Watermelon Dreams

Angel

CHAPTER SEVEN

SUMMER OF 1995

OLIVIA felt the pleasant warm of the sun on her face. When she opened her eyes, the blue sky greeted her. A gentle wind passed through her open window, ruffled the white curtains and stroked her face.

Napakapayapa talaga sa farm ng Lola nya. She was glad her grandmother brought her there. She even met a wonderful friend.

Ate Umi! Napabalikwas sya ng bangon lalo na nang maalala ang nangyari sa kanya kahapon. Totoo ba ang mga iyon? Pinagtangkaan nga ba talaga sya ng masama ni Ate Aika? At iniligtas nga ba sya ni Ate Umi?

Her body shivered in fear. How could Ate Aika do that to her? She trusted her. She was nice to Olivia that’s why she was comfortable with her.

Wala sa sariling napahawak sya sa braso at nakapa ang woven bracelet na binigay ni Ate Umi. Agad syang kumalma. Ate Umi always had that effect on her. She felt safe just by thinking of her.

Her friend came to save her. But was everything real? Bakit ba mula nang dumating sya sa farm, lagi na lamang syang napapatanong sa sarili kung totoo ba ang mga nangyayari o hindi?
Paano kung panaginip lamang pala iyon? Siguro nga, dahil hanggang ngayon hindi sya makapaniwalang masamang tao si Ate Aika.

Ngunit ibig sabihin din niyon, na hindi totoo ang watermelon tree. She should stop thinking that Ate Umi was supernatural. And she should also stop reading fantasy books. Mas makakabuting mag-enjoy na lamang sa bakasyon at magpalakas ng katawan.

But she was hopeful again when her door opened and revealed her worried grandmother.

“Buti at nagising ka na, iha.” Her Lola immediately embraced her. “Hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kung may nangyari sayo.”

“So it was real,” she thought a little disappointed because of Ate Aika’s traitorous act but at the same time delighted because Ate Umi did save her.

“Lola, did you talk to Ate Umi?”
Her grandmother paused. Olivia saw hesitation on her face. “Yes.”

“She saved me,” bulalas ni Olivia. “Kaibigan ko po sya Lola. Sya po ang lagi kong kasama tuwing hapon.” Wala ng rason pa para ilihim nya ang tungkol kay Ate Umi.

“Yes, she took you back to me safely.” Lola Esmeralda’s face was still worried.

Then a memory from yesterday crossed Olivia’s mind.

Pagkatapos syang iligtas ni Ate Umi, nawalan sya ng malay. She was in and out of consciousness. She knew her friend was carrying her. There was a moment when she felt like she was flying.

Her head was spinning but she remembered Ate Umi landing gently on the back porch. Her grandmother was crying when she saw them and exclaimed with pure delight and relief.

“Lola…” Olivia tried to speak and assure her Lola that she was fine but everyhing went black again. Next thing she knew; she woke up safely tucked in on her soft bed.

She couldn’t admire the beautiful night sky with stars glistening on them. What happened was very shocking. She was betrayed.

She heard her Lola talking softly.
Hinanap ng mga mata nya ang kanyang Lola. Nakatayo ito sa paanan ng kama nya at kausap nito si Ate Umi.

“Hindi sapat ang salamat sa mga nagawa mo para sa amin. You’ve always been there for me.” Lola Esmeralda held Umi’s face with affection.

“Wala kang dapat ipagpasalamat, Essie,” tugon naman ni Umi.