Chapter 4

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Chapter 4 – The Tunnel

Don’t be nervous, Tammy. Just take a deep breath. This damn assignment will eventually end.

Tammy opened up the door leading to the basement of the Manila Art Museum. Upon entering it, the surrounding noises died down. Yellow light came down from the bulb on the ceiling. She was now surrounded by many paintings, but each of them was covered with white blanket. All except for one.

Tammy hurriedly approached the La Señorita painting. She looked at it for a long while.

Actually, nothing’s scary about this painting, she thought to herself. It’s just that it gives off a strange vibe when faced upfront. Jeez, Ma’am Señorita, what mystery do you possess? How will I finish my assignment if you are being mysterious like this? Can you please cooperate?

Tammy proceeded further to see if there were anymore odd details to spot, even if it was just the creator’s signature. She raised her hand and pressed the palm to the wall next to the painting.

When she touched the wall, it seemed as if something near the painting moved.

“Ay!” she exclaimed loudly. Tammy backed away from the painting.

Just what was that?

Tammy approached the edge of the wall and peeked to see whether there was anything at the back of the painting which could possibly trigger a disaster, like a loose screw from where it was hanged or a faulty frame.

Instead, what she found there was something which made her incredibly stunned.

“A door knob? Oh my, there’s a door behind it?” she murmured.

Without considering what could possibly happen, Tammy reached out to the door knob that she found behind the La Señorita. She sighed in relief when her hand managed to snake its way into it. She repeatedly twisted the knob until she heard something being unlocked.

Tammy stepped back and waited to see if what was at the back would open up by itself. When nothing happened, she went to see for herself.

The wall behind the painting revealed an opening.

“OMG, wait, this must be the museum’s secret room!” Excitement made its way to her, fantasizing on what she would discover about the painting or the museum.

Tammy carefully pulled the door knob. The wall was suddenly lifted up together with the painting, and when she widened the opening, she saw a stone staircase leading above.

“Whoa, secret passage! Let me see!”

Tammy entered inside and climbed up the stairs. Gosh, for now I’ll explore and then I’ll head home! She said to herself.

She proceeded a few steps until she felt the place turning dark. She realized she had moved away from the source of light in the basement so she took out her phone from her pocket. As she turned on her cell phone for its light, she thanked the heavens for relieving her of her clumsiness for today.

By now, quite a long time had passed since she started climbing the stairs. She had no clue where it would lead her to. At this rate, she would soon run out of breaths since the air had been turning thinner and thinner. Her cell phone could no longer serve as flashlight as well. She felt her forehead and back flooding with sweat.

This is too much, is there no end to this? Lord, I should not have pushed my way through! she thought with regrets.

Tammy gazed upwards and finally discovered a glimmer of light. In the midst of weariness, she quickened her pace. Upon reaching the last step, she impatiently raised her hands to push away the stone barring the entrance.

Lights slowly filled her surrounding as she pushed the stone away. It was actually the size of a manhole. She lifted herself up, and the first thing she welcomed was the fresh breeze of the air outside.

Thank you very much, I can finally breathe!

Tammy exited the opening. Her palm felt the sensation of the grass on the ground. When she had finally stood up, she inspected the place where the stairs had led her to.

There were trees and grass everywhere. When she turned her head back, from afar she could see quite a few nipa hut 1 roofs.

Where’s the museum? Did I just travel to a province? She mused. She turned her head to search for the hole she came from, but to her horror, it suddenly vanished.

Hala! Was I cursed by an Engkanto? Maybe what’s dwelling inside the painting was really an Engkanto! Do I have to wear my shirt in reverse now?

(TL: In the Philippines, it’s an environmental spirit that appears in human form. It is said that if you found yourself lost somewhere, or repeatedly traversing the same path, then you are possibly toyed around by an Engkanto and you will have to wear your clothes in reverse to nullify the enchantment.)

Tammy pressed herself to think. For now, she decided to walk a bit and then find someone to ask where this place was and how to get back to the museum.

The maiden brought forth her courage to walk the path, and let her feet to lead her. She passed by several nipa huts but to her confusion, it seemed as if there was nobody in there.

What’s this? A ghost town? Shit, it’s like Silent Hill, ah!

Tammy looked far ahead and was stunned to see a wall made of endless rows of stone tiles.

Phew, I’m actually at the Intramuros 2 area! I’ll just have to go in and board a jeep home, she thought.

She ran on the path leading to the familiar Walled City. When she reached the gate, she saw a man wearing a Guardia Civil 3 uniform.

Tammy smiled to him and said, “Hi, Manong! May I know po where can I board the jeep here? Where is the exit?”

The man wearing the uniform stared at her. He mumbled some words which she found incomprehensible.

“Sir, I don’t know what you are saying. I don’t understand,” she stressed.

Another guy wearing the same uniform passed by. The guard from the gate beckoned to him and then he went over. The first guard whispered something to him and only when they finished discussing did the guard go back to Tammy.

“Hija…” He then followed up with a few words that Tammy didn’t understand.

“What are you saying po?” she asked.

Suddenly, the thought of him arresting her came to her so she broke into a run before he could even catch her. She continued running and paid no regard to the people she bumped with. She thought she had to hide for the meantime so she rushed towards the back of a building she had seen.

Tammy leaned and slid down the wall as she was so tired. Why do they speak like that? Was that Spanish…? Wait, it could happen that there’s a movie shooting and I actually got in as an extra! Tammy smiled as she pondered, though the idea was thrown away after a while.

She peeked out from where she was hiding and observed the people in the surrounding. Most of them were wearing baro’t saya, and camisa4 and trousers. Some women fashioned themselves with fans, while men were wearing hats. A carriage passed by. Tammy noticed that everyone was uniformed in style. There was no camera or any shouting director.

In other words, the people she saw were acting naturally.

This is not a movie set.

Tammy remembered the guardia civil. She finally realized that they were really speaking Spanish earlier and that was why she didn’t understand them.

Hala, don’t tell me…. don’t tell me I am not in the present time anymore…? This can’t be happening… Don’t tell me….

Her wandering mind came back to her body when she felt something tapping on her shoulder and heard a voice greeting her –

“Buenas Dias, Señorita.”

Notes:

1 – Nipa Huts: a native house in the Philippines

TL: WS25

ED: Corensi

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