I am glad that after almost a week, Flavus has come back to school and seems to be his usual self again. The only thing that hasn't changed is he is still mad at me. It wasn't really my intention to not tell him that I also have the same vision and dreams as his. It's just I am still trying to figure it out so that I could also help him. But knowing Flavus, I knew it would take long before he started talking to me again.
I looked at my watch to find it was just ten minutes before 9:00 PM. It has been starting to be my usual dismissal these past few days. Maybe because I like to make myself busy and somehow lift my thoughts of those visions and dreams... And also Flavus.
As I am tidying mg things up, my phone rings. A call from a number I could not recognize but still, I answered.
"Hello, is this Mr. Griceo Conrado?" the woman on the other line asked.
"Yes, speaking."
"Hi sir, good evening," she greeted whit too much enthusiasm. "I'm sorry for calling you this late, but Ms. Follon had recommended you. I am not sure if you're aware that we have our history class field trip tomorrow; unfortunately, Ms. Isabedra, our adviser, injured her legs and cannot join us. So I am wondering if you could join on her behalf ?" She explained.
"This is tomorrow right?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," she said, sounding hopeful. "We're going to Intramuros with all of the history class," she added.
"You mean all levels?" the only one that comes to my mind is Flavus.
"Yes, sir all levels."
"Do you need my answer now?" I asked again since I needed permission from the office.
"Uhm. I think we can wait for your confirmation before 6:00 AM tomorrow," she said.
"That would be great then, I'll just have to ask for permission from the office," I said. "And could you please send me the list of the students who will join the field trip?"
"Yes sure Sir I'll send you the list. And we're really hoping that you're able to join us tomorrow sir," she said.
"Yeah, I'll just have to confirm and arrange my schedule in the office," then she hangs up the phone.
Before I reached my dorm, I had already received the list of students joining the trip. I scanned through the list of fourth years, but Flavus' name was not there.
I let out a contented sigh and walked into the elevator. It also became an unconscious thing to stop and look towards Flavus' door before I went to mine. Hoping that somehow he would come out and finally talk to me. But it still remained close. Maybe he's already sleeping, or he is not there yet.
I slept that night still thinking about how to approach Flavus or how I would be able to explain what was going on regarding the dreams and visions we both were experiencing.
#
"Mr. Gray!" One of the students greeted me. Based on her voice, she was the one who called me last night. "We're so glad you're able to join sir."
"Yeah, me too," I responded. Even though I didn't sleep well last night, I still managed to wake up early and confirm. "Good thing that the office allowed me. I've never been to Intramuros before, so I am a little excited. By the way, what's your name again?"
"Oh! Yeah, I'm sorry Sir, it was so rude of me not to introduce myself last night. My name is Richelda Lopez the head of the history class."
"It's okay, Richelda. Nice to meet you," I said. "So, what should I do?" I asked because I didn't see any other staff around, so I think I am the only staff that would join.
"Actually sir we have planned all of this with Ms. Isabedra and the moment that we've been informed about her injury, we eventually revise our plans as well as the responsibilities of the staff, so all you have to do sir is to enjoy the trip since it's your first time," Richelda told me.
"Well, maybe I'll try my best to help keep the first years from making trouble," I said. "They're a bit naughty and mischievous you know."
"Alright! That was a very good idea, Sir! We're so grateful that you can help us," Richelda said again. "So I guess you have the list of the students right, sir?" she added.
"Yes, I have it here."
"Okay, they are on that bus, Sir. You can go there and join them," she said as she pointed out the last bus on the line. "When we arrive there, there will be a guide to, of course, guide us, then the students can wander around and explore on their own."
"Okay, thank you!"
"And if you have questions or concerns you can ask the facilitator. Mr. De San Juan, I guess you've know him."
"Who?" I asked to clarify that what I heard was correct.
"We assigned one senior to be a facilitator for every group so if you have concerns I think Flavus would be able to answer them,"
"Flavus?" I said a little loud making her look at me in confusion.
"Yes, Sir. Flavus Kree De San Juan," she said. "It was his punishment for being absent." Richelda then explains.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Sir." I was about to ask her how Flavus agreed to be a Facilitator for the first year because I knew he was easily annoyed, but one of the students called her. "I'll just be going there, sir, and thank you again, see you there."
"Okay," I said and started heading to the bus where the first year and Flavus were.
Just right when the bus door opened, I immediately saw Flavus. He was sluggish and just staring at the window. Right then, I made up my mind that I would talk to him.
"Hey, can I sit here?" I asked. He just stares at me and seems to be finding the right word to say.
"May I sit here Mr. De San Juan?" his eyes suddenly change expression. Maybe because he was not used to being called by his last name, especially by me.
"You can sit wherever you want... Sir," he said plainly and looked back at the window. I didn't notice that I had been staring at him for quite a time. He then looked at me and said, "Is there something wrong... Sir?" in a certain tone. I was caught off guard, so I thought of just asking if he had checked the attendance.
"I just wanted to ask if you have checked the attendance?" I asked.
"Yes," he said.
The bus was about to move when another student arrived. It was Paul Morris; of all the students, he was not the type who would be joining this trip unless...
"Hey!" he told Flavus, who was not speaking. "I have decided to join this trip. I haven't been to Intramuros," he explained. I don't think he was aware that I was here, so I turned to Flavus and said, "So I will be sitting at the back seat this time?" right after I said that, he looked at me with a changed expression, seems like he was disappointed but was able to acknowledge me.
"Oh, you're also here, Sir. Yeah, I'm fine, Sir. I can sit at the back,"
"I will join you then. So that Mr. Gray can be at peace here," Flavus said, and without waiting for my response, he dragged Paul to the very end of the bus. I just look at them as they whisper something to each other.
Knowing that Flavus is also on this trip makes me so determined to talk to him, but the heavy traffic and the gloomy but hot weather seem to have been betraying me.
Before I decided to close, my eyes looked back to where Flavus and Paul were and saw that Flavus had his eyes closed and his hand on one of his ears. While Paul was looking worried. I was about to stand to ask them what was wrong, but Paul had wiped Flavus' mouth. I stared at them for about five seconds before I felt my ears get hot. I decided not to get involved and let them have their own conversation. I decided to just sit and close my eyes. As I do this, my heart starts to beat unrhythmically. I felt like I had just had a jog and began to feel annoyed by the loud engine sound and the sound of the first year's shallow conversations.
I was in a trance about what I was thinking. And right then I woke up, I noticed that the sound of the engine had already ceased and the sound of the first years was getting louder and more exciting. I look outside the window and see that we're already in Intramuros.
I glanced at Flavus and Paul as I was assisting the students. I saw that Flavus was still sleeping on Paul's shoulders.
Except for Flavus and Paul, all of the students got out are already out of the bus. I heard a voice in the back. It was Richelda. She'sasking if I would like escorts. I tell her that I'm fine and smile at her. She just nodded at me and gathered everyone.
The moment I stepped on the old and historical pavement, the calm and heaviness started to quarrel inside me. I don't know how I should explain the feeling, but it was unusual.
I just ended up looking at the cloudy sky catching the rain shower, and then listening to the soft sounds of the seashore while the unique aromas of the old walled city piled up in my head.
I stayed with the group of first years and tried to make them quiet even if I didn't have to because I think they also felt the same. As I did that, I also tried to look for Flavus. He is with Paul, of course. There in the middle of the crowd having small conversations, which made me want to go there and be involved because I knew that if he was not mad at me, I would be there, and he would be sitting with me on the bus instead of Paul.
After the initial tour at the Baluartillo, Richelda announced that the students may wander the old city, which would give me time to explore on my own.
I walked into the old city, and even though the heavy feeling was still here, it didn't contain the fact that this place was wonderful and serene. The old structures shouting with too much history, its mossy buildings, the small streams of water flowing through the walls, and the carouse that is brought to its streets by the breezes that seem to always wait to steal away your heed, this place is like a walk of history a very familiar one.
I was just looking at the breathtaking scenery, and this is when I saw the two sitting on one of the benches from afar. Not long after, I saw Richelda talk to them, and they left.
I decided to wander on my own as I admired the stories behind this place. How a place of tragic stories became such an amusement to some, and how countless histories surrounded the place but couldn't be deciphered.
I was lost in thought as I walked around, still admiring the plaza, when I heard a soft voice behind me. It was so familiar and almost sounded like Flavus, but it was so soft and calm. I turned around to see that just a few students were busy and minding their own business.
I decided to just ignore it and continue to enjoy the scenery, but when I was about to turn away, I heard the voice again, this time closer but still sounding like someone whispering. Until my eyes caught on to an old house.
It was the only one that was different from the other buildings. The rest is neat and well maintained, and this one, although it has some evidence of repairs, is not that taken care of well. The house is a unique one, and even though I'm quite far, I can tell that it is also very old; it is just like the other ones, quiet and calm but seems to guard all of the ones beside it. I was standing there looking at it when a strong gust of wind passed near me. The smell and the coolness made me curious, and it made me walk towards it.
I looked at it from a distance, and with every step I took, I noticed this feeling of uneasiness starting to envelop me. It was like something terrible was going to happen. The feeling escalated as I reached the front of the house. It looked so old that the wind carried the smell of the old wood all over the yard. It made me shiver.
"It's not part of the tour anymore," I heard someone say softly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ma'am it's just, that this house seems to be very different and it caught my attention," I explained to the woman.
"That's because this house is actually different. It is unlike the other structures in the city. Because all of the other structures there have been renovated. But this one, it is the original," she said. "The owner does not give a permit for it to be renovated, that's why it was like this but still, the inside is still in good condition." She added. "By the way, I am Delia, the caretaker of this house."
"My name is Gray. I'm the teacher," I also introduced myself. Then I saw her looking intently at me. It seemed like she wanted to ask something, but he was contemplating if she would.
I looked into her face. I am quite sure that I don't remember her from the orientation tour, but just like this house, she seemed so familiar, but she just seemed to be cold. I can't sense any emotions from her; she just seems to be emotionless but calm. I was about to ask who is the original owner of the house when I saw a student standing on the other side of the yard, he didn't seem to notice the two of us, so I tried to go near him. Although he was facing back, I eventually knew that it was Flavus; it came to my senses that I wasn't the only one who felt the strangeness of the house.
"Did you also feel it?" I asked, almost making him jump. I expect him to just ignore me, but he doesn't.
"Mr. Gray?" he said. I carefully looked at him. I can't tell if he was a little pale or just because there was no sunlight. "This is Mrs. Delia, the caretaker of this house," I explained, noticing the paleness of his face. "Are you fine?" I asked as I went near him.
"I don't know, I think it's just the motion sickness," he said.
I lowered my voice so that Mrs. Delia would not hear me, "I know you also felt."
"What do you mean?" he said.
"This house, I think it has something to do with the visions we are seeing Flavus."
"Do you want to come in?" Mrs. Delia asked. I looked at Flavus, but I didn't say anything. I was waiting if he also wanted to come in and find out why we felt like this. He was also looking at me silently. After a while, he nodded and followed Mrs. Delia inside the house. I was just standing there trying to compose myself because of my uneasy feeling.
"This was an official part of the tour before, but the local government had decided to cut off the budget since it was a little too far from the gate and the tourist rarely comes here. Also, the owners do not want it to be renovated, so it remained as is," I heard Mrs. Delia say, but I wasn't paying that much attention. I'm just staring at Flavus, but the whole interior of the house seemed to be so welcoming and familiar and inviting. It was like I'd been here before.
"As you can see, there are two sitting rooms, one dining room, and 5 bedrooms," Mrs. Delia said.
I looked again at Flavus, whose eyes were scanning the entire house. Then he asked, "Who owned this house before, Ma'am?"
"Well, just like the other ones, this house has a history, you know. A life of sorrow and of misery," she answered. "It was owned by one of the Filipino generals during the war. His name was Colonel Alfredo Manejar," she said, pointing out the huge portrait of the general hanging on the wall beside the staircase.
"Who is this?" Flavus then asked, pointing at the smaller photograph of soldiers below the general's portrait.
"Oh, these are the soldiers who join the war, and this one..." she pointed out one of the young soldiers. "This is the general's son, he also joins the battalion, but he died because of a traitor." As I took a closer look at that soldier, it was like I was looking at myself. I suddenly felt so heavy that I'm starting to catch my breath.
"A traitor?" I asked.
"Yes, but my great-great-grandparents don't believe that it is what happened," she said, inviting us to one of the rooms. "Come here. I'm going to show you something." Flavus and I exchanged curious looks and heavy breaths as we went there.
Mrs. Delia took out an old box with lots of old things and black and white photographs.
"Here. This is my great-great-grandmother, she is the head helper of the general and beside her is his son and this is the general's son," as I looked into the photos, I didn't know if it was just me or the helper's son looked so much like Flavus.
"They said that the general's son and my great grandfather were actually best friends. And that they say that he betrayed the general by selling information to the Spaniards. But we know that it's not true. They are best friends and always together, and the general does not want to see his son be with the maid's son so he sent his son to the camp and framed up the maid's son."
"Then what happened?" I asked.
"They said that the maid's son escapes because he was guilty but the truth is he and the general's son were supposed to flee but the general's son did not meet him at the bridge instead it was the general himself who pushed him and let him die," she explained.
"What became of the young general and his son?"
"The general's son died in the battle a day after that incident, they said that he let himself be shot by the enemy because he can't accept that his friend betrayed him."
"But..." I was about to ask more questions, but I heard a thud and saw Flavus lying on the dusty floor. I rushed to help him, and then he looked at me. But it wasn't just a look. I know I saw that eyes before. I saw those eyes in my dreams.
"Flavus! What's happening? Tell me what's happening!" I shouted, but he was just looking at me. Then I felt his hand grab my shirt.
"Please get help," I told Mrs. Delia, and she immediately ran outside.
I looked at Flavus and asked him again, "What's happening?" My heart was pounding, and I realized why it was so familiar here. I've been here before, in my dreams.
I closed my eyes while holding Flavus. Then I hear mumblings, and dimmed lights start flicking in my eyes. I didn't know if it was my visions, whether I was dreaming or still alive, but I couldn't take back what I'd seen. Suddenly, I felt Flavus had shifted his head, muttering something, but I couldn't hear it. All hear is these deafening explosions, like bombs and gunshots and shouts from afar. Their voices were echoing in my head.
Even though I started feeling dizzy, I tried my best to still clutch Flavus. I can't let go because I somehow feel that I will lose him again. I started to think I was losing my senses, I wanted to really get out of here, but I couldn't move. I tried to, but there was a shock, I felt like everything was blurry, and all I saw was the faint lights of the outside. I felt the blankness, and suddenly, it was dark and cold and wet like Flavus, and I was being drenched by a storm.
I became numb and could only feel Flavius holding me tight as my heart beat faster. Then I felt my heart beat slowing down and like I was drowning. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn't. All I can do is hold Flavus's hand before losing consciousness.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg8KNRuyzC
