Nagkagulo ang mga kabataan sa dalampasigan dahil sa biglang pagkawala ni Psyche na parang bula. Sa sandaling iyon ay sila pa lamang ang nakakaalam. Walang kamuwang-muwang ang mga matanda sa nangyari.
Huminga ng malalim si Morpheus at pilit na pinakalma ang sarili.
"I followed her. But she went deep into the forest."
"What? What did you do?"
"I was just messing with her, man! I didn't know she would take it seriously."
"WHAT.DID.YOU.DO?"Mariin ang bawat salita na ulit ni Martis sa tanong ng pinsan.
"I tried to kiss her. She run away!"
"What the hell, Zhao?!"Galit na sigaw ni Morpheus.
Isang suntok ang natamo nito mula kay Martis.
"Fuck you! Why did you do that to her?"Anito habang kwenelyuhan ang naturang binata.
Agad namang umawat si Rodytte.
"Martis! Psyche is just overacting. Okay?!"
"Really, Rodytte? Ipagtatanggol mo talaga ang manyak na 'to?"Nanggagalaiti sa galit na asik ni Martis sa pinsan.
"Mart, chill."
"Get your hands off me, Russian."
"Promise me first you wouldn't do anything?"
Segundo ang lumipas bago binitawan ni Martis ang kwelyo ni Zhao.
"Fine."Anito at pinukol ng matalim na tingin ang huli.
Sabay naman silang napalingon ng biglang dumating si August sa eksena.
"Guys! Grandpa said we have to leave early. People from mainland just radio that there will be a storm tonight. Wait, what happened to your face?"Sa halip ay tanong nito nang mapansin ang mukha ni Zhao.
"Martis gave him a good punch."Si Russian ang sumagot.
"Why?"
"She tried to kiss Psyche. Now, she's nowhere to be found."
Nagdilim bigla ang anyo ni August.
"Why did you do that?What right do you have?"Mahinahon ngunit puno ng pagbabanta ang boses na tanong ng binata.
Hindi naman maikakailang may espesyal na koneksyon silang dalawa ni Pysche.
"Man, do I really have to explain myself? It's a normal thing."
"Not for her."
"She's just your maid. What's the big deal?"
"Exactly."Agad naman na segunda ni Rodytte.
"Stay out of this Rodytte."Maawtoridad na sabi ni August sa kapatid.
Walang nagawa ang dalaga kundi ang umatras at mapairap na lamang.
"Are you saying, it's okay to harass her because she's just a maid?"
"Harass? It's flirting, man."
"Yes or no?"
"Y-Yes. It's part of their job, isn't it?"
"Asshole."Si Martis ang nagsalita. Halatang di makapagtimpi,"It's not flirting if the girl doesn't like it, tarantado."
"Okay. I'll gladly return the favor in the future."Tanging sabi ni August.
Gulat naman si Martis sa narinig.
"August! Of all people, really? Are you gonna let him get away with it? What if something bad happened to her?"
"Then, maybe...that's the time I would kill this guy."Tinuro nito si Zhao.
"Man, come on. It's just a kiss--"
"A kiss? So, you kissed her?!"
Akmang susugurin na naman sana ni Martis ang binata ngunit napigilan ito ni August.
"Why are you so angry? Is it care or jealousy? Baka hirap ka din maka-score sa katulong nyo?"
"Gago 'to ah!"
Sa pagkakataong yun ay si Morpheus na ang sumuntok ng malakas sa bastos na binata.
"Huy ikaw. Bagong salta ka lang dito. Wag kang maangas samin, ha?"
"Kuya Morpheus, stop it!"
"Shut up, Dytte! Your friend here is fucking toxic and brainless!"
Mas lalong nainis si Morpheus ng makitang tumaas ang gilid ng labi ni Zhao.
"Oh, bakit ka galit na galit pare? May gusto ka rin sa kanya? Ganito ba ang mga ugali ng Flavius sa mga bisita nila?"Sabad naman nung Friedrich, ang kaibigan ni Zhao.
Bago paman masaktan din ni Morpheus ang naturang lalake ay pumagitna na si August.
"Listen, fella. She's just not our maid. She's our childhood friend. She's basically part of the family. While you guys, are obviously the outsiders here. You do not have the right to question our disposition here if you can't even give a goddamn respect to a fucking servant!"
Natahimik ang lahat sa tinuran ni August.
"What's happening here?"Dumagundong ang boses ng senyor sa dalampasigan.
Everybody went silent. No one dared to speak.
"Well?"Untag ng senyor sa mga kabataang tila nabato sa kinatatayuan.
"It's Psyche. She's gone, dad."
"Gone? What do you mean by gone, Rodytte? What did you do this time?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalaga.
"Dad! It's not me!"
Sinulyapan ng senyor ang bawat isa.
"August, can we talk?"
Mabilis na ikwenento ng huli ang nangyari.
"Then, why aren't you angry?"Sa wakas ay tanong ng senyor.
"I am. But we don't know what happened to her yet. I don't want to be biased. Until we're not certain, I don't want to kill him... yet."
The old man smiled secretly.
"Alright. Everyone, may I announce to you that my son here...August. He has all the rights to go berserk. But he did not. Which made me a proud dad."Tinapik pa ng senyor ang binata.
"Dad, stop it."August said, slightly embarassed.
"What I am saying is, let us not resort to violence without concrete evidence."
"Uncle, are you siding this asshole?"Angal ni Martis.
"Watch your mouth, kid. He's still our visitor. Whatever happened can be discussed peacefully. I'm sorry hijo if my nephews blew your nose hard. But you truly deserve it, no offense. Alright, gather your things and get ready. We'll leaving after an hour."
"What about Psyche, Uncle?"
"I'll call for search and rescue operation around the area. Don't worry, Art. I'm sure, she'll be fine. She's tough and a smart one. And remember, not a city girl. In the meantime, you kids have to go back because tomorrow is not a special holiday. You still have your classes. I don't wanna hear any parent complaints."
"Dad, I'm gonna stay behind."Saad ni August.
"Me too."Si Martis.
"Count me in."Segunda rin ni Morpheus.
"Come on, lads. That's a big no for the two of you."
"Eh. Bakit si August lang?"
"He's the boyfriend of course!"
Nalaglag ang panga ng lahat sa narinig. Gulat. Pati na rin si August ay hindi inasahan ang sinabi ng ama.
Doon niya naalala na hindi pala nila nalinaw iyong nadatnan kagabi. Dahil hindi rin naman ito nakikinig.
Wala siyang nagawa kundi ang huminga ng malalim at mapailing na lang.
BINABASA MO ANG
Psyche's Fairytale (Currently Updating)
FantasíaEverything seems like a dream. I am just ordinary, far from a princess. In love with a prince. Into the woods, there lies a mystery. This discovery is my FANTASY.
