Chapter 4: Unexpected Guest
"B-but I thought she didn't left any." My hands are trembling as I held the scroll. The scroll was cold to my touch.
"She left each for all of you. Nephren wrote it here in Witchella so they just received it earlier when we came back." Masinsin niya akong pinagmasdan. Huminga ako nang malalim saka tumango.
Ilang araw pa lang ang lumilipas. Lola. I'm missing you already.
Tiningnan ko ang scroll at nakita ang nakasulat sa labas nito.
To my dearest flower
Binuksan ko ang scroll at pinilit na alisin ang luha na nagtatangkang tumakas sa mga mata ko.
In every secrets, always know that we kept you safe.
We fought battles for you to be protected. But I hope you understand that those battles were never your fault. It was fate's doing and I know that when you receive this scroll, I am gone in this world.
And so, for you to never feel that I have left, take my wand and Rex. They will help you.
My flower, be strong.
You will always be my favorite flower.
Love, your lola.
Tuluyan nang lumabas ang mga luha kong kanina lang ay pinipigilan. I was crying my eyes out with my hands balled.
They fought for me? How many battles have they fought without me knowing? I was living my life with bliss and innocence and didn't know they have suffered wars for me.
"T-tell me, Rex." Tinignan ko siya. Kahit pa malabo ang paningin ko dahil sa mga luha ko, I face him with a stern look. "Did Lola die protecting me? D-did she sacrificed her life for me? She didn't die because of old age, did she?! I'm sure! She looked healthy and l-lonely." Lola always looked serious but she smiles when she sees me. She tries to look happy for me. But I see her and hear her crying sometimes in her room, hugging Lolo's picture. She was lonely.
"No." Sagot niya. "She died while trying to search justice for Willem."
"W-what do you mean? I thought Lolo died because of heart failure."
"No. Those kinds of reasons are to make you believe they died with basic reasons." Giit niya. Napasapo na ako sa ulo ko. My head is hurting again. "Avy, we're supposed to tell you about everything when you were eight but an attack happened in Witchella kaya natakot na naman kami. It is better to tell you if you turn eighteen because by then, your charm will come out."
Unti-unti na akong nalilinawan dahil sa mga sinabi niya. When I was eight, my mother brought me at Lola's house for vacation earlier than expected. She said we have something to go to but suddenly, they took me to Tita Cindy's house and told me we won't be able to leave that day.
"Who's Dionne? What charm?" I asked, trying to calm myself from crying. I breathed deep and let it out to help me ease the pain of my head. "Dionne's the king you cursed in your mind and charm is something you can do as a witch. Though some doesn't have it." Napatingin ako sa pinto nang may magsalita galing doon. Dumating na sina Dina at Warren. May dala silang mga paperbags na mga pagkain ang laman. Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Something I can do?
"Something like this." Ingrid said and suddenly, sparks of thunder appeared on the top of her palm. Napakurap ako nang ilang beses. "I-is that...?" Hindi ko na natapos sasabihin ko dahil sa pagkagulat.
"Thunder? Yes. It was what Lola gave me." Tipid na ngiti ang lumabas sa labi niya. "I only got telepathy before but she made me inherit her thunders."
