𝚂𝚊𝚖 × 𝙼𝚘𝚗 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜

𝐀𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

Late in the afternoon, Melissa saw Felize standing by the gate of their apartment. With a warm smile, Felize greeted her.

"Hi. Um, Nanay told me to give you these herbal medicines." She handed Melissa a small paper bag. "She said you need to take them for at least five days, and she'll check on you when she gets back."

Melissa glanced at the bag, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "These just look like dried leaves. Are you sure it's safe to drink?"

Felize chuckled nervously. "No, no, it's not just dried leaves. They have medicinal properties. Trust me, give it a try-it's only for five days. Plus, they're supposed to keep certain... entities away from you."

Melissa sighed, remembering the terrifying winged creature she'd seen at her window. "Fine, I'll try it."

Felize smiled softly, watching Melissa pout. She found it endearing and couldn't help but stare for a moment.

"Why are you smiling?" Melissa asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"Oh, sorry!" Felize quickly scratched the back of her head, embarrassed. "Anyway, you might not see me around for a bit. I've asked my friends, Kaia and Oli, to keep an eye on you and report to Nanay if anything strange happens."

"Why? Where are you going?" Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued. "Is it a trip?"

"More like a mission," Felize replied, her tone more serious. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "When I come back... could I ask you out on a date?"

Melissa blinked in surprise. "Hmm, interesting. I haven't dated anyone since my ex..." Her voice trailed off, the memory of her heartbreak flickering behind her eyes. Seeing him so in love with someone else had been painful.

Felize gently took her hand, giving it a comforting caress. "I'm sorry. I hope you find someone truly worthy of your love."

Melissa felt an unexpected warmth from her words. "Maybe if I can't find the right man, a woman could teach me how to love," she said, gazing into Felize's eyes with a soft smile.

Felize returned the smile, sincere and gentle. "Who knows? Maybe."

She glanced at the time, realizing she needed to leave. "I should get going before Nanay starts worrying!"

"Good luck on your mission," Melissa called after her. "Stay safe!"

"I will," Felize said with a grin. "And when it's over... I'll take you on that date!" She waved, running off into the distance, leaving Melissa with a smile of her own.

▫️▫️▫️▫️

Leonie and Felize went to a small hut in the forest where she was also brought by her father Gener to undergo meditation to power up her anting-anting.

"Anak, take this time to reflect about your life before and say these incantations to feed the anting-anting." Leonie gave her a prayer booklet in Latin, "And please, whatever happens.. Be brave."

Felize gave her a hug, "Promise, I'll be back." She says, "Please tell Mama that I'll be ok, don't worry."

"Ingat ka, anak. Huwag kang magpapatalo sa tukso o sa kung anong hinihingi sa'yo." Leonie gave her a last reminder before she went out of the hut.

Felize starts to pray, the surroundings were quite at first.. But then, wind starts to blow violently. She feels that she's not alone, there's someone else in the hut.

A week after..

Melissa went to Kap Leonie's house to check on Felize, she saw Therese who's busy watering her plants.

"Hello po, magandang umaga. Nakauwi na po ba si Felize? " She asks, Therese walk towards her.

"Wala pa, anak eh.. Jowa ka ba niya? "

"Ay, hindi po! Hehe, kaibigan po niya. Kalian po kaya siya makakauwi?"

"Anak, depende sa sitwasyon.. Minsan isang linggo, o kaya isang buwan." Therese tells her, "Kailangan kasing hindi ma-istorbo si Felize. Ganoon din ang pinagdaanan ng Nanay niya noong buhay pa si Tatay Gener."

"Ganoon po ba, sige po.. Salamat! " Melissa turned to leave, but her path was suddenly blocked by a man with a pale complexion. His eyes locked onto hers as he took a step forward, but the moment he neared her, he recoiled with a sharp hiss. Some invisible force surrounded Melissa, preventing him from getting any closer.

"Kukunin kita, Melissa! " He muttered something under his breath before turning and fleeing. Melissa stood frozen, fear mingling with a strange sense of security. Her hand instinctively reached into her pocket, pulling out a small red pouch-the same one Felize had given her along with the medicinal herbs she'd consumed earlier.

[Flashback]

"Ano 'to? Bakit ang liit? " Melissa asks as she scan the little red pouch that Felize gave to her.

"Proteksyon sa mga.. Alam mo na." She smirks and scratched the back of her head, "Mawawala ako ng medyo matagal, kaya.. Ibibigay ko sa'yo 'yan. Pangako, pagbalik ko.. Bukod sa date, gusto kitang kilalanin pa."

Melissa smiled at her and nods, "Sure, I will wait for you. And thank you for giving me these, I'll use it."

Felize was smiling from ear to ear, hearing that from the girl. She bid her goodbyes and went home.