The Promise

Bloodbath

Enjoying the scenery at the house's backyard, Glaizel hugging Arhianna from her back, despite the death of Nanang Elle. It saddens them that their link to their past had passed away. They can hear the cry of some family members though some were, who knows the story of the old woman, accepted her leaving. They met and greeted the couple.

"I'll be leaving Nanang Elle's wake to my family. I told them I will be bringing you to the promise tree,? Fr. Miggy came from behind them, making the couple turn their attention.

"Thr promise tree?" Arhiamma asked.

"That is what Nanang Elle called it. Doon kasi siya nangako when they buried their ashes,"

The three left using the car Glaizel rented back to the cathedral. 

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David's plane landed in landed in a private hangar in Basco Airport. He came with 10 of his best men, including the one with tattoo and the big silent guy. 

"Ask anyone if they saw the 2. Show them the pictures," he commanded his men.

They started the search as soon as they stepped outside the airport. By 2's, the men showed pictures on every trike drivers and taxi drivers waiting for passengers.

"Excuse me Manong, itatanong ko lang ho kung may nakita kayong 2 babaeng magkasama. Ito ang litrato nila," David asked one of the taxi drivers.

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It was a short drive going back to the church. Fr. Miggy asked them to wait for him by the car and he will just give instructions to his helpers to clean the altar for Nanang Elle's wake. He came back after a few minutes.

They walked along the side of the church. A tall wall separates the entire church ground to the woods. Fr. Miggy opened a rusted iron gate that was almost covered by vines. It looks like it has not been opened in years. He opened it with force and a loud cracking sound echoed.

The wind blew making the tree branches sway. Welcoming them into their wonder. Plants seemed to bow down as the three pass by. The wind the touches their skin were like embrace and its howl was their greeting. 

They have walked for almost ten minutes.

"Do you see the biggest tree ahead?" Fr. Miggy asked.

The couple searched for the biggest tree and they nodded.

"That is the Promise Tree. You'll see its wonder soon. Come," and they continued walking.

As they come nearer to the tree, Arhianna felt sudden chill. The familiarity of the surrounding made the memory of Althea's death rewind in her mind. Her heart pounded as if Luis's presence was there waiting for them behind the trees. She made her senses sharp, creating a ghost that someone might just jumped on them, trying to stop them in reaching the tree. 

Fr. Miggy stood infront of the tree, waiting for the couple who was still a few inches away. Glaizel looked behind her, stretching her hand towards Arhianna.

"Come on. Its okay," Glaizel assured her, smiling. Arhianna took her hand.

"This tree is older than Nanang. This, " pointing on the spot directly below him. He took a step backward. "... is the very spot where the ashes were buried,"

The couple both looked on the ground where the priest pointed. There's 2 big roots, as big as an arm twisted together, and at the end of it are 10 thinner roots intertwined together like fingers.

"Those roots that you see are believed to be hands holding each other. I was told by the Nanang that it was not there when they buried the ashes. It just appeared after 40 days of Jade's death, and this tree was dying before, but fresh leaves and branches sprung. She said that maybe the love Jade and Althea had lived again through this tree," he continued.