"Ang sabi mo ay magpapahinga tayo?" nagtataka kong tanong kay Kareem habang hila-hila niya ako patungo sa naglilinyahang kakahuyan. Nang matapos ako sa pag-iyak kanina lamang ay bigla niya nalang akong inaya na maglakad-lakad at natagpuan na lamang ang sariling hawak ang mga kamay nitong tinatahak ang hindi pamilyar na daanan sa gitna ng gubat. It was cold yet his hand were warm. Nakatingin lamang ako sakanyang likuran habang pinagmamasdan ang marahang pagsayaw ng buhok niya. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami dadalhin ng mga paa namin, ngunit sapat na sa 'kin na kasama ko siya upang mapanatag ako. Hindi nagtagal ay nakaramdam na ako ng pagkabahala dahil dumidilim na ang gubat, hindi dahil gumagabi na ngunit natatakpan na ng mga nagtataasang puno ang sinag mula sa araw. "Saan ba tayo pupunta?" muling tanong ko. Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo lamang dumidilim ang daang tinatahak namin kaya pinili kong huminto sa paglalakad dahilan u
AN: please listen to "Love Story" by Indila while reading this chapter. I swear, you will understand how magical this chapter is. ---Nakatitig lamang ako sa lawa habang nakakulong sa bisig ni Kareem. We were peacefully staring at the lake, appreciating the ethereal beauty of the lake. Grandma told me that she had seen one, a creature like Kareem. But who? Who was it that made her believe that creatures like them are dangerous? Did my grandma even witness how beautiful this lake before believing that they are dangerous? Mas lalo lamang lumalaki ang kuryosidad ko sa mga bagay na hindi ko alam kung may kasagutan nga ba. Gusto kong malaman kung ano ang naging nakaraan ni Grandma at ni Mom na naging dahilan upang magalit sila sa mga nilalang na katulad ni Kareem. Nahulog din ba sila kagaya ko? Umibig din ba sila? "Luna will meet us," he whispered. Luna? Who's
Pinagsiklop niya ang mga palad namin habang nakadekwatro sa harap ng lawa. Tahimik kaming pinagmamasdan ito na tila walang naganap na pagtatalo kanina lang. My heartbeat were trying to calm my thoughts inside my mind. Thoughts that can only start an argument again. I didn't mean to make it look like I'm doubting him, it's just that... ang pagkakaiba namin ang nakakapagpagulo ng isip ko na nauuwi sa kaba. How can I stop these thoughts when it's trying to eat me up? "You're overthinking again, Alessandra." Napakagat ako ng labi. "My bad," I murmured. Narinig ko ang marahang pagbuga niya ng hangin na para bang napapagod na siya sa kakaisip kung ano ang nasa isip ko. "Will you—""I know, I know. I will stop na, hindi na ako mag-iisip ng kung ano-ano pa." Nginitian ko siya nang lingunin niya ako. "Ang ganda pala dito 'no? Bakit ayaw mo magstay dito? I can imagine myself living her
Nakasunod lamang ako kay Kareem habang tinatahak namin ang gubat pababa sa malawak na lawa na kumukonekta sa tulay mula sa plaza. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay sa lawak ng lawang ito ay sakop na nito ang buong Cumbrian mountains lalo na ang Lake District. Kaya dinadagsa talaga ng mga foreigner ang lugar kahit pa matataas ang mga bundok rito. Nang makarating kami sa baba mula sa bundok na gubat ay nilapag ni Kareem ang dalawang timbang bitbit niya at inihanda ang panghuli nito ng isda. Habang ako nama'y inilapag ang balde ng mga damit na lalabhan ko sa gilid ng lawa. Malinaw ang sikat mula sa araw at ang mga nagliliparang ibon. Kahit pa nasa gitna na kami ng kagubatan kung saan walang naninirahan, makikita mo pa rin ang sarili mong hinihiling na lamang na manatili sa lugar na ito. The place signifies freedom and peace. Walang kahit anumang takot at problema ang malalanghap mo sa malamig na hangin. Lake District will always be a home
Ambleside in Lake District, Cumbrian Mountain, England... Ambleside... One of the biggest and famous market towns in Lake District. Sikat ang lugar na ito dahil sa mga produktong orihinal at kakaiba ang pagkakagawa ng mga buildings. Hindi lang dahil sa mga produktong binebenta kundi sikat din ang Ambleside dahil makikita mismo rito kung gaano kalawak ang pinakamalawak na lawa dito sa Lake District which is Windermere. The town stands at the head of Windermere and in the middle of some of England's finest scenery. Kaya hindi nakakapagtakang maraming mga dayuhan ang bumibisita rito, I can even tell which country are they from dahil sa mga suot nilang gucci at booty shoes. Marami ring mga bata na nagse-skating sa daan, mga tugtuging pang 90s, at makikita rin ang mga vendors na may kakaibang mga tinda simula sa accessories at mga damit. There were lots of people taking pictures on the small opera malapit sa fountain.
Adventures... Inangat ko ang tingin sa makulimlim na kalangitan at mapait na ngumiti. Gaano nga ba katagal ang oras at gaano kalayo ang lalakbayin namin? There were lots of unanswered questions, it keeps adding up like it has been in prison wanting to have answers. "Mama, I want one too!" "Of course, sweety. You'll have one too."Nakangiting tinanggap ng batang babae ang cotton candy mula sa ina nito. Hindi ko namalayang nakangiti na pala ako habang nakatitig sakanila. My Dad used to do that when I was a kid too, binibili lahat ng gusto ko. While Mom on the other hand is strict when it comes to buying things for me. Ayaw niya kasing iniispoil ako ni Dad kaya ang ginagawa ni Dad, tinatakas ako para mamasyal kaming dalawa. Those were the days that my childhood felt wonderful. I wish I could go back to those times. Nang makababa kami sa kalesa ay nagpasalamat ako matapos maibigay ang bayad namin.
Nagising akong may bigat sa pakiramdam. Parang may nakabara sa lalamunan ko at ramdam ko ang init sa buong katawan ko. Ganitong-ganito ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing nilalagnat ako. Babangon na sana ako pero mas lalo ko lang naramdaman ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko. "Don't move, Alessandra." Hindi ko gaanong mabuksan ang mga mata ko, masyadong mabigat na hindi ko na alam kung ano ang uunahin kong galawin. Gusto kong sumigaw dahil sa sakit ng ulo ko, parang binibiyak na bato. In the midst of wanting to move my body, I felt how my eyes started to pour a pool of tears running down to my cheeks. I feel so weak that I don't know what to do anymore. Nang maramdaman ko ang pagdampi ng basang tela sa noo ko ay doon ako napanatag.I fixed my eyes on him. He looks restless, his eyes were puffy. Nang maayos nitong nailagay ang tela sa noo ko ay dahan-dahan siyang umupo sa gilid ko at marahang hinawakan an
Playing 'Love in the Dark' while writing this chapter. THIRD PERSON POV. the snow storm continued to fall. It has been three days since the storm started that caused the whole Lake District to suffer in heavy cold. People weren't able to go out from their homes. Some says it's a disaster haunting the towns and some says... it's a curse. "Are you really going to send her back?" The cat appeared before him. He didn't respond nor give a look to the cat. His eyes remained cold while holding the unconscious human on his arms. He doesn't want to talk because it will only add to the piercing contempt digging on his heart.Sa tuwing hahakbang ang mga paa niya ay parang pinipiga ang puso niya. Heart, when did he start feeling like something is beating inside him? He couldn't remember anymore nor he wanted to remember. All he wants to be in his thoughts is Alessandra herself.
His hair was longer than the last time I've seen him. His eyes were on the burning furnace and intertwining his fingers while sitting on the floor. I saw how his eyes blinked while staring at the fire reflecting on his eyes. He didn't move nor did he speak. Nanatili lamang siya sa kanyang posisyon na animo'y nasa isang malalim na pag-iisip. Hindi ako nagsalita, bagkus ay lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan niya at umupo sa sahig na hindi kalayuan sa kanya. I know that this is just a dream, that this situation might just one of my expectations and that this is just one of my imaginations. But still, I wanted to burst a cry and just encircle my arms on his. "If only I wasn't weak," I said sorrowfully. "If only I didn't get sick, then you wouldn't disappear from my sight." I chuckled upon remembering how I pathetically got sick. If only it didn't happen, then I would've been feeding the goats while still living with him.
Nakapikit ang mga matang naka-angkala ako sa katawan ni Kareem habang marahan kaming naglalakad sa malamig na gubat. After the dryad suddenly turned into ashes, I couldn't open my eyes. Patuloy pa rin bumabalik sa isipan ko ang mga pangyayari na hindi ko inaakalang mangyayari sa 'kin. "Can you still walk? Do you want to ride on me?" Kareem asked. I shook my head to disagree. "It's fine, I can still walk. You're badly wounded so I won't ride on you," I answered. He growled. "It's not like I'm a weak human like you," he arrogantly said. "I never said that you're weak, Kareem. What I'm telling is that you're wounded and it would be very hard for you to move quickly if ever I ride on your back." "I ain't dryad for nothing. You can't even open your eyes so you should at least consider riding on my back."I let out a deep sigh. "Enough with that ride and riding whatsoever you're talking about. I'm fine, I'll be able to open my eyes later.""How s
Mabilis ang naging takbo ni Gallard habang ako nama'y hindi inaalis ang tingin sa likuran namin. I need to make sure that the dryads aren't following us. The whole forest was dark and cold. The heavy pour of snowflakes is making us hard to run easily. "Malayo pa ba tayo?" tanong ko sakanya. "I'm not really sure, but we will arrive there before the sun sets up, you need to watch your back and yourself."Was it really that far? Thinking how we went there, naglakad lang kami ni Kareem, it doesn't look far to me. Rinig ko ang mabigat na paghinga ni Gallard habang patuloy kami sa pagtakbo. "Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. "Worry about yourself, human.""You seems to be having a hard time breathing..."Bumagal ang pagtakbo niya hanggang sa huminto kami. Nagtatakang bumaba ako mula sa likuran niya at akmang ihahakbang ko na ang paa ko ay humarang siya sa 'kin. "Be careful, it's a cliff."A cliff?Hindi ko gaanong makita ang nasa hara
Nakita ko kung paano kinain ng apoy ang buong sasakyan habang unti-unting natatakpan ng usok ang tatlong pigura ng mga nilalang. "Stop looking at them," he whispered. Hindi ko magawang alisin ang mga mata sa direksyon nila kahit pa hindi ko na sila makita. The image of them seems like a replica of disaster to me. Their eyes were vividly showing me that I am their prey, that they've found me. "Sir, you need to leave the place. It seems like someone just put a bomb on your car." Lumapit sa amin ang dalawang police officer. "What do you mean? It's impossible," my dad unbelievably reacted. Hinaplos ni mom ang magkabilang braso ko kaya napatingin ako sakanya. I don't know why but when my eyes met her eyes, the cold I felt just disappeared. It was soothing to see her worried expression as if comforting me. It's my first time seeing that expression from her. "Are you worried?" I asked. Hindi siya suma
"Would you like to witness what a dryad can do for you?"Nakapanglumbaba ako habang pinagmamasdan ang pagbagsak ng snow mula sa langit. Makikita na ang mga isinabit nila dad na christmas lights sa labas na tingin ko'y magkakaroon na ng kulay mamayang gabi. Christmas is already coming. Kung dati ay hinihintay ko ang pasko dahil sa mga regalo kong natatanggap, ngayon ay gusto ko nalang matulog at hintaying matapos ang celebrasyon. Three days before christmas but I feel like the whole Lake District isn't celebrating christmas but preparing for the next crime that is yet to come. A real disaster that no one will ever know how it started and when will end. "I missed him," I whispered. Gusto ko na siyang makita, mahawakan at mayakap ulit. Are you thinking of me too? "Paano ko siya makikita?" tanong ko sa sarili. "I told you, j
The clock has been ticking repeatedly, round... and unbothered. The letters were like an open door for me to reach the end. There were lots of things I discovered, things that I didn't expect would happen to someone like my... grandma. Love, memories, love... it's all about that. There was nothing to it but a memories that has been kept inside the box for too long, memories of love that I never saw but witnessed through these letters. Ngunit hindi nagtagal ang matamis na memoryang aking nabasa. After the 16th letter, words became shallow and painful. "Why did you leave me?" "If loving you means killing everyone, then I would've done the same thing all over again.""My lady, I can't paint anymore.""I'll stay here on our home, I'll wait and wait and wait and wait... and wait. Until I can hold you again."
Kinabukasan ay umalis sila grandma sa hindi malamang dahilan habang ako nama'y naiwan mag isa—--hindi naman literal na mag-isa dahil kasama ko si Gallard. Pansin ko din na gumagaling na ang sugat niya kung ikukumpura kahapon. Hindi na din ito nanghihina at nakakapaglakad na dahil kita ko pang umiikot-ikot ito sa sala na para bang may hinahanap. Nakamasid lang ako sakanya habang nagtitimpa ng hot chocolate. Kumuha din ako ng isang slice ng ginger bread saka binuksan ang nakataklob na plato na may tatlong nuggets. Kumagat ako ng isa bago dumiretso sa sofa, bitbit ang mainit na hot chocolate na timpla ko. Binuksan ko ang tv at naghanap ng magagandang palabas but there was nothing good to find. Nang akmang papatayin ko na ang tv ay biglang humarang ang nakatalikod na katawan ni Gallard sa tv na para bang may nakita ito. Kumunot ang noo ko at narealize na balita pala ito. The place was very familiar at doon ko lang nalaman na tungkol
A day already passed matapos akong managinip ngunit hindi na ito nasundan pa. Hindi ko na din sinubukan ulit dahil kahit anong pikit ko, hindi pa rin ako nakakatulog. "Christmas is coming," I whispered. Pinagmasdan ko ang pagbagsak ng mga snow sa lupa habang nakapanglumbaba sa bintana. "I don't understand why humans have so many celebrations.""Why? Nagcecelebrate din ba kayo? I can't imagine it." Naiisip ko pa lang ay parang hindi na kapani-paniwala. "We celebrate her birthday."Kumunot ang noo ko. "Who?" "The highest among us, more like a leader in humans' language. We only celebrate her birthday since she's been living for a thousand years already," he answered. Napa-wow ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "It seems like your kind really respect her.""You're wrong." Umiling siya. "There are many dryads who decided not to follow her because of many reasons. That is why, those who left weren't punish
Nagising ako dahil sa sinag mula sa araw. Ramdam ko din ang pananakit ng likod ko dahil nakabaluktot ako habang nakahiga sa kama upang mas mabigyan ng espasyo ang pusa. Nang magising ay unang hinanap ng mga mata ko si Gallard na wala na sa tabi ko. Bumangon ako at natagpuan itong nakaupo sa may bintana habang nakatalikod sa pwesto ko. "Gallard?" Hindi ito lumingon kaya napagdesisyunan kong lumapit sa kinaroroonan niya. I went to him and left a small distance between us dahil baka magalit nanaman siya kapag dumikit ako sakanya. "Nagugutom ka naba? Ipagluluto kita—""Why did you save me?"Save... him? "Because you looked like you were asking for help," I answered. He tsked because of what I said to him like it was some unbelievable words he heard. "You won't even think of coming back if not for my brother," he said bitterly, not giving me a slight look. "Look, I know you hate humans becau