Double-Edged Sword

. . .

This is not about color blindness, but for twenty-two years, Zeirenne viewed the world in black and white. She lived a life inviable to many, if they only knew her.

Supportive parents, great friends, outstanding intelligence, and a head-turning appearance. She had all the things any person would dream of having. But there were two things missing... happiness and contentment.

The things that were supposed to make her happy turned into a double-edged sword; because she knew exactly how these things make another person suffer. Her source of happiness... is someone else's pain.

In a dark room, at night, a child could be crying during bedtime, wondering when the bruises on his skin would fade away. For a long time, he already considered them as substitute goodnight kisses from his parents. At school, he would look around, seeing smiles on his classmates' faces as they flock together in a circle of laughters. He'd be wondering how it feels like having friends before bumping into the big bully who always haunts his dreams.

But this bully has his own story too. The society considers him as a troublemaker, and he doesn't even know who he is without this label. If he stops becoming a menace, he'd be nothing. That's what his inner voice says.

"Here, do my homework!" he screams at the timid boy, wishing he was half as smart. If he was, no one would have considered him as a problematic child in the first place.

On the other side of the hall, a girl puts her head down, her hair tangled in front of her face. No one would believe she was having the same thoughts as the Queen Bee, "I wish I was prettier," their minds said in unison.

The Queen Bee will put on her make up to get complimented by many, yet ridiculed by some. "Slut" is what they call her and she can get those words out of her head, but never in her heart. "They're just envious of me," she whispered before starving herself, taking for granted how other children have nothing to eat.

Zeirenne understood it perfectly... how there's always the other side of the coin. Even the rounded moon has its dark side and she can remember getting punished by Miss Green after arguing that a circle has two sides, not none.

Her two year-old self came to realize this tragic reality by accident. And she was never the same happy-go-lucky kid ever since.

Now, she found herself stuck in the same cycle of this 'balancing equation' excusing nothing, not even this mountain. Behind its luscious green trees, a dark secret lingers around its people.

"How are the children? Are they doing fine?" She asked, trying to wriggle her way back to convincing the elder.

The elder laughed. "If I don't know you, I'd think you're only making excuses and actually wants to buy this mountain off. But I know you, I know your worries." The elder looked straight into her eyes, "You're worried about the plague aren't you?"

Zeirenne was surprised to hear the elder and she nodded mindlessly, "Yes. I'm sorry if it sounds wrong to you."

They gazed into the distance and were able to see how the preparations turned fun for everyone. Like a happy pill, they digested every smile, in preparation for a conversation that's completely distasteful and hard to swallow.

Mang Jose's eyes turned serious, "It's okay, for someone who studied science and every basic knowledge there is, I'm sure finding this superstition hard to believe is something natural."

For so many years, this mountain has been making its villagers suffer from an unknown disease. Zeirenne has been trying to open it for closer examination, but she knew their beliefs would never permit. And she respected them.

"No, Mang Jose. It's not that I don't believe in the deities who protect this mountain. There are so many things science can't explain, and I never turned my back on those spiritual beliefs. I believe in them but I believe in you more. That's why I'm having doubts. Everyone in this tribe roles on different works. You bond with nature greatly, take good care of the animals, never stain your surroundings with pollutants, and respect every living creature there is."

She looked into the eyes of the great elder with sincerity in her voice.

"But still, you're the only ones suffering from this plague. If I know the protectors of this area, there's no way they'll punish you for all your hardwork. You should be rewarded not punished."

The elder turned silent from this confession.

From a far distance, the town people started waving their hands for them to see. They both let a sigh out for relief and smiled at each other before walking back to everyone.

Upon stepping into the cooking circle, Zeirenne was greeted by the two men bearing plates of their own dishes. She stared at the wholesome lunches presented in front of her.

"You should eat." Both men said at the same time, and of course, the mountain didn't even have its own energy supply, but there were electrical wirings floating in the air.

Zeirenne scooped down on the steak for having a milder flavor than what Jin cooked. Her reasoning was as simple as that, not knowing how much the order of tasting mattered for both men.

"You must've won the hearts of many, but she tasted my food first." Andrei's expression said as much, and Jin could only grip the plate tighter.

1:1

"Interesting," she said, her eyes filled with amazement upon having a small cut of the steak. She never expected Andrei's cooking skills to be that of a professional's. With his very cold image, everyone will surely find this proficiency surprising.

Who would imagine this cold-hearted Lord Terzo preparing some warm meals? No one!

When it was her turn to taste Jin's dish, Zeirenne wondered why he was giving her some ice-cold stares as an appetizer. But when the food greeted her mouth with heavenly flavors, it tasted magnificent!—which she expected with a "meh" plastered on her face.

"Damn this guy for being so good at everything!" Her mind ranted before acting displeased as she set her spoon down, "Hmm. Interesting as well."

With her snarky remark, the cooking show concluded... in favor of Andrei.

1:2

The match didn't end there as both men went around the tribe doing all sorts of stuff while blinding the villagers with their strong competitive spirits. Zeirenne watched them without knowing the reason why they were both fired up; before walking away to find some time on her own.

Eventually, their countless pursuits ended with a tie:

50:50

Leaving the villagers free from a month's worth of chores.

. . .