The Phoenix Girl (ONGOING)

CHAPTER 32

(UNEDITED)

CHAPTER 32 : Cold

THIRD PERSON

NAGPATULOY SIYA SA PAGLALAKAD hanggang sa makarating siya sa gitna. Naisipan niyang hindi na lamang tumungo ro'n sa kaniyang nais tunguhin at napagdesisyonan na lamang na maghanap na lang ng ibang mapupuntahan na matatagpuan lamang dito sa loob ng kagubatan. Sa kaniyang paglalakad ay bumalik sa kaniyang isipan ang isang ilog na matatagpuan lang dito. She smiled because of that. She decided to go there, even though the first time she saw it in person, it was frightening due to its depth and darkness.

She continued walking, almost getting lost as she forgot the way several times, until she came across a river. But this time, it was a different river she arrived at, still within the forest. She embraced herself as the wind suddenly blew strongly. The temperature at this river was extremely cold, surpassing even snowy conditions. Kristallia looked down at the river, noticing it was steaming due to the cold.

"May isda kaya r'yan?" tanong niya sa sarili habang nakasilip. Hindi niya alam ang dahilan kung bakit napakalamig sa parteng ito pero hindi niya na 'yon binigyan pansin. She scanned her surroundings until her curious eyes landed on a small door attached to a large rock. Driven by curiosity about why there was a door there, she approached it without hesitation.

She examined it for a few seconds to confirm its existence. The height of the door only reached her eyes, requiring her to stoop to enter if she wished. She peered through the door's gap to get a glimpse of what was inside. Noticing the brightness and cleanliness within, she knocked a couple of times to signal someone outside. After receiving no response, she decided to enter. Though it might be risky, she couldn't help but wonder why such a place existed, especially on the riverbank with its cold temperature. Aren't there fierce creatures dwelling in other parts of this forest? At first thought, one could consider it a wildlife habitat, judging by what she observed during her exploration. Fortunately for Kristallia, she didn't encounter any menacing creatures during her walk, only small snakes that paid her no attention.

Pagbukas niya ng pintuan, sumalubong sa kaniya ang mainit na paligid ngunit presko. May maliit na hagdan ang pababa na naging dahilan upang muntik na siyang mahulog, hindi niya kasi ito napansin. Nang siya'y makabawi, binilisan niya ang pagpasok saka niya dali-daling sinarado ito. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag dahil doon. Nilibot niya ang paningin sa buong paligid pagkatapos para alamin kung anong klaseng bahay nga ba itong kaniyang napasukan. Mataas ang kisame.

Mula naman sa kaniyang paningin, normal lang naman ang mga gamit na naka-display sa gilid-gilid, hindi ito nakakalat at wala ka namang makikita na 'weird' sa paningin. Naglakad-lakad siya na mayroong pag-iingat at alisto dahil baka mamaya ay trap lang pala ang pagpasok niya rito at ito'y planado.

Nang may makita siyang isang k'warto na walang pintuan at ang tanging harang lamang nito ay isang tela ay hinawakan niya ito saka hinawi, pagkatapos kaysa siya sumilip do'n. Gano'n na lamang ang pagkabigla niya nang may makita siya roong isang babae na mahimbing na natutulog. Mabilis niyang binitiwan ang tela at dali-daling nagtungo sa entrada upang makalabas. But the door suddenly vanished for an unknown reason. As she turned back, a woman who seemed to have just woken up greeted her. The woman looked at Kristallia and then yawned. She wasn'tsurprised to see her because since her feet touched the cool ground by the river, she knew there was someone with intentions. She fixed her hair and brushed it off while walking towards the table where there was a pitcher of water.

"Uhm," mahinang pagtawag atensyon ni Kristallia sa babae habang pinapanood ang ginagawa nito. Lumingon ito sa kaniya habang umiinom ng tubig. "Bakit?" mahinang tanong din nito pagkatapos nitong uminom. Naglakad ulit siya at dumiretso sa tapat ng salamin na matatagpuan lang din dito.