「16」My Unusual Visitor At Night (Part 1)

SIDAPA

“SIDAPA, why are you swarmed by black butterflies?” Libulan asked. He had just arrived, and the first thing he noticed were these butterflies that were fluttering all over the place.

“Don’t mind them,” I said, and continued carving new lifeline marks again on the tree. “You’re allowed to sit,” I added when I saw him still staring at me, or rather the butterflies around me.

I met Libulan a week ago. He injured his leg when he fell down from the sky. He told me that he was hiding from the sea serpent, Bakunawa. For some reason, he asked if it was okay that we see each other again and I agreed without much argument.

I admit, I was captivated by his beauty. He looked so perfect in so many ways. But again, I feel like I’m breaking the rules for harboring such feelings towards another God. And he’s a man, a very gorgeous one, I thought. I was almost done with the last mark when I heard something crack.

“It broke,” I said in horror as I lifted the broken machete in an eye level po