Third Person's Point of View

Flashes of lightning knows no bounds. It always followed with a loud bang of thunder, while the heaven pouring the land as if connected to what they are feeling at that moment.

Mabibigat ang mga hakbang niya pabalik sa kaniyang kuwarto. At ramdam na ramdam niya ang tensyon sa paligid. Even the living cabin, Faistus, was anxious of everything that lingers in the air.

Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang mga luhang walang tigil sa pagragasa. The feeling of regret, hatred, and betrayal escalated so quickly within the surface of her façade.

Padabog niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng k'warto. It never comes to her mind to close the door, what prevailed is to break down. Wala siyang pakialam kung makikita man siya ng iba. Ang tanging gusto niya sa mga oras na 'yon ay magwala.

Ilabas lahat ng sakit na idinulot ng nakaraan. The past that she was trying to forget. The past that she was trying to overcome. She couldn't accept what Heshiena did. Anyone doesn't have the right of outing others. Nor suppress those memories and force a new one just to feel good yourself.

It is unreasonable.

Dumaan sa paningin niya ang lamp. Pinagdiskitahan niya ito't itinapon sa dingding. The moment she throws things at the wall, she accompanied it with her painful roar.

"I am a monster . . ." she whispered. "What might others think of me?" Bumiyak ang kaniyang boses nang bitawan niya ang mga katagang 'yon.

Tumingin siya sa kaniyang mga kamay. Fear rapidly take over her system as she recalls of how she use her hands to obeyed those who are in control of her fate and those she loved.

Muli na namang nanumbalik sa kaniyang alaala ang mga dugong dumanak dahil sa kaniya. At kung gaano na karaming buhay ang dumaan sa kaniyang mga palad. She tweaked her hair, and gritted her teeth. She couldn't properly breathe, as if something just clogged her throat.

"Please . . ." Napasinghap siya. Tumulo ang luha niya. At that moment, a strong wall that she always put in between her façade gradually torn apart. Vulnerability becomes visible in the naked eye. "At least spare my wife and daughter! Please! I beg of you!"

Their pleas never reached the young version of herself. The dark times of her life where she almost shut her humanity off. And let herself succumb to the life she was used to.

"I beg of you to spare me! I didn't mean to betray the organization!"

"The Serpentine is nothing but a place of demons! Don't let yourself be accustomed to what they are shoving into your head!"

"This is all we have! Please, mercy on us!"

"I don't want to die this way! You understand me, right? I am a parent myself. I will do anything for my children! You are someone's child, I know deep inside you understood what I did."

"At least I died in your hands, little angel."

"I hope you will escape from this hell they put you into, love. You deserve more than this."

Those pleading voices, some are somewhat thankful that they died in her hands, made Chry's heart ache even more. She bears them all to survive, and to protect the only person who actually believed in her. What sucks was when that person eventually called her monster.

And now, even the son of Aphrodite mentioned the word that triggered her the most.

Not because she denied it, but because of how true it was.

During those times, even before Yumi called her monster, it came across to her first. And she couldn't accept how she became.

But nevertheless, she chose to sacrifice everything, even her freedom, just to keep on protecting Yumi behind the bars. Even of how the consequences took a great toll with her current state.

"Chry . . ."

Napatingin siya sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It melts her heart seeing Yumi looked at her with eyes filled with tears. She forced to smile. Yumi hugged her so tight like there's no tomorrow. Humahagulgol ito sa mga bisig niya.

"I am sorry for everything," she said under her sobs. "Because of me, you sacrificed your own freedom just to put me under your protection. You don't know how grateful I am to you."

Napayakap pabalik si Chry. At least, all that sacrifices has been paid off. Chry was well aware that everything has a price.

"I am sorry," Yumi continues. "I am sorry." Pareho silang napahagulgol ng iyak. "Alam kong hindi sapat ang paghingi ng tawad sa salitang binitawan ko noon, Chry. But . . ." Yumi's voice started to crack. "But let me ask for forgiveness even if I can't reestablish what we have before."

Chry's unending tears continue.

But she still managed to chuckle.

"I never disowned you, Yumi," she responded. "I may be hurt by what you said before, but you remained in my heart. You are and will always be my family." Chry smiled with eyes closed, causing the tears to race down her cheeks forcefully.

Mas lalong humigpit ang kanilang mga yakap sa isa't isa.

"Family isn't perfect, Maica. You have to remember that," umalingawngaw ulit ang paalala ng kaniyang ina.

It was that moment when Chry's curiosity as a child started to grew within her. A child who longs for the presence of a father. Times that she always see the other kids having a complete family. Of when a father tries to protect his child from harm.

A love that a young Maica was wishing to have a perfect family.

"A family shouldn't strive for perfection, my love." Bumalik sa kaniyang alaala ang sinabi rin ni Zeus sa kaniya.

"You know why? Because it can create unrealistic expectations that may lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety for all members, hindering healthy growth and learning from mistakes and ultimately prevent genuine connection due to the pressure to always present a flawless image . . ." patuloy na umalingawngaw ang boses ng ina sa kaniyang isipan.

Even Zeus wasn't exempted from her questioning. She has to justify her fear of being alone, that's why. She may be strong outside, but little everyone knows, she's a person who only wanted to remain a child.

She's frightened of growing up.

She's frightened of what the future holds for her.

She's frightened of losing herself along the way.

She's frightened of seeing herself in the mirror, and only sees a monster that she nurtured.

"We must embrace the natural imperfections of family life," maging ang boses ni Zeus.

And with that, Chry's determination ignited. Perhaps what is happening to them right now is one of the obstacles they must overcome together.

Nagpakawala muna ng malalim na buntonghininga si Chry. Tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo't dinamayan siya ni Yumi. Sumagi sa kaniyang isipan si Heshiena. Her eyes fell to the ground. And immediately regretted the words she throw at her.

Yumi noticed Chry's sudden change of emotion. She was about to say something when Ace suddenly appeared in front of the door.

Ace was crying and Yumi immediately understood what his intention was.

Aalis na sana siya para sana bigyan ng time ang dalawa na makapag-usap nang biglang gumulong ang gintong mansanas papalapit sa paa ni Chry. Yumi's forehead furrowed in confusion. Chry, on the other hand, grab the golden apple.

Sa hindi malamang dahilan, bigla siyang nakaramdam ng galit.

They examined the apple, and managed to find the carved words at the back. It says "family" and under it was "weakness". Chry squinted her eyes and forced her brain to function properly. She never hesitated to turn her palms into fists, and clicked her tongue as she realized they were manipulated from the very beginning.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo.

"Eris."