Underworld War

Chapter 27 - Into the Woods

We halted in a nearby river to rest for a while. Pagbaba ko sa kabayo ay parang lumulutang parin ako at di matanggal ang ngiti sa mga labi kahit na sabog na sabog ang buhok ko. I look like a mess! 

My head was floating above the sky, it's like I rode a neverending roller coaster. Sobrang saya ko! I've never been this free and contented before. Parang gusto ko dito nalang kami manatili ni Lyko at mangabayo buong araw. 

Mas gugustuhin ko ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kahit kami lang dalawa rito. Here, we wouldn't be carrying such heavy burdens or take responsibilities for our duties. Here, we are free and nobody knows us. Kasi walang tao. 

For a second, I thought of abandoning everything back in the palace just to be here with him. But I know better than to run away! 

Bumaba rin si Lyko na nakangisi rin tulad ko. His slightly long hair was a mess too but nothing compared to mine. Sinuklay ko ito gamit ang mga kamay para mapirmi sa posisyon. While doing that, we stared into each other's eyes. 

I wouldn't have met him if it wasn't for my fate as a yin yang. Being sent here might be the worst thing that happened to me because it changed me, it brought me pain and more... but I met him. 

He doesn't know how much pain and confusion I am right now ever since I got into this place, but he's here. The affection that I'm feeling for him makes the pain a little bit bearable, and him alone makes it passable. 

If it wasn't for him and the people around me that I consider friends, I would have killed myself already. All this revelations and sufferings are just too much for me to handle. 

"That was... fun." I managed to croak out despite the building emotion inside me. I don't want to ruin the moment! 

Tumango siya at ginulo muli ang kakaayos ko lang na buhok, "Ugh, stop that." Reklamo ko at inayos ito muli. 

Tinali niya si Argus sa malapit na puno at naglakad malapit sa ilog. Hanggang tuhod lang iyon sa kaniya kaya doon siya naghugas ng kamay. Umupo ako sa gilid, sa batuhan, at pinanood siyang maghugas ng sarili. 

"Uuwi tayo bukas, di ba?" Tanong ko.

He simply nodded.

"I've never seen your powers." 

True, I've never seen him execute his power - metal. Palagi nalang kasi siyang nagtuturo sa basics. 

"Why are you suddenly curious?" 

"I was just asking."

Tumuwid siya ng tayo matapos maghugas ng kamay, "I'll show you once we get back in the palace." 

"Are we far from the cabin? What if something happens to us here?" 

"Don't worry, guards are stationed around the area. Malawak ang lugar na ito pero di tayo mawawala."

Ngumuso ako at tumango. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa katawan niya nang magsimula siyang maglakad palapit sa akin. Bakit kasi hindi sya nagdadamit? Sa palasyo naman ay palagi siyang nakaformal! 

Hindi ko alam kung alin ang mas gusto ko.

"Hindi ka maghuhugas ng kamay?"

Tumango ako, "A-ah maghuhugas." Natataranta akong tumayo at lumayo sa kaniya. 

Uulitin ko, sobrang unfair. 

Tahimik akong naghuhugas sa gilid dahil baka mabasa ang laylayan ng gown ko nang may biglang tumapong tubig sa ulo ko. Pagalit akong lumingon sa gilid kung saan nanggaling ang tubig at nakita ang ngingisi ngising si Lyko.