After about fifteen minutes, David finally reached the rough road that leads to his village. Trekking down these roads reminded him of his childhood, his memories with his brother and cousins flooding back to his mind. Those were precious days; it reminded him of how happy their family once was. Until the conflicts about land inheritances arose that the peaceful bond they had began to be damaged.

David began to slow down as he saw the pathway to their house. He parked his motorcycle and walked hastily. It was a 20-minute walk and he badly wanted to rest his body from the long trip. The view of their little cottage met his gaze after a few minutes. His grandmother was sitting in the porch weaving, and as soon as she recognized the man approaching gladness instantly was reflected in her face.

"How have you been doing, Allapo?" David asked as he sat beside his grandmother Lumnay, gray strands that escaped her braid blowing in the sides of her face.

"Oh, I've been doing fine, Child. It's been a long time since you visited! How are you?" She asked, obvious joy ringing in her voice.

"I've been doing well, Allapo..." Lumnay again smiled and returned her gaze to the thread she was positioning.

"That's good to hear. By the way, there is food inside, Child. Go ahead and eat. Would you like some coffee?."

"Sure, Allapo. I'd love that."

"Okay, let's go in and I'll reheat the Barako for you." David nodded to his Grandmother's invitation and went ahead in the house. As he stepped in, the view of the numerous Tapis and Ules that lay around the house met his gaze.

He was always so amazed of his grandmother's skill in weaving. She is one of the most skilled weavers that were still alive in this generation, and the ethnic wrap around skirts and blankets that she weaved were always deemed to be one of the best.

"David?" David turned around and saw his grandmother stepping in. "Would you please help me in bringing out some of the old Ules that I had weaved? They need to be brought out to the sun so that the dust and developing molds won't increase. My knees are quite shaky and sore now and the penbillagan is quite a long walk from here."

"Of course, Allapo." David replied. "Say, where are the ones that need to be brought out?" Lumnay pointed to a pile of cordilleran blankets in the edge of the table and David went over and lifted the blankets in his arms.

"I'll eat when I come back, Grandma. I'll be back shortly." With this, David made his way outside the cottage and walked to the woods. He needed to pass the woods so that he would reach the clearing where the Clothesline was. The dry leaves crackled under his feet as he walked swiftly, the wind was now getting a bit cooler since it was already getting late in the afternoon. He took a breath of air and enjoyed the scenery he passed by, high trees lined both sides of the pathway and the sun rays gleamed in the trees' gaps.

"Fascinating..." He whispered and walked on.

Zarinna quietly walked to the edge of the spring, holding her towel and other extra clothes. She bit her lip in excitement as she saw the clear shimmering water before her.

She pulled the tie that held her long hair behind her head and felt the strands fall freely to her back.

"Wow, it's been a long time since I had a bath in waters like this!" She exclaimed softly. She surveyed the place, making sure she was the only person present. The only pathway leading to this spring was the pathway from her cottage, there would surely be no possible way for another person to come here. She thought, assuring herself.

Zarinna took a breath of fresh air as she lifted her gaze towards the heavens. The dimming skies made the scenery even more wonderful. She slid the shirt off of her body and threw it to the ground, and sooner than she planned, all her clothes were now on the bank of the spring, the cool water splashing against her skin. She felt a quick shiver run down her bones. The water was colder than she expected, but she enjoyed every minute of it.

She dipped her head in the water allowing her whole body to be soaked completely, and with a satisfied sigh lifted herself up again, her gaze meeting the dimming skies. Her lips curled into a smile as she indulged in the serenity of where she was.

She went deeper in the middle of the spring, feeling its depth until only her head was above water.

"Darsen yu adi ta maka-ames tako!"

The loud voice of a man from behind the trees tore Zarinna from her thoughts.

Huh?

Instantly, her heart began to race as she heard footsteps. She put her palm to her lips, suppressing the whimpers of panic that escaped her lungs. She looked around the place, shadows of men were approaching, and all her clothes were on the far side of where she was.

Oh no,

Her mind screamed in panic. She hastily swam to the edge of the spring, swimming her way to the huge rock where she hoped to find cover. Sighing in relief, she lifted herself from the water and climbed to the bank of the spring, so she could position herself behind the rock.

Her hands curled into fists. Her chest heaving heavily from the panic she felt. "Oh, God... Oh God... please... please... save me." She whispered. She moved back slowly to the edge of the spring, careful not to make any sound. As much as she tried to move quietly, the sound of the stones falling to the waters due to her movements betrayed her.

One of the men turned his head towards her direction. Her heart pounded against her chest, the man began to move to her direction, obviously curious of who made the sound. She put her fist to her mouth, her heart racing wildly as she sat and felt the panic strike her helpless.

She slammed her eyes shut; Only a miracle can save me now. Oh Lord, please, please... she heard the splashing come nearer, her heart seemed to stop beating. She began to open her mouth and catch for breath, there is no other way now. As she was about to let out her loudest scream, warm palms suddenly wrapped around her mouth, keeping her from making a sound. She felt her body shiver.

"Shh..."

Before she could turn her head, she felt dry fabric wrap around her skin. She lowered her gaze; it's an Ules, a woven cordilleran blanket. Her beating heart eased for a moment but soon slammed against her chest again as she realized there was a person right behind her. She turned her head; it was a man. The man's head was lowered and his eyes were shut. He was clothed and dry, he wasn't one of the men in the water. Zarinna surmised.

She took hold of the blanket, wrapped it around her body completely and moved away, giving her the opportunity to discover the man's chiselled features. His skin was so fare and his pink lips rested perfectly on his charming face.

"Y-you can open your eyes now..." Zarinna stuttered. The man slowly lifted his lids, and striking almond shaped eyes her met gaze.

"Stay here," The man instructed, rising to his feet. Zarinna held the Ules closer to her body, making sure nothing was exposed. She lifted her gaze again, careful that her presence won't be discovered by the other men. Her gaze followed the mysterious man as he walked towards the other men swimming in the spring, wonder filling her mind.

Who is this man?