Strawberry Lavender

Book I - Chapter 3

Apparently in the eyes of the humans; it just look like the baby is making sounds. Like she’s trying to speak. The baby look around curiously. She smiles for no reason. They just saw her blink her eyes for no reason. But, her cuteness was too much for them.

The baby heard more voices. She looked to them. And when they do; the people in the room gushed out with tons of nose bleed. They were laying on the floor. But they are still merely alive. She look at her parents. However; it didn’t work on them. The baby tilt her head for the first time.

This was the first time the baby girl experience this. So did her parents. There was nothing serious for the time being. Her parents didn’t want to take responsibility for raising it. Even after their pleas were answered.

The mysterious beautiful women that appeared shakes her head. She was displeased in what these humans made. She has no choice but to watch over them. She thought giving these two humans what they want. However; the humans abandon the wishes of what the beautiful women wanted. Not knowing that there is always a consequence going against the moon goddess.

After that, the baby stayed in the hospital. So did the mother of the child. After few days has passed, it was time for the mother and the baby to leave the hospital. The married couple pretend to be excited. It’s their way of not making anyone worry. Even though others might not think what these couple would do.

They went back home in the Philippines. The women was greeted by her whole family. They were happy that they have a second child. They didn’t care if the child is a boy or a girl. Whereas, there was changes in the baby’s father’s demeanor. He never know his parents. Nor if he had other siblings. If he did then he didn’t reconnect with them.

The boy came running towards his parents. He wasn’t happy with result either. He saw a baby in the arms of his mother. Not knowing what’s going on in his parents’ mind. The boy ran toward his mother. He smiled for her. “ Come here my son. Come and greet your sister. You’re going to be a big brother to her “. His mother says to him. However; the tone of voice from his mother’s voice wasn’t a happy one.

Everyone celebrated. Then night fall came. Everyone went to sleep. The married couple and the boy pretend to be asleep. Waiting for the right time to leave unannounced. They had their stuff ready. The women wrote only few sentences on a piece of baby and place it onto the baby.

The baby’s eyes were closed. But, she felt that something wasn’t right. When no one is at sight, the married couple left the house. The man carry the luggages by his arms and hands. While the man’s wife carry her son by her arm. They sneaked out. And left without saying a word. The moon was the witness to see it.

The next morning came. Because, today's date was January 7,1990. There was no sign of the baby’s parents and the baby’s brother. The baby was still ‘ sleeping ‘. But, she could felt the connection from her family to be disconnected. The mother of the women went down. Everyone was awake. They starts to frown after they read the note. They gave it to their mother. Who is also one of the women’s sister

None of them couldn’t read what the letter says. Because it was written in English. They are mostly fluent in Filipino languages. Such as Visayan, Tagalog and Cebuano. This was another challenge for one of the baby’s mother. Unbeknownst to them; the letter was reveal into putting in Filipino languages.

“Mahal na ate; Pakiusap, alagaan mo ang aking anak na babae para sa akin tulad ng sa iyo. Sa oras na wala na tayo; nasa eroplano na kami. Pupunta kami ng asawa ko, anak ko sa America. Sa panahong iyon, hindi ko na masusuportahan ang aking anak na babae sa paraang ako. Alam kong ito ay isang duwag na paraan ng paggawa. Pero gusto namin ng asawa ko ng anak. At marahil ito ang nagpasya sa amin na talikuran ito. Mahalin mo ang kapatid mong si Trinity Yue (Dear ate (sister); please take care of my daughter for me like she’s your own. By the time we are gone; we are already in the airplane. My husband, son and I are going to America. By then, I won’t be able to support my daughter the way I am. I know this is a coward way of doing. But my husband and I wanted a son. And maybe this is what made us decide to abandon it. Love your sister, Trinity Yue “). It seem like one of the baby’s mother sister understood it.

Others were shocked. But they didn’t say anything. The women translate it to them. “ My sister wants me to take care of her daughter while she’s away “. The women says to the rest of her family. Everyone nodded. They don’t know the name of the baby. Since, the baby’s mother didn’t give copy to the birth certificate. So, Trinity’s sister was the one who gave her a new name. Could you guess it?

Something broke within the baby. The baby continues to have nightmares. It appears to be like she’s having a vision in her dreams. It’s never about her. Which she finds it strange. But she couldn’t do anything about. Since, she’s just a baby. She continue to listen to music. Music that she hears all around her. It was the only way to brighten her days.

She did everything to the people who raise her. Months and days have passed. She continues to stay quiet. As years have passed; she would always look out of the window. She was thinking of what her life would be after this. Because; it wasn’t the end of her life. But; it is the end of her quiet life. She wasn’t nervous. She was used to people’s treatment.

It didn’t affect the people who raise her. When they look at her; there wasn’t any dead bodies. Or them having nose bleeds. It was just a normal interactions. It’s not like it would happen again like when she was born. That’s what she thought.

She was the only one to give the people hope. She thought the people who raise her don’t have any ultra motives. Beside her knowing that these people are her relatives. She pretends that the middle age women is her biological mother. It was the only thing to keep the darkness at bay. Even after unknown things happened around her. Things that are left unexplained. She felt like she doesn’t remember doing things ever happened. You know.

As months passed and days flies by; she finally realize that no one will ever love her. Not knowing about the curse. If she did; she denies it ever happening to her. Everything good happens around her relatives. However; for her; she’s never happy. They still celebrate her birthday. But, she could never blow the candles around others. Because unforeseen things happened around her.

She sigh. She likes to talk to herself in her mind. It’s the only safe haven for her. All she does smiles and stay quiet. She thought if she didn’t voice her thoughts then she would live a low key lifestyle. She did this for three years. Everything was fine. She didn’t speak up for herself. She made sure everyone is happy. And she would continue to do this.