Quest: Search for the Missing Tanchingco

In Another Realm...

I felt a crick as I bent my neck from side to side. It had been a long day at the super market where my friend and I work. I work there as a cashier while my best friend, Bachi, works as a bagger slash bodegero.

I grimaced at the memory of another deduction on my salary. I was 1870.25 pesos short. This  must be one of those dreadful days when all the cranky people decided to congregate in one place.

You see, I'm saving up to buy Caster.

"'Tsong, ba't ganyan na naman tabas ng mukha mo? We're going to be late for our next job so better give me the 'game face'."

My scowl deepened but who could resist the Batchi Luna smile? My face relaxed to return the same intensity of that smile.

"Short na naman."

"Tsk. Ba't ano ba kasi pinag-iipunan mo? I can lend you some money."

"No. You have a family to feed. I can take care of it."

Bachi wanted to pry more but she just shrugged it off, knowing me.

"Alright! We better go now to our gig. "

"Yes, mom," I mocked.

She swatted my butt playfully then walked on ahead. I shook my head and just laughed.

Ever since we were little, we always had each other's back—thick as thieves they would say.

We both grew up in an orphanage run by nuns, bringing nothing but mischief the poor sisters almost had coronaries every time.

We decided to leave when I turned seventeen and she turned eighteen to find employment. From time to time, we would visit to pay our respects or offer what help we could give to the nuns.

"O, What are you waiting for? New Year?"

"Alright, alright. I'll be there."

***

Something was strange. I feel like someone was following us.

"Bach, I'm not just being paranoid am I? Or is there someone following us?" I muttered at my friend.

"Shh... Let's just move. Stay calm," she whispered back.

We were on our way home from our gig, passing by a dark area of the road. It was an area perfect for a horror flick.

I've been having goose bumps since we started playing— that feeling when a sinister stranger lurking in the shadows had a fixed gaze on you. Then this person decides to follow you just for the pleasure of scaring you out of your wits.

"Where should we go? I don't want our stalker to know where we live," I whispered agitatedly.

"I'll take care of it. Wait here," she said before I lost sight of her.

"Batchi! Hwag mo 'kong iwan!" I called out in panic not receiving any response.

Out of somewhere, an angry growl chilled the night into deafening silence. It sounded more like it came from a monstrous beast of the wild. For a moment it made my heart stop. This is a city. It must be a stray dog. A stray Great Dane...?

A man screamed. I became more horrified as my over active imagination supplied more visuals of the unknown.

"Althea?"

I shrieked.

It was a good thing Batchi steadied me.

"For heaven's sake, don't scare me like that!"

"Relax, tsong. We better go."

"D-Did you hear it?"

"Yeah. We need to hurry. It might be an aswang...! "

"Haha..." I answered back in sarcasm.

"Tara na nga, uwi na lang tayo bago ka pa mahimatay sa sindak."

"What about the stalker?"

"Who knows? Best not to worry about it. Let's just go home."

"But---"

"Race ya!"

The event never recurred that we forgot it ever happened.

***

"Althea, wake up!"

"Mmm...."

I refused to open my eyes nor surrender my blanket from the incessant pulling.

My dream woman continued to string flowers together to create a crown for me. I could not see her face but being with her felt so right.

"Althea!"

She faded in as instant as the pain of reality registered in my still hazy brain. "Aray! Sakit nu'n ha!"

"We promised to visit the orphanage early, remember?"

"Shoot! I almost forgot."

"Sister Sally called. We just need to grab some packages from this list of establishments," Batchi said, sticking the piece of paper on my forehead earning her a glare.

"And we also need to meet a Noviate and Sister Cecilia at the bus station so better clean up well," she added upon leaving the room.

I perked up hearing Sister Cecilia's name. Batchi and I look up to her with great respect. She's become our mother figure for she knew everything about us, especially the fact that we only fall in love with girls. There was no judgment, only love and understanding.

That was why it broke our hearts when the missionary nun was assigned to another location. It has been years and I do wish that this trip back means she'll be  staying for good.

***

"Is she here yet?" I asked for the umpteenth time, craning at the group of people emerging from the buses.

Bachi just rolled her eyes. "Tsong, alam mo, para kang bata."

I stuck out my tongue at her. "Excited ka rin kaya. Kunwari pa."

"Althea! Batchi!" a warm voice called.

"Sister Cecilia!" we shouted in unison, rushing towards the old woman.

"Oh my! How you two have grown!"

Sister Cecilia hugged me tightly then hugged Batchi next. She still smelled of sweet vanilla which always comforted us.

Just behind the old nun was another figure carrying three travelling bags and holding a cane.

"Uhm...Sister? You forgot your cane."

I couldn't help but stare at the owner of the euphonious voice. Her soulful, brown eyes were the first thing that caught my sight. Suddenly, it was getting harder to breathe. Her serious expression changed as she looked at me as well—really looked that it almost felt like it was an otherworldly experience only the two of us knew but could not explain.

Sister Cecilia turned to the younger nun with a smile. "I thought I could impress you youngsters if I make no use of it."

"You're already impressive enough there's no need to do such thing. It'll take its toll on your knees and back," the younger nun admonished in worry, sharply severing the connection we had.

"I'm fine. I'm fine."

Somehow, the quick dismissal made me feel hollow for a moment.

"O, Hinga ng malalim," I heard Batchi say from beside me. "Bagay pero mas pinili niyang maging bride ng Vocation."

"O mga anak, I'd like you to meet Sister Jade," Sister Cecilia introduced.

Batchi stepped forward to shake Sister Jade's hand. "Hello. I'm Batchi and that's Althea."

Sister Jade turned towards me expectantly after my friend introduced herself.

I hesitantly shook her hand, feeling the strong force just from the contact but I chose to ignore it even the message her eyes were conveying.