The Blood Empress

Bloody 29: Scarlet Red Eyes

Bloody 29: Scarlet Red Eyes

Roen Astrid.

The darkness conquered my vision as it ripped all my consciousness away. In the absence of light, what was once visible is now vague and unclear.

"No one will know your pain, Sangria. Even if you tell the whole world about it, no one will believe you."

Sa di malamang dahilan ay muli kong narinig ang mga salitang iyon. A gush of indescribable ache invaded my whole being, leaving me confused and helpless. It felt like my heart was stabbed a couple of times yet I can't do anything to stop it. I can't move and defend myself to ease the pain.

The deep darkness continued to swallow me until I was completely drowned. Unable to breathe, unable to see, unable to speak. The only thing I can do was to feel, and all that's left to feel was pain.

It's fine. It will all be gone soon.

Just when I thought that I can finally rest, a beam of light pierced the pitch black world, extremely blinding yet full of warmth.

Sa pagliwanag ng paligid ay malinaw kong nakita ang lahat. Kumunot ang aking noo habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang buong lugar. Halong gulat at pagtataka ang sumakop sa aking pagkatao dahil sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon.

Why?

Facing the familiar plain walls surrounding me, I felt nothing but awfulness. I spent almost all my life staring at these walls. After all, I grew up confined in this place together with my mother.

....My mother, how is she?

Bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso. Natagpuan ko na lamang ang aking sariling mabilis na tumatakbo patungo sa kanyang silid. Mother, I'm back. Please be well.

Agad akong nakarating sa tapat ng kanyang silid. Nagmamadali kong binuksan ang pinto upang makita ang aking ina. As soon as I set foot inside her room, my steps immediately halted. It was as if a lightning struck my entire body. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata.

Sitting on a worn-out bed, my mother was smiling and hugging a small girl in her lap. They were both looking at the wall infront, completely ignoring my presence.

"Mommy, I have a question."

"What is it, sweetie? Mommy will listen."

Kinalma ko ang aking sarili nang marinig ang boses ng aking ina. My heart tightened and a bitter smile hung on my face. It's been a while, Mom.

"Mommy, why is the world so tiny? What if more people were born? How can we all fit in here?"

With a clear voice full of curiosity and wonder, the little girl asked those questions.

With a pair of glistening eyes that held innocence and docility, she glanced at my mother's delicate face.

With a pure heart beating from anticipation, she waited for her answer.

Unaware of the cruel reality, ignorant of the bitter truth and clueless of the tough road ahead.

"Silly girl. What you see is not the entire world, Roen. Outside these walls, you will discover that the world is wide and vast. You will find out that there are several different colors other than what we see here."

Her words were so soft and gentle to my ears. It was like a lullaby calming my mind and soul.

I watched my little self whose eyes immediately shone like a pair of twinkling stars. It was such a rare sight.

"R-really? Are there lots of colors behind that wall? Can we see it now, mommy?" Gamit ang maliit niyang kamay ay mahigpit itong humawak sa hinlalaki ng aking ina.