I QUICKLY crawled under the blanket and pulled it over my head. I heard Sebastian's slow steps coming in. Ornina just stood in front of the door with her back turned. What was Sebastian doing here in the middle of the night?
I heard the chair move. Maybe he sat down there. "I want to apologize. I know you're asleep so I won't wake you up," he began. He opened the window because I heard it move.
I was sweating with nervousness. I lifted the blanket a little to peek at him. He was just looking out the window while sitting in the chair. "Actually, something is bothering me. I know it's just a dream that I might be experiencing because I saw how my mother died. Didn't I tell you about it when we were kids?" he continued then took a deep breath and looked at the floor. "Perhaps you don't remember anymore"
I just closed my eyes. Maria Florencita doesn't really remember because I made her character so that she would only love Lorenzo. Everything about Sebastian is not important to the female lead.
That's how it should be, isn't it? The love of the second male lead always ends in nothing. Because they are the only characters who will test the strength of the love between the two protagonists in the story.
"I don't know why I feel this way. It seems like something is missing from what's happening. I feel like I've been told things like this before but I can't remember anything. I'm trying to find in your eyes if it's you I'm telling these thoughts to. But it seems like you have no idea what's going on either."
I peeked at him again from under the blanket, he was looking out the window again. Does that mean he also feels like something is missing and lacking in their world? Is it possible that he remembers that we met before I edited this story?
Suddenly, the papers on the table were blown away because the window was open. The papers fell to the floor, near the bottom of the bed where Lorenzo was hiding. Sebastian stood up and picked up the papers one by one.
I was just closing my eyes in nervousness. I couldn't have hoped that she would see Lorenzo under the bed because the events of the story would definitely change and become chaotic again.
I breathed a sigh of relief when Sebastian got all the papers and put them back on the table. He didn't see Lorenzo underneath because the entire room was dark. The candle light was also fading. "Go to sleep well. Even if you didn't hear what I said today, at least I want you to know that I am ready to give you my trust because you are my future wife," he said as he slowly closed the window.
He also extinguished the candle and left the room. Ornina slowly closed the door and darkness and deafening silence reigned in the room once again.
I removed the blanket that was covering me and stared at the ceiling. My suspicion was correct, he was dreaming again of his death, which would be part of the ending of this story. What I didn't understand was why he knew that in the dream?
I was surprised when Lorenzo suddenly came out from under the bed. "Hey!" I called him because he immediately ran to the window, opened it and jumped down. He quickly climbed over the fence and disappeared into the darkness.
I never thought Lorenzo would be able to escape me like that.
"WHERE did you go last night?" I asked Maria Florencita, she had been quiet for a while. We were currently in the carriage. I was taking her to church for confession, which she does once a week.
"He's a useless man," she said, surprising me. I immediately stopped the horse from running and turned to her. "I thought he was different from everyone else," she continued, tears falling down her face. She covered her face with the handkerchief she was holding and continued to cry.
"What happened? Why didn't you and Lorenzo meet?" she just continued crying and when she was tired, she slowly wiped her tears.
"He didn't come to our meeting place. I waited there for a long time," she sobbed then looked at me, "How did you know his name?" I was stunned. She hadn't even told me about her feelings for Lorenzo.
My eyes wandered, "Ah, he came last night. He was looking for you. He introduced himself to me because I said I would call the guards and have him arrested" Maria Florencita fell silent and thought deeply.
"He came to my room last night?" At that moment, the frown on her forehead seemed to disappear.
I nodded, "Yes, he's worried about you. He doesn't even know where you are." I said, making her think again. He couldn't be angry with Lorenzo. Their love had just begun.
"If you only saw how worried he was that you weren't in your room. He was willing to travel the world and search every corner of the country just to find you" I added. Maria Florencita bit her lower lip hard. "Is he willing to do that for me?" she asked, I nodded a few times to convince her even more.
"He even jumped out the window and quickly left to look for you." Maria Florencita sat up straight and then fixed a few strands of her hair that were messy from her crying earlier.
"But he still hasn't send me a letter until now. I need to hear his explanation," he said, and I took a deep breath. In short, he wanted Lorenzo to woo him.
"Wait, if you talked to him last night... He didn't ask who are you?"
I swallowed, "H-he didn't ask. He's worried about you. He doesn't care about anything else" Maria Florencita smiled when I said that.
I started the horse running again, "So don't cry, everyone will definitely be surprised because your eyes are swollen" she nodded then straightened herself up again.
"The misunderstanding between you and Lorenzo needs to be resolved immediately. That's why many relationships are ruined because couples are so proud and don't talk about their problems properly," I continued, remembering Pia and her boyfriend who were supposedly conceived out of pride.
"What are you saying?" Maria Florencita asked in surprise. I smiled at her and turned around, "Nothing. I said you and Lorenzo are really good together."
We have reached the town. I am riding my horse more slowly because there are many people walking on the road. "By the way, Ornina mentioned to me earlier that Sebastian visited my room last night" I closed my eyes, another big problem is happening to Sebastian.
"What did he say?" Maria Florencita continued. I took a deep breath, I couldn't tell him that Sebastian was dreaming about his death.
"I-I don't remember. I think I was asleep when he arrived," I replied, not wanting to lie with her but there are things it's better for her not to know because it might make Salamisim even more chaotic.
"Last night, he also wanted to see me in the middle of the night. But he didn't tell me why. I felt like something was bothering him."
"Maybe Sebastian is just nocturnal. His spirit is more awake at night. Maybe that's why he seems lethargic and speechless in the morning because he's not a morning person."
"Honestly, I'm worried about him"
"Lorenzo must be very worried about you too. He would definitely die if something bad happened to you."
"Not Lorenzo"
I turned to Maria Florencita. "I'm talking about Sebastian. I'm worried about him because it seems like he wants to tell me something but he can't."
I couldn't speak. Sebastian was gradually gaining Maria Florencita's attention. She shouldn't be thinking about Sebastian. Her mind should only be on Lorenzo because she would definitely be confused by her feelings.'
Maria Florencita is in the confession room while confessing to Father Emmanuel. I'm just sitting and facing the altar. I still can't understand why everything that's happening to me is related to Sebastian. Even his small actions that are not in the flow of the story cause a big change in the next scenes.
A moment later, I saw Lorenzo, about seven chairs away from me. He was praying earnestly.
My eyes narrowed. I still can't forget that he ran away from me last night. When he finished praying, I immediately followed him out.
I walked with her, "Have you apologized to Maria Florencita yet?" I asked while looking straight ahead. She turned to look at me but we continued walking anyway.
He looked at me for a moment then turned his gaze to the road. "You are Maria Florencita's coachman and guard, aren't you?"
He knew me as Arturo. Probably because he recognized everyone around Maria Florencita very well. "Why didn't you go to her at your meeting last night?" I was still annoyed by his escape last night.
I was surprised when he laughed with a hint of sarcasm, "You're so quick to figure it out. It's true that he trusts you with all his heart."
Several vendors and shopkeepers were offering us their wares. They were stationed outside the church. "Of course I have to protect her and---" I stopped speaking and looked at him. Jealousy was evident on his face.
"Why are you looking for an answer from me? Surely you know for yourself why Maria Florencita was late for our meeting so I could go to her home. Surely you accompanied her last night and led her astray on the road so that you could be with her for a long time and we wouldn't see each other," he continued, then stopped walking and looked at me.
"I found another woman in her room. Did you intentionally put the other woman there to sleep so that you could be with Maria Florencita outside?" I was stunned by what he said and blinked twice. What was he saying?
"That girl is my girlfriend. And you're wrong, I didn't accompany Maria Florencita. She went alone---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because Lorenzo just laughed.
"What more does she need from me if she's happier with you?" he added and continued walking. I was left speechless on the road and for a moment I laughed out loud in the middle of the road because I couldn't believe that Lorenzo Cortes was jealous of me.
THE NEXT DAY, early in the morning, Sebastian and I practiced punching hard. Niyong and I repeatedly punched a sack full of sand. I laughed to myself while punching it. I still can't believe that Lorenzo got jealous because Maria Florencita and I were so close and he thought I was a man.
"Niyong" I called him, we were only two feet away from each other. Sebastian was busy cleaning his gun. He was a little far from us.
Niyong turned to me, "Tell me, am I such a handsome man?" I smiled, Niyong's forehead furrowed as we continued punching the sandbag.
"Haven't you eaten breakfast yet?" I laughed at what he said.
"Don't answer that. I know you're just embarrassed to admit that I'm a beautiful creature. Besides, it would be awkward if you said I was handsome. Men are really competitive," I laughed and nodded at him. Niyong will definitely be smart from what he hears from me.
Niyong just shook his head and continued punching. "I really can't believe it. The male lead in this story is jealous on me" I laughed while talking to myself. Niyong looked at me as if he thought I was losing my mind again.
But I need to fix the misunderstanding between them immediately. Does Lorenzo need to know that I'm a woman?
I looked at Niyong, "How are you and Lolita?" I asked.
"There's nothing between us, brother Arturo. Besides, I heard something at the Panciteria," he said, then came closer to me to whisper.
"What?"
"Lolita seems to have a crush on you," he laughed, making me blink twice. "Lolita easily falls in love with people who are kind to her. I used to help her when my playmates were making fun of her when we were kids. Because of that incident, she immediately fell in love with me."
It seemed like I was frozen in place. That was the flashback story of the two of them, so Lolita started liking Niyong until they became teenagers.
"It's a good thing because she's not bothering me anymore. Thank you, brother Arturo! May you be able to grant Lolita's love," he smiled.
He was about to speak, but Sebastian stood up and walked towards us. "In five minutes. swim to the end of that river," he said, surprising me.
We were just at the riverside, he pointed to its end. Niyong immediately nodded and took off his top clothes. I was just stunned by the river and seemed unable to move where I was standing.
"What are you waiting for?" Sebastian asked me. He was wearing a cream-colored polo shirt today. He seemed to take my comment about his lack of fashion sense seriously.
I looked straight into his eyes, not only because I couldn't get my body wet with water because my chest might be visible, but I also didn't know how to swim.
I just stood there while Sebastian was beside me. He looked at the river and he also looked at me. "How can you overcome your fear if you don't fight it?" he said and when our eyes met, I felt what he wanted me to understand.
"How can you learn something if you don't try?" At the same time, a gentle wind blew, causing dead leaves to slowly fall from the tall trees by the river.
He bit his lower lip hard and turned to face Niyong who was now in the water. "Just go catch fish in the lower part of the river," he said, then looked at me before returning to his place earlier where he was cleaning his gun.
I stared at him, thinking he was going to force me to swim. I felt relieved because he understood my situation. I never thought Sebastian Guerrero would have such a personality.
I was walking alone to the market, wanting to buy a new blanket and mat because I don't use any of them when I wash them every week. There were a lot of people today even though it was noon. I was surprised when Lolita suddenly appeared in front of me carrying a small bag.
"Good afternoon, sir," she smiled. It was already noon, but her face was still colorful.
I just nodded then moved away from her but she still blocked my path causing other people to look at us. This is what Niyong experiences every time Lolita teases him. It's embarrassing. I want to cover my face.
"Please accept the food I cooked for you, sir," she smiled sweetly and her eyes widened. I almost choked on what she did. I was about to leave but she forcibly handed me the bag containing food.
"I-I have a girlfriend," I said, her face suddenly changed but she smiled again. "That's nothing. You two are not married yet, right?"
I was stunned by what she said. It seems like Lolita's brain has gotten worse since I edited this story.
I looked around then pulled her to a corner where there weren't many people. She just smiled as if she was happy because I touched her. "Girl, listen. I'm not the person you think I am" I started, I was serious but she was just excited which made me even more nervous.
"Whatever your occupation or desire. That doesn't matter to me, sir. Are you a spy, a rebel or a thief?" Lolita smiled, I touched my forehead. I felt my blood pressure rise because of Lolita's madness.
"Lolita girl, we're the same" I said as if I were a statue. Her expression was surprised by what I said.
"You have a crush on a man too?" she asked, frowning. I blushed and smiled. "Exactly! So just turn your admiration to niyong, girl!"
Lolita shook her head, "But you said you had a girlfriend."
I shrugged, "Well, I'm also a liar," I said, and her face suddenly brightened.
"So... You're just pretending that your heart is with a man?" The smile slowly appeared on her lips again.
"No! I really want a man!" I insisted but she only smiled even more.
"I'm a girl... Can't you smell it?" I asked her but she just laughed. She was about to speak but I saw Sebastian and Niyong. They were walking in the middle of the market.
"You should like Niyong," I repeated and quickly ran towards Sebastian and Niyong. They stopped when they saw me.
"Brother Arturo, what are you doing---" he couldn't finish what he was going to say because he saw Lolita looking at us.
Even Sebastian looked at Lolita and me. A smile appeared on Niyong's lips as if teasing. "You want to get rid of Lolita?" he grinned, making me close my eyes in annoyance.
"Can I come with you for now? I'll go home later if Lolita doesn't follow us," I said, Niyong just laughed and then put his arm around me. "Lolita will definitely get tired just following you today, brother," he grinned.
Sebastian didn't speak like he always did. He walked ahead while Niyong and I followed him.
It was already 3:00 PM, we were walking in the middle of the forest. "What are you doing here?" I whispered to Niyong. "I can't tell you," he replied. I looked behind Sebastian, he seemed to know the way through the forest very well.
A short while later, we passed a familiar river in the middle of a dense forest. I was stunned by the river. There was a large wooden log that served as a bridge to the other side. Niyong crossed first, as if he was used to passing there too.
Sebastian turned to me. He was now wearing a brown polo shirt and carrying a sword. I had been wondering if they were hunting animals here. "Whatever you see or hear here. Make sure it doesn't reach anyone else," he ordered, making me bite my lower lip hard.
I should have gone home a long time ago or just run until I got back to the Garza family mansion. Sebastian crossed the river, I followed him. I looked around, this place seemed familiar.
We continued walking until we reached a small hut in the middle of the forest. My eyes widened when I saw the witch doctor outside. She was sweeping in front of her house.
Niyong shook hands with the ale. The ale, saluted Sebastian and invited him into his home. The ale looked at me, causing me to bow a little. I was nervous that she might recognize me, so I didn't approach her.
Only the two of them entered the hut as if they had something important to discuss. Niyong and I were left outside where there were some firewood, coconuts, and bunches of leaves.
"Sebastian knows that---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because Niyong suddenly shook his head. "We can't talk about señor's actions. You'll be in danger, brother Arturo, if he finds out. Even I don't know anything," he said, and I looked back at that shack where smoke was coming out from the old woman's cooking pot.
What is Sebastian's connection to the witch?
It was night, and I was just sitting there in a daze as I rode the carriage. I was waiting for Maria Florencita because she had told her father that she was going to the Panciteria to visit Amalia, who had just recovered from a fever.
I still can't get the question out of my head why Sebastian went to the witch doctor? Was he going to cast a spell on someone?
I took a deep breath. Maybe I should be nicer to him from now on. Maybe he took what I said about his clothes and hair the other day to heart.
I was surprised when someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder, causing me to scream. "Tanya, are you okay?" Maria Florencita asked in surprise. I didn't realize that she was already in the carriage. My mind was too busy with other things.
I was just thinking about the witch earlier and suddenly someone touched my shoulder, it was like I was inside a horror story. Salamisim is not horror.
"I guess I just had too much coffee," I said, then sat down comfortably in front of the carriage. Maria Florencita smiled, "By the way, Lorenzo and I will meet today."
I turned to her, "We'll go by Amalia's house later. Lorenzo is definitely waiting for me by the river," she continued, making me think about what she said. There's no scene like this in Salamisim. But maybe this is the continuation of what they were supposed to have met that night by the river.
I started the horse running, "Lorenzo said to meet you tonight?" I asked. Even though Maria Florencita was behind me, I could feel her excitement and smile.
"No. I was the one who sent him the message earlier," Florencita replied, I just nodded. Lorenzo has a tendency to be a little too quiet. Maria Florencita was the one who made the move. After all, Lorenzo was still jealous of Arturo, so I understand.
"I talked to him earlier. We didn't get to talk for very long because Mang Tino suddenly arrived at the newspaper storage," she continued. I also breathed a sigh of relief because it seemed like Lorenzo was still the one Maria Florencita was looking for.
Soon we reached the riverside. From a distance we could see the man wearing a salakot. He was sitting on a large rock and looking at the river. I stopped the horse. We could no longer go down the rocky path down to the riverside because the carriage could not handle it.
Maria Florencita got off first and as usual I was left behind in the carriage but I was surprised because she stopped in front of me. "Come with me down, Tanya" she smiled. I looked at the man with a salakot. Wasn't Maria Florencita aware that I was a threat to Lorenzo?
I got off the horse-drawn carriage and we walked together down to the riverside. It was a bit rocky there, but I didn't have any difficulty because the shirt and pants I was wearing were lighter and more comfortable than the fancy dress and gown that Maria Florencita was wearing.
The man wearing a salakot immediately stood up when he saw us. "Good evening, sir" Maria Florencita smiled and saluted him. Lorenzo slowly took off his salakot and placed it on his chest then greeted us.
He looked at me, his face showing that he didn't expect me to come and that he would see me with Maria Florencita. "Lorenzo, I want you to know that you shouldn't be jealous of Arturo" Maria Florencita started, I nodded. Luckily he understood what I told him about raising the pride of couples.
"It's like I told you earlier. Arturo is not a real man," she continued, then took off the hat I was wearing and carefully pulled my hair tie, causing my long hair to fall.
I held my head and looked at Maria Florencita in shock. I didn't expect that she would be able to drop me in front of Lorenzo. "I'm sorry Tanya, but our misunderstanding can't be resolved until he knows that you are a woman and my friend," Maria Florencita said then took my hand. It was clear from her face that she didn't want to expose my true nature but she just had to do it to enlighten Lorenzo.
"You should have told me earlier. I don't like surprises," I complained to her, but in the end we both just laughed. I was somehow impressed because Maria Florencita quickly came up with a way to fix the mess that was happening in my novel.
I looked at Lorenzo who was looking at me in shock. "You're the woman I caught in Maria Florencita's room the other night," he said while pointing at me. We laughed, especially Maria Florencita. It was like we were partners in crime and now the revelation of the crimes we had committed was coming.
"Yes, then you ran away from me. Tsk" I turned to him and Maria Florencita and I laughed again. "Now it's clear to you that there is no one between me and Tanya, whom you know as Arturo," Maria Florencita said then took a step closer to Lorenzo.
I stepped back and walked back to the carriage with a smile to give them some privacy.
A few more minutes passed, and the two of them sat on the big rock and continued talking. I couldn't hear what they were talking about because I was on the upper part of the flat road. I smiled to myself because Maria Florencita had solved the problem that had occurred in the story.
I just twisted my hair and pinned it inside the hat because my tie broke.
I stopped when a small light from the middle of the forest caught my attention. Was it a firefly? But why just one?
I immediately got off the carriage. I slowly followed the light that continued to shine behind the trees and plants. I continued walking until I reached the end of the road.
My eyes widened when I saw the familiar river. This was the river that Sebastian and Niyong crossed on their way to the witch's house. I was about to run back to where Maria Florencita and Lorenzo were on the other side of the river when suddenly a sword struck my neck.
It was as if I had become a statue where I was standing. I just closed my eyes and slowly raised my hand. It was impossible for me to die in the story, but I still didn't want to experience how my neck would be cut with the sharp sword pointed at me now.
The man holding the sword started to step out. A black cloth was covering his nose and mouth. I looked at the ground, a lamp had landed there. What I thought was a bug earlier was just a light from the lamp this man was holding.
My eyes widened when I recognized that lamp. But what surprised me even more was when I heard that man's voice, "Who are you? Why are you following me?" he asked, I was surprised to look straight into his eyes.
He probably didn't recognize me today because I was wearing a different hat. A black hat that Don Florencio had given me.
"Sebastian... It's me," I said and was about to approach him to introduce myself as not an enemy or anything, but I was tripped by a tree branch. I pushed him away and we fell straight to the ground.
At the same time as I fell onto his chest, the hat I was wearing also came off, causing my long hair to fall completely.
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