FIVE

I paused in front of her small house. Stepping onto a rug with the written word "welcome" on it. Did she really need to put this in? You won't feel welcome if you take a step inside; the only one who will greet you is her big, fat cat, who will stare at you as if he is judging your entire life! The cat's stare will make you feel really hopeless!

I let out a heavy sigh. I need to gain some strength first before knocking on the door. Seconds later, I lifted my arms to knock, and suddenly, the door opened. I take a step and call for her name. "Wayang?"

I opened the lights and saw her house full of antiques and such. There were also some strolls on her desk, which she was always trying to learn. The last time I visited her, this was the stroll she was talking about. I wonder what happened and where the h.eck is she!?

"Meow.” My body hair stood up suddenly as I heard him meowing. What will that cat do again to me this time? I am sick of his eyes as if he was trying to ruin my life!

"You are here again!" I shouted and looked at him intently. He meowed back and licked his body and his hands then again stared at me. Oh, I love cats but I hate this cat! Just look at him smirking at me! I don't know why but whatever he does, it feels like he was teasing me!

"Why do you hate my nim-nim so much!?" Wayang suddenly showed up, her hands on her waist. I just rolled my eyes. "What is your business here, huh?" she asks.

Wayang is a witch who has lived for a hundred years already. She is not immortal but according to her, witches can live up to three hundred years. If they want to live again, they can reincarnate themselves to another person with the same blood. As for her, yes, she is already thousands of years old as she keeps on reincarnating her soul. She is not a bad witch, she is a white witch who only treats people with sickness.

"Something is happening to me now. Did not I tell you that even though I tried poisoning myself, it did not affect me at all? But this time, I had a fever," I directly told her, which made her stop what she was doing. She slowly turned herself to me to look at me confusedly.

"And then?" she asks, leaning her body on her desk and crossing her arms.

"This guy, I met yesterday. Whenever he is around, I can feel the pain in my head. If I stay in contact with him for a long time, my body will collapse all of a sudden," I explained. I study her reaction but she remains calm. "What do you think of it?" I added.

She turned her back on me and was trying to take something from her drawer from her desk. "Obviously, he might have some connection to the curse that Kalsey had given to you," she said and gave me a pendant. "Always wear this, it will protect you from the pain that he is been causing you," she added.

I take the pendant and stare at it. It has the symbol of a crescent blue moon with blood droplets on each side. "Can this thing really protect me?" I ask her.

She smacked my head which made me groan in pain. "Of course, you dimwit!" she shouted and smacked my head again.

"I just want to be sure! All of your items are," I cannot even finish what I was about to say when she picks her broom and tries to hit it with my body. "Fine!" I shouted but she still did not stop until I got out of her house.

"Do not come back again!" She shouted and slammed the door. How rude!

I let out a heavy sigh and stared at the pendant once again. Should I try this? Well, I don't even know if I should be able to meet him again but I guess it is worth a try, right?

"I do not even have a chance to know more about what was happening to me," I said to myself and clenched my fist. "That wench!" I added.

I was about to take a step away when a ball of paper hit my head. "Ouch," I moan in pain and look at the paper. I take it and look at what is written on it.

'Come back here next week, Saturday morning.'

That is what she said. Hmph! After throwing me out of her house and telling me not to return, she now wants me to come back. What a sudden change of mind.

I am now at my house and quickly resting my body on my bed. What a tiring day, it is really hard to commute. I looked around my house and decided to stand up to go get some water to drink. I already put the pendant on my neck, so whenever he suddenly appeared in front of me, I could try its effectiveness.

Suddenly my phone vibrated and I quickly took it from my bag. Chel was calling me and I quickly answered her call. "Are you at home?" she asks abruptly. I smiled.

"Yes," I answered.

When someone knocks on the door, I quickly look up. I dashed over to it and opened the door, only to find Chel staring at me through tears. She quickly hugged me and cried like a baby, which surprised me. "What happened?" I asked her, concerned.

"I thought you would leave us here, your fever was too high last night! How could you do this to me!" Chel complained, still crying like a baby. I patted her head to make her feel at ease.

"That is not going to happen," I gently replied, and she lifted her head to look at me. She wipes the tears from her eyes and nods.

We were in the kitchen, and she insisted on cooking for me so I could rest. It's already six in the evening, and she suggested I need to eat it for dinner. Leandro texted me as well, saying he would be here in minutes.

"I can help you." I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say when she hushed my mouth with her hands which made me keep quiet.

"No, take a rest. Let me handle this, okay?" Chel assured me and did not even let me touch any ingredients to help her. This woman!

Minutes later, someone knocked at the door so I dashed towards it to open it. There I saw Leandro standing in front of me carrying the bag full of food. He was looking at me with a smile on his face. "Let us watch some movies! Missis Matilda let me out at the cafe to watch both of you, that is what she said. She is also worried about you," Leandro explained.

I smiled when I heard that. Missis Matilda? It is expected anyway.

It was already morning, and the two were making their way home. Our cafe appointment is in the afternoon, which gives me enough time to prepare. We clean up our mess first before they leave. I spent the rest of my time making dough for my cookies, which I could bake later or tomorrow. When the time comes for me to prepare for work, I quickly get ready and leave the house, locking it.

It did not take long for me to arrive. I gave Mrs. Matilda an answer to her question and smiled to make her feel at ease and quickly assist customers in the shop.

Not too long ago, we heard boys laughing outside the cafe. I was too stunned to speak when I met him again. He is with his friends wearing their uniforms. It did not take minutes for them to realize that I was here standing in front of them.

"Uhm welcome, sir!" I exclaimed, still giving them a surprised reaction.

"Charlotte?" I recognized Karsen's voice. I clenched my fist as I heard his footsteps approach me. Every step he takes makes my heart race. I was afraid of feeling the pain he caused again. I may want to break the curse, but I do not want to feel tortured!

When I finally saw his face a little closer to mine, my heart raced even faster, and I was sure he could hear it! He finally touched my shoulder, and my eyes widened. "Are you okay?" he asks.

Is the pendant working? "What?" I stuttered and looked into his eyes. I am not feeling pain or anything anymore!