“Ate, could you hand me the soap please?”
“Sure.”
I don’t know who the woman standing in front of me is, but I sure as hell know it isn’t my sister. I just saw her off to school a few hours ago and there’s no way she could have come back this fast. I have to make sure that I don’t upset her too much, who knows what kind of monster can wear the guise of my family.
“Pina, why are you so serious? You don’t seem to be talking much.”
“It’s fine, just thinking about things.”
“Okay if you say so.”
There aren’t many choices for me here. I think I know what this is. Lola always told us stories of encanto in the woods of Bantungon. I think that the only choice I have is to leave.
“I think I need to go.”
“Are you sure Pina? We should talk more, I don’t think we spend enough time together.”
“There are more errands that I have to do at home.”
“Are you trying to avoid me?”
The engkanto starts to get a look on her face and the hairs on my back stand on end. Her voice changes as well and I don’t think she’s concerned about tricking me anymore. I leave the laundry by the brook and run as fast as I can back home.
She doesn’t seem to be following me, which is a good sign. I look up and it’s almost sunset, I must not have paid attention to the time while with the engkanto.
“Ate, ate should I start with dinner now?”
I clutch my chest, but then I remember it’s around the time my sister comes home. My real sister. I breathe and smile. The ordeal is finally over.
“Oh Uping, you won’t believe what happened to me.”
“What’s wrong ate?”
“I was by the brook and I saw someone that looked exactly like you”
“I know.”
“….What?”
“It isn’t nice to leave without saying goodbye.”
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by “The Encanto at Baguntod” in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.
Engkantada Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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