Under The Hawthorn Tree Novels & Stories

biro niya, pilit tinatago ang kaba. Biglang tumigas ang panga ni Harrison—pero ngumiti siya, mabagal at mapanganib. “I already warned the universe.” Napatawa siya. “Grabe ka.” “I’m serious,” bulong niya, bumababa ang boses. “No one ruins your day. Not today. Not ever.” --- A PROMISE BEFORE THE STORM Iniabot ni Harrison ang kamay niya. “Walk with me?” Naglakad sila sa garden path, dumaraan sa mga rosas—isa roon ang Princess Grace Rose. Huminto sila sa tabi ng fountain, tila saglit na huminto ang mundo.

“The Heartwood is here.” They finally broke through a thick curtain of vines, and there it was. The Nexus Point. It wasn't a temple or a building. It was a clearing, but the trees here were unlike any they had ever seen. They were ancient, their boughs glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The ground was covered in a bed of luminescent moss, and in the center was a single, immense tree, its bark a vibrant green, its leaves shimmering with a silver light. The air was a symphony of light and energy, the very essence of life humming all around them. It was beautiful, sacred, and impossibly peaceful. It was everything the scrolls had promised.

“Father, you sound like one of those poetic bards sa city plaza!” “See? Nakakahawa si Mother mo,” biro ni Nathaniel. “Lahat ng sinasabi ko biglang nagmumukhang drama.” “Hindi drama,” sabat ni Cassandra, “inspiration.” Pagdating nila sa dulo ng hardin, may maliit na pond na puno ng lotus flowers. Umupo silang apat sa tabing-bato, pinapanood ang tubig na kumikislap sa sikat ng araw.

Ngayon, bakit parang ilang beses nang may bahid ng pagpaslang ang titig nito sa kanya? Pinilit ni Avery na itaas ang kanyang baba at salubungin ang tingin ng lalaki. “Sa harap ng pamilyang tulad nila, sa tingin n’yo po ba may choice ako? May kasabihan, ‘your honey is someone else’s poison.’”

Nakahanda na niyang tanggapin at palayain. She will treasure this moment now with him, kahit gaano iyon kaiksi. Hindi na siya magdadalawang-isip pa. Ini-angat niya muli ang kanyang mga braso at niyakap muli ito ng mahigpit. She knew it was enough. Alam na nito ang kanyang sagot sa ginawa niyang iyon. <<<<<--->>>>> They are both silent while sitting under the shade of that cherry blossoms tree. Lulubog-lilitaw ang buwan sa ulap. And the wind is blowing coldly against their skin.