Chapter 4: The Search for Maria

Maria's sudden disappearance cast a shadow over the village of Calamba.

The once-joyful celebration had turned into a night of uncertainty and worry.

nAdres, Maria's loyal friend, felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as he realized that Maria had ventured into the unknown.

The villagers awoke the next morning to a village in turmoil.

Gossip and speculation filled the air, and concern for Maria's well-being weighed heavily on their hearts.

The disappearance of the guardian spirit had left them feeling vulnerable, as if a piece of their world had been taken away.

Andres, determined to find Maria and bring her back, rallied a group of villagers to form a search party.

They gathered near the ancient acacia tree, their faces filled with determination and hope.

Among them were Maria's closest friends and those who had witnessed her encounter with the foreigners.

Lola Pilar, the village elder, offered her guidance.

"We must search the mountain," she said, her voice filled with wisdom.

"Maria may have ventured into the forest, seeking answers or solitude. We must find her before any harm befalls her."

With that, the search party set off, following the same paths that Andres and Maria had taken the night of the celebration.

They ventured deeper into the forest, guided by their love for Maria and their unwavering commitment to the guardian spirit.

As they journeyed through the dense foliage, the forest seemed to come alive with whispers.

Birds sang songs of hope, and the leaves rustled in acknowledgment of their presence.

The mountain, it seemed, was aware of their quest.

The search party encountered signs of Maria's passage—fragments of the necklace Daniel had gifted her and the faint scent of sampaguita flowers.

Each clue brought them closer to their elusive guardian, and their determination only grew stronger.

As the day wore on, they arrived at a clearing bathed in soft sunlight.

There, they found a trace of Maria's presence—a small fire pit and a simple offering of rice and sampaguita flowers. It was clear that Maria had rested there, seeking solace in the embrace of the mountain.

Andres knelt beside the fire pit, his heart heavy with worry.

"Maria," he whispered,

"We will find you, wherever you are. You are the guardian of this land, and we cannot bear to see you lost to us."

The search party pressed on, their footsteps echoing through the forest as they followed the winding trails.

They called out Maria's name, their voices carrying through the trees, but there was no response.

As night fell, they gathered beneath the ancient acacia tree once more, their faces etched with exhaustion and concern.

Lola Pilar spoke, her voice filled with wisdom and comfort.

"We will continue our search," she assured them,

"For Maria and for the land she protects. She may be lost, but we have not lost hope."

The days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of Maria.

The villagers continued their search, determined to bring her back to the village and restore the balance that had been disrupted by her absence.

Andres, fueled by his unwavering friendship and love for Maria, refused to give up.

He spent hours in solitude, seeking guidance from the mountain itself, hoping that the guardian spirit would hear his plea and return to her rightful place.