Serena's POV
I was looking at myself in the mirror. The purple highlights from my hair was still visible. Noong bata ako, sinubukan namin kulayan ang buhok ko pero bumabalik din ang dating kulay nito after a week. Kaya naman Mom decided na huwag na namin kulayan. I was wearing the white cropped top mini dress that I bought from the boutique na nakita ko from my way home. I got a feeling na nakita ko na to noon pero hindi ko maalala kung saan. Napapakamot na nga ako sa ulo ko dahil marami akong nakikitang lugar o bagay na pakiramdam ko na nakita ko na o napuntahan ko na pero wala naman akong maalala.
Today was my Father's death anniversary. And we'll going to visit him. Nalulungkot ako na hindi ko man lang siya nakasama. Seeing my baby pictures with him carrying me makes me cry.
"Are you ready?" Mom asked me as soon as I entered her car.
"Oo naman Mommy." I smiled at her as she starts the engine.
After a 30 minute drive, we arrive at the cemetery. As I approach Dad's tomb, linapag ko ang mga bulaklak na binili namin. Then Mom lights up the candle beside it.
"We missed you" Mom mumbled softly. Her voice cracked up a little. Agad ko naman siyang hinawakan sa kanyang balikat as I lean on her shoulder.
"You don't have to worry, we are fine. Katulad ng pinangako ko sayo, I will protect Serena at all cost. Even if it will cost my life."
Hinigpitan ko ang hawak ko kay Mommy ng marinig ko ang mga sinabi niya. Tears started to fill my eyes.
"Mom.."
"You can count on me, I promise." Mom said as she smiled to my Father's tomb. And then she look at me.
As I look at her, her eyes speaks  different emotions. Love, assurance and... Is that anger that I see?
"I'll protect you little dummy, I promise."
Mom said as she pinch my nose. At hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha ko.
"Pinapaiyak mo naman ako Mommy" I said as I sniff. Agad naman niya akong yinakap. Sobrang higpit na yakap na para bang sinasabi niya na kahit anong mangyari hinding-hindi niya ako pababayaan.
"Now, magpaalam ka sa Daddy mo, may pupuntahan pa tayo."
"Huh? Saan, mommy?"
"You'll see"
Agad naman akong tumango. Pagkatapos ko magpaalam at inayos ang mga bulaklak sa puntod ni Daddy, umalis na kami ni Mommy. Curious ako kung saan kami pupunta. Maybe we'll have a dinner date? Bigla tuloy akong natuwa.
"Nandito na tayo, Serena."
Mabilis akong sumilip sa labas. Isang malaking silver gate ang una kong nakita. Napakataas nito. It was surrounded with brick walls that stretched for miles sa magkabilang dulo ng daan.
"Cassopeia" basa ko sa taas ng gate. Agad akong napatingin kay Mommy. Natatandaan ko ang pangalan ng lugar na to.
"Mommy, is this...?"
Hindi ko pa natatapos ang tanong ko pero agad na tumango si Mommy.
"Oo Serena. We're here, the place where magic exist"
Napanganga ako. I was staring at Mom almost unbelievably.
"Woah Mom, are you sure hindi ka nagkakamali ng pinuntahan natin?"
I was expecting Mom to shake her head no but then she smiled at tinuloy niya ang pagmamameho papasok sa loob when the gate opened. I was lost at words. Hindi ako makapaniwala na si Mommy na mismo ang magdadala sa akin dito when infact she strictly told me not to talk or even mention the word 'magic'.
I look outside as we enter the place and everything was just breathtaking. From the fountain that produces a crystal clear water, to the wide lawn, sa mga hanging plants at mga halaman na nasa garden at sa mga maraming puno. Everything looks so enchanting. There are even different kind of butterflies flying around the garden. Calla was not lying when she said that the place was enchanting.
Nang makababa kami to what I guess was a castle base on it's structure, agad akong hinila ni Mommy papasok sa loob.
"Mommy..." pagtawag ko sa kanya.
"I know nagtataka ka kung bakit kita dinala dito but I will explain to you everything. Pasok muna tayo sa loob."
Pagpasok namin sa loob, the place was huge. Kung gaano kaganda sa labas nito, ganoon din kaganda sa loob nito. The walls were painted with ceramic white. A big chandelier was place right at the center. It was glowing. Around every corner was a little lamp light that lights up the entire place. Around the corner was the grand glass staircase. Nalulula ako sa kagandahan nito. Pag-akyat namin sa taas, pumasok kami sa isang kwarto pero sa tingin ko'y isa itong office. Nakabukas ang double glass door na umaabot hanggang sa kisame at kitang-kita ang tanawin sa labas.
"So.. anong masasabi mo dito Serena, maganda ba?" tanong ni Mommy ng umupo ito sa katapat kong sofa.
"Anong maganda Mommy, higit pa nga sa maganda eh! I mean the place is breathtaking I swear!"
Natawa naman si Mommy sa reaction ko. Hey, hindi niya ako masisi. The place is just so beautiful.
"Do you wanna stay here?"
Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Mommy. Agad akong napatingin sa kanya. Tama ba yung narinig ko?
"I... What do you mean Mom?"
Babalik na ba kami dito? Kung oo, bakit? Parang biglaan naman yata lahat. Tumayo si Mommy at lumapit sa akin. Naging seryoso ang mukha nito. Bigla tuloy akong kinabahan.
"Alam kong ako ang nagsabi sayo noon na huwag gamitin o kahit banggitin ang tungkol sa mahika ngunit dahil sa mga nangyayari nitong mga nakaraan, I am giving you my permission to stay here. Marami kang matututunan sa Academy dito na magagamit mo balang araw."
Lilipat ako ng school? Mukhang naintindihan yata ni Mommy ang mga tumatakbo sa isip ko kasi sinagot niya ang tanong ko.
"You will not necessarily transfer school. Pupunta ka lamang dito tuwing weekends. To learn other magic tricks and everything. Papasok ka pa rin sa school niyo yun ay kung itutuloy mo pa ang pag-aaral doon."
Hinawakan naman ni Mommy ang mga kamay ko.
"Alam ko ang mga nangyayari sayo nitong mga nakaraan at kaya kita dinala dito, it is for your own protection." seryosong sabi niya.
"Alam niyo ang mga nangyari nitong nakaraan Mommy? Paano niyo nalaman?" takang tanong ko.
Ibig sabihin ba noon, alam ni Mommy yung nangyaring away kahapon? Pati yung aksidente namin ni Cheska na hindi ko sinabi sa kanya?
"Hindi na importante kung paano ko nalaman lahat yon Serena."
"Pero..."
Tumayo si Mommy at kinuha ang bag niya kaya napatigil ako sa pagsasalita. Nang bumalik ulit siya may hawak-hawak itong maliit na box.
"Here," mula sa box ay kinuha niya ang isang kwintas. The necklace was a small crystal ball. It was simple yet it's unique and special. Sinuot niya ito sa akin. Pagkatapos noon ay inayos niya ang buhok ko.
"There. That necklace will protect you."
"Protect me?"
Mom nodded. "You will use that kapag kailangang kailangan mo na talaga ng tulong. When the situation calls for a life and death situation, hawakan mo lang yang crystal ball and that will come to your rescue."
"Ibig sabihin, I can't hold it?" tanong ko kay Mommy. Sayang the moment I saw it, gustong gusto ko itong hawakan pero hindi pala pwede.
"Yes. Only use that when you have no other way out, naiintindihan mo naman ang ibig kong sabihin right?"
I nodded. Gagamitin ko lang ito during difficult situations. This must be something special. Napangiti ako habang tinitingnan ito. Nang bigla kong naalala ang mga sinabi ni Mommy kanina, paano niya nalaman ang mga nangyari nitong nakaraan?
"Oo nga pala Mommy, paano niyo nalaman ang mga nangyari sa akin nitong nakaraan? Hindi naman ako nagsabi sa inyo ah?"
I look at her with questioning eyes. But before she could answer, someone entered the room.
"Nandito na pala kayo. Sorry I'm late. May inasikaso pa kasi ako."
Lumingon ako and saw a woman wearing a black pencil skirt paired with a white blouse. She was all smiles as she approach us. Nagtaka ako ng makita ko how she bowed a little when she was infront of my Mom. Does Mom works here?
"Matagal ba kayong nandito?"
She asks habang inaayos yung mga folder na hawak niya sa kanyang desk.
"Not really. Well, since your here ikaw na bahala kay Serena."
Mom said as she smiled at the lady.
Agad naman itong tumango.
Lumingon sa akin si Mommy as she gets her bag from the couch.
"I'll wait for you outside." sabi sa akin ni Mommy ng tumingin siya sa akin.
Bago pa man ako makasagot, lumabas na sa pinto si Mommy. And I saw the lady bowed again as Mom leaves the room.
"Nice to finally see you here Serena. It has been 15 long years ng umalis kayo dito."
Sabi niya ng makaalis na si Mommy. She was still smiling brightly.
"Ahhm...." And the words hang in my mouth. I don't know how will I address her. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano dapat ang sasabihin ko.
"You can call me Miss Scarlet, Serena."
sabi niya and then she smiled as she approach me.
"You had grown so much dear. You are such a stunning lady just like your Mom. Hindi na din ako magtataka if you'll turn out to be as powerful as your Mom."
And as I hear her last sentence, I look at her curiously.
"Ha?"
~