I woke up early because there was no school, so I went alone to Baclaran. I prayed that we would return to how things were before. After attending mass, I immediately took a stroll around. It's convenient because we live in Parañaque, so it's easy to come back and forth to Baclaran.
"Hey, move aside!"
A loud shout startled me. I couldn't avoid it and ended up colliding with a man on a bicycle.
"Ouch!" My foot got hurt, caught in the bicycle wheel.
"You're so stupid! You know this is the way, yet you're just standing there!" the man scolded.
From his tone alone, it was clear that he was grumpy. But I knew it was my fault, so I decided to just humble myself. I faced him and bowed my head.
"I-I'm sorry, I was looking for something around, that's why I didn't notice you."
The wind suddenly changed. It felt like something unusual in the surroundings was giving me goosebumps on my skin. It wasn't winter yet, but my body felt cold. He suddenly spoke up.
"It's okay, I-I'm sorry for shouting at you and hurting your foot." His voice was cold.
I was stunned and smiled. It turns out he knows how to be humble too. I thought he was just all grumpy.
"It's nothing, it doesn't hurt," I replied with a smile.
I looked into his eyes, but he quickly averted his gaze in another direction. I could see the reddening of his cheeks and ears. I think we're around the same age. The wind was blowing through his long bangs. His long eyelashes were noticeable.
I didn't take my eyes off him, while he kept stealing glances. He covered half of his face with his palm, which also covered his mouth.
"D-Don't you recognize me?" he suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
I paused, trying to remember if we've met before. I couldn't recall, I had no recollection. Hm...
"Alright, let's meet at school!" he said.
He pedaled and rode away on his bicycle. Then I remembered, right! It's him! He's my classmate. What was his name again? I think he's the transfer student from the province.
Today I failed to find the old lady. I bumped into my classmate, whose name I don't know. I'll go home without any news for my sister. Tomorrow, I'll go to the office while he goes to my school.
I'll ask my sister later about the name of that classmate. The guy with long bangs, a grumpy face, a sharp nose, fair skin, and taller than me. As I walked towards the jeepney stop, I heard a commotion. A woman's bag was snatched. People's attention was focused on the screaming woman. I turned to that direction and my eyes widened at what I saw. The old lady was standing at the side of the narrow alley. I immediately went to her, and when she saw me approaching, she suddenly entered the alley. I followed her inside, where it smelled bad and was dirty. Suddenly, my heart started pounding faster, and I became nervous that someone might attack me here.
"What are you doing here?!" A cold hand tightly grabbed my arm.
It was the old lady! I shivered in her presence, my inner self wanting to break free from fear.
"I-I know you! Let go of me!" I struggled.
"Shhh!" She gestured for me to be quiet.
She slowly removed her hand from my arm. My knees trembled with fear. I wanted to run, but...
"You're looking for me, right?" The old lady's eyes glared, shining like yellow cat's eyes.
I couldn't take my gaze off her wrinkled face, hunched body, and long tattered dress.
"Yes! Please remove the curse on me and my sister!" I replied fearfully, while hugging myself.
"The curse cannot be lifted!" The old lady gave me a sharp look.
She turned around and walked slowly. She signaled me to follow using her index finger. I was terrified, but I reluctantly followed the old lady. When we reached the end of the alley, a wall stood in front of us. We were surrounded by tall walls, and the only way back was the way we came.
"W-What are we going to do here?" I asked, still anxious.
There was still apprehension in my words. This old woman is so weird! I want to go home. But I need to know something about the curse that my sister and I have. This is my chance; we've been searching for her for a long time, I won't let it slip away!
"Shhh..." The old lady gestured for me to be quiet.
I followed her and observed her carefully. Since we were at the end and there was no onearound, she placed her hand on the wall. To my surprise, the wall started to shimmer and transform. It turned into a grand, ornate door, with intricate carvings and golden accents.
"Step through," the old lady said, her voice filled with a mysterious tone.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what awaited me on the other side. But my curiosity and desperation pushed me forward. I took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway.
As I entered, I found myself in a different world altogether. It was a realm filled with enchanting landscapes, vibrant colors, and magical creatures. The air felt different, infused with a sense of ancient power. I turned back to see if the old lady was still there, but she had vanished.
"Hello? Where did you go?" I called out, my voice echoing in the mystical realm.
There was no response. I realized I was alone, left to navigate this unfamiliar place on my own. I decided to explore and find answers about the curse that plagued my sister and me.
As I ventured further, I encountered mystical beings who guided me along the way. They shared their wisdom and helped me understand the nature of the curse. I learned that it was tied to a long-forgotten family lineage and an ancient artifact that held immense power.
To break the curse, I had to embark on a quest to retrieve the artifact and restore balance to the realms. Along the journey, I encountered challenges and faced my deepest fears. Through perseverance and the help of newfound friends, I overcame each obstacle.
After a series of trials, I finally reached the heart of the realm, where the artifact awaited. It was a magnificent crystal, pulsating with energy. As I touched it, a surge of power coursed through me. The curse that had plagued my sister and me started to unravel, slowly fading away.
With the curse lifted, I returned to the world I knew, bidding farewell to the mystical realm and its inhabitants. I found myself back in Baclaran, where my journey had initially begun. The bustling streets and familiar surroundings felt both comforting and surreal.
Armed with newfound knowledge and a sense of purpose, I vowed to protect the balance between the realms and help others in need. Whether it was assisting those in search of their own answers or standing up against injustice, I embraced my role as a guardian of the mystical.
As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, life settled into a new rhythm. The memory of the old lady and the mystical realm became a cherished part of my past, a reminder of the extraordinary journey that had shaped me.
And as for my classmate with the long bangs, I eventually found out his name. We grew closer over time, sharing our experiences and supporting each other through life's ups and downs. Together, we discovered that the realm of magic and the realm of friendship could intertwine in the most remarkable ways.
The story of the old lady and the curse became a tale I shared with others, a testament to the power of resilience, belief, and the extraordinary possibilities that lie within each of us.