Kabanata 5
1353 Words
Hestia's POV
Tahimik kong pinagmasdan ang kapaligiran. Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay tanaw ang lupain na napapalibutan ng matataas na semento at sariwang mga halaman mula sa lupa at mga puno. In front of me is a wicket gate made out of wrought iron. If only it was colored with red and gold, I'd probably think this as a royal palace. If only.
"Are you sure you're not a royal?" Marahan ko siyang nilingon upang tanungin. I almost gasp when I realized he's staring blankly at me. Bahagya na lamang akong tumawa upang maalis ang kakaibang pakiramdam.
"Yes," he faked a cough before turning his gaze ahead of us. Nagsimula na siyang humakbang ngunit nanatili ang mga mata ko na nakasunod sakaniya. "But I'd rather be a king if you plan of being my queen."
Pounding heart from my chest suddenly broke the silence within me. I did not expect that from him, warmth rushed through my system. Pakiramdam ko ay pulang-pula na ako ngayon at wari ko'y nadagdagan pa lalo ang init ng panahon. My mind was telling me to move and shrug my thoughts off, but my own body doesn't cooperate. Hindi ko maintindihan ang pakiramdam na nangingibabaw sa dibdib ko. How can a pirate captain like him speak such thing that easily? Para bang wala lang sakaniya 'yon. Well, maybe it was just meant as a joke. I heaved a sigh and made few big steps to catch up with him.
Nawala ang iniisip ko nang bumungad sa akin ang marmol na estraktura nang makapasok kami sa kanilang kastilyo. It was structured like a Greek Revival but the details were most defined by Neo-Classical castle. An imperial staircase against the corner can be seen from my track, it was designed with white-gold marbles and black steels which made it fabulous in every angle.
How come that in my 20 years of existence, I've never heard about such place in this world?
Napabalik lang ako sa huwisyo nang maramdaman ko ang mainit na palad sa aking pulso. Nang bumaling ako doon ay nakita ko si Captain Morgan na nakatitig sa akin. Bahagyang nakaawang ang mapula niyang labi na tila namamangha sa reaksyon ko. His eyes were still as cold as usual. I want to remove his hand from my wrist but I'm not aware with the cause of my lethargy. Hinayaan ko na lamang ang kamay niya doon at nag-iwas sa kaniya ng tingin.
"Come," he broke the silence. "I'll show you something."
Kahit naguguluhan ay nagkaroon ng pananabik sa pakiramdam ko. Wala sa sariling nagpatianod na lamang ako sa kaniyang marahang paghatak sa akin. I don't easily give into someone, palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung paano at bakit ako sumusunod sa kaniya ng ganito. For me, he was a dangerous stranger back on his ship's deck.
I was taken back to reality when I felt his finger softly brushing onto my skin. Tumigil na pala siya sa paglalakad kaya hindi na rin ako gumagalaw. Bahagyang nakakunot ang noo niya habang pinagmamasdan ako, his eyes were as if trying to see through me.
"We're here." He stated, chuckling. "Are you okay?" Dugtong niya pa. I was amazed when I sensed concern from his baritone voice.
I didn't speak. Dahan-dahan kong binalingan ng pansin ang aming kinaroroonan at doon ko lang napagtanto na tila isang panaginip ang kaganapan ngayon. A fairytale-styled classical garden surrounds us. A cemented bridge over a lake caught my eyes. It was in the center of autumn trees that sways with the rustling wind of summer. I can't deny the fact that I just found home with the existence of this lively environment. Namamangha ako sa bawat pagsayaw ng mga dahon sa aming paligid. There were also different fountains that give life to each water droplets. A wooden swing chair was hanging by the wooden staircase towards a tree house against the bridge. Kung papipiliin ako na manatili dito o umuwi sa amin, I would not hesitate even for a second to choose this place. It feels like home.
"For once, I felt at ease." I whispered between my amazement. "So this is home.."
In my 20 years existence, ngayon ko lang naramdaman na mabuhay. I mean, everything seems to be alive in this place even those that are not breathing. Halatang naaalagaan sila ng maayos at sariwa ang bawat hangin na ibinibigay dito at ibinibigay nito.
"Who came up with this idea?" Natatawang pagbaling ko sa aking kasama. He chuckled before shrugging.
"I'm into nature." He stated. A sincere smile appeared on his lips while gasping for air. Marahan niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang paligid at maging siya ay namangha pa rin na tila ngayon lamang napadpad dito.
"An existence that gives life will always feel discrete." I heaved a sigh.
"Always," he repeated. Naramdaman kong bumaling na siya sakin at inilahad sakin ang kamay. "You need rest. Come, I'll bring you to your room."
Marahan kong tinanggap ang kamay niya na umalalay sakin upang maingat akong makababa mula sa mabatong daan. He was silent as we walk towards the direction he leads.
"I'll be able to get them back, wouldn't I?" Wala sa sariling nasambit ko nang maalala ko ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito ngayon.
He remained silent, but he swifted his gaze at me. Muli ko nanamang nakita ang mga mata niya na may kakaibang kulay. His eyes were telling me something which I can't distinguish or even understand for now. Soon, I'll get to hear you.
He stopped walking which made me stop as well. Isang pinto na mayroong kulay white at gold ang inabot ng kamay niya upang buksan. As soon as it opened, I took a step inside as he signalled me to do. A king-size bed covered with quilt emerged in my sight. It was colored with white with a touch of Sapphire blue for its pattern design. Sa sulok ay mayroong vanity mirror na katulad ng kulay sa pintuan. Against the wall is a grand piano that has a mixture of the usual room color---the white and gold. I wonder why the entire room wall was painted with contrast of Azure and Bleu de France shades of blue while the other stuffs were decorated with white and gold. A huge dolphin stuff toy was lying in the bed, it was colored with Maya Blue shade which made my heart thumps, leaving my face with a big smile.
"This room---" I wasn't able to finish my words, I don't know how to say the right words. He continued my words instead.
"Will be yours from now on 'till then..." He gave me an assuring smile.
"It's f-fantastic." I exclaimed. "But why does it have to be this much? I mean, I won't take that long to stay here." Nagtataka kong tanong. I wouldn't deny the fact that I like everything here, but I must also admit to myself that I'll be leaving as soon as I could.
I don't know if I'm hallucinating or if I've seen it wrong, but I've seen sadness from his eyes and even anger but it faded right after a second.
"It's your choice when you'll leave, but feel at home while you're in my keepsake." His baritone was so serious, it even made my heart pound. "Sunshine."
He whispered something before finally leaving the room but I wasn't able to hear him clearly. Pinagsawalang-bahala ko na lang 'yon at binalingan ulit ng tingin ang buong silid. Why do I feel familiar with the place? Is it deja vu? I felt my head aching, I probably need rest. Nagtungo na lang ako sa kama at doon nahiga. I really feel as if I belong here for some reasons. Hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko 'yong mga mata niya kanina na puno ng lungkot, pananabik at nandoon din ang galit.
Who really are you, Caspian Nikolai Morgan?
- Writer
