4 CHAPTER 2
AS BRIGHT AS HIS EYES
(KASING LIWANAG NG KANYANG MATA)
There was a prophecy that has been pass down from the eldest babaylan (shaman) to the next. It has been a hundred of years since the prophecy was written. Through that hundreds of years' people don't believe that the said prophecy will come true, but in July of 1881 a baby was born. His appearance that is described perfectly by the prophecy proves that he will be the one true king they are waiting for. But the kingdom and the royal family didn't know that the prophecy, even though a blessing, is also cursed with suffering and the Babaylan is the only one who knows about it.
***
A loud knock can be heard through the giant door made with Nara. The Rajah and Dayang (King and Queen) is startled from the sudden knock.
"Don't disturb us right now!" Rajah Lakas said.
"But your highness-"
"Leave!" the Rajah commanded. He is a little irritated, it is supposed to be his free day. His wife just gave birth to their first son! When will he get his precious vacation?!
However, the husband and wife heard another knock from the door. Now, it is not the guard but the most important person to the kingdom.
"It is me your highness! Tala! I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with you!" the Babaylan outside the door informed.
Both the Rajah and Dayang look at each other. What is the elder Babaylan doing here? The Babaylan never set foot to the castle unless the Rajah called for her, or if she really has an important news from the spirits.
The Rajah let out a heavy sigh, he doesn't know but he feels that the elder is not visiting because of a good news. He feels burdened but still got up from the bed.
"Mahal, I will just talk with the elder. I'll be back."
The Dayang nodded and his naturally rutless gaze softened for a moment. He caressed the tired face of the Dayang, and softly grip the small hands of their newborn son.
"Take care Mahal." the Dayang said with her dry voice, exhausted from all the screaming she did a while ago.
Rajah Lakas stride through the carpeted floor. The Dayang gave birth in their personal chambers in the palace. The palace is called the Palace of the Sun, it earned its title from the metal used for the entire building. The palace is entirely made out of gold accented with maroon curtains made by the royal tailors. The curtains are patterned with the kingdom's ancient art depicting nature. In the outside, you may think that the palace is a temple with the amount of statue and paintings of sun decorating the whole building.
When the Rajah reach the huge Nara door, he gazes again upon his wife and newborn son before turning his head towards the close door. He pushes the door open and is immediately greeted by the elder. The elder babaylan's name is Tala, her name suits her best. Being named after the stars, she became a star that guided the kingdom through her spiritual visions. Rajah Lakas studied the old lady's features. She's in her sixties, brown skin almost bronze, and black eyes, the common features of the people in the Kingdom of Sun. The elder babaylan slightly bow.
This is the first time in two months that she saw the Rajah again. He is now in his thirties, and he is the youngest Rajah and the most successful to ever lead the kingdom. He has long and silky black hair with little white hairs here and there. He is a very tall man, like a tower next to the small framed babaylan. His bronze skin reflected the sunlight coming from the window in the near distance almost blinding. His clothes are maroon robes accented with gold and embroidered with Kingdom of Sun's ancient patterns. He looks regal by simply standing in the frame of the door. Truly, the definition of a king.
"What is it that is so important you dare to disturb my time with my family?" The Rajah's eyes turned cold. There are only two things that he dislikes. The first one are people that aren't true to their words, and the next one is being disturb when he is with his family.
The elder babaylan straighten her back and gazes at the Rajah with eyes full of concern. "I apologize for my sudden visit your highness, but what I am going to discuss with you is about your son." The elder stated.
Rajah Lakas' eyes slightly squinted. What is it about his son that this old woman specially visited the palace for and in such a hurry? Is she here to confirm if the prophecy really came true? If that's the case, then he understands.
"hmm. If it concerns my son, then I don't have any excuse to refuse your request. Should we go to my private study to discuss about this matter?" The Rajah stated.
"Let me see his highness the prince first." Tala said with full of conviction.
Rajah Lakas sigh heavily, he knows that he doesn't have any choice but to agree with the Babaylan's request. "If there is really a need to see my child then I can't stop you." Rajah Lakas stated without a choice. If they are going to talk about his son, he didn't have any choice but to let the Babaylan see his son.
"Guards." Tala said with authority. The guards have no choice but to open the giant nara door.
The click and clack of Tala's shoes echoed from the marbled floor. The room is very spacious, there are two big windows overlooking the garden behind the palace. The king size bed can be easily spotted in the middle of the room. Its covers are colored in maroon accented with golden threads. There is a small table in both sides of the bed where fresh flowers are situated.
Dayang Maya smiled at the babaylan. The Dayang slightly bowed her head and Tala softly pat the back of her right hand in the Dayang's forehead. It is the sign of respect in their kingdom given to those who are older. "It is best that you take a nap Dayang Maya. You just gave birth." Tala's voice is full of concern.
"How could I? My precious Godmother is here to visit me." Dayang Maya slightly smiled.
Tala's eyes shifted to the child in Maya's arms. She slightly gasps when she saw the light blue eyes staring at here. The baby's eyes! His eyes are a different color, but that is not what shock her the most. His eyes, they are so bright just like the sea in the morning, when the sun reflected its rays to the wide blue sea.
"What bright and brilliant eyes." Tala don't know what to feel. This child will be a king, but tragedy's will befall the kingdom.
"Don't you think he is blessed by Bathala, godmother?" Dayang Maya said to the babaylan that couldn't even utter a word.
"Godmother?" Dayang Maya called Tala again. "What's wrong?" This time her voice is evident with concern.
"Oh nothing! I'm just in awe with your son's eyes." The babaylan forced a smile.
"Now that you have seen my son, can we talk now in my study elder babaylan?" Rajah Lakas cut into their conversation.
"O-oh yeah, I almost forgot why I really came here for." She said, shock that she didn't notice that the Rajah is still in the room.
"Doctor!" Rajah Lakas called for the royal doctor with authority.
"Y-yes! Your highness?"
"Can you take care of my wife while I talk with the Babaylan in my study?"
"Will do your highness!" the royal doctor abruptly answered.
The Rajah looks at the elder babaylan indicating that they should go. Tala nod and look at Maya again.
"I'll be going, my dear. Please take care of yourself and your son." Tala slightly smiled. A smile mixed with loneliness. She is the only that knows what will befall of the kingdom, for now.
***
Rajah Lakas and the Babaylan are walking through the long corridor, paintings of the past Rajah's are hanging in the palace walls. One particular painting caught her attention. It's the portrait of the previous Rajah, the father of Rajah Lakas.
"If Rajah Magtibay would only see you right now, he would be the very happy for you." She said with a hint of loneliness.
She watches Rajah Lakas' back as he slightly shifted uncomfortably. "What a laughable statement." He said coldly.
It is not a question that the previous Rajah is very strict with his sons specially the eldest, Rajah Lakas. "Lakas, you need to unders--"
"We're here." Rajah Lakas cuts off.
Tala can't help but to sigh. A really stubborn child, she thought.
"Please sit anywhere comfortably." He said and sat on the chair behind the table.
The Babaylan sat on the chair facing the Rajah.
"What is it about my son that you wanted to talk so urgently about? Is it about the prophecy or does he have any illness that I should know about?" Rajah Lakas ask with composure.
"Yes, it is about the prophecy, and no he doesn't have any illness that I'm aware of." The Babaylan immediately answered.
"So, my son is really the one in the prophecy?" Rajah Lakas smiled happily.
"Yes." Tala briefly answered with slight sadness in here voice.
"What is it that you are so sad about?" Rajah Lakas ask with confusion.
"Yes, your son is the one in the prophecy but what you know is not the whole prophecy." Rajah Lakas' brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?" his voice became very cold.
Tala exhaled nervously. "The prophecy that the whole kingdom know is not complete." She started.
"It has been pass down from the previous babaylan to the next, and should be kept as a secret until the child in the prophecy is born."
"Can you stop your dilly dallying?! Can't you tell me right away?" The concern in the Rajah's eyes can't be hidden anymore.
"Before he become the king, the kingdom and him will go through great suffering and only the person who rivals the brightness of his eyes can save him."
***
"Lakan! Your eyes are so beautiful and bright! You're my most handsome son!" the woman in her forties hug her five-year-old son tightly. She and her husband just came back from the rice fields.
"Inay, I'm your only son." The child laugh.
Laughter can be heard from the small house near the rice fields not knowing the tragedy that will befall them.
---TO BE CONTINUED
