Angevil's Portrait of Portals

Chapter 11. Love Triangle

As I entered Isla's hut, I noticed how she held back her tears while packing her stuff on her bed. I sat down next to her and comforted her. She glanced at me but she didn't say a word. I waited for her to finish then we both went to Bisig's mother to bid her farewell. Bisig's mom did not want her to leave and she almost begged Isla to stay. She said that she wants Isla to become Bisig's wife when the right time comes. Isla suddenly broke down to tears when she heard those words. "I am sorry but I am in love with someone else." Isla stated. Bisig's mother was surprised and it took her awhile to answer back then she said, "If that is the case then I have to let you go." When I looked at Isla, it seemed to me like she regretted what she had just said. I now know that she is truly in love with Bisig. "I wish you the best of luck, my daughter. I hope you will come see us very soon." Bisig's mother added. Isla stood still as she cried hard, then Bisig's mom gave her a warm embrace. I wanted to interrupt them and be the one to tell Bisig's mother how Isla feels for her son. But I just couldn't because I respect Isla's feelings. Isla said goodbye to the villagers and promised them she will be back to see them someday. We then went out of the village and saw Alon standing next to the carriage. He walked back and forth like there was something in his mind that bothered him. He then saw us and gave out a faint smile. We rode the carriage back to the city. Both Alon and Isla stayed quiet this whole time until we finally reached the city. We went to my house and introduced Isla to my grandmother. We all had lunch together at home. Grandma cooked 'Adobong manok', a popular Filipino dish made of chicken which is seasoned with soy sauce and vinegar. Sprinkled with a pinch of salt, a whole peppercorn and some bay leaves. It was grandma's specialty and we all loved it. Isla and I shared a lot of stories to grandma about our happy moments back in the village, while Alon sat quietly in his chair as he ate his lunch. He would smile every now and then but won't utter a word so I thought it was quite odd. After lunch, Isla and I cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen while grandma showed Alon her sprouting vegetables in the garden. I then assisted Isla to my room in which we will both stay. While she was putting her things in the cabinet, I decided to talk to Alon before he soon heads back home. I went outside of the house and into the backyard to meet Alon and Grandma then I asked while happily walking towards them, "Hello. Can I help you with anything?" Grandma gave out a huge smile and said that all of her vegetables are growing well. I noticed that Alon's eyes were fixated on me. It was as if it was trying to communicate on it's own. Grandma was still showing him some plants but he just kept on staring at me. I then decided to walk back inside the house. Alon spoke to Grandma and said, "I would love to see your garden again next time, Grandma. Thank you for the wonderful lunch today. But I have to go home now." Grandma smiled at him and waved him goodbye. He then ran up to me just as I was about to enter the house and asked, "Do you.. Do you like Bisig?" I was confused as to why he would ask me such a random question and so I answered, "Why do you want to know? I like him as an older brother. Same as you, my big brother." He suddenly had this smile on his face. "What's so funny? I asked. "You really are still a kid, Diwa." He gently patted my head and bid me goodbye. "Wait." I said but then he quickly jumped on his horse and waved goodbye to me. "We will talk again some other time." He said. Isla went out of the house and said goodbye to Alon as she stood right next to me. He smiled at both of us before heading back home. Little did I know that Isla overheard our conversation before she got out of the house, but still she acted all normal. "Thank you, Diwa." She said. "You are more than welcome, Isla." I replied and then I added, " I am sorry for everything that.." She then interrupted me and said, "It's fine." She then looked up the sky and added, Why do you have to go to the hilltop so badly on your own after asking us to come with you?" It took me awhile to answer but then I replied, "The hilltop is so precious to me. I don't want to put you and the boys in trouble again that's why I came back to the hilltop alone. All I wanted was to gather fun memories with all of you again at the hilltop." She then asked another question, "Why do you think Bisig followed you there?" I was looking at her the whole time when all of a sudden she gave me this serious glance. I then replied, "Maybe because for him our friendship is as precious as how the hilltop is to me. He just wanted to help, as usual. You know Bisig well. He's that type of guy." She then smiled and said, "More precious than his friendship with me, you mean?" I was speechless. She looked back at me then we met eye to eye in silence. I realized that she might have been jealous of Bisig being so close to me but she immediately hid it with a smile and looked away to see the beautiful sunset. Grandma was about to enter the house when she noticed Isla and I standing outside the doorway and so she asked, "What are two beautiful ladies still doing outside? Come on in so we can take a rest."
The following day, we were awakened by greetings from outside our house, "Goodmorning, Diwa!" I got up and peaked out of the window. "Goodmorning, Isla!" I thought I heard two familiar voices. The bright sun had always blocked my view from the window of my second floor even if i try to look down but still I answered back, "Goodmorning, Alon!" Isla also got up from her bed and quickly rushed downstairs onto the front door. I then followed her with one eye still closed and when she opened the door, a familiar sight shocked her. It was Alon together with Bisig. Grandma was cooking in the kitchen when she heard us running downstairs. Grandma then walked straight to the door and when she saw the two men outside riding their horses, she stared at Isla and me with one eyebrow raised. "Goodmorning, Grandma." The two young men greeted her. "Hello, gentlemen. How come you came to see my grandaughters this early in the morning?" They looked at each other then Alon answered, "We just wanted to let them know that Bisig came to look for a job here in the city. I'll be accompanying him today." Grandma nodded and said, "Good luck young lad. Take good care of yourselves." They both smiled at us and then they took off. I could see the shock in Isla's face. We both couldn't believe our eyes. I knew that Bisig couldn't let Isla out of his sight. I then felt happy for them thinking that they will be reunited soon. Isla turned to me with a smile and asked, "Diwa, will you tour me around the city today?" I nodded with a smile and replied, "Sure, right after I help deliver grandma's vegetables in the market. I can sure use a helping hand. Hopefully, I will be able to sell one of my paintings today as well." She was very pleased to know that her request will be granted and with that she told grandma that she will bring her something to eat as soon as we come home. After breakfast, we helped grandma pick the vegetables in her garden. We packed up our things and went to sell them in the market. After that we went out of town and decided to look for something to eat while strolling around the city. We then spotted Alon and Bisig munching on their sandwiches from outside a bakery shop. I then jumped down my horse. "Hey! How are you guys doing?" I called on to them as I waved my hands up in the air. They were both surprised to see us. Isla was mesmerized by Bisig's presence that she stayed still on the horse gazing at him. Alon began to run across the street towards us and offered us his sandwich. I teased him and said, "Why would you offer me a half pieced sandwich and not a whole one?" He then laughed and replied, "We used to share everything we have, remember? I'll buy you one then, and also Isla." He was right. Growing up together, we would usually share any type of food and travel around different places. He winked at us just before running back to the bakery when I pulled him closer and said, "I am just kidding." I then took two bites out of his sandwich then I smiled at him. He smiled back. Bisig soon came towards us holding two sandwiches for me and Isla. "Thank you. You shouldn't have." I remarked. "I would get something to drink for you then." Alon said as he ran to a fruit juice stand next to the bakery shop. "Thank you, Bisig." Isla said to him after he handed over the sandwich to her. "You are welcome." He replied as he looked at us. Bisig ate the rest of his sandwich together with us. Alon came back with some 'buko juice' and gave it to us. 'Buko juice' is a cooling drink made of coconut juice poured into a plastic cup along with strips of the coconut flesh added into it. "What brings the two of you here?" Alon asked and so I answered, "Isla just wanted me to show her around the city after selling all of grandma's freshly picked vegetables in the market." I offered my sandwich to Alon but he said he was already full. Bisig and Isla remained quiet for awhile until I asked, "How was your day?" Bisig glanced at me and answered, "Good." Alon then responded and said, "It didn't took long for Bisig to find a job. He will start his training tomorrow." I then asked, "Where did you get hired?" Bisig who was staring at me then looked away as he answered, "I was hired at Alon's lumber shop." Alon corrected him and said, "At my Uncle Destino's Lumber Shop." Isla looked happy and said, "Congratulations, Bisig." I felt happy as well when Bisig nodded and smiled back at Isla. Alon then asked, "Would you like to take a quick stroll around here?" Isla and I happily agreed. Just as we rode our horses, I saw a man running past us from the right sidewalk as he hurriedly approached a pregnant lady who had fallen unconscious on the ground. When he finally reached her, he immediately lifted the woman and brought her to the other side of the road to where a carriage sits. I then saw that the man's lower white robe appeared to have streaks of blood on it. Oh No! I thought. That pregnant woman might be going through labor just now. In my gut instinct, I had to go there and help so I jumped out of my horse and signalled to my friends to not follow me and go on with their stroll. I then ran across the street and went inside the carriage to assist the pregnant lady. While I sat next to her, I tried looking for the man who had just helped her but with no sign of him anywhere. I was both nervous but aware of what was happening so I drove the carriage myself to a house where I knew of a well known elderly midwife. I tried to be very calm and comforting to the pregnant lady. The carriage was already moving when my friends shouted and said, "Take care, Diwa! We are right behind you." I looked at them and nodded as a form of reply.