Flora felt something heavy press against her body and she found it hard to breathe. Then, she heard the shrill trill of a bird close to her head as a pair of claws seemed to touch her face.
“Mommy, wake up!” Flora heard the small voice of her daughter. Flora pushed her eyes open and realized that Nadi lay on top of her chest, making it hard for her to breathe . The claws that she thought were touching her face were actually Nadi’s small hands trying to wake her up. The bird call was the alarm clock sounding near her head.
“I’m awake, Nadi. You can get off me now,” said Flora, squeezing her eyes shut before fluttering them open. She then covered her face with her hands before picking up her alarm clock to turn off its incessant beeping.
“I woke up first,” said Nadi as she climbed down Flora’s bed.
“Yes, you did,” replied Flora as she replaced the alarm clock on the bedside table
Flora entered the kitchen after leaving Nadi in the anteroom. She had changed her slippers and wore her hairnet. She found Rosa at the table listing the ingredients for the day’s meals while keeping note of the kitchen’s inventory.As Flora tied her apron around her waist, she found Rosa staring at her. She immediately turned to face Rosa who seemed to be looking at her curiously.“You came in alone,” said Rosa.“Yes, Ma’am. I knocked on Eva’s door before coming here, but she said that she’s not feeling well. It was probably the cold, it was extremely cold this morning,” said Flora, tightening the knot of her apron. She was worried at what Rosa might say, concerned about bearing the brunt of Rosa’s anger on Eva’s absence, but also afraid for Eva that Rosa might decide on something that could endanger the sick maid’s employment.“Makes sense,” Rosa said without any em
Flora felt mixed emotions as he watched Pablo walk away towards the door leading to the entrance hall. She was overwhelmed with the volume of work that she needed to do that day but was surprised at the changes that she saw in how Pablo seemed to favor Eva. Flora would do all her chores because she believed that she was being paid to do them. She did not mind that Eva, for some reason, seemed to have gained Pablo’s favor, but Flora did wish for at least some recognition for the work that she was doing.Flora returned to the kitchen and told Rosa that she was supposed to do the laundry in the afternoon. Flora also told Rosa what Pablo said about the guest and Maya returning to Cardena. Rosa took a deep breath as Flora told her the news. She did not seem too surprised and continued with her work at the kitchen table.“Get the breakfast trays ready for pick-up by the other servants and remember the vegetables and herbs that I want you to get from the vegetable
Flora worked fast. After having breakfast with her daughter, she went back to the kitchen to start washing the pots and pans. Without Eva, all of the morning’s tasks fell on Flora’s shoulders. She could only get some consolation from the absence of the master’s guest and that she did not have to work directly under Pablo which she found to be more difficult than working with Rosa.However, the sudden absence of Mr. Renan kept nagging on Flora. When she found him in the south wing, he seemed dazed and confused, and although she could not be certain, his action of reaching out a hand towards her seemed like he was asking for her help. If she had not seen those slender arms wrapping around Mr. Renan and pulling him behind the curtains of the four-poster bed, she would have asked him if he needed anything.Then, there was Pablo telling her earlier that Mr. Renan had gone back to Cardena. Mr. Renan had every right to go if he wanted to, but to Flora,
Flora turned to Rosa who seemed busy at the table preparing for the next meal. They were quite shorthanded at the kitchen, but Flora already prepared some of the ingredients for lunch and would just have to cook them after she got back from the vegetable patch. She waited for Rosa to acknowledge hearing Emil and that she was free to go, but the cook who had her back to the pick-up window did not seem to have noticed the gardener talking to Flora.Flora opened her mouth to speak. “Ahm… Ma’am, Emil’s here to guide me to the vegetable patch,” Flora said.Rosa turned her head to one side, not quite facing Flora and Emil, and seemed to watch Flora using her peripheral vision. Then, she resumed her work. “You may go,” she said.Flora shrugged her shoulders and untied her apron. She took two baskets in which she would place the herbs and vegetables that she would be picking. Rosa did not mind Flora moving about in the kitchen
After Flora had sufficiently rested, she led Nadi down the steps and they soon heard the sound of falling water. The foliage was dense, and Flora could not see far through the trees, but she knew from the sound of water and the smell in the air that they were close to the waterfalls.Soon, Flora glimpsed the waterfalls as they descended the stone steps. It was a glorious cascade of water that gushed between two facing cliffs that were both covered with vines and trees. The water fell into a small pool of clear water that was drained by a river that wound through the tree-covered forest. Flora knew that the river would eventually drain to the sea."It's the waterfalls, Mommy!" cried Nadi excitedly and she pulled her mother's hand who was holding to her tightly."Wait, Nadi. Don't run." Flora warned her daughter whom she had to let go.It was midmorning, but it was still dim at the waterfalls because of its low elevation and its location under the cliffs. T
The three men felt terror rising within them, but they remained where they were within the safety of the cave, thinking that they would be in greater danger if they went out. The wind whistled and the branches of the trees continued to sway dangerously. If they went out of the cave, it would not be the dark figure that could kill them, but trees that get uprooted or heavy branches breaking and falling on their heads.None of the fishermen said a word but went closer towards the fire and tried to protect it from the wind by placing stones around its base. As the fishermen huddled together, they would glance furtively outside at the place where they saw the apparition to see whether it was still there. It was.The fishermen then reportedly saw strange visions that they were in serious danger if they stayed within the cave. One fisherman said that he saw the cave collapsing over their heads and saw them getting buried underneath the rubble. Another saw the waterfalls ragi
Emil led Flora and Nadi up the slope where he said the vegetable patch was located. They walked closer to the mouth of the cave, but Flora could not see far inside. The cave opening was larger than she expected, and she estimated that a few people could comfortably fit stand at the entrance, giving credence to the story of the fishermen. Flora wondered how far inside the cave went, but she knew that these caves could extend kilometers into the earth. How far this cave went, Flora did not know. Some caves get narrower a few meters into the entrance before widening into larger chambers. She remembered entering one of the many caves in the outskirts of Cardena. The cave had a pool of fresh water and was said to be clean after rainwater seeped through kilometers of limestone that acted as natural filters.Flora wondered if the cave had other entrances and she decided to ask Emil.“Emil…” Flora called Emil as she tried to keep up with the gardener. &ldquo
Flora quickly walked towards her daughter and placed her arms around her. Nadi responded and clung to her mother’s arms, but she held on tightly to her doll and did not take her eyes off Emil. Nadi eyed Emil suspiciously, her eyebrows pushing towards each other.Emil saw the angry look on Nadi’s face and turned to Flora. “Your daughter’s doll,” said Emil. “My daughter used to have a doll just like it.”Flora looked at Nadi’s doll which she hugged tightly. “You mean Kay?” Flora asked Emil. “I bought that doll for Nadi last Christmas. I remember that it was quite a popular toy back then.”&ldqu
The water was clear and Lisa had no trouble seeing the cave opening just ahead. Before swimming through the opening, she took a quick look behind her and saw Nestie just behind her. Lisa gave Nestie a quick wave and shot through the opening of the cave with broad strokes of her arms and legs. Lisa swam to the surface and was quickly amazed at what she saw. The sun shining through the opening of the grotto made the water luminous, turning it from emerald to a glowing neon. She looked at her hands from under the water and saw the fine bubbles on her skin turning her hands into silver. She looked up at the ceiling and saw the ripples in the water reflected on the high dome of the grotto, giving the cavern an otherworldly appearance. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling glinted in the green light and looked like numerous fingers reaching for the water below. Nestie’s head bobbed out of the water and he quickly wiped the water from his face with his hands. Lisa watched his friend’s re
The boat glided over the water, leaving ripples in its wake. The boatman jumped aboard and started the engine, steering the boat towards one of the many islets that dotted the sea. Nestie turned his head and looked at the cliff that they had just descended. He swallowed hard before saying to Lisa. “I can’t believe we descended from that,” he said. “Are we going back the same way?” Lisa smiled as she saw the expression on Nestie’s face. Her friend took the front seat on the boat while she sat behind him. “Do you want to?” Lisa asked. “I don’t know if I can make it,” Nestie replied. Then, he added. “Maybe I can, but you will have to pull me up.” Lisa laughed at Nestie and pinched his back. “Ow! What was that for?” asked Nestie, rubbing his back which Lisa had just pinched. “For being so adorable!” Lisa answered. “Look ahead of you and enjoy the scenery. Don’t you think the islets and the rock formations look stunning?” Nestie loo
Upon alighting from the tricycle, Nestie saw the ocean and the tall cliffs that surrounded a wide beach. They were a short distance from the sandy coast where several boats were docked. Out on the sea were numerous islets that rose from the water like the backs of turtles or upturned boats. Several of the islands were connected to each other like a pearl necklace, the sea between them becoming labyrinthine for boats to navigate through. Fortunately, the islets also served a purpose in protecting the moored boats on the small beach where Lisa and Nestie were standing as well as the inner islets in the archipelago from the strong currents and big waves coming from the open ocean. “Do you like what you’re seeing so far, Nestie?” asked Lisa who had just paid the tricycle driver and stood beside Nestie to admire the scenery. “I’ve seen so many coasts in my life, but this is still breathtaking!” remarked Nestie, drinking in the scene before him. They were on top of a cliff
Lisa woke up from the sound of birds outside the window. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the room flooded with golden light. She stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes before sitting up in bed. It looked like it was going to be a good day, she thought as she looked around the brightly-lit room. Celie was still sleeping soundly so Lisa silently got off her bed and prepared to take her morning shower. It was good that Celie was able to sleep without any incident. Her cousin needed to have a good night’s rest if she were to look great for her birthday party. After taking her shower and putting on her usual comfortable clothes of jeans and a cotton shirt, Lisa noiselessly left the room. She then walked to Nestie’s room and knocked on the door. “Come in, Lisa,” came Nestie’s voice and Lisa twisted the door knob. “How was your sleep last night, Nes?” asked Lisa. Nestie had already changed and was combing his hair. “Very well. Thank you,” replied Nestie.
Lisa lay in bed with her blankets to her neck. Celie was right. It was a cold night. Lisa, however, could not figure out why Celie insisted on having the windows open despite the cold. Her cousin’s actions had been a bit erratic and illogical these past days, thought Lisa. She knew that her cousin tended to be unpredictable at times even when they were young. Back then, it could just be attributed to their youth; Lisa, herself, remembered doing some wild things with Celie. However, they were now grown women and very much in control of their actions. Lisa could understand Celie’s predicament of having to live under public scrutiny and always acting as a model figure for her father’s citizens, but Celie’s sudden disappearances and escape from her security detail were quite irresponsible. There was a quick snort coming from Celie’s bed and Celie moved restlessly to one side. Lisa looked at her cousin and wondered where she had gone after her photo shoot at the Home for the Elde
“Is that you, Lisa love?” came Celie’s drowsy voice as Lisa entered the guest room. The lights were off and Lisa could only tell from the dark shape over the bed that her cousin was already lying down as if ready to sleep. “Yes, Celie,” said Lisa, looking at her cousin. “It seems too early for you to be sleeping. Would you mind if I turn on the lights?” Lisa switched on the lights and saw that her cousin was in bed with her blankets drawn up to her neck. There was a soft moan from Celie. “Oh, sorry. Is the light too bright?” asked Lisa. “N-no,” came Celie’s reply. “Keep the lights on.” Lisa was about to walk towards her bed when she noticed Celie’s face. Celie’s face was ashen and her lips were pale. “You look pale, Celie. Are you sick?” asked Lisa worriedly. “No. I’m alright, Lisa. Don’t mind me. I just feel tired, that’s all,” came Celie’s reply. “Sorry to hear that,” said Lisa. She nevertheless went towards Celie and
The gates to the Adobe House opened slowly to allow the van to enter the grounds. There were soft knocks on the van’s window that made Lisa look at the person making the sound. She saw a young woman outside the van offering her garlands of sanaria. After a short pause, Lisa decided to lower the window and bought several garlands from the young woman. The young woman beamed, briefly showing her white but misaligned teeth. She thanked Lisa before walking off to find other buyers of her sanaria garlands. The sweet smell of the fresh garlands filled the van as it drove inside the Adobe House grounds. Lisa took a deep breath and was quickly reminded of her time as a young girl in Cardena. She remembered that there used to be plenty of sanaria growing wildly in nearby vacant lots and she and Celie would compete on who could pick the most. The flowers were brought to the kitchen were the kitchen maids would take some of their time to turn them into garlands. Sanaria leaves that did
The rain fell just too heavily and too sudden that Lisa could not tell if she did see what she thought she saw. She remembered seeing banners pinned on the trees outside as they entered the building earlier and knew that she could have imagined those to be something else. There was another flash of lightning followed by thunder and Lisa knew that it could be another one of the freak weather disturbances that she and Nestie had been seeing more frequently lately. “Toto, you have to stay calm,” said the nurse to the old man. She had come to the old man’s assistance when she found him to be distressed. “It’s just the rain. It will be over soon.” Lisa walked over to Nestie who was looking at the nurse as she tried to calm Toto. The two friends wanted to help the old man, but knew that the nurse would be able to do a better job. The nurse turned to Lisa and Nestie and gave them a smile. “He’s always like this during thunderstorms. Crying like a child.” “Ju
Toto placed his wrinkled hands on top of his notebook. He took off his glasses and looked at his audience around the table. They had all finished lunch and were listening to him as he read from his notebook. "Why did you stop?" said an old lady. "Go on. I want to know what happens next." "Yes, I want to know what happened between you and Clara," asked another bright-eyed old lady. "You had me talking for almost an hour. I think I deserve some breather," said Toto. He coughed, prompting Nestie to grab the pitcher and pour cold water onto Toto’s glass. “Thank you,” said Toto to Nestie after taking a few gulps of water. Lisa was amused. "You mentioned the Devil's Sea. Is that a real place?" Toto gave another cough and set down his glass on the table. "It's real alright. You don't hear a lot of stories about it now, but in those days, there were a lot of boats that went missing in that area." "You mean like the Bermuda triangle?" a