4 Neighbors

-Marko Ace Belleza-

Waking up is a big task for me. I was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Basically I'm always tired and my life sucks for the rest of my life. When I was five, my Ninong enrolled me in a double blind clinical trial for some kind of medicine to help me with my Autoimmune disease. 1 Pill a day, its been my daily routine since and it actually works. I never meet my doctor again for a very long time now but they ship my medicine from time to time. My Ninong take care of this stuff for me and he seems to be not that bothered.

First day at School, honestly at this point I'm no longer nervous. This is been like the 8th school i transferred. Technically I'm not a transfer student now because its my first year of high school. Am I excited? not really. Pens, Papers, and a bunch of notebooks, I guess I'm ready.

"Mar, are you awake? its time to eat."

Eggs, rice and dried fish, staple breakfast food in our table. My uncle yawned and there I noticed, He's not dressed for my first day at school.

"Uhm, ninong?, why are you not dressed yet?"

"oh yeah, Kulas is going to pick you and drop you at school"

I winced in confusion.

"but, aren't you going to accompany me on my first day at school? I'm not sure where to go from there"

My uncle smiled at me.

"you dont have to be worried, youre highschooler now, you have to figure this out to yourself and learn how to ask around. Besides, I'll be always watching you." My ninong gave me a big grin.

I'm so confused. "what do you mean always watching?"

"Well, this is supposed to be your birthday gift, but i supposed i can give it to you early for your first day at school" He ran behind the room and come back with a box covered in a red and green paper wrap.

My heart jumped out of excitement. I know exactly whats in the box. I hugged my ninong out of excitement and joy.

"thank you"

Reaping off the whole package, I cant believe my eyes, its the latest zPhone Universe 10. I know i'm receiving a phone but I didn't expect its going to be the latest model from top brand. Slowly unboxing the mobile, I made sure i don't damage the box. Wow, there it is in all glory.

"I preloaded it with simcard and internet data, make sure to call me whenever something happen. You can wait for Kulas outside, he will pick you up to send to school".

-----------------------------------------------------

Waiting at the side of the road, I cant help but noticed all the surrounding houses. Right across the street, a old run down bungalo house can be seen, door and windows are all shut but the surrounding is clearly maintained by the lack of dead leaves and wild grass. Next to left of ours is a house made out of bamboo, next to their door is a wide window, setup as a small vegetable store. Bananas, and various vegetables can be seen being hanged in the window. An empty lot to our house right side but next to it looks like a abandoned two story old stone house. Missing windows and parts of it has no roof. Just looking at the whole house gives me shiver and made me feel like someone is staring back at me so i quickly averted my gaze at the road trying to look for mang* Kulas.

"They said a witch used to live there"

A voice surprised me from behind.

"jeezus, you scared me"

Behind me standing is a chubby girl around my height, she's looking at me smiling from my reaction.

"Relax, Hi. I'm Gabriela, I live next to your house. Mang Kulas said youre going with us to school?"

She speaks a bit loud but her smile has this accommodating look that makes her look friendly. Standing behind her is a meek tall guy staring down his foot, he doesn't seems to be interested in the conversation.

"Oh him?, his name is Toper, short for Kristoper. He's a bit quiet but dont worry, he doesnt bite." She smirked and nudge Toper with her elbow to get his attention.

Toper gave a reassuring nod.

"So, a witch used to live there?" I pointed at the old house.

Gabriella and Toper was shocked with my action. Gabriella seized my arms, drag and turn me around to not look at the house.

"Dont point at that house, you will be cursed!".

I look at them funnily.

"My Lola* told me story about that house. That place is cursed. Everyone know that".

She shift her posture and look at me sternly.

"During the time of my Lola, there used to be a hospital nearby. The Japanese started bombing town after town. Wounded soldiers are being tended on that place. One female patient fell in-love with a wounded soldier and In a short period of time, they decided to get married in that hospital. Until one day when the Japanese finally taken over, they ordered that all soldiers in that hospital are to be sent into prison and sentenced to death. That night before the transfer of soldiers, A fire broke into the Hospital and burned down the whole building. upon investigation, it was found out that the fire started at room 130 but there was no corpse inside. A man hunt with a hefty bounty was then sent out for anyone who can find Patient 130 and her husband. In that house behind you is where they hid and live. Rumor has it that Patient 130 husband took the bounty and pointed the house to authority where they hid. Patient 130 was caught but before they took her, she cursed the whole house and whoever point to or come to that house will be cursed to live a miserable life."

She was quite pleased with her story, she even gave a little bow after.

"off course it was all myth our grandmother used to scare us", Toper finally spoke but in a quiet soft tone.

"oh yeah, we even used to play hide in seek in there" Gabriella chimed in and gave me a wide grin.

I'm quite relieved honestly. But looking back at that house, I can still feel the chill down in my spine.