A Lake of Stars

A Lake of Stars
by Marjorie N. Cocjin

Created: O6/20/08
Edited by: Elizabeth Santiago

The girl was scared of the night, so she always made sure she had gathered all the malunggay she needed before the sun had set. Going home one day she saw another girl named Duyan, who was on her way to the malunggayan. The two stopped to chat and pretty soon it got very dark. The little girl said she had to go home and off she went, without saying goodbye.


The next day they met again and the little girl was very happy. She was glad that Duyan was not mad, but Duyan asked why she ran away so fast. “It’s because it was getting dark.” The little girl explained. “I hate the dark.” Duyan frowned and shook her head. Night was a wonderful time. The earth cooled off for a restful slumber and many frightened creatures were able to go out at night.


“I didn’t think of it that way,” The little girl said. Duyan asked if the little girl was willing to come with her at night to the malunggayan. “I’m scared,” Said the little girl. “The monsters might get me.” Duyan laughed and said that most likely, the monsters would be scared of her.


So the two girls decided to meet at the same spot the next day, one hour later than they usually did. Scared but excited, the little girl went home and told her mother what had happened. The mother breathed in deeply, and later on smiled, and gave the little girl a little handkerchief, so that she could wear it the next night. The little girl was delighted and took the handkerchief in her hands, noticing how soft the cloth was, as if it was very old.


The next night the little girl and Duyan met up, with the little girl wearing her handkerchief in her hair. Duyan noticed the handkerchief and touched it. She said that the handkerchief was very pretty. The little girl was pleased, and asked Duyan if she wanted to try it on. Duyan shook her head and said that it was alright. They held hands as they walked towards the malunggayan. It was very dark and the little girl was very scared.


“I’m very scared,” said the little girl, and clutched Duyan’s hand tighter.


Duyan said that the night could not hurt them, it was just their fear working against them. The night was actually very beautiful. If you would care to look, Duyan whispered, the moon is very pale and luminous tonight. The stars have come out to play in the pearly moon light.


“There are pearls in the sky?” The little girl asked, pressing her body close to Duyan as she stared hard at the ground.


One pearl and many crystals, Duyan said. Look up high, little girl, look now to the sky.


And the little girl looked up and saw many things, many pretty things, which made her sigh, then cry a little. Cold fireflies cavorted and danced in the darkened Forever. For some reason, the little girl saw lovely dreams in the night.


“I feel like everything is possible.” Breathed the little girl. "I feel I can dream again." The west wind smiled warmly at that murmur as it passed her by.


Everything is possible. Everything is possible tonight. Duyan smiled sadly at the little girl’s upturned face. The unruly strands of copper hair brushed against the kerchief's lace.


They had arrived at the malunggayan. Their small hands held tight to each other as they walked, their faces caressed by the moon-lit night. The sky drifted peacefully on the lake beside the malunggayan, and for the little girl, it seemed as if the heavenly dance had come down to earth to meet her. She bent down towards the water and touched the still surface. The fallen stars rippled brilliantly across the lake in welcome.


“I feel so happy now.” Said the little girl.


After a long moment, the girl turned her eyes away from beauty and looked at Duyan. Duyan was pale in the moonlight, and very cold to the touch, most likely from the brisk, September night. Duyan reached out to touch the girl’s hand. “I will love you, to the end of time," Her voice hoarse.


“You will remember me,” Said the little girl with sorrow. But then she smiled and took off her handkerchief, a pretty, checkered thing of red and white. “I am not afraid of the dark anymore. Give this to my mama. I will love her forever.”


“Goodbye little girl, goodbye.”

And with a sad little smile, the little girl finally went into the lake to rest peacefully where she died.