Transmigrated as the Only Woman

Kabanata 57 | Butterflies

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟓𝟕 | 𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒

𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐀

"This feels so good! Why does it's called Red Horse? Is it made of red horses in your world?" Travis tilted his head. Humagalpak agad ako at pumalakpak na parang seagull habang tumatawa.

"Lasing ka na, Travis!" Pinalo ko siya sa braso habang nakaupo kaming dalawa malapit sa kagubatan. He blinked slowly and I can feel Hideo rubbing his tail on my feet. Kinuha ko siya't nilagay sa may hita ko.

Travis' face is already red. The night is deep. There are snacks scattered on the ground, I was holding a stick of burnt marshmallows.

From afar, we can see the fire camp being built by men from this new city called Valernos. It has been three days since we arrived here, and it's a small city surrounded by a forest. In contrast to Vrenniomar's lively city, this one is full of life at night. Men loved drinking.

"Where was I?" Travis scratched his head. Tinungga niya uli ang bote ng red horse at kumuha ako ng tissue para punasan ang gilid ng labi niya. He did a deep sigh before staring at the air.

"Ah, right... My father's, Alastor properties all perished. Neither I nor my lost brother got the chance to inherit anything." He continued. He's been telling his life's story for almost 30 minutes.

Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya't hinayaan siyang maglabas ng sama ng loob. If I had time, I'll drink with Zander too. I can noticed the big gulp that he did when he mention his brother.

Napaiwas agad ako ng tingin dahil nagtutubig na ang mga mata niya. Pinatong ko ang kamay ko sa kamay niyang nakapatong. We remained silent while he cried silently beside me.

"Where do you think is your brother now?" I asked. Tinikom ko agad ang mga labi ko pagkatapos.

"Hindi ko alam, mhie. Ang pinagdadasal ko na lang ay kung nasaan man siya ay sana buhay siya," he whispered.

Hinaplos ko ang likod niya. I wanted to say something but sometimes your presence is enough as someone's comfort. Nanatili ang tingin ko mula sa malayo't sa mga kalalakihang nagkakantahan sa harap ng fire camp.

''Do you want me to talk to Zander?'' His gaze soften. Nagtubig lalo ang mga mata niya kaya hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Bumuga siya ng hangin at sinandal ang ulo sa balikat ko.

''Can you?'' he whispered. ''He's been avoiding me. Kung iwasan niya ako ay para akong may nakakahawang sakit. Val and Flame noticed it too,'' he added. Ramdam ko ang bawat buntong hininga na pinapakawalan niya. Nanatili ang palad kong nakapatong sa kamay niya.

''Have you tried explaining your side?'' I gulped. ''Wala namang may gusto sa nangyari. Your father is a victim—''

''He's not a victim. He is a bad person.'' Napalunok siya kaya naman ay nangunot ang aking noo. I couldn't understand why Travis is saying that his father is a bad person. Unti-unting naramdaman ang pagtutubig ng mga mata niya.

''What do you mean?'' I whispered. Sinilip ko ang mukha niya habang nakasandal siya sa braso ko. Feel ko nga ay nahihirapan siya sa puwesto niya kaya naman ay inalalayan ko siya sa mas magandang puwesto.

''You heard it, Tiara.'' His voice broke as he took a deep sigh. ''My father is evil. Zander is right. I understand why he's angry and why he wanted to treat me like garbage.''