Touch of Time

Chapter 25: Reunited

Evening is getting late.  Everyone has fallen asleep already except for Ersha.  Her mind is still in constant thought about what the sorcerer said to her lately.  She tries to close her eyes but her mind is wide awake.  She changed her position from one side to the other just to make herself relaxed but still didn't work.  From such, she rise up in bed and went straight towards the window to see the evening sky.  As she opened it, the moon comes into view and it is in waxing gibbous phase.  The sky is also free from sheets of clouds, so all the stars are visible, bright and twinkling.  By looking at them, a memory flashed back into Ersha on how she looks up to the sky when she was with the Bandres family one night in their balcony.  That night she felt nostalgic to her present time period but now, she yearns to go back in time.  She told herself it may sound crazy but when she listens to her heart, it's crying for Andro's company, his warm embrace and tender touch. 

After a few minutes, Ersha then felt sleepy so she went back to her bed and slept immediately.  It only took 5 minutes when she began to snore and as she fell into a deeper state of slumber, Ersha started to dream.  Andro was pulled out in prison.  He is being rescued by his 3 companions of the revolutionary group but Andro insisted to go back in the cell to get Ersha but cannot do so for he is being restrained and the fire is getting bigger.  He is also told that Mario went inside to fetch Ersha so he waited for them to surface from the heavy smoke of the burning prison.  Unfortunately, it was only Mario who appeared so Andro cried hard and yelled for Ersha's name.  While sleeping, tears rolled down on both sides of Ersha's face and suddenly, she sleep walk.  Without everyone knowing, Ersha rose up on bed and moved to the direction of the door.  She continues to walk unconsciously then going towards the living room.  On the left corner, a vortex begins to form from a smaller form until it becomes bigger where a human can enter.  Ersha walked straight in front of it then a hand emerged from the vortex who grabbed Ersha's hand and pulled her in exchange to the person who just came out.  In a few seconds, the vortex closed and the person who just went out stole some clothes inside the house to change its clothing.  Then, left the house without anyone noticing.

Ersha woke up coughing.  She is lying on a piled dried leaves.  From afar, she sees the prison still burning.  She rubbed her eyes to look at it clearly but the image is clear.  She pinches her face to check if she's awake but she's really awake.  At that moment, she already knew that she was back in time again so she stood up and went straight towards Bandres' residence.

Ersha knocked the door thrice but no one came to open.  She made another three pounding sound and from above, the window opened and someone looked.  Then in a short moment, a person came down and opened the door.  It was Andel and he ushered her in hastily looking worried on her image for she is looking messed up and soot is all over her face.

Mrs. Dulce ran towards her bringing a cloth to wipe her face.  "What happened to you and Andro?", she asked.  We are so worried for Mario told us that the two of you were detained.

"We got separated, Andro was pulled out by his companions and I am also been put on a pile of leaves.  I didn't know who brought me there.  I just woke up and find myself lying.", replied Ersha.

"I think you need to change first.  I'll prepare your clothes and you go to the bathroom and have a wash."  Mrs. Dulce told her.

Ersha then went to wash herself.  She stayed in there for almost 30 minutes due to the thickness of the soot that got stuck on to her hair and fingernails.  Her body felt very itchy so she scrubbed and washed several times.  When she was done and put on a new clothing, she opened the bathroom door to get out.  As she started to walk back to the living room, someone touched her shoulder and when she faced it.  It was Andro who then pulled her closer to him.  He hugged her so tight and kissed her lips as if she has been lost for a long time.