When Back In Time

SHE STAYED at her savior's place for three more days. And after that, she left him formally.

Pepe 2 was surprised. He told her that she needed more time to heal and that she must first rest.

But she couldn't stay put that easily when she's agitated of what's her friend, Pepe, was doing. She doesn't know if he is safe or near danger. She can't settle here for too long.

"Maraming salamat sa iyo pong tulong ngunit kinakailangan ko nang umalis," she said. (Thank you very much for your help but I really need to go)

He sighed in defeat and looked at her in concern. He uttered, "Pinapanalangin ko na sana ay makita mo na ang iyong kaibigan at sana nasa magandang lagay siya." (I pray that you will soon find your friend and that he's in good state)

She beamed at him and took the crutch from his hand. She put the long stick with a padded piece on top under her arm and started to walk.

The Pepe 2 asked, with concern look on his face, does she really need to go? She is indeed not in the good condition to walk and was having trouble using the crutch.

But Esperanza shrugged this off, unconcerned of her current state, and continued to exit his house. She again thanked him for his generous hospitality and for nursing her. She really did appreciate it.

Pepe 2, who was still staring at the young Esperanza walking uneasily, could not help himself but aide her.

She looked at him as the latter assisted her in walking.

And then she thought, 'Why I really have this feeling that I met him somewhere? He really looked familiar.'

Pepe 2 offered to help her to walk but she refused. He insisted and said that if she would agree, he will only assist her towards the stream of where she's about to head.

And so they head out to their way to the stream in hope to see her friend.

Apparently, Esperanza's savior's house was not far from the stream.

The two passed the forest before they get to the stream. Esperanza let go his savior's helping hands and started to venture the stream. Her eyes scanned the parameter. Even if she's having a hard time walking with a crutch on a ground full of pebbles, she then continued her search.

Pepe 2 told her to stop and let him do the search but she's too stubborn to stop.

She trailed the path where the stream goes but still didn't see her friend. Until she made it to that burnt out nipa hut where she was once trapped.

Everything was burned into charcoal. The roof was no longer there, even the walls were down either burnt out or turn to ashes.

"Esperanza," her savior called out, "Saan ka pupunta? Huwag mong pilitin ang sarili mo sa paglalakad. Alam mo namang hindi pa magaling ang binti mo." (Esperanza, where are you going? don't push yourself from walking. You know your leg is not fully healed)

But instead of heeding to what he said, she pushed away the crutch that's supporting her and started to walk limping on the uneven ground full of the pebbles. It hurts her, yes. But her eagerness to seek Pepe, to know if he was alright caused her drive to go further.

She followed the stream. She even refused her savior's help. She continued to be stubborn as her chance of seeing her friend Pepe was running thin.

The sky was clouded with nimbus. As she continued to walk on this seems endless and vain search, her legs gave up. Her knees find itself landing on the rocky ground. Her breathing was heavy. She looked around.

"Esperanza," her savior said and pulled her up, "Kung maari lang, bumalik na tayo sa bahay ko." (Esperanza, if you want, let's go back to my house)

"Hindi," she replied and pulled her arm away from him, "Nandito lang siya at alam ko iyon. Kinakailangan niya ng tulong ko." (No. He is here and I know that. He needs my help)

He started, "Alam ko kung anong nararamdaman mo at alam ko rin na buhay at ligtas din ang iyong kaibigan." (I know what you feel and I know your friend is alive and safe)

Esperanza told him to leave her alone. But the latter was worried about her and offered her to shelter on his house. But she's too ashamed to lodge in his house for a long time without compensating him.

He then told her that it actually does not matter. His house welcomed everyone who's in need.

Thus, he left her after she agreed to stay at his house for a few days.

She sat right next to the stream wondering where was her friend Pepe. She sighed and started to call out the god of Time and Cosmos for help.

But still, she could not reach him.

"That's weird," she muttered, "Why won't he appear when I needed him? And besides, my deadline for the quest is over and still, he's not here to punish me for my failure. I'm still not dead and he's still not here. Where is he?"

Lifting her head towards the sky, she wondered why bad luck is always on her side.