Dark Fairytale (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Chapter 34: Farewell to the Sun

CHAPTER 34: FAREWELL TO THE SUN

Soundtrack: Sweet Home - SYML

I found myself catching the first light of the day walking at the beach front of the Vinea. It was peaceful and quiet at this time; and after all the chaos, this moment was what I need. I shivered as I felt the cold, gentle touch of the waves on my bare feet. There were remnants of the ruined sand castles on the shore; the only thing that was left by the joyful laughter of children playing by the sea yesterday. It was too quiet now that no one was around. I picked up a couple of smooth, white stones and hid them in my pocket. I sighed deeply and stared at the horizon. Castles made of sands and stone would fall eventually; notwithstanding the wind and the sea.

What if it was mixed with blood? I thought.

Especially when it's made with blood, the deeper part of my soul answered.

"Siguro naman ay hindi mo na gugustuhin na manatili pa sa Eremitia."

Napalingon ako sa tinig ni Zoey. Hindi ko namalayan ang kaniyang paglapit dahil tulad ko ay naka-paa lang siya habang naglalakad sa buhangin. I remembered playing with her when we were still kids. She didn't hate me back then. We even shared some toys. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at napailing. Iniisip niya ba na maaari ko pa rin na kunin ang Devereaux Hotel sa kaniya?

"Napakaganda ng Eremitia, Zoey. Hindi dahil sa isang bangungot ay hindi ko na nanaising makita ang lugar na ito. Even dreams end. Matatapos din ang masamang panaginip at babalik ako rito," sinsero kong sagot.

Naupo siya sa tuyong buhangin. Hindi siya tumutol nang maupo ako na medyo malapit sa tabi niya.

"I thought you'd die last night," she mumbled.

Nabigla ako sa kaniyang sinabi. Sa nangingitim na ilalim ng kaniyang mga mata ay mukhang hindi siya nakatulog ng nagdaang gabi. Maybe, what happened last night haunted her.

"I hate you. I hate you because you're always good at everything you do. Na kahit ano'ng gawin ko, mas magaling ka pa rin kaysa sa akin. Sa pag-aaral, sa tuwing nakakakuha ka ng mas mataas na scores sa mga exams kumpara sa akin. You were even granted a scholarship at Elford High samantalang ako... ayun. Kung hindi pa ang Devereaux Foundation ang may pinakamalaking donasyon sa school ay baka hindi pa ako natanggap."

Isang pagak na tawa ang kaniyang pinakawalan; kumuha ng bato at itinapon sa dagat. Isa pang bato ang kaniyang inihagis subalit nanatiling kalmado ang karagatan; patuloy sa banayad na paghalik ang alon nito sa mga buhangin. At sa pagkakataong iyon ay ninais kong maging tulad ng dagat habang naglalabas siya ng hinanakit. Dahil malawak ang dagat. Nakikinig ang dagat. Umuunawa ang dagat.

"Despite of the unfortunate event that happened in your family, nagagawa mo pa rin na mag-survive. Palagi tayong ipinagkukumpara noong mga bata pa tayo. You were always the smarter one. The prettier girl. The better little Devereaux. And I hated you for that. I hated you more when you chose the Elford High. Para bang pinasisikip mo ang mundo ko palagi. Sometimes, I wonder kung saan mo kinukuha ang tapang para harapin ang trato namin sa'yo sa school. Naiinis ako sa'yo dahil sa kabila ng mga nangyari, nananatili kang buo. Kailanman ay hindi ka naging kulang."

"Zoey..." I murmured.

"I bet my mom cares for you more than she does to me. She probably wished that you were her daughter instead of a very typical girl like me."

Hindi ko malaman kung paano siya aaluin. She was angry and in pain. Naisip kong mas mabuting maramdaman niya muna ang sariling emosyon bago ko ipagtanggol ang aking sarili. It was her anger and pain. Those were her poison and not mine.