While my eyes were closed, I could feel the warmth of the sun.
Maybe I was already dead… or maybe I was being buried.
But after a few minutes, I heard shouting—people talking about something.
"That baby is so cute! Must have taken after the mom."
"No, she takes after the dad. Look at the black hair—and so adorable!"
Then they started bickering.
"She got it from the mom!"
"No, from the dad for sure!"
Their argument seemed endless.
After a while, I heard another voice.
"Enough, you two. I'm taking the baby to her mother now."
I was confused. Her mother?
My mother?
That couldn't be. My mother died the day I was born.
It's impossible for her to be alive now.
Wait...
When I opened my eyes, I was shocked.
Why are the nurses so big?
I looked around—and was even more shocked.
Why am I in a crib?
When I raised my hands, I froze.
My hands… they're tiny.
When I tried to speak, something else came out.
"Awoooooaoooaa~" (in baby talk)
Wait! I've become a baby again!
I could see it in the nurses' eyes—they were swooning over me.
"So cute!!!"
As they stared at me, tears slowly streamed from my eyes.
"waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh" (in baby cry)
Why did I come back to life?! I just wanted to rest! I didn't want to live again! Why won't fate let me rest?! I'm so tired… (in my mind)
One nurse gently pulled my crib.
"Maybe baby wants to see her mommy. Don't worry, we'll bring you to her room now."
She quickly wheeled me to a hospital room.
As we entered, I heard a voice I knew so well—it was Althea.
"Baby, why are you crying?"
The nurse handed me to her.
"Maybe, ma'am, she's been looking for her mom. See? She stopped crying now."
Then I heard Christopher's voice.
"Hello, princess! You're such a beautiful little girl!"
Tears welled up again.
Why was I reborn? Why now?
Althea playfully smacked Christopher.
"You dummy! Now she's crying again because of your loud voice!"
"Sorry, love! I'm just so excited—we have such a beautiful daughter!"
Then Althea called out to a little boy who looked about 3 years old.
"Aaron, come here. Say hi to your sister."
The boy came over.
"Hi, baby! I'm your big brother, Aaron. And I'll protect you!"
That's what I was afraid of—those words: "I'll protect you."
Words my first family said but never fulfilled.
What if the same thing happens again?
"You hear that, baby? Your big brother said he'll protect you. And I promise, mommy, daddy, and brother will protect you too."
"What will be her name, ma'am?" asked one of the nurses.
"What do you think?" Christopher asked.
"Her name will be Serena Penelope Crisostomo Clara."
---
To be continued...