INTERCAMBIO DE TIEMPO (Written in English)

Two worlds apart

Her lashes fluttered and she opened her eyes. Rubbing them with the back of her hand, she yawned and stretched. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain from her side and her eyes caught the bandaged waist. " huh? " She mumbled as she examined the wound.

Her eyes surveyed the room, and confusion etched on her face. " Where am I? am I dead? " She asked no one in particular and came down from the bed. All she could remember was running away from that orphanage and going toward the stream.

She also remembers the sounds of footsteps that chased after her. She didn't know how, but it felt like a burst of adrenaline rushed into her vein, forcing her to run. When she got to the river bank, she stumbled on a rock and went unconscious, after hitting her head on the ground. 

Her eyes fell on the mirror, that hung on the wall and with hastened steps, she dashed for the mirror and gasped as she saw her reflection. Her hair was no longer black but brown. " Huh? How?" She wondered and felt her face, with her hands.

Right now, she looked like a younger version of herself, without her mole. The footsteps from downstairs caught her attention, and she moved backward. 

" I've been kidnapped. " She assumed and clamped her hand over her mouth. Her heart pounded rapidly as she tried to wrap her head around what was happening.

She tiptoed to the door and tried to listen. She couldn't hear any sound whatsoever. She sprinted down the stairs, with her hands on the railing.  " Emily." She heard a feminine voice, call out and her heart raced. 

She waited for ' Emily ' to reply, but no response came.   Her ears picked up the sound of footsteps coming from the room, opposite her and she saw a lady, walking out, wearing an apron.

" What are you doing Emily?" Camila asked staring at her with a confused look.

She was equally confused, as she turned but saw no one behind her. She wondered who this Emily girl was and...oh wait. It suddenly dawned on her, that she must be the Emily the lady was referring to.

" I was going to umm...to the kitchen." She said, smiling nervously.

" You know that's not the kitchen. Are you going to tell me what you were doing?" Camila asked as she sensed that something was off with Emily.

" You know what? I was going to...to see the..."   She tried to explain but she couldn't find the right excuse to give. She barely knew where she was, or her way around here.

" Emily are you ok? you seem..."

" Yes! Yes, I am. Why would you assume that?" Leia replied with a forced smile and her heart accelerated.

" Ok." Camila said, " I'm sorry Emily, for raising my voice at you and slapping you." Camila apologized and held her hand.

" You did?" Leia asked and coughed. " Right! Yes, yes. I forgive you." She replied and smiled.

Camila stared at her for a while and walked back to the kitchen. what's wrong with her today? she wondered. 

****************************

Emily was anxious and confused at the same time. She knew this wasn't New York or maybe it was, but she have never been here before. It lack its modern look and was like something from the 80s. Her eyes scrutinized her surroundings and just up ahead, she could see a rice field. 

" Perhaps there is someone who could help me." She said to herself, walking closer to the stream, to wash her face. 

Staring at her reflection, her eyes fell on her hair. Her mouth flew open in awe, as she noticed the difference in her hair color. Her hand ran through the jet-black hair and her eyes fell on the mole beside her mouth. Now she was more anxious than she was before. Getting on her feet, she dusted the dress she wore and headed for the rice fields.

The birds chirped and soared in the air, in excitement. The wind blew and leaves rustled as Emily stepped on them, heading toward a farmhouse she saw just up ahead. 

She felt like she was walking through a maze, though she could see a path that led straight to the farmhouse. Cold sweat broke from her forehead, as she walked sluggishly under the scorching sun.

Finally, she walked outside the rice field. Her face was dripping in sweat and she was panting hard. She looked around, but couldn't find anyone. 

" Anyone home?" She asked aloud while heading to the back of the farmhouse.

" What are you doing here, Leia?" A somewhat muffled voice asked behind her, startling her.

She spun around, to see a man staring back at her. He looked somewhat old, with some strands of white hair on his head. His hand was tucked in his pocket and his hair moved with the wind.

" Did you try to run from the orphanage again?" he added and Patted her shoulder softly. " You must be hungry, come on in." He said and began to walk to the farmhouse.

" Wait!" Emily called and he halted in his tracks.

" What?" he asked while giving her a side glance.

" Where is this place and what year is this?" She asked him with her fingers crossed. She wasn't sure if she would like his reply but she hope she would.

He hesitated for a moment and stared at her " Why do you ask?" he questioned while observing her.

" Nothing. I just...I hit my head too hard, that I think my memories are kinda messed up."

" Are you lying to me?" He asked her while facing her with crossed arms.

" No of course not!" Emily defended, her heart racing to the climax. 

" Mmmm," he mumbled, nodding his head. He walked to the front porch and sat on a wooden rocking chair. " Why did you run from the orphanage, this time?" he asked her.

" I ran?... sorry yes I did. I was playing and..."

" Don't even think about it." he interrupted with his hands out. " Just go in and freshen up," he added and leaned back on the chair. His eyes were glued shut, as he rocked the chair back and forth. 

Emily stared at him as he sat on his chair, with a satisfied look. She was a little upset that she was ignored but she knew he was her key to finding out what was happening and going back home.

" Don't think too much about what to say to me. Go in and freshen up," he instructed her.

" I wasn't," Emily replied and he stopped rocking the chair. His eyes opened and stared into hers, giving her goosebumps.

" You were." He told her. " Go and freshen up, tomorrow we will be going back there," he added.

***************

Ding dong! the doorbell rang and Camila walked toward the door. She was dressed in a skimpy blue dress and her hair was tied in a ponytail. She opened the door, to see Charles standing right outside. 

" Hey, Mrs. Wills." Charles greeted with a Charming smile. " You are on a date?" he asked her.

" Ah yes. Yes, I certainly am. The first didn't work out as expected." She replied and chuckled " Emily's upstairs." She informed.

" Thank you," Charles said and walked into the house.

 " There is no food but I ordered pizza for dinner" She informed him while beaming a beautiful smile. " Have fun." She added and walked out, headed toward the garage.

Charles heard the sound of footsteps, descending the stairs and he could see her coming. " Hey, Emily." He greeted her with a smile and walked toward her.

Leia beamed a smile and began to squeeze her fingers nervously. " Hey," she replied and stared into his eyes.

" How are you..." His eyes caught the bump around her waist.

" What's that?" He asked her, looking quite confused.

" Don't worry, it's just a bandage," Leia replied.

 " I'm sorry." he apologized and his fists balled.

" You are sorry?" Leia asked with a raised brow and her eyes fell on his fists.

" I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." He added and looked at her, unclenching his fists.

" It wasn't your fault..." She said and proceeded to touch him, but stopped halfway. 

" You were my best friend and I promised to..."

" And I'm sure that I'm alright. Whatever happened was none of your faults." She interrupted and he gave a faint smile.

" I'm just happy you are ok." He informed her and proceeded to embrace her, but she instinctively moved back a bit. 

" I don't feel too well, my ribs hurt." Leia lied to defend herself.

" I'm sorry I did not know." Charles apologized and his eyes fell on her waist.

" Nah, it's fine," Leia responded with a wave of her hand and a beaming smile.

" At first I thought you were dead, Emily. I came to the hospital, but you were unconscious. I probably thought my best friend will stay that way, for a very long time. I was bittered and I regret not telling you what I felt, how I felt. I was relieved when your mom informed my mom that you were ok and back home. So I've decided to tell you what I have been afraid to say to you, all these years we stayed together." He said and swallowed hard. " There is something I want to tell you, Emily." He informed her.

Leia stood there staring at him with a puzzled look. Her gut feeling told her she wasn't going to like it but she decided to ask while hanging on a thread of hope. " Which is?" She asked and kept her fingers crossed.

" I love you, Emily Wills."