Book of Flames [ UNDER-REVISION]

ʚĭɞ FLAMES 00

Unveiling Fate: The Moving Up Ceremony Encounter

Simulaજ⁀➴

I finally understand why I’ve always been fascinated by stories filled with supernatural elements, and magical worlds since I was a child. At first, I thought it was simply because fantasy offered an escape, a world far better than reality, and it sparked my imagination in ways nothing else could. I thought it was because I loved how I could immerse myself in realms where Greek gods and goddesses existed, where Hera, the queen of the gods, could guide humanity in choosing the right partner, preventing infidelity and broken promises. I thought my love for these stories stemmed from a deep resentment of the idea that, out here in the real world, there were children like me—children forced to suffer because their parents chose to separate and start new lives without them. But that wasn't just the case.

There’s so much more to my love for fantasy. I’m drawn to these magical worlds because I have the power to manifest them into my own reality. I discovered this one rainy afternoon in the book rental shop I often visited. I was absorbed in a novel, as usual, when the shop owner approached me.

“Sweetie, you've been here since morning and haven't eaten," she says. “Aren't you hungry yet?” I noticed her eyes—a deep shade of brown, almost like polished mahogany, glinting with a touch of mischief and wisdom that only years of stories could give. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders like a river of midnight silk, framing a face that bore an enchanting grace. There was something ethereal in her smile, a quiet elegance that seemed to carry secrets from a world far beyond our own.

Bilang likas na mahiyain, I only shook my head, shyly. Good thing, sanay na ito sa’kin; I didn’t need to worry about her mistaking me for a snob or thinking I was rude. She went back to organizing the bookshelves at saglit ko naman siyang pinanood. Pabawas na nang pabawas ang mga libro sa bookshelves. Nabanggit niyang magsasara na itong shop niya and I don't know why. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang malungkot na naman. Ito pa naman ang palaging takbuhan ko sa tuwing napapagalitan ako ni mama at masama ang loob ko. Gaya na lang ngayon. Hindi ko nararamdaman ang kalam ng sikmura ko kahit na wala pa akong kain mula kagabi dulot ng sama ng loob ko kay mama.

It was supposed to be my special day, a day I should've been celebrating with joy, especially after my father, who works abroad, sent me money as a gift. Sabi ng papa ko, bilihin ko raw kung ano’ng gusto ko. Hindi naman ako nahirapan na mag-isip since I often filled my online shoping cart with items I never really planned to purchase because they were too expensive. My fangirling ass already rejoiced at the thought that I could finally afford that expensive light stick I had been eyeing for so long. It would be my first expensive K-pop merchandise! I was beyond excited, but life has a really funny way of killing someone's joy. My excitement vanished the moment my mother refused to give me the money yesterday. To make things worse, naisumbat pa sa akin ang pagkabuhay ko sa mundo. Luckily, I hadn’t placed the order yet, or it would’ve been embarrassing to tell the delivery driver I’d have to return it.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung saang aspeto ba 'yung isinumbat ni mama sa akin. If I know, hindi naman siya gumastos sa amin. It was always my father who supported us financially. And when it came to love and care, I never felt that from her either. My older brother and I were raised by our grandparents in the province. Magulang ng papa ko ang may malaking sakripisyo sa amin dahil grade three pa lang si kuya at anim na mag iisang taon naman ako nung maghiwalay sila ni papa.

During the holidays, when we'd visit my mother here in Cavite, we didn't even stay with her. We stayed at her parents' house.

I never really felt any eagerness or excitement from her to be with us. She simply didn't care. Sarili niya lang ang iniisip niya nuon. She even bragged to her friends that the reason she still looked younger than her age was because she lived like a single woman—no stress, no responsibilities. She took pride in her carefree life while she had no clue what it was like for us living in the province.