The Truth 11

I wandered through the cornfields, still lost in my thought. The height of each corn was still on my shoulder level, so I could always look out ahead of me and appreciate the rolling greeneries below. I just followed the path winding down the hill until I reached a somewhat forest-like place. All I could see was the dense and huge trees, springing from the soil in congested rows. A wide plank hanging on a tree contained the words, "NO ENTRY".

I sat down on one of the boulders I saw at the side, taking in the refreshing sceneries around me. I lived in the city since birth, so I had never been in this kind of place. The gushing of fresh air, the drumming cicadas, and the chirping of the birds were like music in my ears. There were wild flowering plants all around, as well as tied goats, cows and carabaos along the way. I had decided then that if ever I would need peace of mind, I would come back to this beautiful haven.

I thought about my situation. Just a few minutes ago, auntie Dina told me that ever since Sean graduated from college, he was already looking for me. Maybe, I just got her wrong, and perhaps, she meant that Sean was already looking for someone to marry. It was not impossible since Sean grew up as a lonely child, having only her mother as a family. She was not even available for him all the time since their means of living took her time away.

I gathered back the incidences and the conversations that made up the mystery behind Sean's desire to connect with me. Why would he want me when I am only an orphan? If not for Eric, who rescued and provided me a luxurious lifestyle, I am just an ordinary individual.

"I love you...you are already in my mind for a long time."

"The moment you decided to become a doctor, the company bought the hospital where you would want to work in the future."

"Because the unit you have purchased is under TAG Real Estate and Development." Not to mention that our units were interconnected.

I also recalled that when I applied as a company physician, he came to see me and offered me the job. The question about how did he know about my plans remained unanswered until this moment. While everything remained a mystery, I would act according to how Sean wanted it until I have the answers.

The purrs and growls of the cat jolted me out of my thoughts. I looked around to see where it came from, and in my very own eyes, I saw how the cat chased a wounded green bird! My heart went out to the bird, so I picked up a handful of stones and chased the cat. I watched as the bird tried to fly and hover over small branches, but the cat always had a way to scare the bird until it dropped to the ground.

I ran fast to catch the bird before the cat could make a meal out of her beautiful and colorful body. I did not know anymore how long had I ran, making my way out of those blocking and bending branches.

Finally, I was able to hit the cat, but the bird was already in her mouth. Probably due to the pain, the cat dropped the bird, and she ran away. I continued hurling stones at her out of pity for the wounded bird. I only stopped when she disappeared from my sight.

I picked up the bird in my hand and inspected her body. There was a bleeding wound near her right knee. I looked around, trying to look for the medicinal plants I still remembered during my class in Botany. However, there was none. I kept on walking and scanning the forest floor up to where my eyes could reach, but there was none.

I stopped and looked again at the bird in my hand. The beautiful but tiny creature was gasping for breath and was closing her eyes. My heart ached for her, and I didn't want her to die. I continued walking, believing that somewhere in this wood, I could find the medicinal plants I needed. I forgot that this place was dangerous and that there could be wild animals roaming around.

As I kept on walking deeper into the woods, I reached a place where there were lots of baskets in different sizes. I stopped and observed further. Aside from those baskets, there were nets of varying width and length. There were also jars and bowls hanging in the branches, and I noticed that in every kind, there were lots of them spreading in rows.

I walked still farther. Along my trudged path, there were also hundreds of sheets the size of 50 kg rice sacks, also spreading in rows. Then on the other side, there were pet houses on top of large, single sticks. Farther from where I stood, I also saw barrels sprawling out into the woods in different sizes.

I looked into each type of container. Some pots contained wax-like materials, whitish to greyish pastes, multi-colored kinds of paraffin-like materials, and different kinds of clear or sticky fluids. After peeping into those containers, I crouched on the ground and inspected those kinds of stuff in the sheets. Some looked like seeds; others looked like grains. But the rest of those items were all unfamiliar to me. They even looked weird.

I paused to think while I kept on glancing around. Someone is making this place a sanctuary or a laboratory! Who could he be?

I'd been walking for some distance already, but I saw no other house, except Sean's. Not even a hut that could belong to auntie Dina. Could he be Sean?

I went to the barrels; the little bird was still in my hand. My curiosity got the best of me. I didn't even get afraid. I realized I'm never scared of ghosts or people from other worlds. I was only afraid of someone who would break my heart again!

The barrel was so big, and I couldn't reach the opening. I looked around to find something I could step on. I then saw a log not far from me, so I lifted it with my two hands and placed it somewhere I could have a better angle to peep what's inside.

I opened the lid. Somehow, my heartbeats raced faster. Faster than the rhythmic drumming of the insects inside the wood. As soon as I lifted the lid, swarms of insects rushed out, making me freeze in my place. And oh, I forgot. I am also afraid of insect bites! Before another flock flew in my direction, I felt a tug on my shirt, pulling me backward.

I screamed. I was afraid I'd break my spine, more than my fear of insect bites. An angry voice then roared in my ear, and I stiffened.

"Do you wish to die?"