05: Wrong Entity

~𖥔☾𖤓☽𖥔~

“NANDITO NA TAYO,” hayag ni Holmes pagkahinto niya ng sasakyan nila sa tapat ng opisina ng Wong's Haunted Real Estate.

Agad silang dumiretso ng asawa rito kasama ang apo nilang nasa backseat nang tawagan sila ni Holland tungkol sa nangyari kay Honolu.

Buntong-hininga muna siya bago binalingan ang asawa sa tabi niya upang mahinahong pakiusapan itong, “Love, bago tayo lumabas, gusto kong kumalma ka mu—”

Nahinto si Holmes sa sinasabi nang masaksihan niya kung paanong natanggal ang pinto ng sasakyan niya matapos itong buksan ng nagmamadaling asawa.

Tahimik na napabaling sa kanya si Alohi at dahan-dahang ibinalik pasara ang nakahiwalay nang pinto ng sasakyan at marahang sinabi na, “Kalmado na ako... Sorry, love.”

Napailing na lamang si Holmes. Naiintindihan niyang tuwing nagpapanik ang asawa ay hindi nito namamalayan ang lakas na nagagamit kahit sa simpleng mga bagay.

Kinuha niya muna ang apo sa backseat at kinarga saka sila nagtungo ng asawa papasok sa building at patungo sa clinic nito.

Naabutan nila si Honolu na nakaupo na sa hospital bed at nakasuot na ng itim na leather jacket ng kapatid niyang si Holland. Her cuts and bruises were completely healed, thanks to Dr. Rachelle Wong. Only the bloodstains on her clothes told the tale about her fight with the Leviathans, which worried her parents.

Kaagad na lumapit sa kanya ang nag-aalalang ina. “Diyos ko! Anong nangyari sa ‘yo?! Buong akala ko ay mag-a-apply ka lang ng trabaho!”

"She did apply for a job, Ma," Holland said, "she just didn't tell you what kind."

Pinaningkitan ni Honolu ng mga mata ang kapatid niya. Hindi pa nga siya nakababawi ay agad na siyang sinuplong nito sa kanilang ina.

“Eh, ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo ro‘n? Akala ko ba ay ordinaryong pulis ka lang? Bakit nandoon ka sa operasyon nila ni Rosendo?” sumbat naman ni Honolu rito.

Natigilan si Holland dahil tama nga siya at naaalala nga ng kapatid niya ang mga nangyari, maging iyong parte kung saan siya nagpakita. Pagbaling niya sa ina ay naabutan niya itong nakatingin na nang maigi sa kanya. Ang ekspresyon nito ay seryoso na ngayon na animo ay may nahuli itong hindi kaaya-aya.

“Ma, I was there not as part of Rosen's special forces, but because...” Napalunok muna ang binata bago nagpatuloy sa kanyang pag-amin. “I was Wong's Haunted Real Estate's representative.”

“Anong ibig mong sabihin, Holland?”

“Ma, I'm sorry. Nagsinungaling po ako sa inyo. Hindi po ako isang ordinaryong pulis. Isa po akong bodyguard ng Wong's Haunted Real Estate.”

“Gaano katagal na?”

“Halos anim na taon na po.”

Maging si Honolu ay nagulat din sa naging rebelasyon ng kapatid. Sa loob ng anim na taon kasi ay pinagmamalaki ng ina nila ang kapatid bilang isang ordinaryong pulis, bagay na pinipilit ng ina nila na dapat ay tularan niya.

“Love...” Hinawakan ni Holmes ang asawang ngayon ay hindi na mababakasan ng kahit na anong emosyon ang itsura. Nangangamba siyang baka hindi na naman nito makontrol ang sarili at magwala roon. “Sa bahay na natin ito pag-usapan.”

Sunod namang binalingan ni Holmes ang doktorang nanonood sa kanila. “Kayo po ba ang nagpagaling sa anak ko?”

“Opo.”

Holmes bowed his head in quiet gratitude to the doctor and said, “Maraming-maraming salamat po. Maaari na po ba namin siyang iuwi ngayon?”

Tumango naman ang doktor. “You can take her home now for further rest.”

Tinapunan din ni Rachelle ng tingin ang nilalang na nakasandal sa dingding sa may tabi at nakahalukipkip. The primordial being nodded silently as if urging her to do something. He knew just how much she needed him. Tumango din ang babae rito, indikasyon na nauunawaan niya ang nais ipabatid nito.

⭑𖤓☽| 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 |☾𖤓⭑

PAG-UWI NAMIN AY hindi na napigilan pa ni Mama ang sarili niya. Pinalabas muna ni Papa si Shannon sa bakuran namin at ipinabantay kay Uki nang sa ganoon ay hindi marinig ng musmos ang usapan naming apat sa sala.

Para kaming mga bata ni Holland na pinagsasabihan ng mga magulang habang nakaupo kami sa sofa na dalawa. Papa remained calm, though his eyes were keenly observing. Mama, on the other hand, was beyond furious. And who could blame her? Six years of lies would enrage anyone.

“Holland, anim na taon! Anim na taon kitang ipinagmalaki sa kapatid mo! Anim na taon kong pinilit sa kanyang tularan ka! Pero anim na taon mo rin kaming niloko at ginawang tanga! Bakit? Bakit ha?!”

“Ma, patawarin niyo po ako. I know that you would react this way if I told you. Sinubukan ko naman, Ma, eh, pero iyong kinikita ko sa Wong's Haunted Real Estate, hindi ko na mahahanap iyon sa iba pang trabaho,” panimula ni Holland sa mahaba-habang paliwanag niya.

“Noong nalaman ko pong buntis si Cielo, nag-part time job po ako sa gabi at nag-aral ng kolehiyo sa umaga. Pinagsabay ko po iyon, Ma, kasi responsibilidad ko iyon. Pananagutan ko po sil—”

“Holland, anong tingin mo sa amin ng Papa mo? Side characters sa love story niyo? Pwedeng-pwede namin kayong tulungan! Ni minsan hindi namin kayo tinanggihan!”

“Alam ko, Ma! But deep down... I've always wanted to build a life for my own family that's independent of your support. Part of me has always wanted to stand on my own two feet and support them,” Holland, almost emotional, explained.

“Gusto ko pong patunayan sa inyo ni Papa, Ma, na kahit may anak na ako at pinagsasabay iyong pagtatrabaho, pag-aaral, at pagiging ama ay kaya ko. Kinaya ko at kinakaya ko kasi gusto ko rin iyong ginagawa ko. Don't you see, Ma? It's not about the money at all. It's about being able to help people with what I can do and setting an example to my child that our unique gifts are meant to be shared with others. Gusto kong lumaki siya na tanggap kung sino siya at may pagpapahalaga sa kung anong kayang maitulong ng kakayahan niya sa iba.”

His words stuck with me, and I had to admit he was right. Our parents, especially Mama, always pushed us to live normal lives, which meant hiding who we truly were, including our abilities. It felt like we were selfishly denying others the help we could offer. I hated that feeling.

“Tama siya, Ma,” sabat ko bigla sa usapan saka tiningala si Mama na nakatayo sa tapat naming magkapatid. “Bakit po natin ipagdadamot sa iba ang tulong na kaya nating maiambag sa kanila gamit ang mga kakayahan natin?”

Natigilan si Mama pero mayamaya pa ay nakabawi na at sumagot ng, “It's easy for you two to say! You think the world is all sunshine and rainbows and butterflies. You have no idea! Your father and I have seen the best and worst of humanity. Some humans are capable of cruelty that no monsters can match!”

Puno ng prustrasyong napahilamos si Mama ng mga palad niya bago siya naupo sa silyang nasa tabi namin. Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay ni Papa na tahimik na nakatayo sa gilid niya.

“Sabihin mo nga sa akin, Holmes. Saan ba ako nagkamali? May ginawa ba tayong mali para lumaki silang sinungaling?” Mama's voice wavered as she asked Papa that.

It was surprising to see my usually strong mother so emotional. My heart ached.

It was said that a mother's perpetual love is the closest we get to experiencing God's love. It's a love that never fades, even when faced with the ultimate sacrifice and death.

Lumapit ako kay Mama at hinawakan ang mga kamay niya. Nararamdaman ko na rin ang panginginit ng gilid ng aking mga mata.

“Ma, naiintindihan kita. Nauunawaan ka namin kasi buong buhay namin, hindi ka nagkulang ng mga paalala sa amin. Iyong pagmamahal na ibinibigay niyo sa amin ni Papa, buong-buo rin. Wala na po kaming mahihiling pa. I'm sorry if we lied. I haven't been honest with you either. My reason for wanting to become an exorcist is that I've never really felt like I fit in here. I thought being extraordinary was the only way I could ever truly belong,” I confessed.

“Pakiramdam ko lagi ay ako lang iyong naiiba sa atin. Minsan nga tinatanong ko ang Panginoon na baka... na baka nagkamali lang Siya na ibigay ako sa inyo. Tuwing nagtatanong naman ako kung bakit wala akong kakayahan, you always told me it was okay because we'd just live a normal life. Do you know how that made me feel? All that adjusting and protecting made me feel like I wasn't enough. It made me feel less of a Magalona.”

Nahuli ko ang pagkabigla sa ekspresyon ni Mama at simpatiya naman sa maunawain kong ama. Lalo ko pang hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay ni Mama habang ang mga luha ko'y pumapatak na.

“So, please... just let me be who I'm meant to be. Let me be extraordinary, protect you this time, and finally give back for everything you've done for me,” I pleaded. “Utang po namin ni Holland ang mga buhay namin sa inyo ni Papa. The best way we can honor you and your sacrifices is by sharing our gifts and living a life that we can be proud of. Please...”

BUONG ARAW LANG akong nakahilata sa kama ko kinabukasan. After our family talk last night, I gave my parents, particularly my mother, some time and space to reflect. Patuloy pa ring pumasok si Holland sa trabaho niya. Hindi ko alam kung natanggap na ni Mama pero pinayagan na siya.

Inalis ko ang braso kong nakatakip sa king mga mata nang marinig ko ang katok sa pinto ng kwarto ko.

“Bakit po?”

“Anak.” It was Papa. “Lumabas ka muna. May bisitang naghihintay sa ‘yo sa baba.”

“Sino po?” tanong ko pabalik. Wala naman kasi akong natatandaang may inimbita ako sa bahay o mga kakilala o kaibigang nagpaalam na bibisita sila.

“Someone came by with a job offer for you. Your mother wants you to decide whether or not you'll accept.”

Namilog ang mga mata ko sa narinig at kaagad na bumangon upang mag-ayos ng sarili ko. “Susunod na po ako sa baba. Mag-aayos lang po ako sandali. I feel something good will happen, so I have to make a good impression.”

I heard Papa chuckle before he said he'd be heading back to our guest.

Pagbaba ko sa dining area ay naroon na ang tinutukoy nilang bisita—ang napakagandang si Dr. Rachelle Wong na agad naman akong nginitian pagkakita sa akin. I remembered her as the resident doctor and CEO of Wong's Haunted Real Estate Agency.

Nandoon na rin sina Mama, Papa, at Holland na lahat ay nakaupo na rin sa dining table. Pati si Alfa ay nakapuwesto na rin doon siyempre. It wasn't surprising at all that Dr. Wong could see him. The accidental summoning by her clan had created a connection with them long before I was involved.

“Good morning po, Dr. Wong. Napadalaw po kayo? Ah! Maraming salamat nga po pala sa paggamot niyo sa akin kahapon,” taos-pusong pasalamat ko sa kanya bago ako naupo upang makisali sa masinsinang usapan nila.

She smiled at me thoughtfully. Not only was she beautiful, but her kindness shone through as well. “Walang anuman. I'm actually here to offer you a job.”

“Talaga po? Anong klase pong trabaho?”

“Father Giuseppe Wong, our agency's resident exorcist, relied heavily on Alfa's possession for his successful exorcisms. With Alfa missing and my uncle still in the hospital, we're working with exorcists from the Westwood City Police's supernatural unit for the meantime. It's unclear how long his recovery will take, especially now without Alfa. I was also informed that you are his new vessel and that it would be impossible to sever your spiritual connection.”

“So, you want to hire me as your resident exorcist?” paglilinaw ko muna.

"Yes, I spoke with your parents for their permission. They said the decision is all yours. To give you some background, we specialize in buying and selling haunted properties." She handed me a document. "This is our manual. Look it over before you sign anything."

I opened it to the first page, which read: Manual for Selling Haunted Houses by Wong's Haunted Real Estate Agency.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. Para kasi akong kinikiliti habang binubuklat ko isa-isa at binabasa ang mga nakapaloob doon.

Ito na ba ‘yon?

Ito na ba talaga ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ko?

Dagdag pa sa tuwa ko ay ang pagpayag ni Mama at pagbibigay ng buong desisyon sa akin.

Ang saya-saya ko, grabe!

Gusto kong tumili pero pinaglapat ko nang maigi ang mga labi ko upang subukang pigilan iyon.

"Your rate as an employee is also listed there. If you're not happy with it, we can always negotiate a raise," Dr. Rachelle said.

Namilog naman ang mga mata ko sa sweldo ko. Mas malaki pa ito kahit na pagsama-samahin ang anim na naging trabaho ko, shet! Kaya pala ayaw nang maghanap ni Holland ng ibang trabaho. Naiintindihan ko na ngayon.

“Your responsibilities include inspecting properties for signs of paranormal activity. If a haunting is confirmed, you'll oversee the signing of the deed of sale with the client. You'll then perform an exorcism and purify the house to remove any lingering negative energy and traces of its past horrors. Our renovation team will then handle the restoration, and the property will be put back on the market. We will fully disclose the property's history of hauntings. It's our biggest selling point.”

Tumango-tango naman ako sa mga paliwanag ni Dr. Rachelle. Mayamaya pa ay binalingan ko na sina Mama na tahimik na nakikinig din. “Okay lang po ba sa inyong magtrabaho ako bilang exorcist dito?”

“Dr. Rachelle already explained to us that you'll only be working with haunted houses, not anything dangerous like demon hunting. The choice is entirely yours," Mama replied. I smiled widely. I was really relieved and happy with her support. It means a lot to me.

Sunod ko namang hinarap muli ang naghihintay na si Dr. Rachelle. “Bago ko po sana pirmahan ang kontrata, may gusto lang po akong malaman. It's important that I ask this because I want to understand my spiritual partner better,” saad ko, tinutukoy si Alfa na nakatutok na rin sa akin ang atensyon. “Did you really summon and trap him here?”

Malungkot na nginitian ako ng doktora bago siya marahang tumango sa akin. “Long ago, my clan performed a ritual to summon Death. You could say they were driven by greed for business leverage and power. However, they summoned the wrong entity. He himself had no memory of his past, so they never learned his true identity. They only knew he was another powerful primordial being they could exploit. Our current wealth and power are all thanks to Alfa.”

“Is there really no way to find anything about me?” si Alfa na mismo ang nagtanong sa pagkakataong iyon.

“I think there is. Batang-bata pa ako no’n pero tandang-tanda ko pa rin iyong takot at trauma na naidulot no'n sa akin,” Dr. Rachelle confessed. “When your first vessel died, everyone in the clan tried to become your next host, but you were too powerful. They all fell into comatose after trying. Buhay pa sila pero mukhang imposibleng magising na mula sa mahimbing nilang pagkakatulog. Then, some clan members tried to summon another primordial being they could control. Someone who could possess them easier. They didn't intend to summon Death this time, but they ended up with another wrong entity they refer to as Vita.”

“I remembered it,” seryosong ani Alfa. “Unlike my form, the entity was simply a dense cloud of darkness. It corrupted those it possessed and twisted their minds into madness.”

As Dr. Rachelle recounted that childhood incident, a look of profound fear entered her eyes. “Sinaniban niya ang mga naiwang miyembro ng angkan namin na hindi kasama sa mga na-comatose. One night was all it took to turn the mansion into a scene of horror. It was filled with cries of agony and disturbing moans. It was bloody, messy, and violent. Pinatay niya rin ang mga na-comatose. Amidst the chaos, I found myself staring at the entity within my sister. It spoke through her and taunted, ‘So you can't handle the carnage? I'm going to find and end all of you. This is my curse’.”

Nahuli kong napakuyom si Dr. Rachelle ng mga kamao niya. Tila nagpapahiwatig iyon ng mga takot at bangungot na matagal na niyang tinatago.

“My mother helped me escape and told me to find my grandpa's secret son at a church. She had Alfa protect me until I got there. I then found him, Father Giuseppe Wong. Luckily, he took over as Alfa's host. That time, napaisip ako na baka pinoprotektahan ng Diyos ang lahat ng mga nasa tahanan Niya. Nagpadesisyunan kong doon na rin lumaki at magtago kasama ni Uncle Giuseppe na siyang pumoprotekta sa akin kasama ni Alfa. After what happened at the mansion, we found out there were only three of us left in our clan: me, my uncle, and now my son.”

Puno ng pagmamakaawa ang mukha ni Dr. Rachelle nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa amin ni Alfa. “I think Vita knew you, because it also said we'd never be able to tame it the way we tamed you. And we believe that only you can equal its power.”

“Nandito rin ako hindi lang bilang isang employer na naghahanap ng exorcist at hindi lang bilang isang Wong na nagbabahagi ng mga impormasyon na makatutulong sa inyo. Nandito rin ako bilang isang ina na nagmamakaawa sa inyong tulungan akong protektahan ang anak ko. Please help me protect my son,” she pleaded.

°˖ 𔓘 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓪 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓸 𔓘 ˖°

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