Author's Note:

It was 2017 when I conceptualized and started this series yet I'm still not done with the second book. I cherish this story so much I've been giving so much thoughts before I update. Still, I had seen lots of loopholes and grammatical flaws and technical errors. I really hope to finish this journey with Kalish and Holly. I don't mind the number of readers anymore but the fulfilment I'll have once I finish this tale. And for the one or two persons who still look forward in this story, I thank you so much.

This chapter is how the barrio sees Holly and Kalish. Hiding's been long due and it's time to face the real beasts.

*****

Dalisay at marilag na pagsinta.

Those were the exact phrase the barrio used to describe the love of the newly- wed couples who lived in a humble home by the hills. Everyone had known each other since birth and the arrival of two strangers stirred excitement and hesitation. Excitement that they'd come to meet new faces, hesitation that they'd doubt these persons from the capital could cope with the simple life in the countryside.

Looking at the blinding beauty of the man regally standing across the threshold, Mang Tasyo could not almost believe that the young man was real. He felt an air of indifference, as if a high wall was built to separate this man from them. Something that he wouldn't touch, would never attempt to climb onto.

"Magandang umaga!" Aling Flor, Mang Tasyo's bubbly wife thankfully cut the awkward silence, "Kami nga pala ang bagong kapitbahay ninyo. Nakatira kami diyan sa may baba ng burol. Ako si Aling Flor, itong asawa kong si Tasyo ang kapitan dito, at ito ang dalaga kong si Marissa. Naghanda din ang mga kapitbahay ng pa- welcome sa inyo." The smiling old woman spoke spontaneously, holding up a basket of native delicacies in front the new neighbor who was silently towering over them.

Mang Tasyo expected the man to smile and accept what was offered to him, yet he remained stoic looking at the basket of food then to his wife. The man then stepped aside, his hand gesturing them to come inside the small space. And somewhere from the old man's memory, he had encountered such gesture. Is it one from the drama series Marissa always watched at night where the characters are royals?

He almost felt unwelcomed until the man spoke his first words to them.

"Magandang umaga po. Ako po si Kalish. Sana'y hindi naging abala sa inyo ang biglaan naming pagdating ng asawa ko."

He said those polite words without smiling, and Mang Tasyo thought that perhaps, life has done a number to this young man. How could a small smile be hard for him? He must not be happy of their presence. He must not be happy to be here. Like the total blackness of the moon, he can perfectly describe as that. Majestic, yet waiting for the sun to share him some light.

But the cold atmosphere in the small space dominated by Aling Flor's blabbering suddenly warmed up with her presence—her, the sun to the moon. And Mang Tasyo thought that only this inhumanly beautiful woman can match this man whom he thought never knew how to smile yet easily beamed upon her arrival.

"Mang Tasyo, Aling Flor, ito nga po pala si Holly, misis ko." The man smiled like it's the most natural thing to do, looking at his lovely wife with so much adoration the small room could almost not contain the affection he radiated.

"Huwag mo sanang masamain, Kalish. Pero ako'y talagang nagugulat dahil ang akala ko'y hindi ka marunong mangalap ng isda." Mang Tasyo was smiling awkwardly hoping what he said would not offend his new neighbor. He was careful around the young man as his bearing isn't something that he encounters everyday. There was a domininant distinction in it, something you would only find with those who hold power yet doesn't use it at their advantage. This Kalish's personality is dominant but the old man recognized the calm lurking somewhere in him.

"Nakagawian ko na pong mangisda tuwing umaakyat ako ng bundok." Kalish answered in a steady tone, something that can be considered calm, the corner of his lips quirked in a small smile and Mang Tasyo's stiff shoulders relaxed. There was a part of him that wanted this young man to be at eased, to feel welcomed.

"Saan mo nakilala ang misis mo, Kalish?" Mang Ador, Mang Tasyo's close friend asked as he swung the fish net onto the serene waters. "Aba e kagandang bata. At kay amo ng mukha. Mukhang anghel!"

Those words put smile in the young man's lips, like hearing her name, hearing others adore his young wife puts serenity in him.

Mang Tasyo smiled, finally realizing one thing. Life had not given numbers to this man, but life has given him someone to count those numbers with. Like celestial bodies their love glowed, like the moon and the sun.

*****

"Mabuti naman at pumunta kayo. Excited na ang mga kabarangay natin na makasalo kayo sa pagkain."

Aling Helen was so delighted to see her new neigbors. She was intrigued why these young couples decided to stay in a barrio located in the innermost part of the townvwhen it was obvious that they weren't used to simple living based from how they talk and carry themselves.

After meeting the two, in that morning when her family welcomed their arrival, the neighbors gathered inside her store to ask things about the young couple.

"Kay gwapo't kayganda aba!" She bragged. "Mga bata at kung titingnan mo ang pananamit, pati pagsasalita, mukhang may mga kaya."

"E bakit daw po sila lumipat dito? Dito na ba sila titira?"

"Kung totoo ngang may kaya sila, kakayanin kaya nila ang buhay natin dito?"

"Mga bata pa kamo ba, Flor? Sila ba'y nagtanan?"

"Mukha naming hindi. Kaso ay napansin kong may pasa iyong babae." She mused garnering her a series of gasp.

"Baka naman kinidnap siya 'nong lalaki?"

"Kahit ba gaano kagandang lalaki ay iiwanan ko kung pagbubuhatan lang din naman ako ng kamay!"

Piles of speculations about the couples were made. And even Aling Flor was doubting of Kalish, of the very dashing man who seemed not to know how to change his stoic expression except when looking at his wife. Having a daughter, apparently she has to look after the young wife who radiates pure innocence. She was concerned how the young wife was really treated by her husband.So she observed. And what she saw was far from the neigbor's speculations, very far from her concerns.

"Paano ba 'yan, Kalish, gusto kang makainuman ng mga kalalakihan, hijo." Her husband, Mang Tasyo asked then looked at the young wife. "Ayos lang bang uminom itong asawa mo, Holly?"

The doubt, the concern Aling Flor feels started to melt down when she saw how Kalish's arms around Holly's waist tightened, as if he feared she'll disappear once he lets go of her. The normally stoic man's demeanor became more guarded, yet in his eyes, there was desperation while looking at his wife, a hint of fear... of impending longing.

How could it be, that this man who apparently regarded smiling as a chore openly showed number of emotions? Could it be that it only happens for her? The beautiful wife Holly?

"Allergic po sa hipon ang asawa ko?" Kalish let them know and Aling Flor's mouth opened in awe. Is it possible that you absorb the love radiating from other people? Because that was what's happening. The old woman, while looking at this young husband, a beast she thought was hiding in a surface of a handsome face, all she saw was worry, fear, and absolute reseolve. The woman around saw the same, as they start to whisper how they adore the young couple's display of love.

The couples seemed to have conversed through their eyes. His eyes softened yet his arms almost not moving to let her go. He lovingly kissed the top of his wife's head, and while the women took his wife from him, all's that left in his eyes was yearning. And even from a mere spectator's eye like her, it was overwhelming.

Holly was the same; Aling Flor noticed how the young wife mirrored the yearning in his husband's. Her innocent gaze lingered back to where he was, and he's there, patiently waiting for his wife's eyes to catch his. If it wasn't love, then Aling Helen would now know how to call what she witnessed.

The old woman instinctively gazed at Mang Tasyo. Has she been a loving wife lately? Then she gazed back at the couples who were smiling at each other like everything around them ceased to exist and it's only them in their own little world. Perhaps God sent them there to remind her that this kind of love exists. A, that's right. Apparently, the young couples were angels sent by God to make her realize that she should love without limits.. without conditions... to look at the eyes of your loved- one and show them your affection. Because Holly and Kalish does.

*****

Could there be any amount of love that could surpass what she was witnessing right now?

Looking at Kalish smiling while watching the joy in his wife's eyes, Marissa doubted if other love could surpass that.

"Sobrang mahal mo noh?" She asked and she stiffened. It was impulse, it wasn't meant to be heard by him. But when she was around this man, this tall, regally handsome man, she seemed to be all over the place, doing things she shouldn't, saying things she should not openly express.

"Sobra." He whispered in his naturally husky voice, his eyes not leaving the sight of his beautiful eyes. And Marissa smiled sadly. She was happy for them, yet sad for herself.

When did this man spare him a glance? Even a fleeting one? Never in his own accord. He looked at him because he had to, not because he wanted to.

But with Holly, his wife whom she couldn't bring herself hating because she's pure innocence like an angel in a body of a goddess, it was like simply looking at her would provide him nourishment. It was hard to see the first man he liked so much loving someone else but it was harder to see the both of them without each other.

Just by sitting beside Kalish, Marissa could feel his yearning for her, his pain of having to be on separate spaces from each other. And like a cure he needed so badly to keep his sanity, he politely excused himself from the crowd who was always looking forward of his attention, and finally crossed the seemingly agonizing distance from his wife.

But she was a selfish masochist. Marissa mentally laughed at how she described herself. Because she stayed and painfully watched as the couples embraced and kissed like they have no care of the cold water that inundates their bodies, of the crowd that had started to get used with their display of affection. Of her... that silently aches for the kind of love they have... of him...

'There is no reason for you to be here."

Marissa's body shook with the coldness of Kalish's tone, and it was biting her, painfully consuming her 'til nothing makes sense anymore.

"H- Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya tumakbo palayo, Kalish. H- Hindi ko kasalanan na mahina ang loob ng asawa mo at mabilis siyang matakot!"

And she instantly regretted that.

If the rage in Kalish's eyes could burn her, her parents would find her in front Kalish's door the next morning with nothing but ashes.

"To think that my wife even considers you her friend." He spat acidly, the wall he built in between them now twice taller.

Despite her uncontrollable shaking, she pathetically reached for him yet her hand stopped midair, freezing with the deadly eyes looking at her. Her tears streamed generously.

"K- Kalish—"

"Don't ever dare say my name again." He muttered cruelly.

"P- Pero si Holly—"

"Especially my wife's name."

"P-Pakiusap... H- hindi ko sinasadya." She sobbed, her shoulders shaking.

"Don't try provoking me, woman. Stay away from me and my wife. Or else, I will ruin you."

Marissa had indeed aggravated the beast protecting his angel. And it was enough to make her realize the extent Kalish could do to shelter his wife. How could she even compete against her if he wasn't asking for any competition? It was Holly in the beginning, and it's still Holly when it ends. If it could ever end. But the real reason she finally decided to stop, was when she knew that it wasn't just Kalish that holds such intense love. Because this woman, this perfectly beautiful woman she considered her friend, was apparently surving the weight of her intense love for the beast.

"S- Si Kalish..." Holly trailed, looking down her lap, struggling to speak because of the impending tears. "Akala ko ay anghel siya nang una ko siyang makita. Nang gabing gusto kong kusang iligaw ang sarili ko para matakasan ang lahat, si Kalish ang nagdala ng liwanag sa akin. Alam ko na... Alam ko na hindi ako sapat sa kahit na kanino. Kaya nang sinabi niyang gusto niya akong pakasalan, paulit- ulit kong tinatanong ang sarili ko kung bakit. Kung bakit ako? Hindi ako sapat para sa kanya. Maging ako ay nakukulangan sa sarili ko. Sapat ba ako, sapat ba ang dahilan na mahal na mahal ko siya para manatili ako sa tabi niya? Napapagod na din akong paulit- ulit na tanungin ang sarili ko... pero... pero hindi siya kailanman napagod sa akin."

Marissa was stoned and she has no idea why she can feel her pain, her struggles. She was hurting for Holly.

"Kaya hindi man ako sapat, sisikapin kong maging karapat- dapat sa kanya. Iiyak ako, pero sisiguruhin kong patuloy akong lalaban para sa kanya. Marahil ay mapapagod ako pero hindi ako titigil. 'Di ako titigil dahil mahal na mahal ko siya. Sobrang mahal na mahal ko siya."

And he was there. Everytime his wife was hurting, he was always there. Marissa watched as they professed their undying love, as they seem to surpass yet another obstacle thrown at them by life. And she smiled. For the very first time, Marissa genuinely smiled watching at the couples who broke her heart yet taught her to heal at the same time.

Could there be any kind of love more powerful than that? Other than God's love, can any mortal challenge the love of these two? She guessed there aren't.

She prays there aren't.

And the barrio waved goodbye at the two persons that became part of their lives in that short period of time. With teary eyes yet smiling faces, they hoped they will get to be part of the couple's lives again.

To witness their faith and devotion. To witness their strength. To witness their love.

Maybe soon, after two of the major numbers in their lives are dealt with. But they will always remember these couple who taught them so much of love.

The angel and the beast. Holly and Kalish.