Charmed by the Unseen

Chapter 14: Apparitions

"So you're going out with Keith now. Tell me Ally, what is going on between you two?" Excited na tanong ni Freya sakin habang nasa loob kami ng kwarto ko. "Kayo na ba?"

Agad kong naibuga ang tubig na iniinom ko. "What the heck Freya! Anong kami na? We're just friends okay? It's nothing special" depensa ko.

Totoo naman kasi. Keith and I had been going out together for two weeks now. Sinusundo niya ako sa bahay, we go to movies together, we hang out a lot pero hanggang dun lang yun. We're just plain friends.

"Ayt, that's so sad... I was hoping you would end up together. Don't you like him?"

"What?"

"Oh, stop acting like you didn't heard me!" Pinamewangan niya ako at umirap. "Keith, don't you like him? I mean he's a nice guy"

Humarap din ako kay Freya bago ibinaba ang baso sa side table. "I told you, we're just friends" I sighed. "Keith is a nice guy, I can see that. I look at him the same way I look at you and Brent. It just nothing special. I know he feels the same"

"Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"That you look at each other the same way?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Freya" Tinalikuran ko siya at humiga ako sa kama. "I already told you, nothing is going on between me and your cousin" I closed my eyes.

"Okay, kawawa naman pala si Keith" she mumbled.

Umupo ako sa kama at nagtatakang tinanong siya. "Anong sabi mo?"

"Wala" she smiled crazily. "Alis na'ko. Sasamahan ko pa si Brent sa bazzare nila"

I smiled when I thought of something. "Mukhang nagkakamabutihan na din kayo nung gago, ah!"

Freya's face distorted. "Ewww! Mukha no'n! Sasamahan ko lang siya kasi nagmakaawa siya sakin na tulungan siyang mag ayos dun sa bazzare nila. Palibhasa yang pinsan mo over confident sa sarili eh hindi naman pala kayang mag-isa. O siya, bago mo pa ako  gawan ng issue, alis na'ko. Bye! Love you!" She gave me a playful wink and flying kiss before going out of the door.

Lihim akong napatawa ng makaalis siya. Itong dalawa kong kaibigan. Hindi na lang aminin na may gusto sila sa isa't isa. Eh halatang halata naman eh. Kung wala si Freya, Brent talks too much about her. Tapos pagmagkaharap sila parang aso't pusa. Though I find it cute. Itong si Freya naman, kung makapagsalita about kay Brent kala mo diring-diri siya dun sa tao. Kunyari nagrarant eh ang totoo nagseselos lang naman siya sa dami ng babaeng nakakasama ng pinsan ko. Hindi naman nila sinasabi sa'kin ang totoo pero nakakahalata na ako. Sobrang obvious naman kasi eh. Dinedeny lang nilang dalawa. Kaya minsan napapagtripan ko silang inisin lalo na pag kaharap ko silang dalawa. Para kasing mga tanga eh! Gano'n ba talaga pag inlove? Parang engots?

Nawala ako sa iniisip ko ng mag ring phone ko. As expected, it was Keith.

[Keith] Are you free today? Wanna hang out?

"Sure! Where to?" I asked.

[Keith] a waterfall resort.

Waterfall...

The word instantly brought back a lot of memories. Memories I have tried to bury deep into the graves. At heto nanaman, it came back in just an instant. Napapikit ako. And I saw him. His brown eyes, his calm face smiling down at me as the water gushed around us. I felt his grip around my waist and I can hear his laughter.

"Juan Carlos..."

[Keith]: who?

I opened my eyes, realizing I was talking to someone over the phone.

"Huh? Wala! I said yeah sure. Just pick me up."

[Keith] okay, puntahan na lang kita.

Then he ended the call. Napahiga ulit ako sa kama. Why was I thinking of Juan Carlos again? No! This isn't right. I shouldn't be thinking of him. Dapat ko na siyang kalimutan. I gently hit my forehead, shaking the thought away pero hindi ko parin maalis ang presensya niya sa isip ko. I hope Dalikamata isn't responsible for making me think of her brother. Pero bakit niya naman gagawin yun? I'm sure gusto niya ring hindi na ako bumalik dun para maging tahimik na ang lahat.

I sighed. Makakalimutan ko rin siya. I just need to try harder.

I got up and started packing my things para sa lakad namin ni Keith. I just brought my essentials and some clothes incase mag decide kaming mag overnight doon. After taking a shower and getting dressed, narinig ko ng may nag doorbell. I did my finishing touch at lumabas na ako ng kwarto, dala-dala ang backpack ko.

Keith was already in the living room when I got down. My mom already knew that Keith is a friend of mine at hindi naman violent naging reaction niya nung ipakilala ko si Keith. I made it clear to her na wala akong gusto sa pinsan ni Freya and wala rin siyang gusto sa'kin.

Pero since my dad died, my mom had been nicer to me. Hindi na siya naging strict masyado kaya nakakag liwaliw na ako pero of course, kailangan alam niya parin ang mga ganap sa buhay ko. At yun nga mas naging marami ang kaibigan ko kasi allowed na akong lumabas.

"Hey" I greeted.

Keith smiled at me ng makita niya ako. He looked good in his black shirt, blackpants and black jacket. "Shall we?" He asked.

I nodded at nagpaalam na kami kay mommy na marami ang bilin. Of course, she's still Stella Herrera, my over protective mom.

Sumakay kami sa kotse ni Keith and he drive all the way to Laguna. Nakatulog ako sa boung biyahe kaya hindi na namalayan ang oras. Then I had a dream.

I was on that beach. The very beach where we first met. He was sitting on that same rock with the same calm expression and a stick on his hands. His eyes were fixed on the sea, his hair dancing with the waves and he looked as handsome as ever. I was there in front on him, watching him as he faced the sea.

Then slowly he turned to me, slightly smiling.

"Juan Carlos..." I whispered, my heart fluttering inside me.

He stood up and slowly walked towards  my direction. Saka ko lang napansin kong ano ang mali. At each step he's appearance was changing. His smile faded and his expression turned sad. His clothes changed into tatters, his hair was a mess. Then I saw bruishes on his face, blood on the side of his lips. He was a feet infront of me now, body filled with wounds, bruishes and soaked in red blood. Halos hindi ko na siya makilala. A tear fell from his eyes.

"Ally, wala ka ng magagawa. Mangyayari ang dapat mangyari"

I gasped. Gulat akong napalingon sa paligid ko.

"Are you okay?" Tanong na Keith na nabigla din sa inasal ko.

"Wala, naniginip lang ako" I managed a smile. Bumenta naman kay Keith ang sinabi ko kaya hindi niya na ako kinulit.

"Get some drink" he said, eyes still fixed on the road. "Malapit na tayo" he smiled.

I wiped my forehead and neck. Pinagpawisan ako ng malamig. Ano ba yun? Bakit ganun ang paniginip ko? Hanggang sa makarating kami sa resort hindi na yun  nawala sa isipan ko.

Keith brought me to a beautiful waterfall resort. Agad kaming nagbayad to get a cottage. Nang makapasok, agad kong nakalimutan ang bumabagabag na panaginip ko ng makita ko ang ganda ng lugar. It was a lovely waterfall na ginawang swimming pool ang ibaba ng binabagsakang tubig. Malalaki at mayayabong ang puno at may napakaraming bougainvilla na nakatanim sa paligid na iba't iba ang kulay. Ang mga cottage ay sobrang cute na animo'y bahay ng duwende. Ang mga bato din dun sa talon ay painted ng iba't ibang kulay.

Sa baba ng cottage namin kung saan naroon ang pool na attached sa mismong tubig ng talon, maraming tao ang naliligo at nagtatampisaw. May part din mababaw lang para sa mga bata kaya safe talaga. May mga lifeguards din na nakaabang incase magkaroon ng emergency. It was a haven.

I changed into my bikini at bumalik na ako sa cottage namin wearing an orange flowy dress to top it off. Dumating na rin yung food na inorder na Keith para sa amin. Umupo ako sa tapat niya.

"Wow! Ang dami naman nito!" I said, checking out the delicious dishes he had ordered. "Akala mo naman isang batalyon kakain ah"

He grinned. "Like you, it's my first time here too so inorder ko na lahat so I wouldn't miss the best dish"

"Sana pala isinama natin yung dalawang kupal. Mga buraot yun eh" I laughed. Brent would love this! Ang takaw kaya nun.

"Maybe next time. If you won't mind focusing on me for the moment" ngumiti siya ng nakakaloko. Ilang araw niya na akong binabanatan ng ganyan pero tinatawanan ko lang.

Kung iba lang ang tatanongin, they would think Keith and I have something special. Freya always insists that we would be an adorable couple. But it seems to much to me. And besides Keith never told he likes me. He's joking around everytime but I know it's nothing serious. We were just comfortable with each other but it's never beyond that.

Sa dami ng inorder niya, isa lang ang talagang nakakuha ng atensiyon ko. Ang buko salad. Gosh! This is everything. Sa sobrang takaw ko sa dessert na yun inagaw ko pa yung kay Keith. Natatawa niya namang ibinigay yun sa akin after naming magtalo sandali.

I grinned victoriously as I ate his dessert. Hindi naman siya nag react at hinayaan lang ako.

"Let's take a dip when you're done" alok niya.

Tumango lang ako habang nilalasap parin ang sarap ng buko salad. Tumawa si Keith bigla.

"Remind me to buy you a lot of buko salad before we drive back to Manila"

Ganun ba ako katakaw? Pero infairness, natuwa ako sa proposal niya kaya go! Mabubuhay ako basta maraming buko.

Bumaba na kami sa cottage after kumain and we went straight into the pool. Hindi kasi allowed maligo dun sa mismong talon kaya they created this pool kung saan ang tubig nito ay galing lang din doon. I took off my dress and took a dive. Sumunod din sa akin Keith.

The water felt relaxingly cold, taking all my stress and problems away. I swam around, enjoying the current on my skin. May ilang bata din naglalaro sa kabilang pool na para sa mga bata. Ng mapagod, umupo ako sa may malapit sa hagdanan ng pool at sumandal sandali. My body felt soothed and my mind felt calm and relieved of all my worries. I sighed. Nature really has it's way of calming me down. Keith swam towards my direction at tinabihan ako sa inuupoan ko, nakalubog ang kalahati ng katawan sa tubig.

"This place is perfect" I told him as I glanced at the waterfall behind us.

"It has always been perfect" he whispered. "Yet still unnoticed"

Lumingon ako sa kanya, nakakunot ang noo. Pinagsasasabi nito?

He smiled thinly. "Don't mind it. Halika na"

And he pulled me into the water again. Wala na akong nagawa at hinayaan na lang siyang hugutin ang mga kamay ko. Binitiwan niya rin naman ako ng bumagsak ako sa tubig. Lumangoy siya palayo so hinabol ko siya. He went to the other side of the pool. I decided na ilubog ang sarili ko sa tubig then I felt his arms gripped me upwards pero ng ibuka ko ang mga mata ko. I saw a different person.

He stared down at me, eyes strong and piercing, eyelashes thick and curved. His luscious peach lips slowly curved to form a sweet smile. His face, flawless like they've always been.

"Juan Carlos?"

"Ally..." he whispered back.

My heart pounded heavily. No, this can't be true! He isn't real! I smudged my eyes. But when I opened it again, it was him! It was still Juan Carlos standing infront of me.

"What's going on? No, you're not real... You're not real, are you?" I squeaked and closed my eyes.

"Hey" I felt someone shake me. I opened my eyes and saw Keith staring down at me, worried. "What's wrong Ally?"

Lumingon ako, wala si Juan Carlos. It was Keith. I was with Kieth. Namamalikmata lang siguro ako. "No, I-I'm fine." Agad akong umahon sa tubig dahil nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang lamig. Tinulungan ako ni Keith na makaahon mula sa tubig. He grabbed my robe and wrapped it around me. When my feet hit the damp ground, that was when I saw her. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

Behind Keith, a dark mist slowly appeared shaping itself into my darkest nightmares. Dahan-dahang nabuo ang imahe ng isang babae. Matangkad siya, maputi at maganda. But her aura is dark, full of hate and cruelty. Her dark wavy hair moved along the wind. Her dark dress was like a part of the mist, making her seem to float. Her fiery eyes were fixed on one person- me. Nang mapagtanto ko kung sino siya, ninais kong sumigaw pero nawalan ako ng kakayahang gumalaw o magsalita.

Paulit ulit kong naririnig ang tawag ni Keith pero napako ang mga mata ko kay Maguayen. An evil smirk slowly formed on her dark lips as a new image formed infront of me.

Lahat ng mga balahibo ko sa katawan ay nagsitayuan. Tila nasemento ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Ang kaba sa aking dibdib ay halos wala ng mapaglagyan. Nakita ko kung sino ang babaeng nabuo sa kawalan. Ako. Nakita ko ang sarili ko. I was kneeling infront of Maguayen, battered and bloody. I was crying and begging in front of the goddess.

"Ally!" Keith's voice echoed in my head. He made me face him and locked eyes with me. "What's wrong?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot at nilingon ko ulit si Maguayen. Pero wala na siya roon. Wala na.

"God, you're trembling" sambit ni Keith ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I-I want to go home..."I muttered. "Let's go home"

Hiniwakan ni Keith ang magkabilang kamay ko. He stared at me with full concern. "Magpalit kana. Aayusin ko lang ang mga gamit natin para makauwi tayo agad"

Nanatili akong tulala sa biyahe pabalik ng Manila. I feel sick. Hindi ko maintindihan kong ano. I just want to go home immediately. Tanong ng tanong si Keith kanina kung okay lang ako at puro tango lang ang sagot ko sa kanya. Wala akong ganang magsalita. Kaya nung makarating kami sa bahay, pumasok ako agad. Keith helped me get my things inside the house. Nabigla pa si mommy ng makita kami. She thought I would be gone overnight. I told her I'm not feeling well at agad na akong nagpaalam kay Keith.

"I'm really sorry this has to end like this"

Tumango lang siya at ngumiti. "Ally, I don't mind. Pagaling ka ah"

I smiled thinly at him at nagpaalam na siya sa'kin at kay mommy. Dumeretso ns ako sa loob ng kwarto ko pagkatapos nun. I need to rest pero nag alangan akong matulog at baka managinip nanaman ako ng masama.

All this time, sinusundan parin ako ng presensya ni Maguayen. At si Juan Carlos? Ano kayang nangyari sa kanys? Okay lang ba siya? Bakit ganun ang panaginip ko? Anong ibig sabihin no'n?

Bigla akong kinabahan.  Parang may mali. At kailangan kong malaman kong ano yun. Pero hindi dito. Hindi sa lugar na ito masasagot ang mga tanong ko.

Tumayo ako at kinuha ang maleta ko. I need to know everything. And I mean EVERYTHING...