Enigma │Pt. 14: TDSATVW
"I-Its you," Mavis says as Abi chokes her.
"You deserved to die!" exclaimed Abi.
Mavis used all of her remaining strength to push Abi away. Abi hit her head on the car door and lost her consciousness. In her frail state, she attempted to flee the person who wanted to kill her.
She had arrived at her safe haven, her home. Lock the doors and windows to keep herself safe. She cried out in pain, both physically and mentally.
"Abi was right, I deserve to die; I lived longer than a normal person, and I continue to blend in with everyone, even though I know I'm different. ***I'm speaking in riddles that no one understands.*** "
She cried even more. The only person that she thought is the same as her is nowhere to rescue her, the Direwolf Sorcerer.
"Maybe he's already forgotten about me..."
She grabbed her pen and wrote:
`Dearest no one,`
`I'm at a loss for words these days. I thought I could put up with being human. Even though I knew I didn't belong there, I tried to blend in with the people around me because he was there.`
`I thought we were on the same page until I became overly dramatic in his eyes. I dashed to this location in the hopes of finding a glimmer of hope even though I was dying, but no such glimmer of hope was found.`
`I tried to explain myself, but no one understood me. That is the truth.`
`Perhaps I'll go back to my previous life, where I was lethargic, lazy, mysterious, and lifeless. Maybe I'm going to close my doors again. Keeping everyone away from my core, and I'm locking this little girl in her chamber again.`
`At the very least, no one is being harmed by her. Only herself."`
`—Mavis`
She collapsed onto the floor and died.
Storm of War [RRFB]
My husband and I have been married for quite some time. We barely see each other once a month when we're dating since we have each other's duties to deal with. After a year, we grew fed up of our setup and we finally decided to get married and live together like husband and wife.
It's the happiest time of my life at first. Every day, we have to enjoy everything together. We woke up in each other's arms, drank coffee together, cooked and ate together, brushed our teeth together, and so on. They are right; you only get to know someone well when you live under the same roof.
We thought we were on the same page. We thought we had the same interests and tastes in everything, but we didn't. As it turned out, we clashed. We fought almost every day. We're like the sun and moon pressing against one other, as if we both want to set at the same time. I felt useless in my own home, to the point where I no longer consider it a home.
We're in the same small bed, yet it feels big enough for both of us. We used to be hundreds of miles apart and made up instantly when we fought, but now we're only a half-meter apart, yet it feels like a thousand miles.
Thursday Blues worsen. Not just every Thursday, but every day. I can't function effectively at work or in life, to the point that I cry when working, walking, washing clothes, the only home thing I'm good at, or when I woke up suddenly at dawn. I felt insufficient, ignored, and unworthy.
The home we built is no longer felt like home. It seemed like a battleground with two persons at the center not giving up until they showed their own point of views and wrapped up if it was accepted by the other. It's tiring and draining.
Rereading his letters he wrote for me when we were apart every Thursday made me realize the sudden change. He had written down a list of reminders before on how to care for me, but it seems that he has already forgotten everything. Now I'm wondering what made him stop courting me after promising that he wouldn't stop till we were old and grey. Maybe I'm no longer attractive in his eyes. Maybe he realized I wasn't the woman he thought I was.
I'm always looking for the man I used to love, but I have no idea how he felt. How I'm making it difficult for him to survive, although I'm the one on whom he should rely. Without asking if he's happy living in the place I live for over eight years. I had no idea he was still adjusting since this is a new world for him.
I thought he was the one who was self-centered, but the truth is that I am. I am the problem. I didn't understand he was still doing his best to take care of me, even though he was worn out. It's not like I didn't appreciate everything he did; I'm simply hoping for the type of love he has shown me in the past.
But everything is different now. We're not simply dating anymore. I need to be more mature and think outside the box rather than expecting a fairytale-like life that only exists in literary fiction.
Right now, everything seems to be nicely in line. We're gradually fixing our relationship and mending our shattered home. Avoiding another tempest of war and just loving and holding each other's hands at night.
Leaving our comfort zone is quite challenging. Adjusting is hard, but if you truly love the person, you will go to great lengths to make things work. Despite all of that, he is the man I want to be with.
Still hoping for a rainbow after the storm.
Heyow!
I haven't written an edition of this series in seven months because I don't know what to write next. Hehe. Anyway, I'm just dropping by to say thanks for reading my paradoxical article. Take care!
Panganay Things [Firstling Things]
Some insist that the eldest child is the luckiest of all the children a parent can have. Because it is their first child, parents are extra sensitive and cautious. They tend to pay more attention to them and teach them everything they know. But being the family's eldest child carries a lot of weight. That child must be patient, and calm in stressful situations.
***Panganays or eldests*** are usually responsible, people pleasers, perfectionists, the leader, bossy, stubborn, goal oriented, fighter, emphatic, observant, and independent. They have to be that way because they are expected to take on more responsibility at such a young age.
As a result, the mental health of every *Panganay* suffers. Their lives are stressful because their parents expect their firstborn to lead the family when they are unable to do so. It's as if they're forming a third parent for the family. A parent to the children they did not bear.
Despite this, there are some "privileges" to being the eldest. I know this because I am *Panganay* too. Here are some examples based on my own experiences:
*1. More popular among parents' old friends*
We have lots of photos in the album of different people carrying me when I was a kid. It's as though I'm everyone's baby that time. And when I encountered those people as I grew older, they told me different stories about me and were surprised that it felt like yesterday when they carried me in their arms and now they've seen me as a grown-up.
That's a little awkward, but it's nice to hear how much they adored you as a child.
*2.* *The first to make a selection*
I'm also the eldest child not just in my family, but also among my cousins. So, every time we have a family gathering, I'm the first one to get the food and choose my chosen size of the delicacies.
When it comes to my sister, however, when my parents ask me to choose between two options, I always choose the one that my sister does not want to make her happy because I have spent my entire life making the greatest choice.
3. *Experienced everything firsthand*
I'm the first to learn everything. I was also got to meet my grandfather on my father's side before he died, rather than my sister. I was able to enjoy my parents' birthdays and anniversaries before my sister. Those boosted my ego and vanity because I knew something my sister didn't.
4. *The Superhero*
*"I can bully my sister all I want, but you can't"*. I know I always pick fights with my sister. She is, after all, obstinate. When she doesn't follow my rules, we erupt like two stars colliding. However, I am the only one who can do that; if someone else planned to, say your prayers.
I was in fifth grade when my sister started pre-school at the same school as mine, so I would always go to her classroom and pick her up and hold her like I was her parent as we went home.
Someone bullied my sister when she was in first grade and I was in sixth grade, my final year at that school. So I went to her classroom to pick her up and find the person who was bullying her. I spoke with the kid and told him that I was going to call his mother and the principal to have him expelled from school. He listened and stopped bullying my sister.
That was the first time I felt like an adult. Since that day until now, whenever my sister is in trouble, I've always been there to help her.
5. *In-charge when parents aren't home*
*"The younger ones had to listen to you."* You could pretty much make them do whatever you wanted because you were the oldest in the house. You don't have to get up from the couch to get snacks; ask the younger ones to do it for you. Eldest privileges. *wink*
6. *The Standard and Role model*
Some might think of eldest child as a guinea pig, an experimental instrument to see if whatever decision we make would lead to a great outcome that our younger siblings will follow, or the other way around.
However, you will get to try more things before your siblings. You are the coolest child ever because you are the one they look up to; they may be jealous of you, but even if they don't acknowledge it, you are their idol. So, if you want to be the responsible eldest among your siblings, consider what you show them.
7. *You convince them that anything you say is true*
Most Panganays are independent in different ways; in my case, my parents allow me do whatever I want and when I fail, they let me fix the problem on my own to teach me to be cautious of any decisions I make.
As a result, my younger sister believes and considers what I will say if I am already in such situation.
8. *You are aware of what is going on without having to ask everyone in the house*
Panganays are more observant than others because caring for your younger sibling gave you a parental instinct. My sister is barely six years old and I am only ten when my parents let me to care of her at school, so I am aware that someone or something could harm us so I must be more vigilant.
Because of those situations, I learnt to be more aware of not only danger but also of people's body language. So, even if my parents didn't tell us what was wrong, I already knew.
9. *Your decision is important in your parents eyes*
Since my parents allow me to make decisions for myself, and not to brag, 9 out of 10 decisions I made had an advantageous effect, so when my parents had to make a huge decision, they will always ask for my opinions and take them into consideration.
Of course, it feels good that my voice is being heard. I'm grateful to my parents for raising me in this manner; it's just that the world became increasingly cruel to me as I grew older.
10. *When your siblings are afraid to tell your parents, they will seek your advice*
My dad is in the military when I was in college and my sister was in highschool, therefore my sister is kinda scared of him when she asks for permission. Isn't it easier to stroll up to your elder sister and ask that she tell your parents what you're implying?
Also, it's easier to share your secrets to someone closer to your age, which is why my sister tells me most of hers. Some Panganays use such secrets to blackmail their younger siblings in order to get what they want; I admit, I do it too; sometimes she gets angry because she doesn't understand why I do it, but she's unaware that it's for her own benefit.
Heyow!
I don't know what to what to write anymore, yet this sticks with me. As the eldest child of my parents, I have spent the most of my life whining about my circumstances.
But last Saturday, my father came over and invited me out to lunch. We chatted about life there, and he made me understand how fortunate I am to be their eldest child. After all, it's not always miserable.
Shopee Finds (Home Organizer & Essentials)
Hello, everyone! It's Monday, which means it's time to write a new article. And, because I've purchased so many essential items online, I'd like to share this with you if you're looking for an honest review on the products mentioned in this article.
I'll also include the links and prices for each item so you know if you want to add them to your cart. So, without further ado, let's start.
***1.*** *****Portable Camping Stove*****
Product link: **https://shp.ee/8yxa6xy**
This is the most cost-effective purchase I've ever made. However, because there is no free butane gas, you must buy your own. This product is not tricky to use. Simply place your butane gas in the proper position, then press the "lock" toggle, and you're done! You can easily control how low or high the fire is.
When you're finished cooking, turn off the burner control and the lock toggle will automatically unlock, preventing the gas from evaporating, becoming unsafe and a waste of butane gas. The cost of this item, including delivery fee, is only ***350 pesos*** ($6.41).
2. *****Butane Gas*****
Product link: **https://shp.ee/26p4e2y**
This is the cheapest one we could find online. This item costs only ***250 pesos*** ($4.58), including delivery. Although, you should take precautions when purchasing this type of product. Some people reuse butane cannisters and refill them with unsafe gas.
Fortunately, this shop never lets us down; they always put the right amount in each cannister. Four butanes last us more than three weeks in our usage, saving us a dollar. A great deal!
3. *****DIY Four Layer Bookshelf*****
Product link: **https://shp.ee/v72xg78**
This is an excellent product. I once used it to hold my books, and when I moved into a new apartment, I used it to secure my clothes. It's not as flimsy as it would seem. It has aluminum rods in every corner and at the bottom of each layer to ensure the safety of whatever you put there.
Also it is aesthetically pleasing and it blends in the pure white walls of our apartment. This item costs only ***256 pesos*** ($4.69), including the discounted delivery fee.
4. *****Rotating Flat Mop*****
Product link: **https://shp.ee/xnu2wug**
This mop, I confidently tell you, is absolutely necessary, and it costs only ***72 pesos*** ($1.32). We're not sure if the dirt is completely gone after we sweep the floor, so we're still wiping it down with a damp cloth and seeing some dirt. We didn't want that because we sometimes like to sit on the floor, so we bought this instead.
This is very convenient because it has a long handle and a slide groove system to create a strong squeezing force without requiring you to squeeze the cloth with your bare hands. It's unsanitary.
5. *****Mop Replacement Cloth*****
Product link: **https://shp.ee/xnu2wug**
If you already have a flat mop, you can purchase this replacement cloth if the one that came with it is worn out. This cloth costs only ***15 pesos*** ($0.27) per piece.
Heyow!
I hope this article has provided you with the information you need to purchase a legit product online. Next time, I'll share some of my recent purchases, so stay tuned!
Snow on the Beach [RRFB]
We met a few moons ago while I was walking in the dark with an Aurora Borealis as my light. It's still dark, but there's a ray of hope shining through. I noticed you standing on the edge of a cliff, measuring how high it is.
Life is emotionally abusive. Your mind tells you to jump, but your heart tells you it's too dangerous. I called you, grabbed your hand, and dragged you away from the cliff. It's a close call from a grim ripper.
Together, everything is perfect and happy. Barefoot and comfortable walking under the Northern Lights. We had been talking like old friends away from each other for years when we unexpectedly met.
But suddenly, a loud rumbling thunder like a scream of a battle, which is one of my greatest fears, interrupts our silly laughter and smiles. We run as fast as we can to avoid being struck by lightning. The grim ripper is once again behind the lightning that struck us inch by inch. That caused us to trip in an open field.
We've been wounded, and it's a very excruciating one. We cried, screamed, and groaned in agonizing pain, but we still tried to get to a nearby cave to rest for a while.
We're both cold, hungry, and hurt, but I see you smiling as if it's the best thing that could have happened to us. We cleaned each other's mistakes and tried to find something beautiful again.
We walked slowly, fell slowly, and made the most of every moment together. Is it a bit fast? We've only just met, but you've already told me you love me. It's completely wrong, but it feels so right. I don't know when, where, or how, but I'm falling too and am hiding it from you like a gift in a clenched palm.
We noticed a shore from a distance. It's called the Dead Sea, but it's as clear and beautiful as it's always been. However, before we get there, we must walk on the salt pearls. But we're still healing from the wounds we got. You tried your hardest to see if the pain was bearable. It stings, but it's tolerable.
As we get closer to the shore, it becomes more difficult and agonizing. We wanted to give up because the saltiness of the pearls was penetrating our wounds. We cried and whined about the difficult journey, but we kept going to the dead but heaven-like sea.
Finally, we arrived at the beach. We're the happiest people on the planet. There, we build our dreams together. We didn't realize it was already winter. We stare at the snow flakes falling into the beach, with your hands all over me. As if everything is falling into place. It's weird, but it's f^cking beautiful.
I took your hand in mine and began to open my clenched palm. I know we'll face difficulties; it's inevitable, but keep in mind that this palm will never close again, and I'll do my best to hold you forever.
**You guys!** https://read.cash/@KirstenCassandra/im-bejeweled-with-a-lavender-haze-tracks-1-9-2c323201#you-guys
***Snow on the Beach*** is one of my lover's favorite songs in ***Midnights***, so I created a narrative about him out of it. I'm hoping he loves it when he reads it.
Anyway, I hope you appreciate the plethora of metaphors in this article. Have a great day, you! Au revoir.
Ninong Ry Cooks for Persons Deprived of Liberty (NACOCOW 2022)
My three bosses all took a leave of absence at the same time, so I'm alone in the office today. I also don't have any tasks for today, so I'll just answer phone calls and nothing else. So I decided to open my phone's YouTube app and started watching cooking vlogs of Ninong Ry. I'm a fan since, I think 2021. I was intrigued by the title, *"Ninong Ry nagluto sa preso,"* and thought, "This is interesting.", It was uploaded on October 25, 2022. I sat back and watched it once it loaded.
*Ninong Ry* was invited to cook for the inmates by one of the advocates, *Ms. Karen Bordador* for the ***National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW)*** that takes place in city jails. The observance is mandated by Proclamation 551 issued by then-President Fidel Ramos that declares every last week of October.
I'm glad there's a program like this for them to improve their well-being and foster better relationships with BJMP personnel. According to the program, there will be a sports festival for inmates, a medical and dental mission, free legal consultations, a comedy and talent show, inmate rights orientation, bloodletting, and other activities.
I noticed in the first part of the video that they allotted 24 hours to roast the 70 kilos of chicken, prepare the ingredients, tenderize the 82 kilos of beef, and prepare the hygiene kits for 350 people. That's a lot of people!
*Ninong Ry* and his team arrived at the San Juan City Jail. The authorities led them to the spacious kitchen. There are also staff in that kitchen who are also detained there. They also mentioned that a cook in prison can only serve three years. I'm not sure if they get paid for doing the job, but I hope so.
Those cooks are skilled enough and easy to instruct to help Ninong Ry with the preparation of the Caldereta sauce and the blanching of the Bean Sprout. They're also a huge help in determining whether what they cook is enough for 350 people. Another thing I noticed was Ninong Ry's quick thinking in creating a procedure for packing and distributing the food packs. The system is smooth as planned and not chaotic.
When they were finished, they distributed the food packs. That made my heart melt. I literally burst into tears when I saw everyone smiling and constantly thanking the team. Some people are very old, some are very young, and some are disabled (PWDs). I could feel the scorching heat of that jail just by looking at it on the screen. There are four triple bunk beds, and I believe there are between 30 and 60 people in one room. I can't imagine how they deal with it on a regular basis.
At the end of the video, I learned that there is an authorized person in a private sector called a *Restorative Justice Program Officer* who is in charge of the healing between the detainee and the victim of the crime. He serves as a go-between for the detainee and the victim in order to reconcile their broken relationship and move forward.
In addition, there are three types of prisons. I don't know exactly what it's called, but I do the best I can. The first is detention for those under investigation, the second is the city jail for those awaiting or undergoing trial and sentenced three years and below, and the third is correctional for those awaiting final judgment.
They stated that detainees in City Jail with sentences of three years or less are not well applied, and that these people may sometimes extend their time inside the jail because of an array of causes. The main reason could be that the detainee is poor and cannot afford to hire a private attorney to fix their papers and to coordinate on their behalf. Second, due to the limited number of judges in the Philippines, the judge were unable to attend the hearing sometimes, causing the detainees' release to be delayed, causing the jail to become highly populated.
I can't get one thing out of my head. It is the ***Plea Bargaining***. This is the negotiation of a deal between a prosecutor and a defendant in which the defendant agrees to **plead guilty** to a **lesser charge**. We are all aware that there are innocent people incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Instead of standing firm for the truth, they are admitting the accusations in order to reduce the sentence and move the case forward which is sad.
I'm at a loss for words right now. I'd like to thank Ninong Ry for doing this, even though he didn't know me and won't be able to see this article. This is no ordinary act of kindness; it is a momentous one! He showed me that there is a world beyond what we see on TV and the internet. I truly wish the best for those people and hope that one day the Philippines' justice system will improve and the government will focus on what is truly important.
Lead image from: **Ninong Ry** https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQrjgLj841wiQAKDgtKFOw
I'm a Ghost [RRFB]
A few months ago, I was experiencing mental overload. I tend to over-socialize even online. I responded to every message that popped in my notifications. Being interactive with other people is really tough for an introvert like me. I have to talk to people I don't know or barely know. I'm exhausted every time I have to mirror their energy. It's as if I'm draining and slowly melting away, like a candle.
I thought I just needed three or four days off, so I isolated myself and talked to no one but my lover, but I'm still tired even though I just woke up. Every day and night, I cry for no apparent cause. I felt like I was trapped in a box, making no progress, repeating my daily routine.
I'm not sure if this is just "Birthday Blues," as if I want to cancel my birthday this year. I deactivated my social media accounts and pretended to be invisible, not to attract attention, but the other way around.
My birthday came after months of being beaten down, and I got to spend it with people who actually remember my special day even though I didn't want to celebrate it. They prepared a feast for me. I felt very loved. I felt that I was important. That day brought me so much joy, especially when my lover got the best opportunity he prayed for.
By distancing myself from the virtual environment, I realized who will remember me when I'm no longer here. Who will look for me if I go missing? Who will continue to reach out and seek me out even if I am not responding or haven't seen them in a long time? I know now.
My depression ignited much more after my birthday. Everything seemed so black to me. They reached out and want to help me, but I don't know what my problem is. I isolated myself from everyone again. I hardly ever speak to them, even to my parents.
I got the opportunity to move out of our rented apartment a few weeks later, so I took it. I don't want to leave my friends in our apartment, who are like sisters to me, because I love them, but I have to, for my own peace of mind and so that I am no longer a burden to them. I felt at ease when I moved into a new home. Everything seems to be at peace. It's as if this is my own world away from everyone and everything.
Yes, **I've turned myself into a ghost**. I'm not going out with my friends as much as I used to. I'm going to bed early now. Recently, I rarely held my phone. I forgot about all the attention and spent most of my time with myself, assessing myself, getting to know her better, and healing what was broken inside with the help of God, and my supportive lover.
So that when the time comes, I may be as positive and at peace as before. I must admit that I'm growing in private; I've kept my small victories to myself since I believe that what people don't know can't be ruined.
Heyow!
I was feeling incredibly sleepy right now. The breakfast that Bub made and packed for me is amazingly relaxing (Thank you, bub!). Maybe it's time for some coffee now. By the way, if you've made it this far in my article, I'd like to thank you. This means a lot. Take care, you!
Mind Split or Reality? [RRFB]
"Eloise, how are you feeling, dear?" granny asked.
"I-I'm fine, granny. Where's everyone?" I asked, waking up in a hospital emergency room and seeing that granny was the only one with me.
"They're with your grandfather at room 308; his hypertension is acting up and he collapsed, but he's fine now," granny responded. "Here, I brought you some pudding, I made it for you," she said as she handed me the box of pudding she had made with a sweet smile on her face.
"Thank you very much, granny," I said as I ate the delicious pudding and took another nap because my head was boggling.
*"What a great fantasy... Are you enjoying it? Creating unreal scenarios in your head because all of the people you love left you... You are unloved... You are sad and alone..."*
"Argh! Stop it! You're not real! Get out of my head, get out!" I groaned in my sleep.
"Ms. Clarke? Ms. Clarke!" told the attending nurse.
"Stop! They're real!" I yelled.
I ran as fast as I could to the room where my grandmother said everyone was. When I opened the door, however, there was no one in the room. I looked around, even in the bathroom, but no one was there.
"Where are they? My granny said they were here. Mom? Granny? Gramps? Come on guys! It's not funny."
"Stop it. You've been doing it every year since that day. You didn't mean it. It was an accident. Forgive yourself, Eloise," my dad said after chasing me. He encased me in his arms.
"What do you mean, dad? They're here, and Granny even made me a box of pudding. They're really good..." I sobbed.
"I'm sorry I don't have time for you; it's my fault you feel that way."
"Dad, I'm confused; what do you mean? Stop pranking me."
"Do you remember what happened? You've been suffering from schizophrenia since you and your grandfather were in an accident; you drove the car while your grandfather was in the passenger seat, you lost your car break, and crashed in an abandoned house. Before he died, he gave you this music box as a symbol of your grandparents' love," Dad explained. "It's not your fault, nor is your mother's death; none of it is your fault; it was destined to happen."
"No... No. This can't be happening. The pudding. My mom, granny, gramps... Nurse Albert, he called me..." I wailed like a newborn child as my father held me like he used to hold me when I was a child.
**Eight years later**, My health improved greatly. I do what my psychiatrist tells me to do. I went through therapies and took the prescribed medications. I also ate healthily and avoided stressful situations.
I've returned to New York, not to do the things I've done a dozen times before, but to see my dad. I'm grateful to have the best support system imaginable.
I went to the cab lane after grabbing my luggage from the conveyor belt.
"Excuse me, Miss. You've got the wrong luggage," said a familiar voice from somewhere I can't recall.
When I turned to face him, I witnessed a handsome man in a doctor's coat. I was taken aback. My mouth didn't say anything. I just noticed his name embroidered on his coat, Dr. Albert N. Parker, M. D., Ph. D.
Heyow!
This is the second and final installment of the open-ended story I wrote yesterday. I was browsing Facebook on my phone when I came across an old colleague who had previously suffered from Schizophrenia. She inspired me to continue Eloise's story so that others could understand how difficult life can be for people like them. https://read.cash/@KirstenCassandra/the-music-box-rrfb-9c524546
Some people in the same situation are stereotyped and labeled as crazy, mad and insane, but this is not something that can be laughed at. It's a condition that requires a lot of patients, attention, love, and support.
I wish that everyone could be more aware of such important things like mental health, and we should be kind to everyone, because we are all fighting a silent battle that we don't talk about.
The Music Box [RRFB]
The phone rings.
"Hello?" I said as I picked up the phone.
"Is this Ms. Eloise Clarke?" asked the person on the other end of the line.
"Who's this?" I wondered out loud.
"This is Nurse Albert Parker of Brooklyn Medical Hospital, I hate to say this but your grandfather, Mr. Teddy Clarke, is admitted here and is in a coma."
"W-What?"
I was so shocked that I forgot to ask the person on the other end of the line what had happened to Gramps. I was shocked. I don't know how my grandfather ended up like that. I just talked to him on the phone yesterday while he was rebuilding my childhood treehouse, and now he's in a coma?
I packed my stuff and booked a flight to New York. Fortunately, there is a flight available tonight at 8:00 p.m., and I am already at the hospital at 2:00 a.m. if my flight is not delayed due to the snowstorm.
Riding in an Uber kinda reminds me of my childhood. Every Sunday, my dad dropped me off at my grandfather's house, my mom's dad. My grandmother and mother died on the same day when I was born, so I never met them.
My Granny died in an accident. She went to a bank, which was robbed, and she was gunned down as a hostage. My mom was shocked when she saw the news that cause her water broke. She gave birth to me and then died after she saw me wailing in her chest.
Gramps raised me as a child after what happened because my dad is always busy. It seems that he blames me for my mother's death but did not say so straight to me. Despite this, Gramps loved me as if I were his own child. He has always been there for me throughout my life. He always tells me stories about his teenage years, about being chased by pretty girls, but my Granny is different from all of them. She's feisty like a lioness but really smart.
He was always swooning over Granny, even though he was old and hadn't seen her in years. He described her as the most beautiful woman he's ever met, the best cook, the best mother and wife, the most genuine, caring, and the most loving person.
People's lives are indeed short. It is not calculated by a person's age. Some say, "You're young, and you've got a long way to go in life," but I totally disagree. A person can die as a baby, as a teenager, in their 30s or 50s. You're lucky to have reached 65 without suffering from arthritis, diabetes, or, worst, cancer.
At a young age, I realized that money and intelligence cannot save you from death. You could lose your life with the snap of a finger. You'll never be able to get away from that. It's not a ride in a theme park where you can pay Him to live longer. That is not how it works. So, if you woke up this morning, savor it. Be thankful. That is not something that everyone can have.
*“Ladies and gentlemen, NLBN Airlines welcomes you to New York City. The local time is 1:08 a.m. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle(s) clear until we are parked at the gate...”*
The announcement on the plane interrupts my thoughts. Finally, I'm home. I called a cab and told the driver to take me to the hospital as quickly as possible, which he did. I dashed to the hospital's reception to look for the ICU.
I saw my loving Gramps lying there with bruises all over his body and a head bandage.
"Ms. Clarke?" someone behind me asks.
"Can you tell me what happened to my grandfather?" I asked the doctor.
"He lost his brakes and crashed into an abandoned house. Because he has large blood clots, we must perform Craniotomy surgery. We need to make a hole in his skull to get to his brain and repair the damage. He is now in a coma due to a brain injury. So far, her vitals are fine, but we need to act quickly before it's too late," she answered.
I cried out of pain, despair, and regret. Why did I leave him to study abroad when I could just as easily study here?
"Here, Ms. Clarke, your grandfather was holding this music box in her hand when the ambulance arrived to rescue him," the doctor said as she handed me the small music box. "Please excuse me,"
I took it. It's vintage and lovely. It has a wood carving design and a gold cylinder with protruding pins that pluck the individual prongs of a gold comb to play music. I opened the lid and started spinning the gold cylinder. It has a delightful melody. I'm captivated by it, and I'm curious what it means for Gramps.
I closed the lid and realized I was no longer in the hospital room. I'm sitting in some kind of waiting room. Everyone is odd. They're dressed in vintage dress that I've only seen on silver screens in the 1960s. They looked at me as if I were the strange one out. I get to my feet and look around, surprised to see someone I recognize, my grandmother.
"Is there anything I can help you, Miss?" Granny said.
She is incredibly beautiful. I could spend an entire day staring at her face. Her hair is short and curly, and she has thick brows and eyelashes, as well as shiny hazel eyes, a pointed nose, and crimson lips. Her skin is flawless and light. She is 5'2" tall and has a slim body. No wonder Gramps is always swooning over her.
"M-Miss?"
"Oh, hi. Uhm. A-Are you Aurella Clarke?" I asked.
"Uhm. Do I know you, child?"
Suddenly, a gang of robbers stormed into the bank. Everyone panicked and the bad guys ordered everyone to get down on their knees. They ask the manager for the bank's money, but the manager refuses, so one of the robbers grabs my granny's hand, wraps his arm around her neck, and points a gun at her. Everyone screams.
I trembled and had no idea what to do. I sobbed. I begged them to let go of my grandmother. Instead, the robber aimed his gun at the ceiling and pulled the trigger. I pleaded even more and attempted to persuade the robber. Then my grandmother stomped on the robber's foot and tried to get away; when he was about to shoot my grandmother, I shielded her with my body and was shot.
I passed out in my grandmother's arms.
"Eloise? Eloise!!... She passed out! Teddy, I told you not to let her climb up that tree house again! My poor grandchild," Screams rang out.
When I opened my eyes, I saw everyone. My mom and granny, whom I've only seen in photographs, as well as my dad and gramps. I'm not sure how it happened. I'm not sure if I'm just dreaming, but it's a miracle. It's magic.
Heyow!
I saw a music box on Pinterest and immediately thought of a story to go with it. I hope I succeeded and you enjoyed it. It's an open-ended-story. You can write the ending and I'll be delighted to read it. Simply tag me if you do.
See you in my next post!
Edit:
Hey! I wrote a part 2. Check it out here. https://read.cash/@KirstenCassandra/mind-split-or-reality-rrfb-f8552cbf
Sa Piging [1887]
Tangan ang aking abaniko, marahan akong pumanaog sa aming *casa* kasama ang *mamá* upang magtungo sa bahay ng kapitan. Labag man sa aking kalooban ngunit sadyang mapilit ang aking *amiga*. Ayaw ko naman na magkaroon pa kami ng samaan ng loob dahil lang sa aking pagdadahilan.
Malayo pa lamang ay tanaw na namin ang nagliliwanag na tahanan ng kapitan, maingay ito, marahil sa dami ng taong imbitado sa piging na iyon. Umakyat na kami ng aking *mamá* at agad naman kaming sinalubong ni Sita. Naupo kami sa *sala de estar* habang hinihintay na tawagin ang lahat sa *mesas de comedor* upang simulan ang pagtitipon.
Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang masumpungan kong wala ang ginoong aking iniiwasan. Marahil ay abala ito kung kaya't hindi nakarating.
"Habang hinihintay na maisaayos ang *mesas de comedor*, nais kong humiling sa *unica hija* ng matalik kong kaibigan na handugan tayo ng isang awitin... Kung iyong mamarapatin, Kristina?" ani Kapitan Pedro.
"Sige na *hija*, pagbigyan mo na ang iyong tiyo." ani *mamá*.
Tumayo ako at naglakad papalapit sa lumang piyano sa gilid ng *sala de estar* at sinimulang ilapat ang aking mga daliri sa tiklado. Umawit ako ng pikit ang mga mata at buong damdamin, tahimik ang lahat at matimtimang nakikinig. Saliw ng piyano na tila iisang tinig.
Nang matapos ang awitin, tahimik ang lahat. Nakaramdam ako ng kaba, nag-aalala. Hindi ba maganda iyong aking pagkakaawit?
Binasag ng isang tao ang katahimikang iyon ng isang malakas na palakpak, nang nilingon ko kung sino ang taong iyon, lalong bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso. Si Alonzo. Tila ako'y naging bato sa aking kinauupuan habang nakatingin sa binatang nakangiti sa akin. Bumalik ako sa aking katinuan nang nagpalakpakan ang lahat ng nasa loob ng tahanan, maging ang mga tagaluto at tagasilbi sa bahay ng kapitan.
*"Muy bien, hija. Muy bien!"* sigaw ng kapitan. "Nariyan ka na pala Heneral Alonzo. *Como estás, amigo*?"
"*Estoy bien, Señor, gracias*" sagot ng heneral.
"*Don, Doña, Sénior, Séniorita,* sa pagpapatuloy po ng kasiyahan, nakahanda na po ang *mesas de comedor.*" sabi ng *cocinero.*
"Halina na kayo, mga *amigo* at *amiga*." paanyaya ni Kapitan Pedro.
Hindi ko alam ang pumasok sa aking isipan at lalapitan ko sana ang binatang iyon, nang makita kong masayang kausap na siya ni Sita. Tumalikod na ako at niyaya ang aking ina na maupo sa *comedor.*
**Ahh! Kristina. Eres un tonto.*
Nagsimula na ang salu-salo. Ako lamang yata sa loob ng silid ang hindi maipinta ang mukha dahil sa harapan ko pa naupo si Alonzo at Sita. Sino naman ang gaganahang kumain kung dalawang naglalandiang tagak ang iyong makikita sa iyong harapan?
"*Hija?* Ayos ka lamang ba? Tila wala kang gana," tanong ng *mamá.*
"Oo nga, *amiga*, para bang namumula ka," tanong rin ni Sita. Nakatingin rin si Alonzo.
"Ah—masama lang ang aking pakiramdam. Huwag kayong mag-alala. *Con su permiso*..." ang sagot ko, at tumayo sa aking kinauupuan. Kailangan kong lumabas upang makahinga sa sitwasyong iyon.
Pumanaog ako sa tahanang iyon at tumayo sa labas. Malawak ang lugar ngunit parang napakasikip niyon para sa aming tatlo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nakakaramdam ng ganito. Ng paninibugho. Bakit ba naman kasi sa dinami-rami ng magiging kakumpitensya ko, si Sita pa? Ang aking *amiga*.
"*Estás bien*, *Séniorita*?" ani Alonzo. Sa lalim ng aking pagmumuni-muni ay hindi ko napansin na nariyan na pala siya sa aking likuran.
"A-Ah, oo. *Gracias*." sagot ko. "A-Anong ginagawa mo rito sa labas? Baka hinahanap ka na ng iyong nobya,"
"Nobya, binibini? Wala akong nobya. Sa totoo lamang ay matagal nang hinihintay kita," ani Alonzo. Nabihag na naman ako ng nangungusap niyang mga mata.
"Batid mong itinatangi ka ng aking *amiga*, bakit hindi nalang siya ang suyuin mo?" tanong ko.
"Oo, maganda si Sita. *Mestiza de sangley* ngunit batid mong ikaw ang aking itinatangi." sagot niya.
"Huwag mo na akong paglaruan pa. Bumalik ka na roon kay Sita. Ayokong magkasira lamang kami ng dahil sa iyo," sambit ko at dali-daling tumakbo palayo sa binata at ang mga luha ay nag-uunahan sa pagpatak.
Hindi ko na matanaw ang daan dahil napakadilim. Tumakbo lamang ako nang hindi nalalaman ang aking patutunguhan. Napansin ko na lamang na napakalayo na ng aking natakbo. Nilukuban ako ng matinding takot at kaba.
Wala akong marinig na kahit kaunting tunog. Isang oras na marahil akong naglalakad, pilit na hinanap ang daan palabas ngunit hindi ko makita dahil madilim sa kagubatan. Tumangis ako at humingi ng tulong ngunit walang nakakarinig sa aking tinig.
Maya-maya pa, may narinig akong yapak sa tuyong dahon. May tao. Lalong tumindi ang aking takot, baka *tulisanes* ang unang makahanap sa akin at hindi mga *guardia sibil*. Lumalakas ang mga yabag na iyon, nagbabadyang malapit na siya sa akin. Tinangka kong tumakbo ngunit nahawakan niya agad ang aking kamay.
Nang lumingon ako, nakita kong may tangan siyang sulo at nang maaninag ko ang mukha ng taong iyon, agad akong nawalan ng malay.
Ginising ako ng amoy ng nasusunog na mga dahon at kahoy. Pagdilat ng aking mga mata ay nakita ko si Alonzo na nagsusunog ng mga dahon at kahoy marahil upang makita ito ng mga *guardia sibil* upang saklolohan kami.
"A-Anong ginagawa mo rito, ginoo?" tanong ko.
"Ganiyan ka ba magpasalamat sa taong tumulong sa iyo?" nakangising sagot niya.
Parang nabasa ko na ang tagpong ito sa isa sa mga paborito kong libro. Totoo nga, marahil ang mga nakasulat sa libro ay nangyayari rin sa tunay na buhay.
"*Muchas gracias*, sa tulong mo." sabi ko.
"Walang anuman, binibini."
Namayani ang katahimikan sa kagubatang iyon, ngunit hindi na gaanong nakakatakot sa lugar na iyon. Pakiramdam ko'y ligtas na ako kahit na hindi pa kami natatagpuan ng mga *guardia sibil*.
"Ipagpaumanhin mo rin ang aking inasal kanina na tila hindi mo nagustuhan, naging mapusok yata ako sa aking mga binitiwang salita," pagbasag ni Alonzo sa katahimikan. "Ngunit masaya akong nagbalik ka na. Masaya akong makita kang muli,"
"*Ditto*, heneral" sagot ko.
Royalty Vs. Sorcery │Pt. 13: TDSATVW
BREAKING NEWS:
ANOTHER CASE OF A MISSING WOMAN HAS BEEN REPORTED TODAY—
It is Saturday, **Mavis, the Vampire Witch**'s lazy day. She didn't want to start it with bad news, so she turned off the TV right away. Yet she's still mystified as to why girls have gone missing since last week. Some blamed the witch hunter, while others blamed some form of syndicate. Whatever it is, Mavis knows she is safe because she can defend herself. Her ancestors had prepared her for such a tragedy.
She followed his day-off routine and finished all of the chores before lunch. She made brunch, ate, and then went inside her mini-library to peruse books and articles on the *Tudors*. She is fascinated with this British royal family, particularly *Queen Anne Boleyn*, *Henry VIII'*s second wife. However, Anne was later accused of witchcraft and adultery and was executed.
*Queen Anne Boleyn* was said to be extraordinarily attractive, intelligent, stylish, and brilliant. She also had the ability to sing, dance, and play musical instruments. Henry, of course, fell madly in love. She had one lived child, the legendary *Queen Elizabeth I*, while historians mention that she miscarried a son due to *antiphospholipid syndrome*, an immunological condition that causes the body to turn against itself.
"I'm just wondering if *Queen Elizabeth I* had a child to be her successor?" Mavis pondered. She kept flipping the pages of the book until she found what she was looking for.
"*Marriage for her would have meant giving up her power, her throne, and her country to a man.* *She had no children, and therefore no direct heir to the throne, she was the last Tudor ruler,*" Mavis read. "So who is the next in line to the throne?" she uttered as she turned the page.
"*James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth (and was her cousin) and became James I of England,*" she read, and she froze. She clenched her fist in rage, and her eyes turned blood red, the lights turned on and off, and the light bulb in her lamp shattered into pieces.
"That monster, James. He is fascinated by killing witches and slaughtered my ancestors for accusing them of killing the kingdom's livestock and spreading diseases. Killing them four times of the average execution even if they were innocent. He even wrote a book on it called *Daemonologie*, despite the fact that he is the real demon," she sobbed in despair.
Her phone rings.
"Hello," she answered the phone, wiping away her tears.
"Hey, Abi here."
"Hi, how are things going?" Mavis queried.
"Just fine. I know that I'm a bit late for my present for your birthday, but I still want to give you my gift. I know you're a fan of *William Shakespeare* and his works, and also a royalty junkie, so I'd like to invite you to a dramatical play tonight at 8:00 p.m., I have two tickets! You down?" said the person on the other end of the line.
" Impeccable timing, Abi. Impeccable timing." Mavis uttered.
"What? Is it a yes or nah?" Abi asked.
"I'll go." Mavis answered.
"All right, I'll pick you up at your place; see you at 7:00 p.m. Bye!"
It's now 6:00 p.m., and **Mavis** has taken a shower, picked a nice dress, and done her make-up for the play they're about to see. She managed to calm herself after the outburst of emotion she had earlier. Perhaps her decision to go with Abi was right. But how did she know Shakespeare was her favorite playwright? It's been a long time since she's been to a play.
Someone honked a horn outside her gate. It's Abi calling. Mavis took her purse, checked herself in the mirror for the last time, and walked out the door.
"Hey, girl! You are lovely." Abi said.
"Thanks. You too." Mavis answered. She's confused as to why this girl is so nice to her yet they barely talk at work.
"We're here!" Abi interrupted Mavis' zoning out.
"*Macbeth by William Shakespeare*? Is this girl a mind reader or something?" Mavis uttered to herself.
"Mavis?"
"I'm sorry, Abi. I was just wondering how you knew I love Shakespeare." Mavis asked.
"Lucky guess? You're a writer, Mavis, and is there a writer who doesn't like Shakespeare's works?" Abi responded.
"You're right. Oh, look at the time, five minutes till they start. Should we go in?" Mavis leads the way, unaware that there are vicious eyes behind her.
*This story of William Shakespeare is about the three witches' prophecy that Macbeth would become King of Scotland, but they don't tell him how. With the help of Banquo, he murdered King Duncan. But when he discovered that the king had an heir to the throne, he went out of his way to find Malcolm, the king's son, in to help the prophecies come true rather than leave it to fate.*
*Macbeth felt guilty and thought he was seeing the ghosts of all the people he had slain in order to become king. He fears they are after him, which makes him even more paranoid.*
*The three witches prophesied that Banquo's descendants would be king, therefore Macbeth killed Banquo and his descendants. He killed so many people that the witches told him.*
*Lady Macbeth killed herself after hearing of this and the death of King Duncan.*
*Macduff, a devoted thane of King Duncan, planned to attack the castle and fulfill the prophesy, as well as exact revenge on Macbeth for killing his whole family. Malcolm murdered Macbeth, and that was the end of the story.*
*Others blame the three witches for instilling in Macbeth the desire to kill those people, but the fact is that it is Macbeth's fault; he should never be swayed to do or believe anything he knows is wrong. His wife and the powers of darkness tricked and played Macbeth. His lack of self-esteem and capacity to make his own decisions resulted in his early demise and death.*
"Now, do you have any idea why I brought you there?" Abi's earlier cheerful voice turned into a serious tone.
"What do you mean, Abi? Is there something wrong?" Mavis asked, puzzled while sitting beside Abi in the car.
"It's you witches!!" Abi suddenly strangled Mavis to death. "You witches killed my ancestors, inflicting curses to the world!"
Mavis was trying to get away in Abi's grasp around her neck when she noticed a witch hunter tattoo on her wrist.
"I-It's you."
Lumos 🪄✨️
Hiiiii, I hope you enjoyed this episode. I just thought of it this morning after having a nightmare about being beheaded. It's a bit morbid. Hehe. Anyway, this is a bit much for today's story. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
They Were All Yellow │Pt. 12: TDSATVW
*Look at the stars*
*Look how they shine for you*
*And everything you do*
*Yeah, they were all yellow∼* *♪♬♫*
**Mavis, the Vampire Witch**, loves music. She always goes to music to escape from the outside world and be happy with herself. She plugged her headphones into her phone and started listening to Coldplay's Yellow while re-reading Nathan's letter from a few weeks ago.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into nearly a month but still there's no Nathan around.
It's Thursday again. The Vampire Witch's feeble day. She felt like she's the weakest witch in this muggle world. She tried to cast a spell with her wand, but it didn't work. Her head is spinning. Luckily, she was able to keep her balance and did not fall over.
"Where the hell are you? Have you forgotten me? Are you in danger? Or are you with another witch? Ugh!" her mind screams.
She was in her office when she noticed an owl on the balcony. Her brow furrowed as she approached an owl as white as snow and as fluffy as cotton. On its beak was a string with a little box and a letter that read:
*"I can give you the stars if I could but I chose to give you myself, the moon. So its light can live through the lining of your skin and shine your darkness from within,"* — *Your Direwolf Sorcerer*
She tearfully unravels the string and lifts the lid of the box. As she saw the gift inside the box, her lips parted. There was, indeed, a moon. It's yellow and lovely. It's captivating, much like the person who sent her the gift.
"See you soonest, Direwolf Sorcerer. I can't wait for our enchanted rendezvous. I'm bringing my time turner for sure to be with you any longer," she uttered to herself while admiring her moon lamp, smiling like a lunatic.
*"I'm happy you loved it."* murmured the familiar voice behind her.
She almost fell out of her swivel chair from the shock of hearing his voice. She had waited a long time to hear that voice again. Nathan stood at her back for a long time, sweetly smiling and silently watching Mavis adore her moon lamp.
"You jerk! You really love to surprise me in whatever manner you possibly can, don't you?" She rose up and faced him, tears in her eyes.
He nodded, smiling like a happy kid, and approached her closer. So close that she's been cornered in her desk, and he gently holds her on her waist and face, and gives her the sweetest kiss.
She's so stunned that she can't even close her eyes to welcome that kiss. She's petrified, as if she doesn't know how to respond, yet she can't deny that she's loving it.
It's like *"Strawberries and Chocolates, always taste like you.* *∼* *♪♬♫"* song is playing in her head.
"Happy Thursday. May the end of you birth month be the most memorable one this year, my love," he whispers in her ear.
"A-Am I dreaming?" she asked, still puzzled.
"For now, darling." he answered.
He kissed her forehead while she's still in shock. He casted a spell, winked, then he suddenly disappears.
Mavis woke up on her desk, unsure whether what had happened was real or a dream.
"Maybe I'm just tired, and it's all a dream—"
Until she noticed the dazzling moon lamp in front of her. She smiled while millions of crabs cheered in her tummy.
Lumos 🪄✨️
This is one of my favorite episodes from this series. I can't stop smiling just thinking about it. That was back in the day. *Sigh* Well, I hope this made you smile too though. Have a great day, you!
Scribbling Sweet Nothing│Pt. 11: TDSATVW
"*You're my special kind of glyph, my lone wolf.*"
**Nathan, the Direwolf Sorcerer**, hears **Mavis, the Vampire Witch**. They locked eyes and were about to kiss when the fireworks stopped flashing.
"It appears that I'm running out of time. I'll be leaving for a very long journey, and as a consequence, I won't be able to see you for quite some time; just take care of yourself by then," he said.
"I will forever be smitten by you," he softly kissed her forehead and then vanished.
**Nathan, the Direwolf Sorcerer**, woke up in the abandoned gallery. His head was throbbing with unbearable pain. Easton, the guardian, quickly approached him and forced him to drink a vial of magical potion.
"I warned you not to overuse your powers to penetrate her dreams; you will die if you do." Easton said.
"I'm just saving her for herself. I can't let her suffer. She's tied to my soul forever, remember? Don't worry, I won't do it again; I'll see her face-to-face soon. No more *Legimency*." Nathan said, smiling at his pet owl, *Lilo*.
It's Thursday already. **Mavis** hasn't seen **Nathan** in her dreams in two days. She misses him so much that all she can think about is **Nathan**. She goes to bed early every night wearing nice dresses hoping to see him, but he never appears in her dreams.
She's scribbling cheesy words in a piece of paper, feeling pathetic because she has no idea where to send those letters to him. She had no idea where he lived or if he even existed because she only saw him in her dreams.
"*I will forever be smitten by you?* "Smitten? Is that even a word?" she wondered, pulling out her phone to look up the definition. "*Deeply affected with or struck by strong feelings of attraction, affection, or infatuation.* Is he in love with me? It's confusing."
Her mind is lost in a void when she is startled, pulling her back to reality. It's a phone call.
"Hello, may I speak with Miss Mavis?" the person on the other end of the line asked.
"Speaking, how may I help you?" Mavis responded.
"This is the receptionist here in the lobby; you have a letter that has arrived; please pick it up at the front desk. Thank you."
"O-Okay. Thank you." She answered.
She went downstairs to retrieve the said letter from the front desk. The color of the envelope made her smile. *Periwinkle*, her favorite color. And it has a gold stamp in it with initials ALN. She couldn't wait to get into her office and carefully opened the letter while waiting for the elevator that read:
"He's a real person! We'll meet in May. I can't breathe!" she exclaimed to herself in the elevator mirror. "Should I write back? There is no address in it. Where should I direct my response? All I see is this sweet message and the *ALN* letters on the stamp. Is this something like *Aluminum Nitride* or something?"
She's in the moon. She's ecstatic as she reads the sweetest letter she's ever received in her entire life. Her heart feels like it's about to burst from the pressure of her emotions. Is she in love with him too?
Lumos 🪄✨️
New post to start a brand new day. Hehe. I hope this made you smile this fine morning. Take care, you!
Santé!
Glyph│Pt. 10: TDSATVW
**Mavis, the Vampire Witch**, awoke in her dream clutching a dandelion in a glass. The one she dreamed about while riding the bus this morning. She began to wonder if her dream was real.
"Maybe, it is." she smiled while staring in her beautiful present.
Despite the fact that it is her birthday today, she continues to work in her office. When she was finished, she went straight home alone. She has friends, but she does not wish to celebrate this *"special day"*. She is terrified of happiness because she believes it will tenfold her misery.
**Mavis** just lay awake in her bed for hours, thinking about many things in her lonely life. Unaware of the passage of time. It's already 3 a.m. But she's still wide awake. She stood up and walked her tiny feet to the fridge. She grabbed a bottle of champagne as well as some sliced meat, cheese, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes to make a charcuterie board. A little fancy for an early snack.
When she finished preparing it, she put everything in a tray and take it to the rooftop. When she's on her last step, she noticed a familiar figure standing on the edge. It's him, **Nathan, the Direwolf Sorcerer**.
"I didn't see you in my dreams tonight, Miss Ma'am. Are you avoiding me again?" **Nathan** asked, staring out at the city.
"No, why would I?" **Mavis** almost dropped the tray in her hands from nervousness.
"No~~, why would I?~" **Nathan** turned to face **Mavis**, mimicking her gestures as he flicked his fingers in the air like a sassy chic.
"Oh, seriously..." She rolled her eyes before popping open the champagne and pouring it into the glass. And they laughed as if there was no tomorrow, even though there was nothing to laugh about. Idiots.
"*Cuvée Dom Perignon 1990*, good choice, smol bean," He said as he took a sip of champagne from her glass. She smiled, then there was silence, as if a naked angel had passed by as they sat on the edge of the rooftop.
"You know what, it's okay to feel tired every now and then. You're still doing great by conserving your energy and I'm proud of what you've become, little vampire witch." **Nathan** said as if he knew what's inside **Mavis**' mind.
She bit her lower lip shut. Trying hard not to cry. She's not used to hearing those words because they're the ones she say to make others feel better, and no one ever told her that.
He flicked his wand and used his few powers to fill the dark sky with so many colorful fireworks that she couldn't even hear herself scream. The city stares at it in awe, oblivious to the vampire's wailing.
"It's okay to yell it all out, smol bean; no one will ever hear you except me." He stated. Placing his hand behind her back to let her know he's just there for her.
**Mavis** sobbed and screamed uncontrollably. All the feelings she'd kept hidden from herself exploded like an atomic bomb. All the toughness she designed and built to conceal herself crumbled, and a ferocious vampire turned into a lost child crying in the midst of unknown evil creatures.
**Nathan** lend his arm to her as a pillow, which is tattooed with *glyphs* reminding him to "*learn, have faith, be contented, and understand.*"
"*You're my special kind of glyph, my lone wolf.*" she uttered.
Lumos 🪄✨️
Heeeey! Just dropping by to share some special flashbacks from my life, and also to give an update in this series that he can read to relieve his tiredness later. I need to distract myself while the bebuu is away since he is incredibly busy right now.
See you around. Santé!
December Dump [Kirsten Cassandra's Tortuous Life]
Hey! It's been a long time. It's a new year and a new month, so it's time to look back on the events of the previous month. December is a particularly special month for me since it coincides with my favorite season. This season is the happiest month of the year. My boyfriend and I's anniversary month is obviously the most special, but December seems to be our second anniversary month.
This month has a veri peri hue vibe to me—tranquility, serenity, and happiness. Time spent with family and loved ones, as well as a long holiday break. These photos don't do much to describe my December adventure. Maybe they're right; the happiest moments aren't always captured by a camera.
Alright! Without further ado, let's begin.
1. Fairy Lights on Winter Nights
We were heading home when i noticed these cheery lights in our Barangay Hall. I'm captivated by all of the lights. They design it every year and hold a contest to build a teeny tiny winter wonderland. My bebuu and I both enjoy the winter season, so I'm sure he'd enjoy seeing it. This inspired me to build one for our tiny house. Hihi.
2. Happy Birthday, Ate Joy!
We celebrated Ate Joy's birthday a day early in San Juan, a small city in Metro Manila bordered by the cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Quezon City, before the year 2022 ended. We had a lot of fun. The food is excellent and scrumptious, especially the fried rice and sweet and sour fish filet. We will definitely go back to try the other dishes in their menu.
3. Caramel Macchiato for Ms. Machiavellian
Thank you for the coffee treat, Ate Joy. After a year of memorizing my favorites, she already knows my exact order. Haha! I admire those who take the time to get to know me well, but no one beats the bebuu when it comes to memorizing me. Hihi.
4. *"Nakaligtas ka nga sa Teenage Pregnancy, naging Titang Ina ka naman."*
*Justice* is now 6 months old. He's the son of a close friend of mine. Aside from the fact that he's cute, I adored this kid. I watched him grow from a newborn to a big boy, and I must say he's a brilliant and sophisticated kid. He barely smiles, but when he does, it's priceless.
I know *Justice* and his parents are not permanent residents of this city, but we will keep in touch for sure if they already assign to work in a different place.
I will always be this kid's responsible Tita, teaching him every attitude he needs to have. *Evil grin* Whahahha!
5. *Decking the halls in sparkles*
Liiighhhtttssss! More lightssss! I'm really fascinated with lights especially in different colors, but this will do. Hihi. We were sitting at Mang Inasal, the unlimited rice capital of the restaurants, when I accidently opened the front cam and saw this. It made my heart sing! Fa-lala-lala-lala-lala!
6. Puppy Eyes Since Birth
That's me! When I was in first grade. My mother got a first-grade uniform at the mall. She may have forgotten that I entered elementary school earlier than others and that my uniform is a little too big for me. She said it doesn't matter that it 's bigger than my size so I 'll be able to wear it next year or the year after that. Asian moms. Hahaha!
7. Motorcycle Taxi
I took a motorcycle taxi to our staycation before going back to the province. It's a convenient way to get to your destination for a decent price. Less traffic, plus you're covered by insurance in case something bad happens to you while riding the motorcycle (knock on wood).
8. Our Own Paris Getaway
The most hardest thing of an excursion is heading back to reality, but at least we had a great time and more memories were added to our memory bank. I can't wait to go back to our own Paris. Probably soon.
9. If you're a flower, I can’t wait to kiss your tulips
This is not a tulip, and even if you aren't a flower, I will definitely kiss you. (Ay, ang harot! Hahahha!) I saw this flower blossoming in front of the church. This seems to be a wildflower. If I could be a flower in another life, I'd like to be a wildflower. They simply grow anywhere they like. Nobody is needed to plant them. Then their seeds drift out in the wind and find a new place to grow. And they're wild though. Lmao.
10. Little Sis Not Little Anymore
Finally, I got to meet my twin. Because we look so alike, some people believe we're twins with a five-year age gap. My baby sister is no longer a baby. Most of the time, she is obstinate and believes in different life hacks other than the one I know, causing tensions between us to rise.
We both thought we'd changed, but we'd simply grown apart. I hope that one day she would be mature enough in life to learn more instead of sticking to what she knows and never growing up as an individual. I just care about her. Someday, she will face an uphill battle similar to mine, and I hope she will learn from it.
Happy New Year!
Last year, 2022, brought us with several amazing experiences. There are good and terrible things, but remember that everything that has happened to us has taken place for a reason, and the majority of it is a lesson.
Let us now move on and forget about our worries from the past. I wish you everyone good health—both mental and physical—and a joyful life with your loved ones.
Au revoir!
Wishing on Dandelions │Pt. 9: TDSATVW
To escape the **Direwolf Sorcerer**, **Mavis, the Vampire Witch**, is making a concerted effort to stay awake. She fears that if she has another dream about **Nathan**, she may be taken in by his alluring sorcery. After what happened when they last met, she is still in sheer panic.
Being awake is not particularly difficult for vampires, but because she is a half-human witch, she cannot withstand the allure of her cozy bedroom.
"I just need to fill my day with activities, so maybe I'll leave for work early today." she uttered to herself as she got herself ready to go to her office.
**Mavis** reached the bus station on foot and waited for her turn to board the bus. She felt the winter cold on her face while traveling, which made her eyes water and made her feel sleepy like a lullaby. She tries to fight the urge to fall asleep for a while, but it is too strong and she eventually gives in and falls asleep.
Strangely, the intercom connected to the building's foyer rang, waking her asleep in the office. As papers piled up in front of her, she searched for a phone-like device. When she answered, the guard on duty asked for **Mavis** to come down because someone had asked for her in the lobby. Mystified as to who that person was so early in the morning, she hung up the phone and got into the elevator.
As soon as she entered the foyer, she saw **Nathan** sitting on the couch in the corner. She felt a sudden rush of blood in her pale-colored face. That's bad.
"Avoiding me?" Nathan asked.
"N-no." Mavis stammered.
"Then, come with me." He said.
"What about my job? I have a lot of deadlines to meet—" The Direwolf Sorcerer snapped his fingers before she had even finished speaking.
As usual when he wants to silence her, Nathan cast a spell. He stopped the ticking of all the clocks. Even the birds stopped flying, and the branches of the trees stopped swaying. The entire world came to a halt except for them two. It's just him and her.
"Let's go?" Nathan offered his hand to the lady.
"Otay." Mavis nodded and take his hand.
They teleported to the entrance of the dark and terrifying maze they'd been in a month ago. She got scarred and confused at the same time.
"W-What are we doing here?" She asked. Grasping herself, she could feel the freezing cold in her skin.
"Do you trust me?" He asked her.
She nodded despite her mind being consumed with horror. She went after her heart. Either act now or never. There is no turning back at this point; she made the risky choice regardless of the danger. She trusted him, as though it was the nicest thing she had ever done.
They took out their wands and began entering the dark maze. The Dementors flew toward them as the wind blew. They both cast their Patronus Charms, a wolf patronus appeared on him and a koala patronus on her. A few walks after, She can see the light. Maybe that's where the maze ends.
However, thousands of Dementors appeared out of nowhere. Taking their happy memories with them. They don't seem to be decreasing at all, but the two know that when they work together, they are more powerful. They exchanged glances and screamed the powerful spell.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A blinding beam of light appeared and swept all of the Dementors away. They did it. As always. Their kisses are powerful, but together they can defeat anything gets in their way. Finally, the last step out of the maze. It's funny how the lost souls like them find their way out. They're both idiots when it comes to directions, but they made it.
The blissful breeze is blowing. They're finally in the dandelion field that they once walk through. They're lovely as ever. She noticed him holding a dandelion. Placed it in a glass and cast a spell on it to make it everlasting.
"*With your forever dandelion, you can finally make a wish whenever you want. Make sure you take care of that so you can always find your way home to me. Happy Birthday, Smol bean.*" He said with a sweetest smile on his face.
Lumos! 🔦
Hi there! Sorry for the late update about this series. My mind is just preoccupied and worried sick about the bebuu. Hope he gets well soon.
Anyway, how about you?
Paanyaya sa Bahay ng Kapitan [1887]
Tunay ngang nakakainip dito sa aming *casa*. Tila inaabot na naman ako ng pagkabalam at nauubusan na naman ng ideya sa aking isusulat na libro. Umuwi ako dito sa aming bayan upang makalanghap ng sariwang hangin at makapag-isip-isip, ngunit hindi marahil nakatulong iyon, bagkus nakasama pa.
Hindi ako halos nahimbing sa aking pagkakatulog kagabi. Hindi ko na maalala kung ilang tasa ng mainit na tsokolate ang aking ininom habang pinapanood ang mga alitaptap mula sa bintanang kapis sa aking silid. Maigi pa ang mga iyon, nagniningning ng may saya sa dilim, hindi kagaya kong nakakulong pa rin at namumuhay ng may hapis sa aking nakaraan.
"Hija, Kristina, may bisita ka! *Darse prisa!* (Madali)" sigaw ng aking ina muna sa ibaba ng aming hagdanan.
"Nariyan na po, *mamá!"* Sagot ko, inayos ko na ang aking buhok gamit ang payneta at madaling nagtungo sa *sala de estar* (living room).
"Oh, tila lumungkot ang mukha mo, *mi amiga*? Hindi yata ako ang iyong inaasahang bisita ngayong araw." ani Sita, ang aking kababata, na waring may panunukso sa kaniyang ngisi.
"Huwag mo nang tuksuhin ang iyong kaibigan, Sita. Lalo na't nagdurugo ang puso ng dalagang iyan sa nangyari kahapon." Gatong na panunukso ng aking ina. "*Bueno* (kung gayon), maiwan ko na kayo, nang kayo ay makapaghuntahan. Ipapahanda ko na sa utusan ang *Torta Imperial* at kape na babagay dito."
Nagagalak akong makitang muli ang isa sa aking mga kababata. Galing siyang Europa kasama ng kaniyang ama. Mga musmos pa kami nang huli kaming magkita at ngayon ay mga ganap na kaming dalaga. Maganda si Sita. Nakatali ang mahaba niyang buhok, balingkinitan ang kaniyang katawan, singkit ang mga mata nito na tila isang *mestiza de sangley*, at mga labi na kahit hindi na lagyan ng kolorete ay mapupula pa rin.
"Parang marami kang iku-kuwento sa akin, mi amiga." nakangiting sabi sa akin ni Sita. "Ako man ay marami ring iku-kuwento."
"Mabuti pa ay mauna ka nang magkuwento, Sita. Makakapaghintay pa ang aking mga kuwento sa iyo." ang turan ko.
"Noong wala ka rito sa ating bayan, ilang taon na ang nakalipas, pinuntahan kita rito at ang sabi nga ng Tiya ay nasa Maynila ka raw at doon pansamantalang namamalagi. Sa aking pagpanaog dito sa inyong tahanan ay may nakasalubong akong makisig na heneral. Alonzo raw ang pangalan ng ginoo sabi ng aking ama. Sa unang kita ko pa lamang sa kaniya ay nagustuhan ko na siya. Nang bumalik ako sa Europa, hindi na siya mawala sa aking isip. Nais kong makitang muli ang binatang iyon. Tila umiibig na ako sa kaniya, Kristina." ani Sita.
Natulala na lamang ako sa kaniyang tinuran. Tila napatakan ako ng *nido del pájaro adarna* (ipot ng ibong Adarna) at naging bato sa aking kinauupuan. Nang may narinig akong tumawag sa ibaba ng aming hagdanan.
"Sulat po, para kay Kristina de Asis."
"*Perdone* (paumanhin), kukunin ko lamang ang sulat na iyon." aking sabi.
"*Muchas gracias, Senyor.*" pagpapasalamat ko sa ginoong kartero.
"Sa akin nagmula ang sulat na iyan. Naunahan ko pa bago makarating dito. Lubhang napakabagal ng sistema ng liham rito sa ating bansa. Kung ang iyong *abuela* (lola) ay maysakit pa lamang, sasabihin mo na agad sa iyong susulatang kafamilya na ito'y namayapa na upang pagdating ng sulat sa kanila ay husto ang ibinahagi mong impormasyon sa kanila sa tagal bago nila matanggap ang liham. Haha!" pabirong sabi ni Sita.
"Sita! Marinig ka ng *mamá!* siguradong kagagalitan ka nu'n. Ngunit tama ka, sana balang araw ay bumilis-bilis naman ang paraan ng komunikasyon dito sa buong Las Filipinas." saway ko sa kaniya.
"Biro lamang. Tama ka. Balang-araw siguro. Bueno, iyan ay sulat paanyaya sa iyo at kay Tiya. Magkakaroon ng salu-salo mamayang gabi sa aming *casa*. Inimbitahan ng aking ama ang mga makapangyarihang tao rito sa ating bayan, maging ang kura, alferes at iba pang mayayaman rito. Malamang ay darating din ang ating mga kaibigan at ang itinatangi kong heneral. Dalangin kong makarating kayo ng tiya, Kristina."
Hindi ko alam ang aking isasagot sa aking *amiga*. Ayaw kong pumunta roon kung darating nga ang heneral na si Alonzo.
Como estás!
Makalipas ang isang linggong mahigit na pagkabalam, nakapagsulat din ako. Nawa ay naibigan mo ang munting sanaysay kong ito.
Nabasa ko kaninang umaga ang pahayag na mawawala na raw ang noise.cash, marahil ay sa noise.app na tayo magkikitang muli. Narito ang imbitasyon patungo sa aking *account* KemiGranger*.* https://noise.app/KemiGranger
Adios, mi amigo/amiga!
I Met Someone Today
I woke up this morning with an odd feeling. It seems to be quieter than usual. Silence terrifies me; it appears that everything is uncertain and unsettling. My anxiousness sneaks in like a nighttime burglar; I know they exist, but I have no clue when they will come and attack me.
I pull myself together and leave the house. The surroundings are pitch black. Only the flashlight I was carrying provided me with a gleam of light that guided my path.
Someone suddenly chased after me. I ran as fast as I could. I couldn't see the person chasing me, but I'm very sure she's a teenage girl judging on her silhouette. I'm scared of her. Maybe it's human nature to be terrified of something you don't understand. She moves fast and seemed to be eager to keep up with me. I've reached the end of the road and am besieged by a giant wall.
I faced her and was about to strangle and kill her but then I saw her face; she's so familiar to me. She is me. I've realized that the only thing I fear is myself. My past. I can't close this chapter since everything is hazy. The chapter with the missing jigsaw pieces that I'd want to solve.
"How are you? You look... different." My teenage self asked.
"I-I'm fine..." I answered breathlessly.
"We're really alike. A professional liar." She chuckled.
"Yeah. Why are you here, in this dark place?" I asked.
"I don't know. Everything in my life is unclear. Maybe you can answer my questions to motivate me to keep going. Seriously, I'm extremely tired to," she said, her voice mournful.
"Silly, you're too young to say those things. Fine, walk with me." I smiled.
*"How old are you now?"*
Hmm, just 8 years older than you. I'm 26 years old.
*"Did we end up becoming neurosurgeon?"*
No. That's too expensive for us to take. We became surgeons too, but not in the conventional sense. Instead of mending people's nerves, we're mending wires and cables.
*"Someone harmed me in a terrible way. I've been hurt. It's not just on my back; it's all over me. I'm stained. Will I be able to get through this?"*
I'm sorry you had to go through that nightmare. I know you're helpless right now, and no one will ever understand you. But listen, you are not who you believe you are. It is not your fault; the world is cruel to you, and you do not deserve any of it. It's hard to forget; in fact, I remember everything till this very moment. We'll get over it eventually. Just keep holding on.
*"Did anyone love us for who we are after that?"*
Yes, in fact. He treated us like we were his precious thing. Like we are the most beautiful person he met in his entire life. Sounds overwhelming, right? Regardless of what happened, he respects our personal space. He's always trying to understand us, even when we're tough to understand. We have disagreements with him from time to time, but we are working to resolve them. You know what, he's also attractive, sweet, romantic, an old soul like us, and a responsible person. I'm sure he's a great dad as well.
*"Are we happy?"*
That is the most difficult question you have ever posed. Not quite, but yes. We sometimes feel sad about what happened in the past that caused us trauma and ruined our future, but our support system is really powerful.
We finally met our real friends, or should I say family by heart; our parents and lover are always there to cheer us up when we're sad, and most importantly, we love what we're doing right now. Just keep fighting; a lot of people are rooting for us. We have to be strong. I'm proud of you.
Oct & Nov Dump [KirstenCassandra's Tortuous Life]
These two months have been really significant to me, but I don't have much photos to show since I'm not the type of person who takes photos while enjoying the moment and these photos are not in a particular order, but I guarantee you that every photo I put here is meaningful to me. Now, let's get started!
1. Rejoicing Sweet Tooth
My kuya has recently came back from Africa and has something for us. He went back to the Philippines for his forthcoming wedding. We're tiny bit sad because after his wedding, he'll return to Africa with his bride, and we're not sure when we'll see each other again. But it's better to enjoy every moment while you can rather than be sad.
2. First and Last Staycation with Kuya
This resort is in Angeles, Pampanga—a three-hour drive away from Manila. It's the bride's aunt's resort, so we don't have to pay for our three-day stay, and they prepare food for us as if it were a catering service. The meals they made were delicious. Kapampangans are excellent cooks. That was my first visit, and I must say I had a great experience. The only disadvantage is that the signal is so weak that I have to go outside to message my bebuu. It's a farm-style resort with huts on the side with bed rooms, however we stayed in an airconditioned spacious room downstairs of the groom and bride's rooms. They merely set up beds, pillows, and blankets for us to use. Because it was the third day of my period, I didn't swim the first night of our stay. Unlucky.
3. Koo-Hee
My siblings by heart and I are coffeeholics, we don't just leave Angeles, Pampanga, without trying their coffee. So we ate breakfast at a Korean café that sells coffee, snacks, bingsus, and other specialties. I ordered my favorite, an iced caramel macchiato, and a waffle with veggie salad on the side.
If you're looking for a nice place to read or meet with someone, I highly recommend this place. It's cozy and sanitary, and there are private conference rooms available.
4. Perfect Pair
Nachoooos! was one of the snacks we had at Coffee Bay. I'm not a fan of tomatoes, onions, and cheese, yet this is amazing. Since the chips aren't particularly flavorful, the cheese sauce serves as the perfect complement to my sweet coffee.
Just like the bebuu and I, he is the sweet one, and I have a salty attitude—an angry and ill-tempered individual, a perfect couple indeed. Lol.
5. Cyra-nderella
**Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!*
Perfect fit for my tiny feet. Hehe. This is the pair of shoes I wore to our Kuya's wedding; my two Ates are wearing the same design as planned, and their motif is baby blue or powder blue; we adhere to the color scheme they requested, so I'm wearing an almost Periwinkle dress. Simple, yet lovely and comfy. Hihi.
6. Missin' Coffee Bean
I don't have time to go to coffee shops and read as often as I used to since I'm too busy and trying to save money, so instead of going to coffee shops, I just bought their coffee and sip it at a peaceful spot like our workplace every 3:00 p.m. It's not as cozy as a coffee shop, but it'll do for now.
7. More Pewiiiiii
Gosh! This made my heart scream! This is the ceiling of the room I mentioned earlier, the one where we stayed in Angeles, Pampanga. It looks cool and soothing in the eyes, like winter. This prompted me to suggest the bebuu this ceiling design for our tiny house. Hihi.
8. Can't Get Enough of the Pewi Ceiling
I just tried taking a selfie to see how it looked, and it truly amazed me. Me want this, bebuu love, pweaassseee! Hihi.
9. Back to Reality
After two days vacation, I returned to this mountain (overdramatic) of tasks to complete. But at least I've already detoxed my mind and body, so I'll be able to finish this.
10. A Cup of Rice?
Seriously, I have no idea why this is in my camera roll. Hahhaha! But I'm not going to delete it since I might need it in the future. When the bebuu had already sent his workout regimen. Kidding not kidding. Whahaha.
11. Nails it is!
Oooohh, looks neat. That day was the day before our Kuya's wedding. My difficulties and struggles (not biting my fingernails) have paid off! I love how the manicurist cut it square and coloured it metallic!
12. Mi Yiyow!
Happy 2nd Birthday to this lovely not so little one. Hihi. Momma loves you so much! Can't wait to see you soon. I'm not into doggos but this cute one is an exception.
13. Trip to Neverland
I'm off on my monthly excursion, when everything seems magical. I'll be able to unwind and forget about everything for a bit. Since the signal is weak here, I don't need to check my phone. There are trees and animals, and life is simple: just love. I really hope I could stay here a bit longer.
14. Dugu-dugu-duuug!
I bet someone is smirking right now. Hahaha!
15. Color Palate
This sums up my weekend away last week. It was a lot of fun, a little tired but a great time. I can't wait for our next adventure. I know the coming year will be different from the usual, and that's what I'm looking forward to. Hihi.
Heyow!
This seems to be a lengthy article. I apologize for the late submission of this prompt; I've been quite busy and have a lot to get done first. I hope you enjoyed your trip down the memory lane, and I hope to see you on the next one!
Au revoir!
He is my Playlist [RRFB]
You're ***My Person***, my very heartbeat. It's like a slow dance cause we didn't rush everything; it's not fast, just like the moon, very slow yet so sure. You're my weekend, my rest, my home, my morning coffee, soothes my weary soul. "It was enchanting to meet you, I was ***Enchanted*** to meet you" That's what I said the first time I met the handsome man I'm constantly ***Daydreamin'*** about. We're not saying anything, but we're getting ***Butterflies*** in our stomach. I ran into your arms like if we'd met before, maybe in a past life. No matter how ***Super Far*** apart we are, we always find our way back to our own ***Paris***, like we're entangled in an ***Invisible String***.
I constantly miss your ***Stupid Face*** as though it were ***The Very First Night***. If I had the opportunity to choose a superpower, it would be teleportation. I wish I could fly; I'd pick you up and take you to the highest peak. Don't be afraid; don't fight the gravity, just ***Trust Fall*** into me. I don't need heaven, but He sent an angel to be my ***Sanctuary*** in this chaotic world of mine. I'm alone in my head but you filled that ***Empty Space***.
They're paying much attention to our kind of flirting as if we're a Romeo and Juliet ***Love story***, some sort of a celebrity. We keep it under wraps to avoid intruders. We're ***Lowkey*** but I know it's real. I'm only a ***Stranger***, yet you made me significant in your life, like a ***Someone To You***. I didn't realize you'd just entered my core, fighting demons like a ***Soldier*** in the dark chamber striving to save me. I thought it was just a ***Superficial Love*** thing at first, but you proved me wrong.
I used to be a coffee junkie. I can drink 6 cups of coffee every day. My daily routine includes palpitation, which I don't mind at all. But then you walked in, gave me a bargain, and now you're the reason there's no coffee in this house. You're the reason all my friends know I don't go Starbucks. You're the reason I hate Macchiato, never used to turn it down. You're the only thing I want when one drop hits my mouth. Hunny, you're the reason ***I quit drinking***.
It's funny because I've always imagined myself and you together, and now here we are, gazing at the ***Yellow*** star-like lights of our favorite city. You made me feel as if I'm ***Free With You***, experiencing the chill of snow falling outside, our favorite season. Sipping coffee or snuggling under our shaky sheets. I can't wait for the day when we don't say goodbye and instead just say ***See You Later***. But for now, our little ***Getaway*** will do.
***Strawberries & Cigarettes*** always reminds me of you. Your lips taste like fresh strawberries, and every time I taste them, I feel like a smoker addicted to cigarettes. Start your motorbike, because we're going on a ride. There's no need to rush; 40 is just right. Let's go on a drive through a ***Dandelion*** field, my love, as I hug you so tight.
Hey!
Just wanted to share some of the songs I compiled for my lover and turned into a playlist. Hihi. He's much farther away now, and I miss him so much that I wrote this. Anyway, I appreciate your visit. If you want to listen to the playlist I'm talking about, click here: https://open.spotify.com https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3F9CUXU9vX7h7jmh7aLrft?si=4kxgMTijS8ut92YaQWH2Zg&utm_source=copy-link
Au revoir!
Tu eras, y todavía lo eres [1887]
Tanging buwan lamang ang saksi sa aking lungkot at pangungulila. Saksi ang mga kuwento na isinulat ng mga patak ng luha na sa rami ay bumuo ng isang libro ng mga panaghoy sa hatinggabi. Tangan ang iyong mga liham, mga naiwang alaala sa masasaya nating nakaraan na tanging mga aklat lamang sa librerya ang saksi. Tahimik ngunit tiyak at tunay.
Ang wika ng aking ina ay lumabas naman daw ako. Lalo akong malulugmok sa lungkot kung ikukulong ko lamang ang aking sarili sa aking silid. Limutin ko na rin daw ang heneral at buksan kong muli ang aking puso para sa ibang binata sa bayang ito. Marahil tama nga ang aking ina.
Kinabukasan, binuksan ko ang aking aparador at namili ng *Traje de Mestiza* na aking isusuot para sa aking paglalamyerda mamayang hapon. Pinili ko ang aking camisa at saya na yari sa isang tela na hinabi gamit ang sinulid na gawa sa pinya. Tinernuhan ito ng panuelo at tapis na magkagaya ang kulay. Iniayos ang aking buhok gamit ang aking payneta at *fantoches*.
Tangan ang aking abanico, naglakad-lakad kami ng aking ina sa plaza malapit sa munisipyo kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. Bawat paspas ng pamaypay ay marahan, ipakita sa kabinataan na sila'y walang puwang. Tila ay hindi pa nga ako handang magmahal muli, nais lunurin ang pusong puno ng pighati, hanggang sa dumating ang araw na mamanhid yaring puso at masambit, sayo'y walang katumbas itong pag-ibig.
Pakiramdam ko ay unti-unting lumalabo ang aking paningin, alaala'y nanunumbalik sa aking isip. Mga luha sa aking mga mata ay nangingilid. Tila ito'y isang balon na pinagpala ng engkantado ng elementong tubig, malapit na itong mapuno at nagbabadyang umawas sa dalawang bolang sinulid. Dali-daling kinuha ko ang aking panyo upang pahirin ang luhang malapit nang pumatak ngunit nahulog iyon sa lupa. Dahan-dahan akong pupulutin sana, ngunit may nauna na.
Alonzo, ako ba ay nananaginip lamang?
Hinawakan mo ang aking kamay at inalalayan akong tumayo. Muli ay naramdaman ko na naman ang pagbagal ng bawat minuto, malakas ang pintig ng aking dibdib na tila may kampanang nag-iingay at dumagagundong sa loob nito. Ang mga luha na kanina pa ay iniingatan ko gaya ng isang babasaging bagay ay walang pasubaling pumatak sa lupa. Papawiin mo na sana iyon ng iyong palad nang...
"Por dios santo, Kristina! Bumitaw ka sa lalakeng iyan. Kalapastanganan ang inyong ginagawa!" Ang halos pasigaw na sambit ng aking ina.
"Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo, Senyora. Tinulungan ko lamang po ang Senyorita," ang sagot ni Alonzo. "Pauwi na po ba kayo? Ihahatid ko na po kayo, kung inyong mamarapatin."
"Bueno. Hindi na heneral, nuestra casa está cerca de aquí *(Malapit na lamang naman dito ang aming bahay)*." Taas-kilay na sambit ng aking ina. "Bamos *(Halika na)*, Kristina. Maga-alas-sais na. Hindi kaaya-aya sa isang soltera *(dalaga)* na katulad mo ang inaabot ng gabi sa kalye."
Nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad pauwi. Walang pagsidlan ang saya na aking nararamdaman. Hindi ko inaakala na muli ay magkikita pa tayong dalawa. Wari'y ang temperatura ng kapaligiran ay uminit na bigla, kinuha ang abanico at mabilis na namaypay.
"Saka ka na mamaypay ng ganyan, mi *(aking)* Kristina. Kapag natatanaw na iyan ng iyong irog na heneral." panunuksong sambit aking ina.
Ngumiti ako ng bahagya, tinakpan ng aking abanico ang mumunti kong tawa at ipinagpatuloy ang aking mabilis na pagpaypay. Tu eras, y todavía lo eres (*Ikaw noon, at hanggang ngayon.)*
Cómo estás, Ginoo/Binibini?
Nalulugod ang aking puso sapagka't nakarating ka sa parteng ito. Salamat sa iyong oras at sa pagdalaw sa aking munting sanaysay. Halina't maghuntahan tayo sa ibabang parte ng pahinang ito, nais kong marinig ang inyong mga saloobin.
Adiós, mi amigo/amiga.
Kasunod:
**Paanyaya sa Bahay ng Kapitan [1887]** https://read.cash/@KirstenCassandra/paanyaya-sa-bahay-ng-kapitan-1887-24eb25ea
My Achilles' Heel │Pt. 8: TDSATVW
"Smiling while gazing at the moon, my prince? You haven't been like that since the day I brought you in the abandoned gallery," the old lady said to **Nathan, the Direwolf Sorcerer**, as he sipped his coffee on the balcony.
"Are you following me all the way here at Hogwarts? Babysitting?" Nathan was on the verge of puking up his coffee.
"What are you thinking?" the old lady asked.
"You're aware that the **Vampire Witch** is under Professor Dumbledore's **Legilimency**; how can I penetrate her dream if the professor controls it, because the **Vampire Witch** can't come here personally?" Nathan wondered.
"You may try it, you have nothing to lose if you try," the old lady explained, "but it will only take a few minutes, so you have to do what you have to do in that brief duration."
**Mavis, the Vampire Witch**, is resting in her bed, having bizarre thoughts while breaking down. Trying to keep up with her curse. It's Thursday, and her power is dwindling. When someone knocks on her door. It's the **Direwolf Sorcerer**, she found when she opened it.
He cast a spell without uttering a single word, bringing them to a place she'd never been before. They're on the lakeside, lighted up by fluttering lanterns and fireflies, reflecting on the gleaming lake surrounded by enchanted trees.
She wept, overwhelmed by the sorcery in front of her. She glimpsed his wolf eyes gleaming at her. She hugged him so tightly because she was in nirvana. He suddenly hugs her back and starts brushing her hair. She felt perfectly secure and at ease. Until she realized who she was hugging. Her face flushed as she gently pushed him away.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked her after letting her go from his arms.
"Y-Yes. Please take me home.." She said covering her face with her tiny hands.
"Huh? What?" he's confused.
"Shi— I mean, please take me back to Hogwarts. Please." She said hysterically. Her face became even redder.
Suddenly, the enchantment wears off, and Mavis awakens in King's Cross Station, on the bench between platforms 9 and 10. Is everything that happened real? or is it all a dream?
She noticed a crumpled piece of paper in her hand: https://noise.cash/post/1mrwkwxn
*"As much as I want to pick the perfect bouquet of flowers for you, I just can’t yet. For we’re in a hurry, because the spell might run out anytime soon. You know it’s more effective during this kind of day only. When your power seems off and worn out, and you’re not at your usual self anymore. So I’m lending you everything that I can offer, just to make your day a little bit brighter.*
*You plucked the sky lanterns from their heavenly beds, wove them together like as if it binds us to some galactic insanity, and caught me as I fell for you over and over again.*
*Every time I see you, it feels like I’m staring into life’s most beautiful form, like as if you’ve never went through different darkness and storms.*
*I adore the way the sky lanterns decorates everything perfectly with golden hues of happiness, only for you and no one else. You’re worthy of it all. It would be nice to be tangled with your soul now and forevermore."*
*— Nathan, Direwolf Sorcerer*
(Written by: @alykavinsky)
"I'll never let that Direwolf Sorcerer infiltrate my dreams again, never, never; he was indeed my **Achilles' heel**, and I can't risk breaking my heart if it falls," Mavis mumbled to herself as she headed home.
Heyow!
It's been a week already! I've been so preoccupied at work, I've been struggling from writer's block. I'd want to complete my report by Thursday since I have a special appointment on Friday. Hihi.
That's it. I wish you a wonderful day! Au revoir.
I'm Bejeweled with a Lavender Haze [Tracks 1 & 9]
Bebuu love, I guess I've been a little too kind in letting you to have a party in my peace of mind. I even grant you a VIP pass. The party music is blaring in my head, blasting your name over and over again. Some people prioritize people based on their standards, but I think my 1950's vibe gave you the **Lavender Haze** you like.
I've always been exposed to this kind of scrutiny. Melancholy always creeps at midnight, like a ghost in mutiny. I never speak much, yet you read my mind like a genius. Everything is new to me since I'm used to keeping everything to myself, but you're different, you handle it beautifully and put me in a beautiful shelf.
I'm staring up at the ceiling with you, reminiscing on the past. You **Bejeweled** me in the dark with your **Lavender Haze**. Even if we weren't together, I can't believe I'm still entangled. They asked if I wanted to be your bride because they wanted to know if I was simply a one night or a bride. They had no idea I was already your wife, waiting for you with our little one, day and night.
I'm bringing up my history because you were always listening and telling me not to be afraid and you were always there for me. This **Lavender Haze** is sneaking up on me. It's surreal; I'll consider taking the basement, but you give me the penthouse instead. You're so sparkling that you can make me shimmer, like stars in the sky indeed.
And when I meet some band, they ask, "Do you have a man?" all I had to do is show them my **Bejeweled** finger, which shined brightly like some kind of *schwinger*. You revealed that familiarity breeds contempt, yet I don't mind spending time with you, I meant. You showed me diamonds in my eyes, and I'm sure I'll polish them up, real nice.
You're constantly proud of me, as though I'm crying Sapphire tears, which signify wisdom, intellect, and the capacity to make excellent decisions. A gemstone represents royalty and good fortune. Sadness took up my whole sky, but 'some guy' said my aura is a moonstone, which resonates with intuitive talents.
Every day and every night, I think about you. We'll see each other again in a few more moons. We'll be dancing all night, and you won't have to wait in line. Take my hand, so diamonds gotta shine!
Lead image https://eltiempolatino.com/2022/08/30/cultura/todo-sobre-midnights-el-nuevo-album-de-taylor-swift/
You guys!
Another narrative inspired by a ***Taylor Swift*** song. I've been seeing the ***Bejeweled*** trend on *Tiktok* a lot lately, which makes me want to make one here. Hihi. I also miss Bebuu terribly and hope to see him soon.
Anyway, I hope you appreciate the plethora of metaphors in this article. Have a great day, you! Au revoir.
Catastrophic Monday
I walked across a lonely land throughout a winter storm. I'm hungry, miserable, cold, and ill. I can feel the icy earth beneath my feet. I came upon a dead tree and felt the decaying branches staring at me. Is this the same place we used to love? Is this the place I've been looking for? However, it seems that everything has changed.
Everything in my life seems frozen, as if time has stopped for me, like a broken clock with no numbers or hour hands but a working second hand. Still alive, but not moving. I asked God why he doesn't just let me in and finish everything when I'm hopeless and helpless. He just smiled and let me live.
I used to know the road like the back of my hand, but now I can't see the way, and I'm not sure where to go. I don't know what I want to do with my life. I'm getting tired. They say that childhood trauma may make you stronger, but they're wrong. I am not a hero; I am a survivor. I need to begin somewhere, yet everything looks murky, like my vision without my glasses.
Where have you gone, simple thing? It is exceedingly difficult to find happiness in oneself. Why can't we have everything we want? Why is it so difficult to achieve? Why do we have to give up some precious things to gain what is truly crucial to us? Why can't we just run away from everything as if we're tethered to something? As if it were a dark room at the end of an endless maze.
Then I saw some smoke. Just like a ray of hope for my exhausted soul. I took a step towards it. It's a long road, but I'm seeking for it. I saw a house that I thought I might call home, but it's on fire. I'm trying to put out the fire, but the flames are bursting even more. It smacked me in the chest. It aches so much that I yelled. It's excruciating. I cried out for help, but no one heard me. No one.
It was only then that I realized I was alone. I've been alone for quite some time. I'm looking for things that will make me happy, but it'll only be for a matter of seconds. I was meant to be alone. Forever alone.
But then a miracle happened. My plea seemed to have been heard by the heavens. It went out like a candle extinguished by one's blow, such a wish granted. Without hesitation, I entered as if I were welcome, even though it had previously appeared as if this place was pushing me away.
Despite this, I stayed. I tried to fix things not because I had nowhere else to go or didn't have a choice, but for other reasons. My home is frequently affected by wildfires. Some claim that this house has been hunted, abandoned, and depicted, yet it is my home. This is the only place where I can be myself. This is where I want to spend my time, where I want to rebuild my dreams, where I want to stay till my last breath.
Punch in Dutch │ Part 11: WDIAFFFM?
"Stop this nonsense, all of you! That isn't why I summoned you here!" Theo's dad seated in the principal seat exclaimed. "I just finished drafting my will and testament, and I'm just giving everyone a heads-up to complain now or be silent forever."
"Shall we begin? Attorney?" He added.
"Republic of the Philippines, Quezon City. I, ***Francisco Muñoz,*** of legal age, married, Filipino citizen..." The lawyer started reading.
"I give and bequeath to my friend, business partner and my lawyer, ***Alvaro L. Rivera***, half of my shares in our company, **Hi-Tech**, and its sister companies;
I give and bequeath to my only child, ***Theo Alonzo Muñoz***, all my other properties and assets, real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever located." Atty. Rivera read.
"Hang on a minute, Francisco. To your only child? Hah! That adopted bastard? We are your own flesh and blood, that bastard is merely a charity case that you rescued, so why are you giving him all your assets and properties?" Petunia became furious.
"Don't make me regret giving you some shares in my company because, first and foremost, you have made no contribution to my hardships, and the person you're calling a bastard is my son, acknowledged by me and the law. He deserves all I have." Francisco answered.
Petunia confronted Theo from the other side of the table. Brandon, her son, followed his mother and grinned as she insulted Theo, but he stayed silent, and I held Theo's arm to calm him down.
"I'll call my lawyer. This isn't fair!" Petunia screamed. "You know what, maybe you're just like your real parents. Opportunists!"
"Then maybe you're adopted as well, aunt, because my dad isn't like you and neither are his parents, and I wonder where you got that attitude, maybe from your real parents," Theo said.
"You, son of a—" Brandon is poised to punch Theo in the face, but I catch it, and Brandon hits me in the face, knocking me unconscious.
*"My dad is here! Hide!" whispered* ***Teloy****.*
*"What are you doing—who are you? A burglar!" shouted* ***Teloy****'s drunken dad.*
*"Dad! Dad! She's my friend!"* ***Teloy*** *said.*
*"Friend? I'm not allowing you to befriend anybody! And what's this? You feed her? Why? Are you the one working that you brought a scrounger here?" his dad tightened his grip on his arm. "Where's my gun? You'll both pay for your stupidity!"*
*"Run!"* ***Teloy*** *shouted.*
*We escaped rapidly, but* ***Teloy*** *was captured by his father and beaten with his fist.* ***Teloy*** *urged me to run as fast as I could, but I got tripped by my slippers and fell to the ground. His dad snatches my arm and squeezes it forcefully. My parents are screaming for help and begging* ***Teloy****'s dad to let me go. I bit the man's arm and ran to my mom.*
***(Gunshot)***
*I felt a sharp pain in my head and heard screams as I was soaked in my own blood. I collapse into my mother's arms, and everything blurs, then goes dark.*
*"Reese! Reese! Somebody help us!!" my mother cries.*
"Reese! Reese, wake up!" Theo gently shook me to wake me up. I can hear him but I am unable to open my eyes.
"Theo, son, she's only unconscious. She'll wake up later. Just treat her bruise for now. Take her. I'll handle this," Francisco stated calmly.
*Theo took her into his room, where he fetched a bucket of ice and a towel. He saw a crimson bruise on the side of her lip and gently treated it with a towel-wrapped ice pack.*
*He can't stop staring at Reese's lips. It looks like a cupid's bow. The hue is a deep pink. He'd never seen such exquisite lips before. It's as if he's been enticed by it, as if he's been bewitched. He got his face near to the gorgeous lady's and was about to kiss her when she began babbling in her sleep.*
"T-Teloy" I uttered.
Heyoooow!
Did you miss Theo and Reese? Hehe. This series has gotten me trapped in my laptop. I wish I can finish this series just like my other series, and I hope you like reading it. Thank you for stopping by! Au revoir.
Yule Ball │ Pt. 7: TDSATVW
"He's so obnoxious!" snorted Mavis as she entered the room reserved for her. "Who does he think he is? A god? Do whatever he wants, I don't care!"
She opened her suitcase and saw her dress that she had never worn before. It was her mom's dress when her dad first saw her at the Yule Ball, also.
"I reckon you look gorgeous in this dress, mom, and I'm sure dad is head over heals in love with you," Mavis murmured as she held the lovely gown.
A loud knock at the door interrupts her musings. She opened it to see one of Gryffindor's second-year students there. He said that the headmaster has summoned her since the Triwizard Tournament's first task is about to begin.
She dressed up and went straight to the stadium where the tournament was being held. The first task is to snatch a golden egg from a nest guarded by a fearsome dragon who breathes fire. The vacant seats are located in the upper part of the stadium, and there she noticed the two vexing creatures who irritated her and made her spew fire like the dragons they were watching. The Direwolf Sorcerer seems to be too preoccupied in talking (or flirting) with Julia.
"Hey. Would you mind if I sit here with you?"
Someone taps her left shoulder gently, which catches her off guard. He's her old colleague, Oliver Wood. Even though he always falls off his broom during every Quidditch match when we're still in Hogwarts, he's still attractive.
"Of course, Oliver! It's been a long. How are you?" Mavis asked, smiling.
"You know who I am? That made me happy. I've seen you since we were in second year, but I don't have the confidence to talk to you since you're usually silent in every corner, reading your book," Oliver replied.
"Oh, please. I'm just an introvert and you're... you're famous. Even if you're regular patron of the infirmary."
They laughed so hard when she noticed a pair of ferocious wolf eyes staring at them. She just smirked and continue talking to Oliver until the tournament is over.
"Uhm, okay, here's the thing. I'd like to invite you as my date to the Yule Ball. I wish you didn't have a date," Oliver asked, hopeful.
"Y-Yeah, sure. I don't have a date either." Mavis answered.
"Great! I'll meet you at the stairs? See you later."
Mavis moved back to her room to get ready for the ball. Remembering how the Direwolf Sorcerer stared at her earlier. She's baffled as to why he's upset when with the other girl.
**3 hours later, at the Stairs...**
"You're so gorgeous." Oliver smiled when he saw her dressed in a glamorous rose gold gown.
Oliver took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They're waltzing in a circle when the music suddenly changes and they have to switch partners when the ladies turn.
"Oliver Wood, huh?" You guessed it correctly. It's the Nathan, the Direwolf Sorcerer, her new dance partner.
"What's wrong with that?" She asked after casting a side long glance at him.
"Ohh, you're still mad at me..." Nathan assumed.
"Whatev—" Mavis was about to say something when the sorcerer snapped his fingers and she found themselves in the middle of a rose garden. Only the two of them.
"Just let me dance with you alone tonight. Happy Holidays, Ms. Vampy Witch." Nathan said.
"Happy Holidays, Mr. Wolfy Sorcerer." she answered, smiling.
Heylaaa!
It's been a long time! How are things going? I've been too busy with the long weekends that I've neglected to write here. Also, because I've been missing my bae, I've spent a lot of time lately chatting to him.
We didn't talk for long in the last several days because their area is having a power outage due to the typhoon. Shouldn't that handsome man make amends for his girl? Hihi.
I hope everything is going well for you. Au revoir!
Masterminds in Paris [Tracks 13 & 16]
Once upon a time, it seemed like all the stars aligned. I was in a cozy room when I raised my hand and found a red string attached to my pinky finger with you on the other end. I woke up in a daydream while chatting with you on the phone, which made me realize that I only want you, no one else but you.
I made my move; use the eight pawns to knock down your high barriers. I moved my bishops to your dark spot, overcoming every obstacle you created. You used your knight to turn down the bishop, but it was all a deception, and I used the rooks to capture the formidable queen and draw near to the king. Checkmate!
What if I told you it wasn't all by coincidence? What if I told you that everything has been designed for you to be mine? I stack cards like a castle, withholding information and altering statistics in the hopes that if the cards fall into their rightful place, you'll fall for me. The plan succeeded, I'm the mastermind!
You thought it was just a tale leading you to all the enchanted places, but it has a magic potion that sets your mind in motion. Drinking cocktails like fresh juice from a pitcher with no idea it has tequila for you to get drunk, love drunk.
I didn't have friends when I was a kid, so I've always been a Machiavellian. I shape shift so that they will love me and I will never be alone again. I had you walk in a circular motion in my palm, but I noticed a wide smirk on your handsome face. You knew I was the mastermind the entire time. You peek through my plans and ride on like a kid in a carousel. That's one of the things I love about you, you're smart while acting naïve every damn time.
You carried out your plan right under my nose, and the fact that you drew a map on the bedsheet made me fall even more in love with you. You took my phone to avoid distractions and drove me to a place I'd never been before. We built our own Paris—our own city of love—on an island shaped like a huge hook. That city has now become my favorite for getting us drunk in every alley. Messing with each other and kissing as the sun sets.
I wanna brainwash you into loving me forever, but it seems that there is no need cause you wanna be stuck with me forever. So I grabbed your wand and polished it before casting the enchantment that only the two of us can cast. We gazed at the brilliant fireworks that lighted up the room, savoring every minute until we became drowsy and fell asleep.
Those are the memories I will cherish forever, my darling, even when we are gray and old.
Lead image https://eltiempolatino.com/2022/08/30/cultura/todo-sobre-midnights-el-nuevo-album-de-taylor-swift/
Heyaaa!
This is just my rendition of **Taylor Swift**'s new album **Midnights**' song **Paris** and **Mastermind**. If you haven't heard about it, Taylor says you can see it everywhere. Hihi.
I hope you appreciate this overabundance of metaphors. In the comments, you may suggest a song for me to do next. Have a wonderful day.
Au revoir!
Jealousy │ Pt. 6: TDSATVW
**Mavis, the Vampire Witch**, woke up with a smile on her lips. What a lovely dream she witnessed. She wondered whether it was all a dream because everything seemed realistic to her. How she delighted in paddling the sparkling sea with the Direwolf Sorcerer.
She glanced at her watch on her bedside table and was gobsmacked to see that it was seven o'clock in the evening. She rose from his bed. She seemed to have made the most of her rest day by sleeping the entire day. She rose up, took a bath, and began preparing her dinner, which was her first meal of the day.
She was about to raise his spoon to his mouth when something flew in through her open window. It's a red envelope with a letter inside. She broke the seal, and the letter flew from her grasp and spoke loudly.
***Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry***
*cordially invites you to* ***The Yule Ball***
***December 25, 2021*** *at* ***eight o'clock in the evening***
***The Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle***
*Enjoy a holiday feast and the Musical Stylings of the Hogwarts Orchestra conducted by Prof. Flitwick and The Weird Sisters.*
*We hope to see you soon.*
***Professor Albus Dumbledore***
*Headmaster*
She was mystified as to why the headmaster had sent her an invitation despite the fact that she couldn't visit Hogwarts since she would face death because the dark lord had been looking for her for a long time. The invitation then burst into flames in front of her, and as she inhaled its smoke, she passed out.
She woke up on one of the benches at King's Cross Station. She ran directly to the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, which took her to Platform 9 3/4. She smiled, remembering the first time she attended Hogwarts as a young teenager.
She chooses to sit in the train's unoccupied private compartment, which is a small room with a single door that leads to a long corridor with two benches facing each other. She was enjoying her Sherbet Lemon that Professor Dumbledore had given her with the letter when the door opened, revealing the Direwolf Sorcerer.
"Would you mind?" the Direwolf Sorcerer asked, a smile on his face.
"No, not at all," She said with a smile.
She was going to say thank you for the beach date when the door burst open. Julia, a muggle. She's curious why she's here, but she didn't inquire.
"I'm looking all over for you!" Julia smirked when she kissed the sorcerer on the right cheek.
Mavis' eyes widened in surprise, and she raised her right brow without them noticing. What's the deal with these two? she wonders. She'd just fallen asleep while listening to the two hideous creatures in front of her giggle.
She ran to the back of the castle when they got at Hogwarts since she needed to take medicine to the botanical garden first because she felt dizzy. But this obnoxious sorcerer was tailing her and calling out her name.
"Are you mad at me? Hey, Ms. Witch!"
"Go away! You annoying sorcerer!"
Nathan was about to seize Mavis' hand when she cast the Disarming Charm spell. "Expelliarmus!". And the sorcerer flew quite near to the Whomping Willow. The tree appeared to get agitated and proceeded to assault the sorcerer with its long branches. She arched her brow as she watched him avoid the furious Whomping Willow's strikes.
"Okay, I'm sorry, Ms. Witch! Please stop this thing!"
Before entering the castle, she cast a sidelong glance at him and flicked her wand to stop the willow from whooping him. Annoying sorcerer.
Hey!
Just missin' writing this kind of thing every Thursday like we used to. Hihi. I'm quiet busy chatting with my bebuu today, so au revoir! Have a great day!
Decoding Anti-Hero [Track 3]
It's no secret that ***Taylor Swift*** released an album last October 21, 2022 titled "***Midnights***". Many individuals have expressed on how pleased they are with the outcome. I was also delighted, but I kept silent because I was stunned. Taylor seems to understand what I've been going through lately, and I must say that this album spoke to my thoughts.
Just so you know, I'm a ***Swiftie*** for more than a decade, as is my lovely boyfriend. I love how Taylor uses metaphors in her songs to communicate her feelings. I, too, am captivated with metaphors and enjoy using them in my writings.
This article will focus on my favorite track from the album, "***Anti-Hero***," which is also Taylor's favorite. I'm going to decipher some of her metaphors based on how I perceived them and feel about them not because of its references. I'm not an expert, but I'll try my best. (Disclaimer: Self-pity ahead.)
*"When my depression works the graveyard shift. All of the people I've ghosted stand there in the room."*
It's beyond midnight, yet my eyes are still widely open. My depression has struck. My thoughts wander to the people I was with. Their memories torment me, and they have never left me alone. Some are happy, some are sad and tragic. They merely stand in the corner, yet seeing them in my thoughts kills me.
*"I wake up screaming from dreaming. One day I'll watch as you're leaving. 'Cause you got tired of my scheming."*
My anxiety creeps in like a horrible dream from time to time, fearing that the man I'm with would leave me soon because of my toxicity and the way I treated him. The pinnacle of a sinister scheme.
*"It's me. Hi. I'm the problem, it's me. At teatime, Everybody agrees."*
My self-sabotaging self is rejoicing. I am, in reality, the problem. Everything I do is difficult and complicated. I'm cursing the person I care about. All of the chaos and catastrophe is my fault, and my anxiety convinces me that everyone agrees in my back.
***"I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror." / "****Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, And I'm a monster on the hill."*
I'm always gazing at the societal expectation. On how gorgeous ladies are, how perfect their soda bottle-like figures are, and how flawless their skin is. It makes me feel uneasy. I don't want to look in the mirror because it will remind me of how ugly I am.
*"Too big to hang out. Slowly lurching toward your favorite city. Pierced through the heart but never killed."*
I feel like I'm so heavy that no one can carry me up, so I'm just sitting here, starring at most men's favorite city with the sea of gorgeous and sexy ladies they can be with and deserve to introduce as a future bride. Unlike me. It hurts like a dagger thrust in my heart, yet I'm still standing tall like an unbothered queen.
*"Did you hear my covert narcissism, I disguise as altruism like some kind of congressman?"*
I may seem narcissistic and self-centered at times, but I have a poor self-esteem and my insecurities follow me even when I sleep. That is why I am always seeking unrealistic attention. I feel as though I have an illness that I don't know how to cure. To others, I look altruistic and philanthropic, much like a politician, but the fact is that I don't care.
*"I have this dream my daughter-in-law kills me for the money. She thinks I left them in the will. The family gathers 'round and reads it. And then someone screams out, "She's laughing up at us from hell!" "*
My relatives assumed I was their lovely niece. The polite one, the most caring, prim and proper, giving, and other wonderful attributes that they thought I got from them because now I have something in my pocket, but only if they knew, I'm cursing them in my mind like a girl burning in hell. I'll never forget what they did to me and my family when I was a kid. It's etched in my head like their names in a tomb.
*"It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero."*
They say you're the main character in your own movie, "Life," and most of the time, the protagonist is a hero with heroic qualities that I lack. I'm the villain in my own tale, which novelists refer to as an "antihero."
Lead image https://eltiempolatino.com/2022/08/30/cultura/todo-sobre-midnights-el-nuevo-album-de-taylor-swift/
Hey!
I hope you enjoyed this article. I've been preoccupied with my Kuya's wedding for the past few days, which is why I haven't had time to write here.
Just popping in your red bell. I'll go back now to my coffee sesh with my babe. I'll see you next time!
Nasaan ka na, Heneral? [1887]
Tila huminto ang kamay ng orasan nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na tinig na iyon na tumawag sa aking pangalan. Tila isang musika ito sa aking pandinig. Wari'y tinig ng isang anghel na inihehele ang aking pagal na puso. Malakas ang tinig na iyon ngunit mababatid mong puno pa 'rin ito ng pagmamahal. Sadyang napakalambing ng binatang ito.
Lilingunin ko na sana ito nang biglang humarang sa pagitan namin ang mga guardiya sibil na inutusan ng aking amang alcalde mayor upang ako ay ihatid. Hinawakan ng utusan ang aking kamay at niyaya na akong maglakad patungo sa sakayan patungong maynila.
Naririnig kong nagpupumiglas pa 'rin ang binata sa aking likuran at patuloy na isinisigaw ang aking pangalan. Hindi ko na napigilan ang bawat luha ng paghihinagpis na kanina pa ay gustong kumawala sa aking mga mata. Bawat hakbang ng aking mga mata ay siyang tulo ng aking mga luha.
Sumakay na ako sa nakatalagang kalesa na maghahatid sa aking paroroonan. Baon ang aking pagkabigo sa pag-ibig na ngayon ko lamang naramdaman. Nais kong bumalik at harapin siya ngunit natatakot ako na baka hindi ko na mapigilan ang aking nararamdaman at lubusan akong mahulog sa kaniya. Ngunit tila huli na ang lahat, tuluyan na akong nahulog sa batang heneral.
Dapat ko na siyang limutin dahil marahil ay malilimot na 'rin niya ako. Makisig siya, gwapo, matipuno, maginoo at matalino. Marami siyang makikilalang mas magaganda pa'ng mga babae sa kaniyang bawat destino na higit sa tulad kong manunulat lamang na nakatanikala sa aking papel at pluma.
**Makalipas ang sampung taon**, narito ako sa aking silid. Nakatunghay sa aking mga equipaje na dadalhin ko sa pag-uwi sa aming probinsya. Taglay ko ang pag-aalala na muli kong makikita ang tinatangi kong heneral. Natatakot na kung sakaling makita ko siyang may kasamang hermosa mojer ay tumangis ako sa kanyang harapan o kaya ang lalong malubha ay malaman na ito ay kaniya nang esposa. Panginoon ko, huwag na sanang mag-krus pa ang aming landas.
Tumindig na ako at gumayak na. Isinuot ang aking corpiño at enaguas. Isinunod ang aking camisa, panuelo at saya na pawang puti ang kulay. Panghuli ay inilagay ang tapis na kasing kulay ng maputlang lila.
Dumating na ang karwahe. Isinakay na ang aking mga equipaje at humayo na patungo sa aming bayan. Habang naglalakbay ay napansin kong gaya pa 'rin ng dati ang lugar na ito. May kakaunting pagbabago dahil sa mga bagong gusali ngunit ang mga tao na naninirahan ay ganoon pa 'rin.
Nang makarating na ako sa aming tahanan ay agad akong sinalubong ng aking ina at niyaya akong uminom ng inihanda niyang tsokolate sa may lamesita sa tabi ng bintanang kapis. Sabik siya sa aking mga kuwento sapagka't ngayon lamang ako umuwi makalipas ang sampung taon.
Sa aming pag-uusap ay nabanggit niya ang heneral. Matagal na raw itong wala rito at hindi na ito umuwi pa noong nilisan ko ang bayan na ito. Iniabot ng aking ina sa akin ang isang kahon na puno ng mga sulat ng heneral sa akin. Naka-selyo ang lahat ng ito na wari'y hinihintay akong bumalik upang sila'y basahin.
Palagi pa 'rin raw nag-iipit ang heneral ng mga sulat niya para sa akin sa lumang libro sa librerya ng munisipyo. Dinala lamang raw ito ng aking kaibigang si Tessie na siyang tagapamahala na ng librerya, sa aming bahay sapagka't napupuno na ang estantería ng mga sulat ng heneral para sa akin. Ngunit makalipas ang limang taon ay tumigil na ito sa pagsulat. Tila napagod na siyang sumulat sa isang dilag na wala nang pag-asang magbalik.
Hinayaan muna ako ng aking ina na mapag-isa upang ako ay makapagmuni-muni. Kinuha ko ang pinaka-ibabaw sa nakasalansan na mga sulat at dahan-dahan at maingat na sinira ang pagkakaselyo nito. Buong akala ko ay ako'y nakalimot na pagkatapos ng sampung taon ngunit nanariwang muli sa aking puso ang pighati na aking ikinukubli. Nakasaad sa sulat na siya ay naghihinagpis rin sa aking biglang pagkawala dahil iniibig rin niya ako.
*Nasaan ka na kaya ngayon, aking Alonzo? Nasaan na ang dating ikaw at ako? Nasaan na ang mga panahong tayo ay masaya pa at kuntento kahit sa sulat lamang tayo nag-uusap? Nasaan ka, dati kong Alonzo?*
Tila nakikiisa ang langit sa aking kalungkutan. Ang kanina lamang na maliwanag na kalangitan ay nabalutan ng madidilim na ulap at ibinuhos ang malalaking patak ng ulan na sinabayan ng nagngangalit na kulog at kidlat na noo'y aking tinatakasan. Ngunit ngayon, incluso si me golpean, ya no me importa.
Kasunod:
**Tu eras, y todavía lo eres [1887]** https://read.cash/@KirstenCassandra/tu-eras-y-todavia-lo-eres-1887-94b5cbec
@KirstenCassandra
