The Enchanted Forest of Mangga

19. The way back home in the rain...

Something drastic did happen. But the Matienzo children were not aware of it yet. While it rained, Hari Barios and Reyna Sampaguita welcomed their new guests to treat their home as theirs. They shared past stories that made the children eager to listen to more. Kaloy proudly told his story of how he braved against the mosquitoes. He became teary-eyed when he was grateful to meet such new friends and that he will treasure the moment with them. Danaya teased him for being emotional, but promised to visit him every now and then when she wanted to stir some trouble, este adventure again. The mango magic was beginning to wane just in time that the rain had paused. The gray clouds were still lingering in the same spot, looking heavy and angry. The wind had become stronger. Although it was best to have the children stay in the enchanted forest of Mangga during bad weather, it was also not safe for them. In an enchanted and spiritual realm, humans must not dwell and meander in the forest too long especially at night. Because if they do, they would lose their memories and not return home to the other side until sundown. In the children's situation, they had only half an hour left until sundown even though it was gloomy in the day. They still had time to race back home.

"Because all of Danaya's power has been restored, you may now travel in a faster and safer route. You do not have to go back the same way. The magic of Mangga will guide you," Reyna Sampaguita explained. "I look forward to meeting you again, children."

The children and Kaloy bowed down to the royal heirs.

"And thank you for bringing back Danaya safely to her home. I apologize if she was ill-mannered to you and had brought trouble upon you."

Bea shook her head. "No. It was an adventure. I thought my brothers and I wouldn't belong anywhere, but learning and working together made us feel like ourselves again. We can't wait to tell our family."

Reyna Sampaguita patted each of their heads. "Safe travels, my dears."

Still in their mini forms, the children, Kaloy, and Danaya huddled together along with three escorting royal guards, one guard on each side while Danaya took the leading position. The band waved at Danaya's parents and some of the mango fairies who were watching. Danaya glided her hands upward as her and the fairy guards' wings glow. The glow formed a sphere enclosing the band as they ascended in the air. After Danaya chanted a spell, the band soared in the air with a fast whoosh.

Even though they travelled in speed, the rain began to start. Big drops of rain bombed from above, striking against the glowing sphere.

"Watch out!" Ali said.

"Brace yourselves! It's going to be a very bumpy ride!" Danaya yelled. Danaya was able to maneuver their glowing sphere with quick thinking, dodging every raindrop that wanted to splash on them.

"A-a-a-a-a-t-t-t-t-e-e-e-e..." Sez shivered. "M-m-m-m-y-y-y f-f-f-f-a-a-a-c-c-c-e-e-e i-i-i-s-s-s c-c-c-o-o-o-l-l-l-d-d-d."

"M-m-m-e-e-e t-t-t-o-o-o," Ali said as he touched his frozen face and squinting his eyes because of the speed they were travelling.

"A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H!" the children shouted.

Kaloy didn't have a problem being cold since he was already a cold-blooded amphibian, but his tongue wagged in the air like a dog out on a car window.

"We're almost there!" Danaya said as she dived down a tree branch blocking their way. "Look!"

Bea spotted the familiar stone fence that they climbed over earlier in the morning. What was different was that the other side of their homes were flooded with brown, murky rainwater like a rushing river.

"A flood!" Bea shrieked.

They zoomed past the stone fence and what Bea could see the rainwater had risen where they couldn't see the soil and the grass. She saw their parent's car parked near a tree. The flood stopped mid-way on the tires. The mango shed was also flooded inside, but as they passed by the building, they noticed that nothing was harmed or wet. The mangoes were safely packed above high tables and chairs. Their house was surrounded by the flood, but luckily they had stairs where the water stopped so inside their house was dry. Danaya led them to the nearest window. When they landed, Bea knew whose bedroom it was. The windows were shut, but through the glass, the children watched their parents and Yaya Rosa kneeling beside Lolo's bed where he was lying down peacefully.

"What happened to Lolo?" Sez asked.

"I-I think he's very sick! We should go inside!" Bea said feeling scared of what is going to happen next. They were interrupted by a shuffling of footsteps and in came another person who looked several years younger than Lolo. He whispered something to the children's parents and Yaya Rosa, and placed his two fingers on Lolo's wrist. Lolo coughed, but he managed to chuckle a bit. Yaya Rosa had a pink handkerchief on her nose. The children's parents followed their guest out the room while Yaya Rosa excused herself to get some water. The bedroom was empty except for Lolo breathing pacingly.

"Kaloy, help me lift up the window," Danaya said. She, the three fairy guards, and Kaloy used their strength to prop the window open. When there was a gap enough to fit the children, one by one the children sneaked under the windowsill. By the time they entered Lolo's bedroom, the mangoes' magic disappeared and the children grew up to their original height, even Kaloy who had leapt on the nightstand. The fairy guards remained by the window while Danaya fluttered next to Bea.

"Lolo?" The children greeted their Lolo with a mano.

Lolo cleared his throat and opened his eyes. When he saw his grandchildren, he smiled. "You're back." It sounded almost like a raspy whisper.

"Lolo, what's going to happen to you?" Bea asked. "Are you hurt?"

Lolo replied, "I'm just getting old, haha."

"Don't leave us, Lolo!" Ali cried. He hugged Lolo and Sez started to sob. Bea had tears falling down her cheeks.

"Waaaaah! Waaaah! Don't go, Lolo!" the children cried.

Lolo softly shushed them until they quieted down. "Silly children. I said I'm old but I'm not going anywhere! My body just feels chilly and tired. But you still have to share your adventure stories to me." His eyes twinkled with curiosity until he widened his eyes. "Is that a diwata? Sampaguita?"

Sampaguita flew on top of Lolo's chest as Lolo carefully sat up straight on his bed.

"I am Reyna Sampaguita's daughter, Danaya. I heard great stories about you from my parents. You are their precious friend," Danaya said.

"Ho, ho, ho. They are my precious friends as well. They must be doing well. I trust Hari Barios is more calm nowadays?"

Danaya nodded.

"How beautiful you are," Lolo said. "I am glad you have met my grandchildren. I hope you will all be friends and help one another. Oh! And what is this?"

Kaloy croaked. Lolo looked at the children increduously.

"Have you children found a new pet as well?"

"He's our brave friend!" Ali said, applauding Kaloy, in which Kaloy replied with a jump.

"Lolo, we're gonna visit our friends again in the enchanted forest. You should also come too," Bea suggested.

Lolo only smiled. "Soon, sweetheart. Soon."

And while the children indulged their adventure to their grandfather from the beginning on how Sez caught Danaya, their engkanto companions said their goodbyes and exited the bedroom window.

1252 words

19,285 words total

May 2, 2021