Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Out of no where, she felt a tap on her shoulder and when she looked up, it was Betla. And what she had never seen on her face, she saw them today, which were tears. Aranya quick turned to look at her as she firmly held her hands. “You can curse me, hate me, or even take something I love the most, but please, bring him back, Betla. You know I can’t loose him, right? You know he has become a huge part of me and I love him so much, Mother.”

Instead of an anger, or the outrage Aranya had expected from her, she felt as she pulled her and softly hugged her. She began to draw some soothing circles on her bag and they all burst into tears. With a muffled voice, Betla began to speak, “I know that you love him, Aranya. And I could never get mad at you or hate you for loving someone like him. He has been an amazing parent to you all this while, he had what I couldn’t do to yo in all the years we’ve been together and I'm so proud of him for that. I was filled with bitterness to realize that you’re my daughter and you need from me more than the bitterness I could only offer to you. I'm proud of you for having a space in your heart and not being like me.”

Aranya’s heart stopped when she heard the words Betla was saying, because she had never imagined she would hear those words from her. She looked up and stared at her with a bewildered expression and Betla smiled before she cleared her tears with her thumb. “He treated you like the princess that you are, which I've forgotten how to be. I'm so glad that he gave you a taste of what a beautiful life should be, my dear daughter.” She kissed her forehead and gently held her hands.

“I have something to tell you, Aranya.” She could only nod her head at her, because all that was happening was too much for her brittle heart that she couldn’t begin to comprehend things. “I'm back to life.” Slowly, a beautiful smile painted itself on Betla’s face that Aranya had to pull away from her as if doing that would make her understand the words better.

“How? Betla...I mean, you said there was no way to save you that day. That the sword you killed yourself with is one that had no remedy, didn’t you?” She was beginning to cry profusely, she didn’t know what to believe or what to cry over anymore. All she knew is, she wanted this to end and for everything to be clear to her.

Betla nodded her head, “I used that sword because if I died from it, I would be able to meet my parents and after some time, they will give me their powers and that could bring me back to life. I didn’t tell you that because I don’t want to raise your hopes high. But today, after noticing all that had happened, I was certain I'd love to live with you again, Aranya, maybe if I could find it in my heart to forgive him, live with him as well. So, I brought him back to life and myself too. I brought him back for you and me, to amend for all the mistakes I've done while bringing you up.”

•

Aranya waited until the physician cam out of the room and he smiled at her, “He has regained back his consciousness. But he acts as though he's asleep because he wants nothing but to die and go there to meet her.” Their eyes turned to Betla that stood while watching them. Even though she was back as a changed person, her composure, her attitudes were nothing but the same. Just her words and actions have changed, which was due to the change of heart she had.

Aranya and the physician chuckled before she turned to Betla, “Should we go in together?” She immediately shook her head, “Mom, please.” She whined and held her hand.

Betla smiled and nodded her head, she loved it whenever Aranya called her Mom. “Fine, but that doesn't make it seem as though I've forgiven him. Know that whatever I do, it’s because of you.”

“I know, and I love you so much for that, mother.” Aranya held her hand as they walked into the room together. She sat beside him on the bed while Betla sat on the vanity stool as she went through the items he had on the mirror. Something caught her eye while Aranya began to speak to her father, it was a bracelet. Something she had own almost a thousand year ago. The bracelet she had lost the day Zinambra had been raided. He had it with him! Softly, she turned to look at him but quickly look away, she shouldn’t forgive him yet.

Aranya took a hold of his hand with a smile, “Dad, I'm here to see you. Can you please open your eyes? I know that you aren’t asleep.” Nothing came, not even a move of his finger. “I had brought a gift to you, something you’ve always wanted but would never imagine to be right here with you, but since you don't want it...” She released her hand on his hand stood, “Mom, I guess we’re going back to Zinambra, he doesn't want to see you after all.”

He immediately jerked upright and groaned in pain while he opened his eyes, “Mom? Your mother?” He slurred with a sick voice and she threw herself over him.

“Dad! Oh god, I thought I'd loose you!” She hugged him lovingly and as much as he wanted to be angry at her for bringing him back to life even though he didn’t know how she did it, he couldn’t. She was just too warm and loving for him to ignore.

“My darling daughter, I've missed you.” He hugged her back and smiled. “But you called Mom, or was that a prank to wake me up?”

She broke their hug and grinned while she shook her head at him, “She came back to life, I guess someone couldn’t keep up with hearing some love words coming from the king. She brought you back to life for me, for us. So, I brought her to you, let’s beg for her forgiveness together, should we?”

Slowly, his eyes turned to where Betla sat and she turned slowly to look at them, while she smiled at the way they conversed with each other. She had always dreamt of a lovely family, but that dreams were killed by him and somehow, brought to life by him. King Bhaltair stretched his hands toward Betla and spoke, “Can you please come over? I want to clearly stare at your face.” His face was weak and one could see the way his heart was wildly beating against his chest.

“Mom, please.” Aranya begged when she sensed the hesitation in her action. And when she came over, Aranya stood and made her sat close to him while she lovingly stared at them. “There you are, Your Highness. You might not be as charming as you used to be, plus you’re sick today, but make sure this fairy forgives you.” He smiled at Aranya, and he didn’t have to voice out his appreciation before she could see it. “And Mom, he’s a good man. Will you please forgive him for my sake?” She smiled lovingly at them and they couldn't help themselves but smile back at her despite the way their heart were beating against their ribcages. To him, it was due to the immense love he had for her and for her, it’s due to the fear of forgiving him easily and falling in love with him as well.

“Mom, don’t you dare fight him because it’s obvious he couldn’t fight back in this situation, at least not when your love has nearly taken his life. Forgive him please. I love you both.” She rushed out of the room with a soft giggle and they turned to stare at each other at the same time.

“She’s just so lovely.” They whispered at the same time and Betla quickly stood up, she had been playing along for the sake of Aranya, but he reluctantly held her hand and when she furiously turned to look at him, his eyes were warm and full of regrets. “Please,” he whispered, and somehow, what she had been afraid of happening, happened. She knew that she forgave him, even though it would certainly take her forever to voice it out.

Aranya slowly walked to her room as the smile she had began to fade. She missed Lorcán, wanted him. But she didn’t know whether it was a good idea to go to him now or not. He had clearly told her to leave his life, but how could she? Her hands slowly fondled her stomach and painfully, she swatted the tears that rolled down her cheeks away. Maybe this was the end of it, maybe not.