IKALABING-WALONG KABANATA
Palihog, pangitaa kami
DIWA
"Alon, my son," I called to him gently. The kid looked up at me, his wide eyes reflecting both curiosity and the soft light of the setting sun. His name, Alon, means wave, and wave means a force of nature that cannot be easily contained or controlled. Just as waves shape the shore, endlessly persistent, so too did I hope that my son would grow to be a powerful force in our world, unyielding and relentless.
I watched as Alon approached, his small feet making soft imprints in the sand. Each step he took was deliberate, as if he were already aware of the weight of the legacy he carried. His innocence was a stark contrast to the turmoil that raged within me and around us. He reached my side and took my hand, his touch grounding me momentarily in the present.
"Mother, why do you look so sad?" Alon asked, his voice filled with concern far beyond his years. His question pierced my heart, a reminder of the burden I bore not just for myself, but for him and our people.
I knelt down to his level, cupping his face in my hands. "I am just thinking about our village, my love," I replied softly. "About the future, and what it holds for us."
Alon furrowed his brow, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Is it because of the foreigners?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of innocence and insight.
I nodded, unable to hide the truth from him. "Yes, Alon. The foreigners have brought many changes, and I worry about what these changes will mean for our home."
He seemed to ponder my words, his gaze drifting to the horizon where the sun dipped lower, casting a warm, golden glow over the river. "Father says we must be strong, like the waves," he said with a determined nod. "Waves can be gentle, but they can also be very powerful."
His words brought a bittersweet smile to my lips. "Your father is right, my son. We must be strong, and we must stand together."
As we sat by the river, I felt a renewed sense of resolve. The future was uncertain, and the presence of the foreigners loomed like a storm on the horizon, but we would face it together, with the strength and determination of the waves.
The days ahead would be challenging, but I knew that within my son, there was a potential for greatness that could shape our destiny. Alon, my wave, would rise and fall, carving his path through the world, just as the waves carved their path through the shores of our land.
For now, I held his hand tightly, drawing strength from his unwavering spirit. Together, we would face whatever came our way, bound by love and the unbreakable bond of family.
And so, as the sun set on another day, casting long shadows over the village, I whispered a silent prayer to the spirits of our ancestors, asking for their guidance and protection. The journey ahead was uncertain, but with Alon by my side, I felt a glimmer of hope that we could weather any storm, just as the waves had done for generations.
Alon looked up at me, his eyes full of trust and determination. "Mother, we will be like the waves, right? We will be strong and never give up."
I smiled, my heart swelling with pride. "Yes, my son. We will be like the waves, strong and unyielding."
As night fell and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, we made our way back to the village, hand in hand.
The Rajah was waiting for us. Lila took Alon to put him to bed, leaving the Rajah and me alone in our chamber. Without hesitation, I climbed on top of him, pressing my lips to his in a deep, needy kiss.
"Diwa," he whispered, removing his headwrap, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "What brings you to me so eagerly tonight, my love?"
I gave a small, apologetic smile. "Forgive me," I said, starting to pull away, but he held me firmly in place.
"My love, don't leave me wanting," the Rajah murmured, showering my neck with kisses. "You haven't changed, Diwa."
His hands roamed over my back, sending shivers down my spine. I leaned into his touch, feeling the familiar heat between us. "I've missed you," I whispered, my voice husky with desire. "Every moment away from you feels like an eternity."
The Rajah's eyes darkened with passion. "Then stay with me," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Let me remind you of what we share."
I nodded, feeling a surge of longing. I lowered myself onto him, our bodies fitting together perfectly. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me as we moved in sync. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the sensation of his skin against mine, the sound of our breaths mingling.
"You are everything to me," he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. "Every touch, every kiss... I want to remember it all."
I moaned softly, losing myself in the rhythm of our lovemaking. The intensity of our connection was overwhelming, each movement a testament to the bond we shared. As we reached the peak of our passion, I felt a mix of emotions—love, desire, and something darker, a reminder of the secrets I held close.
When we finally collapsed together, spent and breathless, the Rajah pulled me close, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin. "Promise me you'll always stay by my side," he whispered, his voice filled with a vulnerability that cut through me.
I looked into his eyes, feeling a pang of guilt. "I promise," I said softly, though the words felt like a betrayal. For tonight, at least, I could give him this moment of peace and love, even as the weight of my plans pressed heavily on my heart.
*****
The village was cloaked in a tense and foreboding silence, broken only by the distant sound of approaching footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the metallic scent of blood, the grim aftermath of the Spaniards' brutal assault on the village warriors. The once-peaceful village of Rajah Maisog now stood on the brink of war.
I held Alon close, my heart pounding not with fear, but with the thrill of the final act of my long-laid plan coming to fruition. I glanced around, my eyes sharp and calculating, ensuring every step was leading us closer to the culmination of my revenge. "Stay close to me, Alon," I whispered, my voice a mix of genuine concern for my son and steely determination. "No matter what happens, do not let go of my hand."
Alon nodded, his eyes wide with fear but his grip on my hand firm. The sound of gunfire echoed through the air, and I flinched, more from anticipation than surprise. My mind raced with thoughts of the Rajah and the men who were fighting valiantly, though futilely, to protect our home.
In the heart of the village, Rajah Maisog stood tall, his presence a beacon of strength and resilience for our people. He moved with the grace and ferocity of a seasoned warrior, his spear slicing through the air as he confronted the advancing Spaniards. "We will not bow to these invaders!" he shouted, his voice carrying above the din of battle. "Fight for your homes, for your families, for our way of life!"
The warriors rallied around him, their spirits lifted by the Rajah's unwavering determination. The clash of steel against steel filled the air as the villagers fought back with all their might. But the Spaniards, armed with muskets and a ruthless resolve, were relentless.
Amidst the chaos, Emiliano moved with calculated precision, his eyes fixed on the Rajah. He raised his pistol, the weapon gleaming ominously in the flickering light of the burning huts. As Rajah Maisog felled another Spaniard, Emiliano took aim, his expression cold and determined.
In a flash, the shot rang out. Rajah Maisog staggered, clutching his chest where the bullet had struck. He fell to his knees, the strength that had defined him ebbing away. The villagers gasped in horror, their leader brought low by the treachery of the foreigners.
"Father!" Alon cried, trying to run to the fallen Rajah, but I held him back, my grip like iron.
"Stay with me, Alon!" I commanded, my voice breaking with anguish. I looked around frantically, my eyes searching for a way to protect my son.
As the Rajah lay on the ground, struggling to breathe, Emiliano approached, his face a mask of triumph. "Your time is over, Rajah Maisog," he said coldly. "This land will belong to us now."
But before he could deliver a final blow, he felt a presence behind him. Turning quickly, he found me standing there, my eyes burning with fierce determination. "Diwa?" he said, surprise flickering across his face. "What are you doing here?"
My lips curled into a chilling smile. "Finishing what we started," I replied, my voice laced with venom that made Emiliano take a step back.
The Rajah's eyes widened with shock, but there was no surprise in his gaze—only a deep, bitter understanding. "I should have known," he rasped. "My serpent... you were always too cunning."
I stepped closer, my face hardening. "You killed my people, Rajah," I hissed. "You slaughtered the women, the children... you left nothing but ashes and pain. Today, I repay that debt."
The Rajah coughed, a harsh, painful sound. "And for what? Aligning with the Spaniards? Betraying your own blood?"
I knelt beside him, my expression unyielding but then, my expression softened. I just... No, Diwa. Don't back down now. You planned this for years.
The Rajah stared at me for a moment, then smiled. "This is the prophecy that warned me when I was a child, my love."
I knelt, gazing at the gentle face of my husband.
"A woman, very beautiful... with a mole beneath her lips..." the Rajah continued, lifting his hand to caress my cheek. "Was all of that just an act?"
I shook my head, my voice breaking with genuine emotion. "I love you, my dear Rajah," I replied. "But my love for my people runs deeper. What you did... it filled me with a loathing I never thought possible."
His eyes softened with understanding, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Then do what you must," he whispered, his hand falling away.
With a heavy heart, I stood up, my resolve hardening once more. I nodded, my eyes lingering on Rajah Maisog for one last moment. "Farewell, my love," I whispered, before turning to Alon. "Come, Alon. We must leave now."
But I could not help myself. I looked at him again. My tears are on the brink of falling. "Palihog, pangitaa kami, kon mabuhi ka."
The Rajah looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and understanding. "Diwa..." he murmured, his voice weak but carrying the weight of his emotions.
"I had no choice," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You left me with no choice."
As I turned away, the reality of what I had done settled over me like a suffocating shroud. Each step I took with Alon felt like an eternity, my heart heavy with the knowledge that my vengeance had come at such a great cost.
As the night enveloped the village, the fires still burning brightly, I knew that the path I had chosen would forever haunt me. But for now, I had to keep moving, for Alon, for the future I had fought so hard to secure.
Emotions swirled within me—grief, anger, love, and an unyielding resolve. This was the price of my vengeance, and I would bear it for the rest of my days.
****