Long Lost Print

Chapter 1

Secret

I have been having this dream even before, but lately, these dreams are getting clearer and successive. Gaya ng dati, nakakulong ako sa isang kwartong walang dingding maliban sa isang malaking pintuan. I opened the door and before my eyes is a rumbling pathway that led to something bright and flashy. Sa gilid nito ang nagagandahang mga halaman, bulaklak at damuhan. The whole place is so mystically beautiful that I was entralled to follow the path out of curiosity.

Makalipas ang iilang oras ng paglalakad, napansin kong padilim ng padilim ang aking paligid and when I looked around, the herbs and the flowering plants from before have been transforming into gigantic trees that seems to move according to my pace. Biglang nagsitayuan ang aking mga balahibo. I tried returning to that room from before but the trails that I have once walked through was nowhere to be found. I also noticed that there were vines following me, as if trying to touch and catch me. I could feel my heart beat skip its beat as I am attempting a daring escape from all of these nonsense. I screamed and screamed to get help but I cannot talk. Walang tinig na lumalabas sa aking mga bibig at habang akala kong wala pang mas nakasisindak na mangyayari, may nakita akong lalaking duguan sa unahan. The weirdest thing is that.. he has wings which is gradually turning black. Then, he murmured, as if speaking to me, despite his eyes closed.

“Find the secret.”

I gasped right after I woke up from the ending of that nightmare. Nanginginig kong hinawakan ang aking kumot at minulat ang aking mga mata, only to see that it’s already morning which gives me a sense of comfort.

“Hermi!” Muntik pa akong mahulog sa kama dahil sa gulat ng marinig ko ang sigaw ni Xya, ang pinsan ko. Napasiklap ako sa orasan at walang patagalang tumayo nang mapansing 5:30 na ng umaga while trying to forget that bloody nightmare.

“Bumangon ka na! Hoy!” Padabog na naman niyang sigaw. I sighed when I heard her continuous cussing and shrieks.

“Kay aga-aga, nambubulabog na naman ng kapit-bahay.” I murmured underneath my breath while fixing my bed. Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot at matapos maligpit ang kailangang ligpitin, I opened the door only to find myself slapped. Xya gave me a glare, as if warning me to be quick at padabog na bumaba. Napailing na lang ako habang hinawakan ang  mahapdi kong pisngi.

Panibagong araw na naman. Ano na naman kaya ang mangyayari ngayon?I whispered, completely ignoring another rumble from Xya. I totally understand why she hated me. Hindi kasi ako totoong kaugnay ng pamilya nila ngunit sa kabila nito, her parents treated me well as if I am.This is why despite what she does, I always remain silent and passive.

"Asan si Xio?" Malditang tanong ni Xya sa akin nang hinay-hinay ko ng hinanda ang hapag.Magsasalita na sana ako ng dilatan niya ako ng mata, as if telling me to shut up.

For the nth time, I sighed again and went directly to Xio's room to wake him up.

"Ohayō, Ate." The cute child greeted.His love for anime is really evident.

"Morning." I responded while smiling.

Sabay kaming kumain tatlo, at dahil ihahatid ko pa si Xio, mas mauuna ng papasok si Xya. Madaling araw pa lang , aalis na kasi si Tiyo at si Tiya para magtrabaho kung kaya ako ang naatasang maghatid kay Xio sa paaralan. Well, this task is supposedly an alternate responsibility of mine and Xya but overttime, ako na ang gumagawa.

"Where is it?" Xya called before going.I instantly grabbed something from my bag and handed her our assignment. It is actually an 8-page position paper, completely handwritten.This is actually the reason why I am up almost the entire night. Kailangan ko pa kasing gawin ang sa kanya at iyong sa akin.