"Search for a woman marked with the light found in darkness. For darkness will only cease if a light strong enough will exist."
A Beauty and the Beast retelling
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Hinablot ko pabalik ang aking kamay at niyakap ito sa aking dibdib na para bang pinoprotektahan ko ito.
Nagkakamali siya. Sana nagkakamali siya.
"Hindi ako ang kukunin niya, diba? Sigurado naman akong hindi lang ako ang ipinanganak na may ganitong birthmark."
Binigyan niya ako ng isang malungkot na ngiti at doon na ako tuluyang naghina at nawalan ng pag-asa. Sinasabi na niya sa akin na wala akong kawala.
"There is only one of you in each lifetime, my dear. When the prince is... done... with his current bride, then a new one will be born."
Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. "Done? What do you mean by done?"
Nang hindi siya agad nakasagot, nagsimula na akong mataranta, "God, does he kill them? Does he kill his brides?!"
"No! No, Livia. Calm down." Pinilit kong huminga at pumikit. Nagsisimula nang sumakit ang aking ulo.
"The brides were.. returned.. but they were never the same. Laging tulala. Lifeless ang mga mata. It's like your physically alive but your soul is no longer with you."
Oh, God. I don't even know if that's meant to assure me.
"One of my ancestors became his bride. He wanted her magic and I guess she wasn't strong enough to save some for herself. One was a fairy, and he wanted her glamour. One was an angel, and he wanted her wings. As you can see, none worked as he still wasn't freed."
Hinintay ko munang mag-process ang sinabi niya sa aking utak.
"Is "light" a symbolism for something? Kung anong meron ka? Kung ano ang kakayahan mo? Iyon ang kailangan niya?"
Tumango si Helga.
"Then you are completely wrong with me! I am not his bride! I have nothing to offer. I don't have wings, magic, or glamour! Ano naman ang makukuha niya sa akin?"
Hindi siya agad nakasagot, "That is what I'm trying to figure out, Livia. But I am sure that you are his bride."
"So, what? Sasama na lang ba ako sa kanya ng basta-basta? Don't I have a choice in this?"
Ibinuka niya ang kanyang bibig para magsalita pero naputol ito nang biglang nagbukas ng malakas ang pintuan at pumasok si Mama na kita ang takot sa mga mata.
Agad akong tumayo, "Ma?"
"Hindi ko mahanap si Beth. They took her." Nanginginig niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa akin.
Tumingin ako kay Helga at hindi ko na napigilan ang galit sa boses ko, "Siya ba ang may kakagawan nito?"
"I do not know if he is responsible for this, Livia. But I am sure that your sister is no longer in this realm." Tumigil siya saglit sa pagsasalita at tiningnan lang ako, "Talk to him and ask him. And then decide if you want to go with him or not."
