4. It's all coming back
1208 Words
“What happened? Teacher Anita?” Sambag said as he regained his consciousness. Trish could not believe it herself. The incantation was able to bring back Sambag to his senses.
“You were telling us you were a different person. That you are Leo.” Anita explained to Sambag.
He did not look shocked or puzzled instead there was a sudden change in his demeanor. “Yes, I am Leo. I do not know how or why, but somehow my soul is trapped inside this body.” A squeaky voice answered them. It was quite different from the soft and respectful voice of Sambag.
Anita then looked at him in the eyes. He was taller than her so she had to pull up a chair to see his eyes. “Hmmmmm, somehow, I managed to bring back Sambag but Leo is still there,” she said as she inspected him.
“For now, just return to your class. I will do some research about this and figure out a way,” Anita instructed them. Trish nodded to her and she stepped down from the chair. Sambag was still frozen in place so Trish had to drag her out of the class.
“Which class are you currently in?” Trish asked him.
“I was with Teacher Jax earlier but I am not sure if they are still in the classroom. We had to go somewhere for today’s topic.” Sambag explained to her. Trish sighed in frustration, she wanted to be done with this and get back to her class as well.
“Fine, how about we get you back to the pack house first. I will ask the albularyo (healer) to check on you.” Trish suggested to which Sambag nodded. Then a sudden change in his body and facial expression happened. Trish saw how a smiling Sambag became a frowning, scrunched forehead, Leo. It was drastic.
“I am not sick. I do not need an albularyo!” Leo protested. By now Trish was able to distinguish who was talking. Leo had zero interest in expressing good manners, unlike Sambag.
“Leo you should go back to your body. Are you least worried about what happened to your body?” Trish explained to him. He somehow got the point and was deep in his thoughts.
“Very well, but you should be there. I won’t cooperate unless you are there.” Leo insisted. He felt safe with her. A warm feeling engulfs him whenever their skin touches.
He was already starting to remember his past and his memories before he got to this body.
Slowly the image of his Tia Imelda formed in his mind. They were walking towards the portal now. Trish held Sambag or Leo's hand to guide him.
As they stepped into the portal, Leo's memories came rushing to him. The death of his parents, the birthdays he had with them and the day his Tia said he was going to live with her. It all started to form in his mind. The memories came rushing like what a person experiences in a life and death situation. Sambag’s body started to tremble at the new information as they stepped out of the portal. He was in a state of shock as his mind tried to accommodate the new memories.
Trish had to mind link the clinic to help her.
“Somebody, please help us. Sambag’s not feeling well.” Trish shouted beside the stairs.
“Nay!!! Tay!!!” (Mom! Dad!) Leo shouts. He was in full control of Sambag’s body once again.
“Leo, what is it?” Trish was getting worried about them.
“Nooooo … Ma, Pa," he spoke as if wailing and there was longing as well. Leo was panting and sobbing, but gone was the need to call them.
“What is happening?” It was a lady who was holding the hand of a toddler.
“Oh good, Hermana please help me. I need to bring Sambag to the albularyo.” Trish said to the lady.
“No, I do not need to go to the albularyo. I need to look for my parents’ killer.” Leo answered. Both Trish and the lady were stunned at him.
“What now?” Trish was the one who spoke first.
“I need to find my parents' killer so I can be with them. What year are we now?” Leo asked them.
“It’s 1869. Why are you so interested?” Trish asked him.
“1869???” Leo paused for a bit. He then thought his parents were still alive at the moment. “Yes! They are alive! Help me save them please!” He was both excited and happy. He was finally seeing his parents again. He was orphaned at a young age that he wanted to see them so badly.
“What are you talking about? Let us go back to my house first. I need to tell Hermana Alex about you. “ Trish insisted. The lady agreed as well. “Come on Leo you should see the house.” The toddler held his hand.
Sambag felt the need to protect the toddler.
“Leo please follow the kid. I do not want to hurt her.” Sambag pleaded with him. They were both fighting for control over the body. "No, I need to see my parents,” Leo replied to him.
“Why are you so thick-headed? Can’t you see, my body is not in good shape. Please I beg you, I have hundreds of years ahead of me. I am not prepared to die yet.” Sambag tried to tap into Leo’s memories to sympathize and understand him. "Hundreds of years? What are you? Fine, but on one condition." Leo demanded.
“What is it?” Sambag said. “Stop poking on my memories. It gives us a headache if you can still feel.” Leo scolded him. He did not want to agree but for the sake of Leo cooperating, he agreed.
“Thanks,” Sambag said. Leo was the one in control of their body and as agreed he started to follow Trish. Leo was holding the toddler’s hand as they walked.
Outside of the school compound, Leo remembered the dirt road they were walking into. It was the same dirt road he walked on when he lost consciousness.
“Wait, I know this road. Are you kidding me? Are we going to Hacienda Jiménez?” Leo shouted enthusiastically. He would finally be able to see the famous hacienda.
Trish, the toddler, and the lady looked at him with confused looks. “How did you know this road? Who are you exactly?” Trish was the one to ask this time. She was getting suspicious of him.
“Relax. I was walking towards the hacienda to look for work. My Tia Imelda instructed me to go to the hacienda.” Leo explained, but Trish was still wary.
They both looked at each other for a few more seconds. “Hermana, we need to watch him. I am not comfortable with his enthusiasm.”
"Come on Leo. I will introduce you to my brother Joselito." The toddler interrupted them.
- Writer
