Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 50: Greek Godesses

Artemis POV

Mabilis ang oras tulad ng hindi ko namalayang isang buwan nang mahigit ang pagkamatay ni Dan. I can't rely my happiness on him forever. At least give him the peace he needed. My will to live.

The fast pace of time didn't stop me from the promise I gave him. Isa sa purpose ng pagtetraining ko ay ang paghihiganti. Naging busy ako sa academics, graduating na kami this year. Sana ay kasama namin siyang gagraduate.

I watch the leaves fall from the trees. Mas lumamig na din ang hanging nararamdaman namin. Naging active ako sa school activities. To drown myself.

Having a mate destructs me most of the time. Hindi niya ako halos iniiwan kapag nagiisa ako.

"Halloween party huh." speaking of the devil. We maintain a distance when in school. A simple gesture could mean something deeper.

"Wala ka naman interes sa ganyan." I silently comment. We were seen as 'friends' in school. Somewhere closer on that line. We are different people kapag kami ang magkasama.

"Says who?" nagtaas ang kilay niya sa akin giving me a side glance.

"Your grandpa." nakadikit ang mata ko sa bulletin board "Lagi kang nagkukukong sa kwarto mo."

"That old man." kailangan niyang maturuan ng GMRC. I-enroll ko kaya ito ulit sa elementary?

Lagi akong nauunang maglakad sa kanya. He watches my back still doing his work as a reaper. Siya ang nagbabantay sa akin kapag wala si Kuya.

"You will join the party?" tahimik niyang tanong. Habang nakatingin sa unahan.

"If they allow me." jotting down the notes. "Bakit hindi ka nagsusulat?" Tinaaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Eto na nga po." he needs force to study. If I'm not here he will not do it.

Habang nagsusulat ng essay para sa isang subject ay nakatingin ito sa akin. Kinurot ko ang tagliran niya para magsulat siya. He smiled. Namimilosopo pa.

Pagkatapos ng klase ay dumiretso kami sa training grounds.

We outmanoeuvred each other exchanging blows. Naging habit ko na ang pagpunta dito. By now sanay na ang ibang reaper sa akin hindi tulad noong una na ilag sila sa akin.

"You have improved." puri nito sa akin.

Minsan kaming dalawa ang magkakampi laban kay Kuya. Pero madalas na pinagtutulungan nila ako.
I don't mind getting wounds and scars.

"Let me take you home." he offered since busy si Kuya. Kahit tumanggi ako ay pipilitin niya ako. Sinuot ko ang helmet na inabot niya sa akin.

I am still grounded—my brother's words.

"Pumayag na sila." binaba ko ang librong binbasa ko. Smiling innocently. "Sinabi kasama ka."

He pinched his nose bridge. Tama naman ang sinabi ko ah. "Alright. We'll go."

"I'll pick you up at 6:30 pm." kinuha niya si Lucian sa kama para ilagay sa lapag.

I squinted my eyes. Is this for real? Tinagilid ko ang ulo ko para makita ang mata niya. To see if he is serious or not.

He leaned closer. Kinuha niya ang libro at nilagay sa kama. Sumampa siya sa kama bago ako niyakap patalikod. "Let me sleep."

He did pick me up at 6:30 pm wearing a musketeer costume. With a sword and hat. He showed me a couple of  dagger giving me one keeping it under my dress.

Mama choose this herself siya din ang nagayos sa akin. I am wearing a white chiton ang kinulot kong buhok at may koronang ginto. Bonus na lang ang bow and arrow na dala ko.

"Just like the moon goddess herself." she announced. Hindi nawala ang photo op that's her cue for photography.

Chinechek ng guard ang bawat sasakyan. May sticker man o wala.

Maingay ang venue pagpasok namin. Dating gawi. He distanced himself to me but not far from his line of sight.
I see some usual costumes—angels, devils and fairies.

Nakita ko agad ang kambal dressed us as hansel and gretel. Si Justin at Genevive naman ay sina Chucky at Tiffany, the killer couple.

No one leaves the premises para hindi maulit ang nangyari dati. Since may CR naman na dito at fully airconditioned.

"Si Naia?" I roamed my eyes. To find her.

"Kumuha ng punch." Linsdsey clutches her camera bag. Taking the polaroid out of it.

"Sali ako!" Naia runs in our direction. She is wearing a violet and black dress at may pekeng pakpak. A gold apple hangs on her wrist.

"Pinanindigan mo talaga ang pagiging Artemis mo." She commented.

"Idea ni Mama. And you are?" I pointed at her clothes.

"Eris, greek goddess of chaos." she bowed in front of us. The gold apple swaying on her wrist.

The party's peak started at 8:00 pm.

No booze for this one. Although weekends bukas. May nahuli kasi noon after ng victory party.

Hashtag SPG paglabas sa school website though hindi nila pinangalanan.

Pinaglaruan nila ang bow and arrow na dala ko.

Isang Junior High ang natamaan nito. Nakabihis humpty dumpty costume. Effort for the best costume!

"Are you enjoying?" we intertwine our hands secretly feeling little sparks of connection.

"Of course. I lost the arrow already." I giggled at what happened.

The laser lights and the hanging disco ball is the only light on the dance floor. Hindi masyadong halata ang dim lights dahil dito.

The music shifted to a slow mellow tune. Your guardian angel in acoustic plays at the DJ's booth.

Malayo kami sa kinatatayuan ng mga kaibigan ko. Turning around, I look at him finding his eyes. Nagtatanong ang mata niya sa gagawin ko. Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang pisngi niya. I tiptoed and give him a quick long kiss.

"Your mine...only mine." I declared.

I close my eyes and we swayed to the music savouring the moment.