Chapter 2: Life Lines.

Chapter 2: Life Lines.

Umihip ang malakas at malamig na hangin sa buong Lower Court. The wind gushes through the open windows and sweeps the curtain off of their feet. It takes the flowing fabric (that seems to be made out of thousands and thousands of rose petals) by the waist. Sa likod ng bintana ay isang pares ng itim na mga mata. Those coal-black eyes solemnly watch the magnificent dance of the universe unfolding in front of him, accompanied by the blows of air that sound like all the greatest symphonies in history combined. Kahit ang suot niyang pulang balabal, maging ang mahaba at itim niyang buhok ay sumasabay sa awitin.

But if there’s one thing that Leofric is certain of, it’s that everything must come to an end. He continues to watch and listen as the wind gradually loses its vigor. Hanggang ang tanging natira na lang ay ang naghihinalong hininga ng hangin; the curtain, as well as the strands of his hair and his robes slow down. The performance is entering its last movement. Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas at tuluyan nang tumigil ang mga ito. They’re finally as still as an empty room when the black paint takes over the canvas.

Yet the curtain refuses to give up. Tinignan nang mabuti ni Leofric kung paano ito lumabas sa bintana; reminiscent of the sea trying to stretch itself in order to reach the farthest part of the shore. Or perhaps a sinner holding on to the gates of Ether, begging for mercy. Better yet, the hands of all the lovers in the world, reaching out for their estranged beloved. Napatingin siya sa kanyang sariling mga kamay and somehow, the lines on his palm show him all the roads.

Leofric puts down his hands and gazes at his company. Nakaupo pa rin ito sa lapag, kaharap ang isang lamesita. On the long, rectangular table in front of him are enormous jars of fermented rice wine. He has been sitting there for a few hours. The man’s dilating blue eyes and slumped shoulders tell Leofric that his friend is far gone.

But, well. Leofric chuckles; his thin and wide lips stretching across his face. He absent-mindedly plays with the red string tied on his pinky finger, not the least worried about it. In fact, he’s amused. They’re both gods who can neutralize the effect of alcohol in their bodies. Kahit ilang dagat pa ng alak ang inumin nila, kaya nilang tanggalin ang epekto nito. Pero sabagay. Where’s the fun in drinking kung hindi ka naman malalasing, hindi ba?

“Imbis na ginto, dapat alak ang inaalay sa’yo ng mga tao,” He comments as he sashays his way to the table. Naupo siya sa sahig, isang dangkal ang layo sa kaibigan. He holds some of the nearest jars and tips their rotund bodies— unsurprisingly, wala ng laman ang lahat ng mga ito.

Thorem sighs, pero hindi na pinatulan pa ang kaibigan. Because of the alcohol, his mind is a little fuzzy and he’s having a hard time comprehending words. Aside from that, his face is also incredibly flushed. Sing pula ng kamatis, ika nga ng mga tao. Gusot-gusot na ang suot nitong balabal na kulay lila. Magulo na rin ang kanyang buhok na kanina’y masinop na nakatali katulad ng kay Leofric. His pupils are also shifty and empty; hindi niya alam kung saan siya titingin. Kung sa kaibigan ba, sa mga kurtinang tuluyan ng huminto sa pag-sayaw o sa mga banga na nasa harapan niya.

It’s as if he’s looking for answers to his people’s prayers inside the god of love’s temple. Iyon ba ang sagot? He looks over at Leofric— kailangan ba magmahalan lang ang mga nilalang sa Core? But that’s far-fetched. Out of the blue, naalala niya ang sinabi sa kanya noon ni Leofric: “Minsan, hindi sapat ang pagmamahal lang.” which he finds ironic that it came from the god of love himself.

“Ay… Ayaw tumubo ng bulaklak sa… hik— Terabestia,” Thorem slurs in between hiccups.

Looking at him, Leofric wonders what will be the reaction of Thorem's people in Terabestia? Instead of seeing the god of victory, strength and pride, all he sees is a man named Thorem who just found the door to the magical land of words and tries to manipulate them, all the while highly intoxicated. Siguradong mag-iiba ang pananaw ng mga tao sa diyos na sinasamba nila. Right now, there’s nothing about him that is victorious and prideful. Leofric shakes his head.

He takes a deep breath before he carefully speaks, enunciating each word: “You need to be straight-forward to your people, Thorem. Masyadong baluktot ang pag-iisip ng mga nakaupo sa pwesto, lalo na ng Reyna.”

Thorem shakes his head, the little baby hairs falling limply on the side of his face move along to the motion. Tila ba nahimasmasan ito nang kaunti sa sinabi ng kapwa diyos. As his solemn eyes are staring at the jars, Leofric can see the cogs in his mind turn. Thorem’s mouth opens and he takes a deep breath. Leofric patiently waits but at the end, umiling lang ulit si Thorem as if he already came to terms with the situation.

“Hindi ‘yun makikinig. Nabulag na siya ng lungkot.”

And then, the wind comes billowing again. This time, it comes with the fragrance of a thousand fields of flowers.

In this universe, heaven is called Ether. It’s a dimension situated in the skies, kung saan napapaligiran ito ng mga ulap. This is where the gods live, as well as the heavenly beings that came to existence because of varying reasons. 

Ether is divided into two storeys or what is commonly known and called as courts. Sa hanay ng mga diyos at diyosa ngayon, tatlo sa apat ang itinuturing na minor gods. Ito ay sina Leofric, Thorem at Aetherielle. Sa Lower Court nakatirik ang kani-kanilang mga templo na nagsisilbing tirahan nila, maging ng mga naninilbihan sa kanila.

Ang Upper Court ay mas malaki kaysa sa Lower Court. Sapagkat dito nakatira ang major god na si Alun, ang diyos ng tubig at ang patron ng Merewif. Dito rin madalas nag uusap-usap ang mga diyos at diyosa sa tuwing nagkakaroon ng mga problema sa mga taong sinasakupan nila sa Core.

The major god is the one in charge of the whole Ether, and makes sure that the other gods are doing their job properly. Madalas ay siya rin ang pinakamakapangyarihan. Well, there’s no doubt that Alun is the most powerful among them. He’s the god of water— something that is precious and is considered as a necessity. Something that sustains life.

Sa pinakadulo ng Lower Court ay mayroong isang portal. Ito ang daan na nagdu-dugtong sa Ether, ang dimensyon kung saan nakatira ang mga diyos at diyosa, at sa Core, ang dimensyon kung saan nakatira ang mga tao. Yes, the gods and goddesses can come down to visit the people under the condition that they shall wear disguises to suppress and hide their spiritual energies that might cause pandemonium on land.

Dahil pinakamalapit sa portal ang templo ni Leofric, simpleng silip lang sa bintana ay makikita na ang lahat ng nangyayari sa labas. The two gods stand up and look outside the window. Servants and heavenly beings rush to the glowing portal para salubungin ang bagong dating na diyosa. Hundreds upon hundreds of flowers fall out of nowhere, filling the place with a pleasantly remarkable scent.

“Nakauwi na ang diyosa Aetherielle!” anunsyo ng isang naninilbihang may suot ng kulay asul na balabal.

Leofric smiles at the scene below while Thorem silently takes a glance at him. Ganitong-ganito lagi ang eksena kapag umaakyat muli ang diyosa Aetherielle matapos nitong bumaba sa Core at bisitahin ang mga tao sa Aether. In fact, the same scenes are rip-offs from the first ever scene when she first ascended.

Matapos mamatay ni Aetherielle bilang tao, the people in her kingdom looked up to her because of her courage and love. The people’s prayers to the gods before them are too powerful. Pinagdasal ng mga tao na imbis na magkatawang-tao muli ito sa lupa, sana ay tanggapin siya sa Ether bilang isang diyosa. That’s why Leofric wasn’t surprised anymore when one day, the entire Ether shook and she came out of the portal as the goddess of nature and wind.

Tumalikod si Thorem at humilig sa pasamano ng bintana. Leofric looks at him; he seems to have sobered up. Hindi na ito namumula at mukhang nasa tamang disposisyon na ang utak nito.

“Parang dula-dulaan,” Thorem mutters underneath his breath. Leofric seems to not quite catch that ngunit hindi na ito nagtanong pa. Instead, he just smiles even wider and continues to watch below.

In every form of art that showcase Thorem’s story, laging kasama si Aetherielle. Bihira ka lang makakahanap ng isang nobela, kanta, tula o dula-dulaan na hindi sila magkasama. At first glance, they seem inseparable. But as you dig deeper, it’s not what it seems to be. Mayroon ng isang libong taon o higit pa nang umakyat sila sa Ether at naging ganap na diyos at diyosa. However, both of them remember what happened prior to their ascension na para bang isang sirang plakang hindi nila matanggal-tanggal sa mga puso’t isipan nila.

Aetherielle emerges from the portal and the first thing she hears are the cheers of the heavenly beings. She smiles at them and even entertains some of their questions. Pakiramdam niya tuloy isa siyang celebrity dahil sa atensyon na ibinibigay sa kanya. Well, technically, she is. Sa hanay ng mga namumuno ngayon sa Ether, siya lang ang natatanging diyosa. A beautiful one at that.

Her long golden hair is flowing freely on her back; a surprisingly good contrast to her robes that are a mix of white and pastel blue. Kumikinang din ang chinita at kulay kastanyo niyang mga mata na nag-iiba ang kulay depende kung gaano kalakas ang ilaw na tumatama sa mga ito. It never ceases to remind one of the leaves when their lives are hanging on by a thread or when death finally consumes the leaves' entirety.

“Kamusta po ang Core?”

“Balita po namin masagana ang ani sa Aether!”

“Hindi niyo po ba tutulungan ang diyos Thorem?”

The last question made her flinch by how aggressive it was. She looks at the servant and lo and behold, he’s wearing lavender robes na gaya ng kay Thorem. The servant’s jaw is clenched and his eyes are almost glaring at her. Aetherielle composes herself and smiles, glancing at the figure of a man next to Leofric on the latter’s open window.

“Hindi ko na kailangang ipahiwatig sa mga tao na tumulong ulit katulad noon. This time, kusa nilang inabot ang mga kamay nila para sa Terabestia. Hindi ko alam ang dahilan kung bakit parang mas lalo pang lumalala ang sitwasyon. Ang alam ko lang, ginawa na ng Aether ang makakaya nito,” she explains.

Thorem shuts his eyes and hits his forehead with his closed fist. Nagsimulang mag bulungan ang mga nilalang sa Ether. Aetherielle deems it as the right timing to excuse herself. Ilang araw din siyang walang tulog sa Aether habang tinutulungan sa pag-aani ang mga tao. The disguise she wore also suppressed her spiritual energy kaya doble ang bigat ng katawan niya. She has to replenish it through sleep or aphrodisiacs before she resumes her job and answers the people’s prayers.

Leofric once again looks at Thorem. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagtataka, judging by his knitted eyebrows and squinting eyes. Thorem sighs. The reason why he went to Leofric’s palace in the first place was instantly buried in the recesses of his mind nang makita niya ang mga banga ng alak pagkapasok niya sa templo.

“Sinunog ng Reyna Farika ang mga bulaklak na ipinadala nila,” he simply states, his mouth dry and numb from all the alcohol. Buntong hininga na lang ang nasagot ni Leofric, tila ba natameme sa sinabi ng kaibigan.

When the drinking glass was thrown and its shattered pieces were scattered all over the floor, hindi na nag-atubili pa si Amir. His entire body reacted before his mind could even process what happened. He bolts out of the lounge and runs across the hallways with only one goal in mind: wake Vanraj up.

His red ears on top of his silver shag cut hair are twitching uncontrollably. Nakalaglag ang kanyang panga habang tumatakbo siya patungo sa kwarto ng kaibigan, swallowing huge chunks of air. For the first time, nagdarasal siya na sana ay nakalimutan na naman isusi ni Vanraj ang kanyang pinto para hindi na siya mahirapan pa.

When he reached the tall oak door, kaagad niyang napihit ang door knob nang walang kahirap-hirap. Tinulak niya papasok ang pinto, kaya naman bumangga ito sa dresser na nasa likod nito. Amir approaches the future king of Terabestia who is sprawled on the large bed, mouth hanging ajar as he snores loudly. Wala itong suot na pang-itaas at tanging tuwalya lang ang nakapalibot sa kanyang beywang.

On his bed surrounding him are thick history books. Amir catches a glimpse of the one near Vanraj’s head and sees the anatomy of a flower. Immediately, he understood what his friend was trying to do. He leans down and starts to frantically shake the sleeping Regim’s body.

Parang hinila mula sa pagkakalunod si Vanraj. His eyes fly open and his hands are quick to seize Amir’s wrists on his shoulders. He glared at him, a guttural growl slipping out of his lips.

“Amir—”

“Pasensya na, Vanraj. Alam ko gusto mo pang matulog pero nag-aaway kasi ang mga magulang mo,” Amir quickly explains. 

No more words are needed. With no opportunity to catch his breath, tumakbo muli si Amir palabas. Vanraj swiftly grabs his military pants lying on the floor and slips it on. He exits his room and follows closely behind Amir.

The servants on the hallways sense their urgency from miles away, so they scurry away from their path. Pagkarating nila sa lounge, the screaming match has escalated into a battle of stubbornness. 

Their steps come to a screeching halt. But their hearts automatically jump out of their chests nang makita nila ang Reyna Farika na lumuhod sa mga pira-pirasong bubog ng mga basag na plato.

“Ma!”

“Tita!”

“FA!” 

The three men exclaim, with King Alaric’s voice resonating louder than the two. Ngumiwi ang Reyna, ngunit hindi mawari ni Vanraj kung dahil ba ito sa mga bubog na nakatarak sa kanyang mga tuhod o sa lakas ng sigaw nila.

Her fists are clenched on her sides. Her green, piercing eyes are glowing harshly and in contrast with the yellow ray of sun trapped outside the closed windows. 

“Fa,” Alaric sighs in defeat, kneeling in front of her. “Tama na.  Tumayo ka na. Wala na sa’kin ‘yun,”

“Patawad po, Haring Alaric,” she says. Her voice is monotonous and her face is void of any expressions. She shifts on her position, the shards of broken ceramic stabbing her knees deeper.

Nagtama ang mga mata nila. Alaric sees a glimpse of his son in her defiant eyes. Along with it is the image of the strong woman he admired. Ibang-iba ang litratong naaalala niya kesa sa babaeng nakaharap ngayon sa kanya. But he knows he can’t blame anyone but himself. The woman in front of him is the product of many things who had trudged multiple roads that all lead to him.

Before his hand can even reach for his queen’s face, lumapit na si Vanraj at dahan-dahang tinulungang tumayo ang nanay niya.

Amir quickly helps him. Hinayaan ni Vanraj na si Amir na mismo ang kumarga sa reyna palabas ng lounge. Her petite body curls against Amir’s arms, para bang isang lobo na dahan-dahang nawalan ng hangin. Simpleng tango lang mula sa kaibigan, he already knows what to do. Amir tightens his hold of the mother he never had and guides her away from her own demons.

“Patawad sa inyo ni Raj, Amir,” she whispers underneath her breath. Amir only smiles at her.

“Patawad, Raj,” Alaric then whispers to his son, his shoulders slumped as if he’s carrying the entire Ether.

Vanraj helps him up and pats his father’s shoulder bago siya lumabas ng lounge. Alaric silently watches his son’s figure getting smaller by each second that passes by. A sense of pride swells within him. Parang kailan lang niya ito unang nakita matapos niyang maipanganak. He remembers how Vanraj’s small fingers curled around his own when he held him for the first time.

Umihip ang hangin at isinarado nito ang mga pintuan sa lounge. The doors slammed loudly kaya naman napalingon si Vanraj doon. For the umpteenth time, something inside him rumbles. And for the umpteenth time, all he can do is watch silently as everything falls apart… again.

Patawarin niyo muna ang sarili ninyo bago kayo humingi ng tawad sa’kin,

Vanraj says to himself. His gaze lingers on the shut doors for a minute bago siya muling tumalikod at puntahan sina Amir.

It’s as if Ether is smiling down at Aether.

Ilang araw nang maganda ang panahon at masagana ang ani. Dahil dito, laking pasasalamat ni Zarfa at ng mga magulang niya sa diyosa Aetherielle. Ngayong araw ay maaga siyang nagising para magluto ng minatamis na kakanin at ilagay ito sa mga dahon ng saging.

Kagabi ay plinano ng kanyang buong pamilya na bago sila pumunta sa kani-kanilang mga trabaho ay bisitahin muna nila ang bahay-dasalan ng diyosa Aetherielle. Mag-aalay sila ng pasasalamat dahil sobra-sobrang biyaya ang natanggap nila ngayong taon. The weather is always clear and their crops flourished beautifully. Naging maayos din ang pagbebenta ng mga pananim nila. Gamit ang perang kinita ng kanyang papa, pwede nang simulan ang paggawa ng kisame sa sala at pinturahan ang kanilang bahay.

“Sobrang bango naman ng niluluto mo, ‘nak. Nagising tuloy ako,” 

She turns and sees her papa Raphael. Nakahilig ito sa hamba ng pintuan at alawak ang ngiti nito sa labi. Medyo magulo pa ang buhok nito habang kinukusot niya ang pagod paalis sa kanyang mga kulay asul na mga mata. His glowing wings of the same color flap like a revving engine bago ito lumipad patungo kay Zarfa.

“Gutom ka na ba, papa? Hindi pa ako nakakabili ng pandezucar,” ani Zarfa habang tinatali ang mga natitirang kakanin.

Raphael shakes his head. “Hindi pa naman. Pero ‘yun ‘yung gustong kinakain ng mama mo sa almusal. Ako na magtuloy?”

Zarfa contemplates for a bit before stepping aside and letting her father take her place. “Sige. Bili lang muna saglit ako, ha? Pakihigpitan na lang ang tali, papa. Baka lumuwag,”

“Opo, boss! Ako na bahala,” Raphael sticks his thumbs out for his daughter. Napangiti at napailing na lang si Zarfa.

She grabs her wallet na nakapatong sa kanilang lamesita, katabi ng ceramic flower vase na may lamang isang pumpon ng higanbana. Before leaving the house, she stands in front of the full body mirror and pulls her beige cardigan to make sure it's covering everything.

Unbeknownst to her, Raphael silently watches from the kitchen. Nang lumipad nang kaunti ang laylayan nito, he caught a glimpse of one of the pair. Mula sa mga iyon ay lumipat ang mga mata ni Raphael sa mga bulaklak sa paso.

“‘Nak, ako na kaya ang bumili?” he offers.

Zarfa’s movements come to a halt. Lumingon siya sa papa niya and she gives him a warm smile before shaking her head. “Ako na, papa. Kaya ko na po,”

Something pinches Raphael’s heart. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang unica hija palabas ng bahay. When she shuts the door close, he looks down on the sweet and sticky rice on top of the banana leaf. Kung sanang may kapangyarihan siya na protektahan ang regalong ibinigay sa kanila ni Isabel, hindi siya mag-aatubiling gamitin ito.

But he doesn’t have one. And there’s only so much he can save her from. But until the universe permits, he’ll do whatever he can.

Zarfa steps out into the cold beginning of a new day. Medyo madilim pa ang langit at kumukuti-kutitap pa ang mga bituin. She wraps her arms around her body to generate heat; napaka sensitibo talaga ng katawan niya sa mga bagay na sobra.

She walks down the road, past the houses made from molave wood. Ninamnam niya ang bagong panganak na araw, kasama na ang awit ng pagdiriwang ng mga ibon. Sa ‘di kalayuan ay narinig niya ang pag-iyak ng mga manok, maging ang pagsalubong ng mga kalabaw at kabayo sa umaga. She can’t help but smile at the simple things that life brings unapologetically.

Ngunit nang matanaw na niya ang panaderya, kusang nahulog mula sa mga labi niya ang ngiti. Standing on the small platform of the bakery is Andreas, kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan sa community college.

Gusot pa ang mga suot nilang damit at tila ba pinapainit muna nila ang kanilang mga pakpak. Zarfa stares at their wings longingly, their glow and intricacies never cease to knock her breath away.

Nang lingunin siya ni Andreas, kaagad siyang yumuko. Hindi niya alam kung tutuloy pa ba siya o uuwi muna at hintayin silang makaalis. Ngunit dahil nakita na siya ng mga ito, wala na siyang magagawa pa. She clenches her fists and walks straight to the bakery.

Pagsampa palang sa maliit na platform ay kaagad lumipad na ang dalawang kaibigan ni Andreas, tila ba nanunuya gamit ang mga pakpak nila.

“Uy, ganda ah! Bago jacket mo?”

“Sa lahat ng mga diwatang nakatira rito, ikaw lang kilala namin na tinatago mga pakpak mo,”

She pretends to not hear them. Tumitig lang siya sa mga tinapay na umuusok pa sa likod ng mga salamin. Nagtama ang tingin nila ng panadero ngunit umiwas ito ng tingin at umalis papasok sa isang kwarto kung saan ginagawa ang mga tinapay.

“Bakit ‘di mo alisin ang jacket mo? Lipad tayo!”

“Itigil ninyo ‘yan,” singit ni Andreas sa kanila. Tiningnan siya nito mula paa hanggang sa magtama ang mga mata nila. Under those silver eyes of his that almost taste like metal, she feels even smaller.

“Alam n'yo namang ampon lang ‘yan, ‘di ba? Kaya walang kwenta mga pakpak niya,” he adds.

Zarfa clenches her jaw. “Hindi ako ampon,”

Andreas takes a step forward and stares right into her eyes. "Kung 'di ka ampon, bakit walang silbi 'yang mga pakpak mo? Nakakalipad naman mga magulang mo, ah?"

Nanginginig na ang mga tuhod ni Zarfa sa pinaghalong takot at galit. Her nails are digging deeper into the palm of her flesh habang paulit-ulit siyang nagdarasal sa diyosang patron nila na si Aetherielle.

Nakikiusap po ako. Nakikiusap po ako… ayoko po ng gulo.

She stares back at his eyes with her own: singkit ang kanyang mga mata at tila ba, dahil sa kulay nilang lila, bolang kristal ang mga ito. She strengthens her resolve, an act that takes everything in her to do so; a defiance that infuriates him to his core.

“Ang tapang mo, ah?” He challenges her as he takes another step closer to her. Hindi nagpatinag si Zarfa rito. She stands her ground ngunit hindi niya inasahan na hahatakin ng mga kasama nito paalis ang cardigan na suot niya.

“Lipad, ampon, lipad!”

The bitter cold is sharp against her fragile wings. Dahil wala siyang suot upang protektahan ang mga ito, her knees uncontrollably shakes and fails her. Napaluhod siya sa platform na tinatapakan nila as the three boys surround her. 

Niyakap niya nang mahigpit ang sarili, the looming figures above her make her throat constrict. Lumabo ang paningin niya dahil sa mga nagbabadyang luha. They keep chanting the same hurtful words over and over, even tugging at her wings. The pain shoot up from the tips to her scapula. Itinapon sa lupa ang kanyang bagong cardigan na ginantsilyo lang kagabi ng kanyang mama Isabel at tinapak-tapakan nila ito. 

She crawls over to the fabric and tries to grab it pero ang kanyang pala-pulsuhan ang natapakan. She cries out loud in pain as tears start to fall— doon pa lang natigil ang tatlo sa ginagawa.

“Ang O.A mo naman!”

“Para ‘yun lang!”

She grabs the fabric again and shakily puts it on. Nanatili siyang nakaluhod at yakap ang sarili. Andreas blinks as something inside his chest sinks. He stares down at her, contemplating his choices. But before he can even choose and act on it, they hear deep growls that instantly turn on their fight or flight mode.

Sa pag-angat ng mga mata nila, may dalawang lalaki silang nakita sa harapan nila. They don't know where they came from and how long they were standing there. They are wearing black robes that cover the tops of their heads. The robes also have hems that hang below their knees. Isang sulyap lang sa mga pangil ng dalawang lalaki ay nagmadaling lumipad paalis sina Andreas.

One of the men squats down in front of her. Zarfa keeps her eyes on the ground until an open palm comes to her vision. Nang makita niya iyon ay mas lalong nag-init ang mga mata niya. Her tears doubled and she sobs for the unexpected kindness that the universe gave her.

Isang kayumangging palad. She doesn’t question it, despite the fact that fairies in Aether all have pale skin. Kahit ang papa Raphael niya na maghapong nakababad sa araw ay mayroong maputlang balat. 

The palm has many lines, she notices. Hindi katulad ng kanya na mayroon lang tatlo. Every now and then, she looks at hers and wonders which path she took that led her to where she is right now.

She wonders the same as she stares at the man’s palm. Napakarami nitong choices. Alin sa mga linya kaya rito ang tinatahak nito ngayon? Is he where he wants to be? Or is he just like her? Kuntento na ba siya sa status quo, o wala lang siyang magawa sa daloy ng buhay na itinadhana para sa kanya?

She takes his hand. It felt bigger and warmer than hers. Nang iangat niya ang kanyang tingin, her purple eyes meet his green ones. However, something at the top of his head moved. Dahil dito ay umangat doon ang mga mata ni Zarfa. It moved again and she finally understood, especially when she took note of the unusual shape.

She puts her thumb and index finger together, then runs it across her lips. The man’s green eyes glisten as he nods in a silent agreement.

Bumili si Zarfa ng pandezucar na paborito ng mama Isabel niya. Then she asks for a piece of paper and pen mula sa panadero na tila ba walang kapaki-pakialam sa nangyari sa paligid niya.

Then when she walks her way home and sees the two men draped in black clothing at the side of the road, huminto siya at inabot ang ekstrang supot ng tinapay na binili niya sa kanila. The one with the red eyes accepts it and thanks her with a grin.

She gives them a tight smile before she finally goes home.

“Raj, kailangan mong kumain,” Amir insists at patuloy na pinipilit ang tinapay sa mukha ng kaibigan.

After hours of finding a spot, sa wakas ay nakahanap sila ng daan patungo sa isang gubat. They take off their black robes and lay it on the roots of a narra tree. Kasalukuyan silang nakahilig sa troso ng puno habang pinapalipas ang kanilang oras at pagod matapos maglakad papuntang Aether nang isang buong gabi.

Vanraj shakes his head. “Ayoko. Masyadong matamis,”

“Sabi ko naman sa’yo, magdala tayo ng makakain. Alam mo naman na puro gulay at prutas sila rito, hindi ba?” Amir scolds him as his red tail wags furiously. Kaunti na lang ay hindi niya na rin makokontrol ang kanyang kulay pulang mga mata at baka mailapan niya na ang kaibigan.

“P’wede naman tayong humuli ng hayop rito—”

Amir smacks Vanraj’s head, causing the latter to growl at him. “Ano ka ba, Raj! Pasensya na ha, pero tanga ka ba?! Tagapag-alaga ng kalikasan at hayop ang mga diwata rito. Malalagot tayo kapag basta-basta na lang tayong humuli!”

Vanraj clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “Anong gusto mo, magpaalam tayo sa kanila? E ‘di, nahuli rin tayo kung gano’n! Baka nga nagsumbong na ‘yung tatlong ‘yun pati na ‘yung babae. Kung mamamatay man ako, gusto ko na mamamatay akong busog.”

Hindi na lang sumagot pa si Amir sa kaibigan. Pakiramdam niya, mas lalo lang mauubos ang enerhiya niya kung papatulan niya pa ito. He just goes back to eating the sickeningly sweet bread, hanggang sa may nakagat siyang isang bagay at hindi kaagad nahiwalay ng mga ngipin niya ang parteng iyon.

He looks down and sees a rolled paper on top of the bread. Nilabas ito ni Amir at binuksan. Upon reading the text, his ears start twitching and his tail starts wagging. Nanlaki rin ang mga mata niya bago hampasin muli sa balikat ang kaibigan.

Vanraj growls at him again. “Ano na naman?”

“Tingnan mo, may iniwang sulat ‘yung babae sa loob ng plastik!” Amir exclaims in joy and shows him the note.

It says in a neat italicized handwriting: Salamat sa tulong ninyo. Kung nangangailangan pa kayo ng bulaklak ng Ixquic, marami pa kaming sobra sa bahay na pwede kong ibigay sa inyo.

Underneath the message is where she wrote her address. Amir chuckles in joy habang si Vanraj ay paulit-ulit na binasa ang mensahe hanggang sa mawalan na ng saysay ang mga salita.

He remembers her fluttering wings. Compared to the rapid movement of the bullies’, tila ba naghihinalo ang sa kanya. There is no glow to her wings or whatever they call it. It’s simply transparent kaya kitang-kita ang mga “disenyo” nitong mga guhit na magkakadugtong. Each one line leads to another two, akin to a choice we make in the present, that leads us to our future.

The lines on the wings remind him of the hallways in the palace of Yesdanzer where he spent his whole life running around. They remind him of the melting roads in Terabestia due to the sweltering heat, and the river’s continuous stream. They remind him of the long table at the dining hall, the outline of many doors shutting on his face, and all the colorful curtains his parents had put up to mask the monochromatic truth.

But mostly, they remind him of the flat line on the heart monitor the day his lolo papa left the Core. 

“Raj? Raj, okay ka lang?”

He looks at Amir and nods. “Oo. Pahinga lang ako.”

He lays down on his side, his back facing Amir. 

All these life lines rushing to him all at once make him dizzy. But quick as they come, quick as they go. At the end of the film, only the credits that consist of a small pair of fluttering transparent wings remain until he falls asleep.