ICYMI: For the Ice Cream Shop Series, we start shipping the books on October 9! We still have copies available so if you want to, habol na! =)
—
It was an unlikely start for us.
I had come down to Earth more than a thousand years ago. This isle in the Pacific was our favorite to visit but I had abandoned it when Apolaki stopped coming down after he suffered what humans call a broken heart.
But every time night falls on this part of the world, and it is my turn to guard the skies, I look down and recall the times I have wandered across this island and explored all its treasures. It is a testament to Bathala's greatness that he has produced such paradise here.
During one night, I was unable to resist, headed down and basked in one of the hot springs. I enjoyed how the heated water felt on my skin and made sure I got it all over my human skin and hair and giggled at how wonderful I felt.
It was then that I met him, Bulawan.
He was named such because of his golden skin, the result of days spent under the sun and planting crops that would be the food for his tribe, cutting trees in the forest that would help keep the tribe's fire burning during the night.
He spoke to me forcefully, in the language of their tribe.
"Sino ka?"
I turned abruptly. Who is this who dared question me? I held my head high and faced him, showing him the light from one eye. "Ako si Mayari, ang diyosa ng buwan. Sino KA, taong lupa?"
"Ako si Bulawan, ang pinuno ng tribo na namamalagi sa mga lupaing ito. Patawarin ninyo ako, Kamahalan." He got down on one knee as a sign of respect. "Patawad. Madalas lamang akong nagbabantay nitong mga nakaraang araw dahil mayroong isang malaking buwaya na kumukuha sa aming mga kababaihan."
I took my robe and instructed him to tell me more about this buwaya. I knew of it though - this was a demon from our world who tended to wreak havoc on Earth. I needed to know what he was up to this time.
Bulawan told me that when female members of his tribe wandered anywhere alone, they would never be seen again. "Maraming magulang ang naghihinagpis dahil sa pagkawala ng kanilang mga anak, batang hindi tumitigil ang pagluha dahil sa pagkawala ng kanilang ina, at kalalakihang nangungulila para sa kanilang mga asawa. Nagkakagulo na sa aming tribo. Dumudulog kami kay Bathala ngunit wala pang sagot sa aming mga dasal."
It was then that I heard Bathala say, Help them. I nodded. Turning to the man, I said, "Ako ay narito upang tulungan kayo. Mamamalagi ako sa inyo hanggang mahuli ang buwaya."
*
He introduced me as a great warrior that had come to help them.
In those days, it was not that surprising that a woman was a great fighter so the tribe did not think anything was amiss at my arrival. They also did not think less of their leader. After all, he came to power because of his intelligence, strength and charm and not simply because he was a man. His second in command was another strong woman of the tribe.
Our strategy was similar to those used in modern times when trying to investigate a case. Training started immediately and we made sure that everyone was prepared to face the buwaya if they needed to.
One night, when everyone was asleep, I saw Bulawan walk away from the crowd, sat on a rock and gazed at the moon.
"Ano ang iyong iniisip?"
He looked at me. "Patawad. Nabubulabog ba kayo ng aking mga problema, Kamahalan?"
I smiled, appreciative that he has not forgotten that I was the Moon. I shook my head.
"Sapat na ba ang lahat? Kinakatakot ko lamang na hindi ito makakatulong. Ayaw ko na masasaktan ang aming mga kasamahan."
"Huwag kang mag-alala. Ginawa na natin ang lahat maaaring gawin. Sa akin mananagot ang buwaya kapag siya ay ating nadakip."
He smiled. "Maraming salamat, Kamahalan."
I turned away from his gaze.
I had been feeling strange around him lately. In the days and weeks that we had been spending together, I find myself craving... contact. I first touched his skin when I showed him how to handle a weapon carved after my own.
He was swinging it in a way that would not injure an opponent so I took his hand and showed him the correct way. "Mali ang iyong ginagawa!"
In the process, my body pressed up to him and in a split second, I was pressed to his front, his lips dangerously close to mine. The weapon forgotten, my hands caressed his arms, chest and neck. We were both breathing heavily and I started to feel something hard poking me near my belly.
Malaya, his second-in-command, cleared her throat. "Pinunong Bulawan, maari bang humingi ng tulong ang isang nakakatanda nating kasamahan?"
Bulawan pulled back. "Ipagpatawad niyo, Kamahalan," he whispered. "Hindi ko sinasadyang maging mapusok."
MAPUSOK? WALA PA NGA?
Yes, it was the first time I believe I felt was they call it in recent times as sexual frustration. And as deities, we feel it ten times more than humans. It is these cravings that had gotten a lot of gods in trouble, so I knew then I had to control it.
But now that we were alone, I was reminded of that moment and the heat between us ever since. As gods, especially children of Bathala, we have been reminded to act better than most gods, so I knew I was not to take advantage. "Bulawan."
"Kamahalan?"
"Nais kitang halikan kung ako ay iyong papayagan."
He didn't need to be asked twice.
And no, it did not end with that kiss. It was a passionate time that lasted as long as the skies were dark. For the first time, the Earth bore witness to a red moon.
The humans just interpreted it incorrectly.
