A Paradise Lost

Finally Home

May 6, 1522

Queen Raya felt anxious in going back home. She missed her family and friends. She couldn’t wait to tell them all their adventures and the things she learned. She was anxious to see Bayani. She missed him. She constantly thought about him. She was afraid to see him already married to another woman.

“My queen, we are now getting closer to our home. We can already see our island from here.” Captain Igor reported.

“Thank you.”

“Aren’t you happy to be back home?”

“Of course I am.”

Captain Igor noticed Queen Raya’s sadness when he told her that they’re getting closer to home. He wondered if her majesty was still hungry for more adventures or was she anxious that Bayani was already married to Moonlight?

Queen Raya was so deep in her thoughts. She didn’t notice that Captain Igor already commanded to drop the anchor.

“My queen. We’re finally home. Do you want to go down first to greet our countryman?”

Queen Raya didn’t hear Captain Igor as he spoke to her. She was lost in her thoughts. She was staring to a far away distance. He waved at her face to get her attention.

“Are you alright my queen?”

Captain Igor snapped his fingers to get her full attention.

“Yes, I am. I’m sorry. Where were we again?”

“We’re finally home, my queen! Do you want to go down first to meet our countrymen? They are excited to see you.”

“Of course, I do. Thank you.”

Queen Raya lead her warriors in going down from the ship. She was followed by Felipe and Ahmad flanked at her side.

The Maharlikans cheered when they saw their Queen going down from their ship. They were so happy to see her alive.

Queen Raya smiled and waved to her people. Her smile faded when she saw Bayani with Moonlight who was already pregnant beside her. She felt a sudden pang of hurt and sadness.

“My queen, tell the Maharlikans the good news we brought for them from our journey.” Captain Igor whispered.

“I don’t know what to tell them. Can you speak on behalf of me?”

Captain Igor heaved a heavy sigh. He wondered if Queen Raya lost her wits from their traumatizing journey or was she uninspired when she saw Moonlight pregnant with Bayani’s baby.

“Thank you Maharlikans for your warm welcome! Our beloved queen has good news for all of us. Let’s give Her Majesty a round of applause, please.”

The Maharlikans clapped their hands. Captain Igor left Queen Raya no choice but to speak to her people and say something good to ease them.

“First of all, I am happy to inform you that none of us perish during our journey. Praise to Yahweh! I’m pretty sure that you’re all excited to hear our adventures. Don’t worry, we didn’t just travel for fun. We brought something for you.”

Queen Raya raised the book she got from Egypt about how to install electricity.

“Do you know what I’m holding right now?”

“A book, my queen!” A boy from the audience answered.

“Right, my boy. This might look like an ordinary book for you. But this book has magic inside that will change the history of our kingdom.”

“Is there a magic spell on that book?” The same boy asked.

“That’s for you to find out. We will discuss everything tomorrow. We need to rest first. We haven’t rested well for a while since we started our journey. Let’s call it a day. Thank you for the warm welcome!”

The Maharlikans wanted to hear more from their beloved queen’s journey but it seemed to them that she didn’t have the energy to tell her tale.

“What’s your name, my boy? Queen Raya asked the boy who bravely answered her question when she held the book.

“My name is Dodong, My Queen.”

“You’re such a brave boy, Dodong. You will be a great warrior someday.”