A Special Wine

Nanatili akong nakasunod kay Thanatos. May ilan na napapatingin sa'min, probably curious on what business I have with the god of death.

Like a little girl, I tugged his shirt to keep on track with his pace. Naptingin siya sa'kin at napangisi, "Can't keep up with me?"

Napabitaw naman ako at umirap. Nang-aasar na naman siya, nakakainis! Does he think I'm weak?

Bahagya siyang napatawa at inakbayan ako. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko kaya't kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya. It's been a long time, but our interactions remained the same. Only that I grew older, samantala parang wala namang nangyari sa kaniya. After all, he's a god.

Some noticed us, but some were too drunk to even see us clearly. And some were... uh- making out?

Nakarating kami sa isang parang cafeteria, pero walang tao dito. Minsan ay may napapadaan but no one stops.

Thanatos pulled a chair for me, at nang malapit na akong maka-upo, he pulled the chair backwards. I shrieked pero nang malapit nang tumama ang pwet ko sa lupa, ay hinila niya ako patayo. He snaked his arms around my waist, causing my body to bump on his.

Ngumisi siya, "Hindi ka na nga pala bata, Melizabeth." Binitawan niya ako at pinaupo ako sa upuan, he sat also. Nang may makita siyang pagala-galang waiter, he called for it.

May binulong siya rito, at tumango-tango naman ang waiter. He disappeared, and now, Thanatos diverted his attention on me, "Let's talk while waiting for the wine."

Tumango naman ako at nagtanong, "How are you doing these past six years?"

He smirked and looked away from me, na parang may nakakatawa sa mga sinasabi ko. Ipinatong niya ang kaniyang siko sa mesa at napahawak sa kaniyang sintindo habang ibinalik ang tingin sa'kin. His stormy eyes were filled of amusement.

Nagtaka naman ako, "What's funny, Thanatos?"

This time, hindi niya napigilan ang kaniyang tawa. Napatingin siya sa baba at tinap ang mesa.

"You always ask that first for the past six years, Meli. Hindi ka na nagbabago," he chuckled and sighed. Sumandal siya sa upuan at sinubukang i-compose ang sarili niya.

Mas lalo naman akong nagtaka, this is the first time that I'm seeing him after six years. What does he mean?

"Melizabeth. Kada taon kitang binibisita, at iyan ang laging salubong mo sa'kin," sabi niya. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko, "Wala naman akong naaalalang binibisita mo ako, Thanatos."

"Of course you don't. Sinasadya kong painumin ka ng wine of forgetfulness, para malimutan mo ang pagkikita at ang mga ginawa natin."

"Pero, bakit? Why the underworlds would you make me forget, Thanatos?" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses ko, at humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking upuan. I was really not the patient type, but I can manage somehow.

He didn't answer for a couple of seconds kaya't mas lalo akong nag-outburst, "You are using that godly advantage of yours! Ano namang pinag-usapan natin noon o ginawa natin noon na kailangan kong makalimutan? Oh gods, I swear I'm not going to drink the wine," wika ko nang marealize na nag-order si Thanatos ng wine. Maaaring iyon ang wine of forgetfulness. So baka makalimutan ko rin itong pangyayaring ito!

Umiling siya at nagshush, "Chill Melizabeth. Hindi ko na gagawin 'yon. I'm done doing it."

I rolled my eyes, "how can I trust you?" Iyan ang tanong ko ngunit I know very well for myself that he is the only one that I trust. Aish, ano bang tanong iyan Melizabeth?

"Sinadya kong pumarito para ibalik na saiyo ang mga ala-ala mo. It's time that you regain your memories, and apply whatever is in those memories. Nasa Olympian World ka na, at ang mga ala-alang iyon ang tutulong sa'yo rito," he said.

Tumigil siya sa pagpapaliwanag nang bilang dumating ang waiter. Inilapag niya ang dalawang wine glass, pero bago pa siya makaalis ay tinanong ko kaagad siya. "Ano ang mga wine na 'yan?"

Thanatos scoffed, and he looked amused at me. He rubbed his chin, and studied me. He bit his lower lip to prevent himself from laughing. Tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin at hinintay ang sagot ng waiter.

Nang hindi ito sumagot, I looked directly into its eye, at sinimulang i-hypnotize ang waiter. "What is this wine?"

Tumuwid ng tayo ang waiter at nagsimulang sumagot, "It is the reverse wine of forgetfulness that will bring back a person's memory. It is limited and can only be seen in Dionysus' castle. The other wine is a nectar, the wine of Gods."

Tumango ako and waved my hand to dismiss him. The man infront of me clapped his hands slowly, "Ah, my Melizabeth is improving her hypnotizing skills."

The smile in his lips did not fade, at umabot iyon sa kaniyang gray na mata. Pinagpatuloy niya pa ang kaniyang mga salita, "I raised a smart one." As if siya nga ang nag-alaga sa'kin.

Hindi na ako mapakali at hinawakan ang wine glass ko. I want to drink this to regain my memories. Kating-kati na akong malaman kung ano ang mga nangyari!

Thanatos stopped me, "Hindi mo kaagad makukuha ang mga memorya mo, it will take time, little by little. At huwag mong pipiliting maalala ang lahat, it would give you headache, angel."

I glared at him and mouthed okay.

Kinuha niya ang kaniyang baso, at inilapit sa'kin. He smirked and said, "Cheers, my angel."

I clinked my glass to his. Mas nauna niyang nadala ang kaniyang baso sa kaniyang labi, kaya't sumunod na rin ako, savoring every taste of the liquor.

Kaagad akong nakaramdam ng sakit sa ulo. Pictures flashed into my mind hanggang sa kadiliman na ang sumakop sa'king mga mata.

Thieves of Harmony

By lostmortals

Plagiarism is a crime.

Thank you for reading!