Aki
"Bakit hindi ka naka-bahag?"
I gave Alexandra a strange look. "What?"
We were now seated in one of the restaurants that she liked going to. When I visit, I rarely allow myself to indulge. The last time I did was in one of the biggest royal gatherings of a certain century where I came as one of the favored soldiers of the King.
"I researched. Most depictions of you that I saw, you're in a bahag.
"Obviously most depictions of me were made by people who have not met me. Besides, I am the god of war. I show the generals best strategies and lead them to victory. Don't you think that part of planning our attack would include appropriate clothing when needed?"
She nodded. "Oh good. I always wondered why in stories of gods coming down, they always dressed in clothes that made them stick out like a sore thumb. You'd think as gods they're smarter."
I thought about depictions of 'superheroes' and other god-like beings coming to Earth. "I think their costumes mean something from those I've seen. It gives special powers or are the attire of the place they come from. That is perhaps the reason why."
"Special powers! Ikaw? What's yours? Can you read minds?"
I smiled and shook my head. "No. It is not a power given to all of us. I cannot read minds."
"Do you get hurt when you go to battle? Tapos mabilis ka lang gumaling? May palabas na ganun eh!"
"Yes... something a little bit like that. But my healing takes time. It's just that I don't die."
"Wow! Sabagay, if you die, ano? You'll go to heaven. Sus, eh di babalik at babalik ka lang dito kung kailan mo gusto," she said, working out the issue on her own. "Can you move forward and backward in time?"
"No. Bathala has forbidden it. It would mess up too much of the order if one of us had a misstep."
"Gwapo ba si Bathala?"
I laughed. This was a first. "The people he shows himself to, see what they want to see."
"Nakakajirits na talaga yang pa-mysterious eme."
I frowned. "Restroom is at the back."
"What?"
"Jirits. That's like sirit, a sudden discharge? With pee? It jirits?"
She laughed out loud. "No, it means nakakainis... nakakairita. Nakakajirits."
"You've been laughing a lot these days. It is very nice to see, Alexandra," I said and I meant it.
In spite of her attempts to put on a brave face so that her father would not worry, I had seen the look of worry those first few days whenever we left their house. I am very happy that nowadays she smiles more and more.
Even if it was at my expense.
"Thank you, Aki... pero... paano pala kapag umalis ka na? I know that part of why I feel safe is because of you... I worry..."
She did not finish what she was saying.
"May I hold your hand?"
Alexandra looked surprised but agreed. I took her hand in both of mine and said, "I promised to teach you how to defend yourself and I will keep that. When I leave, you will be ready for anything."
"Aki? Why did I see the fire surround you?"
I moved away a little. "I apologize, Alexandra. I rarely lose my temper, but when I do, that happens. The part of the Sun that I always carry with me escapes. Seeing how frightened you were made me want to hurt that man, so I had to walk away. I dislike women being harmed."
She made a face. "Isn't that kind of hypocritical? You did hurt you sister. Hasn't she lost one eye because of you?"
I gave her a sharp gaze. "I have been paying for that for as long as the Universe exists. And I would protect every woman on Earth if it were up to me. But, Bathala has his reasons. He only allows me to intervene once in awhile. You do not know how painful it is."
"Do gods feel pain, Aki?"
"I do. Eversince I hurt my sister, I have asked Bathala to allow me to feel the pain of people I cannot help. The only reprieve I get is when I go back to where we reside. I can heal for a little while. But I always come back here. To learn. Maybe one day, Bathala will finally allow me to protect the way I want to."
Alexandra grabbed my hand. "Sorry, Aki. I can't imagine what it must be like." A tear escapes her eye.
"Do not cry, Alexandra. Please? I prefer to see you smiling."
She sniffled. "Eh sira ka pala eh. Pagkatapos ng sinabi mo gusto mo tumawa ako?"
"Pasensya na. Thank you for your sympathy. It is not often that I am on the receiving end of it. But, please do not cry. I do not wish to see it."
As she wiped her tears, I continued, "See? Now your makeup is a mess. Ma-Chaka Khan ka na."
She was stunned, and the let out a great big laugh.
"I used it correctly, didn't I? I hope it would not be offensive to Ms. Khan."
She did not answer but she laughed again.
"Umuwi na tayo, Alexandra. Nakaka-Stress Drilon ka."
As we drove home, I said, "I truly do not understand why they attribute those traits so people... Ms. Drilon does not look stressed, Ms. Avila does not look irritable and that Mr. Versoza definitely does not look haggard."
"Puñeta naman, Aki! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Alexandra said. Sometimes she cussed but I know it is not meant to offend.
She was smiling again and everything felt right.
I was unable to ask why I saw photos of Mr. Versoza on the floor. Or was that Mr. Versace?
Anyway, after we arrived home, we parted ways so that Alexandra could rest.
I found myself at the roof deck, gazing at the moon, which was shining brightly tonight.
I had a wonderful day with Alexandra.
The moon gave a slight twinkle.
"Mayari. Come."
