Watermelon Dreams

Savior

Nang mawala ang babae, unti- unti namang nawala ang malay ni Elizabeth. Nagising na lang ito sa loob ng delivery room at narinig ang iyak ng bagong silang na si Olivia.

“Your mother was very confused. She couldn’t remember how her water broke and went into labor. Pagkatapos ka nyang ipanganak, she told me about the angel.” Lola Esmeralda smiled at Olivia. “Walang maalala ang Dad mo sa mga nangyari. Eirene erased his memory. Hindi nya nagawang burahin ang ala-ala ni Elizabeth dahil hindi na sapat ang natitirang kapangyarihan ni Eirene. Ngunit habang tumatagal naniwala na rin ang Mommy mo na panaginip lang ang lahat.”

Mga Kontaminados ang dahilan sa biglaang pagbuhos ng ulan habang bumibiyahe ang mga magulang ni Olivia. Dahil si Eirene ang malapit sa lugar, ito ang unang dumating para sagupain ang mga kalaban bago pa maging mapanirang bagyo ang isang simpleng ulan.

“Eirene told me what she did. Hindi nya alam na Mommy at Daddy mo ang nasa kotse. She was surprised to see your Mom. When Eirene touched her, she knew your Mom would lose you. You were destined to die but Elizabeth pleaded desperately for your life. Kahit alam ni Eirene na bawal baguhin ang nakatakda, nakita nya ang pagmamahal ng nagsusumamong ina. She didn’t hesitate to help you and your Mom.” Pinalis ni Lola Esmeralda ang mga butil ng luhang naglandas sa pisngi nito.

Being a daughter of Mother Nature, Eirene had immeasurable amount of power. When she changed Olivia’s fate, her strength was reduced. When she decided to let Olivia lived, Eirene gave half of her life force to her.

“I owe her my life…” Olivia didn’t know what to feel after hearing all that. Being with her Lola was still surreal. Her head was swimming with a lot of information. Everything was unexpected. And she had a feeling what she heard was just the tip of an iceberg.

“Eirene was happy to alter the course of your life. She never regretted it.” Lola Esmeralda’s forehead creased with worry. “You and Eirene are connected not only because of her life force within you but because of the love you shared.”

“L-Love?” Kinabahan si Olivia. Baka dahil naging mabuti silang magkaibigan ni Eirene. Nacu-curious na talaga sya kung ano ang mga ala-ala nya. At the same time natatakot sya kung anong malalaman nya.

Paanong nangyaring nakalimot sya dahil lamang sa ginusto nya? Kung may ganyang option ang mga tao, maraming magbubura ng ala-ala lalo na ang pait at pighati. Sa mga sandaling iyon, may hindi maipaliwanag na lungkot at sakit ang kumurot sa kaibuturan ng puso nya.

Matagal na nyang iwinawaksi, may mga oras sa buhay nya, lalo kapag sya na lamang ang mag-isa sa kwarto at walang nakakakita, tila may patlang sa pagkatao nya. Like something was missing. When she questioned herself what, she couldn’t put her fingers on it. She’d end up dismissing it. She’d throw herself to sleep at night or keep herself busy during the day.

“Sabi mo, nandito ka to help your friend. Ano ba talaga ang nangyayari, Lola? Anong maitutulong ko sa kanya?” Olivia owed Eirene her life. Kung may magagawa sya para rito, gagawin nya ang makakaya nya.

“My sister is dying. Help us save her.” It was Miranda who spoke. Her eyes were pleading.

Natigilan si Olivia. She didn’t expect that. “How?”

“You have to wake her up, iha.”

Napaisip si Olivia. That’s it? Wake her up? “It’s not that simple is it? There’s more to it.” She was suddenly nervous when her grandmother nodded.

“We are here,” Miranda announced. Tumayo ito nang huminto ang bus sa gilid ng isang sementadong kalsada. “Salamat, Arturo.” Ngumiti ito sa driver saka naunang bumaba.

Sumunod sya nang tumayo rin ang Lola nya at bumaba. Olivia checked her wooden watch. It was almost 4PM.

“I’m glad you kept it all these years,” her Lola said.