The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 2 1

"So..." Hiwaga points to the man on her side, while swaying on her feet. "This is my husband. You may call him Makisig." The man practically glows at just the mere mention of him, his handsome features soft yet elegant. He bows, leaving an arm out for Hiwaga to steady herself in. "Oh, yes good travelers! I'm Makisig, pleased to meet all of you!" Makisig gives a sheepish apology, "I'm terribly sorry for all the destruction I caused! I'm rather not used to seeing people with my wife so I don't usually account for bystanders." From what Amihan could see, Hiwaga gives the man a painful pinch on the elbow but blessed be the man's tolerance for not keeling over as he simply remains bright and cheery.

     Amihan and Banawag bow their heads although they were incredibly confused. Ligid behind them follow suit but Likha simply opens and closes her hands as a greeting, like a wave done halfway. Amihan sees the almost hysterical look in Banawag's eyes that read 'How many more people are going to come back from the dead?! I thought Hiwaga was widowed!'

It was only later they realized that she never said she was widowed, she was simply married. Seeing that she never mentions her husband made all of them assume that he was dead. Which, in their defense, is a very valid inference!

    Makisig smiles brightly at the sight of Likha, "Is this her?" He tries to reach for her but Ligid tries to cover his view of Likha while Banawag's arm is out to guard both the children. Amihan's back is facing the three and Hiwaga's hand is grabbing Makisig's forearm so tight, her whole arm is shaking. 'You're not touching her.' Everyone seems to radiate and Amihan is so proud of Ligid for taking the first step in protecting Likha, despite not knowing her true origin.

    Hiwaga says, "It's her...but you will not come closer unless we allow it." Makisig raised an eyebrow, amused. "Are you talking back to me?" Hiwaga lets go of his forearm and clicks her tongue, "Why are you here?" She asks instead, changing the topic entirely. "You usually..." She gestures vaguely and Amihan thinks this the first time he has ever seen her so off-guard. "...wait for me to come home." Hiwaga says quietly.

A blank silence follows as Amihan digs deeper into confusion, 'Just who is this man? Rather, who is this being? How is he powerful enough to be on par with her attacks?' At first Amihan thinks it's another Malevolent Divinity, but that wouldn't make much sense. 'Unless he is actually...'

They're dead. Or at least, will be. They're about to be so dead.

In the midst of all of Amihan's thinking, Makisig comes closer and reaches for Hiwaga's left hand. Amihan half-expects Hiwaga to yank back the hand but instead, she sighs tiredly and moves forward. He kisses the back of her hand and holds it with both hands, marveling it like a treasure. "I felt you in pain." He says in reply, "What kind of husband would I be if I never came to your aid?"

    Something inside Amihan tells him that they should definitely not see this turn of events; it feels too, too close! Especially when Hiwaga folds herself carefully in Makisig's arms and kisses his chin, whispering something so soft that even Amihan couldn't hear. He immediately averts his eyes and forces Banawag to look away too. "What kind of a role model are you?!" Amihan whisper-yells to Banawag as the other man hurriedly says, "Sorry, sorry! Children, don't look. Let's give your... Amihan, what do we call Hiwaga?" Amihan gives him a withering look, "What does that have to do with anything?" Banawag shrugs helplessly, "I don't know! Is she the kids' Ate, Tita, or Lola? What seniority are we going based off of?" Amihan wants to yank Banawag's hair so hard, the other man would remain bald for the rest of his life. Amihan massages his temples, "Call her what you wish!"

    Banawag nods, as if this were a strategy meeting. "Right, okay. Your Tita Hiwaga and her husband need alone time, okay? Don't bother them for a bit." He tells the children as they both give twin replies of "We won't." Banawag ruffles both their heads, "Good children, very filial."