Ocean of Feathers

49 - Jesus 1768

The short story is dedicated to Jhunamaye Ann A. Rivera. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

Chapter 49

"What happened after Kristine faced the enemies, Jhunamaye?" tanong sa akin ni Ella.

Isa si Ella sa mga babae sa nakaraan na iniligtas ng babaeng kapitan mula sa pang-aabuso ng isinumpang isla na ngayon ay wala nang naalala. Karamihan sa amin ay hindi na nakakaalala at kung nagkakaroon naman ng pagkakataong maalala ito ay dahil lamang sa iilang pagkakataon.

I didn't mention her that she was somewhat part of the story, dahil alam kong lalabas lamang ako baliw sa kanya.

"Kristine died fighting for women's freedom. Hindi man siya kasama sa barkong naglayag patungo sa islang nagtatago sa mga kababaihan, napakalaki ng naging parte niya sa misyon. Without her saving Nayumi, hindi makakarating sa dulo ang misyon ng kapitan."

Ngumuso si Ella sa sinabi ko. "She's a hero."

"Every woman in the story is a hero, Ella. Lahat ng kababaihan sa kwentong iyon ay lumaban, nagsakripisyo at ginawa ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya." Just like you...

I want to tell her, pero tulad ng sabi ng batang babae na minsang dumalaw sa akin, kung hindi kaya alalahin ng ibang mga kababaihan sa kasalukuyan ang nakaraan, hindi niya na nais itong ipaalala sa kanila.

It was like a written kind of past with no recognition at all.

Kung sabagay, ang pagkakilala ang huling bagay na pagtutuunan ng pansin ng babaeng hinahangaan ko. She's been like that thousand's years ago, at hindi pa rin siya nagbabago.

I couldn't help but to remember my encounter with her...

I was rowing our boat, the captain was silently staring at the water while watching her reflection. Until now, she's still a mystery for us... walang nakaalam kung saan siya nagmula, pamilya at ang totoong pagkakakilanlan.

Some thought that she was a noble... a princess from an abandoned empire, a daughter of a general for her skills, from a family of politician because of her political knowledge... there were lots of speculation... at sa tuwing may nangangahas magtanong sa kanya... tanging pagngiti lamang ang kanyang ginagawa.

"Are you ready after Nayumi's arrival?"

"I'm hoping that she'll come back with Kristine." Tipid na sagot niya.

The captain gently played her hands-on water. "I hate it when someone's trying to sacrifice for me."

"It's not always you who are always willing to sacrifice, kasi katulad mo may mga pinahahalagahan din kami."

Hindi siya sumagot dahil kami kami napatitig sa mga ibong nagliparan sa hangin.

"Jhunamaye, do you think you'll remember me after this journey?"

"There's no way I'll forget you, you saved my life and you gave me family... sisters..."

"To fight for another war?" she asked.

"If saving lives is a kind of war, I don't care if you're going to make me your bullet."

Tuluyan na siyang lumingon sa akin. And she smiled, it was so warm that my heart could melt in an instant.

"If I'm going to yield a weapon, it's not just a bullet. A bomb, we'll explode together. We'll brush the wrongs, and we'll create a new. I'll always explode with everyone, because I wasn't born to just watch, but to join you."

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagsagwan ng bangka at tipid akong ngumiti sa gitna ng lawa. The captain started to sing softly with the small waves, and the wind whistle with her.

The water seems effective to calm her...

"P-paano kung bigla akong makalimot? We couldn't assure the future or what we called reincarnation, kung meron nga no'n."

Natigil siya sa pagkanta at muli niya akong binigyan ng ngiti.

"I'll find you... and I'll try to make you happy which you truly deserves..."