Chapter Eighteen
Arcoíris, Armonía, Idalia
- Threads and Mystique II -
Cirseane's P.O.V
"Alright.. 36-24-36," I announced, holding the tape measure in both hands, trying to console my amazement. How can a mortal acquire the figure of an hourglass so perfectly?
"Oh, dear heavens! Lady Amari, how much more can you live up to your name?" one of my sisters, Medreana, playfully queried, making the young woman beside her flustered.
"Hermana, we are in the Underworld!" pabalik kong putak rito, para naman ay makahinga na ulit papaano si Amari na sa sobrang pula ng mga pisngi, matatakot kang sasabog ang mga ito. "Brush it off, will you?" I glared at her menacingly, kaya natawa ito.
"It's alright, Seane," Her eyes shrunk as she smiled, her glistening, flushed cheeks looking as soft as feathers. "It's not that serious."
I nodded, acknowledging the lady's response. Then, I made my way to Hecaesia, who was sitting on a chair with the sewing machine in front of her, and passed one of the notes containing Amari's measurements.
"¡Esto es genial! ¡Gracias!" Hecaesia excitedly thanked us three, all the sketches pinned onto the bulletin board on the wall.
"Sigurado ba kayong tatahiin nyo ang lahat ng mga 'yan?" pambungad na tanong ni Amari nang makarating sa aming tabi, her arms crossed with a hint of concern. "Won't it be a waste to create all those?"
Medreana strolled her way towards Hecaesia's table with little hops on every walk. "The heiress to the throne only deserves the best!" She leaned on the table where the sewing machine was placed, making it shake lightly.
"For hell's sake, Medreana! Get your flat ass off the table!" Hecaesia complained relentlessly. Kaya nang pandilatan ko ito ng mga mata ay huli na nang kanyang mapagtanto ang mga sinabi sa kapatid.. at sa harap ng susunod na reyna na ngayon ay nagpipigil ng tawa.
"Uh? Excuse me?" naiiritang sambit ni Medreana.
"My sincerest apologies, my lady, I did not mean to-"
"Ano ka ba? Okay lang!" Amari finally freed her suppressed laugh, which I bet she had fought to keep but eventually failed to do so. "Make yourselves comfortable! I don't mind."
"Thank you, my lady! But please do accept our apologies."
Hindi pa ito tuluyang tapos sa pagtawa nang sumagot. "Sus! Mas malala pa nga ako sa inyo, eh."
Biglaang napalingon rito ang aking mga kapatid, kasama na ako. "Really, my lady?"
"Oo naman!" tila lalo lang itong nasiyahan nang makita ang mga reaksyon namin. "Laking mundo ng mga tao ako, kaya panigurado marami rin akong kababalaghang nagawa noon, no!"
Lumapit ito sa amin, her hands hidden behind her back with a mischievous smile on her lips. "Sa totoo nga lang, hindi ko nga alam kung saan ako mas magtataka, eh,"
"What do you mean, my lady?" tuluyan na nga nitong napukaw ang aming atensyon, kasama na ang kapatid kong si Hecaesia na inikot ang kanyang upuan paharap sa amin.
"Kung sa gusto akong pakasalan ni kamatayan, o 'dun sa hindi manlang ako nakaakyat ng hagdanan papuntang langit."
And there we were all caught off-guard by the lady's sudden sarcasm, not realizing what she meant at first. Blank looks visible on our faces.
We speak Spanish thoroughly but are not fluent in the Filipino language. My sisters and I do understand Filipino since they utilize some Spanish wording as well. But, hey! Don't get us the other way around. It just takes us slower to realize some terms than usual!
"Ah.. Haha!" narinig ko ang nahuling tawa ni Medreana nang sa wakas ay mapagtanto na nito ang sinabi ng dalaga. "You mean, you find it strange how all of a sudden, you fall under death's trap and were not given the choice to see the gates of heaven!" tila may kung anong sumindi sa hindi nakikitang bumbilya na nalutang sa tuktok ng kanyang ulo. Para nga itong bata at pumalakpak pa.
Oh... that's what Lady Amari meant! Napakamot ako sa aking ulo. Well, I can't really blame her for wondering about the realm of heaven. Ako rin naman ay minsan nang nagtaka kung bakit ako pinanganak na mangkukulam sa impyerno, kung inosente naman akong bata noon at walang kaalam-alam na tinuturing pa lang salot ang mga katulad kong nasa ibabang mundo.
"Aha! Now I get it!" Hecaesia spoke amusedly, her dull eyes seeming to have sparked again after decades of grief. "I thought the lady was referring to the castle's staircases!"
I could not help but feel my heart pump in joy as I caught a glimpse of my sister, Hecaesia, smiling. It really is rare for Medreana and me to see her show expressions, especially one of happiness. The lady's presence seems to have brightened up her dark, vast world!
I shrugged and presented a calm smile at my sister. "You are tanga,"
Her brows were quick to furrow, and her eyes squinted at me with a hint of suspicion. "What does tanga mean?"
Guni-guni ko lang ba, o parang bigla na lang akong pinandilatan ng mga mata ni Amari?
"Pretty! I said you are pretty!" I innocently stated, feeling unconfident about my Tagalog vocabulary skills, but I still tried anyway.
"Tanga means pretty in Tagalog, right?" clueless, I faced the lady with my head slightly tilted, curious about what she had to say about my accent and speaking abilities.
"Ah.. about that," she seemed bothered as she responded. "Y- Yes.. haha! You are right!" she stumbled over her words like she was in the process of composing herself.
"Yes! We are all tanga!"
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Amari's P.O.V
Tila pilit na tawa na lamang ang aking naisagot sa tatlo nang makita ang hindi maiguhit na saya sa kanilang mga mukha.
Gustuhin ko mang sabihin ang totoo, ayaw ko naman na alisin ang ligaya na nakabahid sa mga labi ng magkakapatid. Mukha kasing palaging seryoso ang tatlo, at hindi ang mga tipo na agad-agarang nagpapakita ng emosyon sa kanilang mga nakakasalamuha. So, I decided that, for everyone's sake, I'll lie and agree for now.
Even the heavenly realm itself would know how much effort I put in just to conceal my overflowing emotions. Aaminin kong natatakot akong tawanan sila, at mas lalong wala na akong balak pang humalakhak.
Malay mo naman isang araw, sila na mismo ang makatuklas ng katotohanan.
Sana nga lang ay kapag nalaman na nila, ay hindi nila ako kulamin.
Para bang nabunutan ako ng malaking tinik sa lalamunan at napakawalan ang hanging kanina ko pa kinikimkim sa aking mga baga nang magsibalik na sa kanilang mga puwesto sina Cirseane, Hecaesia, at Medreana.
Agad naman akong nagtaka at namangha nang mapanood ang pag-ilaw ng mahabang peklat sa ilong at pisngi ni Medreana.
Alike to the carvings on the floor, a neon green glow seeped through the stitches of her long scar, illuminating along with her set of deep, hypnotizing eyes that had beamed as well.
Sinundan naman ito ni Cirseane, na halintulad sa kanyang kapatid ay umilaw rin ng kulay berde ang malalim at maitim na mga mata kasabay ng kanyang mahabang peklat na tila kalmot sa balat.
Huli naman sa tatlo ay si Hecaesia, na sya namang nauna sa paghahabi ng tela. Ang mga ugat sa kanyang balat ay mas lalong nag-umigting, at ang kanyang mga mata ay nakakasilaw kung tatanawin.
I have to admit that they look terrifyingly stunning yet mysteriously captivating—the perfect epitome of witches, I must say.
The three sat on their respective chairs, each with wooden desks and sewing machines in front of them, and the same thread smoothly ran on the machine, though without a piece of fabric to sew.
Para bang sumabay sa pagkinang ang aking mga mata dulot ng matinding gulat at pagkamangha nang makitang konektado sa kanilang mga daliri ang sinulid na umiikot at nagpapatakbo sa makina. The three almost seemed like the long-lost daughters of Arachne. How ironic that they were named after the greatest known enchantresses of Greek mythology?
Endless threads coming from the very ends of their piercing fingernails, enchanting each strand with their luminous green eyes. Totoo nga at hindi sila basta-basta mananahi—they are magic weavers. Ginagamit lamang nila ang kanilang mga makinang pantahi bilang panglakop ng sinulid, ngunit sarili nilang salamangka ang nagpapatakbo at nagpapakilos nito.
Iba-ibang uri ng tela ang kinalabasan ng kanilang mga sinulid, na kahit pa ay walang ni isang punit ng tela para sumalo rito ay patuloy pa ring nakabubuo ng sarili nitong mga disensyo.
A sewing machine effortlessly running with only a load of continuous threads and the absence of felt underneath it. Kaya ito walang tela, dahil ang mahika mula sa kanilang mga daliri mismo ang mano-manong gumagawa nito gamit ang bawat hibla ng sinulid.
A triad of witches dancing with flowing threads of melody and steps of mystique.
Halatang seryoso ang bawat isa sa magkakapatid sa pananahi. Tanging pagtusok lamang ng karayom at gumaganang makina ang maririnig nang tumahimik na ang tatlo, kasabay ng malamig na hanging tila yumayakap sa aking mga braso.
I hugged my arms to endure the breeze. Watching them sew every thread from beginning to end and was fazed after noticing how unbelievably fast they worked. It's almost as if they hook hundreds of thin strands in seconds!
And before I was even able to process, nakita ko na ang isa sa mga tela na dumadausdos sa sahig. Therefore, it indicates that one of them is almost done with the fabric in just half an hour of sewing.
Muli akong lumapit palapit kay Hecaesia na ngayon ay nangunguna sa karera. Dahan-dahang bumagal ang kislap ng aking mga mata nang masaksihan ang kanyang gawa, na kahit pa sa ngayon ay hindi pa tapos ay nag-uumigting na sa ganda at kisig.
Sumunod naman ako ng lingon kay Cirseane, na ngayon ay naggugupit ng iilang piraso ng tela mula sa kanyang mga naitahi. Habang si Medreana naman ay abala pa rin sa pag-aayos ng haba at lapad ng kanyang tela.
Saksi ako sa kung gaano unti-unting nabibigyang buhay ang mga telang tinatahi nila, at kahit nga kanino mo ipakita ang mga gawa nila ay tyak na mamamangha.
Napatingin ako sa orasan na nakasabit sa sulok ng silid. Limang minuto na lang ay isang oras na ang lilipas, at hanggang ngayon ay nanatili akong nakatayo at tutok sa panonood. Gayunpaman, hindi rin nagtagal at isa-isa na ring lumisan mula sa kanilang mga estasyon ang magkakapatid.
Nakita ko rin na tapos na ang tatlo sa paggugupit at pagsukat ng kanilang mga tela, at ngayon ay pumunta na sa kanila-kanilang mannequin para isuot ang damit rito at magsimula na sa pagdisenyo.
Under the windows, revealing the sanguine sky, were the incredible creations of the three witches. Na ang bawat isa ay naiiba, at aakalain mong galing sa mga mitolohiyang libro sa sobrang rikit.
Each gown shuns on their own despite being unfinished yet, at dito pa lang ay akin nang napagtanto na mahihirapan talaga akong pumili ng susuotin para sa aking kasal.
Lahat ng tela ay tila walang tiyak na kulay. Sa totoo lang ay pati ako ay naguguluhan na sa totoong kulay ng kanilang mga telang tinahi.
I also noticed how out of all three, Cirseane's fabric seemed to shine the most—hindi dahil sa tingin ko ay ito ang pinakamaganda, kundi dahil ang tela na kanyang tinahi ay sobrang makinang, mapapagkamalan mong gawa ito sa babasagin.
I took steps closer to Cirseane, curious as to what her fabric really is made of.
Tahimik akong napasinghap nang makita sa malapitan ang kanyang gawa. Sobrang ganda nito at sa isang tingin lang ay mahahalata mong kailanman ay hindi ito kayang tahiin ng isang tao.
In front of me was a beautiful gown slowly coming to life. Ang kulay nito ay tila halo ng pilak at ginto, has an asymmetrical neckline and puffy layered skirt, embellished with mirror-looking fragments that fit together like a puzzle.
Makinang ito ngunit hindi ang tipo na masakit sa mata, since instead of reflecting objects directly, it sparkles like a prism and shines on its own spectrum of colors.
Iba-iba ang kulay na kinakalabasan nito dahil sa mga bagay na nasa paligid nito, para bang isang bahaghari.
"Arcoíris," stated Cirseane after removing the final pin left. "The only rainbow that sprung on a sky of blood." Anunsyo nito sa pangalan ng kanyang itinahi nang matapos na rito.
"It's stunning!" a spark of pure amusement brightened the orbs of my eyes. "Para talaga syang babasagin!" sambit ko nang mas lumapit pa sa gown at hinawakan ang magarbong palda nito.
"Beautifully mesmerizing yet tricky and fragile at the same time." She continued to speak as my fingers grazed the gown's intricate tail. "Just like you, my lady."
"Katulad ko?" mahinahon akong napangiti dahil sa kanyang sambit. "Bakit naman?"
"You're like a rainbow, after a heavy pouring rain." Cirseane reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. A warm glow radiated around her as our hands met.
"May you be hidden behind the clouds, you'll always be the first to brighten the sky after every thunderstorm."
She gave me a pat on the shoulder.
"You'll be great, Amari."
"Thank you, Seane." Nakangiti kong pasasalamat rito, then proceeded towards Hecaesia's creation worn by the mannequin as she had just finished hers as well.
Nang makaharap ko na ang itinahi ni Hecaesia, ay agad kong napansin ang pagkakaiba nito sa gawa ni Cirseane.
On the mannequin, stood an elegant ombre gown with shades of black and red, bejeweled with crystals, an alluring illusion neckline, and a fitted trumpet-style skirt. May mahabang belo ito na nakasabit sa bandang likuran at pinapalibutan ang bawat gilid ng balakang, serving as the gown's bedazzled trail.
However, what confused me was how the gown's color looked a bit off. Hindi dahil sa pangit ito o hindi ka nais-nais, but because the distribution of the black and red shades seemed scattered and all over the place. Kung tutuusin nga ay halos kakulay na ng sahig ang dulo nito at pareho naman sa itsura ng mga ulap sa labas ng mga bintana ang sa itaas.
"The Armonía," pagbibigay alam ni Hecaesia nang matawa dahil sa aking reaksyon. "A gown crafted specially to harmonize with whatever it touches."
"Armonía?" kunot-noo kong tanong sa kanya, naguguluhan sa mga pahiwatig nito. "Anong ibig mong sabihin, Hecaesia?"
"The word armonía translates to harmony in the Spanish language and may vary in meaning." Hecaesia exuded both confidence and genuity as she informed. "One of which is to blend oneself with their environment."
Sinundan ko sya ng tingin nang hawakan nya ang belo ng gown at ihinarap ito sa akin at kay Cirseane na ngayon ay umabot na sa aking tabi. On the other hand, Medreana was still busy doing final touches.
"This gown lives up to its name." She spoke calmly as her fingers lit a green glow and set the mannequin, along with the gown, afloat and landed them closer to one of the tall paintings hung on the walls.
I was more than astonished to watch as the gown slowly matched the colors surrounding it, completely drifting from shades of black and red to a fascinating color of sand and shades of blue. Parehong-pareho sa larawan ng isang isla na nasa likod nito.
"Like mellifluous harmonies, it is capable of integrating with its surroundings in the blink of an eye." Saad nito nang senyasan akong lapitan ang mannequin, na agad ko namang ginawa.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang aking sarili at hinawakan na ang tela nito. Doon na nga'y nasaksihan ng aking mga mata ang mga crystal at beads na nagmistulang mga ahon na gumagalaw sa pang-itaas na parte ng gown.
"Unlike Arcoíris, this piece blends to the colors near it rather than reflecting them." Narinig ko ang kanyang dagdag. "The same reason why it was referred to as armonía."
"Because it harmonizes with its environment."
I couldn't help but be fascinated on how gorgeously unique this dress was. Most especially on how it manages to exude different auras in every adjustment it executes, at na tanging mga kulay lang talaga ang binabago nito, at hindi ang mismong itsura at aspekto ng lugar na nakapaligid rito. Even the beads and jewels seem to move on their own!
"This truly is one of a kind. Sobrang ganda at kakaiba!" Natutuwa kong puri sa katabi. "Salamat, Hecaesia."
"My pleasure to serve you, my lady." She bowed politely. "Now, only one left.." Aniya dahilan na sabay-sabay kaming mapalingon kay Medreana na sinalubong rin kami ng ngiti, katabi ang kanyang itinahi.
"Glad to see you're amused, Lady Amari." Nakangising bati ni Medreana nang lumapit na kaming tatlo sa kanya. Her hands were clasped together behind her back, and soon faced her creation.
"I present to you, the Idalia Pele!" she happily announced. "Defined as to behold the sun and derived from the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, Pele, this design perfectly embodies the chaotic realm of the Underworld."
"Beneath the sun, but just as fiery as it; an inevitable glare."
Facing me was an alluring, blazing gown with a deep v-neckline, a thin, plain choker, and a long, burning tail on the back. Ang kulay nito pinaghalong kahel at pula, at mistulang gawa sa kumukulong putik ang tela nito, na kung gumalaw ay tila ba mga dumadaang ulap sa langit.
The ends of the gown were in flames, ngunit hindi nito nasusunog ang mismong tela ng damit. Almost as if it was put under a spell that makes it burn and sustain its own flames.
"This piece symbolizes the burning world of Hell, and how something so wicked and detrimental can also be treacherously beautiful."
The gown's beading consisted of delicate rubies and a rare deep shade of orange diamonds. Talagang ka nais-nais itong titigan lalo na kapag nasa dilim, sapagkat nagmumukha itong nagliliyab na parol panlangit.
Simply looking at this masterpiece reminds me of my days in the mortal world. 'Yung mga panahon na napapanood ko pa ang pagpapakawala ng mga ito tuwing bagong taon.
"Which would you like to try first, Lady Amari?" asked Hecaesia, nang tumabi sa kanyang mga kapatid.
"Cirseane's," maikli ngunit masaya kong sagot.
"As you wish, "
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Nasasabik akong lumabas ng silid-pambihisan suot-suot na ulit ang aking bestida kanina. Tapos na kasi akong subukan ang lahat ng kanilang mga itinahi, 'yun nga lang ay medyo nahihirapan akong pumili sa kung ano ang aking gagamitin sa kasal.
"Lady Amari, have you decided the winner?" pabirong tanong ni Cirseane nang makalabas na ako.
I freed a frustrated sigh before speaking. "Bakit gano'n, hindi ako makapili?!" pagmamaktol ko, blaming myself for still being so indecisive, even when it comes to fast-approaching events like my wedding.
"Don't stress yourself out, my lady." Tumayo si Hecaesia at tinabihan ako. "Just pick the gown that truly calls not just your attention, but the one that represents you completely."
"She's right," it was Medreana who followed. "Most especially because mother, only drew the sketches she knew would resemble a part of your being."
"You see," Hecaesia gave me a pat on the shoulder, a calm smile marking her pale lips. "Each gown we created in the guise of our mother's illustrations was made to symbolize a particular trait you have."
"Your great courage makes you inevitable." ani Cirseane nang salubungin ang aming mga tingin. "That if the world tears you apart and shatters you into pieces, you will never stray from the path and continue even with missing parts left behind."
"Like a rainbow, you signify that there will always be hope after every storm." Using her magic, she brought the Arcoíris closer to us. "May you be stuck amid a cold breeze, showered by the endless pouring of rain, and trapped under the roaring skies; not even the clouds can conceal you because you were fated to last."
I couldn't help but admit that my heart sank just by hearing Seane's soothing words. It has been a while since I last felt this familiar feeling, and who would have thought it only took a triad of witches for me to feel the warmth of a family, again?
"No matter how loud the thunder roars, the sound of your voice will create harmonies out of them." Sunod akong napalingon ay Hecaesia, her sweet compliments completely piqued my interest and fueled the fire inside my beating heart."Therefore, deeming you as the true armonía, for you are blessed with the ability to make symphonies out of echoes."
Sa huli, dumapo ang aking tingin kay Medreana nang magsalita na rin ito.
"Amari, you have that flame in you that keeps you ablaze, even in the darkest places." The touch of her dull fingers on my palm as she held my hand did not seem to bother me. "Being able to burn on your own despite the absence of light around you."
"Actually, I think you're like the sun, and the barriers of Earth at the same time," she freed a soft chuckle, which I returned with a smile. "You, as the sun, illuminates the planets orbiting around you. Yet, you seem like the barriers protecting each of them as well because you bring light warm enough for them to feel your presence, but still gentle for them to endure."
"The Idalia Pele symbolizes the realm of the Underworld, yet you as its bearer, make the fires burning inside it, warm and calm," Medreana explained further, the green glow within her long nails gleaming as it was beneath the shadows of the room.
"You bring life to the world of the dead, Lady Amari. And that is what makes you different."
"Tangina.." I sniffled, not realizing sooner that there were already tears sliding off my cheeks. "Ang sabi ko, tulungan nyo ako! Pinahirapan nyo lang ako pumili lalo, eh!"
I heard Cirseane laugh in a relaxed manner before rushing into my arms for an embrace. "The gowns represent every beauty in you, Amari." For a moment, her head rose to meet mine, and her wide grin flashed my sight.
"They prove that despite you being a mortal, your presence alone makes you just as capable as everyone else in this world." Masayang saad nito nang hawakan ako sa magkabilaang mga balikat at maingat na pinisil ang aking mga braso.
Hecaesia slowly made her way beside us. "And that these creations of ours are just representations of you, and whoever you may pick would signify how you want to be presented not just as Klyde's bride, but as the Queen of Etheris." Paningit nito.
"Would you be the rainbow to the storm, the harmonies to the echoes, or the fire that burns in the fiery world of Hell?"
It took me all the courage I had left to formulate an answer. Nahihirapan kasi talaga akong pumili dahil gusto ko ang tatlong disensyo nila, at kung pagbibigyan man ng panahon ay mas pipiliin kong suotin ang lahat ng ito.
"Hmm?" sabay na tanong ng tatlong magkakapatid.
Tuluyan na akong napasinghap nang ilang minuto na ang lumipas at wala pa rin akong maisagot sa kanila. I just genuinely fell in love with each of the gowns they sewed for me.
Wala na ba talagang paraan para maisuot ko ang tatlong ito?
They are witches, after all. They specialize in alchemy and magic...
"If I ask you three to grant my wish, would you?" biglaang tanong ko na halatang ikinagulat nila.
"If that is what it would take to satisfy the king's bride, then it is our pleasure to do so." It was Hecaesia who responded first.
As I thought of my favor, their words earlier seemed to have been recalled in my head.
If I'd be given the chance, would I be...
The rainbow behind the thunderclouds,
The harmonies within the echoes,
Or the unyielding flame?
"What I want..." I slowly lifted my gaze to catch theirs.
"Is to become all of them."