Ikako

Chapter One

Pre-Colonial Period

The waves filled my ears. I sat on the sand under the blanket full of stars, waiting for him. I let the cold breeze kiss my face when I heard a voice behind me.

"I didn't keep you waiting, right?"

I turned and stared at the man standing not far away from me. The moon shined on him, giving light to his features. I gave him a small smile.

"Not much," I said, patting the spot next to me.

The man slowly walked towards me, his hair tousled by the wind. He was silent as usual, sitting beside.

"I missed you, Felipe." I said, resting my head on his shoulder.

He took my wrist and brushed the tattoo drawn on my skin. It was the first letter of his name, while mine was written near his collarbone. "I'm here now."

A comfortable silence enveloped us. Suddenly my heart was troubled. I couldn't help but sigh. 

"Something wrong?"

"Let's run away together."

His eyes found mine. "You know we can't. We have our duties here. You're the chief's daughter and I'm a low-rank soldier."

"Pero mahal kita."  I declared, my voice trembling.

Felipe tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Remember our promise?"

I remember. I know it with all of my heart. 

"Kahit anong mangyari, ako'y sa 'yo," 

"At ika'y akin lamang, Amihan." Felipe finished.

Suddenly a group of my father's soldiers grabbed both of us up on our feet. 

"Let him go!" I shouted, wincing in pain at one of the man's grip.

"Amihan!" Felipe called, trying to break free from the soldier's grasp.

"So, this is what you've been doing, daughter." My father, the chief of our tribe, stood tall before us.

Tears started to fill my eyes, clouding my vision. "Father, let me explain."

"Datu, kahit ako na lang ang parusahan ninyo," Felipe said. "'Wag lang si Amihan."

The tears streamed down my face. I couldn't find my voice. I watched as my father nodded to his soldiers. And in a blink of an eye, they thrust a sword through Felipe's stomach. My head started to spin. I screamed but heard nothing. His body lay dead on the ground.

I broke free and rushed to him, my hands on his cold face. I called out his name, but this time he didn't answer back. His eyes that used to bring warmth to my soul turned glassy. His skin turned as pale as the moon.

Rage filled every inch of my body. I looked at my father's face, searching for any remorse, but his expression remained blank. I gritted my teeth in anger, my hands balled into fists.

"A life for a life!" I snatched the sword from one of the soldier's hands and shoved it into my own belly. I felt my body collapse unto the sand. The stars spun around my eyes. Then everything darkened.

***********

My eyes opened to the brightness of the sun. It was a tiny sun though, smaller than a coconut. I sat upright and looked at my hands. The tattoo was still written on my wrist.

Wait, I'm alive?

I found myself in a room with walls that had the color of the sky. I was sitting on something soft. The wind blew through the open window. No mountains nor trees were in sight. Only houses made of something other wood stood there.