A pregnant woman named Estella recounts her experience of moving to her boyfriend Fidel's province to live with his mother, Sonya. Upon arrival, Estella meets an old man who appears to be a ghost and is hostile towards her. Fidel and Sonya try to protect Estella from the ghost, and a tense confrontation ensues. The ghost is eventually injured and flees.
The story then shifts to Estella's cousin, Benjo, who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Benjo recounts his childhood experiences with ghosts and how he developed his abilities. He also shares the story of his father, a doctor who was killed by a ghost.
Benjo's story is interwoven with Estella's, and the two narratives eventually converge. Benjo helps Estella and Fidel deal with the ghost that has been haunting them, and they are eventually able to find peace.
The story also includes a subplot involving a character named Ding, who is an antingero (a type of Filipino mystic). Ding is searching for a powerful artifact called the Pearl of the Heart, and he must navigate a series of challenges and adversaries to obtain it.
Throughout the story, there are themes of family, love, and the supernatural. The narrative is driven by a sense of tension and suspense, as the characters navigate the dangers of the spirit world. Ultimately, the story suggests that with courage, love, and determination, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Estella de Jesus got pregnant in college and her parents kicked her out.
2. Her boyfriend, Fidel, stood by her and took care of her.
3. Fidel took Estella to his province to live with his parents.
4. Estella met Fidel's mother, Mother Sonya, who was waiting for them at the waiting shed.
5. Mother Sonya warned Estella not to leave the house until she returned from buying salt.
6. Estella saw an old man who seemed to be a ghost, and Mother Sonya hid her behind her back.
7. The old man claimed he was looking for horseradish, but Estella was skeptical.
8. Fidel and Estella returned to Manila two years later and were reunited with Estella's parents.
9. Estella and Fidel are now saving for their wedding.
10. Estella's cousin, Benjo, has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts.
11. Benjo's father was a doctor who helped people with spiritual problems.
12. Benjo's father died after being weakened by a patient who was bewitched.
13. Benjo inherited his father's notebook and charms and became specialized in secret wisdom.
14. Benjo met a man named Henry who was suffering from cancer and was being haunted by a ghost.
15. Benjo helped Henry and his wife by performing a ritual to cleanse their house of the ghost.
16. Henry's wife was praying for a child, and Benjo suspected that the ghost was trying to prevent them from having a child.
17. Benjo discovered that the ghost was the spirit of a man who had been murdered by Henry.
18. Benjo confronted Henry about his past and the ghost's presence.
19. Henry confessed to the murder and Benjo helped him to make amends with the ghost.
20. Benjo's cousin, Fidel, came to visit him and told him about his experiences with ghosts in the province.
21. Benjo helped Fidel and his family to deal with the ghosts that were haunting them.
22. Benjo's friend, Ding, is also an antingero (a type of Filipino spiritual healer) and has a wife named Anna who is pregnant.
23. Ding and Anna are being haunted by a ghost, and Benjo offers to help them.
24. Benjo goes to the mountains to gather gems and meets a friend who is also an antingero.
25. Benjo's friend is trying to get a pearl that is said to have healing properties.
26. Benjo's friend is killed by a rival, and Benjo is left to continue the quest for the pearl.
27. Benjo meets a mysterious figure who claims to be the keeper of the pearl and offers to guide him.
28. Benjo is challenged to prove himself worthy of the pearl and passes the test.
29. Benjo returns to civilization and reflects on his experiences and the tests of his abilities.
30. Benjo knows that this is not the last battle and that there will be more challenges ahead.