Watermelon Dreams

Grim Future

CHAPTER FORTYSEVEN

JULY 2, 2019

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ni Olivia sa pagkadismaya. Nagsimulang mag-init ang mga mata nya, nagbabadya ang mga luha. Pagkatapos ng lahat, hindi pa rin sya nagtagumpay?

Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto at pumasok ang naka-gray three-piece Burberry suit na si Boris. “Relax, Olivia.” Ngiting-ngiti itong niyakap sya. “Sleeping beauty a.k.a my dear sister Erin is very much alive, thanks to your recently retrieved memories. You were out for three days by the way.” He nodded in satisfaction seeing she almost ate all of his bread and drank the juice. “She just woke up and talking to the Ice Queen Sandrea, discussing boring stuff like Kont- X. Her strength is back and she’s ready to kick ass. So, if you’d like to rescue the love of your life from falling back to sleep out of boredom, better get to her. Now.” Ni hindi man lang ito hiningal sa mga sinabi.

“Pasensya ka na kung hindi ko masagot agad ang katanungan  mo dahil hindi pa nagigising si Eirene bago kita puntahan.” Napaka-apologetic ng tono nito dahil batid nitong nilukob sya ng takot at kalungkutan.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Mariing hinawakan ni Olivia ang mga kamay ng Tagabantay habang umaagos naman ang mga luha niya sa sobrang kaligayahan.

Bumalik ang lakas ng tibok ng puso nya. Kahit gusto nyang tadyakan si Boris, masigla syang tumayo para puntahan si Erin. Huminto sya bago pihitin ang door knob saka lumingon sa Tagabantay.

“I’ve been so rude today.” Gustong pagalitan ni Olivia ang sarili. “Puwede ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo?”

Ngumiti ito. “Greda. Greda ang pangalan ko.”

Olivia felt stupid for rushing out to find Erin. She didn’t know where she was. Boris would tease her if she’d go back and ask. The mansion was huge, the hallway outside her room was long and spacious. Paintings and photographs of nature adorned its walls.

She met several Kampilans along the way, greeting her and smiling at her. She was surprised to see Aurora and Lucinda walking together.

“Sana mapatawad mo ang buong Baryo Kling- Kling sa nagawa namin sa’yo.” Lucinda’s voice was very remorseful and Olivia accepted. She was delighted to know that Lucinda and her brother decided to join the Kampilans.

Aurora burst into tears when Olivia hugged her. Their nostalgic moment was interrupted by Archiel, who reminded the women that training was about to start.

Archiel’s body tensed when Olivia embraced her. “Thank you. I didn’t get to thank you for everything you did for me.”

“Wala yun.” Archiel smiled.

“May reunion na palang nagaganap dito,” amused na sabi ni Sandrea, na kanina pa pala sila pinagmamasdan. “We’ll talk more later, Olivia,” dugtong nito matapos yakapin si Olivia nang mahigpit. “My sister is waiting for you at the terrace.”

Sandrea directed her towards the West wing. Bakit ba hindi na lang pinagtabi ang kwarto nila ni Erin?

Para na rin syang nagtour mag-isa sa mansyon. Kagaya ng kwarto, earth- tone ang tema ng ibabang parte nito. Puro mga mamahaling muwebles at kagamitan ang nadaanan nya. High-ceilinged kaya napakaaliwalas ng paligid.

Napahinto sya nang madaanan ang bukas na French doors palabas sa isang maluwang na terrace. Kitang- kita roon ang perfect cone- shape ng Bulkang Mayon. Walang tumatakip na ulap kaya’t lantad ang buong kariktan nito.

Ngunit mas makapigil- hininga ang babaing nakasandal sa balustrade habang nakatuon sa kanya ang mga mata nito. May paghangang pinagmasdan nito ang kabuuan nya.