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“I knew you I’d find you here”
Years of fighting with the looming destruction from the drunn made Namaari tense up as she turned ready to fight, only to find the smiling Princess of Heart leaning against the entryway to the Dragon’s Sanctuary. Namaari relaxed and turned away from Raya looking at the altar in silence.
“You’re missing the banquet you know. Chief Virana asked if I could come find you” Raya spoke as she walked up to the Fang Princess.
“This is where it all started… and where it all fell apart.” Namaari said in a whisper. She turned and faced Raya her… friend… no she didn’t deserve that. Not after what she had done.
“Hey… why do you look so glum? It’s over now. The Drunn are gone, the dragons are back and our people are united again.” Raya said as she placed her hand on Namaari’s shoulder. The taller of the two stepping away.
“Namaari? What’s wrong?” Raya said, worry evident in her tone. Namaari just stared at her hands.
“I… I never really apologized… for what I did all those years ago…” Namaari looked up to Raya with guilt painting her face. Raya tried her best to comfort her.
“It’s okay, Namaari, it’s—“ Namaari cut her off.
“No… I… I need to say this.” Raya closes her mouth and nods for Namaari to continue.
“I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I just wanted to do what was best for my people, we thought the people of heart wanted the blessing from the Dragons all for themselves.” Namaari shakes her head.
“But we were wrong, the people of Heart were just trying to protect everyone. I was a kid, I know that isn’t an excuse, but I wanted to protect my people too. I was faced with a choice and I chose to ruin the world.” Namaari’s voice cracked as tears fell from her eyes and fell to her knees.
“I’m sorry, Raya, none of this should have happened. People wouldn’t have suffered, lost the people in their lives. I divided this land further than it was already. I…” Namaari looks up.
“I took your life away. All those years… I saw my mother turned to stone and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t… I didn’t think all these years how it was for you.” Namaari bent down and hugged herself, trying to seem so small.
“I’m sorry, Raya, I’m so sorry” Namaari’s voice sounded so low, almost a whisper.
Raya kneeled in front of her placing her hands on her cheeks and looked her in the eyes. Raya felt her heart break at the look in Namaari’s eyes, full of guilt and shame. She gave a small smile, tears also welling up in her eyes. Raya might not say it but hearing an apology after all these years, made the tightness in her chest loosen. Raya opened her mouth to speak.
“But you made it whole again, Namaari, don’t forget that. We make mistakes, I know for certain I’ve made quite a bit too.” Raya holds Namaari’s hands.
“But we learned from it, we made sure to look at it and grow. I know that things aren’t so black and white, and that this guilt won’t just go away, but…” Raya wipes a tear from Namaari’s cheek.
“Know that I trust you and that I trust in our people too. That we can move forward to a better future for everyone.” Namaari stared at Raya looking for any form of deceit, but all she saw was a smile. Raya really did trust her, maybe… she can trust in her too, that everything was going to be okay. She leans forward and hugs her sobbing into her shoulder as Raya gently soothed her. She was right the guilt might last for a long time, but in this new world she might finally find that peace.
They stayed like that for a long time. When the sobs finally ceased, they pulled away Raya with a smile and Namaari wiping away tears.
“I must look a mess” Namaari sniffled. Raya just chuckles.
“Don’t worry, Dep’la , no one will find out the great and mighty Fang Princess is a big crybaby” Namaari playfully shoved Raya, and they both laughed. Raya stood up reaching out her hand for Namaari.
“Come on, we’re missing prime sour mangoes back at the banquet if we’re late the Onggi’s might finish all the bagoong ” she said as Namaari takes her hand.
The women finally stepped out of the sanctuary together after all those years.