IKALIMANG KABANATA - tr. CHAPTER 05
Para sa kapakanan ng lahat
For all our sakes
DIWA
"No one is getting killed anymore," Lila said as we washed ourselves after a long day of planting. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the river. The water shimmered under the fading light, a serene contrast to our laborious day. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the colors reflecting off the water's surface, creating an almost magical atmosphere. The chirping of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl added to the tranquil ambiance.
"The Rajah is interested in you," Lila continued, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced around nervously, as if the very mention of the Rajah could summon his presence.
"Should I be thankful?" I whispered back, my voice tinged with sarcasm and fear. "His wife will kill me." The thought of the Rajah's wife sent a chill down my spine. She was known for her ruthless nature and unyielding jealousy.
"She's jealous, Diwa," Lila said as she rinsed the mud off her arms. The water carried away the dirt, leaving her skin clean and glistening. "What I heard was, the Rajah doesn't sleep with her anymore. And she's jealous about the fact that the Rajah is craving you."
Craving? That is a big word to assume. The idea of the Rajah craving me seemed surreal and terrifying. I winced at the thought, my mind racing with the implications. But Lila grinned and looked at me, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
"And besides, you're such a beautiful woman. You look like nobility," she said, her tone teasing but sincere.
I've heard that many times before. My beauty was often commented on, but it felt more like a curse than a blessing. I couldn't care less. Beauty is of no use if I'm to die as a slave. The reflection in the water stared back at me, a mix of apprehension and the beauty Lila spoke of. My long hair floated around me, the river's current gently tugging at the strands.
We continued washing ourselves by the riverbank, the cool water soothing our tired bodies. The sound of approaching footsteps caught our attention, breaking the peaceful silence. The air, thick with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth, suddenly felt oppressive. I turned to see the Rajah approaching, his figure cutting a commanding presence against the backdrop of the setting sun.
My heart skipped a beat as I realized his intent. Vray’s warning echoed in my mind, but there was nowhere to hide. I stood frozen, my body tense with apprehension as the Rajah drew closer. The ground beneath my feet felt solid and yet shaky, mirroring the conflict within me.
He stopped a few paces away, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His gaze was penetrating, almost as if he could see into my very soul. "Diwa," he said, his voice low and husky, sending a tingle down my spine.
I swallowed hard, unable to tear my gaze away from his. His eyes roamed over my form, his expression unreadable. I felt exposed under his scrutiny, vulnerable and powerless. Lila and I exchanged a glance, but she immediately lowered her gaze and silently walked away until she was out of sight. It's a good thing we weren't naked, only our upper bodies were covered by our long hair, but I was wet now. I couldn't hide the...
He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine. The heat of his body radiated against mine, his proximity making my pulse race. The river shimmered in the fading light, casting a golden glow over us. The sounds of the village seemed distant, the world narrowing down to just the two of us.
"May I join you?" he said, his voice sending a thrill through me.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Vray’s warning echoed in my mind, but the Rajah's presence was overpowering. His commanding aura made it difficult to refuse. I nodded silently, unable to deny him.
He smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes as he stepped into the water beside me. The river's gentle current lapped at our bodies, the coolness of the water contrasting with the heat of his presence. For a moment, we stood in silence, the only sound the gentle rush of the water against the shore. Then, without warning, he reached out and traced a finger along the curve of my jaw, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
"You are exquisite, Diwa," he murmured, his voice a rich, seductive melody that caressed my ears and sent ripples of sensation through my body. "A rare beauty in this world of chaos."
I trembled under his touch, torn between fear and anger, my emotions a tumultuous storm within me. His fingers lingered on my skin, each gentle stroke igniting a fire deep within me that I struggled to contain, a blaze that threatened to consume my very being.
"Thank you, Rajah," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the symphony of the rushing river and the rustling leaves. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat resonating with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
He smiled, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, as if he relished the effect he had on me. My breath hitched as he leaned closer, his lips hovering tantalizingly close to my ear, his warm breath sending shivers cascading down my spine. It was the first time his lips brushed against my skin, and I gasped as his tongue traced a path along my flesh, leaving a trail of burning desire in its wake. Instinctively, I clung to his solid frame, his hand trailing down my back with a slow, deliberate caress, the warmth of his touch searing into my skin, branding me with his desire.
"R-Rajah—" I stammered, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and longing. I couldn't help but close my eyes tightly as his lips trailed down my neck, his movements growing more urgent and passionate. He pulled me closer, our bodies pressing together, my bare chest flush against his skin. The feel of his skin against mine was intoxicating, a heady mix of desire and danger that left me breathless and yearning for more.
"R-Rajah—" I let out a sharp intake of breath as his teeth grazed my skin, a thrill of pain mingling with pleasure. My grip tightened on his arm as he wrapped it around me, his touch possessive and consuming. "R-Rajah, wait—" I pleaded, my voice a mere whisper lost in the intoxicating haze of his touch.
"The taste of you is exquisite," he murmured, his voice a low, seductive rumble that resonated deep within me. "I wonder if your moan sounds as beautiful as your voice when you sing." My eyes widened as I felt him suckle gently on the tender skin of my neck, his lips moving with a deliberate, maddening slowness that left me breathless and aching for more. Each touch was a spark, igniting a blaze that threatened to consume me entirely, a fire that I had no desire to extinguish.
His hands roamed over my body, exploring every curve and contour with a reverence that made my heart race. His fingers traced the line of my collarbone, down my arms, and around my waist, pulling me even closer. The feel of his skin against mine was a potent blend of desire and danger, an intoxicating mix that left me dizzy with longing.
His breath was hot against my ear as he whispered again, his voice a low, sultry growl that sent shivers down my spine. "I want to share my bed with you and make you my wife." His words hung in the air, a promise of passion and possession that left me trembling with anticipation.
I let out a small gasp at his whispered words against my ear, my mind reeling with the implications. Before I could respond, we were interrupted by a voice.
"Rajah, your wife is summoning you." It was Bulan, his right-hand man.
Our eyes met briefly before Bulan quickly averted his gaze and walked away. The sudden intrusion shattered the intimacy of the moment, leaving a lingering tension in the air.
With that, the Rajah turned and made his way back to shore, leaving me standing alone in the river, my heart still pounding with the intensity of our encounter. As I watched him leave, a sense of foreboding washed over me, a feeling that my life was on the brink of a change I couldn't yet comprehend.
I lingered in the water, the sun sinking lower, yet I remained rooted in my place. The cool water provided some solace, but my mind was a storm of emotions. Then, I heard Lila's voice, edged with desperation. "He will take you as his wife, Diwa," she said, her expression a mix of shock and fear. I turned to face her, seeing the anguish in her eyes. "Please..." She suddenly dropped to her knees in the dirt while I remained in the water.
"Please... say yes. For all our sakes."
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