Special People

It was an exchange of awkward nods, silent sighs, forced smiles, tapping of utensils, and a rumbling stomach. Ulrica finds herself in a very uncomfortable social disposition. She should have been used to it because it has been going on for three weeks already. But she never found the comfort of dining with three other people that she didn't know.

Dinners should never be like that.

It's not because she is socially withdrawn or anti-social. She has friends, and they hang out a lot! But the last two weeks have been a mix of weirdness and discomfort because of their visitors. Even if her mother invited them, she never thought of the right way to approach them.

Three senior citizens. Plus her mother, which makes it four.

Somewhere within the second week of what she used to call "Party with the Grumpies," she tried to crack a harmless joke to which one responded, "María Santísima!" A deep sigh accompanied the reaction of the woman. She even mentioned the names of patron saints. Since then, Ulrica kept her mouth shut and pretended like it was still the 1950s. Ulrica never sought to start a conversation again after that failed attempt. She just decided to smile, nod, and act like she was greeting them as if she just saw them whenever their eyes met.

But that was two weeks ago.

The third week with them was different. It was still weird but somehow better. Anya, Ulrica's mom, woke her up. Going downstairs, she was greeted by the two older women enthusiastically. They used to ignore her as if she were invisible. But now, they look at her as if they raised her.

It didn't take long to grow fond of them. While Ulrica might not know the reason behind their sudden kindness, she likes it. This was the first time they invited someone at home after her father passed away. It sounds childish for her to admit, but she longed for visitors.

Just like their typical suppers, they are seated around a long rectangular table waiting for the food. Ulrica hated their dinners because they stared at her with a very disappointed look, as if she refused to marry a millionaire's son. Unlike now, when she can freely talk about literally anything. But even with all the fun being created by Sainika and Wana, she can't help but feel strange about this change.

"Did my mom scold you?" Ulrica asked Sainika.

Sainika doesn't communicate much, but she smiles and takes care of her. She can feel the gentleness inside her even if her looks say otherwise. Sainika has a very muscular built for her age. Her physique looks like that of a retired military. Add the huge scars throughout her body, making her look like a warrior who fought thousands of wars. It felt like she stopped aging in her mid-40s because none of her muscles looked saggy. Fine lines are visible throughout her face, but that's it. Only the wrinkles and gray hair give away her age. She also has a full sleeve tattoo and untidy ponytailed hair—your typical gangster of the 1950s.

"Your mom asked us to treat you well. Like one of our own," Sainika replied.

After what feels like forever, her mom came out of the kitchen with a newly cooked roasted chicken. The smell of the lemongrass in it covered their entire apartment. She heard her stomach growl as if there was a monster making its way out. The faces of Sainika and Wana have been filled with delight. Unlike the old guy with them who looked like heaven and Earth fell on him since day one. Their third visitor.

"Here's our dinner!" Anya exclaimed, calling the attention of everyone on the table. She's happily swaying and slightly dancing while holding the plate of a roasted chicken.

"Finally, mom," Ulrica whispered.

"Be careful and don't spill our food!" Wana uttered while trying to catch the plate. Afraid that they might lose their dinner because of Anya's dancing.

"Your skills never went away, Anya," Sainika said.

Then suddenly, there's silence. The music that made them dance, which wasn't even there, felt like it went away. Cricket noises and the gust of the wind filled the silence. No one was talking, and they just stared at each other.

"You know that it wasn't my skill," Anya replied. She placed the plate on the table and removed the cotton mittens she was wearing. Her shoulders dropped, and her smile suddenly faded away like it was never there in the first place. Ulrica wondered what set her mother off. Because just a few minutes ago, she's strutting like a teenager with an enormous smile on her face.

She can't help but wonder if they are talking about someone so important to kill the atmosphere just like that. Are they talking about her father? Or someone else? And what does it have to do with her mother's cooking skills?

"Are we really going to talk about that now? I'm starving," the only man among the group asked. Ulrica felt the most uncomfortable in his presence. He was quiet all the time and had a very regal demeanor as if he owned a gigantic business or that kind of uncle who just ordered to kill someone. He always wears his fedora and holds his cane. She never saw him talk to Sainika and Wana. When they eat together, he will just stare at her the whole time while waiting for Anya to bring the food. Ulrica never got used to it, but she lets it slide to avoid causing any ruckus.

According to Sainika and Wana, his name is Madar, the eldest among their group. Aside from that, they did not tell her anything about him. But, they asked her to ignore whatever the man would say.

When you're sitting with him, you will notice nothing bizarre about his body. But when he stands up, you will see that his right hip is higher than the left and his spine is sort of twisted. He also has a longer right arm than his left. There are so many things that you will notice. But the most interesting thing is that his body configurations do not stay the same every day. Sometimes, his left hip is higher than the right, and his spine is still twisted but differently. Sometimes, his arms are both okay, but most they're too long for a normal person most of the time. Ulrica doesn't know the deal with him, but she ignores those noticeable changes every day. She doesn't want to seem rude.

"It's not like I want to talk about it, Madar," Anya replied. "You know that I will be the last person who will wish to talk about it," she added.

"Wait, talk about what? Can we just eat? Because I am starving, and this chicken smells good!" Ulrica interrupted.

"Close your mouth, girl. You act as if you know it all when you don't even recognize the world you are living in," said Madar.

"Huh?" Ulrica raised her brow. "What are you talking about? Stop being weird, sir."

"Old prick. One more word, and I'll slice your tongue with this spoon!" Sainika angrily uttered while gripping the spoon she was holding.

"Hand me the chicken," Madar ordered.

"Why don't you get it if you want it so bad?" Sainika replied.

"Oh, really? Alright, as you wish," Madar said.

Ulrica saw that Wana and her mother's eyes widened for unknown reasons. She's been bouncing her eyes to whoever speaks because she's wondering when will the old folks end their argument.

Madar raised his left arm and reached for the chicken. He was leaning on the chair like a lazy guy reaching for food. But Ulrica noticed something peculiar.

Was his hand always been that long to reach half of the table without stretching?

Ulrica went out to water their plants. But her real intention was to talk privately with Anya. Wana and Sainika are washing their dishes because they have just finished their late lunch. And as usual, Madar was there. Alone at the garden set. He was holding his cane, and between his forefinger and middle finger was a cigarette.

"Mom, why do you have such weird friends?" Ulrica asked with a bit of a smile on her face.

Anya looked at her and asked her back, "Weird? Honey, they are not weird. They are normal, just like us!"

"But..." Ulrica uttered. "Just look at them. And I didn't even know you have friends."

"In a few days, honey, you will understand. And I hope, at your age, you will be strong and ready," Anya replied.

Ulrica looked in Madar's direction and saw him looking at her. She evaded his stare and continued watering the plants, hoping that the old man would leave her alone. But he didn't.

From afar, she heard Madar, "When are you going to tell her? I've been wasting my time here!"

Ulrica looked at Anya to ask what Madar was talking about. But she saw her mother's face, red. Her eyes, even if she's not looking at her, were obviously teary.

Sainika went out to the garden. She's wiping her wet hands to her shirt. Wana was following her. "What happened?"

This is not the first time Ulrica felt that she was being left out about something that she should know. There are many times that this has happened, and now, she just snapped.

Ulrica tossed the garden hose. "What's up with all of you? Huh? Tell me what you want to tell me and stop making me feel stupid!" she asked. Her high-pitched question was followed by silence—again.

"I am done with this! If you do not tell me, then you guys should leave," she added. Ulrica was about to burst off and run to her room, but Sainika stopped her.

"You heard the girl!" Madar yelled. There was nothing but silence.

"He's right. We should prepare her anyway, Anya," Wana told Ulrica's mother while trying to console her.

Anya took some time, and after a few more breaths, she nodded.

Wana walked to the middle of the garden with both her hands on the side, her palms open and fingers stiff.

"What is this nonsense?" Ulrica asked.

Anya held Ulrica's hands. "You've always wondered why the rays of the sun follow you, right? You have always complained about it being hot and burning your skin."

"What about it?" Ulrica's questions are piling up even more. Anya touched her face and chuckled before facing Wana's direction.

"Just look. You have to see this. And you better get used to it," Sainika answered while trying to put a smile on her face.

The clouds darkened and started to move fast in one direction. Wana slowly lifted her hands and started moving sideways, back and forth, while drawing a vast circle on the air. Ulrica rolled her eyes. She thought that they were trying to play games with her. She wanted to scream out of frustration, but what happened next left her in awe.

The clouds in the sky became a mix of gray and a heavy shade of blue. Powerful winds blew and even ruined the bushes around their garden. The plants are bending and flying towards Wana. And Wana's invisible drawing created a thick circulating purple cloud with lightning forming on its own. The middle of the circle was pitch black, and it looked deep.

"I can't hold it much longer! Move! Fast!" Wana yelled with so much stiffness in her voice.

Madar walked calmly and stood in front of the purple cloud. A bolt of lightning suddenly struck him, and he disappeared. Anya walked towards the cloud. She stopped halfway and turned to Ulrica.

"Have faith. Come with me," Anya said. "Your life is bigger than what you have imagined." Her hair was slightly covering her face. But they knew that she was crying. Then she continued walking towards the cloud. Lightning struck her too, and she disappeared.

"Mom!" Ulrica yelled. Her mind lost all its logic. She cannot lose her mother. She just can't.

Without hesitation, Ulrica sprinted towards the purple cloud. She noticed that it was getting smaller.

Her biggest nightmare ate her fears, question, and confusion. And that was losing her mother.

But even with that thought, she suddenly hesitated when she faced the purple cloud. She looked at its edges and saw that it was purple and black. Lightning and mist surrounded it. She tried to peek to see what was inside, but she couldn't see anything. She tried to call Anya and Madar, but no one answered. The fierce winds ruined her balance, but she managed to keep herself steady.

She looked back. Wana's just behind her. She saw that her hands were trembling and stiff. Nerves are showing on her forehead and neck. She's sweaty and drooling at the same time. Wana starts screaming at Ulrica, but she can't hear her. The loud winds are drowning her voice. Ulrica then walked towards Wana to help her, but before landing her first step, she felt that something pushed her back. She stopped moving and saw a white light surrounding her body.

She, too, was struck by lightning.