Author's Note (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Kabanata 16

A SINGLE drop of water from a leaf touched Adamas' forehead, waking him up. Pagmulat niya, isang higanteng puno ang bumungad sa kaniya. Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon at inikot ang tingin sa paligid.

The body of water suspended by the land immediately caught his attention. It reflected the setting sun, invoking a warm orange. An impression of many treasures played before his eyes because of the sparks shining above the water.

He was beside a lake.

Isang hikbi ang narinig niya sa gilid ng malaking puno. Tumayo siya at dahan-dahang naglakad patungo sa kaliwang bahagi.

Bahagya siyang napaatras nang makilala niya ang lalaking nakasuot ng itim at puting uniform. Yakap-yakap nito ang mga tuhod at kahit hindi man makita ni Adamas ang mukha, alam niya kung sino ito.

It was Adamas . . . Laurien.

He didn't mind his nervous heart and paced toward him. Lumuhod siya sa harapan nito. Sinubukan niyang ilapat ang kamay sa ulo nito subalit tumagos lang ang kaniyang palad.

So I can't touch you, huh?

Biglang inangat ng lalaki ang ulo nito dahilan para muli siyang matigilan.

It was still surreal that they had the same face. Their hair and eyes were different, but more than that, they were nothing else but a reflection of each other.

"You look messed up." He let out a small smile while looking at the tear-stained face of Adamas Laurien. Kung puwede niya lang itong hawakan, kanina niya pa pinahid ang mga luha nito sa mga mata. Para itong bata na hindi nabigyan ng candy ng ina kaya ito ngumangawa ngayon.

Tumahimik ito saglit. Pinagmasdan niya itong pilit na pinapatahan ang sarili pero ilang saglit ay muli na namang ngumawa.

"Baboy ko . . ." pahikbi-hikbi nitong sabi.

Napakunot ang kaniyang noo.

A pig? That was the reason why he was crying?

"Human, you're unbelievable. I don't remember Noa writing me to cry over pigs." He crossed his arms and stood up.

Sumandal siya sa puno habang hinihintay ang kawangis niyang matapos sa kakaiyak.

Isa pang paghikbi ang narinig niya ngunit hindi ito nanggaling kay Adamas. Napunta ang tingin niya sa kabilang bahagi ng puno.

"Huh? Who's that? Tiyanak?" Napalingon din ang Adamas na kasama niya at dali-daling tumayo. Nabalot ng takot ang mukha nito. "Lord, naman. Ako lang mag-isa rito. Huwag mo naman akong takutin."

"Stop overthinking!" inis niyang sigaw kahit hindi siya naririnig nito.

Napahilamos na lang siya sa kaniyang mukha nang muli na naman itong umiyak.

This is not what I came here for.

But despite being a crybaby, the man still chose to walk towards the other side of the tree. But it was too slow--slower than a turtle--that no one knew how many times he was tempted to push him hard. Nababagot na siya kaya nauna na lang siyang maglakad at tinignan kung sino ang nasa kabila.

His heart leaped when he saw who it was.

It was his beloved Noa.

"My wordy Noa!" He immediately ran toward the crying woman with his arms open wide. Handa na siyang yakapin ito subalit nakalimutan niyang hindi niya nga pala sila nahahawakan. Para lang siyang multong nakatingin sa pangyayaring unti-unting pinapakita sa kaniya.

"Why are you crying, my love?" He kneeled in front of her. It pained him to see Noa crying. He wanted to hold her and wiped those tears away, but no matter how much he panicked, he could never feel her warmth.