The Queen’s Arrows (English-Filipino) COMPLETE

This is Love

It's been a week, and Archer's words still reeks in my mind. Playing again and again like a broken record.

Mahal na ata kita.

Hindi ko alam kung pangga-gago niya lang 'yon o ano. Araw araw nakikita ko siya at unti unting bumibilis ang t***k ng puso ko. Boyfriend ko na siya! Hindi parin ako makapaniwala na sinagot ko na siya.

Update lang sa mga nangyayari sa'kin ngayon. In a span of a week, a lot has happened. Virgo enrolled in camp, somehow she convinced dad to agree. Urel Velasco visited again, sabi niya, in three days, he's collecting. There are three new enrollees, if I can remember them correctly. Clarisse, Veronica and Sweden ang pangalan nila?

Speaking of, napalingon ako kay Clarisse na naglalakad palapit sa'kin. Napadalas na ata ang lapit neto sa'kin.

"This is so irritating, why can't I connect the two?" Stress na umupo ito sa upuan na katabi ko. We're now in the weapon room, again making more arrows.

I chuckled and helped her connect her arrow head to the body. Nang nabuo ko na, she giggled and bid goodbye after saying thank you.

I finished my tasks in the weapon room and got ready to head out. I have chemistry class. Na excite pa ako dahil mag mementor si Archer sa chemistry ngayon. Magaling siya sa mga ganiyan. He's good in making medicines from herbs and... poisons.

"Are you paying attention, Miss Argente?" Bahagya akong napaigtad nang tinawag ako ni Archer. Nakikinig naman ako! Lumulusot nga lang sa kabilang tenga. Haha.

Tumango at sinamaan siya ng tingin, he smirked and continued.

"Make sure that your gloves and safety goggles are secured, this substance is highly toxic in relation to human skin." Pagbabanta nito habang tinuturuan kami kung paano mag pa kalma ng highly toxic venom ng isang rare na ahas upang gawing pang-sedate.

I was so focused on my test tubes, carefully pouring the venom from the beaker to the test tube using a funnel.

"Tama na, oi." Napalingon ako kay Archer na nakatayo na sa gilid ko. Lowkey whispering. Acting like nothing's wrong.

"Ang konti pa nito." Bulong ko din.

"Tama na 'yan, ano ka ba? Sino ba papatayin mo diyan?" He chuckled, when my classmates turned to him, he cleared his throat and straightened his back before walking back up front.

Napailing nalang ako. Masyado kasing 'professional' si Archer-- his words, not mine-- sabi niya hindi daw kami pwedeng maglandian pag may ginagawang importante sa camp o klase. Akala mo naman ako iyong lalandi sa kaniya, eh siya lang din naman ang lalandi sa'kin.

He's wearing a hoodie and a pair of shorts. Parang highschool lang ang pormahan. Mentor na nga siya, di man lang nakapag polo o ano. He always likes being comfy, ang dami ko nang hoodie na inarbor niya. In fact, the beige hoodie that he's wearing right now is mine! It's oversized for me but for him it's perfect.

"Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth before sterilizing your hands!" Singhal niya dahil naglalakad na kami papunta sa sink na nasa labas ng room.

The bell rang. I finished washing my hands and damn, I forgot my face towel to wipe my hands with. I flicked my hands in the air a few times to at least dry it a little when Archer grabbed both of my hands and dried it using his towel.

And just like the last time, I felt electricity from my hand to my heart when our skin contacted with each other.

"Have you eaten?" He said sweetly. While holding my hand, ang kamay niya na naka akbay sa'kin ang nakahawak sa kamay ko.

"Uhuh," I looked up at him and gave him a smile. "You?"

He glanced and licked his lower lip a little. "Yeah." He responded.

"Wala ka bang gagawin ngayon?" Tanong ko habang papasok kami sa mini office ko na binigay sa'kin ni Chandler sa council.

Umiling ito. "Wala masyado, I have self defense training later." Nagkibit balikat ito habang komportableng umupo sa swivel chair ko.

"Me too!" I excitedly said as I was going through record files.

He laughed at me and said that I looked cute. Umirap lamang ako at abala na naghanap ng mga files.

"Anong hinahanap mo?" Napaigtad ako nang biglang nagsalita si Archer sa likuran ko. Sobrang lapit niya sa likod ko, nararamdaman ko ang kaniyang hininga sa buhok ko. Hindi ko man lang narinig ang mga yapak niya pagpunta niya dito sa likod ko.

"I'm looking for..." I sighed in relief when I found the file that I was looking for. "Nimue's record."

Kumunot ang noo ni Archer habang winwakli ko ang mga pages na nasa folder.

"I haven't seen her around lately. I'm just checking, baka umalis na siya at umuwi o ano." I'm damn worried. Ayoko namang tanungin si Chandler dahil akala ko hindi pa sila nakapag move on sa isa't isa, baka may masabi akong makakapagpalungkot kay Chandler o ano. He's also too busy.

Archer grabbed a gummy bear from my candy jar. "Haven't you heard?"

Napatigil ako sa pag hanap sa files at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Your father came and picked up your sister Nimue."

I stilled. What? What?! Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't dad tell me? Ano naman ang pakay niya? This is the first time that dad actually became more attentive to Nimue, he usually just lets Nimue whatever the hell she wants to do. Ba't may pasundo sundo pa?

"Hey," napaigtad ako nang niyakap ako ni Archer mula sa likuran. Napaupo kami sa couch at wala akong masabi.

For some reason, it scared me. Ama ko naman iyon, pero kilala ko siya. That man is close to heartless. Halos wala siyang paki alam sa mga anak niya. He cares but it's in a cold, brutal and offensive way. Nasanay na kami. Is he taking Nimue somewhere far from us? Ayokong mawalay sa mga kapatid, they're the only family to me? Even mama is getting brainwashed by dad as time passed by.

My family is just too broken that it's already too late to try to fix.

"Hey, don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. Just.. trust your dad." He carefully said and gave me a reassuring smile.

I sat in between his legs and he hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

I took a deep breath and faced him. He calmed me down when he kissed my shoulder. When I looked at him, he gave me a loving smile and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

"I love you." He whispered.

Those words still amazes me. I can't believe this amazing man loves me. I couldn't find myself saying it back because I'm not sure if this is love.

But he was so patient with me.

I just gave him a sincere smile and leaned my back on his chest. My thoughts are exhausting me and I needed my home.

My Archer.

"Duck!" Napaupo ako nang biglang sumapo ang kamao ni Archer sa ibabaw ng ulo ko.

We're on the field. Self defense training. He's my sparring partner.

"Stop—" Napa atras ako sa mga suntok niya, na hindi ako tinatamaan. "Telling. Me. What. To. Do. Kalaban mo ako dito!" Singhal ko dahil palagi niya akong binubulongan kung anong susunod na gagawin niya.

He just snickered and told me that he's going to throw another punch. Irritated I caught his wrist and twisted them, not to break them, just so he can stop.

I pulled him closer to me and I swiftly captured his neck using my whole right arm, holding on to his right arm, and twisted his left arm behind his head. Napaluhod kaming dalawa habang humihingal.

"That's my girl." He even smiled proudly when our classmates clapped at me.

"Very good, Miss Argente. Next!" Our mentor.

"You should be my partner in fencing. You have great agility." Ani Archer habang hawak kamay na papunta kami sa mga bags namin sa gilid.

"Thanks. You have great stamina as well." I complimented him back. He gave me a naughty look at mapang asar na itinaas baba ng kilay nito. My God this perv!

He laughed at me when I gave him a disgusted look. "Can you let go? Ang daming tao, sabit ka ng sabit sa'kin." Hindi niya parin kasi binibitawan ang kamay ko.

"Bahala ka diyan." Masungit na anito at kinuha ang face towel ko. Akala ko pa naman ipupunas niya sa mukha ko pero ginamit lang niya sa sarili!

Binawi ko ang towel ko sa kaniya at pabirong sinuntok ang tiyan nito.

"Sus! May pa suntok-suntok ka pa, gusto mo lang mahagkan abs ko eh!" I immediately cringed.

"Yuck! Ang feeling mo talaga ChiChi no!" Sinamaan niya ako nang tingin. I know how much he hates being called ChiChi. I just laughed.

"Ang saya mo naman eh no, Riesy." Mygad that nickname is so pabebe! Pang aasar nito.

The day went on until the next came. Habang naglalakad kami ni Archer papuntang diner para mag breakfast, naka akbay ito sa'kin at iritang may kinakausap sa cellphone nito.

"I know, dad. It's really none of your business." Walang emosyong aniya. I don't want to eavesdrop but I can't help it!

I can hear the roaring voice of his father through his phone. Humigpit lamang ang hawak nito sa balikat ko at mariing pumikit.

"Anong sa'yo?" I whispered. Nasa diner na kami ngayon at pumipili na ako ng order habang kausap parin nito ang ama.

"Anything, babe— Dad, can you stop being so annoying right now? I'm not doing it."

I just ordered him his favorite breakfast burger. Pancakes for myself.

He ended the call and sighed heavily. Massaging his nose bridge. I leaned in to grab his other hand and squeezed it. He looked stressed. There's a hint of nervousness in his chocolaty eyes but it was blurred by another emotion when our eyes met.

He layed his head against the table. Holding both of my hands and hiding them by his face.

"Okay ka lang?" I asked.

Umiling siya ng bahagya. "I don't ever want to leave you. Hindi ko alam anong gagawin ko kapag mawawala ka sa'kin."

I bit my tongue slightly to stop myself from smiling and chuckling in kilig.

"Hindi naman ako mawawala, ah." Ilang segundong natahimik siya sa sinabi ko.

"Kahit na. Lahat tayo mamamatay. Gusto ko sabay nalang tayo. Ayokong makita kang nahihirapan habang ako, chill chill lang." Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Para siyang bata, ang cute.

"Sino ba nagsabing chill chill ka lang? Ha?" Pabirong pinintik ko ang ulo niya. Dramatic na hinawakan naman nito ang ulo.

Dumating na ang pagkain namin at nagsimula na kaming kumain.

Wala kaming classes at training ngayon. Dahil week end. Pumunta nalang kami ulit ni Archer sa gilid ng lake Cassandra at nag mini picnic.

"May surpresa ako sa'yo. Pikit ka muna." Kunot noong ipinikit ko naman ang mga mata ko. Archer's not really one with surprises. Mahilig siyang nag bibigay bigay ng mga regalo sa'kin pero hindi naman in a surprise matter.

Kapag ito, gagamba, itatapon ko talaga siya sa lawa. No cap.

"Tingnan mo na."

"Ang alin?" Pang-aasar ko, habang nakapikit parin.

"Ito." Kinusot pa niya ang pisngi ko.

"Alin? Hindi ko makita." Pang aasar ko habang nakapikit parin ang mata.

"Minsan talaga nakakalimutan ko na may pagka-sira ulo ka din no?" Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya at ibinuka ang mga mata ko.

My eyes sparkled. A blank canvas na hindi masyadong malaki, a sponge brush set and two acrylic tubes in the color pink and blue. May painter's tape din, scissors at calligraphy pen.

"Hala, para saan 'to?!" Ang hilig ko talaga sa stationary. Sobra ang excitement na tiningnan ang mga bagay sa harapan ko.

"I want us to do something." Napa angat ang tingin ko kay Archer.

Nahuli ko siyang marahang binubuksan ang mga acrylic paint tubes at naglagay ng color blue sa palad niya.

Kinuha niya ang canvas at dinikit ang palad niya doon. The paint formed his palm on the canvas. Then he grabbed my hand and did the same but with pink paint and stuck it on the canvas as well. Beside his palm. Our thumbs in the canvas were intersecting.

"Something memorable to have." He smiled and gave me the canvas.

Ipinasulat niya sa'kin ang mga pangalan namin sa gitna ng mga palad in calligraphy dahil hindi daw siya marunong. Nakangiti lamang ako habang sinusulat ang petsa kung kailan kami naging official.

June 14

"Ang korni namin nito. Pero ikaw naman ang naka isip, kaya normal lang 'to." Napatawa ako nang siniko niya ako. Muntik ko nang ma mess up ang calligraphy! Epal.

Naglalaro ito sa Nintendo switch na dala habang nakahiga ang ulo sa mga binto ko.

Nang matapos ako sa ginagawa natapos na din siya sa laro niya.

I sighed in content when I looked at the canvas. This is a great reminder of my bond with Archer. I'm falling for him, without even realizing it.

I guess this is love right? That sudden feeling of serotonin when you see your person looking at you, standing beside you or holding you. The realization that you could never imagine a future without them with you. The sudden worry of how wrecked you'll be if the line breaks. I guess this is love. It's making me feel.. scared, but good at the same time. I believe we'll get through trials in life right? That nothing could separate us? We haven't been together for that long, but I know it in my guts. So I guess this is love.

I looked at him with a small smile on my face when he held my chin and kissed me on the lips softly. I responded to his kiss. But he let go before it could even get deeper.

"Ano ba goals mo in life?" I chuckled at how random that was. He grabbed a burger from our picnic basket and gave me one.

"Hmm," I took a bite out of my burger. "I wanted to be an engineer o di kaya'y architect. Pero mukhang malabo naman." Walang buhay lamang ako na tumawa.

"Bakit naman?" Kunot noong tanong ni Archer.

Nagkibit balikat ako. "Lahat kaming magkakapatid pinapakuha ni dad ng business management na course. Which is my course now." I'm a college freshman.

"Does your parents know about what you want to do in the future, like your plans? Like being in the architecture or engineering field?"

I nodded. Hilaw na ngiti ang nagpakita sa mukha ko. "They're just not... As supportive." I contemplated with the words I'm about to say. I don't want people to know how bitter our family relationship is. But it's Archer. Hindi niya naman ako huhusgahan, diba?

He stared at me for a second before standing up. Confused, I looked up at him when he lent his arm out to me. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up.

He wrapped his arms on my waist before clinging my arms on his shoulders. He started swaying me softly while humming a song.

Everything looks and feels so perfect. I laid my head on Archer shoulder as we dance softly to his humming. The lake was sparkling from the sun. The sun wasn't painful to the skin, it was just perfect. My white flowy dress danced with the gentle wind. Archer's wavy hair as well. His eyes were closed as he hum a love song.

"Pag may makakita, aakalain nila na mga baliw tayo." Biro ko habang isinasayaw parin ako ni Archer sabay ngiti ng palihim at nakapikit parin.

"Hindi." He said softly. "Maiingit sila because we are so in love. And they can't do anything about it." He looked at me and gave me a smile. I haven't said 'i love you' back to him yet. But I know that I already do.

And I love him for trusting my feelings for him. Even without assurance yet.

He makes me feel things that I've never felt before. Makes me realize things. He makes me feel complete and comfortable. He wipes my insecurities and worries away. He is my home, and I wouldn't know what to do if I lose him. I might lose myself too if that happens.

I smiled and closed my eyes while leaning my head against his shoulder.

"With you, I'm going to find myself. I'll be your home and you'll be mine. Then I'll marry you, and have you as the mother of our children." Bahagyang nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.

I raised my head and looked at him with a slightly shocked expression. It touched me that he still thinks of me in his future, his life. Nangilid agad ang luha sa mga oa 'kong mga mata!

"Aries, I love you," he leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. "I will do anything to be deserving of you, my queen." He said before kissing me softly.