Bakas ang pagkabigla sa mukha ni Rebecca ng dahil sa tanong ko pero mabilis niyang napawi ang gulat sa kanyang mga mata, muli, ikinubli ng mga ngiti ang kanyang takot. "Well, I will take a look on that. Currently, I have no contacts with the tribe leader. You know, its been years! What interests motivate you to go there?" she asked trying to hide her motives. Hindi ko mabasa kung anong motibo or tunay niyang nais malaman. Curious ba siya or may tinatago. "Based on what I have read in your article, you describe the tribe as something powerful and mysterious which in fact a great help for my writer as an inspiration. He is experiencing a writer's block and truly in need of a fitting illustration." I answered her questions. John is quiet. Mukhang tinitimbang niya ang situation para makabuo ng isang collective decision. "What's your name again?" she asked randomly.
"Vera, Vera Marquez." I answered. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and smirked. "Oh, I am sorry I forgot. John, I call you when I found the details. I promise you, I will work on this." Rebecca assured John. I cannot comprehend her reaction when she heard my name. Hindi ko alam kung nangiinsulto or may naaalala lang. "Okay, Ms. Razon. Thank you for your time and indeed it is a big help! We will wait for your call. Come on, Vera." John approached the door and waved a goodbye to Ms. Razon. I bowed as a sign of respect. "Ms. Vera, be careful on what you asked for." she said with a threatening tone.
My heart is racing in the beat of fear. I don't know if it is a threat or a concern. I am bothered by her words and actions. I don't know why. Still, my vision is playing vividly on my mind. The vision is somehow similar to my dreams but the only difference is, after the shape shifting scenario, I found myself in front of the moon. I don't know if that vison and dream was my memory or just a fiction or maybe a story plot created in my mind due to Angelo's story. I am really in chaos. My mind is full of thoughts. "Vera, are you okay? You seemed unconscious?" John awakened me in the middle of the waging war in my head. I smiled and nodded as a response. When we reach the first floor, I go to the nearest restroom. Something is off in my stomach.
Pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa banyo, I saw a middle age woman with a unique fashion style. Hindi ko alam na uso pa pala ang ethnic inspired business attire but I must say she had worn it perfectly. I proceeded to the cubicle. "I saw you entering in Ms. Razon's office." the woman said. I don't know if she is talking to me so I ignored her baka mapahiya ako kapag sumagot ako. "Vera, right?" she added. Mukhang ako nga ang kausap niya. I go to the sink and washed my hands. Agad na tumama ang aking mga mata sa salamin na animo'y automatic. Finally, nakita ko din ang mukha niya. She is beautiful and she is divinely blessed in appearance. Her beauty is unique, I cannot take my eyes away from her. "I know that look. Do not be impressed. I know I am beautiful." she said with an overflowing confidence. I was stunned by her arrogance. Maganda nga pero may attitude. She is perfecting her lips with a red lipstick which truly suits her fair skin tone. "Just be careful. You do not know Ms. Razon full well. You might end up insane." she said in a low voice.
What is she implying? My mind is truly shifting from chaos to oblivion. "What?" finally, I found courage to speak up. Mukhang natameme akong ng presence niya. "Just be careful. Know the past, Vera." she said and leave immediately. "What are you saying?" I asked her and followed her at the door. Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, she is nowhere to be found na tila ba she vanished like air. I found John looking at me with a concern. "Sinong hinahanap mo?" John asked. "Did you saw someone walking out from here? Where did she went?" I bombarded John with questions. He shook his head and smiled a little. "Dahan dahan sa tanong. I just came out from the restroom too. Hindi ko na pansin na may lumabas maybe meron. Bakit?" John asked. I shook my head as a sign of giving up. Hindi ko na kaya ang stress today, ayoko ng madagdagan kaya kesa sumagot kay John at mainis, I chose to give up this time. "Let's head back to the office."
I sat down in my office chair, completely drained. The woman definitely stirred up my thoughts in the worst manner. Hindi ko na alam ngayon kung paano papatigilin ang chain of thoughts and questions that fill my mind. I let out a sigh. Then, I saw a letter on my desk. Nakaenvelope na pula ang liham. The envelope looks elegant and it has a seal in a bold color of gold. First time kong makakita ng seal na ganito and it looks like a symbol. The symbol was familiar pero I don't know kung saan ko nakita. The seal has a circular frame and a half moon in the middle with both ends connected to the frame. I opened the letter and read what was written.
Walang nakasulat sa letter kundi isang address na sobrang familiar sa akin. The letter is from, Luna. Hindi ko alam kung sino siya at kung bakit niya binigay ang address ng bahay namin dati ng tatay ko. Sino si Luna? Kung hindi maganda ang envelope, I might think of this letter as a scam or prank. Medyo kabado ako. There are so many possibilities. Pwedeng magnanakaw or scammer yang si Luna or pwede ding something. Hindi ko alam. Andaming kaganapan. I cannot process everything.
Naubos ang buong araw ko, trying to calm down my thoughts. Believe me, I tried to get away from all that bothers me mula pa lang nung simula ng araw. Hindi ko maalis sa sarili ko ang pagkainis. Bakit ba kasi ako nanaginip? That dream is the root of all my problems today. That dream is the reason why I am losing my sense of sanity. Once again, I saw the letter at ang naghuhumiyaw sa kulay pula nitong envelope.
I immediately took my bag and rushed to the parking lot. I supposed to get a good sleep which I am planning kanina pa pero I don't know what drives me to decide this decision na suntok sa buwan at alam kong mas makakadagdag sa pagod ko, but I found myself driving towards our old house.