Note: Hello! I'm so sorry if I haven't been able to reply to as many comments anymore. It's really so busy at work but I also want to keep writing. Please know that I appreciate all the feedback and comments!!! I also know hindi pa sobrang refined ng transitions dito, but I will fix them if/when I decide to publish. I want to gather more material first. 😊😊😊
Oh, also I've played around with the traits of the ibong adarna ha? So please don't expect this to be completely faithful to what is written in mythology.
Thank you, thank you! ~maia~
—-
Malik
It had been a week since we arrived here at the village and, though it was tough because the basic necessities were scarce, I found myself having so much fun being close to nature.
Training was going well and we've already gotten two loans approved for a couple of families to put up small businesses.
Sari smiled brightly when she handed the check to the family. Turning to me, she whispered, "I hope they make it grow."
"Me too. Thanks for helping me do this, Sarimanok."
"Don't get all sappy on me. Anyway, this is a great project. I'm glad you got it through, Malik Cyrus."
I sighed happily. "Next time, I want a bigger challenge."
"Like what?"
"Like... getting you to make better comebacks. Baduy ng mga hirit mo."
"Whatever, Malik."
On certain downtimes, Sari would run around in the open fields. "It feels like flying!"
Or she would be climbing up trees.
"Noks! Get down here! Baka malaglag ka! NOKS! Bumaba ka diyan!"
"Calm down! I've always done this as a kid."
"SARI! SARI!"
As I was calling out to the branches where I assumed she was, I suddenly "remembered" searching for her before in a similar scenario. "Sari! Sari, mahal ko!"
I shook my head.
Sari came down giving me a strange look. "Bakit ka namumutla? Hoy, hindi ako multo."
"Hindi nga. Akala ko lang giant higad."
Sari rolled her eyes and I know I've successfully deflected her curiosity.
*
On our second week, I heard Lolo Tuning scuffling around early in one morning. "Magandang umaga po."
"Magandang umaga, apo. Pasensya na, naabala ko ang tulog mo. Kailangan ko kasing mag-igib. Naubos ang ating ipon."
"Ay, sige po. Ako na. Magpahinga na lang kayo."
Thankfully, Sari was still asleep and I was able to go. She still had this unusual fear when I went out for this task and I hoped to be back before she woke up.
But, things happened.
***
Sari
I stretched and got up, fixed my bed and headed out. Only Lolo Tuning and Lola Meding were at the table. "Magandang umaga po."
"Apo. Halika, kain."
"Si Malik po?"
When they told me he was fetching a second batch of water pails for our reserve and for the neighbors, I froze. "Pero po alam naman niyang -"
"Tatang!!! Yung bisita niyo po!!!!"
I was filled with fear and it was Lola Meding pulling me that made me realize I needed to move.
I immediately teared up at the sight of Malik laying on the ground, the pail of water he got was beside him. "Noooo...."
When I got closer, he was...
... grinning like a fool.
He was apologizing to everyone around him and when he caught sight of me, said, "Hi Noks! Nadulas ako."
"A... ano?"
"Dulas. Nakipagpustahan ako dun sa bata na kaya kong tumakbo buhat ito eh."
I was incensed. "YUN NA? I was worried and nakipagpustahan ka lang pala sa bata?!"
I ran back to the house and he hobbled close by. "Sari! Noks! Teka! Huy masakit pa yung pwet ko."
"Buti nga sa'yo! Leche."
Inside the house, he kept following me, not allowing me to retreat to my room. "Sorry na! Akala ko makakabalik ako agad and hindi mo na kailangan mag-worry."
"Kaso nakipagpustahan ka pa. Ayan! Nasaktan ka pa! At pwede ba, umamin ka! May balak ka bang magtayo ng water delivery dito na inako mo na pati pag-igib para sa mga kapitbahay?!"
Malik laughed.
I glared.
"Sorry..." he held me in place. "Tell me nga, bakit ba ganyan yung takot mo?"
I was tired of denying my "visions" so I came clean. "I don't know. It's just that... lately, I see things that... it's you eh but not you and I saw you hurt..."
Lola entered as I said that. "Ang pagkuha ng tubig para sa iyong mga kasamahan... yan ang huli mong sinabi sa kaniya bago ka pinaslang, Mahal na Datu."
"Po?" Malik asked.
"Handa na ba kayong marinig ang aming nalalaman?"
