Chapter 3: The Hatch to Further
The teacher started discussing in class, but seem I cannot hear anything. My mind is preoccupied. I am thinking about the piece of paper, as I can see the sun slowly showing its light to us.
I can’t wait to see what’s the secret of this paper. Something amazing might be biding to me when I can finally see it. I could not help but smile when I imagine something that makes my body fill with excitement. This is setting me on fire.
As the class ends, I hurriedly went to the garden. I didn’t even respond to Carl’s offer to have lunch with him.
I’m busy, bahala siya riyan.
There are no students around here. Maybe this place is not their thing? And how could they? This is the greatest place I’ve ever seen in this school! Mga walang taste.
Inilibot ko naman ang aking mga mata sa kabuoan ng garden. The view of this scape never failed to amaze me.
Walang kupas, kahanga-hanga pa rin ang tanawin dito.
The lush greenery surrounds the windy path. The vibrant flowers with hues of red, purple, yellow and blue, and the sweet fragrance of blooming blossoms fills the air. Here, you can find solace that creates a tranquil haven of relaxation for introverts like me.
Kinapa ko naman ang aking skirt.
I almost forgot what the reason I went here was. I pick the piece of paper out of my skirt’s pocket. Here we are, we were going to unveil the secret of this paper!
I directly place it on the sun’s rays. My forehead knitted as I saw something unfamiliar to me.
Nilipad naman ng kunti ang dala kong papel nang dahil sa hangin, ngunit agad ko naman itong inayos upang tingnan ng mabuti ang mga nakasulat sa kapirasong papel na ‘to.
I saw a map, not a world map but a map that never existed. “Unanimous Realm,” I read the most outstanding lettering in this paper. It is on the top that’s why I can simply find it.
Then I saw something on the bottom, it is just like a reminder, I think? It says, ‘says the place, and something flabbergasting will happen.’
My eyebrows arched when I read those. Uh-huh?
I say the Unanimous Realm many times but nothing happens. I think this map is making fun of me. I rolled my eyes.
Tsk, I shouldn’t believe and expect anything.
Nanggaling yata ito sa isang fantasy genre na libro. Someone’s ripped it off and made it as a bookmark, I think?
I heaved a sigh when I heard the bell ring.
I glimpse at the piece of paper, and something caught my attention. It was written, Cardinal, The City of Eupharsa, and who cares about that? Pinagbibiro lang siguro ako nito. Maybe there’s something they put on the paper that’s why it only seen when the sun ray’s touches it.
Technology, I guess?
Naglakad nalang ako patungo sa exit ng garden, as I thought about that place I read. Well, wash that thought Fia, it is not true after all.
“Cardinal, huh?” I laughed a bit when I utter those words. Inilagay ko nga sa aking tiyan ng kamay ko upang maramdaman ng kung sino ang sarcastic ng tawa ko. Tsk.
I stepped forward to the gate of the garden when a speck of dust came into my eyes. I abruptly closed my eyes in pain. Great, just great!
Kinusot ko ng kinusot ang aking mga mata ngunit hindi pa rin nawala ang sakit dito. Dahan-dahan ko namang binuksan ito at tumingin sa itaas upang makahagilap ng hangin para mawala ‘yong alikabok, nagbabakasakaling madala ito sa daloy ng hangin.
Trees? Oh yeah, I’m in the garden so, it has trees, Fia! But why it is so dark? Did the clouds in cumulus position again? Well, I think.
When I can’t feel my eyes teary and painful again, I look at my front and...
“What the hell?” I muttered when I saw the thing in front of me.
This is not the garden for Pete’s sake! Where the hell is this? No, the good question for that is what kind of place is this?!
Amidst this fantastical realm, trees bear fruits unseen in any mortal orchard—phenomenal spheres that are palatable like a mingling of cosmic dust and exquisite twilight. A magnificent equine species with antler-like plumes gently crosses the vivid colors pastures. Aquatic rabbits swim over dazzling streams, rendering trails of glistening drops instead of hopping. Three suns floats across the sky, creating a rainbow of colors across the landscape. A levitated car floats smoothly, powered by enchanted whispers, while a continually spinning ball escapes force with each joyous leap.
I slapped myself. Maybe I was just dreaming, aren’t I? Or maybe, I came into a place that I am always dreaming of since when I was young!
“May lugar ba talagang ganito?” I asked in the air, with my eyes glued on the wonderful scenery I have been looking at right now.
I want to savor it before it stales. Gusto kong makita ito ng matagal dahil uuwi rin naman ako sa amin.
“I must tell Carl about this,” I happily said then looked at the piece of paper that I am holding right now, “Or maybe, I can bring him here too!” I added while jumping happily like a crazy old woman.
I stopped when I realized something. My smile faded, and my eyes widened.
Wait? Paano ba ako makakabalik sa amin?
I look at the map again. Well, earlier you will see nothing to it if you did not put in direct to the sun, but now, I can clearlysee it. It is a map, however the strange thing is, the reminder on the bottom part of the paper’s gone.
Tingnan ko naman ito ng mabuti, maybe I was just hallucinating earlier? Or maybe someone erases it? No, impossible! Then, why it all faded just like dust in the air?
My forehead creases while finding the reminder I read earlier.
Baka nag-iba na iyon ng puwesto?
“Ate?” My heart almost jump out of my mouth when someone hauled my skirt. I paid attention to that person.
It is a six or seven years old child. She is carrying some flowers, a very beautiful one. I kneeled in front of her because she is so tiny.
“Yes, what can I do for you?” I asked her, she just smile and hauled my wrist then run towards the scenery I‘d been looking at.
Medyo nagtaka siya sa mga sinabi ko ngunit, sinagot niya rin naman ako.
“Nakita ko po kasing matagal mo pong tinititigan ang lungsod namin kaya naisipan ko pong puntahan ka!” she answered and excitedly run fast.
Halos matumba na nga ako sa bilis ng takbo niya.
“Oh! H-How generous of you!” I replied, forcing a smile. God! I felt so tired! I haven’t run this long before. How can this child be so energetic? ‘Di pa nga akong pumupayag sa kan’ya ay hinatak niya na ako.
“Nandito na po tayo!” masiglang sabi nito, at ini-spread ang magkabilang kamay niya sa aking harapan.
My jaw literally dropped when I saw the view.
Well, kung maganda tingnan sa malayo ano pa kaya kung kaharap mo na?
“Tinatawag itong lungsod ng Eupharsa! Isa sa mga pinamumunuan ng kahariang Cardinal!” she announced as she spread her hand again on the air.
Humugot muna ako ng hininga bago magsalita. Well, ikaw raw ang tumakbo ng gano’n kalayo tapos hindi ka sporty? Tingnan natin kung saan kaya mo. Tsk.
“That’s great! This city is great!” I said and beamed a smile. She just smiled too, but there is a hint of astonishment on her face.
“Ate, may tanong ako?” she asked without taking away her gaze at me. Kunot ang noo nitong nakatingin sa akin.
I just nodded at her, permitting her to ask me anything.
“Bakit ka po nandito? Wala akong naiintindihan sa pananalita ninyo, at higit sa lahat wala po akong nararamdamang mahikang dumadaloy sa inyo,” sabi niya pa kaya napatayo ako ng matuwid.
Magic? So, I came to a world that we thought didn’t exist? Then, this is nice! Puwede naman nating i-join forces and imortal at mortal na mundo hindi ba? Everything is possible, right?
Tumikhim naman ako at akmang magsasalita na sana ngunit nagulat ako nang bigla itong sumigaw sa aking harapan.
“Hindi ka ligtas dito ate. Umalis kana, nagkamali ako na dinala kita rito. Umalis ka na po, bago pa kayo makita ng aking inay!” Kunot noo ko naman siyang tiningnan ng dahil do’n.
What is she trying to say?
I am dumbfounded. I am not safe here? Why? Oh! It is because there are bandits here so, if her mom saw me, she will think that I am one of those bandits. Look, I am wearing my school uniform now, so I don’t think so.
“I have no bad intention, little lady,” I muttered but she just glared at me.
Luh, attitude ‘yarn? Pinaglihi ‘ata ito sa pusa namin e.
“Ano pong sabi niyo? Intensiyon? Wala ka pong makukuha ditong kahit ano kaya bumalik kana sa pinanggalingan mo ate,” she said and pushed me away.
Wow! She brought me here, but now she’s pushing me away? Ano bang problema ng batang ‘to?
“Wait!” pagmamatigas ko sa kaniya. In fairness, she’s a strong cutie but have an attitude problem, little lady.
“Agatha! Anong ginagawa mo sa babae?!” I heard a woman shout. Napalingon naman ako roon. Oh, is this, this child’s elder sister?
“A, ma, nawawala po kasi siya, binigyan ko lang ng direksyon.” I raised my eyebrow when the child spoke lies. Aba? She’s so young, then she can lie already?
“Pagpasensyahan mo na ang anak ko, binibini. Gusto mo ba munang mag-meryinda bago ka magpatuloy sa iyong paglalakbay?” paghihingi nito ng paumanhin sa akin habang hingal na hingal na hinawakan ang kaniyang anak— Wait, what? This child is her child?! How come? She looks so young, and ugh! Right, teenage pregnancy.
“Opo, maraming salamat po,” I accepted her offer. I am not that disrespectful, besides I haven’t eaten my lunch earlier because of my stupidity and now, my stomach worms are about to growl, so let’s throw away our shy side.
Well, I can also ask this lady on how I can go back to my world.
“Tsk,” I heard the child click her tongue, as we start walking on a small wiggling path on this City. She even rolled her eyes while mouthing something that I couldn’t even understand.
What’s her problem anyways?
fin.