CHAPTER ONE

A strange girl arrives during a thunderstorm at the Ochoa's farm. What part will she play in the family? Will the wishmakers be revealed? Whose wish will be fulfilled?

“Come here quickly!”, a hoarse voice was heard over the howling winds. The thunderstorm had started early morning, and as the day wore on, the torrential rain showed no signs of letting up.

Although their precious blooms and other plants were safe in the plant nurseries and greenhouse, Mang Arturo feared for his own garden and the plants that lined up at the entrance of their store. He could do nothing for his garden but he still wanted to salvage the small palms and bay trees that were only a few weeks old. His voice competed with the thunder and the wind as he directed his sons to bring the houseplants on the covered front porch.

The two brothers scrambled up the walkway that led from their house, passing their store's covered porch and on outside the gates. They were carrying a pot on each hand, trying not to lose their balance as the waters started to rise and the floor became slippery. Manuel, the elder of the two, was stronger than his nineteen year old brother, Kiel. He was already on his fifth trip to the entrance of the shop when he saw her.

At first, he thought it was a boy that he saw because of the cropped hair, but her red pullover which was soaked traced the outline of her thin body. She had her back towards him and he saw that she was standing still as the floodwaters reached her ankles. Before he could shout at the girl to take cover, Kiel came running toward her.

“Hey”, he called out as he ran, he squintetd but the rainwater stung his eyes and he had to wipe his hands over them. She still remained immovable, she was clutching a green duffel bag tightly with both of her hands.

Kiel reached his hand out to touch her elbow, “Hey, are you OK?”

She slowly turned towards him, he couldn't tell if she was crying but her eyes were swollen and red.

“I-”, she opened her mouth, in an instant the duffel bag fell to the ground and Kiel found her falling towards him as her knees buckled.

“Hey!”, he was now kneeling down trying to support the unconscious girl, “Manuel! Help me, she's fainted!”

Manuel realized that he had stood transfixed by what he saw and started to toward his brother. Not minding the mud and water that seeped into his jeans, his strides were long and his pace fast. Kiel was trying to shake the girl into consciousness. When he looked up, he saw his brother take the girl from his arms and carry her.

“Go get her things”, Manuel barked, surprised that the girl was lighter than he thought. He walked slowly to avoid tripping. Kiel was right behind him with the duffel bag, both brothers had the same questions running through their heads – What was she doing in place like this? At a time like this? And who is she?

Mang: address of respect to older males