Chapter V
1050 Words
Rosette started packing her things when the sun was waving at the west. She came back to the hostel before five but went out again to go to Anie's house. That middle aged woman had invited her for dinner.
It was her daughter's birthday, that was what she said. And though the celebrant was not there, Anie still celebrates it every year.
"Don't you have their number?" Rosette asked referring to Annie's children. She said the three of them left her to study in the city. While the others already had their own family.
It was hard for Anie since she had to be alone while thinking about her children's welfare. Almost every night, as she lay down on her bed, her mind was always in chaos.
Anie shook her head and begun putting the foods on the table. Rosette really wanted to invite the couple, Clarisse and Joven, but she was afraid that Anie would not like it. She seemed like preserved.
They ate together while talking about Anie's past experiences. Rosette loved to hear it from aged people. Though Anie was just 50, she looked older in her age. It only showed that life was throwing hard stones to the woman.
Before the clock strikes six, Rosette bid her goodbye to Anie. She wanted to take a nap early so that she would be awake at midnight. She had planned to return the composition after twelve. She was sure that Anthony would be asleep by then.
Anie escorted her out. The orange sky earlier was now dark blue with little stars twinkling. She looked at the time on the screen of her phone and it was about to strike six.
A bell rung when she was about to turn her back to Anie. She paused midway and saw Anie's eyes widened as her body trembled. Without a word, the woman went inside and left the door open.
"What's wrong, Anie?" she asked as she took a few steps towards the door. She looked for her silhouette inside.
She had guessed that something was not right by the look on her face. She seemed disturbed.
Anie came rushing with two lighted candles in her hand. She put them on each side of the doorway. "What are you still doing here? Go home now and lock your doors!" Anie exclamed.
"What? Why?" Her forehead creased. Her eyes wandered around as she noticed the other islanders doing the same. They put candles outside their home and closed their windows and doors.
"It's the Death Teller's sign!" Anie told her. Her always calm appearance was abruptly replaced by panic.
Seconds later, a broken melody resonated in the island. Rosette had so many questions in her mind but Anie already closed her door.
She sauntered towards the hostel, not minding the warning of the islanders. She thought it was senseless.
Who would believe about the sign of a death teller? She had gone to many places, but it was the first time she had heard about it. And it was hard for a city girl like her to believe.
She thought as to where did the sound come from and her eyes caught sight of the abandoned lighthouse. It looked collapsible at daytime but in darkness, it exuded strength.
Could it be?
She dropped her thought and returned to the hostel. She could check it tomorrow, anyway.
Rosette went in to her room. She put back the folder into her luggage first before turning on her alarm clock, and fell asleep. In her sleep, she had dreamed of a fallen tooth.
Her mind was awakened by the ruckus coming from the outside. She lazily took her phone from her bedside table and checked the time with her eyes half closed. It opened widely upon seeing the time. The clock showed that it was already five in the morning. And that her sleep definitely ruined her plan.
"Rosette? Are you there?" Clarisse knocked on her door. Her soft knocks suddenly became harsh when she did not respond. "Hey, Rosette! Tell me that you're okay!" she shouted.
She rushed to the door and opened it. "Yah, why?"
Clarisse did not open her mouth but hugged her instead. "Thank, God, you are fine!" She made a sign of the cross after freeing her.
"Why? You do not think that I am suicidal, do you?" she joked.
But instead of smiling, Clarisse's face became paler. Her eyes looked at her with sorrow.
"Is there something wrong?" Rosette asked. She suddenly felt unease.
"Anie took her life," Clarisse said.
"What? Are you kidding me?" Rosette smiled as if it was a funny joke but Clarisse was turning her head. "That's impossible! We've just talked yesterday and celebrated her daughter's birthday." Her two hands grabbed a handful of her hair. Shock was written all over her face.
She stepped back to her bed and took her robe. She wore it while striding in the hallway. She could not believe it unless she would see it.
Clarisse followed her while filling her in about the news. "Her neighbor told us the truth... that her kids died one by one and that Anie was still in denial about it."
"No way!" She ran when her bare feet touched the sand. It was only then that she realized about forgetting her footwear. She did not bother to go back. She continued until she reached Anie's house that's filled with people. She had troubled getting in.
"She won't be sad anymore. She was now reunited with her kids," oneof their neighbors commented
She saw Anie's body laid down on her bed, with a rope around her neck.
While watching Anie, something flickered in her mind...
"Leave this place and take anything except what is forbidden. Ignore my warning, and it will wreak havoc every evening."
She gasped at the thought of Anthony's exact words.
"How sure are you that it was a suicide incident?" she asked in no particular person. She still could not believe that Anie could do it. But given her face last night, she could have a panic attack that led her to take her life.
But it could also mean that Anthony's warning was true. It happened last night. And it could happen again...
Could it be a curse?
- Writer
