The Last Moon

Chapter 6: Rendezvous

After relaxing for an hour and so I told Adrienne and Caleb that I am ready to explore the place. I am not sure what happened earlier why I fainted but I felt like I have energized. They were still careful and we were asked to bring along Adrienne's older cousin so she can assist if there's any possible danger. 

We went fruit picking and they taught me how to cook the cashew nuts. I was amazed at how this little fruit has its seed outside compared with other fruits. They have a lot of cashew trees, mangoes in different varieties, and other fruit-bearing trees which the boys enjoyed climbing. 

After gathering all the fruits that we managed to get, we went back to Apong Estrella's house and she was back from healing. We sat down with her while she sorted some of her medicinal herbs and waited for our ride back to the town.

"Good Afternoon, Apong Estrella!" we greeted her

"Good afternoon children, have you enjoyed your tour on the farm?"

"Yes, Apong," Adrienne answered

"Have the boys already left?" she asked

"Yes, they just left. And ask to say their goodbye to you,"

She asked me, "Halea, Hija have you been feeling tired lately?"

"Not so much Apo,"

"The dreams you are having, does it always come like this or only at night?" she looked at me and smile

I looked back with confusion but I answered, "I normally have them at night, this is the first time I fainted and dreamed like this, "I answered. How did she know I am having dreams, she must really have the supernatural ability as they explained.

"You need to strengthen your stamina for your body to be able to cope up. If you're not feeling better try to meditate it will help you focus your mind and regain some strength. This is a herbal tea which is good for increase in stamina try to drink it in the morning during breakfast,"

"Thank you, I will try to do as you suggest,"

She smiled at me and held my hand, "Do you have questions? Or are you seeking answers?"

I looked at her and remembered the voice I heard before I came in so I said, "No, not for now. Maybe, later I will visit again," I spoke to her in a very low voice.

"Very well, I will wait for your return," she said as she slightly pressed my hand and whispered, "when the right time comes I will come to you,"

"Halea, we need to go now," Adrienne said she came back from outside

"Apong we will go first, I will come by next week again," Adrienne said

"Be careful, may the Lord guide you," Apong said

Going back to the town was a bit faster than coming up to the town. It took us not more than 30 minutes to arrive home. I thank Adrienne for the fruits which they have picked for me, I also brought home some roasted cashew nuts which were so good and I enjoy peeling the shell after cooking. I would like to ask some questions with Adrienne's grandma but I felt that it's not the right time. I hope to go back there again.

After dropping me off, I went inside and saw the familiar car in front of the house.

"Mom, I'm here," I called out my mom as I entered

"Halea, you're just on time," Dad said

"Speaking of my daughter, she 's here," I heard him say

As I entered the receiving room, I saw my Dad with Rahul seating and discussing something. Rahul stand-up and greeted me.

"Hi Halea, How are you?"

"I'm good and you?" I politely said as I placed my bag and other things on the floor. Elmo took the fruits and brought them to the kitchen. I just nodded at him as he took them.

I kissed my Dad on the cheek as I greeted him and sat on the sofa opposite my Dad. While he looks in some of the papers in his hands. It seems like there were discussing laboratory results of some sort.

"We're done Rahul right?"

"Yes, Doctor, I will just go to the clinic with my Mom,"

"Alright, I will leave you two so you can talk,"

Rahul stand and shake my Dad's hand, "Thank you," he said

I am not sure what we were supposed to talk about since I am not aware of his visit. I felt like my Dad just pushed me to talk to him.

"Uhm, where were we? Ah yes, you were asking about me," he said as he goes back to his seat, "I'm okay, I just came here to consult your Dad regarding my Mother. I somehow asked about you and as if you heard us and you came," he cackled, showing his sexy smile. I notice he has very nice teeth and thin lips which I rarely see in men.

"I see, is there anything you need from me?" I asked not to sound a snob but I am not sure why my Dad left me here. Then I slightly raised the corner of my lips just to give out a smile.

"Well, I was wondering if we can be friends since you're new I can show you around or maybe I can walk with you on your way to school and walk you back home after class," 

Wow, is there any way out from his offer not that I don't like him, he seems to be fine and I kind of like him but I don't want to be a burden or something. "Yes, of course, we can be friends. But regarding walking me to school and vice versa how would that work? I mean I do not want to burden you, I am not sure if we have the same way,"

He smiles, "Don't worry, you're not a burden plus I just live nearby. I normally take this route going to school. I actually saw you a couple of times. I'm just a bit shy to call out."

Hah he's still shy from the way he asks, "I don't believe you're shy," I said laughing. "from the looks of it, I felt like I cannot say no," I said jokingly giving out a low chuckle

"Oh, I didn't mean that," he said smiling and now he somehow became shy, "It took a lot of courage to ask you about it," he says as he brushes his hair with his hands laughing.

"Alright then, but in case I'm running late in the morning you can go ahead, I don't want you to be late," I said

"Okay, let's have an agreement then at 7:45 am if I am not yet here you go-ahead so none of us would get late waiting and if you're not coming out at the same time I'll go ahead. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes, Deal!"I said giving him a thumbs-up

He did the same giving me a thumbs up. 

"That's great, I'll see you on Monday then. I would go now I know you're tired from your trip," he said as he stands up

I also stood up and walked him out, "I'll see you on Monday," I said smiling. I'm trying to hide the excitement inside me as my heart just suddenly doubled its beat as I walked next to him.

He stands in front of me hiding his hands in the back pocket of his jeans, "bye!" he said

I wanted to somehow pull him close, I felt like I'm blushing, "goodbye, drive safely," I said while I hold my arms, crossing it in front of me

He waved as he went to ride in his car. I waved back and said goodbye. I waited until his car left the compound and went back in. Living in this town just got me a bit excited, I didn't expect to have someone to be interested in me. Rahul will be an addition to the things that occupy my mind before going to sleep.

 ***

Adrienne's POV

The whole day could have been fine if only Halea didn't faint, I could have brought them to the lake and seen the falls. But Apong suggests that she just stays within the farm, she said it wouldn't be best for Halea to roam around.

I can still hear her words after Halea passe out

Flashback

"Is this the friend you were talking about, Addie?" Apong Estrella said while she checks on Halea's pulse and eyes.

"Yes, Nana," 

"Don't worry too much, she is just sleeping. She will wake up soon. When she wakes up just stay within the farm ground, don't roam around as it may not be good for her,"

"Yes, I will tell her and the boys about it. So what do you think of her Nana?" I asked her, I normally call her Nana when we are alone just like now and Apong when there are other people.

She smiled and said "Your friend will still have to learn our ways here. We need to help her to be strong. I know you're thinking of the prophecy but we are still not sure if she's the one. We just need to be ready if she is the person we are all waiting for,"

There was a prophecy that our tribe keeps and it has been passed to every generation. The old Babaylans keep the prophecy in the form of ancient songs but were told to us as a story different from what the people have known. 

It was told that she will be born again, and her journey will begin once she will release the sleeping beast. The 7 creatures of the nights she needs to tame and take back what she has previously given.

I was just wondering if she's that person who will be born again and will tame the creatures of the night. It would have been nice if she lives during my time as a Babaylan.

I arrived home 10 minutes after sending Halea home, I am exhausted with all the running, climbing, and cooking with the boys (Caleb and his gang) and the girls ( Halea and Amy). This is the first time that Caleb's got interested in joining us. Normally in school only Matt and Jason would join us is some bounding activity but not Caleb. So maybe Halea is the reason he got interested. It's good to see this other side of Caleb.