The Last Moon

Chapter 8: Acacia Tree

At the mountain in front of the blazing fire, Apong Estrella prays while facing the moonlight. Her followers hum the same song as they pray for the bountiful harvest and for the gift of healing, the song was dedicated to the almighty God the creator, to the Moon and to the land. As the people sing and play the song with their instrument the old women dance uplifting the elements forming a sacred circle that would open the mystical gates from above to accept the power of healing. Both men and women play a role in the rhythmic movements of the moon dance, while the men keep the fire burning and the music alive, the women chants and perform the rhythmic movement of the warrior dance. This tradition has been passed down for many generations, the song tells a story of the seven creatures created and how they came to life and share the unity of living in one sky and one Earth.

Though it was just a story or a song in the ears of a normal human, for the Babaylans (Shamans) it is their origin and their guide of knowing their ancestors and the other creatures that sometimes come for their aide. The Babaylan believe the existence of spirits and other creatures and sometimes they come for help and they also ask for help from them. Most of their healing powers are believed to be given by Battala and the Goddess.

While the ceremony plays, Apong Estrella looks at the moon and remember the events this morning.

Apong Estrella's POV

It's been a tiring day with all the sick people we are meeting but this day was entirely different, the young Thalon came to visit, which he doesn't do unless it is something important. At the same time, I felt one of the powerful spirits which I just heard as a story when I was young, normally when the spirit comes to visit we can sense them and when they touch you they introduce themselves like a whisper. I felt and heard the spirit of one of the old Babaylan during the visit of Adrienne's friend. 

"That girl Halea, is special for her to be visited by such a powerful spirit." she was telling herself, "could she be a future Babaylan?"

She recalls the time of meeting the child.

When Halea enters the house, a very cold gush of wind came past me and I can see how it landed in front of Halea. The spirit seems to embrace her and she suddenly falls into trance. I hold her to check what happened and I sense that the child's spirit has travelled in the astral plane. It is very rare for a child to go into the astral plane, she referred to it as dreaming and as I recall she mentioned that it has occurred not only this time but several times.

I hope to meet the child again. I hope her body is protected while her spirits travel. It is not safe to be out here in Vale especially in the forest, bad spirits may enter her body if she does that without anyone guarding her body. If she is a future Babaylan, I want to teach her the ways so she can use her power correctly and for good.

I will ask Adrienne, to ask her friend if she is interested in learning the ways of the Babaylan. That would be a good way to teach both Adrienne and Amelia as well.

Apong Estrella went back inside the house after the ceremony. While the young followers say their goodbyes to her she greets them a safe evening.

Halea’s POV

It’s been horse since Rahul left but the idea of walking with him daily somehow gives me that tingling feeling. I had crushes back in the city but normally I tell my friends that I like those boys because they are talented nothing special, no romantic excitement of some sort. But today, Rahul somehow made me excited about the idea. Does he like me? Or he just wanted to have someone to walk with since we walk the same path every day. Yeah, I recall seeing him walking just a few meters away from me during the first few days of school. I didn’t bother to call him since I am not sure if he will respond.

Ah, I buried my face on my pillow and scream, so I can release the feelings inside me. I felt Aspin jump on the bed and is checking what’s happening to me.

“Did I got you worried?” I asked Aspin, yes I am talking to my pets again.

Aspin lay down beside me and excitedly bark, “I’m just fine, there was this boy who is showing interest in me. It’s too soon to say if I like him but I like the attention I am getting,” I said and I hold Aspin.

“Do you think he is a good man? You should sniff and check if he is good for me” I told Aspin and he stands and barks again as if he understands what I am saying. 

“Good boy! He will come on Monday and I will introduce you to him. Let’s see if you will like him,” I told him and I can see him wagging his tail as a sort of confirmation to what I am saying.

“Let’s go to sleep. Where is Luna?”

Luna jumps on the bed after hearing me calling her. I hugged her and close my eyes, I hope for sleep to come so I won’t think of Rahul anymore. 

Monday Morning

I woke up from the same dream, this time it felt real touching the dragon in my hands. After plunging my sword in its chest, its head sways down and landed on me. As I lift the heavy head I saw it looked at me, those orbs were quite familiar and a tear falls from it and it shuts that when I knew that its life has departed. And I felt pain in my heart and as I hold my chest I wake up from my deep slumber.

All the feelings I experience in my dream felt so real as I wake up. And as usual, Aspin and Luna watch over me. Luna kissed me as I wake up while Aspin is on the edge of the bed waiting for me to open the door. 

I prepared my clothes and went to eat breakfast. I prepared everything and I was looking in front of the mirror which I don’t normally do, Oh well I have my uniform and I just wanted to see how it looked on me. I apply a little lip gloss,  powder and cologne which I normally keep inside my bag. I tied half of my hair up so that the short hair won’t bother me. I glance again and after a few turn, I decided to go out. It’s half past 7 am, not so early and not so late. I picked up my bag from the sofa and turned to go out the door when I heard Aspin bark running before me towards the gate. That’s when I remember asking him to check on Rahul, so I took his leash and ask Elmo to take him back inside after a little walk outside. I can walk him while I wait for Rahul. 

I can feel Aspin’s excitement or rather my excitement when we reached the gate, Elmo opened it and Aspin came running sniffing every trees and bush outside the gate while he marks them as his territory. Not far I can see Rahul walking towards my direction, Aspin growls and barks at him as he comes closer.

“Hi Halea, Good morning!”

“Good morning to you,” I said while Aspin sniffs from a distance as he continues to barks. Rahul stopped a meters away just enough to hear me but didn’t get close to Aspin.

“What the name of your dog?”

“Rahul, this is Aspin, Aspin meets Rahul. Is it okay if he comes closer to smell you?”

“It’s okay but just to warn you, dogs don’t like me,”

“Just stay still he doesn’t bite unless I say so,” I smile at him. Aspin keeps growling and barking and keeps looking at me and he came back to me and still barks at Rahul.

“He doesn’t like you, he is just intimated I guess. Let me bring him inside so we can go,” I brought him inside and gave him to Elmo whose waiting at the gate.

When I went out Rahul is already waiting. 

“Let’s go,” I said, I was holding my backpack and started walking.

“You already had breakfast?” he asked

“Yeah, my Mom cooks in the morning and it is a must to eat before leaving the house. How about you?”

“Yeah, I’m done my Mom does that as well,” he said as we crossed the street, “How was your weekend?”

“It’s the same old weekend, you saw me on Saturday, while Sunday I just stayed home,” and I looked at him

“I went to the beach, that’s the most common place I go to whenever I get bored,”

“oh, wow that’s a good place to unwind,”

“Do you like going to the beach?” he asked

“Yeah, I kinda like any body of water but I rarely go,” I said

“Why is that?” he asked

“Well, in the city the beach is far and going to the beach is a luxury which people normally do whenever there’s a big occasion or holidays. And here I haven’t really had the time to explore yet,”

“The bay walk area here is nice if you want I can show you around,”

I smiled at him, “yeah, maybe next time,”

He chuckles, “Sure, we will have time for that but I assure you you’ll love it here in Vale. Not only the beaches were beautiful the people as well,”

“That, I believe you,” I said as we walk side by side. We can see the school from a distance and I can see some of the students going in.

“My classmates, normally meet me in front of the school so in the case will see them I might go ahead. I hope you don’t mind,” I told him in advance on the assumption that Adrienne or Amelia is there.

“Sure, no worries. We are in school anyway,” he said while we pass by a big acacia tree, “Should I wait for you after class?” he asked

“Well I normally go home at around 6 pm, the girls normally show me around after class so if you want to go ahead you can go ahead,” I said 

“Well, that’s almost the same time I go home. Why don’t we do the same, let’s meet here at the acacia tree between 5:45 to 6:15 pm if after 6:15 none of us come then you can go ahead,”

“Alright, but as much as possible I do not want to burden you,” I said

“Or better yet, you can give me your number and I will message you if I’m not coming or if I went ahead,” he said nice way of getting my phone number

I chuckle “good point, tactics well done,” I said and he laughs as he combs his hand in his hair, “alright, here’s my number. You can scan so it’s easy,” we stopped and he scanned my phone and ring me.

“I’ll record your number,” while I typed his name I heard a familiar call which is the loud Jason

“Halea,” Jason and Matt calls and run next to me

“Hey, Jason and Matt,” I said and I looked at Rahul he was still walking next to me typing something on his phone.

“Guys, this is Rahul. Rahul these are my classmates Jason and Matthew,” I introduced them to each other while we walk towards the school.

They guys nod at each other, as they seem to know one another. Then I saw Adrienne and Amy waiting for us.

When Rahul saw Adrienne, he walked in front of me and speak, “I’ll see you later, Halea,” he said with a big smile. Woah, my heart just leaps looking at him, he looks so handsome when he shows his dimples and teeth.

 “See you later,” I said, and he runs toward the library going to the Science building.

I can see the teasing smile on Adrienne’s face as she approaches me. 

“I thought we are your only escort?” Jason said teasingly, “Tell me, Matt, how can we compete with the rich boy Rahul?” he said pushing Matthew

I was laughing at him, “well, I didn’t really agree on the escort thing,” I said.

“Ouch, that broke my heart,” Jason said his chest

“Stop that, Halea might believe you,” Adrienne said as she holds my arms

“I’ll be Halea’s escort from you,” she said 

“And I’ll be your escort, right?” Jason teasing Adrienne, “Here let me take your bag,” he said

“Heh, no need, go! Caleb’s waiting for you,” Adrienne said

“Halea will go ahead,” Matt and Jason said

When the boys were far from us, Adrienne talk. “In one week, Rahul already notice you,”

She said and I furrow my brows.

“What’s wrong with that?”I asked

“Well, every woman in this campus dreams of talking to him or at least being noticed by him. And you, you’re on a different level not only Caleb but also Rahul. Your beauty is over the top,” she said jokingly

And I smirk at her pulling her to walk faster, “You’re just hallucinating, nothing is going on between me and Rahul, he just happens to walk in the same direction as I am,” I said

As we glide towards the classroom hall, I saw Caleb along with Jason and Matthew standing in front of our classroom. He just nods at me and I nod back and went inside with Adrienne.