Materialize
1620 Words
Lucio spent the whole night wide awake. He did not waste a second making sure the twins were safe.
"Dad!" Charm called in a low tone, trying not to disturb his sleeping brother.
"What is it, Honey?" Lucio asked.
"I will look after you and Lucky. You should go to sleep." Charm said, feeling concerned about his father.
"No, Daddy should be the one protecting you. Don't worry about me, I can get some sleep later when the sun is up." He replied.
"I couldn't go back to sleep," says Charm.
"Why?" he asks.
"What is happening to us, Daddy?" he murmured.
"It's normal that we get sick, but what is more important is that we do not leave each other behind. We take care of each other. Fortune is going to be okay," he said confidently.
He sang him some lullabies until he fell back to sleep.
"It's five in the morning," he whispered when he checked the clock.
He remembers the things that the shaman needed. He thought it was safe this time to start looking. He jumped off the bed and took the lobby from the kitchen to the field. He is going to the farm hoping he can find some. He bought a phone for easy contact with the shaman. He called him up. He did not inform anyone at the mansion about today's activity.
"Is there something like black ginger and pure black chicken? Really?" he confirmed.
He would need black ginger, pure black chicken, black cloth, and a black candle. All of these can be fun and crazy for someone like him who does not understand their purpose.
"Yes, you can find them in the suburbs like on a farm. Bring them to me on Thursday," the Shaman commanded.
Today was Tuesday, so he still had time.
"I got it! Thanks," he replied gladly.
He was thinking about whether this person had gotten some rest. It seemed like he was available at all times. He was taking the rough path on his way to the farm. He took the tractor with him. It took him almost ten minutes to get to the farm entrance. It was open. It looks like people on the farm are beginning to work. He saw a middle-aged man approaching.
"Good morning, Young Master! What can I do for you?" the man greeted him.
He barely knows everybody on the farm, but they recognize him. He responds with a friendly smile. The man opened the gate for him. He looks ready for the whole day of work.
"Hi! Can I get your name?" he replied, trying to get to know the person he was talking to.
"I am Fred, the new manager." He introduced himself and offered a handshake.
"Nice meeting you Fred. When did you start working here?" he asked.
"Three months ago, Young Master. What brought you here to the farm?" the man replied.
He thought that this was the perfect opportunity for newbies like him who tend to become a pleaser, at getting their employer's recognition and trust. He has to take even the littlest chance because he can help him.
"I wonder what we have here on the farm. By any chance, do we have black ginger and pure black chickens?" he asks.
"I wasn't sure but I can help you search for it. Where do you need this for?" Fred inquired.
"I need it for my health. A friend told me that they can be a cure. I guess I am trying," he explained with a bit of hesitation.
"Okay, let me show you around. Let's see what we have here," the man told him.
It was a while since he visited the farm. Due to his busy schedule, he didn't get a chance to enter and explore the freshness of the place. The green and the fresh air are just everywhere. There are lots of plants such as fruit-bearing trees and vegetables, even the livestock are highly maintained and organized. This has been his Dad's favorite hobby. Fred approached an old woman to ask about what he was looking for. He talked to him in his native language. She bowed down her head when she noticed his presence as a sign of respect. They were talking while Lucio was just listening while observing his surroundings. The woman was saying something while shaking her head.
"Young Master, we do not have the things that you are looking for. Sister Imelda says it was not allowed by the Head Master. They offered to cultivate and grow them before, but the boss doesn't want them on his farm," Fred explained.
Lucio sighed in despair. What is happening around him is strengthening the Shaman's suspicions about his father. He is just giving him the benefit of the doubt.
"Thanks, do you have any recommendations about where I can find them?" he asks for help.
"Let me call my friend from the other farm. Maybe she has them. Can you wait and hold on for me?" says Fred.
"Sure, please take your time," he answered.
He waited in the small nipa hut that serves as a resting place for all farm workers. After a while, Fred gets back to him.
"My friend says you can take a look at his place. He thinks he has them but you can check it out to make sure," Fred said.
"Alright, please give me the address." He commanded.
"If you can wait for me, I can accompany you." Fred offered some help.
"Sure, thanks! I will be back to pick you up. I just need to get ready. Wait for me here," he instructed.
He ran back to the mansion and straight to his room. Changed his attire and took his car out of the garage. But before that, he takes a glance at the twins who are still asleep. He bid goodbye silently and left. Fred was waiting for him.
"How long have you been waiting?" he said.
"Not that long. Let's go," Fred answered and took the front seat next to him.
It took them almost an hour before they reached their destination. They found themselves in the mountainous part of the province.
"Thank you for joining me here. Without you, I am going nowhere." Lucio said.
He was grateful for Fred's kindness.
"I am just doing my job. You are my Boss. Besides, I know how far this place was. That is why I offered to give you a company," he answered.
They were waiting outside the farm and there was a woman walking in the distance. She smiled when she recognized Fred as she opened the gate made of bamboo. The place was fenced by woods and bamboo.
"Welcome to my place. I'm glad you have arrived safely," the woman said.
"Your farm has improved a lot. The last time I came here was five years ago if I am right," says Fred.
"I think so!" she replied.
It's almost lunch when they arrive. She took them to her tiny place. It was refreshing because of the scenic view. It is on the top of the hill surrounded by plants and other animals. She has free-range chickens around the corner.
"I bet these are the ones you are looking for. I prepared them right after I got your call," the woman said.
"Wow! Great thanks! I forgot to introduce my boss. His name is Lucio Moreau, my new boss." Fred introduced him to the kind lady.
She smiled mysteriously and he nodded to acknowledge. He learned that Fred and this woman used to be neighbors. She carries the name, Aida.
"Tell me if they are what you have been searching for," Aida declared.
She then shows the black chickens in the cage and a few black ginger cuttings. He holds them to examine. He feels right about these two.
"How much do I owe you?" he asked.
"You don't have to pay me. I know what this was for. You needed help and so I am helping you out. They are free," she says.
"Thanks, but I couldn't accept without paying for them. You worked hard to sustain them, please accept!" he said, declining her free give-aways.
She was handing her a total of three chickens and almost one kilo of black ginger.
"I am accepting nothing. Just bring them home, I still have plenty of them. You can grow some of it," says Aida.
"I thank you so much! How can I pay you back?" Lucio replied.
He was feeling fulfilled, now that he only had a few to look for.
"You do not owe anything. I hope that they can really help you, that's all." She stated positively.
"What do you mean? Do you know their purpose?" Lucio asks.
"They are instruments for communicating and fighting with evil spirits. My grandma never ran out of stocks. She reared them for that reason," she explained.
"How true was that?" he intrigued.
"Very true. I was once a victim but was saved by them. Do not let your doubts overpower your will. Believe it, so you can be cured. I wish you good luck!" Aida said.
"Thanks! I appreciate all the help." His answer.
"You are always welcome! You already know my place, anytime you can come back here," She stated.
She prepared lunch for them and she did not accept no as an answer. So, they joined them for lunch. That's the only time that she allowed them to go.
He felt stronger and more optimistic after that. He texted the shaman to meet him so they could talk further about the case and to surrender the black chickens and the black ginger for their future use.
- Writer
