Written by Baby Rucelle Cogal
It was the summer of three years ago, and I was staying at my grandmother’s province for a vacation. I did not grow up here, but I heard all sorts of stories about this place through my grandmother when I was seven. Of all the stories grandma told me, one story that I love the most was about the tree surrounded by fireflies near our backyard. It was said that if you go to that tree at exactly 23:11, you will be able to find a door that looks like a mirror which will lead you to a magical place.
Being the carefree girl who is always up for a little magic and thrill, I decided to sneak out one summer night to go to that tree – a decision I would never regret. It was enchanting, a wonderful view I would never see in the city. The flashes and flickers of fireflies circling the tree give it a very mystical vibe, which makes me somehow hope that what grandma told me was not just another legend, since I especially sneaked out and went out of my way to go here.
Remembering the details of the story, I checked for the time, but it was still 23:10.
“I guess waiting for another minute would not hurt.”, I whisper to myself. I continued staring in awe at the tree, regretting why I only happen to bring a flashlight and forgot to bring my camera or even my phone. When my wristwatch finally ticks to 23:11, I hurriedly circled the tree, trying to find the so-called door my grandma told me.
But I find none. No door, no magical place, or whatsoever. I knew it. I knew it would be like this, but it was just that I wanted to believe in a little bit of magic.
Disappointed, I turn my back, ready to run back to the house before I will be caught. I was about to run when I hear the faint laughter of people and mellow music at the back. Weird as it was, instead of getting scared and went dashing to go back to the house, I turn around. Then there it was! The door grandma was telling me about. Without wasting another second, I enter the door and was greeted by blinding lights. By the time my eyes got used to the lights, I stare at the place in front of me, with mouth gaping wide. It looks like an amusement park, the most beautiful and enchanting one if you asked me. The whole place was shining brightly, it makes me wonder whether this place uses electricity, or it is just really all magic. In the front, there was a big banner that says, “Welcome to Wonderland!” and there were all sorts of rides scattered around and establishments lining up the sides. The place was also packed with people dressed in colorful and bright clothing. They looked like normal people, aside from their pointed ears. I pulled the hood of my jacket to cover up my ears just in case and continued to explore the place. I just decided to stop by the huge fountain that is surrounded by flickering fireflies, reminding me of the tree back there.
“Magical, right?”, someone commented beside me.
“It sure is – “, I cut myself off when I realized the situation and stumbled down due to shock. When I look up, I saw a guy wearing glasses, laughing at my reaction before offering his hand to help me stand up. Instead of reaching his hand, I stood up on my own and asked him, “Who are you?”. He seems to be around my age, but I noticed that his ears are not pointed, unlike the other people here.
“Just another curious teenager who happens to know the story of that tree.”, he told me. “Ren’s the name, by the way.”
“I’m Ria. Didn’t expect that you would be the kind of person who believes in magical stories.” I joked.
“So, you’re the kind of person who judges people by their appearance, huh?”
“My bad, sorry.”, and we laugh.
Then suddenly, there was nothing but the faint noise in the background. We stood there, just quietly watching the fireflies flew around.
“They are so pretty, bringing light wherever they go”, I told him breaking the silence.
“True, but they don’t live long though”, he countered back which makes me roll my eyes. He does not need to say that.
“I know. And just like how ephemeral a firefly’s life is, this magical moment we experienced will also be gone way too soon.”
“That’s pretty deep of you”, he chuckled. “Okay, so before this magical moment ends, do you want to give it a go?”
“What do you mean?”
Without noticing it, I was already being pulled around by that guy and we have almost tried every single game and rides in the place. I cannot retaliate about it though since I did enjoy the company of this random guy. He just seems to be very familiar with the place which leaves me somehow puzzled. When we got tired, we sat on a bench and that was the only thing I remembered. I don’t remember anything on how I got out from that place or where did that guy go. By the time I open my eyes, I was already in my room.
Up until now, I still wondered whether all of those that happened was only a dream or not. I had tried asking for a “Ren” here, but I found none. The next night, I also tried going back to the tree and I had waited for hours but no door appeared. It was indeed a once in a lifetime moment, but regardless of whether it was real or not, it will always be my favorite memory of when I was fifteen.
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