Hindi ko inaakala na makikita at makakasama ko ang anak ni Elara at Lucan. The brave couples. The strongest protector.
Mugto ang mga mata ni Liora nang matapos basahin ang mga isinulat ng ina niya. She handed the book back to me.
“Keep it.”
“No, keep it. Thank you for letting me read it, but it's for you. I trust you, Asya. Let everyone know about it.”
I nodded and gave her a smile. “I promise.”
“No promises. Just do it.”
Tumango lang ako. Lumayo na kami sa well. Dinala niya ako sa pinagtataguan niya. Kumakain kami ngayon dahil mamaya ay muli kaming aalis para simulan na ang dapat na gawin.
Nilingon ko si Liora habang may ginagawa ito. Tunay na may angkin itong ganda kahit may edad na, ngunit hindi talaga maipagkakaila ang ibang pagkakapareho nila ni Teresa.
She grew up well, Elara. Your daughter.
“May sasabihin ka ba, Asya?” aniya nang maramdaman ang pagtitig ko.
“May pagkakatulad sa inyo ni Teresa. Ang iyong buhok, kulay ng balat, at tangkad.” Hindi ko na napigilan.
She let out a laugh. “Of course. We somehow have the same blood.”
“What?” My eyes widened.
“My father is her relatives. We're relatives.”
“Does she know?” Gulat ko pa ring tanong.
She shrugged. “I believe.”
Patuloy pa rin akong ginugulat ng mundo. Pakiramdam ko ay sa sobrang laki nito ay kulang pa ang nalalaman ko.
“Magpahinga muna tayo. Malayo ang lalakbayin natin.”
Imbes na magpahinga, nakita ko ang sarili na muling tinitingnan ang mga mensahe, ang mapa, at ang diary. Hating gabi ko kailangang isagawa ang ritwal. Mahaba pa ang oras ko kaya hindi ako mapakali.
When the sun set, we started preparing the things we needed to bring, and I started preparing myself for what I was about to do. We traveled through the darkness of the night. I don't know how many hours we traveled until we stopped in front of three paths.
Three stones mark the path, only one will guide. Head on and follow your heart.
Hindi kumikibo si Liora, mukhang hinahayaan ako sa tatahakin. I froze, and my mind went blank. Hindi ko alam kung saan ang tamang daan.
“Don't be confused, Asya. You've always been sure. You've always known where to go and which path to take.” Nagising ako mula sa malalim na pag-iisip sa sinabi ni Liora.
I glanced at the three paths. I looked at Liora before nodding. “The center, Liora.”
Her lips curled up. “Let's go then.”
While taking the path in the center, I couldn't help but ask. “You didn't even doubt my decision?”
She shook her head with a smile painted her lips. “You know, Asya, you don't always have to choose. Sometimes, some paths are just distractions that lead you to the wrong place. Sometimes, you just have to look straight and follow the path you're taking without thinking of the other option.”
“But what if I was wrong?”
“Then go back, and choose again. Take a different path.”
Napangiti ako at napailing sa sarili. She really is the daughter of Elara. She always knows what to say without blinking.
When we arrived, I sat down beside a tree. I only looked at my surroundings when I heard what Liora said. “You followed your heart, Asya, and it took us here. To the right place.”
I slowly stood up, my eyes glued to the place where the path led us. In front is a big oak tree, which is in the center and surrounded by other trees that seem to be trying to protect it. And the place is glowing, with fireflies giving light to the darkness that is trying to cover it.
“Wow... Liora, do you see what I see?”
Liora chuckled. “Yes, this is paradise, Asya.”
I don't know how long we admired the place when the silence was only broken by the distant call of a gecko—a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a sign, a warning that this was the last night before the disaster would strike. Fuck.
“No...” May pagmamadali akong pumunta sa inupuan ko kanina kung saan ko naiwan ang bag. Mabibigat ang mga hakbang ko.
“Asya, what's wrong?” Nagsimula na ring magtanong si Liora, at kahit ang mga alitaptap ay nagambala na para bang naramdaman ang panganib na paparating.
Kinuha ko ang maliit na kutsilyo at nagsimulang humakbang papalapit sa malaking puno sa gitna habang dala dala ko rin ang bag.
"Asya, wait!”
Pilit akong pinigilan ni Liora, nagpumiglas ako. Nang hindi ako tumigil ay malakas niya akong hinila at tinulak papalayo sa puno.
“Hindi pa oras, Asya! Masisira mo ang lahat! Kailangan mong mag hintay! You need to wait for the full moon!”
That's when I cried. Binitawan ko ang hawak na patalim at humagulgol sa mga tuhod kong nakasara. Walang nagawa si Liora kundi manatili at pakinggan ang pag tangis ko.
I noticed how the fireflies came near me. They surrounded me as if comforting me from the heavy emotions I'm feeling. They danced in the air, together with my cries as their music.
“Asya...” Mahinang pagtawag ni Liora.
“Hudyat iyon, Liora. Hudyat iyon ng kamatayan ng lahat. Ang huling gabi ng mga buhay na namumuhay sa village. This is the last night before the disaster will strike leaving no survivor.” But me. Mauulit lang ang nangyari.
“The guardians might be asleep and weak with the full moon, but they will hear your call.”
I just nodded silently. Tahimik kaming naghintay sa gilid matapos kong kumalma.
And when it's time, I set up everything with the help of Liora. We stood up in front of the big oak tree, with fireflies as our witnesses, and I mixed the herbs and the water from the well. When the moon was high and full, casting a silvery glow over everything, I closed my eyes and offered the words that came from my heart.
Hirap ng nakaraan at hinaharap,
basbasan kami ng iyong liwanag.
Patahanin iyak ng aming bayan,
kami'y iyong gabayan.
Sa ilalim ng buwang kay daming nasaksihan,
isinusumpa kong protektahan ka't aming bayan.
It's time. I took a step forward. I held the knife that Liora handed me and cut my skin. Agad kong naramdaman ang sakit no’n. I even made a small sound because of the pain. I watched how my blood ran and slowly fell into the water with herbs mixed in it. Unti-unting naging pula ang tubig no’n.
Nang paliguan ko ang puno gamit no’n, patuloy ako sa pag bulong. Pikit ang mata. Kung kanina’y sariling lenggwahe ko ang gamit, ngayon ay ibang lenggwahe naman ang sinubukan kong ibulong.
In the heart of the oak tree,
By the power that lies within thee,
Spirit guardian, heed my plea.
Through this rite,
Protect this village with all your might.
I whispered and whispered, I didn't stop until it heard me. The air around us seemed to hum with me as I whispered my words, and the ground beneath us vibrated softly. The fireflies flew away but didn't leave. I saw how the artifacts began to flicker when I opened my eyes until they glowed, their light merging with the moonlight. It was only a second until it stopped and everything came back to how it used to be.
BINABASA MO ANG
VANGUARD
خيال (فانتازيا)an epistolary novel. - In a serene village with a close-knit community, a woman who loves writing a diary, discovers a series of mysterious handwritten letters. As midnight strikes, these letters begin to appear, each containing messages that hint a...
