Masayang naghahabulan ang mga bata sa palengke habang nagtatawanan. Kahit saan ka tumingin, may makikita kang stalls na puno ng prutas at gulay na preskong-presko. Nakasunod lamang kami ni Quilya kay Marreanne habang nauuna ito sa amin, palipat-lipat ang tingin sa mga bilihin. Sina Krein at Miss Kreziana naman ay naiwan sa karwahe.
"You guys can go and explore the town. But be sure to be back before noontime. We'll be waiting in this carriage."
That's what they said.
"Hey," pumihit si Marreanne paharap sa amin. "do you guys like apples?" she asked.
Saglit kaming nagpalitan ng tingin ni Quilya. "Oo," magkasabay naming sagot.
"Ale, pabili nga po limang mansanas." Lima?!
"Hoy, Marreanne. Hindi pa nga naubos yung binili mo sa Karirana kahapon," suway niya rito. Pero huli na ang lahat. Mabilis na binayaran ni Marreanne ang limang mansanas na kaniyang binili at naglakad palapit sa kinaroroonan namin.
"Here. Apples."
"Marreanne, alam mong sapat na sa'tin yung tatlo. Bakit lima pa yung binili mo?" reklamo ko.
Ilang segundo pa siya bago nakasagot. Siguro nag isip pa ito ng ira-rason. "Yung dalawa, it's for mom and dad," pangatwiran niya.
"Marami ka namang nabiling mansanas kahapon. Malamang kinakain na nila ang mga iyon ngayon,"
"Riah, hayaan mo na nga lang. Pera niya naman iyan,"
Oo nga naman. Kumuha nalang ako ng isang mansanas tsaka kumain.
I stood and watched as a couple of men pulled their carts and shouted at others to move out of their way. People brushed past me, seemingly not minding as I stand there while engrossing myself in examining the structures in the area. It's old-fashioned but leisurely addictive. It feels like I just traveled back in time where modern vehicles and gadgets aren't a thing. Just horses in saddles, but most are seen with a chariot or carriage. There's not a hint of modern-day technology wherever you look, but it's vibrant and crowded. It isn't too bland, in fact, it's spirited and melodic. The townspeople are living a very simple life with cheerful smiles on their faces.
It isn't that huge of a place either, but the mass of people bustling about the streets was astonishing. Particularly on roads where the small shophouses are lined up. Some shop owners are even shouting the prices of their items loudly.
I saw a cloth shop nearby. "Shìjué de Cynthee," it states. Without leaving my eyes off the store, I worked myself closer to it. I almost got hit by a man carrying a huge basket full of cabbage in the process. Good thing I was agile enough to dodge him.
"Aeriah is probably thinking the same thing."
"What?"
"My goodness, Quilya. You do realize we're the only ones in town wearing something like this, right?"
Marreanne is right. To us, this is a normal fashion. But that is not the case for them. I'm a hundred percent sure we look very funny in their eyes. Besides, I badly need to change clothes too, and so do them. We have been wearing the same outfit for God knows how many days and nights. I don't even want to think about it. It's embarrassing.
"Choose anything you like. Ako na bahala magbayad," sabi ni Marreanne. Everybody, even farmers are wearing a robe with wide sleeves similar to a Japanese kimono, or a Hanfu which I believe is a traditional Chinese robe. Even farmers are dressed the same.
Now that I think about it, everything looks pretty much alike. From the outfits to hairstyles, except the houses and other structures. Not to mention the names of the store I just saw a while ago, and the word written above the door of Commander Alec's chamber are written in romanized traditional Chinese. Now I know something is really weirding me out since our encounter with Scarlette and Alec the commander.
Just what in the world. . .
I shook my head. Perhaps I'm only overthinking things. I already have a lot going on in my head lately, I don't wanna add another one. "Nevermind. Probably not," I whispered. But still, that doesn't change the fact that they are very much alike. Having spent my whole life reading a lot of books, of course, it is impossible for me to not know a few little something about Chinese culture. I even have an entire collection of books written by Chinese authors in my room.
"Don't we need a shower before this?" Quilya suggested. "I mean, we smell terrible due to sweat. Tsaka ilang araw na rin tayong walang bihi—"
"Shh! Shh!" Mabilis kong tinakpan ang bibig niya upang putulin ang nais man nitong sabihin. What if somebody hears it? I can't handle the shame. Quilya needs to get a clue sometimes. Although collectively, we're in favor of what she said.
"I have an idea," I blurted. "For that, why don't we go to a public bath? There should be one around here," suhestyon ko naman. Nagkatinginan sila isa't-isa na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. "What? What's wrong?" usisa ko pa.
Quilya looked at me in mock disdain. "May utak ka rin pala, Aeriah," she said. Sabay silang nagtawanan pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon. I just rolled my eyes at her and after that, we proceeded on selecting our dresses. I chose the plain brown one with a white collar, paired with a black sash that compliments the simple design of the outfit, thus making it look natural. Its size also fits perfectly with my body.
Marreanne picked a blue one similar to mine, banded with a crimson red sash that surprisingly matches the color.
Ini-imagine ko pa lang na suot niya ito ay napaka-ganda na niyang tignan.
Si Quilya naman si pinili niya lang ang sakto para sa kaniya. She's not picky when it comes to dresses. Everything suits her fine. Nakasabit ngayon sa balikat niya ang dilaw na Hanfu at sintas na kulay ginto.
It's yellow and gold combined? I can't wait to see how Quilya will look in that lovely Hanfu!
Nang makapili na kami ay sinundan namin si Marreanne patungo sa counter. Naghintay lamang kami sa gilid ng ilang saglit habang binabayaran niya ang mga damit. Nabigla ako nang hindi ko inasahang marinig ang presyo. Mine costs ten silver coins, which I think is fairly not that expensive. Pero yung pinili ni Quilya ay naghahalaga ng limang ginto.
My goodness, Quilya. Isauli mo 'yan!
Parang wala lang naman iyon kay Marreanne. Nakangiti pa nga itong naglakad pabalik sa kinaroroonan namin, bitbit ang mga pinamili. "Let's go," aya niya. Just where is she getting that lots of money? Mina-magic niya lang ba iyon? "Here's yours, Quilya," inabot nito ang isang paper bag sa kaniya na may laman ng kaniyang susuotin. "And here's your too, Aeriah." Tinanggap ko naman ang inabot niya sa akin at nagpasalamat.
"So, may alam ba kayong public bath dito?" tanong ko.
"We'll ask around."
"I'm the one who suggested it, anyways. I'll go ask around instead." Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay humiwalay muna ako sa kanila. Tingin ko ay sang ayon lang din naman sila sa ideya dahil wala namang ni isang umangal. And my other reason is that I just want to repay Marreanne a little. She's been paying for us this whole time.
"Magandang araw, manong. May alam po ba kayong public bath dito?" mahinahon kong tanong sa isang tindero ng repolyo.
Teka lang, namukukhaan ko s'ya.
"Ikaw ba yung babaeng muntik ko nang mabangga kanina?" imbes na sumagot ay isang tanong ang binalik nito sa akin. "Pasensya na, nagmamadali lang kasi ako," paglilinaw nito sa nangyari habang nahihiyang nakangiti sa akin.
So that was him? Kaya pala medyo namumukhaan ko siya.
"No, it's okay. Ako nga dapat ang humingi ng tawad dahil hindi ako tumitingin sa daan," wika ko pabalik. Totoo din naman. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa shop na iyon habang naglalakad palapit. "It's basically my fault, no need to apologize," I said.
He's tall and has that masculine figure. Moreno siya at maganda ang kaniyang ngiti. He's not wearing any upper clothing kaya nakikita ko ang maskulado niyang katawan. Nakasuot lamang siya ng brown na leather pants. Siguro araw-araw siyang nagpapasan ng basket na maraming lamang repolyo kaya lumaki ang kaniyang katawan. Malayo ang ugaling pinapakita nito sa hugis ng kaniyang katawan. This is why we really shouldn't judge people by their looks.
"Pasensya po talaga," aniya. "Ano nga po ulit yung tanong niyo?"
"Ah, yung public bathroom."
He ran his hand on his chin while trying his best to answer my question. Muli niya akong nginitian nang may isasagot na siya. This guy is a happy guy.
"I know of a place but I can't take you there. Kailangan kong bantayan itong paninda ko. Okay lang ba kung ituro ko nalang sa'yo ang direksyon?" This guy has a tender personality and a sweet temper. Parang ako na mismo ang nahihiya sa kaniya. How should I respond to his good attitude? I'm not used to this.
Kaya mo 'to, Aeriah.
"N-No, huwag mo nang abalahin ang sarili mong ihatid ako." I'm trying my best to speak formally right now. "Malaking tulong na po yung pagturo mo ng direksyon."
"Really? I'm glad. May dalawang public bath dito sa Lashevierr. Yung isa ay para lamang sa mga lalaki, yung isa ay para sa mga babae. Malapit lang dito yung public bath para sa mga babae. Diretsuhin mo lang yung daan na 'yon, tapos may makikita kang parke sa kaliwa. Sa harap niyan, nandiyan yung public bath," turo niya sa daan.
"I see. Thank you so much, um. . ."
"It's Leiy," he said with a friendly bright smile. "Leiy Grimior."
"Alright. Thank you, Leiy. You're a lifesaver!" nginitian ko siya bago ako tumalikod. Bago ako tuluyang umalis ay bumaling ako sa kaniya. "By the way, I'm Aeriah Riesseville," pakilala ko. Unfair naman para sa kaniya kapag hindi ako nagpakilala diba? At sa huling pagkakataon, ngumiti ako at akmang tatakbo na sana ako pabalik sa kinaroroonan nila Quilya nang bigla niya akong pigilan.
"Wait, miss. Take this," kumuha siya ng dalawang piraso ng repolyo sa basket na nasa tabi niya at nilagay iyon sa mas maliit na basket na pwede mong bitbitin. What is he trying to do? Kaagad rin namang nasagot ang tanong ng aking isipan nang inabot nito sa'kin ang basket na pinaglagyan niya ng dalawang sariwang repolyo.
"Tanggapin mo ito bilang paghingi ko ng tawad kasi hindi kita mahahatid sa iyong destinasyon. Dalawa yan. Para na din yun sa nangyari sa daan kanina yung isa," sabi niya.
Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kabaitan ng lalakeng 'to. Hindi ko rin kayang tanggapin yung binibigay niya.
"N-No, y-you don't h-have to—"
"Take it." There's no stopping this guy. Seryoso ang mga tingin nito sa akin habang inaabot ang maliit na basket. Wala na akong magawa kundi tanggapin iyon. Ako ang dapat humingi ng tawad sa kaniya sa nangyari doon sa daan, tsaka hindi na rin niya kailangang humingi ng tawad. He didn't do anything wrong. He did nothing wrong.
"T-Thank you," iyon nalang ang tanging nailabas kong salita sa bibig ko. At iyon na rin ang huling katagang binitawan ko bago ako tuluyang umalis at bumalik kung saan nakaupo silang dalawa habang naghihintay sa akin.
Nakabihis na kami sa bago naming damit paglabas namin ng public bath. Bitbit ko pa rin ang basket na may lamang dalawang repolyo. I don't know what I'm going to do with this. Dalhin ko nalang ito mamaya sa karwahe.
Medyo nahihirapan akong maglakad sa ganitong suot. I'm basically new to this since it's my first time wearing such an outfit so it's quite a bit harder for me to walk in it. Thankfully, hindi naman umaabot sa lupa ang haba ng suot ko kaya hindi ko ito naa-apakan. Otherwise, it will be difficult.
We're on our way back to the carriage. Sabay kaming tatlo na naglalakad sa daan, tahimik at walang kibo. Ako na mismo ang bumasag sa katahimikan.
"Anyway, Quilya, you still owe me an explanation," paalala ko sa kaniya. Bahagya itong tumango sa akin. Kumagat muna ito sa hawak niyang mansanas bago nagsalita.
"I can only tell you the surface of the information, Aeriah, and the rest is for you to find out," bilin niya. "Is that alright?"
I heaved a deep breath. "Yes," buong kalooban kong tugon rito. Right now, only she can help me answer my questions. "Tell me the truth about yourself, about what really happened, and how this world is our home." I need all the answers I can get. Anything could help.
"Alright," she heaved a deep sigh. "Aeriah, forgive me. This is all I can tell you. You were born here, which makes this world your homeland. And I'm sorry, I lied to you, telling you my family died in a car accident. It's all made up, just to hide my true identity because I can't let you know just yet. But now, we're here. You deserve all the answers you seek, but I have reasons why I can't tell you everything right now, Aeriah. You will have to find the rest on your own."
I remained silent. Hinintay ko siyang magpatuloy. Ayaw ko munang magsalita habang hindi pa siya natatapos and I think she understood my silence. She picked up where she left off.
"Do you still remember that night, when we first met?" she asked.
"No, una tayong nagkita isang umaga sa orphanage at hindi ko iyon malilimutan," sabi ko. Narinig ko siyang humalikhik.
"No, we've already met each other before that."
Hindi ko mapigilang kunutan siya ng noo sa pagtataka ko sa sinabi niya. "But I don't ever recall meeting you before that," muli kong ganti sa kaniya.
"Marreanne, you can head back first. I have something important to show Aeriah," kaagad naman sinunod ng huli ang utos niya at nauna na nga itong umalis sa amin. "So, I guess you still don't recognize me at all," wika niya. Bigla niyang pinitik ang noo ko and all of the sudden, the surrounding has changed. The landscapes are altered and the streets of Lashevierr town are gone.
I looked around only to see tall trees standing, surrounding us. Where are we? What is this place? Are we in a forest?
Magpa-panic na sana ako nang magsalita si Quilya. "Relax, this is my memory space." Nabaling ang atensiyon ko sa kaniya.
"Memory space?" I think I heard that from someone before.
"Only those who have absolute control over their power can activate their memory space. It's where I keep my memories. But I'm not showing you any of them right now, which is why I showed you this forest instead."
"Get to the point already," I scowled at her.
Pumikit ito. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa niya pero hinayaan ko muna siya. Pero ilang saglit lang ang itinagal bago siya nagsimulang magpaliwanag muli.
"Look at me closely, Aeriah. This is who I am."
Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko. Para akong napako sa aking kinatatayuan. Hindi ako makaimik. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata habang hindi makapaniwalang pinagmamasdan siya.
"Quilya. . . you are. . ."