THE fiery sun afternoon rays painted the horizon with tangerine color gave the town a celestial glow.
A small smile plastered in my pale face as I watch the fiery sun vanished at the same time darkness slowly swallow the valley and the first starts started to appear on the empty sky.
I watch horde of people can be seen at the entrance of the flea market. There are few walking along the street while most are talking idly.
I decided to cross to the other side. The chariots are moving at considerable speeds and they do not seemed to be in the mood to make a way.
I took a quick glance to my left and successfully crossed the road. I passed the
jewelry shop. Next to the jewelry shop is a book shop, coffee shop, greengrocers and three sundry shop. The pleasant smell from these shops tingles my nose.
Holding the box of wines, I made my way to the seedy section of the town's riverside that was rife with cheap taverns and run-down flophouses. As I passed the fishmongers, butchers and paan-bidi shop, I hold my breath for a moment.
I made my way to the dark alley after passing the shops and Aman Sinaya River reveal itself. For a little while, I stared into the big bright moon of Ephlamen once they called Mayari. The moonlight illuminated the ethereal beauty of Buriasan Town. The light of Mayari and the town's lights reflected in the waters of Aman Sinaya River that makes around it more fascinating. The stars looks like fireflies that glows in the vast void space.
It was a breathtaking view and the part of the town I loved the most at the same time hated the most for it reminds me of a certain accident.
I remembered my friend of mine used to say, "You can put behind bars from what you're doing and participating in that is like putting your life on the line."
I remembered how I comforted her and telling her that it'll be fine.
I remembered the chilly night wind as I stepped out from my car. There were many people about my age at the wide empty road. Cars and motorcycles are parked everywhere. Rock music blared through the air. That night was full of energy.
The blared of horns arising from the long line of cars and motorcycles behind me and the cheering of people makes the corner of my lips curve slightly upward.
"2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost. Are you sure about this?" A voiced behind me asked.
I let my fingers run on the surface of the car, "60 mph in 4.5 seconds." I encountered.
He leaned towards me and frowned, "Your opponent is using Asphalt 9 Bugatti Veyron."
I mocked frowned him before answering, "I know. My eyes are still clear."
"And you can see that his car is faster than yours."
The loud cheering intense when a beautiful woman raised her hands while holding a cigarette. A signal to get ready. The moment she put her hands down, the roaring of two engines was heard.
That night, everything happened too fast. I remembered placing my hand on the manual transmission of the car as I stepped in on the gas when I saw the lamppost ahead.
I remembered pulling the gear, stepping the break and turning the steering wheel 90 degree to avoid hitting the huge reindeer.
I remembered the loud thud and the shrinking of metals against the asphalt road like the shriek of the train's brake echoed around that night disturbing the deafening silence of the empty highway.
I remembered the cold water and darkness slowly surrounds me.
Like the waves of Aman Sinaya River under its agitation, I compose my self while taking a deep breath and starts moving my feet once again. Few more blocks, the biggest yet oldest tavern came to my view, I heard laughters and voices from inside. I made my way to the back of the tavern and noticed an elderly chap wearing gray dusty clothes.
I sneak behind him, put my weight on my toes while moving quietly but no avail. He turns his gaze to me, raised his brows and deep wrinkles in his forehead manifest.
"Stop playing games and bring the wines inside." He said with a strict voice.
Old man Ora eyesight may not be sharp as before for this could be judged by the pair of gray horn rim spectacles yet his reaction tells others.
I frowned and made my way to the back door. The mixture of onion, garlic, dried fish and spices make a vigorous combination as I opened the door. I hold my breath for a moment after putting down the box of wines, then, passing the scullery and made my way to the tavern counter.
Boho and Hippie has been serving weary travelers and locals. It was one of those normal night at old man Ora tavern. Some were talking loudly, laughing and singing while having a pint. There are few silently conversing at the same time drinking ale.
It was a wonderful evening. The moonlight rays touched the windowsill illuminating a figure silently sitting. It was hard to determine his age as the hood of his cloak covered his face. The man seemed quite tall. His leanness made him look even taller yet there's something about him, an enigmatic aura.
"Who are you staring at?" Hippie asked me as she put the empty tray on the counter.
I looked at her and shook my head. Hippie eyed me suspiciously and shrugs. Then, she continued serving.
Boho nudged me from behind, "You also noticed him." And pointed the man near the windowsill using his head while wiping his hands.
I shrug off and did not say anything.
Boho leans towards me and said, "I've never seen him before, but that kind of aura tells me he's dangerous."
Whatever his opinion, Boho usually tells the truth. He was working at old man Ora tavern for a quiet long time now. He often meet travelers and strangers and he can tell which is dangerous and which is not.
"Anyway, here's the payment for the delivery..." Boho handed me the silver coins. "And this is for Yusong." And another one.
I nodded as I put the purses of coins in my knotted sling bag. I was about to say my thank you but all of our attention was snatched away when a loud thud and crashing of tables and chairs was heard. The source of the commotion was none other than the mysterious man near the windowsill throwing punches and kicking over twenty men who tried to come near him.
Boho frustratedly sigh and said, "Not again." He jump over the counter and run towards scared Hippie who was apparently near the fight scene.
The others joined the fight. Everything is chaos. I saw how Boho used his body to shield Hippie. A wooden chair flew into the air and crashed the wall near me. I didn't noticed the display head of the reindeer with sharp horns move.
My eyes widen when I saw one of the men took out a sharp dagger and planning to stab Boho but before the dagger penetrate to his skin, a reddish glowing mist-like form block it. The man holding the dagger look confuse. The dagger was thrown in the air when the mysterious man kick him in the stomach.
The reddish glowing mist-like form slowly vanished and the peacekeepers of the village with old Man Ora stormed in and stop the fight. I hide my hands behind me and take a few steps back.
Those who caused and joins the fight was arrested but for some reason, the peacekeepers of the village did not touch the mysterious man. The head of the peacekeepers only talk to the man.
Everything happened like a blur. I heard Hippie shouted at me but before I can understand her, I heard a creaked sound above me. I lifted my head and saw the horns of the reindeer falling while pointing to me. Before I can think, a rough hand pulled me.
The lilac up-cycled layered of my skirt dance with the silent rhythm of the cold night wind.
Yusong rushed running when he saw me.
He worriedly look at me, "I heard there was a fight."
I nodded and continue walking home.
Yusong walks besides me, "Tell me what happened. Come on, Hiraya."
Our footsteps disturbed the silence of the forest. Only the moonlight illuminated our way.
Yusong keep on nagging me to tell him about the fight happened at the tavern earlier but I ignore him. My mind is preoccupied about what happened earlier the mysterious man.
Yusong and I are frozen in our position when a beautiful lady with a wounded arm run in front of us while an ugly beast runs after her.
***