Demigods Affection: Internal Battle (Completed)

DAIB 24: Nothing Passionate

R I E T I F N

Iniwan na nga kami ni Arei para magpahangin. Si Krypteus at Chet patuloy sa kanilang pagbabangayan. Gittrio and Ifrynth started to join their little bubble of bickering while Artrisse was left beside me. Serious and quiet.

"You wanna join their fun?"

She frowns and shake her head. "Tapos makipag-gaguhan kay Kree? Ayoko na. Kung andiyan ka lang sa tabi ko sapat na 'yon para bwisitin ako."

I smile secretly. Her words really hit different for me.

"Riet?"

"Hmm?"

"Bakit naisipan mong sumama? Akala ko doon ka lang sa hawla mo."

"Anong hawla?"

"Bahay mo." Ang bigat niyang magbitaw ng salita. Wala bang ibabago 'yon? She's always this harsh to me.

"Aren't you happy that I join you guys?"

"No." Napabuga naman ako ng hangin. So much to show off the passionate side. Artrisse just sees me as an ignorant person living like my father.

"Pero nakakagaan pa rin naman ng loob, dahil sinubukan mong sumama sa amin ngayon kahit na hindi mo naman nakakausap si Chet."

"I can be spontaneous, Tris." 

Napakamot siya sa kaniyang ulo, "I never thought about that. Riet, there was never a day before that I saw you leaving your place for the longest time and be with other people. I've only known you to be the "Oracle", an aide to your father. Tapos mag-isa ka pa na nag-eensayo sa paggamit sa pana tuwing bibisita ako roon." She giggles and blushes a little. 

"Minsan naiisip ko na kaya mong palitan si Cupid. You're a great archer than him." I blush. 

One of the many sides of Artrisse that melts my heart. Her honesty and little gestures that only I can see and listen. I will picture this moment.

"Tris, ang pangit mong tumawa." Pangangasar ko sa kaniya at napawi ang ngiti niya.

"Ang laki mong epal sa buhay ko!" Lumipat na ang atensyon niya kay Chet at tinasaan niya si Artrisse ng kilay. " Hoy, Chet! How about a little fortune-telling for us?"

"Why would I? Ikaw ba si Ate Yiel para sundin ko?"

Krypteus starts snapping again. "Stop giving Arei weird nicknames!"

"Ikaw ang manahimik! Alam ko bawat galaw mo at lagi mong sinasaktan si Ate Yiel!"

"Little brat!"

"Pathetic maggot!"

Hindi na naman ako makasingit sa usapan nila. Ang lakas ng energy nila. Nakakaubos ng enerhiya.

A R T R I S S E

"C'mon, Chet! Just this once?" I plead.

"You should pay me with something, you know?" Pagtataray pa nito.

"Reitifn will serve as my payment." I answer back immediately. She looks surprise. Tumingin pa siya kila Krypteus na parang may napakinggan itong hindi kaaya-aya sa pandinig niya.

"Okay?" She awkwardly said. She clears her throat and summons her spinning wheel made of gold. Unlike Tyche, her mother uses the horn to see the future. "Regardless of being the hero of fortune, there is a warning I have for you, pathetic maggots. The fates that will appear, on my Wheel, reflects the desire of your hearts."

"We accept it." Sagot ni Rietifn.

Tumango si Chet at lumayo siya sa amin upang palakihin ang kaniyang Wheel. Nang lumawak na ito, nilahad ni Chet ang kaniyang kamay at muling nagsalita. "Step into any portion of the Wheel. It will slowly show you the fate you will be facing in the future. I will warn you again, sometimes the ones you see are only hints. Sometimes it may be the whole thing. Keep this in mind though: bear with the truth, as the truth let you see your true self."