Ocean of Feathers

29 - Santa Nina 1492

The short story is dedicated to Kinsky Mae Fiegalan. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!  

29

"Sorry, I'm lost." The little girl with her straw hat and a sunflower on her left ear said with tremble in her lips.

Kalalabas ko lamang sa simbahan matapos ang misa nang bigla itong lumapit sa akin at sabihing kailangan niya ng tulong ko.

She's been holding my hand while her head's scanning all over the place, probably looking for her mother.

"Paano ka nawala? Can you still remember your mother's number?" umiling sa akin ang kawawang bata.

Saglit kaming tumigil sa paglalakad at nagsimula akong mag-isip. Should I report her to the police? They're probably help her.

"But I think my mother will wait for me there." She pointed the old tree not few meters away from us.

Saglit akong kinilabutan nang mas mapagmasdan ko ang puno. It was indeed old, but there's something with its presence that made my hair rise up, unusually.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, you can leave me there. I'll wait for my mother." Hindi ako sumagot sa bata, wala akong planong iwan siyang mag-isa sa may puno.

I have my all day wait with her.

Sabay kaming naupo sa kahoy na upuan na siyang paikot na nakapaligid sa lumang puno. Hindi ko maiwasang yakapin ang sarili ko dahil walang tigil ito sa pagtaas.

Shit. What's wrong with me?

I felt a sudden press on my hand that made me look down to the little girl. The tears from her eyes were gone and it was just her smile with her beautiful eyes.

"Welcome aboard, Kinsky Mae."

I was about to give her words when a sudden darkness enveloped us. Biglang bumigat ang aking paghinga, sinubukan kong tumayo at tumakbo at ginawa ko ang lahat para makasigaw ako pero nang sandaling makasaksi ako nang liwanag ibang mukha ang sumalubong sa akin.

The handsome man was holding both of my hands. My eyes widened and I tried to snatch my hands back. But the man, tenderly smiled at me before he gave a warm kiss on both of my hands.

Where am I?

I looked around to see another version of the old tree.

"W-What's happening?" I blurted out. The handsome man sighed.

"I really have to go, my love." Biglang kumirot ang dibdib ko sa sinabi niya. Bakit ako nasaktan? Bakit nagtutubig ang aking mga mata?

"But why?" I asked.

"Because I'll shame you, you're a princess. Isa lamang akong hamak na kawal." Kapwa kami naalarma nang makarinig kami nang sunod-sunod na yabag ng mga kabayo.

My heart raced in fear.

"I'll come with you, huwag mo akong iwan."

"No, you have no future with me."

"My future without you is damn useless." Madiing sabi ko. Hinawakan ko ang mga braso niya na parang nagmamakaawa ako.

What the hell is happening?!

"Kamahalan! Nandito sila!"

Agad humarang sa akin ang lalaki. Nagsisimula na akong matakot, I want to fucking know his name before this damn dream disappeared!

"Drien! You fucker! Give my daughter back!"

"Huwag nyo siyang sasaktan, ibabalik ko siya nang matiwasay."

"No," madiing sabi ko.

But another batch of male with horse barged in. And the one leading them shouted fire.

I did what my heart desires. I embraced my whole body around him and gave him a kiss on his lips with the tears on my eyes.

The arrows hit us both.

"I love you," he whispered before we both fell to death.

**

Nagising akong may ilang beses tumatapik sa pisngi ko.

"Miss.."

"Miss, wake up. Hapon na, kanina ka pa pinagtitinginan ng mga tao."

Agad akong napabangon, hinanap ng aking mga mata ang batang babae pero wala na ito sa paligid.

"Where's the kid?"

"Kid?"

Nang sandaling tumama ang mga mata ko sa lalaki, napatulala na lamang ako.

"Drien?"

Umawang ang bibig niya nang marinig niyang tinawag ko ang pangalan niya.

"Y-You called my name, y-you can still remember?"

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil tuluyan ko nang iniyakap ang katawan ko sa kanya, sa ilalim ng iisang puno.

"I'm Kinsky, damn it. Tumatanggap ako nang manliligaw."

--

VentreCanard