The Forest of Evergreen: Found in the Wilderness

by Teresa May B. Bandiola

  The ball crossed the net but the opponent bounced it back towards them. Janna was able to save the ball but when it came back to them again, it was coming towards Sophia. The opponent knew Sophia was the weakest link, and so the ball was dead.

  “I’m so sorry!” Sophia apologized.

  “It’s just a game. It’s okay, Sophia.” Sophia’s team cheered and turned vigilant again, for the ball.

  Now, the opponent got themselves a big clue. Cleverly, Sophia became their target.

  When the opponent’s serve was successful, Zarah ran fast to hit the ball. She was able to throw it back but the opponent captain targeted Sophia. Janna hurried to save the ball for her but so strong was the impact that Janna’s much broader body bumped into Sophia’s.

  Both fell to the floor. But Sophia wasn’t moving, and that was the time when they hastened to her aid.

  “Shall we bring her to the clinic?” They asked each other.

  Zarah, who ran to her first, tried her best to wake her up. Enzo dashed to the scene.

  Coach Ramirez, discerning that Sophia was totally unconscious, warned everyone to move away.

  “Shall we call the emergency hotline?” The girls asked each other.

  “Let’s bring her to the clinic. She’ll be fine there.” Coach Ramirez said and carried her carefully. Enzo and Zarah accompanied him and the game temporarily came to a halt.

 

  Sophia, waking up and realizing she was lying on a stretcher with white curtains around her, asked Enzo what happened. He was there watching her in the wee hours of her unconsciousness.

  “You fell to the floor when Janna accidentally collided into you,” he explained. “How’s your head now? Still in a haze?” He examined her.

  Sophia inclined forward and began massaging her head. It felt a bit heavy but there was no ache at all.

  “You know, when Dr. Romulo checked you a moment ago, he mentioned you were kind of anemic.” Enzo helped her get up.

  “Anemic?”

  “Yup. Have you not been eating right, lately?”

  The question didn’t interest Sophia. Her head was back to the game. The last thing she remembered, she was watching the ball in the air as it rushed to her direction.

  “How’s the game now?” She asked.

  “The game’s over. It’s now five and our classes are over.” Enzo tried to smile, and palmed Sophia’s forehead, acting more than a physician.

  In a short while, the school nurse came to them, saying Sophia wasn’t that critical and they could now go home.

  “Have you called mom and dad?” Sophia talked to the school nurse.

  “Yes, it’s mandatory because you’re a minor, but your dad entrusted you to Dr. Romulo. They’re close colleagues.” The nurse glared at them for a moment and then continued, “Anyway, Dr. Romulo asked me to hand over your prescription.”

  “What’s that?” Enzo suddenly intervened.

  “Some iron supplement. Ms. Vabueretti turned out to be anemic,” the nurse concluded and went back to her previous activity.

  “Where’s Alex and Zarah?” Sophia asked Enzo as she glided away from the stretcher.

  “They’ve just left but they stayed here for hours. And by the way, here’s your bag and school uniform. Zarah got all of these for you.”

  “Where did they go?”

  “I don’t know, but I told them that I will take you home.”

  Sophia nodded quietly and went to change her PE uniform in the restroom. Before Enzo brought her home, they had stopped by a pharmacy for her prescription.

  CHAPTER 17

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  teMPTATION

  At home, Sophia climbed up the stairs to her room, then she took the first pill of iron supplement. Enzo had been too caring, paying all the pharmacy charges, and bringing her a take-out order from McDonald’s.

  Massaging her neck, she burst with shock to see Jericho leaving Nadine’s room. Deep-rooted, Sophia’s breath came out in a rush. She shook her head to make believe it wasn’t real but Jericho was, indeed, standing right before her. He was staring at her straight to the eyes, then passed a dirty look from her head down to her toes.

  She hurried inside her room, avoiding him, but Jericho, on impulse, chased her, and was strong enough to stop her from closing her door.

  “Avoiding me?” Jericho dared as he made her lean against the wall—shaking—not facing him. He was acting strange, far too strange as he moved his body closer to her. “Just so you know, I picked Nadine in school today. But she fell asleep in my car so I carried her to her room.”

  Where’s mom and dad? Where’s everyone? Sophia was asking herself, still avoiding those look daggers of him.

  “So, your boyfriend brought you home, huh?” Jericho talked again. He saw the two in the pavement a while ago and couldn’t admit he was excruciatingly jealous. But watching Sophia closely, he was back to the perilous thought that he was madly in love with her, after all this time. He slid a childish look at her, who was about to cry, and then he rested his head over her chest, a surprising thing that startled Sophia. “Why did this happen to us, Sophia?” He cried and held her tighter, refusing to let go of her as she tried to stop him.

  Watching a man turn into a boy, Sophia did not know, then, what to do. “Jericho, stop,” she said, after what seemed like ages. Although she struggled to push him away, her heartbeat said she loved him, too.

  “Sophia…”

  “What…?” Sophia caught her breath, and moreover, when he narrowed his eyes, she felt him pass this sharp look like a lion about to attack.

  “You are irresistibly, undeniably, and dangerously in love with me, Sophia!” Jericho pressed her harder against the wall, and rushed to catch her lips. It was too fast so Sophia had no chance to, at least, even react. But his kiss was so good.

  Buried under him, Sophia felt some refuge again.

  Jericho lay her on the bed. Her skin flushed hot and cold, yet he appeared very attractive, and there was this aching for his touch. A dense intake of breath came from her as he knelt over her, intensely, and began scattering those warm kisses over her neck down to her breasts.

  “Jericho…” A stream of hormones seemed to control Sophia now, who couldn’t help but yearn to climb into his manliness and melt him down into her feminine softness.

  Then, a sudden outflow of tears came from her, as her face was pressed unto his broad masculine shoulders, dampening his navy blue polo. Her emotions poured out more and more, and she suddenly clung to him powerfully, not knowing where to hold tight to liberate the fulfilling sensation caused by his touch.

  They tasted each other’s tears as they almost lost control, while holding each. Now, Jericho leaned back and fixed his eyes between her legs, driven to make his way inside of her, as Sophia struggled to catch her breath. He started loosening her blue-striped miniskirt when a roar suddenly cracked through Sophia’s ears, (was it her conscience?), and she sobbed while peeling his hands off her thighs and immediately ran to the bathroomshe felt like she would throw up.

  Watching her bend over the sink with on-and-off retching, at that spur of the moment, Jericho now realized how wrong they were, particularly himself.

  Then, Sophia fell to the floor, disgusted with herself. Another cry broke from her, and Jericho was wrapped with boundless guilt.

  A punch on the wall was all he could do to silence the dragons inside of him. “I’m sorry, Sophia! I’m sorry!” Jericho cried too, not knowing what to do next. It was a pleasure turned into suffering, and he grew weaker and weaker, as he felt like tearing his hair out.

  Nothing but the sound of weeping echoed from the two of them. “Oh, God!” Jericho yelled. “Why?” He yelled harder, as he was blinded by his own tears. He kept apologizing to Sophia who seemed frozen on the floor. Jericho couldn’t leave her. He was scared of what she could d
o to herself. Then he looked up at the ceiling and let out another groan. “God, I’m sorry. Forgive us.” His tone was low and trembling.

  A sound of a car came from the outside, and they knew the rest were home now. Right awaycome what mayJericho would admit his mistakes and he already prepared himself to be condemned by everyone.

  Philippe and Elizabeth, who escorted Grandma Lucy to the airport back to Forest Green, were talking as they walked along the corridor to Nadine’s bedroom.

  “Nad, sweetie,” Elizabeth was calling. “Where are you?”

  “Jericho, son! Why are you there?” Philippe was calling, too.

  As for Jericho, he put his hands on his nape and waited for the door to be opened.

  The lengthy silence made Philippe and Elizabeth wonder, and they hurriedly went to Sophia’s room. Although they were avoiding all negative thoughts, they just couldn’t help themselves…

  There stood Jericho, looking untidy, his hair a complete mess, and they were terrified for Sophia.

  “What are you doing in my daughter’s room?” On the dot, Elizabeth freaked out and rushed to check Sophia’s room. And as she looked over the bathroom, she saw her daughter lying on the floor, shuddering, with tears and an unbuttoned blouse.

  The couple panicked even more, and Philippe impulsively gripped Jericho’s polo and interrogated him. “What did you do?” His eyes clouding with tears.

  Jericho manned up. “I’m sorry!” He couldn’t look at his father straight.

  “How dare you?” Elizabeth rushed to slap him in the face.

  “How could you? She’s your sister!” Philippe couldn’t help himself no longer but thump Jericho in the face, and then do it repeatedly to his gut.

  Then, Elizabeth ran to Sophia as Jericho willingly received those physical hits from Philippe.

  Moments of shock passed. Philippe couldn’t believe his own negligence. But Elizabeth came back to slap Jericho over and over.

  Jericho shut his eyes and ignored the blood pouring from his nose. “Forgive me! I was tempted.” He was down on his knees. “I tried to fight it!”

  “If something bad happens to my daughter…” Elizabeth was quivering with fury and fear. It was the scariest moment of her life.

  “No, that won’t happen!” Jericho tried to reassure them.

  Somehow, it relieved Elizabeth, for otherwise, it would be a repeat of history. Just like what happened to Francheska.

  “But still she’s your sister!” Philippe shouted.

  “I can’t let go of her! I can’t forget her… I can’t! Because she’s my everything!” Jericho lost control of himself, too. “You can’t blame us! You can’t blame me! You can’t blame her!” Jericho yelled louder, with a howl. “We are victims here, victims of your lies and secrets!”

  A flash of pity went through Philippe and Elizabeth. With seemingly impossible effort, they listened to him. He had a point, and he was undeniably right.

  “It’s not that easy to let go…” Jericho continued. Silence met him. No single muscle moved. Then in a flash, he approached Sophia and kissed her on the forehead, not caring if Philippe and Elizabeth were watching him. “I love you so much, and I’m sorry.” He whispered into Sophia’s ear, and left rapidly.

 

  CHAPTER 18

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  thE vangkekan treaty

  Datu Ilak had been hectic for many days—relaying all his proposals to the Tribe of Asuldan and Kumanggi about a peaceful covenant.

  However, the two tribes, as much as possible, wanted to distance themselves from whatever was happening among the other tribes.

  Datu Intal of Asuldan had remained unyielding in the fear that his tribe would be in peril. To remain quiet was his top option while Datu Uliman of Kumanggi extended his hand to Datu Ilak of Kravena. He was clever enough to understand all of Banaak’s wicked plans and Uliman’s urge to stop him made him honor Datu Ilak’s noble terms.

  For the meantime, while Datu Ilak was in the course of convincing Datu Intal, there had been secret assemblies between the Kravenas and the Kumanggis with one aim only: to put an end to greed, which began with the ambitious Banaak.

  Days became months, and Datu Intal was finally persuaded. Yet he asked for a bloodless and diplomatic treaty. He couldn’t risk his fighters’ lives, especially when he saw that the Kravenas were no longer as numerous as an army because of the endless battles.

  Abanir was called to join the last assembly of the three spearheads—Datu Ilak, Datu Uliman, and Datu Intal—in preparation for facing the Sulabuns and Fegratus. They agreed to send secret messages to Datu Saak of Fegratu, the only ally of Datu Banaak, to let him know of the growing alliance and at the same time, to issue an invitation to join.

  The scripts were written in symbols that only the five original datus could read and understand. This was to ensure Banaak wouldn’t be able to understand them. The messages to Datu Saak contained explanations of Banaak’s wicked plan of enforcing the subjugation of all the five tribes to him, and that Banaak was only using him, Saak.

  Fairly swayed, Datu Saak wrote his approval of the treaty and vowed that there would be no bloodshed. Also, an act of contrition was addressed to Datu Ilak, for helping Banaak in invading Ilak’s territory, and he explained he was only misled because the latter said the Kravenas were actually the ones planning to expand their territory.

  Now that the four tribes had united and were amenable to the treaty, they went to the Tribe of Sulabun to set out their terms and conditions.

  Datu Banaak was not surprised. He had already been warned that Datu Saak would be unfaithful to him. But none of the terms mentioned in the treaty were agreeable to him. He was not threatened by the joined forces. He stood at his realm, self-assured and proud.

  An insult ruptured from him, addressed to the four datus, yet no blood was shed.

  Datu Saak of Fegratu fearlessly came within Datu Banaak’s reach. Bargains and amendments began to pour out when suddenly, the other three spearheads shadowed them.

  “Your terrain is your terrain! Ours is ours!” Datu Uliman stressed to Datu Banaak.

  “Remember, you are standing in my territory and a single sign from me would mean that you would be hit, to the ground.” Datu Banaak warned Datu Uliman.

  “Remember also that we are in greater numbers, Datu Banaak!” The insulted Datu Uliman said, in response.

  Sensing now the numbers of the four tribes that quickly came out from the tall trees and surrounded his domain, Datu Ilak stepped back, all of a sudden. He didn’t expect the numbers. He might lose his entire tribe if he continued to be openly uncooperative.

  “So what do you propose?” He then asked the four, attempting to tilt his head up, and to borrow some time.

  “The range of our own territories remains the same but all the weapons dipped in the secreted hot spring shall be destroyed,” Datu Ilak said.

  “Moreover, the entrance to the hot spring will be hidden. If we all agree to create a monument to hide its entrance permanently… then safety for everyone is secured!” Datu Saak continued for Datu Ilak.

  “Let us not be greedy but rather, we should unite!” Datu Uliman stressed, and the other datus concurred.

  “In any case, humans are our enemies now,” Datu Banaak then agreed, seemingly humbled.

  “They are not enemies!” Datu Ilak counteracted, shortly thereafter. Then, a hard look came from the other datus.

  “How did you know? You did not even have an encounter with them!” Datu Banaak questioned him, for he had encountered some before, the people who conducted a scientific quest in the forest led by Sophia’s doctor-grandfather. “They are death-defying invaders,” Datu Banaak said, using the lines that he once used in an attempt to dethrone Datu Ilak.

  “They are not enemies. I also had an encounter with one, before,” Datu Ilak defended himself, and thi
s worried the rest, except Datu Banaak.

  “I guarantee, from that encounter that not every human is an enemy. What we should ascertain is that humans can never enter our premises again. That is all.” Datu Ilak shifted his gaze from one datu to another. “At the moment, we are our own enemies. Let us unite together to restore our race’s honor.”

  “Yes!” A yell of friendship and unity erupted from the four datus and every warrior witnessing it, joined the shouts of harmony.

  Datu Ilak and Datu Uliman had an eye-to-eye, discerning if everything was, in fact, truthful.

  “Festivity for every Vangkekan!” Datu Banaak finally screamed, seemingly jubilant.

  “Aye!” Everyone yelled back in approval, and their ecstatic noise was heard throughout the forest.

  Abanir, who had just witnessed the treaty, flew away, not quite convinced by the bearings of Datu Banaak.

  Rabel joined him, and they left the gathering in haste.

  CHAPTER 19

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  betrayal’s Price

  Friday morning made Sophia the earliest bird in school. She had not come to school for the past two days and her parents had been to the principal’s office during that time. Like the past few days, she had been avoiding any meal with her family, to desist from any conversation that would remind her of Jericho. The last moments with him were treacherously sweet, a temporary pleasure but now, forever an anguish.

  Sitting alone in her first class, Enzo found her, with a face that seemed to have gone through mourning. Sophia, the very instant she saw him, felt her shoulders grow cold. She was scared to see him, had no face to show to him after her infidelity. Even though Enzo had no idea of the damage she’d done with Jericho, she felt already in flames.