Chapter 02: To Fit In

Hirasaya’s POV

The warmth coming from the fireplace embraced my skin as I went out of my room. While the aroma coming from the newly cooked pemmican filled my sense of smell. Breakfast is ready and yet, I could still Mama snoring in her room.

Kung gano’n, malamang ay si Papa ang nagluto nito. Tatlo lang naman kami rito sa bahay…

My eyes widen in realization. Ibig sabihin lang niyon ay late na naman ako!

Pumulot na lang ako ng kung ilan ang kakasya sa isang kamay ko at nilagay ito sa ‘king bag. Palabas pa lang ako ng bahay pero malinaw ko nang naririnig ang mga pangaral ni Papa sa utak ko! Mga isang oras na naman iyong manenermon, panigurado!

I immediately wore the hood of my caribou jacket the moment I stepped out of the house. Nakakapanibago. Ang comforting kasi ng temperature sa bahay dahil sa apoy tapos biglang sobrang lamig dito sa labas.

Binilisan ko na lamang ang paglalakad dahil hindi ko magawang makatakbo sa sobrang panginginig ng aking katawan. Pakiramdam ko pa nga ay maya’t- maya’y madadapa na lang ako.

Mag-a-alas kuwatro pa lang naman kasi ng umaga. Buti na lang at kasagsagan ngayon ng midnight sun dito sa Rozenhart kaya kahit sobrang aga pa lang ay nasa horizon na ang araw. Ang ginintuan nitong kulay ang siyang nagiging sentro ng atraksiyon sa gitna ng bughaw na langit.

Bilang lang sa tatlong daliri ang nasal abas ngayon, kasi tatatlo lang naman kaming narito. Kasing edad siguro nila Mama at Papa ‘yung dalawang kasama ko, I think they’re a couple. Their hands were covered in frost while building their future home through their gift.

It became a custom here in Rozenhart that the heads of the family must be the one to build their own home using nothing but their own gift. Ang astig nga ‘e, it makes appreciate our own home more.

And speaking of home, the mansion which stood in the farthest north was the second most beautiful structure here. It was the home of the elders and prodigies, ang lugar na alam kong hindi ako makakapunta. Speaking of prodigies, I really hope that Everess would keep her words.

Nagdadalawang isip na ako simula nang sugatan niya ako sa kamay. I can’t be mistaken, the glinting object she was holding was an ice blade. And speaking of ice blade…

Biglang umalingawngaw sa utak ko ang paalala ni Papa last training namin.

“Next time, make sure to bring the weapon of your choice.”

Nasapo ko na lang ang noo. No magic was involved here, sadyang late lang pinaalala ng utak ko na naiwan ko pala ‘yung bolas ko sa bahay! Bakit kasi saka ko na lang naaalala kapag nakaalis na ako ng bahay! Happens all the time.

I wrapped my arms around my body to protect it from the cold. Baka two hours sermon na ang makuha ko nito!

Nadatnan ko si Mama na nakatayo sa labas ng bahay. Agad na tumaas ang isa niyang kilay habang pinapanood akong halos manigas na sa lamig. Hawak-hawak niya ang bolas weapon ko.

It was a three-long cord intertwined in a single ring. Habang ang kabilang dulo naman nito ay may naka-attached na tatlong bola sa bawat cord. Bolas is an instrument used for hunting here in Rozenhart.

“Nasabi mo na ba kay Papa mo na bolas ang napili mo?” sabi niya. Inabot niya sa ‘kin ang bolas na agad ko namang tinanggap. Her eyes were still sleepy, halatang kagiging lang niya.

“Nope, I want it to be a surprise. Sige bye, Ma!” Tumakbo na agad ko dahil late na talaga at baka magstory telling mode pa si Mama.

Unti-unti nang dumarami ang mga tao sa paligid. Hindi ko na sila pinansin pa at patuloy lamang sa pagtakbo. Later on, nagawa ko na ring malagpasan ang mansion ng mga elders. Konting liko lang at iyon na nga, sumalubong sa ‘kin ang malawak na lupaing gawa sa yelo.

It was an empty field. Madali ko lang nahanap si Papa na siyang nakatalikod sa puwesto ko. He was sitting on the snow, the cold never even bothering him. Ganito naman silang lahat, sadyang ako lang ang tinatamaan ng sobrang lamig.

“Hello, Pa! Naiwan ko kasi iyong bolas ko kanina… kaya ako na-late,” pagpapaliwanag ko agad.

Napangiwi na lang ako nang makita ang lukot na ekspresyon ni Papa. “Late ka naman, Hirasaya! Alam mo bang…” And the rest is history. F-in-ilter ko na kasi memoryadong memoryado ko na ang pangaral ni Papa. Sheez.

“Look! I chose a bolas!” sabi ko in an attempt to change the topic. Nasapo na lang niya ang noo. Ganiyan din ako kanina no’ng naiwan ko ‘yung bolas, hehe.

“Hirasaya.” Diretso akong tinignan ni Papa at napaupo na siya sa sahig. Uh-oh, lagot.

“Were you really eager to learn?” dagdag pa niya.

“Ha? O-of course!” sabi ko. A crease was evident in my forehead. How could I not? Dahil dito ay nagawa ko nang ipagtanggol ang sarili.

“Then tell me what motivates you to learn,” sabi agad niya.

Napakamot ako sa ‘king ulo. I already have a hunch kung saan ito papatungo. “I want to be able to defend my self against other people.”

“Exactly. Ngunit napapansin ko na ngayong kaya mo naman nang ipagtanggol ang sarili mo. You had already achieved your goal, young lady. Will you still continue?”

“S-siyempre naman, Pa.” Muntik ko nang mahampas ang bibig dahil sa pagkautal.

“These days, I observe that you’re already slacking. Hindi ko na makita ang determinasyon mo katulad no’ng nagsisimula ka pa lang. You should find another motivation, preferably something stronger and focus on it,” sabi uli niya bago ito napalitan ng katahimikan.

Yes, it is true that I am now able to defend my self against the enemies. They are more focused on their gifts rather than improving in combat skills, maybe that’s how I was able to defeat them. Pero tama si Papa… I should find another motivation.

But what can it be? Ano ba talagang dahilan ko?

I was pulled out of my reverie when Papa talked again— or rather whisper.

“In the future, I may not be able to teach you anymore...”

It was almost inaudible but I was able to understand it. A-anong ibig sabihin ni Papa?

“Let’s start the training, shall we?” sabi niya agad bago pa man ako makapagsalita. Maybe I heard it wrong.

I gripped the end of my bolas where the ring was positioned. I wonder what Papa would teach me to do. Wala naman siyang dalang weapon kaya imposibleng duel ito. ‘Yon pa naman ang inaasahan ko.

“Ngayong alam mo nang depensahan ang sarili mo, siguro ay handa ka nang labanan ako.”

Napakurap ako sa sinabi ni Papa. Maglalaban kami? Pero ang grabi naman n’yon!

I mean, I’m flattered that he already believes in my capability. Ang advance naman pero masyado pag duel agad. Hindi ko pa nababanggit pero parte lang naman si Papa ng pinakamataas na organisasyon dito sa Rozenhart. ‘Yung nabanggit ko kaninang elders? Sila pa ang ibang miyembro ng organisasyon na ‘yon. That’s how powerful Papa is.

Kaya na rin ay hindi ako magawang idispatya mismo ng mga elders. It was all thanks to Papa and his position in the organization. He’s as powerful as them.

“In order to win, you must at least be able to tap one of my arms or chest using your hand. Use your weapon as an aid to help you reach that goal,” sabi ni Papa sa ‘kin.

Nagbibiro ba siya? That’s easy!

The moment he gave me the sign, agad kong pinaikot ang aking bolas sa himpapawid. I’m already familiar with it since this is a tool we’re using to hunt for wild animals.

This is the chance where I can showcase all of my learnings from him. And I would make sure that he’ll be proud of me.

Inalala ko lahat ng turo sa ‘kin ni Papa. Ang pinakaunang hakbang na itinuro niya sa ‘kin ay ang i-analyze muna ang kalaban. Sa bawat match na nagaganap ay palaging may ilang segundong bakante bago umatake ang kalaban. Ito ang gagamitin kong oportunidad upang basahin ang kalaban sa kung anong maaari niyang gawing hakbang.

Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa, pilit na hinahanap ang weak spot niya kung saan ako pwedeng umatake. Gaya ng inaasahan pero ay wala akong mahanap. Both of his feet were in a wide stance, while his arms are placed in his back. He was on-guard.

But I’m sure that I’ll be the one who will attack first. Sa mga match/duel ni Papa na napapanood ko, napansin kong he was the observant type. He always chooses to analyze his opponents first before making a move.

And that’s what I thought.

Bahagya pa akong napaatras nang tumakbo siya patungo sa direksyon ko— ang dalawa niyang kamay ay nakapuwesto pa rin sa likuran niya. Hindi ko na namalayan pang ilang dipa na lang ang layo ko sa kaniya.

“And if I’ll be the one who can tap your arms, then I win,” sabi niya.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Bumalik ang kulay sa ‘king mukha at mabilis na umiling. “In your dreams!”

Just in time, I was able to pivot my right feet and turn towards his blindspot— which is at his side. I extended my arm and aimed to touch his left arm but before I can do that, he immediately sat down to avoid my touch.

He swiped his feet into the ground to trip me. Not so fast, ‘Pa.

I placed my hand on his head at ginamit iyong pagsandalan upang magawa ko siyang talonan. I always had loved this move, ito na ata ang gagamitin kong signature move.

Tumakbo ako palayo sa kaniya at muling pinaikot ang bolas sa himpapawid. Ramdam ko ang mas paglamig ng paligid. Kailangan ko nang tapusin ‘to.

Nang tumayo si Papa ay agad kong tinapon papunta sa kaniya ang bolas bago pa man siya makalingon sa kinaroroonan ko. I specifically aimed it to entangle him on his arms and knees.

Sana ‘di niya masalo… sana ‘di niya masalo…

Before he could even catch it, the bolas already finished its job on entangling him. Nawalan si Papa ng balanse at ‘di rin nagtagal ay natumba sa sahig.

I did it!

The corners of my lips rose as I saw Papa struggle on removing the bolas. Tumakbo ako papalapit sa kaniya. I still can’t believe it!

The cold temperature even grew stronger which made me tremble to the core. Buti na lang at tapos na ang match naming ni Papa.

As I reached his place, I kneeled on his side and extended my arms which are now trembling. But before I can touch his arm, Papa suddenly rolled his body away from me. And with last one act, he was able to release himself from the grip of my bolas.

Hindi ko na magawa pang makapag-focus dahil sa sobrang lamig na nararamdaman. Why is the weather suddenly against my favor?

“Got you,” he whispered. ‘Di ko na namalayang na-tap na pala ako ni Papa sa braso.

I lost.

Nando’n na ‘e! Pero naglaho pa… bakit ba kasi ang bilis ko lamigin?!

Napansin ni Papa ang paglukot ng mukha ko. “For a first timer, you actually did great!” His voice was now cheerful.

Umiling ako. Akala ni Papa hindi ko napansin? He was not even serious during the match. He didn’t even used a bit of his gif. Ang dami pang flaws ng movement ko pero nakalusot because he let them be. And yet I still lost because I can’t take the coldness of this place. It was humiliating.

“‘Pa, bakit wala akong kapangyarihan? Bakit naiiba ako sa lahat?” I uttered without having any second thoughts. I could feel my chest burning with strong emotions.

“Sino ba talaga ako, Papa?”