chapter thirteen;
willow

—

KALLISTO didn't waste any time and he called people to see my condition. Sa totoo lang ayoko sana na tingnan no'n tauhan ni Kallisto, pero mukhang para sa akin din naman talaga 'yon, kaya hinayaan ko na.

They immediately arrived, too, because of stepmother's portal, and they were really panicking while checking on me.

"Calm down, I feel better though?" I cackled at the elder man who was dressed in a priest-robe. He shook with my voice and stared at me like I was some kind of divine being.

Alam ko naman na maganda si Portia, h'wag silang bano.

The doctor also examined me, and I just let them do what they needed to do while I stole a glance at Kallisto, who was eyeing the two older men. Yule was also beside me, rubbing his head on my side. He was so happy earlier and jumped up and down when I finally woke up.

The orange fox on my bed was just sitting and warily looking at me.

Of course, they were both invisible in the eyes of others.

I was thankful to see the orange fox still alive and even beside me. I mean, with Kallisto's personality, I wouldn't be surprised if he caged or even made the fox a meal. Of course, I'd riot, but I'd be too late.

"You two, if you make one mistake, I'll make sure to punish—" Kaagad natigilan 'yong dalwang matanda sa ginagawa nila sa akin no'ng bigla silang bantaan ni Kallisto no'n, tingnan ko naman kaagad siya nang masama.

"I'm fine, Your Highness," I told him, then I looked at the two elders as I smiled. I nodded as if cueing them just to continue what they were doing.

Mukhang problemado sila kasi wala namang nagbago sa kalagayan ko, talagang nagising lang ako.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him, so don't be afraid," I whispered, and they trembled, maybe in fear or awe. I also winked at them to reassure them, and they could only sigh out loud.

It took them some time to finish my so-called check-up. They explained carefully that my condition was the same. My insides were a mess but a little better as they started to regenerate again. However, one thing that remained the same was my broken plate that was only hanging on with the help of the Abyss.

Kallisto was about to speak at them with sharp words and cold demeanour, but I glared at him as I said. "Can we talk privately?" He looked like he wanted to protest, but I gave him my puppy eyes, and then he sighed loudly.

Pinalabas niya kaagad 'yong dalawang matanda, at kami na lang ni Kallisto ang naiwan sa kwarto. He removed the invisibility around the two foxes, too, so I patted both of their heads with a smile.

"You want them out when you are aware that your condition is a mess?" sarkastiko at hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Kallisto.

"But I know how to fix it; why would I need them?" kibit-balikat na sagot ko sa kanya, at nakita kong tinanggal niya ang pagkakahalukipkip ng mga braso niya at tumayo nang tuwid bago tumingin ng seryoso sa akin.

"What?" he said in surprise.

"Yeah... that's why Your Highness needs to calm down. And would you please help me so I can fix it?" mahina at magaang sabi ko sa kanya habang hinihilot ko 'yong ulo ni Yule na mukhang tuwang-tuwa naman sa ginagawa ko.

"How?" he mentioned carefully.

"I need to go back to Mt. Harbridge—"

"Are you insane?"

"Grabe siya sa insane," mabilis na sagot ko sa kanya.

"No. Going back in there might put you in more danger. We are still investigating a lot of things regarding this incident."

"But—"

"No. You're unconscious for five days, and you want to go back to the place that could harm you?" He even snickered sarcastically.

"Huh? Five days?! Hindi one day?!" gulat na imik ko at nanliit lang ang mga mata niya saka tumango sa akin. "Yes. Five days," pag-uulit at pagkaklaro niya ulit. Napatampal naman ako sa noo ko dahil do'n.

Grabe! Muntik ko nang talbugan si Sleeping Beauty!

"My gosh! Dapat hinalikan mo kaagad ako 'no!" asar na reklamo ko sa kanya at muntik na siyang matumba sa kinatatayuan niya no'ng ma-realize niya kung ano 'yong sinabi ko. At naitikom ko naman kaagad ang bibig ko dahil do'n.

Ano ba 'yan! Masyado akong napapaghalataan sa kanya!

"What?"

"Wala. Guni-guni mo lang 'yon. Unless, gusto mo talagang gawin, pwede naman..." I said while the last words were getting weaker and less audible.

But of course, that wouldn't escape Kallisto's earshot capability.

He glared at me icily, and I smiled at him awkwardly. I was just joking! As if, naman! Kahit naman gwapo siya hindi pwede 'no! Si Yule na lang i-kiss ko pwede pa!

"Pero back to the topic. Please, let me go back there. You can come with me. I won't do funny business." I even raised my hand like I was making an oath, and he was unbending! Mukhang hindi pa rin niya ako papapuntahin kahit kasama siya!

"How did you even know that the cure was in there?"

Napaisip kaagad ako sa tanong niya. I couldn't really say that I managed to talk to my Celestia, who was named, Aqua now. I already spouted too much nonsense, and adding more to it, might really make him not trust me anymore. Well, not like he trusts me fully. Who knows?

"I felt it there, something close to my Celestia..." I spoke softly. "I knew I was reckless with how I acted; that's why I told you to come with me."

He sighed as if his patience was running thin.

"You haven't found any clue on how to fix my plate, right?" I questioned him. His shoulders dropped, and he nodded at me.

"So, let's give this a try. After that, I'll really follow whatever you want as long as I could do it!"

Defeated, he walked towards the bed and sat on the edge of it. "What do I do with you?" Nakaramdam ako ng inis sa boses niya pero tinawanan ko lang siya nang marahan.

"Such a stubborn Celeste," he mentioned scowling at me, but it wasn't threatening. It was cold, but somehow, it suited him more.

"Well, you married this stubborn Celeste, anyway," I chuckled softly, and he shook his head lightly at me.

Yule jumped to my lap and tried to get my attention. I smiled at him. "Did this cold, stoic husband of mine, feed you, huh?" I baby-talked Yule, and I immediately heard a scoff from Kallisto.

"Of course I did; what do you take me for?"

I laughed at him while shaking my head. "Ikaw 'yong tipong gagawin na lang ulam si Yule, kesa pakainin."

Kaagad nagtago si Yule sa braso ko nang marinig 'yong sinabi ko. Kallisto glared at him like he was betrayed when he was the one who took care of Yule, who was a beast, in the five days that I was unconscious.

Napabuntonghininga na lang din siya at saka tiningnan nang masama 'yong orange na fox. The orange fox shyly went towards me because it was afraid of Kallisto. I shook my head at Kallisto and rubbed the head of the orange fox.

"Thank you..." Those words were sincerely from my heart.

Kallisto, being a royal, knew the dangers of the beasts better than other people. So it was shocking to see that the two foxes were unharmed, and they were not subjected to any kind of experiment, investigation, or mistreatment.

"Why did you keep them beside me? I thought you'd research more about them..." I curiously stated.

"Who knows. They looked like they were worried for you. I'm not that evil," kibit-balikat na sabi nito. "And it's not like they could harm you anyway." Napangiti ako kahit hindi nakatingin kay Kallisto at do'n sa dalawang fox na nasa lap ko.

"What are you gonna do with them?" he asked carefully.

"Can they stay with me?"

"As long they don't cause any harm towards you and my people." Napatango naman kaagad ako ro'n. That was easy. "And if you keep them, they are your responsibility. Be reminded of that."

"Yes! Thank you!"

"But I don't guarantee their safety. Especially that orange fox who caused a devastating harm in my people and you." Nanlamig ako sa sinabi niya kaya naman niyakap ko 'yong orange fox.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Nabato ako sa biglang narinig at malamig lang na tumingin si Kallisto sa pinagmumulan ng boses. I gasped and pointed at the orange fox. "Y-You can speak?" I blinked my eyes several times.

The orange fox nodded its head. "Y-Yeah... I'm sorry..." The voice sounded like a child and a female's.

"Once they go through their transformation stages, the beasts could do that. Why are you so surprised?" tanong ni Kallisto sa akin habang nakakunot ang noo.

I was aware of it. However, there was a specific age or like a prerequisite for them to go through the transformation phases. In Fatebound, there were three phases for that.

The first one would happen when they were seven years old. And once they go through that, they would be able to speak, use their powers more, and transform bigger.

The second one would happen at the age of twelve, where they could finally take form as humans and their powers become stronger.

The third phase could be achieved or not achieved in their lifetime. It doesn't really have an age-specific, unlike the first two. And through the third phase, they would be able to transform half-human, half beast, in which their powers would be as strong as legendary-level mages.

"But... how old are you?" I asked the orange fox.

"Five..." It answered like it was afraid. I gasped. There were still two more years, but she already went through phase one? What the heck?

"So... did the two of you already talked?" I asked the fox and Kallisto, and the fox nodded at me. That was why he wasn't shocked; he already knew about it.

"Yeah, we are now investigating the clues that she had given us in discovering how she suddenly went through a forceful transformation." Napatango naman ako ro'n. Kaya naman pala pinagbabawalan niya akong bumalik do'n sa bundok.

In the end, he and the fox told me about what happened. While they were doing that, I couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Looked like the Kallisto that I knew of in Fatebound, wasn't the present Kallisto. And that there was more to him. I admired how he could be honest with me and tell me these things. My effort in trying to get closer to him really paid off.

Base sa kwento no'ng fox, tahimik lang talaga siya sa bundok na 'yon at magkaibigan sila ni Yule. Yule even wanted her to go to my place, but she didn't want as she was afraid of people.

She lived peacefully alone in there because that was where she grew up. She didn't know who her family was and who her parents were. So she survived on her own in there.

My heart felt heavy because that was tough for someone at a young age.

Ang sabi niya lang bigla na lang siyang nawala sa katinuan at sumakit ang buong katawan matapos niyang makagat ng isang monster. She escaped for her life, but in the end, after a day, she ended up going berserk. Hence, a forceful first phase also happened.

Kallisto didn't believe what the orange fox said. He was skeptical and cynical. But in the end, with Mildred's words, he became convinced. Idagdag mo pa na 'yon lang 'yong clue tungkol sa pagiging active ng mga monster ngayon.

"I-I will not harm anyone..." the fox said in a teary voice. "I-I'll protect this place, too... to make up for what I have done..."

Napatingin ako kay Kallisto at tingnan ang reaksyon niya sa sinabi no'ng fox. His face was emotionless, but he stroked the orange fox's head.

"Let's find the one who did that to you and make them pay," I muttered with determination. It made my blood boil that an innocent child suffered like this.

In the back of my mind, I was seething to make the Avalon pay. I knew this was their doing. This was a part of their preparation for the upcoming war declaration in Cielo.

Those bastards... They will pay. I thought with burning desire to make sure they would fail in whatever they were planning. I'd screw them off one way or another.

"Instead of thinking about going to another dangerous situation, why don't you worry about your breaking plate first?" Kallisto snapped at me, and I gulped as I faked a giggle at him.

Napailing at napairap na lang siya sa akin. "Thank you for keeping the children safe!" I smiled at him.

"Oh, by the way... little fox. What's your name?" tanong ko rito. Ang haba-haba naman kasi na ang itatawag ko sa kanya ay orange fox o nine-tailed fox.

"I-I don't have one..." halos ibulong na nito ang sagot at saka siya tumungo na nahihiya.

I lifted up its chin to make it look at me. "Then... let's give you one?" Natigilan 'to at namilog ang mga mata parang maiiyak na.

"Hmm... how about orangey?"

Syempre! May kontrabida na naman sa buhay ko! Kaagad kong narinig 'yong pagsinghal ni Kallisto sa akin.

"O sige, ikaw na mag-isip, kokontra ka rin pala," nakasimangot na sabi ko sa kanya at saka nag-cross arms.

"Why am I included in this nonsense?" asar na sabi niya sa akin.

"Luh, ikaw kaya 'yong naki-join."

"Why do like talking informally to me?"

"Because I'm your wife?"

"Aren't you supposed to be more respectful because you are my wife?"

"No. We are equal. Well, in terms of hierarchy in this Kingdom, you might really be higher, so I'd respect that. But if we are alone, I'll talk like this. Don't you feel closer to me this way?"

"Who says I want to be closer to you?"

Kaagad kong binababa si Yule at 'yong orange na fox at saka lumapit kay Kallisto. I snickered at him teasingly while he was taken aback, so he scooted a little to get away from me.

"Gaano ka close ba 'yong gusto mo para masabi mong pwede tayong maging close?" I teased him, and he suddenly stood up, and I laughed out loud at him.

Ang sama talaga ng ugali! Para namang ang dami kong germs!

"Whatever you say, Baudelaire."

"It's Evienne for you."

"Tsk."

I found it funny that he was rolling his eyes on me, but when I went back to sit properly on the bed, he didn't sit back, so I signalled him to do so. "Upo ka na ulit, mangalay ka pa dyan, 'tas ako na naman sisihin mo."

Kahit labag sa loob niya, umupo rin siya ulit sa kinauupuan niya.

"Pero mag-suggest ka nga ng name sa kanya?" I said while pointing at the orange fox, who seemed to be afraid and wary of Kallisto.

"Why should I?"

"Arte mo ha," reklamo ko sa kanya at tinalasan na naman niya ako ng tingin.

Never I have imagined that I could talk like this with Kallisto when I first came in here. And how he was reacting and talking to me was amusing. Who would have thought that this cold prince could be this fun to talk to? His reactions were so good to watch.

"Well, first off, she wanted to protect your Palace and this Kingdom," I mentioned as a matter-of-factly, and the fox nodded to agree enthusiastically.

"And second, my naming sense could be a little off at times. She might end up having a name like orangey."

"Tss."

"So what do you think?"

"Harbridge?"

"Babae 'yong fox, mas wala ka yatang naming sense kesa sa akin. Talagang 'yong lugar ha."

"Then you should think of a name instead of me. Why do I have to hear your rants for this?" Halos kamutin na niya 'yong ulo niya sa pagpapasensya sa akin. Jusko! Akala mo naman siya 'yong dehado sa amin! Psh!

"No! Rejected! Think of another one!" I told him enthusiastically, and the fox was staring at me like it was thinking if I was mad or throwing my life away by commanding the Second Prince of the Seventh Kingdom.

I just smiled at her then pinched her cheeks. She didn't need to worry about him.

Kallisto murmured but still thought of a name.

"Willow?"

Nagkatingnan kami no'ng fox dahil do'n. I smiled as I met Kallisto's beautiful, mysterious eyes. The fox nodded at me, too, like she really liked that name but was still afraid of Kallisto.

"Why Willow?" I tilted my head to ask.

"Because of the willow tree near the falls where we fought her and where you tamed her?" he answered with a knotted forehead and I laughed.

"No, don't be reminded of that place," I said to the fox. "Instead, it should be Willow because it's a symbol of new life. It could grow wherever you plant it, and it could survive even in devastating conditions..." I added sincerely while holding the orange fox.

"So... let's live a new and happy life, Willow."

The fox almost cried at me, and I hugged it a little. Of course, the jealous Yule suddenly jumped on me, too. So, I ended up hugging the two of them while Kallisto was just shaking his head at us.

"Uh... Your Highness," I called his attention after petting the Yule and Willow. "Can we go back to Mt. Harbridge tomorrow?" Deep inside, I was actually worried about my plate. I didn't want to die.

I came to accept this world through thinking of surviving even with Portia's body. So, I didn't want it to be jeopardized.

"We need to prepare first," he replied thoughtfully.

"What more preparation do we need when you are accompanying me?" He was the strongest person in here. And he could now control the Abyss better and without pain.

He sighed like he had given up on conversing with me. He was getting used to how I'd still go my way even if he disagreed. Because he was damn right when he called me a stubborn Celeste.

"Then tomorrow. We will be quick. Do you understand?"

"Yes! I'll just get what I need!"

"Then, rest for now." Tumango naman ako sa kanya at saka siya tumayo mula sa kama at humiga naman ako. "Is there anything you would like to eat later for lunch?" he asked. We ate breakfast together in here earlier, before the check-up happened.

"Cake?" I beamed at him brightly and he shook his head.

"You are a patient."

"Tsk. Whatever you like then," sukong sambit ko na lang kasi nakakaramdam na rin ako ng pagod. The two foxes just stared and laid down beside me.

Pinanood ko lang si Kallisto na umupo ro'n sa mini-office niya rito sa kwarto. I smiled secretly, knowing that our relationship was changing, and it was for the better. All my efforts to get closer to him since a few weeks ago were bearing their fruit.

He didn't even question why the name I told him was Evienne Soleil. He might have assumed that it was the name that I had before the Shrine gave me the name Evelyn Portia Baudelaire. It was like birth name vs baptismal name.

It might be the reason, but I was still happy to be called Evienne.

And it sounded really nice coming from him.

Hey, Kallisto... what if one day you discovered who I really am? Would I still be in this world? Rather... would you dare to believe me and my words?

***

WE are now in Mt. Harbridge. It was only Kallisto and stepmother that accompanied me in here. Hawak din ako ni Kallisto dahil nanghihina pa rin 'yong katawan ko. I really overdid it.

Nasa harap kami no'ng waterfalls kung saan nangyari ang lahat. When I looked at the surrounding, it was so different from the one I last saw. It was beautiful. Some trees might still be knocked down, however, through magic; most of them were brand new now.

Rinig na rinig mo rin ang lagaslas ng tubig mula sa talon. The wind blew my hair, but my heart was beating fast, and through my Celestia, I could really feel the presence of something strong, menacing, and legendary in this place.

I looked at Kallisto and stepmother. "Can you feel it?"

"What?" tanong ni Kallisto sa akin.

"Huge amount of power?" I couldn't explain it properly. It was overwhelming, cold, and placid. However, one wrong move, it would create a huge stir, and it might become a horrifying sea tornado.

Kallisto shook his head, and stepmother knotted her forehead in confusion.

"What do we do know?" Kallisto spoke as he searched the place with his eyes.

Pumikit ako saglit at tinawag si Aqua.

[Evienne!] Masayang tawag kaagad nito sa akin.

Where is the incomplete celestia? tanong ko sa isip ko pero alam kong naririnig ni Aqua 'yon.

[Inside the falls! I could feel it in there!] She sounded excited at the thought of finally being complete, so I didn't waste any time. I held Kallisto's arms tighter for support. And he looked down on me.

"Let's go inside the falls," I spoke firmly.

"There's nothing inside the falls," nalilitong sabi naman ni Stepmother. "Rather, there's no entrance inside it. It's just a huge rock." I knew she was telling the truth, but I also knew that Aqua was also right.

So, I just stared at Kallisto as if wanting to check it first. We started to walk in there, and using some magic from stepmother; we managed not to get wet nor feel the pressure from the waterfalls.

We safely arrived in front of it, and under it was really just a gigantic rock-form.

Humiwalay ako kay Kallisto saglit at naglakad ng solo papunta sa may malaking bato at saka inilagay ang isang kamay ko ro'n. I felt their gazes on me, but I just concentrated because I could feel some Celestia fluctuating near in this place.

Hanggang nagulat na lang ako no'ng biglang literal na bumukas ang lupa at nahulog ako ro'n!

"Aaaaaah!" I screamed in fear!

Grabe naman 'yon! Hindi ko naman ginusto na literal na lamunin ng lupa! Ang gusto ko lang maging palamunin!

"Evienne!" I heard Kallisto yell, too, because it seemed like he jumped to where I fell!

My gosh! What a character development! Hindi na siya Prince Watching! Upgraded na siya bilang Prince Jumping!

He tried to reach for my hand because he was falling down with head and arms first, while I was falling with my feet first. Syempre hindi na ako umarte, kaagad kong inabot 'yong kamay ko sa kanya.

The air was so strong, and the fall was quick! But I managed to grab Kallisto's hand, and he grasped it tightly. He forced himself to maneuver in the air with the help of his Abyss, at para akong nakahinga nang maluwag no'n magawa niya akong saluhin.

He held me in a princess-carry in his arms, but I panicked again when our descend wasn't stopping!

"Shit. The Abyss isn't working anymore!" he exclaimed.

Sobrang bilis na ng tibok ng puso ko at hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko pero nagulat na lang ako no'ng bigla kaming balutin ng tubig. A bubble was enclosing the two of us, I thought I wouldn't be able to breathe, but the bubble seemed to protect us because we suddenly submerged into deep water.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa pero hindi nagsalita.

We went deeply; the light blue water started to become darker.

What was this... was this the place that I always ended up with? The place where I heard Aqua?

Habang iniisip ko 'yon, napansin kong nakatitig si Kallisto sa isang lugar, at kaagad din akong napatingin do'n.

My mouth hung open when I saw two lights in front of us! And I was sure it wasn't an ordinary light! Because those were eyes!

Eyes of a giant beast!

"Y-Your Highness..." nauutal na bigkas ko at saka bumababa sa pagkakakarga niya sa akin. He held my arms and put me behind him as he put his hands on the sheath of his sword. He was getting ready to fight another beast.

However, before he could move. The place grew brighter, and it revealed what was in front of our faces!

"Oh... my... gosh..." I exclaimed as my whole system tingled in excitement and nervousness.

"You finally found me... I've been waiting for a long time..." The gigantic turtle with two serpents on its shell spoke in my head while directly looking at my eyes.

It looked magnificent. The blue lights that seemed to be sparkling were formed into that turtle and serpent shape. Parang hologram na tubig pero makakaramdam ka pa rin ng pagkamangha ro'n.

Kallisto became more alert and composed even while seeing the creature in front of him. I held his hand and he looked at me.

I didn't say anything to him. Instead, I went closer to the turtle while reaching my hand out for it. And when I did, I felt its enormous power that was being sucked, and it was all flowing to settle inside of me.

I let it stream, and it hugged me like a blanket.

It was as if I was brought into a different world. I could see how my body was being fixed. All the broken bones were sturdier than before; all the organs were being regenerated like brand-new.

And that soul-like shape that seemed to be scattering away was slowly being weaved together to become stronger than before.

Halos mapanganga ako sa lahat ng nakikita, at naramdaman ko ang pagkawala ng sakit sa buong katawan ko at tila pagbabago no'n para maging mas malakas. I felt refreshed... no, I felt like I was reborn.

"The water would never waver..."

I heard Aqua's voice and I couldn't help but smile.

"Because its real power is life..."

I slowly opened my eyes, and when I did, I saw Kallisto staring at me with those galaxy-like violet eyes while holding my hand tightly.

Even with a short message, I felt Aqua settle inside of me. And the true meaning of this Celestia just became clear to me. Like the water that could be weak but strong. Like how it could take any form... its greatest power was... life.

It was the ability to heal.

"How?" nalilitong tanong nito. Siguro naramdaman niya rin kung paanong nabuo ulit 'yong plate ko, at kung paano naging mas malakas 'yong Abyss niyang nagpanatili na hindi masira 'yon.

"Celestia," I answered him shortly. "My celestia..." I added with a smile.

"It became stronger?" So, he felt it, too.

"No... the water just became complete."

With those words, the bubble went up to the surface, and in one snap, we were back to where we started earlier. Gulat na gulat si Stepmother na mukhang naghahanap ng paraan paano kami hahanapin o susundan ni Kallisto.

I smiled and waved at her. "We are back," I told her. At para naman siyang nabunutan ng tinik dahil do'n. Kahit mukhang gulong-gulo sa nangyari. Pero hinayaan niya na dahil nakabalik kami ng ligtas. O baka naman dahil kakausapin niya si Kallisto mamaya tungkol sa nangyari.

Then Kallisto just instructed her that it was done and we'd return back to the Palace.

She couldn't believe it was that fast. Sabi ko naman sa kanila, eh, hindi panganib habol ko rito, kung hindi pag-ayos no'ng plate at celestia ko.

Matapos no'n bumalik din kami sa palasyo. We arrived in Kallisto's room, apparently, this was what I used when I was unconscious. That was a wow. I never thought Kallisto would let me in here.

Pupunta na sana ako kay Yule at Willow na nabuhayan no'ng makita ako. Pero bigla akong bumalik papalapit kay Kallisto kasi magkahawak-kamay pa pala kami. I was about to remove it when Kallisto didn't let me.

"Your Highness?"

"Haaa. I don't know what to believe in anymore," he said absentmindedly.

"Why don't you just believe in me—the me—in front of you at this moment?" natatawang sabi ko na parang bale-wala at nakikipaglokohan lang, pero nang makita ang mga mata niyang nagtatanong kung kaya niya bang gawin 'yon, napalunok na lang ako.

"I may not be able to do that completely for now... but what if I try?"

"You already did try..." I replied. "That moment you let me tame Willow, and the moment you let me go back to Harbridge with you—you already did." Natawa siya nang marahan na para bang ngayon lang napagtanto ang bagay na 'yon.

"You... you really just keep on surprising me, Baudelaire."

"I told you, it's Evienne for you."

"Then..." Nagulat ako no'ng bigla niyang itaas ang kamay kong hawak niya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kung paano niya isinuot ang isang simpleng singsing sa ring finger ko.

It was a simple gold ring with a violet jewel in it. And I swore, that violet jewel, reminded me of his eyes.

Kaya naman kaagad akong napatingin sa kanya ng may ngiti sa mga labi, at bahagya ring tumaas ang dulo ng mga labi niya, bago sabihin ang mga katagang...

"Then, it's Kalli for you, Evienne."

—

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