Kabanata 7
1175 Words
Hestia's POV
"You still shine as the brightest star even when it's too vivid to see."
I woke up when I was reminded of what happened last night. Hindi ko na dapat iniisip yong bagay na 'yon. It was probably not meant as something special for him.
Was it special?
Kahit ako ay naguguluhan. I even ask myself if it was special on my own perspectives. No matter how hard I run from it, that would not change the fact that it was really special for me. In my whole life, it was the first time that someone made me feel appreciated and seen just as the sun deserves to be valued.
Alright! I need to live my life this way for now. I'm lucky that this Captain caught me first before any other greedy crew does. The only way to survive is to adapt.
Nagtatalo ang isip ko kung paano ko dapat simulan ang pag-aadjust dito hanggang sa naisipan ko ng maligo. I stood up and took a warm shower. I even did my usual morning routine back in my hometown. Lumabas na agad ako pagtapos maligo, my eyes caught another dress in three-layers hanging by the same wall last night. Beside it was a note that I took right away.
'Wear this after shower.' -C.M
I bit my lips to prevent myself from laughing. The initials were too obvious to identify who wrote the note. I just heaved a sigh before wearing the clothes that were prepared for me and I applied a little amount of makeup to at least be presentable. My neutral balayage hair was waving behind my waist, I even noticed how my skintone turned to be a bit reddish because of heat in this sea. I miss the hometown I used to live in, I even miss the friends I had back there. I wonder how my family's doing right now.
Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pag-iisip nang makarinig ako ng marahang pagtikhim mula sa isang sulok. Agad na hinanap iyon ng mga mata ko at natagpuan ko si Caspian na prenteng nakasandal saking pinto habang nakahalukipkip at seryosong nakatitig sakin. Wala na doon ang mga emosyon na paulit-ulit kong nakita kagabi.
"Breakfast is ready." He softly uttered. Nagsimula na siyang umayos ng tayo ngunit nanatili sa akin ang mga mata niya.
"I'm coming," I simply answered while giving him a nod. "Is Artemis already there?" I asked. Bahagya lang siyang tumango at niyaya na akong lumabas.
Nagsimula na kaming maglakad nang maramdaman ko ang pag-angat ng kamay niya sa bandang gilid ko. Kumabog kaagad ang dibdib ko hanggang sa mapagtanto kong isinara niya ang pinto na pinanggalingan namin. Doon lang kumalma ang puso ko na kanina lang ay naghaharumento.
"I thought I was able to close it." Halos pabulong kong paliwanag. I don't want to give him an idea that I'm irresponsible even with little things like that. Pinto na lang hindi ko pa naisara.
"It won't close on its own." Seryosong tugon niya, hindi manlang ako binalingan. Sungit!
"I didn't mean to leave it open, sorry." Paliwanag ko. Wala ako sa sarili kong pamamahay kaya mahalaga na alam ko dapat ang mga kilos ko. My mom used to remind me to do chores properly wherever I go. I think I was not able to do that today. I'm sorry, mom. But really?! It was just a door. Argh, damn this mind!
We were silently walking towards the dining room. Nahagip ng paningin ko ang mga tao na kumikilos sa paligid namin. Everyone's wearing the same clothes that were probably their uniform. The women were wearing a long dress that reaches their ankle. If only their uniform was not styled as a Victorian dress, I'd probably think that they're in Maria Clara's era. While the men were wearing the usual pirate clothes. The only difference is that theirs was neat and proper compared to those that are seen from movies. They really look more of a royal rather than pirates.
I began to wonder about everything around me. How did they began this kind of life? How were they able to live this way up until now? Why did they choose this life? Are they happy? The latter was actually not a question, the answer to that was clearly visible even to any closed-eyes. Just by hearing them laugh and drop a joke, I was able to know that happiness is not enough to express the moments they share together right now. I had too much in life, but I've never been able to laugh like them ever. For some reasons, a part of me was longing for something. It's as if I missed something from my past. I felt a warm hand on my face, naagaw ni Caspian ang atensyon ko dahil doon. Before I could even speak, his finger softly brushes my cheeks. That's when I realized one thing...
"You're crying..." He softly uttered---more on hushing me.
Our eyes met. Before I could even blink my eyes, I've seen a teardrop from his left eye that disappeared right after my eyes went open again. They say left-eye cries sadness, while right-eye cries for happiness. I wonder why he's sad if I've ever seen it for real. Did he really tear-up or was I just imagining things?
Inayos ko agad ang sarili ko pagkababa ng kamay niya at sabay na kaming nagtungo sa dining area. My Artemis began to talk about how was her day since our first day here up until now. I was smiling the whole time I listen to her. The simple chat with her makes my day complete. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na kahit dito ay open siya sakin bilang kapatid.
"There was a huge shooting star, ate!" Tuwang-tuwa niyang pagkukuwento. "Guess what I've wished?"
Agad ko siyang pinaningkitan ng mga mata na tila nag-iisip ng isasagot.
"Hmmm..." I acted as if I was still thinking. "For a new toy?" Pabiro kong tanong. She suddenly laughed which made me laugh as well. It's too contagious.
"I don't need much toys, ate! I'm already a big girl." She pouted at me.
"Okay. Okay, I surrender." I gave up, laughing. "What was your wish?" I arch a brow at her.
Sandali siyang tumingin sa paligid kaya napatingin din ako doon. I found Hulyano smiling while looking down at his plate. Beside him was Caspian who has a smirk plastered on his face, nakatitig siya sakin na para bang kanina pa akong pinagmamasdan. Lalong tumaas ang kilay ko dahil sakaniya at ibinaling ko na lang ang paningin kay Artemis. She gestured me to come closer so I did.
"I wished..." She paused for a bit, giggling at her own actions. "Simply to see you smile the same way you did last night at the tree house. I wish for you to choose your happiness this time no matter how painful the journey might be."
She wished something for me. Before I could even realize, tears began to fall from my eyes again.
That's also my wish, Artemis.
- Writer
