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By 2025, I was seventeen and Bernadeth was ten. She had grown into a very curious girl who loved researching our family history. One rainy Saturday afternoon, while Mommy Brenda and Papa Franz were out, she dragged me up to the attic.
Kuya, tara! May treasure tayong hahanapin! she said excitedly, pulling my hand.
After moving some old boxes, she found a small wooden chest hidden deep behind old clothes. Inside was a very old, leather-bound book wrapped in faded cloth. When I opened it, the pages were brittle and yellow with age. On page 33 were handwritten words in old Tagalog, along with the complete “Susi” poem.
Kuya, ano ‘to? Parang magic book! Bernadeth’s eyes widened in wonder.
I felt a cold chill. This was not the book Mommy Brenda and Papa Franz had burned years ago. That one was only a duplicate copy,. This was the real, complete original curse book that Lola Luisa had secretly protected and hidden for decades after Herminia stole it from Ricardo Sr.
That evening, when our parents came home, Bernadeth excitedly showed them the discovery. Mommy Brenda turned pale. Papa Franz became very quiet. They sat us down and explained everything clearly for the first time.
Brenda:
The book we burned before Bernadeth was born was only a duplicate copy. Mommy Brenda said softly.
Franz:
Lola Luisa hid the real one. She wanted to protect future generations — especially you, Bernadeth. Papa Franz added, his voice heavy.
Bernadeth:
Kaya pala may something sa pamilya natin. Kuya Josh, tutulungan mo ba ako hanapin ang buong kwento? Bernadeth looked at us with big, determined eyes.
Josh:
Oo, Bebe. Tutulungan kita. Pero mag-ingat tayo. ‘Yung libro na ‘to… may malalim na kwento. I nodded.
As I lay in bed that night, I realized the quiet years were truly over. The real hidden book had been found. The past was calling again. And this time, it was my brave little sister who was leading us toward the full truth. → story continues in Chapter 6 Live on August 23!
Some secrets refuse to stay buried. They wait patiently until the right hands, sometimes the small, curious hands of a child, finally open the door. Tonight, Bernadeth opened that door. And nothing will ever be the same again.
— Josh
Updated August 21, 2026 from original written date August 3, 2020.
