The next day, I told Lola I will be doing something. She knows it already and told me to be careful.
Sharon and Paula was behind me. Still silent. Still....not communicating with me. After the talk with Lola Aurora.
It was still 4:30 AM. I know this time everyone's rushing to fetch water from the well.
But my destination wasn't the well. It was Ate Martha and Kuya Tonyo's farm spot.
I wasn't subtle about it. I was obvious with my every step. Until twenty minutes walking, I could see a gas lamp on top. Still lit. Then some more noises, plowing the lands, then laughter, and small talks.
The couple were already doing their work early. As soon as they woke up.
When I stepped onto a branch and made a noise, Kuya Tonyo was alert.
Quite too aggressive at that. He raised the hoe he was using and looked towards where I am. It was still a bit dark so they haven't seen my face yet.
"Kuya, Ate... It's me, Anthony." I showed myself and smiled.
Ate Martha immediately smiles at me, and walked towards me pulling me towards the makeshift table they used for every meal.
"What brings you here?" She asked excitedly.
She's a very energetic person. And I heard they haven't been blessed with a child. They're not married, but they've been living together for 15 years.
"I heard you're about to harvest cucumbers. I'm here to help. Don't worry about paying me. A little cucumber would do." I put my bag down and kept the atmosphere light.
But at the end of my vision, I could see Kuya Tonyo's expression, but can't make the full extent of it.
I swear he was glaring at me. He didn't even put the hoe down. And kept it in hand.
"You heard that labs? Anthony's gonna help us. Makes it easier and faster to harvest the cucumbers." Ate Martha walked towards their hut and took out a kettle, and three mugs.
When the sun was showing, Kuya Tonyo's expression shifted. He was now smiling and back to being a warm person.
"That's right labs, it'll be faster to harvest now. With Anthony here. Young and able." He said putting the hoe on the ground and walked towards us.
He sat beside Ate Martha and took the coffee she made. I also accepted the mug she offered me with a smile.
We had small talks but my gaze always drifted towards the ghosts. Sharon and Paula were also beside the other four. Now behind Kuya Tonyo. Again.
"I'll prepare us breakfast. I'll come back and bring them here. Okay? Just help your Kuya Tonyo, Anthony, ha?"
I nodded with a smile, as she hurried back down the path towards their house.
Now it was just me and Kuya Tonyo. The perfect time for my plan.
"Kuya....Ate Martha's so lively right?" I started small.
Just letting the conversation breath. Not until he noticed the way I stirred the direction of the topics.
"Anthony.... what's your point?" He looked at me, the warmness gone.
Without his knowing, since he couldn't see my system. I activated my skill.
[SKILL LET THEM SEE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. DESIGNATED TARGET: TONYO HERNANDEZ]
"All six if you, show yourself to Tonyo." I whispered to myself.
"What is that?" Kuya Tonyo asked, hearing me mumble.
Then...he felt it. The sudden drop of the temperature. And all six if the ghosts showed themselves before Kuya Tonyo.
His eyes blown wide, cold sweat beaded his temple. But he wasn't showing it to me.
Wasn't showing his fear seeing his victims. It was a full minute of grim torture for him. Their disfigured faces, inches from him. Full blown, without censorship or subtlety.
I pretended not seeing them. Pretended I wasn't aware. And just smiled at him and continued our conversation. Feigning concern seeing him pale.
"Kuya Tonyo, are you alright? You look pale." I leaned forward.
My tone was full of worry, and matching it with an act. I deliberately, walked through Sharon. In the same position she was. Her face overlapping mine.
This way, he's forced to look at me. Or through me.
"I'm okay. Must be my stomach. It's acting up again." He lied. And clutched his stomach.
Till the skill ended and, I could see how he was obviously checking his surroundings.
Kuya Tonyo then cleared his throat, sure that they weren't around, in his line of vision of course, he told me that we'll start harvesting now.
He reasoned out, so that we could be productive while waiting for Ate Martha to get back.
[TONYO'S DEMON STIRRING AWAKE. TRIGGERED BY THE SOULS OF HIS VICTIMS.]
My step halted. The fear was starting up again but I pushed it aside. I was just starting.
For the meantime, we harvested the right side of their cucumber patch. I grabbed a basket with me, and put it next to my feet.
I was taking. My time harvesting, and picked one that I started munching off. Of course, I asked for permission.
We were busy, i almost filled my basket when Ate Martha arrived with a big basket in hand.
Kuya Tonyo stopped what he was doing and rushed to Ate Martha's side, taking the basket from her hand and carried it.
"You should have called for me." He said worriedly.
"It's fine. It's not like I can't carry anything." Ate Martha even kissed his cheek, to assure him she was fine.
And I saw it.
Something flickered from that moment. The moment she kissed his cheek, he frowned.
Disgust? Or revulsion?
Because it wasn't an expression someone shows, when in love.
And something inside me, tells me... He was just playing a very, patient, and long performance.
An act that captured the audiences, in a very convincing play, that he was the only actor.