Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 69: Twins

Artemis' POV

Ephesus, Turkey

I took the term off. Sally is crying when I left the dorm. Wala na daw siyang kasama sa kwarto.

I just landed on Ephesus, Turkey.
Artemis' home. They even name a place here for her.

To simply put it. It is beautiful tulad ng nakikita ko noon. The sun is high on the sky. The friendly smiles welcome tourists.

I need to get to my hotel immediately. Napapagod na ako palakad-lakad.

Nicea Hotel. The hotel I booked for this trip. May kamahalan but the review is great.

"Hello Ate!/Ate!" two pitchy voices echo in my room.

"Careful. Baka mabagsak yan." Tita's voice is behind them. She sighs. Ang kulit ng mga batang ito.

"I miss you!/Anong ginagawa mo po?"
Their faces zoomed in the phone. Natatawa ako sa nakikita ko.

"Vacation." my new york accent roll off naturally in my tongue. I wave at the camera.

"Saan po?" the little girl ask. Her pigtails dancing.

"Turkey." I simply answer.

"Di ba ibon iyon Mommy?" tanong ng batang lalaki.

"Yes, anak." Tita answered her son.

Cassie and Castiel are twins. Tita Asther's children. Considered as miracle children. They are turning 3 this year. She was pregnant when the war happened, 7 weeks to be exact.
Buti at malakas ang kapit ng dalawa.

"Let Ate rest." kuha ni Tita sa cellphone. "Do you want to sleep?"

"No./Ayaw." sabay silang sumagot.

"Go to your Nanny." utos nito sa dalawa "Sorry about that. Hindi pa kasi sila natutulog." she smiled at the screen.

"It's okay Tita. Mamaya na lang ako babawi ng tulog." kahit inaantok na ako.

"Kamusta?" I want to ask you that tita.

"I'm good. I can't contact Mama. Baka ginagala si Lucian." Sagot ko dito.

"Your memories? Bumalik na ba lahat?" she's concerned. Naia can you see this?

"Not really pero hindi ko po pinipilit."
I honestly answered.

They know I was alive. Hinanap nila ako. Connections made me live. My family knows to. I've been missing for four months saka nila ako nahanap.
Unfortunately, mag-isa lang ako ng nahanap nila.

I don't know what happened to my cousin's body.

"Call your mother later." she reminded me "Magaalala iyon."

"Sure, Tita. Take care. Send my regards to Tito." nagflying kiss ako sa screen ng cellphone.

"I will." She waved goodbye bago patayin ang tawag.

Naia will be happy if she was alive. She will be an older sister to a twins. I know she is watching over us. She wanted to end her suffering, our suffering.

Natulog ako bago maligo. I will visit the museum at ang Templo ni Artemis. Maybe offer some prayers too.

Nilibot ko ang mata ko sa loob ng museo. It is full of archaeological artifacts of the late greeks.

The booklet states the Galleries inside.

¬Sculptures from the fountains
¬Finds from the Terrace Houses
¬Coins
¬Ephesus through the Ages
¬Courtyard with column capitals and tombs
¬Hall of Mother Goddess cult
¬Hall of Ephesus Artemis
¬Hall of Imperial Cult
¬Museum Shop and Cafe

Nililibang ko ang sarili ko sa istante ng coins nag may lumapit sa akin.
"This is from the museum ma'am" sabi ng isang curator.

A Nazar Boncugo — talisman to drive evils. That's what I heard this is. It's weird beacuse why would they give me this.

"Thank you!" I smiled at her. Accepting it.

I saw Artemis's Statue. The original one. 'Ἄρτεμις' was written on the stone.

I visit her temple. It is in ruins just like me. I silently prayed at the ruins. To complete me.

Pagbalik sa Hotel ay tinawagan ko si Mama. She is cooking dinner kaya kinuha ito ni Papa. "How are you doing sweetie?"

"Good. Naninibago po sa lugar but I enjoyed." I smiled at the camera "They gave me this." pinakita ko ang talisman kay Papa.

"For free?" he pet Lucian's head on his lap. "Here's your dog."

"Yeah. Nakangiti pa nga ang babae eh." nahihiwagaan kong sagot "Lucian baby..."

The dog barked at the screen. Poor dog buti hindi nadamay sa laban namin noon.

"Hi sweetie." Mama sits beside Papa "How are you?"

"I'm good. Nasa Nicea hotel na po ako"
I showed her the room pati ang balcony. "Where's Kuya?"

"School, he's graduating so he is busy."
Right. His last year sa College. "I miss you!"

"I miss you too!" I waved at the camera "I have to go Ma. I love you!"

I ended the call. The screen went dark. Maggagabi  na pala. The moon shines directly on the balcony.

Artemis can you grant my wish?
Can you hear my desperate call?

Binabad ko ang sarili ko sa bathtub. Thinking made me tired not the walking. I only remember him being with me pero ang mukha niya hindi ko makita.

Para bang iniiwasan kong maiisip siya.

Iumpog ko na kaya talaga ang ulo ko? Effective kaya iyon? What do you think?

Natulog ako pagkatapos. I shouldn't think too much lalo kong hindi ito maalala.

Pagkagising sa umaga ay basa ang unan ko. Did I cry? I touched my cheeks. Tear stained.

The words flicker inside my head. Fragments of memory about him.

"Careful."

"You are mine." only mine... I thought.

"Call me Jacques"

I see his smile inside my head. The touch of his hands...

...his lips crashing on mine.

I cried my heart out habang yakap ang mga tuhod ko. Para akong mamatay sa lungkot. I am an incomplete puzzle. May nawawala sa akin na hindi ko makita.

Can I still find it? Makukumpleto pa kaya ako?