Arts of Heart (Compilation of OSS)

ART 102

ANG SUMPA NI ANASTASHA

"SIYA SI ANASTASHA."

I held my chest as I turned my gaze to an old woman who suddenly spoke beside me. The wrinkles on her face are visible but she looks strict because of her eyes. She might be the care taker that my husband talked about.

I tilted my head while looking again at the big frame inside the old mansion. The lady in the picture was very beautiful wearing her smile.

"Is she the owner of this house?" I asked her while pointing out the picture. I exhaled when she smiled back at me, I guess she's not that strict. I somehow felt comfortable.

"Oo. Matagal na rin simula nang may pumunta rito kaya naman sobrang saya ko noong malaman na may titira muli sa bahay na ito. Bakit niyo nga ba naisipang dito magbakasyon?" she asked while looking at me.

"Ahh, our friend suggested that this place is nice for vacation. And besides, we checked first the place before we decided to go here. Gladly, this mansion is the nearer house to the sea and also it caught our attention because of its quality and looks. Gusto po kasi namin 'yong medyo unique."

To be honest, the mansion has an ambiance that I couldn't explain. I can't figure it out but one thing is sure, it brings creepiness in me. It looks like every part and thing inside the mansion was sentimental and has a secret that no one shouldn't know.

"Kung ganoon ay hindi kayo nagkamali ng tinirahan. Nakakasiguro akong hindi niyo ito pagsisisihan. Maiwan muna kita, aayusin ko lamang ang inyong kwartong tutulugan," she uttered slowly that creeps out of me before she left.

I decided to go outside to take a look at the place. Since, my husband wasn't here yet because he have to finish his work. Pinauna niya lang ako pero susunod na rin siya bukas sa akin.

The sorrounding seems normal. Medyo may kalayuan nga lang ang mansion sa ibang kabahayan and I didn't notice that I've walked that far.

"Bagong lipat ka?" An old woman approached me so I had to stopped. Unlike the care taker of the mansion, this woman looks older.

"Nagbakasyon lang po. Doon po kami nakatira sa lumang mansyon," I politely answered.

Her brows forrowed as she stared at me.

"Hindi mo ba alam ang kwento tungkol sa mga tumitira sa bahay na iyon?" she said, catching my attention.

"Ano po ba iyon? Maaari niyo po bang ikuwento sa akin?"

She asks me to come with her. I tailed her and I found out that we're heading her house. It was old yet It's more comfortable than the mansion.

She offered a drink for me. Then she sat infront of me.

"Ang nakababata kong pinsan ang orihinal na may ari ng masyon na iyon," panimula ng matanda.

"Si Anastasha po ba?"

"Oo, siya nga. Napakagandang babae ni Anastasha. Marami ang nahuhumaling sa kaniya noon at lahat ng nagugustuhan niya ay nakukuha niya, bagay man ito o tao." Ngumiti ang matanda bago huminga ng malalim 'saka muling tumingin sa akin.

"Hindi niya nagugustuhan ang mga kalalakihan dito sa aming lugar noon, hanggang sa dumating si Francisco. Isang simple ngunit napakakisig na lalaki. Hindi man karangyaan ang buhay ay may dignidad at prinisipyo sa buhay. Naging hardinero siya sa hacienda na pagmamay-ari nina Anastasha, madalas siyang sadyain ng aking pinsan doon at gumagawa ng iba't-ibang rason para makita ang napupusuang lalaki."

"Hindi po ba tumututol ang mga magulang niya?" tanong ko.

"Alam nila ngunit wala silang magagawa dahil nag-iisang anak nila si Anastasha. Umibig ang aking pinsan ng palihim. Naaalala ko pa ang kaniyang matatamis na ngiti sa tuwing nasisilayan ang iniibig. Kung ako man marahil ay mapapaibig din ni Francisco noon. Sinabi niya sa mga magulang niya na gusto niyang makasal sa hardinero ngunit agad tumutol ang mga ito." Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng lungkot sa kaniyang mga mata.