Angevil's Portrait of Portals

Chapter 10. Confessions

I woke up extra early so that I can prepare for my journey back to the hill. Isla was still sound asleep so I decided to go there on my own. I know I broke my promise but at least I asked for her permission to lend me a horse. If that makes any sense. As soon as I jumped over the village's fence, I heard a thumping sound from behind me. A hand grabbed my arm and a voice whispered to me, "I knew it. You really never learn your lesson, huh?" Bisig said. I was so shocked that I almost shouted at him in reply, "Do not! -Do not follow me, okay? Please." He then jumped over the fence and said, "Just like old times." He had this huge smile on his face as he pulled me closer to his horse which was tied up next to a tree in the forest. "How did you know I was.." I was not able to continue when he put his pointing finger over my lips. "I just knew." He replied. We then climbed up his horse and went straight to the hill in my hometown. I saw the sunrise as we travelled for over an hour. We then took a rest under a shade of tree while eating some leftover bread from last night's dinner. I looked at Bisig while he gulped on his bottled water. He looked back at me and said, "Did you miss me?" I felt shy and so I looked away. I wasn't able to respond. "I did. I always have. That would be my answer to that question if you'd ask me." He added. He was looking at the far sky when I replied, "Of course I did." He stared at me as I looked at the far sky as well, then he simply smiled to himself. After some time we were able to reach the hill. We climbed up together and felt the cold breeze coming from the east. I then remembered how I tossed my hands in the air and danced in circles whenever I come up here eversince I was young. I have always painted my artworks here. Grandma would usually call out to me whenever it's time for lunch or dinner because I spent most of my hours here just resting, painting or looking up at the beautiful sky. I also remembered that one time when Bisig and I came up here as I read my father's last note. Every memory here was unforgettable. But this time I had no clue why it felt like there was a certain need to come up here all of a sudden. All I knew was that I am glad to be here. I then looked at Bisig who was examining the big old tree. "This tree withstood a lot of struggles. Same as you, Diwa." He glanced at me with a smile. We rested under the big old tree and talked about how we used to play around the village right after knowing each other even for a just short span of time. I also questioned myself how such a drastic occurrence resulted in the deaths of innocent lives. "It wasn't your fault, Diwa. It was the evil in men. You only did what you think was right. I'd do the same thing if I were you." Bisig said. I remember when he told me about how he tried to help his father but ended up having him killed by accident. He looked up into the sky and added, "I have always worked hard in the rice fields as well as in the farm. Like your father, the Spaniards would collect their share of food every month. I was eager to help my father who was sick at the time and so I did most of his work with the help of my mother. It still wasn't enough for them, so I argued and spoke out about how much work was put into it and that their share should be more than enough." He paused for a minute and then looked at me. "They beat me hard but my mother protected me. Then my sick father got up from his bed and fought for us." Bisig started to shed tears so I went closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. I already knew what he had to say next or at least he gave me an idea. Awhile later, we heard a horse being pulled over just below the hill. It was Alon and Isla. We invited them to climb up the hill and when they got to where we were, I immediately greeted them and gave Isla a hug. Alon's face was expressionless as I stared at him with a smile. I slowly moved towards him and gave him a hug as well. "I hope you are happy now." He said. "I am sorry, Alon." I replied. "There is nothing to be sorry about." Bisig said while looking at Alon then he added, "You should have known that Diwa would come here on her own. You have known her for many years now. I only knew her for some time during our childhood." Alon was speechless. Isla then spoke up to Bisig and said, "You need to stop starting petty fights over who is better amongst the two of you." Bisig walked towards Isla and asked, "Am I not better? You should be the one to tell me. So I can atleast satisfy your needs once more." Isla slapped Bisig on the face and rushed down the hill. I looked at Bisig with dismay. I was about to follow Isla down the hill when I saw Alon punch Bisig on one cheek. I worriedly ran up to them and saw Alon grabbing Bisig's front shirt. I pushed both of them apart as I stepped in the middle while saying, "Stop it! Please." They both calmed down for a moment until droplets of rain started to pour down the sky. I pulled one hand from each of them and we quickly headed down the hill. As we got down, I saw Isla crying inside of the carriage. I walked towards Isla and saw Alon ran up to her and comforted her. I then realized how much Alon worried about Isla. The rain poured quite heavily and so Alon went back to me but saw Bisig assisting me as we walked towards the carriage. The two men were drenched in the rain as they drew the horses to a nearby hut where we rested yesterday. We were all so quiet inside the hut. Alon and Bisig removed their tops and so Isla and I turned our backs from them. It was a very awkward moment being trapped inside a hut with us being together after having to argue over little things. "Hey, are you okay?" Bisig asked Alon. "Why does it matter to you? I'm fine." Alon replied while he lied down on the hut. Isla and I then noticed Alon breathing heavily so we both checked up on him. I decided to back off when I saw Isla put Alon's head over her lap. I somehow felt jealous. Being his friend, I thought maybe I should be the one doing that for him. Alon soon fell asleep due to a mild fever. I looked at Bisig and saw that he had a bruise on his lower lip due to Alon punching him awhile ago. I went closer to him and wiped his bruise using my wet handkerchief, but he put my hand away. "I am sorry." He said in a serious manner. Upon hearing that, Isla looked at Bisig and then he looked back at her. "I said, I am sorry." He repeated. I stared at both of them but I didn't seem to understand what was going on. I then moved backwards but Bisig pulled me closer to him. Isla responded as she looked away, "You are forgiven." The sky turned dark while the rain poured heavily on the ground. Alon soon woke up and saw that his head was resting on Isla's lap and with that he immediately sat up. "Are you feeling better now?" Isla asked. "Yes. Thank you." He answered as he looked at me. "You were having a slight fever. We need to go back to the village soon so that you can take a rest." I told Alon as I crawled my way to him. He then came closer to me and put his arms around me. My heart skipped a beat and I felt so shy that I gently pushed him away. "I am sorry for putting all of you in this situation." I said. Isla and Bisig were surprised to see Alon holding on to me like he was about to fall asleep. Bisig came forward until Alon said, "I don't have a fever anymore, do I? Can you feel it in my body?" He smiled as he stared straight into my eyes. I tilted my head in response. "Let's go now." He added as he went out of the hut. The rain had finally stopped. He helped Isla and I get down the hut. As we walked towards our horses, Bisig came up to Alon and whispered with a sarcastic smile, "Smooth move, buddy." Alon smirked without any reply. We soon got back to the village and had ourselves tidied up. Alon and I packed our things up and said goodbye to the villagers. From outside the gates stood Bisig and Isla waving at us as we rode the carriage when all of a sudden Isla exclaimed, "Diwa! I want to come with you back to the city." We were about to leave when we heard her voice. I went down the carriage and Isla approached me. "I want to stay with you from now on. Will you be kind enough to wait for me until I get my things ready?" She added. I nodded with a smile. Isla then ran back into the village but Bisig stopped her and said, "You've had a change of heart." Isla answered back and said, "Yes. I have no place here in this village. Also, you have always pushed me away." Isla forced her way inside the village but Bisig blocked her again. I then went towards them and asked what was happening. Alon was right behind me. "Why are you like this all of a sudden?" Isla angrily faced Bisig. "I want to know when are you coming back?" Bisig asked. "I want to be with Diwa because she is the only family I have left. I cannot tell when I will be back but someday I will." Isla replied. Bisig then asked, "I am used to being with you ever since we were young. Why now when you have me?" Alon had this serious look in him while I was feeling every bit of their emotions. "But you don't love me. And you never will. I was this desperate young girl you pretended to care for." Isla replied with pure sadness in her eyes. Bisig went silent. I saw how surprised he was by hearing Isla's revelation. She then ran inside the village. I looked at Bisig who was also looking at me. He then looked down and seemed to space out and hurriedly walked away to the other direction. Alon stopped me from following Bisig. I turned to him and asked why. Alon replied, "I will go talk to him. You can follow Isla inside." I was curious about what Alon would say to Bisig but I trust him in this. Isla needs me at this very moment.