5 •CHAPTER 5: THE TRUTH•

29th June 1812

I did not realize the days passed. Those days are full of sadness and I can not describe the feeling anymore. I feel scared.

I feel like something bad is going to happen. My mind is confused. It was as if someone was watching my actions. My friends are also worried about me.

I still remember my non-stop crying at Ysay's funeral. She no longer had a family and she only lives with us as a caretaker.

I went back to the tree. The only place of our memories and I did not expect to meet anyone here right at this moment. An old woman, she was unfamiliar. Is she a new caretaker?

******

A few days after mama's funeral. I still can't believe what happened. Everything seems like a bad dream. I also feel like someone is watching me.

I still can't explain how they saw me near the tree. I don't even remember I went there.

I just woke up and noticed that my clothes are already dirty and the guards found me. I allegedly disappeared last night.

They also wondered, how I managed to get past the barriers that blocked it, those barricades are high and there were guards doing rounds that night. They said it was a good thing that there were no wild animals roaming there.

"Sorry for your loss, our condolences Eve." I was spacing too much and I did not immediately notice Ms. Monclair. She gave me an apologetic smile and sat beside me.

"I'm okay ma'am, thank you for your generosity of still letting me here eventhough I committed a serious violation." I force myself to smile.

Me and her are the only people in the room  because it is class time. The school temporarily suspended me for what I did, that's why I am here.

"I am actually here for another reason Eve. I want to tell you a history about this school. I think you are the one who deserves to know."

Confused, I answered her, "What do you mean Ms. Monclair?" She looked at me intently. Examining how I would react.

"This school was built in the 18th century. It was used to be the home of a prestigious family. The Hermosa's" she stopped and I was surprised to find out.

This was our ancestors' house? I stood up and picked up the diary I read every night. It belongs to Nirvana Hermosa, also written on 18th century.

"Do you know Nirvana Hermosa? Is this her house?" She was shocked at how I knew that and stared at me as if scared.

"Y-yes, and that diary was supposed to be burned to ashes centuries ago! Why do you still have the original? Nirvana's belongings have been burned for a long time, especially her diary." The horrid reaction didn't leave her eyes. She was standing now while looking at the thing on my hand.

"How was it burned? It was passed on to every generation of our family. All I know is that it was printed in many copies" I was also starting to feel scared along with the confusion.

"L-listen Eve, Nirvana Hermosa was cursed. Her house, her family, friends and everything about her was cursed! No copy was printed in that diary." She stopped.

Sweats falling on her face. Even though my hand was shaking so I put the diary on my bed first. Looking at it, I thought it is just because of its old black marks. Are those really marks of fire?

"How can I believe you? All my life my mom have told me the history of our family. I believe in her, so I can't believe you right away because it is so contrary to the stories I grew up with."

She seems to be calming herself down to better explain to me. "Read the last chapter of the diary that you are reading now."

I obliged.

*****

The old woman just stood there and looked at me. There was no trace of emotion in her eyes. So, I tried to approach and ask.

"What are you doing here grandma? Are you lost in directions?" She did not answer me, she just stared. Though nervous, I came again to help her  because it is difficult to walk in that grassy area.

As soon as I touched her, I felt cold and terror as she grinned. Her arm was as hard as wood and cold. It was also rough. I did not know what happened because I just closed and shook my eyes and when I looked at it again, I was already holding a branch of the tree.

I immediately let go of it and  the wind suddenly became strong and wild. I ran back to the house, already scared.

I still carry the fear and it is still clear in my memory.

Forgot,

Nirvana Hermosa

******

I had goosebumps. I don't want to believe to Ms. Monclair's story but it seems realistic. I do not believe in the curse. I love reading supernatural things but I never expected that to happen in real life.

"I- I still can't believe it. I need to find more truth behind this. Because it really happens to be very vague."

"Don't worry Eve. I'm not in a hurry. You have to find out more. I'm only here when you need help. Just ask me" then she left the room.

I just lay down. There is a lot going on in my mind. I still do not believe in what I have listened just now . I know, it was just a normal journal.

I just need to rest myself. Many things happened that I did not expect. I still can't take more of it.

The loss of my mother still hurts me. I still need to fix myself.

I sit when I heard someone turn the knob of the door. I thought Ms. Monclair again but its Kristie and Sandra.

"We'll just take our stuff Eve. Just rest there" they both smiled at me then passed. I still sat and waited for them to come out. After a few minutes, they got what they needed and were ready to leave.

"Get well better soon Eve. We miss you" said Sandra. I smiled at them and lay down again. I will first let my mind think on many things. Because I know I can get through it too. I just have to wait. I just want things to get back to normal.

Why is so hard? Why are there things like this?

The wind entered our window. It blew the pages of the diary. I look at the page to see what's written there.

"Cave populus confidis"