Chapter 8: Chapter 8

I was staring at her the whole time. She is my grandmother, no wonder why we easily trust each other. She was my grandmother, I thought I will never see her because she died before I was born. I met her this time.

"May I ask how old you are, Cristel?"

She looked at me. "I am 25 years old, how about you?" She continues to prepare my bed.

"I am 27," I answered her.

"You are older than me, I have a big sister now." She smiled.

"Yeah," I awkwardly smiled.

Then I remember my grandma's name is Caridad Sanchez. Wait? What?

"Cristel, may I know your real name?" I asked her.

"My real name is Criselda Dela Fuente, Cristel is just my nickname because Criselda sounds old," she answered.

Oh, then she is not my grandma? But she likes my grandpa, but what if that Alfredo wasn't my grandfather? Same name, I think.

"Why do you ask?" She drifted her eyes on me.

"I just want to know. By the way, I really want to thank you and your family for letting me stay here," I said and held her hands.

"It's nothing, you know what? On the other day, there's a big acquaintance party that will be held on the Plazuela of our village. It is for the homecoming of the mighty soldiers that were in the military training for 3 years. That will be exciting." She jumped repeatedly.

"Really?" I nodded gently.

So, there's a big possibility that I can meet Lieutenant Dizon there. I need to find Sonia as soon as I can. I want to go back to my time. I might go crazy here.

"Oh, my goodness! You have nothing to wear!" she shouted.

I looked down at my dirty old-fashioned dress. It looks like a grandma dress that was found in an old chest. I smell old too.

"Do I have to wear something fancy at that event?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Of course, that is a big event. We need to buy a good dress that will suit your body. We will go to the dress shop in the market tomorrow. But for now, I will lend you some clothes, a comfortable dress for you to sleep," she said then handed me her clothes.

"Thank you."

She smiled at me then left me in the room. Good thing that electricity already exists this time. I have some light to light my room. I opened the big window that was made from solid wood. The cold breeze violently hit my skin. The stars in the sky are so beautiful. I never see the sky studded by million stars just like now. My room was on the front side of the house and my window is facing the garden in front of the house. The street can be seen from here and my eyes stopped on the figure of a man wearing a ball cap. I know he was looking at me because his body was facing the house and his head was looking up.

I quickly closed the window. It was so creepy. Who was that? I shake my head then change my clothes. The best was not comfortable, it is hard. But the cover and the blanket are so soft. I sighed and looked at the ceiling. I know that this is not a dream, but still, I can't believe it. I am in 1950! Even my parents were not yet born this time. This is so ridiculous, no one will believe me for sure if I will tell it on my time. They will all think that I am crazy. I will be if I stayed longer in this place.

"I need to find Sonia and Henry then make them fall in love with each other very quickly," I said to myself.

I slapped my forehead when I remembered what Dizon's family told me. I should never fell in love with Henry. Never, remember that, Aliyah!

I slept on that thought then wake up early in the morning. The chirp of the birds and the sound of the chicken are everywhere. I love that more than the sound of the alarm clock.

I examined the bag that was already with me when I got here. Where this came from? I got a diary and opened it. I read the first page. It said that 'you need to come back before the bloody night finished or you will disappear forever. Come back from where you came then you will find your way back'.

Bloody night? What is that supposed to mean?

I continued reading, hoping that I could find any way to find Sonia easily. A hint or an address, something like that. Nothing!

A knock from the door caught my attention. I opened it and saw Cristel smiling widely at me.

"Good morning! Did you sleep well. Come on, let's eat some breakfast!" She pulled my hand.

"I am not well dressed yet. Let me take my shower first." I stopped her.

She looked at me from head to toe. "You look fine, it's alright. You do not stink. Come on."

"Good morning!" Cristel greeted her parents.

Her father was sitting on the top edge of the table while reading the newspaper, her is busy preparing the meals. Cristel and I helped her.

"Papa, can I have some money?" Cristel asked her father in the middle of our breakfast.

Mr. Dela Fuente looked at his daughter. "Why do you need some extra money?"

"I want to buy an elegant dress for Aliyah. I told her last night about the acquaintance party, I want her to come so I will not be alone." Cristel pouted.

Her father smiled. "Okay, the money was on your mother. Better ask her," he said then laughed.

"Of course, I will give our daughter some money." Mrs. Dela Fuente playfully slapped her husband's arm.

"I don't say you don't want to give her money. You are so strict on me when it comes to me, while you spoiled our daughter so much. I'm jealous," Mr. Dela Fuente winked at his wife.

"Can you please stop that? Really? In front of me, of Aliyah?" Cristel hysterically said.

I prevent myself from laughing so hard. They are so sweet. I looked at Cristel who's still preaching to her parents. I heard that grandfather really took care of my grandmother when she was still alive, she became the luckiest woman because of my grandfather.

"This is a lot of money. My Papa was a liar. Mama never spoiled me with money. She always giving me only enough, but now, look! This is a lot! We can purchase two luxurious dresses with this amount of money. Hurry! We must enter the shop first," Cristel said after we arrived at the crowded market.

This is the first I've meddled with lots of people. The pandemic in 2020 got worse day by day. I am starting to think I may die in stress and exhaustion rather than in that virus.

"Come, Aliyah. I think this will suit you very well." Cristel gave me the peach-colored knee-length dress.

It was full of sequence on the upper part while the lower part was pretty simple with minimal design. I actually like it. It was not too revealing that was I really like about it. I fit the dress then I was so happy that it fits perfectly in my body.

"What do you think?" I asked Cristel.

She clapped her hand then smiled. "You are so beautiful your skin color really compliments the color of the dress. We will buy this one then we should buy a mask that will suit this dress."

My forehead frowned. "Mask, what with the mask?"

"Oh, it is a masquerade party. But don't worry, by the end of the program, we will all remove the mask to see each other," she answered the left me for a while.

I was about to go to the fitting room when I saw Lieutenant Dizon looking at me. Why is he here? What is he doing here in the dress shop? When our eyes met, he smiled genuinely, I looked away then turned my back.

I blushed really hard. Why is he so handsome?