CHAPTER TEN
SUMMER OF 1995
Olivia’s sister, Pris, once asked her, if a magical jinn were to grant her one power, what would she wished for? She wanted the ability to fly. She always imagined herself racing with the birds and feeling the wind beneath her.
That night when Ate Umi came to get her, she thought her dream would be realized. It did. Only it wasn’t like she expected.
To her horror, Umi jumped out of the window, carrying her, without any warning. Olivia thought she was about to die when they began to fall fast.
Nasa second floor lang ang kwarto nya pero mataas pa rin ito. Would the rose bushes below enough to catch them? She doubted that.
Olivia waited for her body to hit the thorny flowers but to her astonishment, her fall suddenly stopped.
She began to relax and became aware her face was buried against Umi’s clothes, her arms tightly around her neck.
“Did I scare you?” Umi teased.
Nag-angat ng ulo nya si Olivia at nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. Umi’s eyes danced with amusement. Her lips were curved into a michievous smile.
Kakalas na sana si Olivia sa pagkakayakap sa kaibigan nang mapansing halos kapantay lang nila ang bintana ng kwarto nya. Ibig sabihin…dahan-dahang tumingin sa ibaba si Olivia at nadiskubreng nakatayo si Umi sa isang napakalaking dahong halos sing-laki ng twin bed nya, na nakalutang sa hangin.
After the storm died down, the stars feasted on the sky and the moon shone brighter that night, bathing the surrounding with light, enough for Olivia to confirm they were indeed standing on an enormous taro leaf.
“You have nothing to fear.” Umi gave her an assuring smile and slowly took Olivia down.
Napakapit pa rin si Olivia sa kamay ni Ate Umi dahil baka gumewang o mabutas ang dahon. Pero ni hindi gumalaw ang dahon kaya medyo nakahinga sya nang maluwag. Unti- unti ring kumalma ang kalooban nya at napalitan ng excitement.
Marahan nyang hinampas sa tagiliran si Ate Umi. “You are mean,” sumbat ni Olivia rito.
“You are adorable,” natatawang sabi ni Umi, na mukhang naligayahan sa ginawang pananakot nito. Pinisil nito ang magkabilang pisngi nya saka ito yumuko para yakapin sya. “Sasama ka pa ba sa’kin?”
“Isusumbong kita kay Lola pag inulit mo yun,” salubong ang kilay na sabi ni Olivia.
Umi laughed and sat indian style on the leaf. “Come here.” She patted the space next to her.
Umakbay sa kanya si Ate Umi nang umupo sya sa tabi nito. Dahan-dahan namang umangat ang dahon hanggang sa lumagpas sa bubong ng brick house, hanggang sa pakiramdam ni Olivia ay maaabot na nya ang buwan.
Kitang-kitang nya ang kabuuan ng farm, ang mga puno at pananim nila, maging ang mga mangilan- ngilang kabahayan. Nililipad-lipad ng hangin ang buhok nya at nanunuot naman ang lamig sa sweater at pajama nya. Ngunit hindi alintana iyon ni Olivia dahil masayang- masaya sya lalo na nang tuluyang lumipad ang dahon at lumibot sa kapaligiran.
Olivia squealed with delight when they flew faster. She was no longer afraid, for she knew her friend got her back. Umi kept Olivia warm when it was too cold.
Her eyes were wide in wonder when they flew over the mountains and over rivers and forests. She felt free.
There was a moment Olivia got frightened when two flying female creatures with bat- like wings flew on each side with them. After greeting Umi in a friendly way, the creatures soared ahead of them and disappeard into the night.
Hindi mapiglang sumiksik ni Olivia kay Umi, nang mapansin nyang kalahati lang ang katawan ng mga ito. “Mga manananggal sila,” paliwanag ni Umi. “Kagaya ng mga tao, may mabubuti rin sa kanilang lahi.” Pinili raw ng magkapatid na iyon na huwag mambiktima ng mga tao. “Kumakain lamang sila ng mga hayop.”
Napasinghap si Olivia nang makita ang sa tingin nya’y daan- daang mga alitaptap na nagmistulang bituin, na umaaligid sa mga puno, bato at bulaklak. Parang nagkakasiyahan ang mga ito at nagsasayawan sa ilalim ng maliwanag na buwan.
Pangatlong gabi na silang magkasama ni Ate Umi. Susunduin sya nito sa kwarto nya tuwing gabi at mamamasyal sila sa iba’t- ibang lugar sakay ng mahiwagang dahon ng gabi.
Tiwala si Olivia sa kaibigan at hindi sya nagtatanong kung saan sya nito dadalhin. Hindi rin nya ito tinatanong kung sino o ano ba talaga ito.
“Ang ganda, Ate Umi!” Bulalas ni Olivia. Makapigil- hininga ang kariktan nito nang makita ang mga mumunting ilaw mula sa itaas at lalong hindi nya maisalarawan nang mapagmasdan ito sa mas malapitan.
Ilan sa mga alitaptap ay pumalibot kay Umi, na tila nagbibigay pugay sa pagdating ng magandang babae.
Olivia was in awe of her friend’s beauty. She was more breathtaking than the magnificence around her.
Ate Umi told her that fireflies were bio indicators of a healthy ecosystem. “Sensitibo sila sa polusyon o kahit anong pagbabago sa kanilang kapaligiran. Isang magandang senyales na makita sila sa isang lugar.”
Sapat na ang liwanag ng buwan at mga alitaptap para magsilbing ilaw nila ni Umi, na noo’y inilatag ang dalang banig mula sa farm.
May dala silang basket ng mga pagkain at inumin, na Lola nya mismo ang naghanda. Pumuwesto sila malapit sa lawa at napapalibutan sila ng mga makukulay na bulaklak.
Tanaw mula roon ang mga punong may mala-kurtina sa habang mga dahon, na ayun kay Umi ay mga Willow trees.
Umi encouraged Olivia to bathe in the lake. She stripped off her windbreaker, shorts, socks and shoes then gleefully plunged with her underwear and shirt. Ate Umi promised to dry them later. Olivia thought the water would be cold but it was surprisingly warm. Though she was a good swimmer, she stayed on the shallow part of the lake where Umi could see her from the bank.
The large taro leaf was drifting along side Olivia, ready to rescue her if needed be. Umi refused to join her and contented herself reading Midsummer Nights Dream.
Olivia closed her eyes and let her body glide on the surface. The gentle splash of the water and the sound of the crickets were melody to her ears. She inhaled deeply drinking in the fresh air.
When she opened her eyes, several shooting stars crossed the sky. Olivia immediately made a wish that she could be with Umi forever. That they would go to beautiful places or just talk endlessly while munching her Lola’s grapes.
“The stars bring good luck but they can’t grant wishes.” Olivia was surprised when a woman’s voice she’s not familiar with spoke.
Olivia suddenly stood and found herself on the part a lake where the water was chest deep. A thin mist was surrounding her making impossible for her to see the water bank or Umi.
“I am not going to hurt you,” the woman said.
Doon na napansin si Olivia ang isang magandang babaing may mahabang buhok na nakatirintas. Nakaupo ito sa gilid ng mahiwagang dahon. Nakasawsaw ang mga paa nito sa tubig habang nakatukod ang dalawang siko nito sa mga tuhod at nakapangalumbaba. Nakangiti ang mga mapupula nitong labi at nakatuon ang kulay berde nitong mga mata sa kanya.
Maamo ang mukha nito pero may kung ano sa mga ngiti nito kaya hindi kumportable si Olivia. Nasasanay na syang nakakakita ng iba’t- ibang nilalang na kagaya ng mga duwende at lambanang sa mga libro lamang nya nababasa ngunit hindi pa rin nya mapigilang matakot lalo pag nabibigla sya.
Olivia hugged herself when the cold covered her body but the woman was unaffected despite wearing a mint green dress that fell above her knees.
She tried to look beyond the mist for Umi but Olivia’s friend was nowhere in sight.
“Sasamahan muna kita. Ako muna ang magbabantay sa’yo,” wika ng babae. Her tiara sparkled against the moonlight. It was made of small stones that resembled frozen droplets of water.
Napaatras si Olivia at napaisip kung paano makakaahon agad sa tubig. Kinabahan sya nang mawaring wala talaga si Umi.
“You are a beautiful child and you will blossom more when you grow up.” It was supposed to be a compliment but Olivia felt like the woman was insulting her; her green eyes scrutinizing her.
“Nasaan si Ate Umi?” Sa wakas nagawang magsalita ni Olivia.
Tumitig lang sa kanya ang babae. “Nariyan lang sya sa paligid. Wala kang dapat ipangamba dahil isa rin akong kaibigan tulad nya,” maya-maya’y sumagot din ito pero ramdam ni Olivia na walang senseridad sa tinuran nito.
“Anong…ano pong kailangan ninyo?”
The woman gave out a humorless laugh. “Wala akong kailangan sa’yo. Ikaw ang may kailangan sa akin.”
Napakunot ang noo ni Olivia at nagtatanong ang mga matang tumitig dito.
“You like being with her,” the green eyed woman commented. She was referring to Umi. “Unfortunately you can’t. At alam mo iyon, Olivia. Isa kang tao at sya naman ay isang imortal.”
Olivia knew in her heart that whatever she had with Umi wasn’t permanent. They lived in a completely different world. Eventually, everything between them would end. And it hurt Olivia.
Kung hanggang kailan, hindi alam ni Olivia. Gusto nyang sulitin ang bawat sandali na makakasama nya ang kaibigan at dadalhin na lamang ito sa ala-ala. Umi would be her most beautiful memory.
“You will lose your memories of her.” Tila nabasa ng babae ang isipan nya. Marahil naririnig nga nito ang mga iniisip nya.
Tears started brimming in her eyes, stinging them. It was painful to be apart from her friend but losing her memories was worse. This woman could be lying, Olivia thought.
“Wala akong dahilan para magsinungaling sayo, Olivia.” May gumuhit na awa sa mukha nito habang nakatingin sa kanya. “Kahit itanong mo pa sa kaibigan mo. Lahat ng mga nakita mo, mawawala lahat sa iyong isipan. Your memories of her will fade once you turn eight.”
What she heard couldn’t be true. It’s impossible to forget all of it. It was too vivid and everything was etched on her mind.
“But I can help you, young child.” There was certainty on her voice that made Olivia almost believed her. “You couldn’t walk on the same road but you will eternally have your memories of her.”
“You will help me?” Olivia was hopeful.
“Yes.” The woman smiled sweetly.
“Anong kapalit?” Batid ni Olivia na may kapalit ang ibibigay nito. Binalaan na sya ni Umi na may mga nilalang na sadyang mapanlinlang kaya kailangan nyang maging maingat.
Nasorpresa ang babae. Hindi nito inasahan ang tanong nya. Maya-maya’y napangiti ito. “Matalino kang bata. Hindi na ako nagtatakang magiliw sayo ang kaibigan mo.” May pag-iimbot sa tono nito. “Mananatili sya sa isipan mo, kapalit ng suot mo.”
The woman looked at the woven bracelet visible on Olivia’s arms. Inside the three crystals, the wind spiralled. Olivia never took it off the moment Umi gave it to her. Umi made her promised not to part with it.
“Ayoko po. Simbolo ito ng pagkakaibigan namin ni Ate Umi.” It was Umi’s gift and it was very important to her. “Iba na lang ang hingin mo. Maraming alahas ang Lola ko na puro dyamante. Ibibigay ko sayo kahit ilan.” Her Lola would surely agree with her.
“I don’t need your diamonds, silly child. I want your bracelet. Isang simpleng kapalit para sa isang mahalagang kahilingan.”
Kung iisipin ni Olivia, isa lamang itong bagay na maaaring palitan. Pwede pa syang bigyan muli ni Umi ng katulad ng bracelet na ito. Samalantalang hindi na nya maaalala kahit kailan ang kaibigan. Mas mahalaga iyon, hindi ba?
But the bracelet was symbolic. It was more precious than the most expensive diamond.
“Hindi ko pwedeng ibigay. Hinding- hindi ko ipagpapalit ang regalo ni Ate Umi.” Nakapagpasya na si Olivia.
“Kahit mawala ang mga ala-ala mo tungkol sa kanya?” Tukso nito.
“Kung totoong mawawala yun, mananatili sya sa puso ko. Mas magagalit si Ate Umi…mas madidismaya sya kung ipagpapalit ko ang mga mahahalagang bagay. Sabi nya, kailangan kong makuntento kung anong biyaya sa akin. Huwag akong maging sakim at mapaghanap. Kailangang pagsumikapan ko ang mga bagay na naisin ko. At kung mawawala sya sa akin,” naglandas na ang mga luha sa kanyang pisngi, “tatanggapin ko iyon dahil alam kong may dahilan ang lahat.”
The woman’s eyes turned red in anger. Suddenly the mist was thicker and the lake’s current was stronger, almost carrying her away. Olivia managed to hold on to a large rock.
“Ibibigay mo sa akin ang bracelet na yan!” Galit na sigaw ng babae at unti- unti itong umangat sa ere. Mas lumakas ang agos ng tubig, halos matangay na si Olivia.
Kahit napuno ng takot ang buong pagkatao ni Olivia, determinado syang protektahan ang pulseras. Mas napagtanto nyang mahalaga ito.
“Ate Umi, help me,” Olivia whispered as she desperately clung to the rock, water splashing her face.
To her relief, she heard the familiar melody of wind chimes. Olivia forced opened her eyes. A swirling wind passed her and surrounded the lake, brushing the mist away.
Standing on the bank was blue eyed Umi armed with a bow and arrow aiming at the airborne woman. “Hindi ako mangingiming saktan ka, Verona.” Her tone was still soft but threatening. It was very chilling that fear crossed Verona’s face.
The water calmed down. Olivia quickly waded her way out of the lake and got behind Umi, who was emitting light around her body; her long wavy hair swaying with the wind.
Tumingin si Verona sa mga mata ni Olivia. “Darating ang araw na ipagpapalit mo kahit ang pinakamahalagang bagay, makuha mo lamang ang gusto mo.” Verona’s eyes slowly turned back to green. Then she vanished into thin air.
When certain the woman was gone, Umi dropped her guard. The light around her and the weapon disappeared. She enveloped Olivia in her arms.
Olivia burst into tears when she felt Umi’s warmth and smelled her familiar refreshing scent.
Kumalas si Olivia at tumingin sa mga mata ng kaibiagn. “Ate Umi, promise me you won’t take away my memories,” Olivia pleaded.
Umi didn’t answer. She just held Olivia tightly.