"The mortals are not what I expected for it to be, father," squeaky yet charming voice chats with the throne-in-charge, Bathala.
It's a mini Mayari.
Gazes that mingle between the deep shade of brown and black accompanied by the silken strands of white. Possessing such peculiar aesthetics that's truly divine. An odd yet pleasing contrast from her physique that made it stands so well.
Ahead to anyone's decision, Bathala settled to bestow her to preside over beauty. She's incomparable to any God that breathes.
"What, my child, may you think like that?" a query has been brought by Bathala. His eyes are indescribable, solely, for the Gods alone to see. Despite the unknowingly, Bathala seems worried for his youngster. "Who told you that?"
"No one, father. However, as I'm deep asleep the previous nighttime. Vague if it may seem, Mother seems to nurtured me so well when I am still a newborn. Often tired from taking good care for us three. Apolaki being a brat-natured he always is, doubles the pain she carries. But, father, Apolaki is only a year older than me so..." Mayari innocently detailed her dream to his father. Unknowingly for her young mind, he deciphers already what his child wants.
"maybe he knew her already?" she continued.
Bathala remained unimpressed by his daughter's 'disguising' bait. Yet, as a kind-hearted Father, he is, on a calm tone he replied. "Mayari, as I told you a hundred times more, Mother won't be here nor there or everywhere. She's in a safe place now."
Mayari knew otherwise. Her curiosity led her conviction to be unsteady. She's not biting his father's words. She questioned him no more for his 'The Great Bathala' will remain unshaken.
Mayari not alone yearns for her mother's presence but also her caress, her warmth.
The warmth that fondles security, home, and truth.
Something little Mayari can't well comprehend but she knew what it sums up to...
love.
Mayari's eyes widen as she's lying on the ground surrounded by concrete walls. A bit different from the jungles she's been before, more modern. Surroundings are perceived as unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary she used to know. The breeze that is less filtered and pristine brushed her hair, on contrary, she feels warm. Warm that's alike from her youthful dream that somehow, she thirsts for more.
It's Mayari's standpoint on the night of their encounter.
Her mind is infused with uncertainty.
A minute ago her life is on the brink of death, next thing, she's been deported to a futuristic period. Bewildered by the occurred events, she stayed frozen still processing what happened.
She takes a stroll trying to clear up her mind. She felt no pain from the wounds that got her insane before. Realizing that's somehow this is a way of lesson from his father to the things that happened. She has no other way but to accept the fate that was given to her. After all, this is a rather moral conviction brought to the table. There's no other choice but to accept it. I should still be thankful other than facing the frightening death.
Concrete jungles, massive billboards, synthetic lights that brighten the night, different variety of garments, passerby that acts highly, the entirety seems to be up-to-date.
Innovations and evolution seem to be what keeps humans busy nowadays. From the simple life back then thinking that wars are the only access for modernity. Mayari perceived that there's actually a single common thing the humans from before and now have. They all thirst for change. Ungodly alterations no God can clarify.
"So this is the present, huh?" a conclusion she regards.
Individuals gazed at Mayari with disgust. They avoid and ignores her. She began to feel conscious with herself but she continued to walk in between those busy people. Blood scattered in her entire body trailing her sword down to the ground. Something the onlookers will fuzz about. She doesn't know what to do. Hopelessness is her only escape from this jungle.
She wants to weep yet no tear is shed. Probably, an amusement for his brother to see her act so frail. After all, she's considered to be one of the sturdy gods.
Mayari then touches the bandage from her left eye. Knowing that perhaps her appearance is more dramatic than what she already has. Ignoring the people that she passed by she continued to walk, searching for a place to rest her tired mind.
There, she glanced upwards, noticing that her job was already taken by someone. Someone more fitting who won't hesitate to fulfill his or her duty that the Superior bestowed. Someone not reckless enough to do something that's against any law of God. Maybe, Apolaki owned her job as well because he is a far greater God than she is. A lot of possibilities popped into her mind. Mayari felt so much remorse and repentance. She felt a lot of pain interacting with humans, an attachment that won't be irreparable. She loves humans more than they did.
What do little Mayari will have to say if she foresees all along what will happen?
Will she stopped? Will she continue? Will she obey his father's words? Will she not?
She's running out of questions to interrogates herself.
All she can answer to that is a simple yet complex "I don't know"
What's done is done. She's not a God anymore that can undo everything while still living freely in Heaven. Whereas anytime she made a mistake, it's nothing big of a deal, since she's a God. She's still considered as one of his father's loving daughters. Whereas people will still be worshipping up until now. She won't know if she's truly regretting all of the things that happened. Because out of the blue, his face slipped, reminiscing without her notice in her chaotic thoughts.
Perhaps, God helped her seek vengeance? She doesn't know, she's clueless. She can't reach Bathala to justify her assumptions. The yearning that someone or anything will heed her merciless outcry. Mayari takes her sits near a lit lamp post. A temporary warmth that can shelter her from the cold weather.
She took the newspapers spread at the ground, she doesn't care if it's covered with dirt. As long as it will suffice the feeling of someone hugging her, it will do. There are some left and she noticed the man on thin garments near her quivers with cold. She covered him with some as well. Possibly, they shared the same agony of longing for warmth.
Mayari fell asleep. Her thoughts bit by bit cleared up. She's starting to feel peace.
"The mortals are not what I expected for it to be, father"
Mayari contemplates from afar while observing little Mayari chatting with her father.
Even in her sleep, she's been bombarded with questions about her origin. All this time, Mayari seems to be the most curious out of them all four regarding their entire biography.
"What's my intention to ask father those questions?" she asked herself. Her appearance started to transition from her current rugged clothing to pristine and elegant. Her hair is let down and as she turned around it's like a different woman was standing. Much better and organized. If one shall lay eyes on her, they'll initially think that a Goddess is in front of them. No hesitation.
A pale complexion paired with silky white hair. Wearing a dazzling gown of gold and silver accenting the glimmering blue tattoos that symbolizes beauty, strength, and moon. A tiara made of sapphire, diamonds, and some obscure gemstones dedicated alone for Gods, her. Mayari is radiating with glamour and purity, a tribute to Goddess of Beauty is indeed ideal for her. Not even her sisters are jealous enough to take the crown from her, they are joyous to support her.
She's once again transitioned to another reverie, where her sister is caressing her hair and fixing her get-up. She's surprised why she's brought there. "--well, she's not wrong, Tala. But listen Mayari, I am already content with our situation. I'm sure mother has a good reason for staying on land, also, she's always on our mind and probably hers too. And that's what matters," Hanan smiled in such luminesce, complementing her role as a God of Morning.
Mayari then started to transform back from her original clothing, similar to how Cinderella's magic started to wear off because of the midnight settlement with her godmother. Darkness conquered the entirety leaving no lights behind to shine her. She began to feel lonely, the sensation of isolation grew stronger in her heart. But then, a hand pat her back.
"I am always with you," a calming voice resonates the blank void turning Mayari into a radiating Goddess once again. A woman, unhesitatingly, her mother embraced her as if she's holding unto something fragile yet carefully. Her face is blurry but the hug made it looks like she knew her so well. Mayari felt that warmth. A simple word can mean so much particularly, now that she's struggling from her current situation.
She won't know if that's what a mother was. But surely, she'll accept it. Whole-heartedly.
Tears then started to roll out. Maybe it's because of the lamp post or the unknown accompany she had. But it doesn't matter to Mayari. A blessed dream happened because she was there. She exists to be there and to dream about her mother.