Bagwis
It was wonderful to see her again. I missed her terribly.
Though one hundred years is short compared to the time it has taken to create the Universe, every minute spent away from her feels like a lifetime.
It felt like the worst punishment when Bathala told us that she would be part of the oceans. It had always been the plan since I became conscious but I did not know then that the sky and the seas would separate.
I, being a winged creature, would never be able to live and visit her in her new home.
I remember being a young creature when I first laid eyes on her as a goddess. Her form was still similar to her other siblings and I didn't know who she was. I just know that I found her very intelligent and extremely kind.
I was making arrows when I heard her explain the stars ang light to the other children awaiting their assignments. "Sabi sa akin ni Tala, napakaraming bituin sa kalangitan. Darating ang panahon na maiintindihan ng mga magiging taga-lupa kung paano nakakarating ang ilaw ng mga ito sa kanilang tirahan."
I was fascinated with how she explained light, reflection, colors and that distraction caused me to cut my hand. Seeing this, she excused herself from the group and approached me. Without a word, she healed me. "Salamat, Kamahalan."
"Siena."
"Ho?"
"Siena na lamang ang itawag mo sa akin."
"Hindi po maaari. Ako ay hindi diyos. Isa lang po akong hamak na tagabantay."
"Ayon sa aking Ama, lahat tayo ay mahalaga," she said. "Siena."
I smiled.
"Siena."
She stared at me curiously. "At... ikaw ba ay may pangalan?"
"Meron po."
"Maaari ko bang malaman?"
I blushed and scratched my nape. "Patawad sa aking kahinaan. Ako po si Bagwis."
I hang around her since. I would find reasons to be in her vicinity and listen to her stories or sit beside her when it was Apolaki that taught us that day.
And after Apolaki and Mayari took many turns in the sky, Dian Masalanta visited us and gave us her blessing.
We were in love.
*
I was standing at the Great Room in the Heavens waiting for Bathala who has summoned me.
"Bagwis."
Kneeling down, I bowed my head before saying, "Kamahalan."
When I was allowed to stand, I saw Bathala assessing me. "Alam kong matagal ka na ring hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataong bumaba sa lupa at magbantay. Nanaisin mo bang makasamang muli ang mga taga-lupa?"
"Kung ito pa ang ipaguutos niyo, susunod ako."
"Napakabuti mo, Bagwis."
"Salamat, Kamahalan. Maaari ko po bang itanong kung ano ang aking magiging tungkulin sa pagpuntang ito?"
Bathala smiled. "Dahil sa ginagawa ng mga taga-lupa sa karagatan, matagal ng galit si Siena sa kanila. Ngunit nais ko din na maintindihan niya ang mga ito at ang kanilang mga pinagdadaanan. Nagbabakasakali rin akong matulungan niya ang mga taga-lupa bago masira nila ng tuluyan ang kanilang tirahan. At nais kong samahan mo siya."
I was surprised with two things. "Babantayan ko po si Siena? At hahayaan niyo po kaming tumulong sa mga taga-lupa?"
He nodded. There were still boundaries, but yes, we would be allowed to help a little. "Handa ka na ba?"
"Opo."
And in the blink of an eye, I found myself in the living room of a modern day apartment with Siena seated at one of the chairs, seemingly waiting for me. "Bagwis, narito ka na."
I looked around. "Dito tayo titira?"
She nodded. "Oo! Napakaganda, hindi ba? Kumpleto ito sa mga pangangailangan natin habang mabubuhay tayo dito bilang magkapatid."
I stopped opening the cabinets in the kitchen and turned to her. "Magkapatid?"
"Oo! Halika na! Mamasyal tayo, Bunso!"
Someone tell me this is a joke.
