✓ | The Clandestine Memoir (Fate's Transgression Series, #1) [UNDER REVISION]

Chapter 20

~•[Chapter 20]•~

SEISHA:

The wind kissed my skin when it blew south. Just like the time I went here, though it's not the same place but this is connected to the whole forest of the district.

This time, too, I wore the proper attire since walking in the forest wearing fancy and layered clothes doesn't end well.

I learned from my mistake.

Though, I do not consider that as one, but it was a mistake of ruining such an expensive piece of clothes.

A part of me is telling me I should go back. I am not familiar with the forest nor the whole structure of the Crown Prince's palace. I am not the adventurous type of person, but I do love occasional travel.

Sa likod ng utak ko, ilang mura na ang sinisigaw nito. For sure, ilang matatalim at masasamang salita na naman ang makukuha ko sa lalaking iyon kapag nalaman nila na wala na naman ako sa katinuan.

Hindi ko sinunod ang mga iniisip ko at patuloy na nilalandas ang misteryo ng kagubatan. Despite the cold and the eerie vibe, I managed to hide my nervousness as I delved into the middle of the forest, completely losing track and already lost.

Hindi ko pinansin kung paano ako makakauwi. A part of me is confident I can go home.

Hindi katulad ng gubat na pinasukan ko dati, dito ay konti lang ang mga puno at halaman, mga bulaklak ang kadalasan na nakikita ko. May daanan naman at habang tumatagal, lumiliit ang espasyo at tuluyan itong nawala.

Ibig sabihin, hindi na ito tinatahak ng mga tao o ng mga kabayo. I am still convinced that I am not putting myself in danger. Ramdam na ramdam ko na parang alam ko kung saan ako papunta, na parang pamilyar sa akin ang daan at ang lugar.

A part of me.

There is pushing me to continue walking into the unknown, trying to replenish the familiar feeling. I can't even control my feet from moving, I don't even care about the cold wind nor the disturbing sound coming from the distance. All I can feel is something is pushing me, calling me, and that something is important.

It took a while before I heard a gushing of water like a waterfall is nearby. I was right, may sapa at sa dulo nito ay isang malaki at napakagandang talon.

The water is clear and has silver colored stone covering almost all over the place. May ilang halaman at damo din. Para itong napapalibutan ng bato, puno, damo at ilang bagay na makikita lamang sa gubat. The water is deep, and the falling water creates a soothing sound.

It felt familiar. Like, I was here before, on the exact same spot where I am currently standing— at the edge of a flat stone and below is deep water. I looked around with crossed eyebrows as my mixed feelings began to cloud my mind.

That familiar feeling is giving me chest pain. Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib. Muli na naman akong nakaramdam ng pananakit ng dibdib na parang kinakapos ako ng hangin at pinipilit akong pinapatulog.

Just like that night. I can clearly feel I was being pulled to sleep. Nilabanan ko ito at ilang beses na sinampal ang pisngi ko para bumalik ang diwa kong pilit na tinatangay ng kung ano. I let my guard down last time, and right now, I won't let myself be defeated twice.

"What the hell is happening to me?" I looked at the waterfall wincing in pain. "What magic trick is this!?"

Gina-gayuma ba ako? May mga nuno sa punso ba dito, o mga taong gubat na pinaparusahan ako dahil pumasok ako sa teritoryo nila? Dang it! Ang hirap na ngang huminga, hindi pa nakakatulong ang utak ko sa sitwasyon.