Written by the Moon

42~ BRACELET

I could here the murmurs around me. Ang nakapikit kong mata ang pinipilit kong buksan pero hindi ko magawa. It felt like my eyelids were so heavy that J can't lift it up.

Ramdam ko rin ang mga paggalaw sa aking paligid. A familiar voice echoed again. Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking sarili. My body feels fine.

Hindi naman ako nakaramdam na mamatay na ako. I am currently breathing fine. So, for that there's nothing to be worried. Ang kaso lang, bakit hindi man lang ako makagalaw dito?

Naalala ko ang biglaang pagbagsak ng aking katawan. After drinking the wine Mark offered me, I fainted. No, that was not even Mark. Now, it wonders me more who was it.

Was it the same person? Just in a different identify? At nagaya pa nito si Markus. If that witch could do such things, then for sure, it's a noble. Kung magkapareho lang iyon sa taong nakompronta ko sa aking silid, hindi na ako magugulat.

It's just weird how I never sensed something was off in the first place. At ang tanga ko pa para uminom ng binigay niyang wine. I mean, I thought it was really Markus.

Malay ko ba maling tao na pala 'yon. My body is still unconscious but my mind is well awake. Hindi ko lang marinig ng maayos ang nag-uusap sa aking paligid. What if I'm in a coma? O kaya nalason pala ako? Paano kung may intensyon pala 'yong umatake sa akin na patayin ako.

The thought, the mere idea of thunking that someone is really planning to kill me, made my body conscious. Nagpasalamat na nalang ako na muli ko nang makita ang paligid. My eyes opened slowly, still feeling the weight of my eyelids.

My vision was blurry. Tumitingin ako sa paligid. Three people are in front of me. At base sa amoy, nasa silid ko lang pala ako. As I blinked a couple of times, I was able to clearly see who's in front of me.

Una kong nakita si Tiana. Bakas naman sa mukha nito ang pagkaluwag ng loob nang makita akong gising na. I looked at her left and it was Mark. He looked troubled and apologetic. I smiled at him as he did.

Nang tingnan ko ang pangatlo, I saw the comforting smile of Forest. Comforting that it almost felt like peace. I sighed upon seeing him. I smiled back. Freely smiling back to him. My smile was genuine and true. Unang beses na pinakita ko sa kan'ya ang nararamdaman ng bahagya.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may naramdman na gipit ng hawak sa aking kamay. I looked down and saw how Forest never let go if my hand. May humaplos sa puso ko. This feels good like a love story.

The male lead praying for the female leads survival. Sadly, I'm not the female lead.

I swallowed thinking impossible things.

"Naririnig mo ba ako?" Tiana waved her hand.

Lumingon ako sa kan'ya at tumango. My throat feel so dry.

"Kanina ko pa kayo naririnig," umismid ako.

"How are you feeling?" diretsang tanong ni Mark.

"I want to strangle that persons neck."

Napakamot ng ulo si Mark sa aking sagot. I chuckled seeing him annoyed at me bit by bit.

"Seryoso ako."

"Seryoso din naman ako, ah."

"She looks fine," si Tiana.

"We still need to run some tests on her to make sure," suhestyon ni Forest.

I sighed. Ang gusto ko lang mangyari ngayon, bakit nagkaganito? Why did that woman came and trued attacking me. Then someone stole Markus identify, poisoned me, I guess.

"What about the drink?" tanong ko.

Nagkatinginan ang tatlo bago sumagot sa akin.

"It's not poisonous but it can be life threatening. Mabuti at gumising ka."

"So, it did want to kill me," I concluded.

"That's our conclusion. Kaya I hired bodyguards for you,"

Napakunot ang aking noo sa sinabi ni Forest. Bodyguards? Why would I need one? I mean, muntikan na akong namatay pero hindi ibig sabihin na kailangan ko ng bodyguards.

"Kung hindi kita naabutan, mas delikado pa ang condisyon mo ngayon. I insist, Nav," finality was in his voice.

"Why? Wht would someone want to kill me?"

"Perhaps they know about you and Forest."

Napalingon ako kay Mark. Hindi ko man lang naisip 'yan. Mark has a big point. Baka nga may alam siya tungkol sa amin ni Forest. But why go into such lengths to kill me? Pwede naman sa paraan na tama. They should follow the law.

Napatingin ako kay Forest. He looked guilty.

"I'm sorry, Nav. Nadawit ka dito. If only I kept my feelings then this wouldn't harm you. And... we don't share the same... feelings."

Napalunok ako sa huling sinabi niya. We don't have the same feelings? You're wrong, Forest. Lumingon ako kay Tiana at Mark. They had that 'look'.

Bumuntong hininga ako.

"We're not yet sure, Forest."

"Still, it's a big possibility."

I looked at him for a while. There was restraint evident in his eyes. It made me wonder what kind of restraint? Umiwas din naman ako ng tingin. I felt my throat dry again. I need water.

And just on time, Forest handed me a glass of water. I smiled and thanked him for the water.

"How long was I sleeping?" napatingin ako sa suot nila. Tiana and Mark is already in different clothes. Si Forest naman walang bihis. The last clothes I saw him on was still the same until now.

"Two days,"

My jaw dropped.

"Hindi ka naliligo ng dalawang araw?!" tiningnan ko si Forest.

He chuckled at me.

"I couldn't when your bed ridden,"

"Dalawang araw lang naman."

"I was worried."

Napalunok ako. Nakita ko ang bahagyang pag-iwas ni Tiana at Mark sa amin.

"They know, am I right?"

My eyes widened a fraction. I pursed my lips as I looked at them. They gave Forest a smug look. I smirked at them.

"Sila lang nakakaalam."

"You really trust them," tumagal ang titig nito kay Mark.

"Yes."

Gabi na pala ako gumising. Ngayon, we're just figuring out if the one who attacked and poisoned me is the same person. The problem know is I can't remember the logo. 'Yong logo na nakita ko sa sword niya, hindi ko na maalala.

I kept on remembering it but I can't. Recalling it would only make my head throb. I sighed as I gave up. Ang mga kasama ko, hindi pa. I looked at Tiana who is really consistent on finding out. Even Forest is calling some of his men. Kahit sinabi ko na sa kan'ya na hindi na kailangan, gumagalaw na siya ng kan'yang sarili. I looked at Mark who's making a ritual to find out a clue about that woman.

Seeing them, ang bilis ko palang mawalan ng pag-asa sa sarili. Hindi sila tumitigil na hanapin 'yong nanakit sa akin habang ako, nawalan na ng pag-asa.

"Marming nobles. The only problem is most of them are low profile. Kung i-kumpara sa elites, mas maraming exposure sa public ang mga elites," ramdam ko ang matinding pag-iisip ni Forest.

Tiningnan ko ang malinis na nitong damit. Nanghiram lang naman kay Mark. Nagmukha tuloy na masikip sa kan'ya ang damit. I smiled thinking he's cute.

Habang nakatitig ako sa kan'ya, ge just suddenly looked at my way with his soft expression. I raised a brow at him.

"Umuwi ka na,"

"It's not safe for you."

"I'm safe."

"No you're not," umiiling ito.

I rolled my eyes at him lightly and just thought of a way to fund out who attacked me.

Sa gabing 'yon nakita ko ang pagpasok ni Sham sa loob. Kumunot ang noo ko nang pumasok siya. Sabay-sabay namang nagbago ng posisyon sina Forest.

"Gising kana!" agad akong dinali ni Sham. She hugged me tightly like she hasn't seen me for years.

"Oo,"

"Okay ka lang ba? I thought you're smart but you're also stupid! Ba't ka kase uminom ng expire na wine?"

Napatingin ako kina Tiana. So, that's their excuse? What a lame excuse. Buti nalang tanga-tanga din 'to si Sham at napaniwala naman nila. I sighed.

"Oo, tanga ako."

"Jedi has been naking herbs for you kahit hindi naman kailangan. Michelle also had two sessions of prayers to the Goddess of the Moon."

Tumango ako. I always feel Sham trying to make up to me. Sa mga nagawa niya sa akin noon na nagdulot ng masamang epekto sa akin, ginagawan na niya ng paraan uoang bumawi. I appreciate it but I still feel uncomfortable when she does try to help me.

Hindi ako sanay na ganito siya sa akin. Even Angels in Paredes can be sinful. It's just a matter of maturity and realizations.

Tiningnan ko ng mabuti ang aking sarili. I'm in the same clothes when I fainted. Mukhang kailangan ko na ring maligo.

"Do you want to take a bath?" malumanay na tanong ni Forest.

Tumango ako. Lumingon ako kay Tiana para magpatulong pero inunahan na ito ni Forest. He held my hand as he nodded to encourage me to get out of my bed.

I signed as I stood slowly. Okay naman ang katawan ko. Walang gaanong nagyaring masama. Siguro, dahil naagapan ako ng mabilis hindi gaano ka lala ang epekto ng nainom ko. Salamat.

"I have something for you."

"Mamay na," I had to whisper knowing Sham is still here.

Malayo man kami sa kanila at alam kong hindi nila naririnig ang usapan namin, kailangan ko paring mag-ingat.

"This will be brief."

"Mamay na nga."

"You're not safe inside the bathroom alone."

Bigla akong napatingin sa kan'ya. What did he just said? Huwag mong sabihin sa akin na pati pagligo, magmasid ka, Forest?!

"You are not going inside with me--"

He cut me off

"I know. That's why take this," he handed me a bracelet. The same bracelet he handed me several times. Tiningnan ko siya ng nakakunot ng noo.

"Ano ba naman 'yan, Forest. Kailangan ko ng maligo."

Without a word, he slid the bracelet into my hand. The bracelet was made of dried thin wood that's been formed to circle. There were dried flowers around it as well as leaves. It looked rustic yet elegant.

"This will protect you. When you're in harm, it will let me know. I don't want you in danger again."

To be continued...