Episode 15

"Ah!" I screamed.

The figure continued to gaze intensely at me, its face exceedingly horrifying. It set my neck hairs dancing on end. My shout left me mute; abruptly, my mouth struggled to close.

For an indefinite period, I was frozen stiff until the figure vanished, and my body weakened just as Bik Ela hurriedly approached me.

"Miss Yura, what happened?" she inquired, squatting since I was now seated on the floor.

"Bik..."

"God forgive us," murmured Bik Ela, caressing my face. "Seek forgiveness, miss," she urged me again.

After repeating Bik Ela's encouragements multiple times, I gradually regained composure, and slowly my body felt normal again. "Bik Ela," I called out.

Bik Ela accepted a glass of water from another housemaid and helped me drink it.

"Bik, Mother..." I began.

Bik Ela looked towards where my mother continued watching TV. I resisted peering in that direction, fearful that the figure might still linger. Observing Bik Ela's nonchalance, I assumed the specter had truly disappeared.

"Mother's just watching TV. Miss Yura, why did you scream?"

"Is it normal, Bik, that Mother has been there since morning? She isn't watching anything, just daydreaming. Please, take her to her room or anywhere else rather than leaving her there. Earlier I saw..." I halted mid-sentence, doubting Bik Ela would believe what I saw if I described it.

"But Miss, Mother might get upset if we disturb her."

"Just go quickly, Bik. I'll wait here," I commanded, still seated on the floor.

Bik Ela went to my mother, softly greeting her and coaxing her towards the bedroom. There was no objection or response from Mother, but I detected footsteps trailing away. I sighed softly, then stood with Mbak Marni's assistance, another one of Mother's housemaids.

"Thank you, Mbak," I said.

"Miss Yura, where will you go?"

"I planned to get snacks, but never mind. I'll go to my room," I responded, turning towards the stairs.

Once in my room, I lay down, regulating my breathing. Again, my body seemed to slump after witnessing or interacting with those daunting beings. I thought of Kak Aldo, then attempted to contact him. For some reason, I didn't feel like calling Kaivan.

A ringing tone sounded after dialing, but there was no answer. I repeated the call, and again, no response.

"What's your relationship with Aldo that warrants such speedy replies?" I muttered to myself. I cast my phone aside, hugged my pillow, and lay on my side. My mind drifted back to the figure near Mother. Its frightening visage had me shuddering, noticing the pillow I clutched resembled the phantom.

I tossed it aside and sat up against the headboard, scanning the room warily, dreading the appearance of that phantom. Suddenly, I remembered the phone I'd use for playing holy verses. I opened the bedside drawer and found it broken, its screen shattered.

"Ah!" Startled by the vibration of the phone near my feet. "Goodness, I'm becoming paranoid."

It was Aldo calling back, and I quickly slid to answer.

"Hello, Aldo. Earlier..."

I heard a sigh on the other line.

"Aldo," I called again.

"When answering the phone, give a greeting, not scream."

"Sorry, forgot. I was just—"

"What's wrong?" Aldo interrupted my pause.

"You know, Aldo."

There was another sigh from him. I scratched my head, non-itchy and puzzled by his demeanor.

"You're full of problems, Ra; I'm not sure where to begin explaining," he said.

"What do you mean? As far as I'm aware, I haven't shared any troubles.

Curiosity overwhelmed me concerning Aldo's intent, especially as I had reached out following a scare from a demon—er, a ghoul.

"Which do you want to settle first? The one your friend's carrying or the one at your house?"

"How do you know about that?"

"Just answer me."

"Hm, probably the one with Mail first. This latest one was truly frightful, Aldo."

"Ra, I have work tomorrow. How about we meet in the morning?" Aldo suggested.

I agreed, and he inquired about my condition. The call soon ended, and I used the phone to look up prayers and verses to memorize and recite whenever I encountered those menacing entities.

"Can Aldo really help me shut my special vision? I'll ask him tomorrow."

...***...

Fortunately, I had a late morning class today and skipped breakfast at home, having promised to meet Aldo. My car was now neatly parked at a fast-food restaurant, where I saw Aldo already waiting on his motorcycle, smoking.

"Aldo," I hailed. He glanced over, dismounted his bike, and strolled over. Dressed simply in baggy t-shirt and shorts, his long hair tied back, Aldo was a sight that briefly mesmerized me.

I composed myself promptly and behaved normally, despite my heart's erratic pace—heightened by the attention he drew from the women at the restaurant.

"You summoned me to a diner?" he remarked.

"I wanted breakfast, and this was my craving," I replied while queuing to order. Aldo stood behind me, his breath warm on my head due to his taller stature.

"What would you like, Aldo?" I asked without looking back.

He pointed at the displayed menu, a coffee to accompany his pick. After relaying our order to the cashier and hearing the total, Aldo swiftly handed over his bank card for payment.

"Oh," I said.

"Find us a secluded corner table," he instructed. I immediately scouted for the spot.

"Have the rest brought over," Aldo mentioned as we took our seats.

"Hm."

"Where do you work, Aldo?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Construction," he replied tersely. I clicked my tongue at Aldo's succinct answer, but our food soon arrived, complete and ready. After washing my hands and preparing to indulge in my chosen meal, Aldo reminded me to say grace.

I remembered Kaivan's similar advice when we were in the cafeteria. A chill ran down my spine recalling a figure tampering with the food at a cafeteria table.

"Eat without looking around," Aldo suggested while sipping his coffee.

His directive sat uneasily with me, especially as he nodded towards my meal. After finishing breakfast, I was eager to ask about helping Mail.

"Can't you rid us of that creature?"

"I'm not a sorcerer or exorcist. Your friend's case, I can't intervene. It doesn't bother me or you; no reason to bother it in return."

"So what should I do?"

"Just meet your friend; the entity will communicate or interact with you."

"And then?"

"If it asks for anything strange, call me."

I nodded slowly. "Don't be so delicate; you've had prior experiences, and remember, show no fear. Exude confidence, and your aura alone will deter malicious spirits."

"Easier said than done, Aldo. Just seeing its ghastly face makes my stomach turn. If I were pregnant, that'd trigger an instant, full dilation and contractions," I said.

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