Children Of The Abyss

34

LILITH

Sinerve ang pagkain pagkatapos nang pagsasayaw. May susunod pa naman pero kailangan namin magdinner. Nakaupo naman sa presidential table ang pamilya ni Hades, Colette the only mortal on their family of gods and goddesses.

"Walang kupas ang chef nila!" puri ni Ree.

Talk about food. Lagi siyang nauuna sa ganyang bagay. She eats a lot but hindi makikita iyon sa payat na katawan.

"Eat slowly, Ree." paala ni Milo.

"I'm appreciating it, okay?" sagot niya.

When the royal family stops eating we stop to. Papalitan na ang pagkain sa harap namin. It is a courtesy na tinuro sa ethics.

The dessert was served.

My favorite!

Nagningning ang mga mata ko sa cake na nasa harap ko. Chiffon cake na may peaches and cream na palaman. Pati toppings.

"This is heaven!" it tastes so good!

Pagkatapos noon ay nagserve ng wine para sa amin. Preserved in the underworld. Gawa pa ni Dionysus, the god of wines and vines.

Nagsimula ulit ang pagpapatugtog nila para sa pagsasayaw. May awarding pa daw mamaya para sa couple of the night at best dress! Para kaming nasa prom. Now, I miss highschool.

Nakita kong palapit si Kiera sa table.
But a hand is in front of me.

"Can I have this dance?" tanong niya.

"I..." tinitignan ko ang papalapit na si Kiera, "Sure." I smirked secretly.

Nagpupuyos na tumingin sa amin ang  aso niya. Parang nilukot na papel ang mukha niya sa inis. Sa akin muna ang amo mo. Hihiramin ko lang saglit.

Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Milo. Can I really ask him about it?

"Let's not argue for tonight." simula niya.

"Of course. Nakakahiya kila Hades."

Nilagay niya ang kamay ko sa balikat niya. He placed his hands on my waist. Gently touching it.

"You're beautiful." puri niya.

Parang nagkabuhay ang mga mata niyang halos walang liwanag. I saw a spark of life on it.

"Salamat." I take his compliment.

He looks dashing tonight. With his suit at inner shirt. A handsome devil in disguise. Just for tonight, we won't argue.

We sway to the music along with my thoughts.

Then it slowly became a slow motion. A time stopping dance for the both of us. Faces blurred, just us two, in the dance floor.

Why can't I trust you when my gut tells me to? Naiirita ako kapag naiinvolve si Kiera, I hated your actions yet look for it kapag hindi mo ako pinapansin. Why?

Honestly, nakakairita at nakakainis ka but it all made me forget that I am not just a demigod.

"What's with the face, Lilith?" nawala ang pagiging seryoso niya.

"Nothing." umiling ako.

"Do you still don't trust me?" tanong niya.

I'm not sure Alistair. Naguguluhan ako kapag ganito ka kalapit.

"Can I ask you something?" tumingin ako sa mga mata niya.

He is anticipating my question.

"Ano iyon?" the same gentleness I saw in his eyes on that balcony.

"Gaano ka na katagal dito?"

Don't answer if you cant. I won't force you...

"Thirteen years." no lies, just sincerity.

"That's longer than I thought." bulong ko.

"Ano pa?" his eyes is shining.

He wanted you to ask questions. That's what he want you to do. Something we both need to understand each other.

It's just... tonight. No more extensions.

"Do you visit the mortal realms?"

"Just to do missions. No more, no less."

"Why?" we are still swaying, quietly talking to each other.

"I don't belong there. I belong in this place."

Wala na akong maisip na tanong. I want to know his past but I'll take slow step by step.

"Ako naman ang magtatanong." he said. Namumungay ang mga niya.

I feel like sinking when I'm near him. Titigan pa ang mga mata niyang malalim kung tumitig.

"Go ahead." I give him the go signal.

"Why are avoiding me?" there's sadness in his tone. I feel the pain.

"Kasi..." lumunok ako, "hindi pa kita kilala ng husto."

"Then talk to me. I will gladly tell everything." that's quick, "I'll do the same for you."

"I'm not up for it... yet."

"I'll wait for it then." he smiles genuinely.

My heart skipped a beat because of that.

"Whenever you're ready." why Alistair?

Why me? Andiyan naman si Kiera.

"Alright." I answered to his whims.

We silently dance and savour this one night ceasefire. I close my eyes. He rests his chin on my head. Will we be able to do this again?

Para akong si Cinderella. May expiration ang kasiyahan.

Hindi ako pinaalis ni Alistair sa tabi niya. He did not want to sit at all. We danced to another song.

Nakita kong nagsasayaw sila Desmond at Colette, ganun din sila Milo at Ree. Nagpalit din sila ng partner.

I suddenly got that bad feeling in my gut.

People around us gasped. Napabitaw ako kay Alistair. Colette's gown is wet with wine. Ang may hawak ng baso ay si Kiera.

"Anong nangyari dito?!" Isang teacher ang lumapit.

"Natabig ko lang po ang hawak kong baso." sabi ni Kiera.

She looks at me angrily. That's the bad feeling I got. The wine was for me not for Colette. Hawak pa din ni Alistair ang bewang ko na lalong nagpasama ng tingin niya.

Desperate bitch.

Nagbubulungan na ang mga kasama namin doon. The music stops. Bumukas din ang ilaw sa hall.

"I'm sorry Princess Colette." hingi niya ng tawag.

She's lying. Her fists is clenched beside her. Ang bilis nga naman ng karma. Her plan backfired to her.

"The party is over." sabi ni Hades.

"Dad. Aksidente lang iyon. Hindi naman kita sa gown eh." si Colette.

"Are you sure?" masama ang tingin niya kay Kiera.

"Of course." she claps her hands, "Everyone, please continue the party. This is just a small accident." she smiled.

I don't know if it was real or not. She's good at faking emotions.

"Thank you, Princess Colette." nagbow kami sa kanya.

The party continues but the atmosphere is a bit off. Still, we finish it. Wala naman daw kasing pasok bukas.

The couple of the night is obviously... Milo and Ree. Macaria give them their awards. Best dress si Alistair at... ako.

"Congrats guys!" they screamed.
Lalo tuloy akong nahiya.

We lead the last dance until midnight.
And yes, we are still planning for an after party after this just the five of us.