The people cheers while I hold in my hand a flap of tissue that I cut from under the crocodile's tongue. It's called a palatal valve. I remember this part of the crocodile because it is one of the animals that we are going to add to our project.

Our project includes prehistoric dinosaurs and since crocodiles existed even back then, we need to study the ancient type of crocodiles. And from that research, I learned that the first crocodiles are larger and attacks dinosaurs too. It also runs in its two hind legs like an ostrich.

That is why when I saw the crocodile that we need to slay, I know it is the ancient type. It is just lucky that it also has a palatal valve. That tissue is the one that prevents water from going into the crocodile's throat, so when I removed it, the crocodile drowns when it went back to the ocean. If not for the existence of that, we have no choice but to pound its head until it lets go of Migo.

Amidst the cheering of the Hirayan people, I approach Migo. He's groaning in pain as the Babaylans come to check his left arm. I peek at what they are doing. Sweat forms on Migo's forehead and I feel bad that it is always him who is injured in our challenges.

"We need to amputate his arm."

I gasp and look, and I realize that his left arm is barely hanging. The crocodile had eaten almost half of his arm.

"We need to bring him inside for the operation."

The Babaylans, with the help of the sandigs, lift him us and enter the island. I follow after them. My heart thumps hard on my chest.

"Migo..." I call, but he is in too much pain that I am sure he didn't hear my voice.

"Jade..." I turn and see Sinagtala coming towards me.

Relief is written all over his face, but mine is the opposite. I worry for Migo. Before he can even come close, Hirayans crowd around me and shower me with flowers.

"Congratulations!"

"That's great!"

"You guys are the best hunter we've seen!"

I shift my eyes from Sinagtala to Aian. Like me, people are around him while Laya is beside him, feeling proud as if he's the one who shoots the crocodile dead in the eye. Nevertheless, it is amazing. I didn't know that Aian can shoot like that. I didn't attend their second challenge so even I am starstruck at how good he is at the bow.

Then I say to the Hirayans, "I'm sorry, but I really need to attend to my friend."

The Hirayans allow me to leave and I run after Migo and the Babaylans.

********************

Migo screams in pain and I feel his pain too. There is no anesthesia and I feel like he's being tortured inside the room by the Babaylans. Mayumi is inside and I wish I am inside too, to give him support. The cry of pain continues, and mine does too. I hate this feeling. I don't want him to feel pain. It should be me. I wish it is me.

I've lost track of how long it takes, but when the screams die down, I find the courage to stand up. Rosa comes out and before the door closes, I catch a glimpse of Mayumi wiping Migo, while Migo looks at her with love.

"He's okay now. The crocodile has poison in its teeth so we need to amputate him before it spreads in his system," Rosa says.

I frown. The ancient crocodiles that I read about do not have poison.

"Your friend is physically strong. Besides, Mayumi volunteers to take care of him. He will undoubtedly survive and recover."

When relief washes over me, I hug Rosa and say, "Thank you!"

When I let go, she is still looking queerly at me. Laya taps my shoulder and says, "The worst had come. You and Aian should take a rest. I will stay here."

I nod. And Aian and I both make our way back to our room on the inner island.

When I grab the doorknob, Aian says softly, "Good night."

I answer with a nod and then enter my room. I haven't even taken a breath when someone hugs me by the door. The familiar smell engulfs me and I know who it is even without seeing his face.

"I am dying of worry, Jade," Sinagtala says. He cups my hand in his large hands and examines my face. "Are you really fine? When you insert yourself in that monster's mouth, it didn't wound you or anything?"

I look at him. We still haven't patched things up, but here he is, in my room, as if he has every right to be in here. Then he gently touches under my eyes and gives it a light kiss. I want to thank him and to ask him how much he hated me the first time we met, but when he starts to shower my face with light kisses. I push at his chest.

"Stop that," I say.

In a normal scenario, if I don't know what I am and who he is, I would get angry at his kisses without even asking for my forgiveness.

"I'm sorry about that night, Jade. I should have not jested like that," he wipes the corner of my eyes and says, "Will you forgive me?"

I feel warm and my eyes fill with tears. I tiptoe and wrap my arms around his neck. "You're forgiven," I say. He lifts me and then answers my hug with the same fervor.

"I miss you," he says.

He moves, and I thought he is going to bring me to the bed when I notice a tub of water inside. Then he places me beside it.

I look questioningly at him. Then he reaches for my clothes to remove them but I take a step back. Instead, he removes his clothes in front of me until fully naked. And I stare at him, from his head, down to his feet, and up again. My breathing hitches at the beauty that is in front of me. He's a muscular man, perfectly toned. I note his lack of navel and then stare at his crotch. It's the first time I've seen one and then, it slowly stands in attention.

"Stop staring or I wouldn't be able to control myself," Sinagtala says. His voice is guttural, raspy.

My eyes shift to his face. In reality, I have been planning about this. But now that he's here, I don't need to go to his room and ask him for this. I start to remove my clothes. All the while, my eyes are on his, while his eyes scour my body.

When I am fully naked in front of him, his hand reaches for my stomach, gently stroking it and then at my navel, then he whispers, "Beautiful."

I know what he means now so I let him. I let out a surprise when he lifts me and put me down in the tub. The water had become cold and I shiver upon contact. Then he goes behind me and hugs me to his chest. The trembling stops as I pull myself closer to his body. He is warm and when his arms are around me, I just hope this warmth never ends.