Bridge Between the Verdant Lands

Glistening orange-colored lanterns are up above the moonless sky. The hymns of different types of instruments overwhelmed the whole Village as the ceremony approached. Despite its upbringing enjoyment and happiness. Here I am looking at the same scenery but hiding from their eyes. I feel the fear and worry as I look again at my home, but the bravery I've mustered been so long surpassed it. I knew it was a sin I could no longer correct. I just want to see the world. The outside world I haven't even seen that since childhood. That seems to have been denied, even though I knew that; it was just to protect me. "Are you sure about this, my lady?" I turned around and looked at him. He was wearing a brown kimono and a triangular hat that served as a cover for his face. He stood beside one of the carriages that would make us go to the capital. I did not expect him to join me on this escape or to help me run away. "I've made up my mind..." "The world isn't easy if that's what you think," he said. I nodded at him. "I know..." "You can still change your mind." I cut his words. "I'm sure about this." My decision is firm. "You're the one who made me do this after all." Sometimes, he's weird. He was the first person to confuse my mind with his words. He chuckled, and then he patted my head. Inis kong hinawi ang kamay niya. Mas lalo pang ngumisi ang labi niya dahil sa ginawa ko. I don't know why I chose to trust this man. He is annoying. I only stopped smirking the moment he touched my chin lifted it gradually, and leveled it with his face. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata sa ginawa niya. "You're good to be teased." I bit my lip. Mabilis kong hinawi ang kamay niya, ganun pa rin ang ngisi niya. Bahagya akong tumalikod. Pakiramdam ko kasi namalat ang lalamunan ko at namamaso ang pisngi ko. My heart also throbbed fast. It's because I'm annoyed, right? Natigilan lang ako ng marinig ko ang kaluskos sa likod. He's already inside one of the carriages. "Let's go, Allaya." I nodded. I look up at the sky with many lanterns above. "Patawad, ama," I weakly said, tears already forming in my eyes. I hope that my father will forgive me for wanting to walk through the outside grounds. Wearing a man's robe, and disguise on the role was difficult but it was the only way for me to escape. To be free. I fixed my hat and my mask to hide my identity. Another sigh and another encouragement for myself before I joined him inside one of the carriages that would take me—with him—to a different place, different people, and probably a different life.