Bridge Between the Verdant Lands

Top of the roof

Top of the roof

A lot happened since the last visit of the King. The feast turns out to be an opportunity for my father to lead the whole army of the Kingdom. Since then, my father always arrived late in the evening or not in the household.

Subalit kahit na ganoon ay hindi pa rin nalilimutan ni ama ang pagiging magulang niya. Every time that he was on leave, he stayed inside and helped me to do some wooden carvings with him. It was like our bonding as father and daughter.

At katulad din ng aking ginagawa kapag wala si ama, kapag tulog na at tahimik na ang lahat, I sneak out to our roof.

Katulad ngayon.

The night's moon right now is mystical as it looks. The wind breeze embraced me and the silence deafened my ears.

Mga ganitong oras o panahon lamang ako nakakaramdam ng sariwang hangin. It's so peaceful. Just enjoying myself seeing this night view. Kahit na ngayon ay iniisip ko na hanggang kailan ako tatakas upang makita lang ang mga ito.

My eyes landed on the orange lamps that hanging up the street. It gives light to the darkness and helped everyone to see things. And how I wish that I was that lamp, so I can see what my future is ahead of me.

While looking at it, a fruit of persimmon fell to the ground. And a stray cat quickly grabs it and eats it. I feel envious for the cat. Because it can go outside freely without restrictions, without something worrying about.

Napailing na lang ako dahil nagawa ko pang manibugho sa kalayaan ng pusa. I just look up at the night sky and closed my eyes. Hoping that my worries will be lessened.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na ko na bang dinadama ang hamig ng hangin. It was very calming but a sudden voice just popped out from my left side.

"What a beautiful view for this late evening."

Napamulat ako at napadako ang tingin sa nagmamay-ari ng boses.

Even with the veil, I saw how his lips arose. Like when I first saw him, he's wearing a black kimono and had a triangular hat on his head.

Napatayo ako sa kinaroroonan ko, I cupped my mouth to contain my scream when I off my balance. But he's so fast to act and save me from the fall. Muntikan na akong mahulog kung hindi niya ako hinawakan sa magkabila kong braso.

Abot hanggang dibdib ang kaba ko. I even heard his fast breaths as he holds me and guide me back to where I was seated.

"You have to be careful. You almost fall!" Mahinang anang niya na may halong pag-aalala at panenermon.

Napalunok naman ako. At napatingin sa sana'y babagsakan ko. I look back at him again. I saw how his eyes were shaken by fear. And if I'm not mistaken, I can also see his worry.

"I-I'm sorry... I was just surprised." Mahinang sabi ko at napaiwas ng tingin.

What will happen if he wasn't fast enough to save me? I sigh because of my thought. Hindi ko pa nga nakikita ang labas ng mundo ay mawawala na ako. Nang pareho na kaming kalmado ay saka ko lang naalala na hawak pa niya ako sa magkabilang braso.

I gently pushed him, "I feel alright now." I said as I make my distance from him. Naunawaan naman niya iyon kaya binitawan na niya rin ako at hinayaan lang ako na dumistansya sa kanya.

Awkwardness and silence overwhelmed us. I unconsciously fix my veil. Nadala na ako sa nangyari ng una kaming nagkita.

"Why did you suddenly stand up?" kapagkuwan ay tanong niya matapos ang ilang sandali na katahimikan.

Napabaling ako sa kanya, naalala ko na kung bakit. "It was your fault. You shouldn't have just popped up out of nowhere!" Sabi ko sa kanya at tiningnan siya ng masama.

He scoffed and couldn't believe what he heard. Napailing na lang siya at tumingin sa akin ng deretso.

"It's because you're so beautiful to look at." I quickly turn my eyes away as I feel my cheeks heated.

How could he say that stuff? As if, he didn't care how bold his words were.

I want to s***k myself to feel a tingling sensation in my stomach. No! I shouldn't have felt this! That stranger might be playing with me.

Yeah, that's right! I need to calm down.

Huminga naman ako nang malalim bago naglakas-loob na lingunin siya. He has this playful smile again.

I look at him intently. "How many women have you said those words to?"

Mukhang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. "Woah..." Naiiling at natatawa pa siya. "How can you say that? Aren't you just accusing me?"

I rolled my eyes even he can't see it because of my veil. "Halata naman na palagi mo 'yung ginagawa."

"Ang alin?" I was struck by his arrogance.

"'Yung pagsasabi ng mga mabulaklak na salita. Para habulin ka ng mga babae. At pagkatapos gagamitin mo 'yon para mahulog sila sa'yo," pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata, hindi niya rin naman nakikita kaya ayos lang.

Marahan na humalakhak siya. Siyang-siya pa sa mga salitang binabato ko sa kanya.

"How you say so?" Napalunok ako ng bahagya na siyang lumalapit.

"Just... an instinct, what else? And it looks like you know how to twinkle a woman."

After I said that he just looked at me straight. I don't know why he stares at me like that. His stares scanned me head to toe. From my cover, I was confident he would not see the gradual reddening of both cheeks. But, no matter what cover I make, this stranger still dares to tear the cover off my face. Reason for him to see my expression and my appearance I tried to hide from him.

After his daring action, there is a smile on his lips. The way he looked at me seemed to be the best he had ever seen in his entire life. His eyes were dim as he admired me.

My eyes widen at his sudden act. I tried to take my veil back but he caught my hands and holds it firmly by his hands.

"W-What an audacity—!" He easily pulled me against him.

Tila natigil ko ang sariling paghinga ng makita ko ang gahiblang pagitan namin, dahilan na malanghap ko ang mabango niyang hininga, at mas makita ko ang paghanga sa kanyang mga mata.

"Yes, my lady..." His voice was low and like in control. "Forgive my audacity and this..." Nahigit ko ang paghinga ng maramdaman ko muli sa pangalawang beses ang pagdampi ng kamay niya sa aking pisngi. "And, I can't help myself but be mesmerized by you."

I can't help myself but to close my eyes because of the overwhelming feeling. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na magiging ganito ang sitwasyon.

Under the moonlit sky, and my usual place—in the top of the roof, I never expected to be this mystical. I have never been so gushing like this.

At nang magsabi siya ng mga salita na lalong nagpawala sa buong pagkatao ko.

"At mukhang mali ka ng tinuran. Dahil ganito mo ako napikot, Binibini..."