The blade was hiding on a scabbard that was made of polished wood shaped identical to the crescent moon above the dark sky.
"Is this a dagger? It looks cool in real life." She was exhilarated. Fascinated by the weapon she had only seen on the internet and had never seen one before. A swiss knife from her past life was well-used. She even got one for multi-purposes. She saw and used different kinds of kitchen knives but this was different. She took off the scabbard and the dark blade was shown.
"Don't touch the edge, you'll get maimed." Achis held her wrist before she could even land her finger on the sharp edge of the dagger.
"Alright, is this mine now?" She asked, diverting her expectant eyes to his. He was stunned as he comprehended how close their distance was.
"Yeah..." he whispered and nodded slowly, batting his eyes on her. "It's yours… "
"Great! Thanks, Achis, I'll take care of it."
The full moon above with thousands of stars beside it, gleaming. Somewhere in a certain area in the woods, there was a small pillar that was made for Abba, the name of their known god.
Below, there was a young man that was being shone in the moonlight. He was tattooed all over with batuk or tribal tattoos that represent his bravery in warfare and status in his tribe. The battle he had gained a victory from fighting to conquered territories was also documented on his body. His stance with the heroic visage was idolized by his people.
Nevertheless, he had dark straight long hair concealing his muscular and wide shoulders. His eyes were not threatening to look at, instead, it was more demure and gregarious. Every time he lifts the side of his lips it is perceived as a seraphic smile.
"Good it's already late, Hara must be looking for you." One of his attendants reminded him. He put down the basket of fruits that he was holding as an offer to Abba. He was gratified for his recent triumph of defeating the Datu from a far island bestowed by Abba to him.
"Alright, let's head back." He said after praying for some while. He leads his troupe back to the puod proclaiming his coup. However, rather than a festive reception. He was greeted with a solemn ambiance on the balay of Rajah Basi, his father.
"Baba, Iloy, what's with the atmosphere?" He blithely approached his parents with a bright smile.
"Lapil." His mother, the Hara, Hara Kaliya mumbled his name grimly. "There's information came from Datu Pita's banwa." She proceeds, "Your betrothal, Yanar, Yanar is missing."
"Oh." He responded dryly. Losing the smile he had he looked at his Baba. "I should go to Datu Pita tomorrow at dawn Baba."
"Yes, you should."
The woman who was betrothed to him before he even came to this world, under no circumstances he had considered her as his counterpart. A woman he did not meet even once because they had not reached the proper age of marriage yet. And a binukot must not show herself to anyone based on custom.
Presently, he came home to receive news that she is missing. How was he supposed to respond to this? If he doesn't have any emotion for that woman? It's funny how she's coming to the age where they can finally see each other then she disappears.
Embarking their baroto or canoe on the coast of Datu Pita's, Lapil was surrounded by his warriors enquiring regarding his bride that he had not mentioned even once. They've all been together ever since the young Ginoo commenced his endeavors to the sea conquering banwas' and island for himself. Though it was unusual for him to talk regarding his betrothal life status, they still assumed that the Ginoo would give them some clues, but he didn't. If it wasn't for this incident to happen they may never have known the fact.
"I was surprised when I heard that we will be assisting Datu Pita for today. What's more surprising is that our Ginoo is betrothed to his daughter!" A fat man with a beard said in blithe exhilaration. His name was Wakan, the oldest man that was ruled by Lapil. Receiving his loyalty from the first bawan he oppressed with just a fifty-man in Lapil's command, Lapil was so young back then yet so strong.
"Wakan, it's not that surprising. My Baba and Datu Pita are blood-oath brothers," Lapil replied nonchalantly but had an amicable smile on his face.
"Now that you said that, we have never considered it before. But rumors circulated that Bai Yanar is similar to a diwata --that no one can attain her beauty." Wakan muttered that the others who were listening agreed.
"That's right, Iloy who came with Rajah to Datu's banwa last year had a glimpse of her and was astonished how gorgeous she was." Famir, the youngest mangangayaw that had joined Lapil's warriors, seconded.
"Some say, she was a gift from Abba who has to ascend to watch Datu Pita's land."
"They also said that her seraphic visage was not meant to be married to a man. Everyone thought that no one could have her in this life."
"That is why we are bewildered, Ginoo. You will be marrying the most gorgeous woman who has ever lived!" Tatop exclaimed and the rest nod vigorously in agreement.
Lapil chuckled humorously heeding their eulogies, "Don't be absurd, a woman is a woman. From being a daughter to a bride, then a wife, to a mother. They can only serve their father and husband, manage the house and take care of the children. Later, if they can't do that much, they will be doomed to be useless."
The warriors on the baroto with Lapil had sealed their mouths hearing the remark of the young man. Regardless of his affable demeanor, which you could perceive as passive and submissive at the first glance. You can't afford to be vacuous if he is your nemesis.