From Filomena, to the Alleged Local Engkanto
Dearest R,
Let me preface this by saying that I am, under no circumstances, ashamed of loving you. But the townspeople are asking way too many questions, such as why I was gone for three days and two nights and where could I have possibly gone other than Balete's invisible doorway.
Help me, R, for this place has left me soulless. They're sucking the life out of me and I wake up to bleak images of a colorless town at 20 frames per second.
Let me tell you a secret. There's something in their songs and the riddles they try to plant in your head. All these superstitions and yet they still bore the heck out of each other. All the gossip and rumors. It won't be long until they find out the truth. The lands may be barren, but they have ears.
Can you tell me how long I have to wait? You say they cannot know, but I doubt we can stop the red light of Ligaya's from escaping. It pierces the trees from afar, despite being across Alitaptap's border. They think it's the creatures of the night. And they think I've been bewitched. I'm neither confirming nor denying. But tell me, you have bewitched me, didn't you?
Monina has been hovering around my barong-barong since I came back. I can tell she's curious too, but I'm staying true to my word.
I can't wait to see you again, R. Write to me soon.
Sincerely,