Watermelon Dreams

Mirror

Olivia realized she missed her sister so much and felt guilty for not being keen on joining her family. Her sister’s friends also looked delighted to see her. They enthusiastically talked about camping with her on the beach that night.

Nawala ang lungkot nya ng gabing iyon lalo na at nagkasiyahan sila sa tabing- dagat habang nag-iihaw ng marshmallows sa bonfire. Nagkantahan sila at napuno ng tawanan ang gabi. Masayang nakipaglaro ng taguan si Olivia sa kapatid at mga kabigan nito. Tila wala silang kapagurang naghabulan sa dalampasigan at naligo sa dagat habang pinapanood sila ng Lola at mga magulang nila.

Sumagi pa rin sa isipan ni Olivia si Umi pero tama ito sa sinabing igugol ang oras sa pamilya nya at mga kaibigan.

“Hindi natin malalaman kung hindi natin susubukan,” pangungumbinsi ni Pris sa kanila habang nakahiga sa malaking tent kung saan sila matutulog.

Sinabi sa kanya ng mga ito ang kwento ni Ate Rhoda, ang bente singko anyos na kasam-bahay ng mga Ricamora, na ang kasintahan nito ay ang syang itinadhana rito. Nakita raw ni Rhoda sa salamin ang mukha ng lalaki nang tumingin ito eksaktong alas dose ng hating- gabi.

“Parang nakakatakot.” Jessica Monteciello sounded hesitant. Ito ang laging partner in crime ni Pris at game sa mga kalokohan pero mukhang hindi ito sang-ayon sa nais gawin ng matalik na kaibigan.

“Pero gusto kong malaman kung totoo nga,” giit naman ni Kristine Ricamora, na dati- rati’y iyakin ngunit nagkaroon ng tapang mula nang maging kaibigan ang dalawa. “Sasama ka sa amin di ba, Ate Liv?”

Hindi agad nakakibo si Olivia. Nakikinig lamang sya at nasorpresa syang gustong isama ng mga ito. Lagi kasi syang umiiwas sa mga ito noon dahil pakiramdam nya pabigat lamang sya. Naisip na naman nya ang sinabi ni Umi, na magkakaroon din sya ng mga kaibigan. 

“Sasama ka ba, Ate?” Tanong din ni Jessica sa kanya.

The next night, Olivia found herself tiptoeing along the corridor on her silk pajama with her sister and friends. It was few minutes before midnight and they were on their way to an old room at the third floor where the Mirror of Love was.

It was very quiet, there were no lights on. They could only hear the waves coming from the beach. Careful not to wake anyone, Kristine, carrying a flashlight, led the group.

Olivia could feel the cool floor on her bare feet as they cautiously ascended the wooden staircase. Their shadows looked eerie as it loomed ahead of them and they could hear every tiny noise around them. They almost screamed when a gecko made a sound outside the window.

Kristine stopped infront of a wooden door with a bronze doorknob.

“Buksan mo na.” Pris nudged her friend impatiently.

Olivia could tell that Kristine was nervous but bravely opened the door. It was dark. According to Ate Rhoda, they were not to open the light. They should only use a candle especially while looking at the mirror.

Kristine turned off the flashlight but left the door open. It didn’t help because it was still pitch dark inside the room.

Olivia heard her friends’ nervous breathing and the three of them clutched on her pajama tightly.

“W-We should light the candle,” Olivia whispered, trying to be brazen for everyone. She heard someone rummaged on her pajama’s pocket. It took few tries before a matchstick was lighted and finally a candle illuminated the windowless room. Other than the lifesize oval- shaped mirror, the room was empty.

“Sinong mauuna?” Bulong ni Pris, na syang may hawak ng kandila. Walang sumagot.

“Ikaw na lang,” suhestiyon ni Kristine.