CHAPTER 16- LA NEOMPA II

E L A R I E N

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Aewa was first to break the silence.

"Yup. As we go up this stairs the clearer the view of the desert is seen and it's breath taking" I said, amused by the golden colored sand.

When people think beautiful environment, many times they think lush green trees, running creeks, shrubs and other greenery. But this is only apparent in few environments. Each environment holds their own special beauties and wonders. Many times the desert is an environment that is over looked and its true beauty is not realized because some says it just a plain sand expanded to the sea

"Some of the most beautiful flowers in the world are found in the desert. These flowers are said to be the strongest because they can survive in an environment that is sparse on water. These flowers have adapted over time to grow and flourish in their bright color. You can find bright hues of purple, orange and yellow growing freely over the desert"

"Oh?" that piqued my interest.

"The desert also boasts one of the most recognized species of plant in the world like that one" he point his finger near the towns lamp post

"Well it looks like--Just a plants with a bunch of thorns"

"Oh Darling that's a bit insult that's a cactus"

"That plants can survived this harsh climate it doesn't need enought water to survive. The cactus has become a beautiful staple of the desert environment. Many people use them in their landscaping and even grow them inside their home for added decoration and beauty. These highly recognized plants can also bloom some of the most beautiful flowers found in the desert. Just be careful when touching them, many of the plants have adapted and grown thorns over their body to protect them from getting eaten"

"Your good at plants"

"Just few, I stop going to an Academy of Medical, since I serve the Gem master. But your smarter back when I almost pick that mushroom" He said and tied his hair.

"Oh it's nothing"

The town here seems like a normal one. Camels are use as their transportation.

We stop at the tavern which wasn't hard to find, because Ram is outside and all wasted, drunk, playing with his guitars singing to the girls whose flirting on him. He just take a sip on a glass of beer. A girl poured again and gave it to him and now his laughing and almost fell on the bench

"Ram.." We approached him and the girl stood up and began to flirt on Aewa. I'm uncomfortable with their revealing clothes, stepping over to the side as they began crowded him but he pulled me closer and passed the girls.

"Ram lets gets you inside your drunk"

"Nope!"-he won't exclude that he was. Aewa put rams arm on his shoulder and went inside. The door was open by Spike and she's freaking drunk too! She fell down but I catch her and she's too heavy. We were just a minute late, then they're all drunk? Too fast! Someone help me carried Spike and i trust her as Aewa gives me a nod to let her carried Spike.

I pinch my nose because I hate the smell of the alcohol. There's a lot of drunk people inside which makes me unperturbed and steam in anger how come they lead us here with the children in a bar?! Which-- this place are not suitable for young age lalo na sina Komori! I saw nyne laughing with Naea whose wasted too. I immediately approach them

"Wheres the kids?!"

They began to laugh at me and mocked me. Their faces are all red and the smell is very unlikely to my nose. I almost gag. "Their upstair"-Nyne said with a hiccups, but still won't take off the glass of bear in his hand. Agad akong umakyat and check the deities and I was so glad and relief to see them peacefully sleeping in bed. Inayos ko rin ang kumot nila and check the place which might be impested with any bugs. But its safe.

Aewa went inside carrying a glass of beer and a juice And a pulutan too. Inilapag niya iyon sa lamesa at inabot sakin ang juice. "You drink?"

"Yes. Actually I am more addicted to alcohol than Nyne. I'm alcohol tolerance. I won't be affected with it.

Tolerance occurs when you drink so much alcohol that your body adapts and experiences less effects from the same amount. Someone with high tolerance can drink more alcohol without feeling like they are intoxicated or under the influence.. But eventually there's something I need to settle first and somehow I practices myself to drink less and now I managed it. I had done a challenge myself lalo na pag maging ama na ako sa hinahanarap"

"Excited ka naman masyado, enjoy your youth Aewa. And so if your not an alcohol tolerance, what happen when you drunk"

He looked at me deeply and it send chills down to my spine. He went creepier, he slowly look down and i saw his eyes looking directly at my chest and I covered it and gave him a slap on a face and he just kiss my forehead

"I don't know what will happen"-maikli niyang tugon at minasahe ang pisnge niyang namarkahan ng palad ko "Di pwede ela. Mabubuntis kita"

"Oy gago!"-medyo umatras ako at napangisi siya na nakatingin sa inumin

"Kidding"

The cricket sound was heard and its awkward. I just move abit far from him because hindi lang siya weird pero magaling din siya sa kama. Napalunok lang ako habang nakatingin sa ceiling at kumuha ng pulutan. Tumayo siya at napatatingin sa bintana. I look at my dart once more and its changing mas humaba ito at gumanda ang desinyo. Nakatingin lang siya sa bintana at lumapit ako at tingnan ang kanyang minamasid.

"If we will find the six deities you'll eventually go home..?"

"Yes. What else would it be. I had no plan to stay here"

"You had no one in mind?"-mababang tono ng pananalita niya at and glance at me, there's something on his face he looks blue "What if I want to I plan proposed. Will you come with me?"

Natulala ako sa mga sinabi niya at kitang kita ang tingin niya na di talaga siya nagbibiro. His serious. No one had ask for my hands. But he did. And it's so sudden!! I couldnt utter a word at mas lumakas ang kaba ng aking dibdib as he touch my hand. I'll be happy if Aewa will be my husband. His a perfect man to raise a family. Pero bigla bigla rin sumagi sa isipan ko sina papa. Binawe ko ang kamay ko sa kanya

"I can't. My family is important for me Aewa. I can't be with you"

"Oh" there's a sudden paused from him "But will you come back? Maybe you'll change your mind.."

"I don't think so. But I won't marry you"

He face me. Nonchalantly. I thought he would ask me more but sighed and left and close the door. I was curious-- melancholy and having a thought that did I say something that made him feel unwanted lately? I just simply ignore it because my heart is starting to ache. Someone knock on the door before i could say its open spike fall on the floor and snore.

I pat the kids to not awaken them by disturbance of Spike. I carried her and put her in a sofa and she's darn heavy but I can't just let her sleep on the dirty floor. After that nyne carried naea and he slowly put naea in bed and he fell off. I woke him up but he's out too. Medyo napairap ako sa ere and I cant lift him up to bed baka matae pa ako. Kumuha ako ng blanket at inayos ito sa sahig kase di maayos yung pagkalagay niya kay naea. She take over the whole bed by herself. I love her and shes just too heavy. She groan and slapping my hands away from her

After i was done. Inilagay ko rin ang unan sa kanyang ulo at nilagyan ng kumot pati rin si naea kase may bumakat. After that i leave the room and walk downstairs and theirs a few costumers left. The bartender is wiping the cup and I went to ask if he saw Aewa around. And he told me that he left a moment ago.

Lumabas din ako and I hug myself because never though of that its too cold like I was in an cold climate area. Napadismaya rin ako kase wala siya sa labas nasan na siya and its almost 12 am in the morning and he didnt even gone to bed. Siguro nasaktan ko ang damdamin niya. Naglakad lakad lang sa daanan at maliwanag naman dahil sa buwan.

May mga ingay akong narinig sa bandang itaas at may mga makulay na ilaw na yumagayway sa kalangitan. Nacurious ako at umakyat pataas hanggang sa tumambad sakin ang napakataas na arena. Ang ingay ng mga madla sa loob at mukhang may maganda silang napapanood.

May pulang carpet at may mga apat na lalake na nakabantay sa pinto. Nagdadalawang isip na akong bumaba pero gusto ko namang pumasok. Nilakasan kolang ang loob ko at lumapit sa kanila with blowing my cheeks to keep the pressure inside.

"State your name miss"-wika ng isang lalake na di ko napansin saking kaliwa at nagsusulat siya.

"Ela-- elarien Kishvar"-pagpakilala ko. Di niya ako pinansin at may parang hinanap sa mga listahan. Napangiwi lang ako baka pagsabi nito strangers ako and they would eventually arrest me.

"Not on the list--"-bigla namang lumapit sakin ang apat na  lalake para hilain ako paalis

"Teka, teka lang andito ba si Aewa?"

"Oh the contestant? Why? Who are you little girl his little sister?"

"Little?!"

This is my chance. His inside ano bang ginagawa niya run? "I'm a bounty like him-"-i stop as they eventually laughed as if it like mocking me

"A small rodent just called herself a bounty! Oh i'm shaking in my bone"-cried he with a merrily laugh. And they all began to laughed " Stop with that nonsense and go home"

Inilabas ko ang acupuncture needles ko at tumigil sila sa kakatawa at nagkatinginan ang dalawa Naman nagbulungan pa. Bigla naman silang tumabi at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Pumasok na ako na nakakunot noo lang at nilingon sila. They smirk and raise their hands as a sign of surrender "We were just kidding. Enjoy the show kid"

Pumasok naman ako na napapikit sa liwanag na nag gagaling sa loob at mas nabingi ako sa sigawan habang palalapit na. The moment I went inside theres chill down through my spine and I've got goosebump. Napasinghap ako sa napakaraming madla na pumalibot sa arena at lahat sila nagsisigawan. I close my ears with my palm its deafening.

"CLAW!! CLAWW!!"

"GO BOUNTY!!"-sigawan ng mga manonood . Nakita ko sa bandang ibaba ang dalawang taong naglalaban and I was shock to see Aewa down there.

"Aewa!!!"-napatinghala ito sakin at nasurprise ako kase narinig niya ang boses ko sa lakas ng mga sigaw ng manonood.

Nabigla ako ng sipain siya sa mukha at napigilan niya ito sa kanyang wrist and I saw a blood run through his cheeks. The man move fast and kick Aewa without noticing him and drag him at di siya nakatayo

"SCORE!!!!!"-narinig kong sigaw ng mga hurado at napatinghala ako sa malaking board at may nagsusulat ng mga marka nila. Nakaten point yung lalake and it was my fault again for calling him

The game was over and asked for a next round two for tomorrow. The place was bustling with crowded and we just simply sat on a bench nearby on the entrance. Hanggang kumaunti na ang tao na bumababa ng hagdan. I reach my clothes to wipe the blood on his lips.

Nakita ko ang pag ngiwi niya. Medyo naiilang Ako Kase iba siya makatitig sakin

"Bat ka sumama sa ganun? And i'm sorry for ruining your fight" I said without looking at him

"It doesnt matter its a tie anyway"-maiksi niyang tugon." At bat ka pumunta rito?!"- Galit na galit talaga siya sakin.

"Parang di Kase Ako mapakali nung umalis ka bigla.."

"It's your fault" he whispered on my ears and bun his messy hair and stand up and fix his shirt "Let's go home it's pass midnight already" Hinawakan lang niya ang kamay ko at bumaba ng hagdan. Nang makarating na kami sa tavern umupo kame sa labas na medyo malapit sa cactus. Sa harap namin kitang kita Ang buwan na kumikislap na dagat

Nagtaka ako na bat parang di niya nahihilom ang sugat niya. May nakita akong isang black bracelet at may pula itong liwanag. Ngayon kolang to nakita. Pagod na pagod siya and I went inside to ask if theres an emergency kit and thankfully the waiter handed me some. Nagpasalamat ako at lumabas nakita ko na siyang mahimbing na natutulog.

Umupo lang ako at pinahiran ang sugat niya. Nang malinisan ko na tsaka ko na binalot ng tela ang iba at nilagyan naman ng bandage yung kanyang pisnge at pati sa noo. I feel awful to see him like this.

"Miss"-may biglang nag abot sakin ng isang kumot at yung waiter pala kanina kinuha na niya yung pinaglagyan ng gamot. His too generous. He help me carried Aewa upstairs and there's a vacant room beside the room where the Deities are sleeping.

"Thank you"-i said at tumango siya na nakangiti. Umalis din ito pagkatapos. Basang basa siya ng pawis at nagdadalawang isip pako na huhubaran kopa ba siya ng damit. Pero bahala na. Hinubaran ko siya at napalunok ako sa laki ng katawan niya pero mas tinuonan ko ng pansin ang sugat Niya. Ginamot kolang ito ng maigi at maghanap ng damit sa mga kabinet.

And after that I wrapped aewa with the blanket and his mumbbling and scared of something, his like a child who was in a dreadful nightmare. I hussed him and pat him on his shoulder and he sleep normally. Even in his sleep he looks more handsome. I couldn't sleep not because I was enchanted by his face. But because of a mosquitoes. Pinaypayan kolang yung paligid ko pati kay aewa para hindi siya madapuan ng lamok.

➖➖➖

MORNING. I woke up when someone pat my head at napatayo ako. Natutulog ako sa tabi niya. I apologize but he just gave me a his beautiful smile which makes my morning. "Hungry?"-tanong niya at tumango ako. I check his wound at nahilom na ang mga sugat niya at hinila niya ako at hinalikan sa noo.

"You do care" he began teasing me.

"Of course I do" I said and crossed my arms above my chess.

We both walked down the stairs and greeted everybody inside the kitchen and the Deities are enjoying their breakfast. "Morning mama"-greet ng mga deities sakin. Si komori at jamai as for hanako sinusuban naman ni Nyne.

Wala pang tao kaya nasa baba ang mga bata. Nasuprise ako dahil walang alak na nakadisplay pero laruan. May mga batang pumasok at naging playground ang buong tavern at ang waiter nagsuot ng clown out fit.

"How in the world?"-takang tanong namin and uncle pat both of our shoulders.

"Its a childs play today. Your lucky to arrived with your kids"

"Uncle i'm not marrie--"

Aewa close my mouth and nakita ko ang pagngiti niya "thank you uncle.." he said and I glanced him arching my eyebrows but he just blink at me. Inalis niya ang kamay niya sa bibig ko at nagshake hands silang dalawa.

Naiwan akong lutang yung tipong kakagising mo tas you just became confused. Masayang nagtatawanan ang mga bata sa clown and Spike dress as a fox and Naea as a little red riding hood. Just like in a grimms fairytale. Umupo naman ako para manuod at tinawag ako ni uncle na naghahanda ng juice.

"Ibigay mo sa mga bata"

"Opo uncle"

Iniabot ko isasa sa mga ito at si Ram naman nag aabot ng snack. Kumuha naman ako ng cookies na nasa tray niya at may pumasok na naman na bata sa loob. Masaya naman akong nakikita sina komori na natutuwa sa maliit na dula dulaan nina naea at spike.

Lumapit ako kay uncle para magtanong "Uncle anong meron sa childs play?"

"Mga dalawang linggo lang meron childs play. To entertain children of course at meron din silang matututunan matagal pa ang festival ng La neompa sana makakapunta kayo ulit kase magpaparada kame at welcome ang ibang kaharian"

"Uncle arena of hunters dito diba? Hindi ba delikado?"

"Ay hindi naman hijah. Karamihan dito ay mga dating kalahok na hunter at turuan ang mga bagong kalahok upang mapalakas nila ang abilidad nila. Kaya tinawag itong arena pero not that famous. May bago nang arena kaya kaunti nalang ang naglalaro dito "

"Kayo po uncle nakasama na kayo sa games?"

Medyo nahiya naman si uncle at inalis ang botenes niya at nakita ko ang tatak na nasa dibdib niya. Isang claw. Medyo nacurious talaga ako na bat may tatak ang iba at wala ang bounty? "Kung sasali ka bilang hunter uncle may lalagyan ka ng marka?"

"Baguhan ka nga talaga hijah"-Umupo ng maayos si uncle "Ang marka na ito ay maitatak lang na isa kang tapat at magaling na hunter. Such good old days as I became one. Lahat ng may tatak ay legendary parang ako"-sabay pakita niya sakin ng muscle niya na medyo kinatawa ko na palihim. Si uncle patawa. "Pero ever since I wanted a normal life I decided to became a bartender at di ko naman pinagsisihan ang desisyon ko sa buhay. Kaya ikaw hijah hawak mo ang pangalan ng bounty, Laking parangal ko na hindi nawala ang bounty sa hunter at nakasama na si ram. Bounty once help claw hunter kaya taas noo ko kayong isasaludo"