Watermelon Dreams

Bodyguard

“Your curiosity about my sister is understandable.” Isang babae ang pumasok nang hindi kumakatok sa pinto ang nagsalita. “I’ll tell you the truth, Olivia.”

Napasexyng tignan ni Sandrea sa suot nitong all-white track suit. Saglit sya nitong tinapunan ng tingin bago bumeso sa Lola Esmeralda nya.

“Hi, Essie. You said you have another meeting for an hour? Hihintayin na lang kita. I wanted to take a run but it rained. Hobi is rather bad-tempered recently. He didn’t like Ami’s current girlfriend.” Sandrea dried her clothes with one flick of a finger.

“Amihan is a lesbian?” Olivia thought.

“Habang hinihintay ka, Olivia can keep me company.” Sandrea turned to her.

Nagpalipat- lipat ng tingin ang Lola nya sa kanilang dalawa. “Very well. I’ll see you later, Sandrea.”

Hinintay munang makaalis ni Sandrea ang Lola nya bago ito umupo sa swivel chair sa tabi nya at humarap sa kanya. Kumumpas ito at lumitaw ang isang tasa ng mainit na tsokolate sa mesa.

“Erin told me it’s your favorite. I prefer tea.” Isang tasa naman ng green tea ang hawak nito.

Pinaghalong tamis, pait at alat ang sumalubong sa panlasa ni Olivia nang uminom ng tsokolate. Tahimik silang sumimsim ng kani- kaniyang inumin.

“You’ve been wondering why my sister’s power easily deminishes in battle compared to us. It takes toll on her body. It frustrates her all the time,” Sandrea said after few minutes of awkward silence.

Sandrea’s usually scrutinizing eyes softened then it turned steely. “Mabait si Erin. Mapagmahal. Busilak ang puso nya. Kaya nyang itaya ang sariling kaligtasan para sa iba.”

Her stoic eyes were looking straight at Olivia. She remembered meeting her before when she was a child. Sandrea was not as friendly as Boris and Miranda but she was warm towards her. But Sandrea seemed cold towards her since rescuing all of them in the woods.

“Let me tell you a story. It happened 18 years ago.” Sandrea sipped on her tea and told her how Erin helped her parents avoid an accident.

Parang binuhasan nang napakalamig na tubig si Olivia nang malaman kung paano sinagip ni Erin ang sanggol sa sinapupunan ng Mommy nya. Sya ang dahilan kung bakit nawala ang kalahati ng Puwersa ng Buhay ni Erin.

“She gave you half of her life force, Olivia. That probably explains why you can use Erin’s bow and arrow. Her weapon recognizes you as its master.” Walang ibang puwedeng gumamit sa mga sandata ng mga anak ng Inang Kalikasan. Dinesenyo ang mga ito ni Agui para sa kanila lamang at ang magtangkang gumamit nito’y tutupukin ng apoy.

“You and my sister are connected. Only you could hear the sound of the wind chimes, like how Erin hears them whenever Keithia is home.” Sandrea stood and pulled the roller shades, revealing the rain- splattered window. “I hope you are living your life to the fullest. Valuing it. Because my sister gave you another chance.”

When the Minokawa asked Olivia if she was worthy, he must be referring to the second life bestowed upon her.

“My sister changed your fate.” Nakatingin si Sandrea sa malakas na buhos ng ulan sa labas. “Destiny can be altered. I hope what’s about to come can be changed too.”

Olivia’s heart was filled with fear. “What’s about to come?”

“Future sometimes presents itself to me. I had a vision.” Humarap si Sandrea sa kanya. “I saw Erin’s death.” Her jaw clenched in anger.

Kasabay nang panlalamig ng buong katauhan nya ang pag-init ng mga mata ni Olivia sa nagbabadya nyang mga luha. Naalala nya ang sinabi ni Verona. “D-Dahil ba sa akin? Mamamatay ba sya dahil sa’kin?”