Takipsilim

Chapter 54: Over

The rain tasted like earth, like pain, like agony.

Katherina always hated the emptiness that rain brings, the dark skies, the blurry landscape, the way it makes trees sway violently and the surroundings into a cold, damp wasteland. The rain reminded her of the lonely world she lived in.

It was raining hard the night when Katherina's worst fear came to life.

"Hindi, Mommy. Hindi!" Katherina shuffled through the muddy path to get to her mother, just as the latter was about to fall. The chosen Kataha was screaming hopelessly.

One look at Clara's wound and she knew that it was far beyond healing - it was caused by the holy sword of the chosen Ahren, after all. No Kataha could escape death if scathed by such weapon.

Katherina crouched before her, staring helplessly at the hole in her chest. "Mommy, please! Huwag mo akong iwan. I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. Sorry umalis ako. Mommy, mahal na mahal kita!"

Clara was trying hard to speak, to catch her breath, but the only thing she was able to do was to reach for her daughter's hand. Katherina clutched it like a lifeline, as if it was her who was dying instead of her mother. She moved in near Clara, pulling the latter closer to her body. She gently brushed the slick, black hair behind her mother's ear.

"Mommy..Mommy huwag mo ako iiwan.." She cried like a little child. Katherina's throat was tight with tears, hoarse from screaming and fatigue.

With the last amount of strength she had left, Clara touched her daughter's cheek lovingly. "Anak ko, It's okay. I'm sorry.."

Katherina felt how her mother's hand dropped slowly, like a leaf during autumn.

Clara's eyes had fluttered shut. Her bloodied chest moved but only slightly.

Katherina screamed and cried her head off, and hugged her mother's body tighter, praying that if she did it hard enough, it will send life back into her body and she will heal and wake up.

The chosen Kataha did not know how long it took for her to realize it was not going to happen, and that Clara was gone.

Clara Hontiveros, the woman who went through a great deal of pain and sacrifice all her life..

Clara Hontiveros, who endured having Diana, her dearest sister, die in her arms..

Clara Hontiveros, who took Katherina as her own, who raised her and protected her with every last ounce of her strength and power..

Clara Hontiveros, who, despite her strict and indifferent facade, loved her unconditionally..

Clara Hontiveros, my mother..

Not too long after, like every other Kataha who met their end, Clara's body turned into dust.

Everything was still and quiet. Then, almost eerily, the rain stopped. For a moment, Katherina remained still on the ground - she felt like if she just stood still, she could stop everything from being true, she could pretend that everything was all right.

▪️▪️▪️

On Katherina's fifth birthday, Manang Feliza cooked all her favorite food - sweet spaghetti, hot dogs and marshmallows on stick, barbecue, and fried chicken. The old woman even baked her a big, beautiful pink cake. It was a stormy night, and she was starving. But she insisted that they wait for Clara to get home first before they begin to eat.

Hours passed but Clara did not come. Young Katherina cried hard, her chubby cheeks stained with tears. Manang Feliza begged her to eat even just a little.