The Haunting Past

XVI

I drove myself way up somewhere in Antipolo on that chilly Saturday night, after dropping by to one of my friends house for a small chitchat but nobody's home .

I parked outside a two story bungalow house, painted with white and blue.

Holding the piece of paper in my left hand, I saw a mail box with number 32 on it, same as the blue gate.

Eto na ngayon!

I got out of the car, walked slowly towards the gate, I pressed the doorbell but it didn't work. So I called out.

"Tao po?"

*silence *

"Tao po?"

*noone answered*

I tried pushing the rusty gate and it was open. So I get in.

"Tao po? Papasok na po ako?"

I'm sorry!

It has a wide yet empty front yard, I made my way to the front door, but before I came near to it, I saw a small bike on my right beside a Wrangler jeepney, the two looked old and rusty. Seems like nobody's using the two vehicles already. Just like the whole place, paints were fading already, I even noticed some dark stains on the pavement and on the walls by the garage.

I knocked

Knock Knock Knock

"Tao po? ... Tao po?"

I peek by the window, I saw nothing but a heavy curtain blocking my view. Yet the lights were on.

"Sino ka? Pano ka nakapasok?"

suddenly someone spoke beside me in the coldest and deepest tone I have ever heard.

"Jusko po!"

I jerked by surprise and turned around, becoming a bit nervous. I raised my hands on my chest, trying to ease it.

An old lady on her mid 70's was standing beside me, shes wearing a black long satin dress, on her neck was a huge necklace of a black cross, and a black fat cat on her arms, her stares are cutting like any moment I'm so dead. I didn't see her coming, how come did she get out without me noticing the door had opened up already?

"M-magandang gabi po Mrs. Conci---"

"Anong kailangan mo?"

I saw something in her eyes, it was like beaming inside, while actually staring sharply at me.

"Tama, k-kayo nga po si Mrs. Concillo? K-kasi po, t-tenant po ako nang apartment niyo? Ahm... P-Pwede po bang pumasok?"

She continued staring at me, like trying to find the truth between my words, the cat leaped from her arms and went back inside as if telling me 'yes! Get in please'

The woman made small glances around before saying

"Pasok!"

A chilly gust of wind blown from nowhere in particular, I shivered and hurriedly followed her inside.

I was a bit amazed by the view inside the house, so different from what it looks from the outside. Her furnitures were antique, from the chandelier, staircase, and to the sala set curved and designed to perfection with the finest wood.

A china cabinet by the window caught my eye, it was huge and elegantly designed way back from only god knows whom dynasty.

Look at the details! Just.. Wow!