Fate In Ink

chapter 27

My breath hitched as I relished in the salty breeze of Manila bay. Cool wind crept up on my skin, leaving goosebumps at its wake. The sea glistened while it slowly gobbles up the orange sun, my body small under the crimson-lit sky, surrounded by gigantic ships and the endless chattering of people.

The cacophony of voices that pervaded my ears was more music than noise. Vendors were screaming 'fresh fish' or 'jade bracelets from China' around us, carrying baskets of goods and shouting in Filipino then switching to what I think would be an awkward Spanish.

I kept my drawstring bag close to my body, wary of anyone who might come close and steal it away. I brought my writing materials, as well as the iPhone the twins found. Old Manila would be an interesting place, but I had to make the most of my time. I couldn't lose it at all costs, too.

"Catalina, let's go." Doña Valentina waved her hand, the other holding a fan to cover half her face. I hopped to her side, only to earn a knowing look.

I looked down, and the flashbacks of more than a week-long training gushing in my mind.

The doña's servants started loading our luggage onto the kalesa we would ride. Me and Solana wanted to help out, but the staff only gave us kind smiles and completely shut our offer down.

With nothing to do, I watched a trail of kalesa line up behind us, each one welcoming a don or doña into its cozy interior. There were a wide variety of horses, too. The most common color among them was brown, yet I could see a few who were in black, a spotted white, or a spotted brown.

My thoughts pulled me back to the day when Salome fell sick and I practically begged Julian to take us to the next town and see the doctor. Thinking about it, I'm an absolute madwoman to have blocked the horse from its path. One kick or stomp from it and I'd be hurtled into the afterlife - possibly no chance of ever coming back to my era nor this one.

They finished loading up the luggage, and I followed Doña Valentina into the kalesa. I heaved a big breath and my stomach growled a low, show-stopping churn.

I glanced at the doña, who hid her smile behind her fan, and Solana, whose shoulders could not stop from shaking. I pouted and poked Solana's side, earning a slight chuckle from her.

A sparrow perched on the frame of the kalesa, and I smiled at the small brown bird. They've also been abundant, but I have never seen one so close before. "Hello," I whispered.

I suddenly remembered the death of the rooster Father was nursing a few days before. He said it was a fine rooster to sell, but then they suddenly found it dead a few days ago - bones crushed and submerged in its own blood.

My thoughts fell back on the sparrow. The sparrow cocked its head to the side and took to the skies.

****

If I thought the Rivera mansion back home was huge, but not it looked like a child's playhouse next to this one.

The house stood prouder and taller in the row of stone houses. Its rock gray foundation was polished to an almost silver color, not dulled by the scarce daylight peeking from the clouds. Bird sculptures peered down at us while they perched at the doorposts like soldiers guarding the mansion.

A man came out from the wooden door and bowed to Doña Valentina. He was a lean man of average height, a bit shorter than the doña. Strands of silver surfaced from under his thick black curls and wrinkles formed when he smiled up at us.

"Good evening, doña," he said. "Don Edgardo is resting in your chambers, for he feels unwell."

"Oh." Doña Valentina gently closed her fan. "I thought he feels no love for me anymore. He did not fetch us when we arrived at the bay."