Phew, don't joke around, man," I said while clutching Aldo's arm, a diversion from the intense gaze of Mail.
"Do you think I'm kidding about something this serious?"
"But..."
"No need for it now, can be tomorrow or whenever you're ready. Your body's taken a hit from the earlier engagement. Best we head home," Aldo suggested.
"Nana, Mail. We're going to take off, okay?" I said my goodbyes, then waved and hurried Aldo away from that place.
A shiver passed through me, the lingering sense of dread not as piercing as when I was close to Mail. Considering what Aldo mentioned, that the form Mail carried sought to communicate with me was daunting, but it wasn't something I could ignore, especially when Mail, my friend, needed our help.
"Aldo, I..."
"I'll follow you," Aldo interrupted. "Can't leave my bike here, so you drive and I'll be right behind you."
I heeded Aldo's advice, not out of fear, for I trusted in Aldo's strength and his spiritual vision. Evidence to this was that during our call, he could sense a threatening presence near me.
When I arrived at the front gate, I honked to have it opened while glancing back in the rear-view mirror, Aldo's motorbike still in pursuit. He followed through the gate, parking his bike next to my car.
As I stepped out of the car, Aldo had already removed his helmet, astride his bike. Amidst the turmoil, I believed in a just God. Barely recovered from a frightful encounter, my nerves twitching in terror, I was unexpectedly graced with the sight of a handsome man, hmm.
"Hey, Al," I greeted him as Aldo surveyed the house from where he stood. He turned, looking at me, and I motioned him inside. Aldo chose to sit on the porch, while I excused myself to go inside. Apart from stowing away my bag, of course, I had to ask the housekeeper to bring drinks.
"Yura, I won't stay long; you need your rest."
"Mm."
Our conversation paused as Aunt Ela brought the drinks and another car parked neatly beside mine.
"Darling, you're home?" my mother inquired.
"Just got in. Where were you?"
"I had some errands, love. Who is this?" she pointed at Aldo.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am, I'm Aldo, a friend of Yura." He kissed my mother's hand, surprising not only me but her as well. It's rare to see the youth respect their elders and maintain the tradition of hand-kissing.
"Oh, alright then. I'll leave you to it," Mother said as she proceeded inside.
I simply nodded, my attention caught by my phone that had earlier fallen into the sink.
"Yura."
"Yes?" I replied, turning towards him.
"Is your mother ill?"
"What? No, she's fine. There she was, just out and about. Likely off to her social club meetups."
"Mm, sure? You're not close to her?"
"Of course, I'm her daughter. Dad's busy and often out of town, so it's just us two, really close."
Whatever was prompting Aldo to ask about my mother, I didn’t know, but my response was genuine. My mother and I were indeed closely bonded, and Aldo's guess was off the mark.
"I won't be long; get some rest, and when you're ready, give me a call. That is, if you're brave enough and want to help your friend."
"Of course, Mail is my best friend; can't just let her suffer. Even though the thought of communicating with the dead terrifies me." Aldo listened to my complaints in silence, but I knew he was pondering how to ease my path in assisting Mail.
Contrasting Aldo’s and Kaivan's responses to my burdensome gift was stark- Aldo seemed to flow with my wishes, whereas Kaivan resisted, even opposing what I had done for the entity seeking my aid.
"Let’s talk more another time."
Aldo had slipped back into his jacket and helmet, mounted his motorcycle, and waved as he rode off.
...***...
The previous day had drained me completely; after Aldo departed, I retired to my room and fell into a deep sleep, missing both afternoon and evening. I awoke post-dusk due to my phone's ring. After dinner, sleep reclaimed me until morning.
"Ma'am, where are Dad and Mom?" I asked, noticing their absence at the breakfast table.
"Sir has already left," the housekeeper informed.
"Mom?"
The housekeeper didn’t reply to my question, instead she left the table after setting down my requested plate of fried rice. After eating, I passed through the living room to the side yard and was surprised to find Mom watching TV.
"Mom, early morning and you're already watching TV? Have you eaten breakfast? I just ate, thinking you were with Dad," I remarked. Mother remained silent, her gaze fixed straight on the screen. I shrugged, attributing her silence to being engrossed in the program and went on my way.
Seated in the gazebo near the swimming pool, I was absorbed in social media on my phone. There was no university for me today; my schedule only had one class, and the professor had inconveniently canceled.
Feeling the phone vibrate, I saw a message from Aldo.
[How are you feeling?]
[Good] I replied.
Shortly after, another message from Aldo dinged in.
[Happy to hear that]
I was uncertain what to reply, as Aldo and I weren't particularly close or special to each other. My connection to him was merely through Kaivan, who had introduced us for consultation regarding my supernatural vision.
I returned to my room and happened to see Mother still fixed on the TV. Diving into my coursework, time flew, and evening approached without notice.
"Whew, finally done. Could really go for some hot, spicy soup," I spoke to myself, rising from my desk. Not forgetting my wallet and phone, I passed the living room and was shocked to see a figure sitting with Mom.
The being was clearly not human, wrapped in cloth with ropes tightly bound around its head and feet. My body shook at the sight, even from just the back view. My shock and fear weren't solely because of the apparition, but also due to Mom's condition who seemed oblivious to her companion's otherness. I worried she hadn't moved since this morning, her empty gaze fixated forward.
"Mom?" I called out softly.
Unfortunately, the creature next to Mom turned toward me.
"Aaaaah!"
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