Chapter 1: The Lady

Elisia stood at the entrance of the church, her gaze flickering nervously between the grand doors and the expectant faces of the gathered guests. Impatience gnawed at Elisia's insides as she shifted from foot to foot, her fingers tapping restlessly against her gown.

"Laura, nariyan naba?" Hindi niya na natiis magtanong sa kaibigan. People murmured amongst themselves, casting curious glances her way.

"Maghintay pa tayo ng ilang oras bes, darating din 'yun. Kumalma ka ok?" Pagpapakalma ni Laura, kahit siya ay hindi narin mapakali. Higit dalawang oras na silang naghihintay sa groom. Mas nauna pa ngang dumating ang bride kesa rito.

Elisia had dreamed of this day for so long, envisioning the moment when she would walk down the aisle to meet Khalid, waiting at the altar. But now, with each passing second, her excitement gave way to frustration.

'Where was Khalid? Why was he making me wait like this on the most important day of our lives?' Doubts crept into Elisia's mind, whispering cruel thoughts of abandonment and betrayal.

Her mother approached, concern etched on her face. "Elisia, my dear, try to remain calm. Darating si Khalid. Sigurado ako may dahilan kung bakit wala pa siya."

But Elisia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her like a heavy shroud. She wanted to believe her mother's words, to trust that Khalid would appear any moment, but the longer she waited, the more uncertain she became.

"Ma, s-siguro hindi na siya darating. P-pauwiin nalng po natin ang mga bisita," Sumisikip ang dibdib na saad niya sa ina.

"But Eli-"

Before Elisia's mother could finish her sentence, a sudden commotion interrupted them. The groom's mother approached Elisia, tears streaming down her face, and called out her name.

"Elisia! Elisia!" she cried out, her voice trembling with emotion. "S-si Khalid... n-naksidente."

The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating Elisia with their gravity. Her heart skipped a beat, then pounded in her chest like a relentless drum. A wave of shock washed over her, leaving her breathless and disoriented.

"A-anak," Lumuluha at nag-aalalang hinaplos ng kaniyang ina ang kaniyang likuran. "M-ma, s-si Khalid, h-hindi-" Tears welled up in Elisia's eyes as a surge of fear and desperation gripped her soul. Ang kasiyahan at pananabik ng kanyang araw ng kasal ay nabasag sa isang iglap, napalitan ng isang malalim at matinding pighati na nagbabanta na lumamon sa kanyang kabuuan.

Ang kaniya mundo ay tila nag-iikot sa paligid niya habang pinipilit niyang unawain ang nakapanlulumong balita. 'Khalid, her beloved Khalid'

Oh my ghad! Frantic cries filled the air as concerned onlookers rushed to Elisia's side when she collapsed on the ground in a heap.

In the depths of a grand hall adorned wittowering marble pillars and elaborate tapestries, Khalid found himself standing alone at the altar, his gaze drawn to the imposing door at the end of the long aisle. Bathed in the soft glow of flickering candles, the vast space exuded an aura of mystery and reverence.

Binalot siya ng pangamba at pagkalito ng matantong mag-isa lamang siya sa lugar na iyon. 'Why was I here? And where was Elisia?' Nagtatakang tanong niya kaniyang isipan. Ito ang araw ng kanilang kasal, paanong na punta siya sa ganitong lugar?

AS Khalid scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, his gaze fell upon the altar before him. It loomed ominously in the dim light, adorned with wilted flowers and tattered lace. There was something unsettling about the scene, something that sent a shiver down Khalid's spine

Isang ingay ang nagpa balik ng kaniyang tingin sa dulo, sa engrandeng pinto. Dahan-dahan itong nag-bukas kasabay ng pag-lagabog ng kaniyang dibdib sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan.

Mula sa nakabukas na engrandeng pinto ay lumitaw ang isang babae. Clad in black long gown, her face hidden behind a veil. With each step, she glided down the long aisle towards him, a haunting melody filling the air and sending shivers down his spine. Time seemed to stand still as he stood transfixed by the spectral figure before him, his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited her approach.

Nang makarating ang babae sa kaniyang harapan ay naramdaman niya ang bumabalot na lamig sa paligid. She lifted her veil, revealing her angelic face. Khalid's heart skipped a beat as he beheld her beauty.

Ang mga mata ay tila walang buhay. Unti-unting sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ng babae at sa hindi niya mawaring dahilan ay may kakaiba sa mga ngiti nito. Tila ginawa lamang upang maitago ang tunay na nararamdam.

"Glad to meet you again, my love," she whispered, her voice a haunting melody that seemed to echo in the vast emptiness of the hall. Khalid's unease deepened as he struggled to reconcile the familiarity of her voice with the unsettling atmosphere that surrounded them.

"S-sino ka?" Nahihintakutang tanong ni Khalid.

The woman's smile widened, revealing a glint of something sinister beneath the surface. "Don't you remember, my love? It's me, your wife."

A chill ran down Khalid's spine at her words, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. Memories flooded his mind, fragmented and hazy.

"I-I don't understand," he stammered, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "How can you be here? You're... you're..."

"Dead?" the woman finished for him, her laughter echoing in the empty hall. "No, Khalid, I am not dead. Narito lang ako, palaging nakatanaw sa'yo." Khalid eyes widened. Tumaas-baba ang kaniyang dibdib at malakas na tinulak papalayo sa kaniya ang babae.

"Hindi! H-Hindi ka totoo! I don't know you!" Naglalaban ang kaniyang emosyon. Pagkatakot at galit. Kung nanaginip man siya ay sana'y magising na siya. He needs to be with Elisia, her fiancé is waiting for him at the church. Ikakasal pa sila at mag-kakapamilya.

"You know me, love. Tama na ang paglimot sa babaeng pinakamamahal mo." Bagamat seryoso ay mababanaag sa kaniyang pananalita ang hinanakit. Umiling-iling na umatras si Khalid, hindi tinatanggap ng kaniyang isipan ang nangyayari.

Ang mga walang buhay na mata ng babae ay malamig lamang na nakatuon sa pag-atras ng binata. Hanggang sa tulayan siyang tinalikuran ni Khalid at mabilis na tinakbo ang nakabukas na pintuan.

"Remember, Khalid," the woman's voice echoed behind him, chilling and melodic. "You can run, but you cannot hide from the truth. It will find you, wherever you may go."

ELISIA was sitting beside Khalid's hospital bed, her fingers intertwined with his limp hand as she gazed down at his unconscious form. Machines beeped and hummed softly in the background, their rhythmic sounds a stark contrast to the stillness that enveloped the room.

Khalid lay motionless, his face pale and drawn, his features etched with exhaustion and pain. Tubes and wires snaked from his body to various monitors and machines, their presence a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

"Please, Khalid," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wake up. I need you."

But Khalid remained still, his breathing shallow and uneven. And as Elisia watched over him, her heart aching with longing and despair, she couldn't help but wonder if he would ever open his eyes again, if their dreams would ever have a chance to become reality.

"Hija, pwede ka namang umuwi at mag-pahinga na muna. I can take care of my son. Nung isang gabi kapa rito at walang maayos na tulog." May pag-aalalang lumapit sa kaniya ang ina ni Khalid at marahang hinaplos ang kaniyang buhok.

"Opo tita, bukas po ay uuwi rin ako. Sa ngayon ay hayaan niyo po muna akong bantayan si K-Khalid," Pumiyok ang kaniyang boses sa pag-banggit sa pangalan ng kasantihan.

"Okay, fine. Lalabas lang muna ako saglit. I'll get you your food." Paalam nito sa kaniya na ikinatungo nya lamang.

Elisia watched Khalid's mother leave the room, a pang of guilt tugging at her heart for causing her worry. But as soon as she was alone with Khalid again, her focus returned to him, her worry deepening with each passing moment.

With a heavy heart, Elisia leaned in close to Khalid once more, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead. "I'll be here, hon," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "I'll never leave your side."

Dahil sa pagod sa pisikal at emosyonal, nagpasya si Elisia na maghilamos sa maliit na banyo. It was attached to Khalid's hospital room. The sterile white walls and fluorescent lighting cast a harsh glow over the space, lending it an air of coldness and discomfort.

As Elisia splashed water on her face, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, a prickling sensation creeping up the back of her neck. She glanced up at the mirror, expecting to see her own reflection staring back at her. But instead, she saw a fleeting figure of a woman standing behind her, her features obscured by shadows.

Sa pagka-bigla ay kinuskos niya ang kanyang mga mata, naniniwalang baka siya'y nag-iimagine lamang dahil sa kanyang pagod. And as she expected, as she looked back at the mirror the figure was gone, leaving only her own tired reflection staring back at her.

"Fuck, I think I really need some rest. Kung ano ano nang nakikita ko." Saad niya sa kaniyang sarili. Shaking her head in disbelief, Elisia shrugged off the strange occurrence and turned to leave the bathroom. But as she reached for the door knob, it suddenly slammed shut with a resounding thud, trapping her inside.

Napasigaw si Elisia sa pagkabigla. Pinilit niyang buksan ang door handle at nang magtagumpay ay nag-mamadali itong lumabas ng cr.

Elisia took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart as she sat down on the chair beside Khalid's bed. She shook her head, convincing herself that it was just her exhaustion playing tricks on her mind.

But as she sat there, lost in her thoughts, the sudden sound of the door opening made her jump. She turned to see Khalid's mother entering the room, a concerned look on her face.

"Oh hija, bakit parang nakakita ka ng multo?" she asked, her brows furrowing in worry.

Elisia's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected question. How could she explain what she thought she saw? Would Khalid's mother believe her, or would she think she was losing her mind?

"N-nothing, Tita," Elisia stammered, forcing a small smile. "Siguro nag-iimagine lang ako sa pagod. Wala po, okay lang po ako."

But deep down, Elisia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't help but wonder if there was more to the strange occurrences than just her tiredness.

Author's Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your feedback and thoughts on the story mean the world to me, so please don't hesitate to share them in the comments below. Your insights help me improve as a writer and shape the direction of the story.

Consider giving it a vote. Stay tuned for the next chapter, and thank you again for being part of this journey with me!