Wisps of light streaked through the night sky, standing silent witness to a sight both strange and not: a daughter of moonlight and a son of man sitting across from each other. Curiosity filled the fireflies and they flew closer to the pair to hear.
“I saw you yesterday.”
“Did you?”
“You were dancing in the moonlight.”
“I didn’t think anyone was watching.”
“I almost forgot how beautiful you were.”
“Don’t do this.”
“You were flickering between the moonbeams, moving through the light. I wanted to say hello, but in a moment, you were gone.”
“I needed to go back.”
“That’s what you told me before.”
“It was as true then as it is now. This was a mistake.”
“Just tell me one thing. Was it worth it?”
“Was it worth what?”
“You and me?”
“….”
“Look at me, please. We promised each other that we’d be honest.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“But you still remember.”
“…”
“Please?”
“Yes. It was.”
“You can’t mean that. Don’t you remember how things were? It was just you and me—“
“Are you so blind that you couldn’t see what was happening? There was no way things could have continued.”
“We were in love.”
“You were dying.”
“…”
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s the way things are. If one of us falls in love with one of you—“
“It will end.”
“It always ends.”
“Could you stay, just for a little while?”
“I can do that.”
Light streaked from the direction of the pair. The fireflies knew that the daughter of moonlight heard them eavesdropping, but they didn’t care. They flew to the skies and danced with their lights, telling a story of loss and love to anyone that would take the time to hear it.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the Engkanto description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.
Engkanto Illustration by Pia BMorante