Chapter 2

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2 – Museum

“Good morning, Ma’am. Can I see the paintings displayed at the basement?”

Tammy had gone to the Manila Art Museum to personally inspect the mysterious painting of ‘La Señorita’. She was now in front of the reception desk, hoping she would be permitted to head down to the basement.

The female receptionist let out a smile. “Sure, hija. Could it be you are here for the La Señorita painting?”

“Ate, how did you know?” Tammy’s eyes grew large.

“The majority of those who want to go down to the museum’s basement are only here for the sake of seeing that!” The receptionist laughed. “Did you know that there are rumors circulating around that the woman in the said painting can turn around? They say she can even walk in the hallway!”

“That’s scary! Anyway, is Ms. La Señorita beautiful?” Tammy asked in curiosity.

“No one knows what she looks like. But don’t worry, when I see her, I’ll tell you,” the receptionist joked to her. “By the way, please don’t come here at night, okay?” She reminded her. “It’s highly probable there is a spirit inside that painting.”

“Gosh, I better come down there now while there is still light! That painting is my assignment!”

Tammy gave her a nod and then began to walk along the hallway of the museum. She saw many pieces of art along the way. There were times when she would pause her steps to show her amazement for a painting or sculpture.

She walked a little longer and reached the staircase that would lead her to the basement. Tammy stood near the edge of the stairs and looked toward the basement’s door. A light bulb was above the door, but it seemed as if it wasn’t working well due to the flickering light.

“Can I do this?” Even at this moment, she could already hear the loud beating of her heart. Why am I feeling nervous? This should be a mere painting, no? She asked herself.

After taking a deep breath, she slowly headed downwards. When she had thoroughly descended, a doorknob made out of a golden metal greeted her eyes. Tammy held the knob and twisted it with her hand. She was very surprised when the door suddenly opened up by itself.

The interior of the basement actually had light. Tammy immediately found the several paintings covered with white cloth.

Maybe the other paintings are being fixed.

I wonder where the La Señorita is.

Tammy gradually looked around until she found what she was looking for.

A woman wearing baro’t saya, with her back turned to the viewer. It was the La Señorita.

“The painting is surprisingly beautiful,” Tammy whispered to herself. She approached it and glanced down to the lower part of the frame to see if there was something hinting when and who created this painting. Unfortunately, there was nothing. There wasn’t even a description available beside the painting.

“It seems I won’t find any information pertaining to this one. It’s just a painting stuck in the basement, and that’s it. I actually wasted fare money for it,” she said in dismay.

She turned on her heels. She was already heading for the basement’s door when she suddenly heard a voice whispering to her ears.

Don’t attempt to disclose the dark secret of the history!

Tammy stopped in her tracks. She could clearly feel the ends of her hair standing up.

She was positive about it. She really heard a voice!

Fear eventually consumed her, and it made her ran as fast as she could until she reached the museum’s ground floor. She continued sprinting forward, not even stopping even when the receptionist asked her.

“Miss, are you okay?” she said in a loud voice.

Tammy ignored the person asking. She just ran outside of the museum, stopping only once she reached a lamp post next to a bench. As she sat down, she was busily panting for breath. Sweat continuously poured down from her forehead.

What kind of voice was that? It’s really creepy. It was like it was talking to me!

Now, she was thinking of switching into another topic. Sadly, school would resume soon and she realized she didn’t have any time for that.

Time passed by while she was pondering about it and sometimes showing hesitation. In the end, as she was left with no choice the will to acquire more information about the La Señorita prevailed over her.

However, how is she going to accomplish that now that there was actually an unknown voice warning her about it?

hija – young girl/ young miss/ daughter

Ate – older sister, honorific for a girl or young woman whose name you don’t know

baro’t saya – women’s traditional clothing

TL: WS25

Editor: Corensi

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