Echoes of Love, since 1898: A Love Transcending Time and Reality

Prologue

Qui Vivra Verra. Time will tell.

They say there's always the right time for everything. It just needs the right timing for you to know the reason behind those situations. There are a lot of unpredictable and unexplainable moments that happen to us. We cannot control them, but things will be revealed; perhaps the only way for us to know it is to wait because time will tell.

Live in the present moment, enjoy your life, and live while you still can. But how can I live free and happy when my mind, heart, and soul left way back in 1898?

I cannot remember what happiness feels like. As for me, Happiness is what I feel whenever I'm with her. Witnessing her gummy smile while doing something that she likes to do, makes my heart melt too.

I was frightened by the thunder while walking on a rainy night. You catch a glimpse at me to check if I'm 100 percent okay. You held my hand and assured me not to let me go again.

Those memories were my favorites. Those memories that I missed, especially when you told me to stay and never go away.

Time is not for us. Reality is what my mind made up. I'm not sure if this is all true. Not sure if what I felt was real. I have nothing to show that you and I were real; all I could say is that my heart belongs to you, and you will always be mine eternally. Toi et moi pou toujours.

"You are still thinking about the love of your life, ba?" Cleo worriedly asked me. She's my cousin on my father's side. Cleo always there for me, thru ups and down. She's not just my cousin, but also my best friend. I sighed when I heard her. I did not bother to answer her. My attention is focusing with the bracelet that I'm wearing. A simple gift that reminds me of the girl of my dreams.

"No need to answer. You are always stating the fact. Your face say it all, just so you know. But to be honest, my dear cousin. Up until now, hindi ko talaga maisip bakit gano'n yung happenings sa'yo," Cleo confusedly suspected about what I told her. I opened up to her everything what happened to me. At first, she laughed at me and think that I'm crazy just like my father. What can I say? If I were in her position, Magtataka rin naman ako 'no.

"I don't know, Cleo. I don't know what to believe. Nakakainis lang na, it's been 4 years, since it happened to me. Up until now, I couldn't find answers to why it happened to me." I look at her and frustratedly answered her. Inayos ko naman agad ang pagkakaupo ko sa silya. We are here at school. My cousin and I decided to both take a Law Course. It's our first day of school, and we're currently in our last year of college life.

"Awat na sa pag-iisip 'no! Baka wala kanang utak niyan. Mawalan pa ako ng pinsan na medyo matino. Siguro?" Mapang-asar na saad niya habang nakangisi pa sa'kin. Wala na talagang ibang kayang gawin 'to kundi inisin at kulitin ang buhay ko.

Pero, kung sabagay ayaw ko rin naman ng boring life. Well, I'm not like this, naman talaga eh. I used to be hyperactive and energetic. I've changed since that happened. That girl happened.

"Ba't ang tagal naman ng Prof? Nababagot na 'ko. Papasok pa ba 'yon?" Tanong nitong pinsan ko sa tabi ko. Yeah, 10 minutes late palang naman, masyado naman 'tong excited.

Hiniga ko nalang ang ulo ko para 'di ako masyadong mahilo. Ang lilikot pala ng mga kaklase namin. Kahit last year na kami eh, kung umasta parang mga elementary pa rin yung iba. I'm wondering, what if they knew about who I am?

"Hoy! Paparating na raw yung bagong Professor! Kaya pala na-late, guys. Bago na pala yung Prof natin!" Balita sa'min ng Presidente ng klase. Habang ako naman ay nakatungo pa rin ang ulo. Ingay nila.

"Maganda raw ba, Pres?" Sigaw nung isa naming kaklase. Halatang yun lang dahilan para pumasok eh 'no.

"Baka naman Pogi! Sana naman, oh! Last year ko naman na 'to sa college." Saad naman nung pabebe kong kaklase na ubod nang kakapalan ng makeup at isama mo pa ang kapal ng mukha niya.

"Cousin! Umayos ka na nga dyan sa pag-upo. Baka mamaya masita ka na naman nung Prof." Pangangalabit ni Cleo sa'kin. Nakakatamad na kasi makinig sa kanila eh. Nakakatamad na kaya mag-aral. Kung bakit ba kasi ang kulit ko rin. Edi, sana maayos ang buhay ko ngayon. Pero, mas makulit sila kasi mapilit sila sa bagay na hindi ko naman gusto, hmpk!

Hindi ko pinakinggan ang sinabi ni Cleo at nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagpikit. Wala pa naman yung Prof. kung masita, edi bahala na 'no!

While my head is still resting. Napansin ko naman na biglang tumahimik ang kapaligiran ko. Anong nangyare sa mga 'to? Kala mo na-hypnotized nang kung sino!

"Everyone! Thank you for waiting. I'm your new professor here at Luxemdives University." Yung boses na 'yon. Yung boses na matagal ko nang gustong mapakinggan ulit. Boses na paborito ko tuwing naririnig ko, lalo na kung tumatawa ito. Pati ba naman dito, eh nananaginip ako?

No, this can't happen. Tulog ba ako? Nananaginip ba ako? Bumalik na naman ba ako sa dati? Bakit ko siya naririnig?

"Hey! Are you deaf or something? Can someone please wake up that girl who is sleeping? I hate lazy people. This is not your bedroom where you can sleep anytime you want." Rinig kong saad niya ulit. Ako ba tinutukoy niya? Grabeng panaginip na naman 'to. Ayaw ko na magising.

"Cousin, umayos ka na nga dyan. I told you pagagalitan ka na naman ng Prof." Pagyugyog ni Cleo sa'kin kaya tuluyan ko nang inayos ang pag-upo ko. Habang inaayos ko ang buhok ko bago tumingin sa kanya ay agad naman 'tong nagsalita pa muli.

"What's your name? I don't want to tolerate your laziness here in my class. This is your first warning, I hope this will be your last warning too." Tanong niya at may kasunod na panenermon sa'kin. Hindi ko pa rin siya tinitignan sa kadahilanang baka hindi naman siya 'yon. Baka, nananaginip na naman ako eh kailangan lang gisingin or batukan.

"Are you even listening to me? Look at me when I'm talking to you. I'm asking your name, is that hard for you to tell?" I can sense irritation in her voice while saying that to me. Wala akong choice kundi tumingin.

No, I'm hallucinating right now. This girl in front of me is the person who makes my heart melt every time I see her. Right now, that's what I feel. But, why?

Who are you, Professor? Why do I feel like you are a woman that I love?

"Are you done checking me out? If you don't want to tell your name. Then, I'll tell mine first because you are wasting my time. Everyone, my name is Professor Valentina Devorah M. Ansaldó. You ---" I cut her off before she even continue what she's saying. What the hell?

"Deborah?" I confusedly asked her.

"Oh, now you can speak? Don't you dare call me by my name. It's inappropriate since I'm your professor and you are my student. Also, It's not Deborah, It's Devorah! Stop saying my name if you cannot even pronounce it properly. It annoys me. Anyway, students, just call me Professor Ansaldó. Never call me by my name or else, I won't hesitate to fail all of you!" She corrected me and warned us. My attention occupied by this girl in front of us.

I don't even know what she's talking about anymore. All I know is, I'm busy admiring her stunning look. I missed her. I missed my Deborah.

If this is a dream, please don't wake me up! My Deborah is here. The woman I treasured the most.

It's her, the one whom my hearts always keep echoing for. It's the woman with whom I left my heart way back in 1898.