The Villainess' Mischief (Fate's Transgression Series, #6)

TVM 02: Wildfire

CHAPTER 2:
Wildfire

PYRA VERONICA ELDRIDGE

The dinner table now sat cleared and pristine. My mother, who is the embodiment of tireless dedication, insisted on doing the dishes, leaving me with the task of tidying up the table. The flickering candlelight painted shadows on the walls, casting a warm glow that embraced the cozy interior of our home.

Pirena is naturally beautiful, and kind. Her long brown hair was always in braids and rested to her right shoulder. Minsan napapansin ko na may mga bulaklak sa ulo niya na siyang mga bulaklak na dala ni Papa tuwing pangangaso ito. I always got swayed by how magical and powerful my parent's love was. It makes me wish to dream about something like that too.

As I stacked plates and folded napkins, the rhythmic sounds echoed through the small space. Mother's words lingered in the air, encouraging me to visit Thalia's house.

“You should fold those napkins fast so that you can visit Thalia's while it is still early,” she asked.

“You allowed me?” I asked her.

"You can visit Tula, Pyra," Mother said with a gentle smile. "But be back before the night grows deep. If you linger any longer, I'll ask your brother to fetch you.”

I tsked. “Hindi lalapit ‘yon maski sa gate ng bahay nila Thalia. Masyado pa rin siyang brokenhearted sa nangyari.”

“Don’t be hard on your brother, Py. He was hurt, and he is continuously hurting himself. You don't need to tell him how bad that wound has been,” Mama reprimanded.

Napabuntong hininga ako. I looked at her gentle eyes that were gazing at me delicately. “I am sorry, Mama. It's insensitive of me. I won't nag my brother about it.”

“Good girl,” she said and tapped my head. “Now, hurry up. I don't want you to linger around the dark road for too long.”

I nodded as a silent agreement to her terms, and finished my job. Pumili ako ng libro sa sarili kong mini-library bago ako nagpaalam muli. Mother just gave me a warm smile and a tight embrace before I left home.

The path to Thalia's house was familiar, illuminated by the soft glow of fireflies dancing in the night air. The fragrance of flowers wafted through the breeze, carrying with it a sense of familiarity and comfort.

My brother and Thalia were childhood sweethearts. Her father was my father's hunting buddy but he got struck by colds and died, making Thalia the head of the household and has to earn money for her siblings. It has been six years since it happened, and I guess my brother still has some residue of a broken love.

Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Thalia was with child, and the reason she has to be Mrs. Winglings. Alfredo Winglings, an asshole and a womanizer— I say, got her pregnant and since he's the mayor's son, no one can oppose such shotgun marriage. It was also the way of the mayor to tie his son to marriage by force.

As a teenager, I don't quite understand the rules of adults, but ever since I got here, I am quick to grasp the idea. Siguro na rin dahil sa uri ng pagpapalaki ng mga magulang ko sa amin kaya't maaga akong namulat sa mga bagay-bagay.

Upon reaching Thalia's doorstep, I knocked gently, the door creaking open to reveal the warmth of her home. I'd say, her marriage towards the mayor's son changed for good. Her siblings were given a wonderful life, and she no longer needed to find a job.

“Pyra, you came. Pasok ka,” Thalia, with a gentle smile, welcomed me inside. The room exuded a sense of tranquility, adorned with subtle decorations and the soft glow of candlelight.