"Mamang!"
Valensia slowly smiled as she saw the silhouette of her great grandchildren with her blurry vision as they run towards her. Some hugged her, some asked for her blessing, some kissed her on the cheek.
"Did you all just arrived?"
"Yes, Mamang," said one with low, husky voice with tall shadow. It is probably Julian, her eldest greatgrandson.
"I misshhh you, mamang!" said a cute girl voice. Is it Mari?
"Come, Mamang. Let's go to the living room. Everyone is waiting,"
It was Sibyl. Valensia will never mistake her granddaughter's authoritive yet kind voice for anyone.
Sometimes, she wished her vision were still clear so she can still see her family properly but also thankful that even if her eyes can't see, her mind can still clearly remember everyone of them. It was a second gift for an old woman like her, who is few days away from 100th birthday.
"Okay, let's go. I'm excited to meet everyone."
***
"Mamang, do you want to go and sit under the Acacia tree?"
Valensia slowly turned to the direction of Sibyl's voice,
"I do miss the place," she smiled at her, as Sibyl always know what she actually wanted.
"Then, your wish is my command!"
As Sibyl pushed Valensia's wheelchair in the hallway, they can hear the happy voices of the kids around.
They are currently in La Consolidad Orphanage, the place where Valensia and her sister grew up.
They always held her birthday celebration each year, reminiscing the past while sharing simple happiness to the kids.
The orphanage is famous for it being mysterious.
Built on 1912 in the depths of the town's forest, it had survived two world wars and lots of calamities.
The locals believe that a deity living in the Acacia tree protecting it.
It might not be just a tale, she thought, as the tree is still well alive as her.
Valensia breathe in the scent of nature as she felt the cool breeze under the shade of the tree.
Sibyl sat down on one of the roots.
"Why didn't you go inside? The party is tomorrow but I can feel the festivities already."
"It is alright, Mamang. Kinda loud for my taste plus I wanna sit here with you. Don't you want me here?" Sibyl said, pretending to be hurt.
She chuckled, "You sure know how to tease this old woman, don't you?"
Sibyl started laughing, "Come now Mamang. Don't laugh too much. It will tire you," she said. "Have some rest. The air here will be good for you. If you need me, I'm just here reading my book."
Valensia slowly look up, bright green lights---leaves, shining high above her.
As she slowly closed her eyes, nostalgia hit her, flood of memories engulfing her.
It was here, where she and the first and last man she loved planned their future together, a dream to have their family. This is also the place where she broke his heart.
Where is he now?
He never saw him again after that night. Like his trace completely vanished.
Did he live long? He probably passed on already. How many people do reach this age?
Maybe he found another love and build his own family.
If there is one thing she regret so much in her life, it was that she hurted him that one beautiful night.
Sleep slowly drifted in my consciousness as I savour the memory of my first love.
***
The resounding sounds of birds slowly woke her senses. Feeling the cold grass behind her, she slowly lift herself.
She opened her eyes but the flood of light made her shut it again.
She calmed herself.
"Sibyl, where are you—?!"
This time, it was the change in her voice is not hard to recognize.
What is actually happening, she thought.
She opened her eyes again, this time, slowly.
A beautiful large crystal lake first came to her vision. Large, tall trees and other greenery surrounding it. Birds and other animals of different kind can also be seen nearby.
Is this the afterlife?
She look around and saw the large Acacia tree behind me, identical with the one from the orphanage.
"But how? And wait! How can I see clearly?"
Without giving me much chance to think, she heard a rustling sound. She stood up, startled.
A man stepped out from a nearby bush.
His unusual hazel eyes, dark hair, tanned skin, even the scar on his left cheek! Valensia would never mistake him for the world!
She saw the shock in his eyes when he laid his gaze on her.
But what he said after isn't something she will ever expect in her entire life.
"The guardians have answered our prayers! The new oracle has arrived!"