The Keeper
Captivated by the small yellow lights just outside my window, listening to the slow music that was still being played downstairs, I dreamt of what had happened that whole day.
Dishes were clattering, spoons, forks, cups sounded shrilling as Aunt Elizabeth together with the young girls cleaned up after the dinner held for a special Italian guest together with the town’s priests.
I longed for the seas and the quietness it would bring.
Yes, quietness.
That’s what I need.
I undressed my night gown and put on my ‘baro’t saya’ , partnering it with a black shawl, my long dark hair flowing down to my hips. I tiptoed down the long winding stairs, and into the large living room. It was a good thing that the visitors decided to have tea in the music room. Si I took the liberty of escaping through the front door.
I moved quickly as the pavement was wide and was very far from the main gates. I took very much care that they would not see me and would hide behind the huge trees that enclosed the pavement. As I got farther and farther away from the manor, the darker it gets.
Then there it was..
I heard the clicking of the ‘kalesa’ on the cobbled street. Finally I knew then that the gates are now within my reach.
I carefully opened the gates and a sudden surge of wind made me realize that I was free. The lights flickered and went out.
The chilly wind is piercing through my bones. The street was now dark as the last lamp posts went out. That was when I realized that the small yellow lights that I saw were fireflies. Small beautiful fireflies.
I crossed the street and entered a hidden door on the wall covered with vines. It was just across the manor. If you’re not observant enough, you would never notice that there was a small knob that was camouflaged on the thick vines. I discovered this on that faithful night when I first went out for a walk. I closed it and made sure that no one else saw me.
The door opened into a lovely secret garden with red and white roses. There were no lamps since no one else knew about it, I guess. I came to realize that the real owners of this garden were clearly dead. The moon’s rays were enough to make me see it’s beauty. I came near the old fountain with its glistening waters, found at the center of the gardens.
I found myself humming as I picked the roses, collecting a bunch of it.
I heard a twitch.
It felt like my heart stopped beating.
Must be some twigs I suppose. But twigs don’t move by themselves.
I decided to ignore it. But my senses were now alive and active,
Then it went on again. More twitches, then rustles of dead leaves on the ground.
Footsteps …
Faster and faster ….
I broke into panic! I should never be seen by anyone else. My parent’s names are at stake. I am very much aware that my parents would have a grudge against me. Their names would be destroyed if people see me running around especially at midnight.
I hid behind the roses. There I saw it. I t was a girl, very much like me. Only that she wore ragged clothes, not like me. She was frantically searching for something. I wish I could help her. But no! the risk is too much. Luckily, she left after scooping something from the water with her bare hands. It was a casket. A small casket that I never saw before. It was wooden with black engravings. She wrapped it carefully with a old cheesecloth that she was carrying. I didn’t know where she got it, I never dared to ask.
I hurriedly slid through the darkness into the tunnel adjoining the garden and the forest. I could smell the breeze of the ocean, for it was just beyond it. Most people don’t know about this. As I said, this place and the owners of it are very secretive. My heart is pounding so loud, twigs, branches, and bushes are brushing against my long skirt. But it was all worth it. Finally I arrived at the ocean.
It’s white sandy shores are gleaming --- radiantly as if it is inviting you to come and feel it. So as with the sea. The gentle splashing of the waves on the shore was like music to my ears. It glistened under the graceful rays of the moon. The moon itself was not so bad. It glowed wonderfully, mildly--- ‘twas really enchanting.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
I jerked and faced the person from whom the kind voice came from.
I expected to be brought anytime to my parent’s to receive my punishment. But he didn’t.
He was blind.
Blind..
Darkness …
Yes, I know it was all darkness that he could see. But how did he know that ‘twas beautiful, that old man? When he couldn’t even see?
All I could reply was a stuttering “yes” to his query.
After a long deafening silence, I finally found the courage to ask the old man about the mystery of his vision.
“I’m not the only one whose blind you know.”
“Really? How come?”
“Your folks and everyone else in this town are blind. You see, not all people see the unseen. Just like me. I may not see it, but I can sense and feel it. I see it in my own way. You, in particular, are one of those people who can see the unseen.”
“Me?”
“Yes dear. You found the secret passage that led to the garden and through the ocean. You saw such things that are meant to be lost forever, the things that are hidden in purpose.”
“I still don’t understand. How come you say that all else are blind? Do you mean to tell me that what I’ve seen so far are only fruits of my vivid mind?”
“It has been some long years since someone first saw this place. She was very much like you. You were chosen.”
“Like me? Why? Do you know me? What of the other girl? Chosen? Chosen for what?”
“I cannot answer all questions you know. But soon, you will understand.”
“Arianna, Arianna wake up.”
“Aunt Elizabeth! Is the party over?”
“Yes dear. Go now to your room. The others will help me.”
I had slept. But the funny thing was I cannot remember anything but the ocean and the roses and… and a small casket.
I went out of the large living room and into the winding stairs to the bedrooms. As I was undressing myself, I couldn’t keep my mind off that mysterious dream.
Captivated by the small yellow lights just outside my window, listening to the slow music that was still being played downstairs, I dreamt of what had happened that whole day.
Dishes were clattering, spoons, forks, cups sounded shrilling as Aunt Elizabeth together with the young girls cleaned up after the dinner held for a special Italian guest together with the town’s priests.
I longed for the seas and the quietness it would bring.
Yes, quietness.
That’s what I need.
