Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 33: Somewhere In The Dark

Naia's POV

Where am I?

Ilang araw na ba simula noong mahiwalay ako kila Mommy? I lost count of it already.

Sobrang dilim dito.

Wala bang ilaw or something na may liwanag.

All I remember is getting kidnapped. Staying in that filthy basement made it worse. Alam kong soundproof ang kwarto. Shouting is useless.

"Hello!"

"Hello!"

Umeecho lang ang sinasabi ko dito.

All I need is a little light...

...if there is any.

"Open your eyes child."

Huh? My eyes are open but I can't see anything. I can't make out an object in this place. Wala din hangin thankfully I can still breathe.

"Open my eyes? How?"

Then there's no answer. The only presence is me and the deafening silence.

This is nonsense is not it?

Kung andito lang si Artemis but I should not depend on her. I know maghihiwalay kami one when we have our own family.

I miss them already. Gusto ko na silang makasama.

Naluluha akong napako sa kinatatayuan ko. Kung hindi lang sana... Bakit ko nga ba sisihin ang kaibigan ko? I choose this in the first place.

Hinahanap nila ako. I can feel it.

My clothes from the last time looks dirty already. Siguro mukha na akong basahan sa itsura ko.

"Gusto ko ng umuwi!"

Sigaw ko sa kawalan.

I want my Mom and Dad's presence. I miss my friends lalo na siya.

"Paalisin niyo na ako dito." hagulgol ko.

Then a little by little I saw a light.

Ayoko pa pong tumuloy sa liwanag. Please lang.

Isang babae ang nakita ko sa liwanag. She reaches for my hand. Slowly she became real.

Artemis?

Ngumiti siya sa akin. She looks ethereal.

Lalapit na ako sa kanya ng hilahin ng isang babae ang kamay ko.

She emits a dangerous aura. I can feel it. Her grip on me slowly hardens. It will be bruised.

Para silang nagtathug-of-war pero ako ang lubid.

Para siyang napaso ng hawakan siya ng babaeng nasa tabi ko.

Hinila ko ang kaliwa kong kamay at sumama sa babaeng kamukha ni Artemis.

She looks like her in her mid 30's.

She looks like her but her aura is different. So different. She embrace me, I feel the warmth from her.

"Heal my child. You still have trials ahead of you."

"Po?"

"Close your eyes let me take care of you for a while."

My eyes become sleepy all of a sudden. I feel lighter than before. That's when I know everything's okay.

"Wake up sleepy head..."

My eyes fluterred open. Bumungad sa akin ng puting kisame. Ang amoy ng I.V fluid ay humahalo sa familiar na pabango ng mga magulang ko.

Everyone is here except for Kuya Ali.

"Hey..." my voice came out hoarse- almost inaudible.

Kinurot pa niya ang sarili niya.

"I'm sorry. Dapat sinamahan ko kayo noon." she cried.

Sana pala may camera akong pinahanda kung alam ko lang na pupunta siya dito.

The epic moment of the Artemis Jacinto crying.

"Buhay pa ako." I manage a small smile. "Natakasan ko sila."

Naamoy ko ang pagkain galing sa isang sikat na fast food chain.

Mom really has her power kahit ang mga doktor ay nagagawa niyang pakiusapan.

Nagpaiwan si Mommy sa hospital.

Narinig ko ang pagsarado ng pinto. Are they leaving already?

The medicine immediately takes effect on me.

The silhouette of the forest stands under the orange and red skies. A shimmering lake is infront of me. The reflection of the moon moves along the slow movement of the water.

I saw her standing there.

Eyes full of spite and an evil smile plastered on her lips.

Wearing the same clothes when I saw her before I wake up. Black lace fitted gown emphasising her curves.

Her outstretched hand beckons me to come to her.

"Wake up, M'lady..."

Lumingon ako sa likod pero wala naman tao.

"Closer child..."

I took small steps towards her making her smile more. Noong malapit na ako ay mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti nito.

"I'm sorry I didn't protect you..."

Luminga-linga ako sa paligid pero walang ibang tao.

My eyes roam around the forest.

"Andito na ako... Hindi na kita iiwan pa..."

Half of the forest change to a sunflower field. The lady in black  grimaced in what she saw.

I can't see his face but the warmth made want to run to him.

"Dito ka lang!" this witch!

"No!" hinila ko ang kamay ko sa kanya.

"Let me see your eyes open... I miss you. "

My eyes glowed nagkaroon ako ng lakas na itulak siya at tumakbo palapit sa lalaki. All my longing for him made me do it.

Yumakap ako sa kanya. The light engulfed us.

My eyes slowly open. Naluluha akong tinitigan siya. His hands are holding mine.

Magsasalita sana ako ng niyakap niya ako.

"I miss you..."

Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko bago ako halikan sa noo at yakapin ulit.

"Don't move."

"I'm alive okay?"

"I know but let me hold you."

We chuckled. I let him do it. I missed this.

Hindi ko na pinigilan ang sarili. All my longing and the time I thought I wouldn't see him...

Hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya bago ilapit ang mukha ko sa kanya. All this I have been in pain but all the sufferings subsided because of him.

Lumapat ang labi ko sa kanya. Sa una'y nagulat siya he process it at first sa huli'y tumugon din.

Thank god it's just the two of us inside this room.

Reaper or not I'd still choose him over and over again.