafron were behind them and Lenete and Jackson were standing at my sides, Dimytri had gone to stand susunod to his mother’s side. I could feel my kneecaps hitting each other.
“I’ll never let anything touch you, it will be okay”
“If you say so”
I relaxed a bit. The male took a hesitant step towards me. I froze as he stuck out his hand and smiled
“Hello I’m Jasper; this is my wife the lovely Aurelia, my daughter Heidi and my son you have just met... So everyone was right, you do smell different” jasper looked at Jackson i saw Aurelia take a breath in and smile.
“I’m Daisi and you can’t really say everyone now can you?”
“Oh yes Jackson I see, i believe she would smell better to you” Jasper smiled ipinapakita his pearly whites.
“Wow you are pretty... and you don’t smell normal, I’m Aurelia. I’m glad my family came today, i hope you can forgive us for waiting this long to meet our sister” she looked at Jackson and frowned “oh Future sister, at least Lenete has a new shopping buddy” She smiled and hugged me. Aurelia was beautiful, the whole family was. Her blonde ringlets hung loosely below her shoulders, her facial features were perfectly aligned and her lips were a subtle red. Jasper was tall with black hair and handsome.
“Oh i don’t enjoy those trips i just go to keep her quiet” i smiled and laughed “i have no reason to forgive you, you did nothing wrong, i understand the pain you have to go through around me”
“Thank you, we didn’t believe the family because we didn’t believe it possible, maybe we might be able to go to school” Aurelia smiled as Jasper hugged her tightly.
“If it will make you happy we will enrol for susunod year” Jasper voice was calm as he soothed and encouraged his wife.
“Oh yes please, it be great to have my ‘big’ brother and sister at school, oh the fun” Lenete smiled
“Yea you sure would pag-ibig us there wouldn’t you?”
“Yes actually i would” Lilly interrupted “you two need to get back in to civilization you turning into hermits when you used to be nomads, I’m sure you will be able to control your self”
“Mum we don’t all have self control as great as Nafron’s, Jacksons or yours, i mean what are we going to do when Jackson changes Daisi?”
“Ah Please call me Dis, i hate Daisi”
“Ok what will we expect when Dis is changed—” Aurelia’s eye wandered to Jackson she stared at him for a moment “Oh i see well with that i believe we will change subjects”
“Yes good idea Aura it might be good for you” Jacksons tone was harsh
“Jackson behave” i ordered him hitting him lightly on the stomach, it wasn’t until this moment that i realised that Heidi was a quiet, shy type. She looked at me and smiled. Her Blue eyes were bright and her face was paler and her lips redder than every other vampire.
“Heidi, I'm the same as Dim but I'm venomous he’s not and i need blood while he doesn’t, and my appearance is on your mind i can tell”
“Your paler, your lips are brighter and your eyes are brighter” i shrugged
“Paler and brighter yes because i cannot get away with animal blood, we are unsure why but i cannot have animal blood, same reason for my eyes” She smiled and hugged me, her bright blue eyes sparkled in the dim light “ were going to get along great”
“sorry, well I’m sure you have some catching up to do with Aura, Jasper, Heidi and Dim but i need to speak to them alone for a moment can you please wait in the kitchen?” he clasped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the ground and put them back down shortly after. I was standing in the kusina he kissed me lightly whispering i pag-ibig you in my ear before he disappeared. I began cooking my favourite spaghetti on toast. I couldn’t hear anyone talking so it must be about me. I ate in silence counting the amount of times i chewed my food, staring out into the forest.
“Dis love, can you come here please?” Jackson voice sounded around the house there was excitement in his voice. I skipped out to the lounge room, in a happy mood because Jackson was. Every single vampire and one half human half vampire had a smile stretched across their face. Lenete patted the lounge susunod to her and i sat down. Deep down i had a thought of what was going on but i didn’t want to even think of that thought unless it’s not what was going on. My puso was pounding away under my chest, Lenete giggled lightly.
“Dis” Jackson was standing in front of me if he was human I’m sure he would have been sweating and like me his knees would have been shaking like a leaf “I know it’s only been a little over a taon and we’re still in school, but you make me feel like no other girl in this world does, my puso which has been nagyelo for over 350 years warms up i feel incredible” he gracefully slid down onto one knee, my hands flew up to my mouth “Daisi Rose Hethford, No matter how far or how long, my pag-ibig will still be yours, i will always pag-ibig you, for you—i am here whether in spirit, mind, body. Shall you ever shed a tear, you angel will always be near. I promise to pag-ibig you forever and a day, i only hope you can pag-ibig me that way too. Dis pag-ibig will you please breathe” he smiled as i returned to breathing
“That was beautiful; did you stay up all night looking up poems or what?” I laughed “oh you stay up all night anyw... Oh right continue” Jackson chuckled
“I pag-ibig you Daisi and only you, madami than anything else in this world, Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” Jackson smiled at me, my eyes travelled to every other set of eyes in the room, many shade of purple and two bright sapphire blue sets all staring at me, their smiles seemed to have gotten wider. The set of eyes i lingered on were Lenete’s. She was staring at me madami intense then everyone else. The look in her eyes reminded me of what she sinabi in the car ‘consider what he’s offering’. As soon as i thought it her smile got impossibly wider and she nodded. I took a deep breath and looked at the man kneeling in front of me. The man i wanted to spend my forever with.
“Only if you will do me the honour of becoming my husband” I leaped pasulong and kissed him, his arms pulled around my waist
“I will if you will” he whispered in my ear
“I will and i don’t care that we have only been together one year, i don’t care that we’re still in school, i pag-ibig you that’s all that really matters”
“Thank you” he kissed me lightly before placing me back on the lounge and digging around in his pocket. Nafron tapped his shoulder his smile still stretched across his face and handed him a small box. Jackson placed it on my knee and there it sat. The small insignificant box that held the piece of jewellery that would hold me to Jackson for eternity. The small black velvet box sat in its insignificant state on my knee. I ran my finger over the silky velvet and pinched the lid between my fingers and opened it. Inside the lid of the box were the words ‘More to me than my own life’ were written in silver thread. The black velvet continued inside the box and nestled inside the velvet was a silver ring. It sparkled lightly in the dim light, seven small diamonds sat in the shape of a puso sat snugly in the silver band.
“It’s beautiful” i managed to choke out
“Just like you” Jackson whispered taking the ring from my fingers. He held out his hand and i placed mine gently in his. He kissed my fingertips and slid the ring onto my ring finger. He kissed the ring and looked at me from underneath his eyelashes.
“Thank you, I pag-ibig you” he leaned upwards and kissed me
“I pag-ibig you too” I breathed before halik him back. Someone cleared their throat, i pulled away and smiled. Lenete squealed and hugged me “we’re going to be the best sisters” i laughed and hugged her tighter. I received hugs from every person in my new family. “Welcome to the family” were the only words i received from Jasper before he disappeared upstairs.
Lenete and Lilly were already starting plans and i had only been engaged for an hour.
“Are you sure?” Jackson asked curiously. My legs dangled in the river, the cool water sending gansa bumps up my back. The scent of the forest enveloped me lightly. The smell of the water and the trees along with Jackson beautiful scent made a perfect mix and it relaxed me.
“I’m as sure as I’ll ever be” i kissed his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. My ring sparkled. It was a perfect fit “when did you get the ring though?”
“About three hundred years ago, i saw it in a tindahan and thought it was beautiful, i bought it so i would have it when the time came and i wouldn’t have to buy one of the preposterous ones from this century, if i hadn’t found some one after 500 years i would give it to Lenny” He smiled
“well you were right about the beautiful part, the ring is absolutely stunning”
“Then it bumagay you” he grinned angelically
“It’s not fair i can’t be upset at you, why can’t i be upset at you?”
“Why do you want to be upset at me? Don’t you want to marry me anymore?” I laughed lightly at the puzzled look on Jackson face.
“I want to marry you, i would marry you today if possible” i smiled
“It’s not impossible really”
“Oh yea there’s an idea ‘Mum I’m married sorry i didn’t call you earlier i just wanted to betray your trust and marry the man i pag-ibig without you knowing’ that sounds like a good phone call to my mum” i laughed and hugged him tighter.
The sun was setting behind the trees and Jackson and i were still sitting with our feet in the river. When my teeth started chattering Jackson took me inside and let me change into warm clothes. My thought were all about what was i going to say to my mother, she had left for a reason and probably never wanted to come back. I wouldn’t force her to come back. Lilly would represent for me and I’m sure Nafron would walk me down the aisle. I would have to call mum and talk to everyone before anymore arrangements are made. I opened the door of the wardrobe to find Jackson holding out the phone to me.
“oh right, stupid mind thing, can’t have any secrets” Jackson smiled and dialled a number and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Hello”
“Hi mum”
“Oh it’s only you Daisi, how are you, I’m so sorry i should have—”
“Mum, mum stop, its okay, I’m okay well actually i am over the moon” i smiled at Jackson who was absently playing with the hem of my shirt.
“Oh that’s a new one what’s made you so happy?”
“Um just to warn you before i tell you, nothing you say will change my mind i have made my decision” my tone was involuntarily harsh
“I think i can accept that i mean come on i left with out you knowing I’d do anything to change that”
“I’m engaged” my mother squealed so loud i had to ilipat the phone away fro my ear; i eyed Jackson as he chuckled and kissed my stomach.
“Mum take a deep breath in, I want to hold it in Treshone” her squeals stopped
“If you’re having it there i won’t go”
“Yea i kind of guessed that”
“So you don’t want me there?”
“No mum i do want you there, but you don’t want to be here, i want to have it so... Dad... can be there”
“What?” the puzzled expression she must have been wearing was present in her voice.
“Mum I’m getting married in Treshone, if your not there that’s your problem, But i want dad to be there okay, you don’t have to come, i have back ups if you don’t come”
“Okay Dis it’s your wedding have it how you want it, but i won’t be there”
“Fine, good-bye mum” I pressed end and stared at Jackson, he kissed my forehead and carried me downstairs for – ugh- the wedding details.
"Redwood" - Series Poster
