An Earthling in the World of Anime

XIII. Night of Promise

Ang lamig ng tubig. It's as if I've been lying on a mountain of snow for a couple of days. Oh well. I can't even remember how long I've been in this small pool.

Yup.

Merong pool dito sa loob ng cr ng kwartong to. Mukha ngang pa-J yung shape nito e. The water is really cold. The small pool is in the center of the room and the rest? Mirrors. The wall is made up of mirrors. If this were a horror movie, it really was scary but being here in the anime world? It is somehow comforting. I'm just staring at my reflection from the mirrors. Kahit san ako tumingin, sarili ko lang nakikita ko.

Why am I here?

I closed my eyes.

If you'll be blessed by her, then you will see them.

Dahil ikaw ang pinili nya.

Forever and ever baby.

Sa oras na magkita kayong muli ni Ban midou, hindi ka na makakabalik sa mundo ng mga tao.

Pangako. Ako ang magbabalik sayo sa mundo ng mga tao kahit pa ikamatay ko.

I opened my eyes. Something has changed on my reflection.

Tears are falling.

I looked at my dandelion necklace.

"Hindi ko naiintindihan. Hindi kita naiintindihan."

***FLASHBACK!!!**

"Tulog ka na ba?" I asked Ban.

I had a nightmare - the same nightmare that I've been dreaming since it happened.

"Oo."

Umupo ako sa ilalim ng puno habang nakahiga si Ban sa mga sanga nito.

"Ok lang saken kahit hindi ka makinig." He didn't say a thing. I'm staring at the stars in the sky. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na dito.

"Alam mo. . . bata pa lang ako, pangarap ko na makapunta sa lugar na puro white dandelions. Kapag nakakakita ako ng seed nito na lumilipad, hinahabol ko talaga. You know why? Sabi nila, pag nakuha mo daw yun, mag-wish ka, magkakatotoo daw. Hahaha One time nga, nasa Disneyland kami tapos nakasakay kami ng Mom and Dad ko sa ferris wheel, may nakita akong seed ng dandelion na lumilipad pababa. . . tatalon ba naman ako para lang makuha yon at mag-wish. Hahaha Buti na lang hawak ako ni Dad. Napagalitan nga ko nun e kasi delikado daw yung ginawa ko. Sobrang bait ni Mom and Dad. My mom is really beautiful, kamukha ko nga daw siya e. Si Dad? Syempre, he's really handsome! Kapag may assignments ako, they were there to instruct me. Ang bilis ko ngang matuto dahil both of them were really smart. Kapag weekend, family and God's day talaga. We go out of the city and be with the nature. My Dad always recorded our trips, birthdays and school presentations. Hindi sya photographer but it was his hobby. Ang saya talaga noon. Kaya lang. . ."

I paused for a moment. Umihip ang malamig na hangin.

"Noon yun e." I'm now crying. "They died when I was 9. Isang sunog. Nasa resthouse kami nun sa Davao. Summer vacation kasi. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari e. Ang alam ko lang, my Dad was carrying me and he was holding Mom's hands. Puro usok and apoy na yung nakikita ko. The next thing na naaalala ko, I was standing outside of the house with so many people. Yaya Elena was holding me and crying. Hinahanap ko nun si Mom and Dad. But no one answered. Tapos. . . tapos. . ." 

I can't stop the tears from falling.

"I saw them inside the house. Nakaupo lang sila sa sahig. Looking at each other. Then, Dad kissed Mom on her forehead. . . and our house exploded."