Celeste: The Last Witch

Chapter 23: Poles Apart

Black. Black dresses. Black shirts. White. White dresses. White shirts. White coffin. White roses.  There are differences between the two colors. White symbolizes purity, peace, innocence, and elegance. While black symbolize fear, power, authority, strength, and formality. If there's a difference between the two, there is also this what we called similarity: death.

Fate and destiny aren't the same. We can't change our fate. It comes into your life. It's already set. You have a free will, choose what you want but don't expect that you'll get it. Destiny is what we do. It's on our hands to make, if we choose this or that. Deciding is a good term for destiny. Before we decide we must know the consequences. You can't blame anyone if your fate is to die or live longer. People stay, leave, and go. Acceptance is what we should do; it is the key to learn that nothing in this world last.

The whole pack was in mourning for their dead Male Alpha. It was a great sorrow. I saw most of them cried in front of Zedrick's coffin. Tapos na akong umiyak nung mga araw na iyon. Hindi ko na pinilit ang sarili na maiyak. Ubos na ang luha ko. Kael and Brian remained in their blank face while looking at Zed who's lying inside his coffin, in a deep slumber. I promise him on that night that it will be the last time I will shed any tears. It was painful yet I should remain strong. I'm not acting like a bravery. I am being brave.

Clein, Veronica, and Amor also attend the burial ceremony as a sign of respect.

Nung oras na ilalagay na sa hukay ang kabaong kung nasaan si Zed. Nakita ko kung paano umiyak si Teressa. Akala ko hindi ko siya makikitang umiiyak at masasaktan dahil palagi siyang seryoso, you could rarely see her smile or laugh— not saying that I want to see her mourn but it was unexpected; truly it is. She was hugging the coffin and not letting it to be burried. She looked so hurt that time, who wouldn't be? Also Angel. She has the devil-like-attitude as what I describe her. Pero sa mga oras ding iyon, I saw her cried. Nakita ko ang soft-side niya. Afterall, it was her brother who died. Sino bang hindi iiyak kapag namatayan ng pamilya, lahat naman tayo.

Everything went back to normal after the burial. Normal like they don't even see our existence, na parang hindi nila kami kilala o nakikilala. It went back to normal but there were some changes. The rules, the ambiance of the place, and the uncontrollable crowd of stray wolves wandering all over the town.

If he's here, he would hate to see this messy changes.

Wherever is Zed right now, I hope he finally found his way. I hope I lead him the proper way even though I wasn't there to guide him. But there's someone I know, he will guide Zed.

---

Today's our last day here. Aalis na kami. It's been three days since the burial. The silence filled the room, hindi ako sanay, pero siguro unti-unti pa kaming nag-aadjust sa nangyari. Uuwi na kami ngayon. Actually, hindi ko ito matatawag na adventure. It's more likely an experience. Supposedly, wala na kami dito ngayon if hindi nangyari iyon. Kung hindi sana namatay si Zedrick.

Nagiging curious na ako sa lahat ng mga nangyayari. I know that curiousity killed the cat but my satisfaction would brought it back to life. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nangyari iyon? Bakit namatay si Zedrick? Tapos na ang full moon nung araw na iyon. Hindi lang mate ang maaring naging problema. I know something's off. Hindi ko lang matukoy kung ano. I feel like someone's behind this. But I don't know who's who.

Pumunta akong kusina para kumuha ng mainom. Napatingin ako kay Amor na sumunod sa akin. Akala ko kukuha siya ng mainom o pagkain ngunit nanatili lamang siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"May nais kang sabihin?" Tanong ko kasunod ay uminom ng tubig. Yumuko siya at tinignan ang hawak na papel. Naririnig ko ang paghinga niya. "Ano yang hawak mo?" Hindi siya sumagot bagkus ay binigay niya sa akin ang nakaroll na papel. Sandali akong nagulat nang makita ang nilalaman ng papel.