As True as Love can Be (Chapter Five)

She walked towards a boiling dark mass of swiveling stars and galaxies. Her dazzling white cloak lit up the grim surrounding. Yet her beauty shone, even her cloak paled in comparison. Some say she was the Moon-lady. Others simply thought that they were hallucinating.

The place was dark and dusty. Asteroids marred the surface. The moon, is not plainly a natural satellite nor a planet counterweight to Earth, it is also the Solace of Fate. Where tides and eclipses are dutifully controlled. Where the fate of the Earth and its inhabitants are crafted and sewn. And the dark mass is the remnants of a previous time and space.

Destiny stared at the dark mass. She waited patiently.

A man, dressed in a black suit and wore black gloves, came nearer to Destiny. “My Sister. Why feel sad for a mortal? I have done my part and they will walk their paths.”

“My sadness comes from my regret. I should not have come back here.”

“The Solace of Fate has for several hundred years missed your beauty. And I increasing find my work getting harder. You did your job and I did my work. Yet, they often do not coincide to a single goal.”

“Goal? What goal you speak of? The experiment has already ended. They have left us. All we can do is to fulfil our duties till the end of the world.”

“Bah! End of the world? When will that come, even Fate knows not.”

“I have traded my anger and bitterness for a foolish act. I hope you undo their fates.”

“I have a goal to achieve, lady. A grandiose vision that I seek. That man that you cannot love, is merely a tool. That man does not deserve to be the crack in our brethren relationship. I need you, Destiny. I need your strength and power to aid me. If you agree, I will gladly revert everything back to normal.”

“Brother, please speak of the goal you say.”

“Nay, for that price is your tongue. To hold it and to seal it. My secret is far too precious to spill a single drop. Commit to me, promise me and give me your tongue. Yet, chronos is still on my side, I bestowed the luxury of time and space for your mind to weight the issues. I will advise of your haste in decision. Once they get married and have children, all is done and all is to be lay down. Changes, then, will only make them more miserable.”

The discussion was abruptly disrupted by a long sigh. Cannosa, in his red battle-top, laughed. The laughter was of a mockery. The laughter was of a reminder. The laughter was of a disappointment.

“So the Great Destiny turned her head towards the Elusive Fate, bowing and begging. Isn’t it ironical, my dear Lady of Wisdom and Craft?”

“No bowing nor begging, but a return of favour and an end to an enmity, my dear Lord of Seeking.”

“What insolence. How dare you barge into the Solace of Fate? Love, you are merely a lesser forgotten one, what right you have in my palace?”

“Does it matter? Who are you to speak all these? Fate, you have disrupted the nature. You have abused your powers and responsibilities. As for Destiny, I have seen you finally. A pathetic soul who will stop at nothing to win. I’ve lost. I’ve lost. I’ve lost. True Love has lost out to Crafts and Spuns. Why bother find your True One, when the Great Destiny and the Elusive Fate can simply conjure and weave a relationship. There is no need for True Love on Earth.” The last sentence echoed throughout the desolated Lunar Palace.

Chapter Five: Am I dreaming?

“Destiny, you are right. That Cannosa is a JERK. He never showed up. He never log onto MSN anymore. He didn’t care about me. It was all a joke. A painful one. He lifted me so high. He gave me wings. And in the end, I fell and hurt myself too badly.”

Destiny looked away. Her guilt strangled her.

“But, I guess True Love can be found through such strange fate. If Cannosa never asked me to that restaurant, I would not have gone there. If Cannosa never stood me up, I would not have flared up and...” Sahx paused. She smiled so sweetly. Her pale cheeks slightly blushed. “And he probably never would have chased after me. Fate is such an elusive thing.”

Destiny, for the first time in her recent memories, felt sad. Her heart wrangled with penitence. Her heart yelled for a lighter burden. Yet, this compunctious burden kept holding her culpable for all these. She has indirectly altered the lives of two people. No, it was three, including Sahx’s True Love. They almost met. The lone guy who sat two tables away from her.

The lone guy, although huge in size, appeared dowdy, he is a man of pure heart. He noticed Sahx when she entered the restaurant. Something in him yanked him so hard. It was her, that lone guy’s heart tugged. He knew somehow, one day, they will be holding hands and strolling on the beachside by the setting sun. He knew he had to take care of her. He knew he had to console her. She was sad, he observed. It was apparent she was waiting for somebody, yet that somebody never came. He wanted to hit that somebody. How can he not turn up? He wanted to chase after her when she cried and ran out of the restaurant, yet, another guy has done so. Very well, he thought. Somethings are just not meant to be. He sipped on his cola. Someone patted him on his shoulders. It was a stranger. It was as if that stranger knew his heart. He smiled back.

“Destiny. Destiny, is something on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“As I was saying fate is a funny thing. I never would have thought that my dreams and imaginations came true. Cedric was there throughout the night with me. He consoled me. His words are soothing. The moon was high. I thought I saw you on the moon. Anyway, the wind was cool. And he was there beside me. We chatted the whole the night through. I got to know more about him. He is such a thoughtful guy.”

“Maybe he is just doing his part as a friend. To console you when you are down. To lend a shoulder for your crying tears.”

“No. I feel it. It was different. His eyes stared into mine. I think he has something for me. I am so happy yet so confuse. Everything is coming true. Am I dreaming?”

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For many days, Sahx was with Cedric. Breakfast, tutorials, lectures, seminars, lunch and sometimes dinner. Sahx offered to study with Cedric. Cedric didn’t turn her down. Sahx asked Cedric out for movies. Cedric didn’t turn her down.

For that few days, Sahx had long forgotten about Cannosa.

She never visited her little world anymore.

In her mind was Cedric. Things were looking better for the two of them. Cedric never teased her and Sahx could spend a lot of time with him. Sahx could not know if there was love between them. It felt different. The love was pretty dry. It could not be considered love at all, if any. She wanted to ask. She felt confused. She remembered about Destiny.

She called Destiny. “Hello, Destiny. I’m sorry that I am calling after so many days. I need someone to talk to. And the first person I thought of is you.”

“Its fine. Shall we meet at TCC at Taka?” Destiny was already there when Sahx called. She sipped on her hot café latte. She missed him. If only he was here. If only he did not leave like the rest did.

She pondered on a lot of things.

She mocked herself. She used her past as a tool for negotiation. In the end, she felt wretched. The exchange was not worth it. She still hated Fate for altering the course of Sang Nila Utama’s life.

Bauna, the name she remembered and held dear, was supposed to be the heir to the kingdom of Srivijaya. At least that was the bet between Fate and Death, that the prince shall inherit the kingdom. Yet, Death intervened and brought the ruling King, the father of the prince, to the underworld. Fate sent the prince fleeing Sumatra and he altered the wind and tides to bring the prince to another place. Death wanted to claim the prince as price. Fate insisted that as long as the prince is not dead, the prince will one day build a kingdom, whose foundation will be strong and stable. Death threatened to take the life of the prince. Destiny intervened and gave Death a promise. Destiny saw in the eyes of the prince a strength, a fire and an attraction. She loved him on first sight. He was probably her True Love and the Only One, she guessed. She blessed the land they founded. Yet, Fate altered the prince’s life. The prince was to be King. But a King the prince never be. He died and became a legend. Destiny was heartbroken. She blamed Fate. She hated Fate. She left the Solace of Fate and swore to never return.

She was bitter. She was tired. She wanted to stop her work but she was bound to the promise to Death. What was the purpose of their existence? At least, the humans exist to die. They? They are the forgotten ones. Death has no power over them.

As she sank into a vortex of chronic depression and thoughts, a cheery voice broke the solemn mood. “Destiny. You are in deep thoughts again.” Sahx took her seat and ordered ice chocolate.

“Care to share your thoughts? I have been sharing mine with you. It is only fair if you should tell me yours.” Sahx’s innocence made Destiny smile, yet at the same time, Destiny fell deeper into remorse.

“I’m afraid you cannot contain my worries.”

“But you can surely contain my worries. Ha. Destiny, I am confused. I don’t know if Cedric and I have any “love”. He goes out with me. He talks to me. He is like a boyfriend, except for the holding hand part. He SMSes me goodnight. All these are so sweet. Yet, I still feel strange. This love feels strange.”

“Sahx, you have to understand that love is more than being together. It is being apart. Love is more than balancing or unbalancing the equation. It is letting the equation fall naturely into place. I was so shallow about love. I was wrong about Love. I was wrong all these while.”

“Is there anything wrong? Destiny, you have been acting weird lately.”

“Nothing is wrong. Sahx, I just want you to know yourself more. Even if Cedric really likes you, you must be true to yourself. Do you love him or do you love the love you’ve created for you and for him. Be fair to yourself. I have to go. I will no longer be coming to school. Take care of yourself. Bye.” Destiny left behind a shocked Sahx.

Just as better things are coming true for Sahx, things never looked beaker and darker.

Over the next few days, she heard comments that she rather not hear about.

“That Sahx, who do she think she is? Ha. A toad lusting after the swan.” These are the better ones.

She hated herself. She knew it was impossible between Cedric and her. Yet, her fiercer side encouraged her to hold onto Cedric, she might never find such a guy again. She felt painful. Her fiercer side scorned her, no pain, no gain. She felt confused. There is no confusion. There is only this fact. Cedric and Sahx are very close. She felt insulted by the mean comments. They are only jealous. Jealousy always turn ugly. Sahx felt better. It must be jealousy.

Destiny was no where to be found. Sahx did not make the effort to try to contact her anyway. She spent all her time with Cedric, as if to make up for the lost time. She felt happy just to being with Cedric. Happy. Really happy. Really, really happy. Happy?









(Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to anyone or anything dead or alive is really a freak coincidence. The story is fast approaching to an end. The ending is important. Is True Love forever erased from the face of the Earth? Cedric and Sahx, will they live happily ever after or will their lives once more be altered? Find out more in the last few chapters.




Ask the mortal world, What love is to be?
It only binds those in Death and Life.
Of the south and north the pair shall fly,
Where shall they die?

Happiness is sweet,
Separation is bitter,
Yet only the ones in love know it true.

You have the answer,
Yet to the distant clouds your eyes have scrolled.
Of the many mountains capped with snow,
Where the lonely shadow shall go?

“You are finally back. Come try my soup. I hope it’s still the same.”

“My lady, you have aged, yet your grace still shines. Many have turned to your soup just to plain forget about their mortal lives. I too hope of it, yet, I am no mortal.”)