Chapter 40: Emeralds

Tobias was in front of me with a flower in his hands—a lotus. I just looked at it for a moment before I accepted it from him.

I suddenly remembered how his brother Rosh offered me a rose.

"Thank you."

He glanced at the small table. "Were you talking with someone earlier?"

Lumingon din ako sa posisyon ng manghuhula kanina at umiling ako. Nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad at sumabay na sa akin si Tobias. Nanatili akong nakatungo habang nakatitig sa bulaklak.

I never experienced courtship when I was in the human world. I didn't even imagine that I'd received a flower from a man, life was really full of surprises in this world.

"Why lotus?"

Lumingon sa akin si Tobias at sumulyap siya sa lotus na ibinigay niya sa akin. "It's the rarest flower in this kingdom."

I blinked. "A lotus? Rare?"

Tumango siya sa akin. "Even Rosh who can wield different flowers in his hand can't summon a lotus."

Yumuko ako at higit na pinagmasdan ang bulaklak na hawak ko. "Kaya ba rose ang ibinigay niya sa akin?"

"He offered you a rose?"

I nodded. Akala ko ay pareho ang magiging reaksyon niya nang sabihin ko sa kanya ang kulay ng mga mata ni Rosh, ngunit hindi naman siya nagbago ng ekspresyon. "Rosh always offer flowers to women."

Hindi na ako nagulat. I already had an impression of him that he always had a way to women.

"Do you want to return to the castle? I can ask a priestess to create a portal for us."

Muli akong umiling. "I changed my mind. We can still look around."

He nodded.

Tobias respected my silence as we continued to walk down the aisle of the cobbled, moss-covered streets, lined with shop stalls selling antique items. May ilan na tinitigilan ko at may ilan din naman na nilalampasan namin.

"Do you want it?" he asked when I was looking for that shop that sells food.

Ano ba iyon? It's like fries in the human world. Iyon nga lang ay malalaki hiwa ng patatas. Tumango ako kay Tobias, nauna na siyang naglakad sa harapan ng tindahan at sumunod lang ako sa kanya.

He bought one and handed it to me. "Ikaw? Hindi ka ba nagugutom?"

"I'll just hold the flower."

I blinked when he took the flower, and he gave me the small box with the potatoes. Nag-aalangan pa akong naglakad at hindi makalingon sa kanya. I started eating the potato as we continued looking around again.

The food was fine— it had a nostalgic taste of the human world. Para talaga akong kumakain ng fries. But I felt bad for enjoying something and not sharing it. I sighed. I looked at him again, Tobias looked surprised. He blinked.

"Why?"

"You have to taste this."

I took a slice of potato from the box and offered it to him. "You're not angry anymore?"

"I might be conflicted, probably annoyed— yes, a little bit jealous. Pero hindi naman ako madamot sa pagkain."

"Jealous . . . I told you, I can show you—" I cut him off.

I pushed the potato closer. He was still staring at me, yet he bent a little and opened his mouth, still holding a lotus in his hands. The lights of the lanterns around us illuminated his frame, creatures were blurred as they passed by, and the noise of the streets suddenly muffled.

He's so tall in front of me that I had to look up. God lord, how could I possibly run away from this gorgeous man? I have to hate him— I have to convince myself that I have to go. I shouldn't feel any regret once I left this world. I shouldn't falter.

After taking the potato from my fingers, he straightened himself, still chewing it. How could he do it elegantly?

"It's good."

"I told you . . ."

Tumingin ako muli sa paligid bago siya hinarap. "Nauuhaw ka ba?"

Mas lalo siyang natigilan sa katanungan kong iyon. Ilang beses akong napakurap. "Why?"

"Believe me, you don't want that question, love."

Hindi ko agad naintindihan ang ibig sabihin niya, pero nang muli kong salubungin ang mga mata niya, hindi na ito sa mukha ko nakatitig kundi sa leeg ko. "I mean . . . water. May bottled water ba rito?"

Tobias chuckled. He shook his head a little. "Now you're offering me water. The last time I remember when I thought you were to offer water, you took it. They sell gallons of water here."

"How about you? Aren't you thirsty?"

Umiling na ako. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad at ngayon nauuna na akong muli sa kanya. Hindi ko na muli siya kinausap.

Tobias stopped at a shop that sold jewelry, stones and different accessories again. Tumigil ako at hinintay siyang sumunod sa akin dahil inakala ko na tumitingin lang siya ng mga produkto na hindi pasado sa kanya pero nang tanawin niya ako at tipid siyang lumingon sa akin at ngumiti, higit akong natigilan.

My chest tightened. Why did it feel like I was being unfair in giving him this cold treatment? I heard rumors about him with another woman— a princess. If I was really his woman, shouldn't I be a little bit upset about it? Isa pa, I shouldn't dwell more on these feelings. I was attracted but this attraction wouldn't help me to free someone from the human world.

Mariin akong napapikit nang biglang pumasok sa alaala ko ang nakaratay na katawan ni Dave— he's a brother to me. How could I dream and see the future in this world when someone's waiting for me?

Two months. I only have two months, or should I say a month and a week?

Mabibigat ang hakbang ko pabalik sa kanya. Hindi na siya nakatitig sa akin kundi sa mga bato na naroon. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ay higit na akong matutuwa sa sitwasyong ito. But I couldn't just let myself enjoy this world that I knew that I'd leave soon.

"They are all beautiful," I said, I scanned all the jewels beneath the covered glass.

"Are these items were personally picked by King Tobias?" Tobias casually asked.

Napalingon ako sa kanya. I was just kidding when I mentioned that to the previous seller, but he literally remembered that silly remark. Even the old seller was quite surprised by the sudden question. The old seller smiled a little and shook his head. "You can't find anything like that in the floating city. If the king were to pick some stones—such stones could no longer grace our humble shop."

My lips pursed in amusement as I nodded in approval. The sellers in the floating city were more honest than those in the shops on the ground that catered to aristocrats.

"You can pick one."

"Can I pick all?" biro ko.

Tobias looked at the seller. "I'll take all of these."

"W-wait! Nagbibiro lang naman ako!" napahawak ako sa braso niya. "Bilhin mo na rin kaya pati tindahan?"

"How much is this store?" Tobias asked casually.

Hindi lang ako ang nanlalaki ang mga mata at namumutla dahil maging ang may-ari ay tila mawawalan na ng malay.

I laughed awkwardly and pressed Tobias's arm more. He looked at me innocently. Nagbibiro naman siya kanina nang nasa bangka kami. Couldn't he read my humor?

"Tell me . . . or do you want to start competing with Naha Corp—" mas lalong lumakas ang pagtawa ko at dumiin na ang paghawak ko sa braso niya.

I faked my laughter more. "No. He was just kidding."

Hinila ko na si Tobias sa dulo at kapwa na kami tumungo roon. Sa dami ng magagandang alahas doon, mas mabuti na may ituro na ako bago pa bilhin ni Tobias ang tindahan na ito at kumpetensiyahin namin iyong Naha Corp.

I was about to point to a random jewel, but a necklace caught my eye. It was as if I could no longer find anything as beautiful as that stone. Para akong biglang hinila, natigilan at kinausap ng batong iyon.

"T-that one . . . ang ganda."

"The emerald necklace?"

I nodded as if in a trance. The seller clapped in excitement, and he looked at us. "The look of love! You picked a necklace that resembles his eyes."

My mouth hung as I slowly looked at him— the glint of those coral eyes was indeed like that necklace. "It will suit you."

Mas lalo akong natigilan sa mga sumunod na oras. I kept convincing him that I shouldn't entertain myself with this attraction, but it was as if my body, mind, and soul were purposely choosing everything about him.

When the seller returned with the box of the necklace, Tobias took it. "Let me . . ."

"Ako na. May salamin naman."

"Hmm . . . should I better buy this whole—"

Namutla agad ang may-ari kaya agad na akong tumalikod kay Tobias at hinawi ang buhok ko. I was facing the small mirror when Tobias gently placed the necklace around my neck. The emerald stone settled perfectly in the center, resting in the hollow at the base of my throat, emphasizing my defined collarbones.

"Bagay na bagay!"

Habang kapwa kami nakatitig ni Tobias sa salamin mas hinawi niya pa ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko na nasa balikat ko. "It really suits you."

"We also offer a partner jewel! Usually, couples of Parsua Deltora use this especially during Water Festival, maraming nilalang at presensiya. Madala ninyong matatagpuan ang isa't isa."

"Another necklace?" tanong ni Tobias.

"Kung hindi kuwintas, maaaring singsing."

I shook my head. "Not a ring."

Natigilan ang may-ari. "Oh . . ."

"You heard the lady. We'll just take the necklace," Tobias said coldly.

Mariin akong napapikit at yumuko na ako muli sa salamin habang pumipili. "How about an earring?"

"Earring?" Nakangiwing sabi ng may-ari. "He's probably a nobleman and—" he was cut off.

Mas lumapit sa akin si Tobias. I even felt one of his hands brushing my elbow. I looked at his reflection in front of the mirror, he looked happy.

"Which color?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"I like emerald too."

Tumango ang tindero at nagmadali siyang buksan iyong lalagyan. "Why emerald? Just like your eyes?"

Tipid siyang umiling. "The color of your arrows."

"Arrows?"

Natigilan si Tobias sa sinabi ko. "You can't remember that you're good with arrows? You're an amazing archer, Kezalli."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya at nag-iwas na lang ako ng mga mata. I couldn't remember anything about arrows.

Ibinigay na sa amin ng tindero ang hikaw. I took just one of them and I pocketed the other pair. Pansin ko ang pagtataka nina Tobias at ng magtitinda.

"He only needs one, like a bad boy just like his haircut," natatawang sabi ko.

Tobias tilted his head as if he was trying to remember something. "Oh, I remember someone wearing a single earring too."

"Sit. I can put this on you."

"Maaaring ako na—"

I winked at the seller. "Marami na akong nabutas na tainga."

Tobias chuckled, but the old seller looked scandalous.

Naupo na si Tobias at humarap ako sa kanya. Nangangatal sa tabi ko iyong tindero habang pinapanuod ako. It's very unusual for a noble lady to pierce someone's ears.

"This will hurt a little."

His lips curved as he gently placed one of his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. "You can hurt me."

But you can't run away . . .

I blinked. I took a step back with my brows creased. Lumingon ako sa tindero na namumutla na sa gagawin ko. "Nagsalita ba siya?"

"T-that you'll hurt him?" nakangiwing sabi niya.

I massaged my temple. Maybe it was my imagination. I heard his voice.

"You are feeling unwell?" Tobias asked.

Umiling ako. Lumapit na ako sa kanya at hinapit akong muli ng kanyang braso. I lifted his chin before my fingertips found one of his ears.

"Sabihin mo kapag masakit, okay? I will stop."

His lips curved again, and he nodded without meeting my eyes. And then I pierced his right ear with an emerald earring. There was blood, he took his handkerchief, offered it to me and I wiped it gently.

"The things that I can do for you . . . hair, my taste buds, and now my right ear. What else, love?"

"D-did I ever force—"

He took my hand and he slowly bowed at me as he gently pressed his lips on it. "Never."

"How about you? Did you ever force me?"

Natigilan si Tobias, hinawakan na niya ang dalawa kong kamay at handa na siyang sumagot sa akin nang tumikihim ang tindero. Hinila ko na ang kamay ko mula kay Tobias at bumalik na kami sa harapan ng tindero.

"Maraming salamat po!"

Mas nanlaki ang mga mata nito nang tanggalin ni Tobias ang isa pa sa butones niya at maging ang kanyang maskara. Suminghap at halos himatayin na ang tindero. "If I need to add more for the payment, one of my palace officials will visit this store soon."

"It's an honor, Your Majesty!"

Halos mauntog pa ang tindero sa pagyuko sa amin ni Tobias.

Hindi pa man kami tuluyan nakalalabas ng tindahang iyon nang kapwa maagaw ang atensyon namin sa isang musika. Tobias smiled and he took my hand.

Kalalabas pa lang namin ay pansin ko na naglalabasan na rin ang iba't ibang nilalang mula sa mga tindahan, nagtatayuan na rin ang mga nasa bangka at higit na dumami ang mga diwata sa ibabaw ng tubig.

"He'll start his performance."

"Who?"

"Rosh. There . . ."

He pointed at the figure of a man, sitting elegantly on the bridge with a flute in his hand, the moonlight behind him, the flowers growing slowly around him, the fairies, butterflies, the lanterns beneath him, and all the creatures fascinated with his music.

As the music overwhelmed us, Tobias lifted one of his hands, and the sprinkle of water emerged under the bridge— as if there were dancing fountains in the whole floating city of Parsua Deltora.