return to the Forest
When Sophia woke up the following day, Abanir wasn’t around anymore. She was flustered but the reassurance of last night pacified her. He’d been too caring towards her, providing his chest as her pillow as he let no insect land on her skin, except for his lips on her hair, and only on her hair.
He returned to her quickly. In his hand was a basket of food that he slid from his back when he visited the tribe very early, this morning. He wanted her to experience Kravena’s top delicacies, prepared by the finest chefs in the palace. There was roasted fish meat splattered with various herbs and spices, fresh grains delicately heated in a bamboo tube, and a root crop cake baked with coconut husk, to give aroma.
He was smiling at her as a shaft of light passing through the giant trees glistened behind her. She seemed the fairest of all fairies. To him, no supernatural being in the wilderness was a match for her. He neared her and gathered her in his arms and squeezed her with tenderness.
“Abanir?” Sophia murmured to him, sleepily. She wanted to know what he was thinking at that very moment.
“Mmm…?” It was all he could answer, his look gentle enough to shut her up for the moment.
Together, as they finished their meal, they listened to the songs of birds nearby. The heavenly symphony wasn’t new to Sophia, and it felt like she’d only been away from the forest, for a while. They watched the bees and butterflies kiss flowers all around and were spell-bound by the splendid aromas of the dama-dama flower. Not only did it remind them of their last moments there together but… it symbolized their unity, as well.
Abanir left her to pick one flower and returned quickly, the moment he was done. The four elongated petals and heart-shaped leaves were healthier this time. And the fragrance, oh heavens, it was the sweetest!
In a distance, someone was coming to join them, and Sophia was certain it was an old friend—Rabel. Out of thrill, she immediately stood up to meet him and bequeathed him her earnest hug, as Abanir went along with her.
“I’m glad you’re here!” She could almost cry of excitement, and both winged creatures could simply feel her warm-heartedness, her humane gesture.
All the same, Rabel tried to understand her words. He showered her his warmest welcome too, and shortly after, turned to his raha.
“Datu Ilak has been looking for you,” he said. “The tribe needs you.”
The message saddened Abanir. His nostalgia for Sophia hadn’t subsided yet and he wanted more time with her. He didn’t want to leave her nor let her be seen by the tribe. He didn’t have a choice…
“So, my suspicions were true!” A voice suddenly sounded from nowhere. But Abanir and Rabel were pretty sure they were accustomed to the voice. The resonance of its might could make every Vangkekan bow down, in reverence.
They looked around until they saw the wings of Datu Ilak. Unknown to them, he followed Rabel stealthily.
Sophia, although she was clueless about what the spearheaded one was saying, bowed down in awe of his highness. But, she could sense he did not like her presence and acquaintance with his son.
“Why are you with the human?” Datu Ilak detested to see how his son had become a prisoner inside himself, but Abanir wanted only to make sure Sophia was right behind him. “She is a human, can’t you see? You don’t exist for this. A Vangkekan is not for a human!”
“But I’m your son!” Abanir defended. “Can’t you see I feel alive, with her?”
“This is madness, My son!”
Although Sophia was clueless about what they were arguing about, she could tell he was against their dalliance.
Rabel, as he listened to the dispute, tried to calm Datu Ilak. And Datu Ilak could only sit down now on the large stone nearby, and massage his head out of distress.
“Abanir, My son,” he said. “Your youth is distracting you. Don’t you understand?”
“I will leave, then…” Abanir dared his father and held Sophia’s hand, a sigh he was choosing her over his father. Over his tribe. His race. Everything.
“What?” Datu Ilak quickly stood up to stop him. “You can’t do this to me.” Then he mellowed down when he saw his son’s tight grip on the human’s hand and decided to accept things. “All right, what else can I do?” He was looking desolate.
Abanir’s eyes ignited, then. “Thank you, Father,” he said and passed Sophia a positive look.
“You’re my only son now. And I can no longer afford to lose another one.” Datu Ilak admitted the memory of Karan. Until now, he was still in mourning for his death. And each time Abanir would disappoint him, the twinge deep down was only mounting. “But this must stay among the four of us until I settle things.” Datu Ilak added and signed to Rabel to go back to the tribe, and Sophia could only look at them with shame. She knew she was the reason behind all these.