Once Upon A Quarantine
—
Ako si Devion, isa sa mga apektado ng quarantine. At ito ang pinakamasaklap na pangyayari sa aking buhay. My mom and my dad, was tested positive so I was forced to live with my three uncle and a younger sister.
Day 3 of community quarantine.
Sobrang init ng araw na yun kaya napagdesisyunan kong maligo muna, 10:43am. Habang naliligo ako ay may naririnig akong kaluskos sa labas ng banyo.
*"Sino yan?"* sambit ko at nagsimula akong kabahan nang walang sumagot. Binilisan kong maligo nang maramdaman kong may tao sa labas malapit sa butas ng cr namin.
Day 4 of community quarantine.
7:30am. Habang nagwawalis ako ng bahay nang naramdaman kong itinataas ni tito Joseph ang palda ko. Natigilan ako at hindi ako makagalaw. Hinila niya ako mula sa aking baywang at hindi ko napigilang umiyak. Inamoy-amoy niya ang buhok ko at dinilaan ang aking tainga. Wala akong magawa sa takot na nararamdaman ko.
2:12pm. Natutulog ako sa kwarto ko nang pumasok si tito King at dumag-an sa 'kin. Pilit niyang hinahawakan ang dibdib ko at ibaba ang bra ko, sinubukan kong pumiglas ngunit sadyang malakas ito.
Day 6 of community quarantine.
3:06am. Narinig ko ang iyak ng kapatid ko mula sa kabilang kwarto, kaya agad ko itong pinuntahan at nakita kong minomolestya ito ng aking tito Noel. Sinubukan kong pigilan ito, ngunit itinulak lang ako nito kaya tumama ang ulo ko sa may pader. Nawalan ako ng malay.
7:02am. Nagising ako ng katabi ang kapatid ko.
Day 7 of community quarantine.
Hindi na ako nakakatulog ng maayos dahil sa takot. Wala din akong communications sa labas para humingi ng tulong. Yakap yakap ko ang kapatid ko sa takot na gawin nanaman nila ang pagsasamantala sa amin.
11:03pm. Nakaidlip ako at hindi namalayang wala na akong anumang saplot. Naalimpungatan ako at nakita silang tatlo. Hawak ni tito Noel at ni tito Josep ang magkabilang kamay ko. At si tito Noel naman ang nakadagan sa akin.
Sinubukan kong sumigaw pero tinakpan nila ang bibig ko. Inilabas ko ang buong pwersa ko para makawala sa kanila ngunit nabigo ako.
Day 8 of community quarantine.
1:25am. Sumasakit ang ari ko. Pinagsamantalahan nila ako, nilapastangan nila ang puri ko. Pinagpasapasahan nipa ako na parang isang hayop. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang umiyak. Nakita ko ang mga titig ng kapatid ko sa akin. Awa. Yun lang ang nakita ko.
Hindi ko na kaya ang nangyayari, kailangan kong labanan ang takot ko.
11:49pm. Bumangon ako at pinuntahan sila sa kanilang kwarto. Dahan dahan, hawak ang kutsilyo at ang poot na nararamdaman ko. Isa-isa ko silang pinagsasaksak sa leeg hanggang sa tuluyan silang mawalan ng hininga. Medyo nahirapan pa ako kay tito King nang magising ito.
*"Bagay lang yan sa inyo, magkita-kita nalang tayo ulit sa impyerno,"* sinaksak ko siya sa hita at ang isa'y tumama sa braso mula sa pagkakasalag nito. Binunot ko at sinaksak kong muli ito. Napapikit ako ng tumalsik sa 'kin ang dugo. Tinamaan ito sa mata, tinatad ko na ito ng saksak hanggang siya ay manghina at tuluyang mawalan ng hininga.
Day 9 of community quarantine.
1:12am. Natapos din ang lahat. Hingal na hingal akong ngumiti habang pinagmamasdan ang walang buhay nilang mga katawan. Nabunutan ako ng malaking tinik sa lalamunan.
7:38am. Nabalitaan kong nakarecover na si mama at hindi nakaligtas si papa. Handa na rin akong patayin siya kapag kinasuklaman niya ako sa ginawa ko sa mga kapatid niya.
That Guy Is A Loser
—
*"Mr. Manlangit, bakit late ka nanaman? Ano nanamang excuse ang sasabihin mo sa 'kin ngayon?"* sermon ng gurong agad bumungad kay Jacob na nakayukong pumasok ng klase. Dahan-dahan itong naglakad patungo sa kanyang upuan nang muling magsalita ang kanyang guro.
*"Sa susunod na ma-late ka, ipapatawag ko na magulang mo, understood me?"* iritableng sambit ng guro at isang mahinang tugon lang ang isinukli ni Jacob rito.
*"Y-yes ma'am, m-marami lang po tal—"*
*"Enough of the excuses, lumapit ka dito sa blackboard at sagutan mo ang yung number 1 sa asignaturang ibinigay ko sa inyo kahapon. "* agad namang lumapit si Jacob sa blackboard habang pinagbubulungan ito ng kanyang mga kaklase.
*"Gagawa nanaman siya ng kapalpakan, here it comes,"* bulong ng isa nitong kaklase saktong pagdaan ni Jacob sa harapan nito.
*"Hindi ka pa nasanay, he's a total loser, remember?"* dagdag naman ng katabi nito ngunit hindi nalang ito pinansin ni Jacob at dumiretso na at kinuha ang chalk at tinignan ang nakasulat sa kaniyang kwaderno. Nang matapos na ito ay dumiretso na kaagad ito sa kanyang kinauupuan. Sa hitsura nito'y mukhang hindi ito sigurado sa kanyang isinulat sa pisara at hinihintay ang reaksyon ng kanyang guro.
*"Who got the same answer?"* tanong nito sa kanyang klase, bilang lamang sa daliri ang nagtaas ng kamay. Si Harra, ang top 1 ng klase at isa rin sa mga pinakakilalang estudyante sa buong campus ay isa rito.
*"Oh my God! Seriously class? Aapat lang ang nakatamang sagot?"* napakamot nalang sa ulo si Mrs. Valdez sa nasaksihan nito.
*"By the way Mr. Manlangit, very well, I'll forgive you for being late today,"* at mabilis na lumipas ang oras at natapos na rin ang klase. Halos wala nang tao sa loob ng silid at mabilis na inayos ni Jacob ang kanyang gamit at nagmamadaling lumabas ngunit bago pa man ito makarating sa pinto ay hinarang na ito nina Bryan, Marvin at Anthony. Sinubukan nitong lumusot sa tatlo ngunit hindi ito nagtagumpay.
*"I know you cheated,"* bungad ni Bryan at kwinelyuhan niya ito.
*"N-no I didn't,"* nangangatal na sagot ni Jacob sa sinabi ni Bryan,
*"Aba, sumasagot ka na ah,"* sabi naman ni Anthony at sinikmuraan niya ito habang hawak-hawak ni Bryan, dahilan para sumuka ito ng dugo. Lumapit naman si Marvin at pinagbantaan ang binata.
*"Don't fuckin' deny it, how the hell a dumbass like you will even got a perfect score? huh,"* muling sambit ni Bryan habang nanatiling hawak ang kwelyo ng uniporme nito.
*"Ayaw kong nakikita kang lumalapit kay Harra, alam kong sa kanya ka lang naman kumopya, naiintindihan mo?"* umiwas lamang ng tingin si Jacob rito at tumango.
*"At kung iniisip mong magkakagusto siya sa isang tulad mo, pwes nananaginip ka. You're a loser, you'll stay as a loser,"* dinuro-duro ni Marvin ang noo nito habang sinasabi ang mga salitang iyon. Maya-maya pa ay umalis na ang mga ito. Nahihirapang tumayo si Jacob sa sakit na iniinda nang madaanan ito ni Harra.
*"Hey Jacob, ayos ka lang?"* tanong nito na may halong pag-aalala sa kalagayan ng binata. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ito dahil alam niya kung sino ang may gawa nito kay Jacob.
*"Those freakin'guys,"* inalalayan nitong makatayo si Jacob ngunit iwinaksi lang nito ang palad niya at nagmamadaling umalis ng silid. Pagkauwi nito ng bahay ay dumiretso ito sa kanyang kwarto. Nahiga habang nakatitig sa kisame. Iniisip niya ang mga nangyari kanina.
*"What a rough day, nakaperfect nga ako sa assignment namin kanina, sakit naman ng katawan ang inabot ko. At bakit napakabait sa 'kin nung babaeng 'yon. Hindi naman ako yung tipo ng taong dapat niyang pag-aksayahan ng oras, napapahamak pa tuloy ako ng dahil sa kanya,"*
Madalas ganoon ang senaryo na nararanasan ni Jacob kaya napapadalas din ang pagliban nito sa klase. Maraming tumatakbo sa utak ni Jacob noong gabing iyon, na kung gaano parang laging impyerno ang pinapasukan niya kaya minsan ay lagi niyang naiisip si Harra, kung paano ang isang anghel na tulad niya ay naligaw sa impyernong iyon. Gusto niyang mapalapit dito pero sa tuwing naiisip niya iyon ay kasabay naman ang pagpapaalala sa mga banta ni Marvin.
Sikat din ito sa campus, hindi dahil sa pagiging matalino nito, ngunit dahil sa lagi itong nasasangkot sa gulo. At isa rin ito sa mga player ng basketball team. Matagal tagal na rin itong nanliligaw kay Harra pero hindi siya nito pinapansin. Kaya kung sino man ang makita niyang umaaligid na lalaki dito ay tiyak na sasamain.
Kaya nitong mga sumunod na araw ay pilit itong iniiwasan ni Jacob. Hindi dahil sa ayaw niya ito ngunit dahil kay Marvin. At isa pa, sino ba naman siya kung ikukumpara. He's a totally complete loser ikanga. Hindi masyadong gwapo, hindi kasali sa kahit anong sports team sa eskwelahan at hindi rin naman matalino. A complete disaster kung iisipin mo. Kaya ganun ganun na lang na ginawa siyang laughing stock ng mga kaklase nito.
Pero iba si Harra, napakabait nito kaya hinahangaan ito maging ang ibang section at year level. Minsan nga ay palihim nitong sinundan si Jacob pauwi sa bahay nito.
*"Ah, dito pala kayo nakatira, malayu-layo kasya sa inaasahan ko,"* bulong malamannito sa sarili habang pinagmamasdan si Jacob mula sa malayo habang papasok ng bahay nito. Pagkatapos niyang malaman iyon ay umuwi na ito ng kanilang bahay na may ngiting dala-dala sa pag-uwi.
Sabado. Walang pasok kaya naman ay nasa kwarto lang si Jacob at naglalaro ng online games. Ganito lang ang ginagawa nito kapag walang pasok ngunit may bago sa araw niya noong umagang iyon.
*"Kobkob, may bisita ka, bumaba ka muna,"* katok nito sa kwarto ni Jacob. Nang marinig niya iyon agad niyang pinagbuksan ng pinto ang ina.
*"Sino yun, Ma? Wala naman akong iniimbitahan dito ah,*" sagot nito sa ina. Totoo naman na kahit minsan ay wala pa itong pinapunta sa kanilang bahay. Bukod sa itinuturing siyang nobody sa eskwelahan na kanyang pinapasukan ay madalang siyang magkaroon ng kaibigan.
*"Aba malay ko, basta ang sabi niya girlfriend mo raw siya,"*. Sa sinabing iyon ng kanyang ina ay hindi maipinta ang kanyang mukha. Sapagkat wala naman talaga siyang maisip na sira ang ulo para magpakilalang girlfriend niya.
*"Hindi ka nagsasabi sa 'kin ah, may girlfriend ka na pala. In fairness, ah maganda siya at mukhang mabait kagaya ko,"* sabay hawi nito sa kanyang mahabang buhok. Totoo naman ang sinasabi ng kanyang ina. Sa edad nitong kwarenta'y tres ay mukha pa rin itong nasa kanyang mid 30's at makinis pa rin ang balat nito.
*"Wala akong girlfriend, Ma,"* napakamot nalang ito sa kanyang ulo sa ikinikilos ng ina.
*"Huwag ka na ngang in denial dyan, bumaba ka na at masamang pinag-aantay ang bisita,"* bumaba na ito pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon at dumiretso na sa kusina upang ipagpatuloy ang pagluluto. Dahan-dahan namang bumaba si Jacob upang tignan kung sino ang babaeng bumisita rito.
*"Harra, anong ginagawa mo dito? At paano mo nalaman ang bahay namin?"* gulat nitong tanong nang makita ang babaeng nakaupo sa kanilang sala.
*"Binibisita ka,*" maikling sagot ng dalaga at nagpakawala ng isang matamis nitong ngiti.
*"At bakit mo sinabi kay mama na girlfriend kita, gusto mo ba akong mabugbog nanaman sa eskwelahan?"* Kitang-kita sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala, dahilan kung bakit napahalakhak nalang ang dalaga sa kaniyang hitsura. Agad din naman itong tumigil nang sumeryoso ang mukha ng binata. Kinuha nito ang isang notebook mula sa kanyang bag na dala-dala at ipinakita ito sa binata.
*"Naiwan mo pala kahap—*" hindi na nito pinatapos sa pagsasalita ang dalaga at hinablot ang notebook mula sa pagkakahawak ni Harra.
*"Huwag mo sabihing—"* labis ang pagkagulat nito ng makita notebook na iyon sa dalaga. Doon lang naman kasi nakasulat ang nararamdaman niya para rito. Bukod doon ay ang mga tulang isinulat niya para kay Harra.
*"Oo binasa ko lahat ng nakasulat diyan,"* Sa sinabing ito ng dalaga ay napasabunot nalang ito at biglang nakaramdam ng pagkahiya.
*"A-ah, ano kasi, p-pasensya ka na. H-hindi ko—"* napakamot nalang ang binata at namumula naang pisngi nito dahil sa hiya sa dalaga na nagpahalakhak nanaman dito.
*"Mukhang nagkakatuwaan kayo ah,"* sabi ng ina ni Jacob na kasalukuyang inihahanda na ang mga pagkain sa mesa.
*"Ah kasi Tita, nakakatawa yung anak niyo,"* ilang sandali lang ay tinawag na ng ina ni Jacob ang dalawa.
*"Hija, halika na kayong dalawa dito at kumain na tayo,"* habang tinitignan nito ang dalaga ay hindi niya mapigilan ang mamangha sa future daughter-in-law nito, at least sa pagkakaalam niya. Nagkakaroon silang tatlo na makapagusap-usap at halata ang pagiging awkward na sitwasyong ito para kay Jacob. Bukod pa doon ay may mga tanong pang hindi sinasagot ni Harra dito. Kaya naman pagkatapos nilang kumain ay pinuntahan niya agad ang dalaga sa sala kung saan ito nakaupo.
*"Hindi mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko,"* sabi nito pagkaupong pagkaupo ng binata sa tabi ng dalaga.
*"Sumabay ka sa akin pumasok sa lunes para malaman mo yung sagot ko, at saka magreview ka para sa exam natin, kapag nakakuha ka ulit ng mataas na score saka ko na sasabihin sa'yo,"* pagkatapos niyang sabihin ito ay tumayo na rin agad at dumiretso sa ina ni Jacob at nagpaalam.
*"Tita, tutuloy na po ako,*" nagmano ito bago tumalikod.
*"Hija, mag-iingat ka, basta tandaan mo, kahit anong oras na gusto mong bumisita, welcome na welcome ka dito, sabihin mo sa akin kapag pinaiyak ka niyang si Jacob ah,"* sabay ngiti nito at kinawayan si Harra na tinatahak ang direksyon palabas ng pinto ng bahay.
Habang si Jacob naman naiwang may tanong sa isipan. Umakyat ito ng kwarto niya at itinigil ang paglalaro at hinalungkat ang gamit niya sa kwarto. Inilabas ang gagamitin para mag-review sa exam nila sa lunes.
Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa nangyari kanina at kung gusto niyang malaman ang lahat ay dapat makakuha siya ng mataas na marka sa exam. Tinignan niya ang notebook niyang pinag-aalayan ng mga tula sa dalaga, nahihiya pa rin siya dito at hindi nito alam kung paano ito haharapin sa susunod na magkita sila. Nang may mapansin itong sulat sa likod ng kanyang kwaderno.
*"Gusto kita, Jacob"*
Ito lang ang tanging sulat na kanyang nakita. Hindi nito maipaliwanag ang kanyang naramdaman nang sandaling iyon, rinig na rinig niya ang kabog sa kanyang dibdib at ito rin ang unang pagkakataon na naramdaman niyang hindi siya talunan.
Kaya naman ay mas ginanahan itong magreview, hindi lang para sa exam kundi inaral niya na rin ng advance ang iba nilang mga subject para magkaraoon na siya ng ideya tungkol rito at hindi na masyadong mahirapan sa mga susunod na araw.
Araw ng lunes, maaga itong magising sa unang pagkakataon, maaga rin kasi itong natulog at hindi na nagpuyat sa kalalaro. Ss unsng pagkakataon din ay ayos na ayos ang buhok nito at tila biglaang naging isang ganap na binata.
Isang oras bago magsimula ang klase ay nandoon na ito sa gate gaya ng napag-usapan ng dalawa na sabay silang papasok, kahit na kinakabahan ay pilit nitong ikinalma ang sarili sa kahit anong pwedeng masamang mangyari. Maya-maya pa ay sumunod na ring dumating ang dalaga. Kumapit ito sa braso ng binata. Habang naglalakad silang dalawa ay napatigil ang binata ng makita nito ang grupo ni Marvin.
*"Halika na, huwag ka matakot diyan. Ako bahala sa'yo,"* pagkasabi niya nito ay iniakbay nito ang kanang kamay ni Jacob sa kanyang balikat at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Pinagtitinginan sila ng mga estudyante at lumapit dito ang tatlo.
*"Bakit mo kasama yang talunan na yan, hindi ka ba nahihiya?"* bungad ni Anthony sa dalaga nang salubungin nila ang dalawa.
*"Ikaw naman, diba binalaan na kita,*" sambit naman ni Bryan sa binata. Akmang susuntukin naman ni Marvin si Jacob ngunit may humawak ng braso nito mula sa likod. Nagkatinginan naman si Marvin at ang lalaking humawak sa braso nito na kapatid pala ni Harra.
*"Huwag mo lang masubukan at ako makakalaban mo,"* sabi nito saka binitawan ang braso ni Marvin. Nagpatuloy na naman maglakad ang dalawa patungo sa kanilang silid.
Dahil maaga pa ay kakaunti pa lang ang kaklase nilang nasa silid. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang mga nambubully kay Jacob. Kahit kakaunti pa lamang ang mga ito ay rinig na ang mga pagbubulungan nito sa kani-kanilang mga upuan.
*"Bakit kasama ni Val yung Jacob na yun? Yak,"* bulong ni Jamie sa katabi niyang si Louise. Val ang tawag nila kay Harra kasi hindi ito nawala sa pagiging top 1 ng klase.
*"Ginayuma yata ni loser si Val, hala,"* tugon naman ni Louise kay Jamie. Kahit medyo malayo si Harra at Jacob sa kinauupuan ng dalawa ay rinig pa rin nila ito. Tatayo na sana si Harra ngunit pinigilan ito ni Jacob kaya medyo nakapagtimpi pa si Harra ng mga sandaling iyon.
Hanggang sa natapos na ang exam at ia-announce na ang resulta. Inatasan naman ng guro si Harra upang basahin ang mga scores sa kanilang exam. And as usual ay perpekto nanaman ang score nito. At bago niya basahin ang huling papel na hawak niya ay nagsalita ito sa harapan na siguradong kay Jacob sapagkat ang pangalan nalang nito ang hindi natatawag.
*"Bago ko basahin 'to guys, may gusto sana akong sabihin sa inyo,"* ipinaalam niya ito sa guro at pinayagan naman siya nito.
***"Starting this day, I don't wanna hear you guys talking about Jacob and calling him names that insults him. At yung sinasabi niyo sa kanya na loser, it is no longer true, bukod sa 59/60 ang nakuha niya sa exam na ito..."*** inilibot nito ang kanyang mga mata sa kanyang mga kaklase bago nagpatuloy na magsalita.
***"I just want you to know guys, that he won my heart,*** *and he's the kind of person na hinahanap ko sa isang lalaki, kaya sana sa mga susunod na araw, please be good to him, yun lang,"* tinapos na nitong magsalita at umupo. Ang guro naman nito ay kinikilig mula sa kanyang nasaksihan.
*"Ano yon?"* tanong ni Jacob pagkabalik sa upuan ng dalaga.
***"Sinasagot na kita, Jacob Manlangit."***
END.
Dedicated to my very first sponsor @lucas and the one who motivates me to keep writing @carisdaneym2 .
Thank you for reading. ☺️
Stockholm Syndrome
—
I am Max, a small-time robber. Although it's against my will, it's the only way to save my mother's life. She has a stage 3 cancer and time is my enemy. Dalawa lang ang kahahantungan ko pagkatapos nito— isang paa sa hukay at isang paa sa kulungan. As long as my mother will be cured, wala na akong pakialam kung saan sa dalawa ang kabagsakan ko.
I'm willing to do it. I need to save the only thing that is left in my life. And this time we're going for a big one. I have convinced my only friend Dark. Kahit kailan hindi niya ako iniwan, mula sa pinakamasasaya hanggang sa pinakamalulungkot at sa pinakaligtas at pinakadelikadong sitwasyon.
"*Sigurado ka na ba rito?*" he asked me one last time.
"*Oo, Dark. Kailangan gumaling si Mama dahil siya na lang natitira sa buhay ko. Sinubukan na natin lahat sa malinis na paraan, pero hindi natin makukuha ang kalahating milyon nang ganon ganon lang at nauubusan na tayo ng oras,*" I explained.
"*Sige, nandito lang ako para sa'yo Kapatid. Hanggang sa huli.*" Idinipa niya ang kaniyang mga braso at niyakap ako habang tinatapik-tapik ang aking likod.
"*Maraming salamat, Dark. Tatanawin kong utang na loob 'to habambuhay, yun ay kung buhay pa ako pagkatapos nito.*" We chuckled and got some rest before we proceed to our plan.
Kinakabahan ako pero itinatak ko sa isip ko kung para saan itong gagawin ko.
It was 4:30 pm, hinihintay nilang kumaunti ang tao sa loob at saka sila papasok. The fewer the people, the easier to get in at ayaw kong may masasaktan sa gagawin namin.
15 mins passed, we barged in the bank with two black bags and guns.
"*This is a robbery! Get down, all of you!*" Lahat sila ay yumuko habang ang mga kamay ay nasa kanilang batok. But to my surprised, one woman refused to obey.
"*Bingi ka ba? Dapa!*" Utos ko habang nakatutok sa kaniya ang baril. She doesn't seem to care and still refused to get down.
"*Alam kong hindi kayo masamang tao,*" she said looking directly at my eyes followed by one nervous gulp. She showed her palms trying to calm me. I suddenly burst into tears, realizing what I was doing. Agad ko itong pinunasan at tumingin sa kanya ng diretso.
"*Oh, yeah? Hindi mo kami kilala, kaya don't you dare to tell us that we're not a bad guy. You'll never know that.*" Pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong maluha ulit. again pointed the gun at her again. But instead of making her afraid, she slowly walked towards me.
"*Huwag kang lalapit, ipuputok ko 'to.*" Pananakot ko sa kaniya but she still continued to walk towards me. I was shocked when she suddenly hugged me. Natulala lang ang lahat ng hostage namin at maging si Dark sa nakita niya. Nagkatinginan lang kami and I put my gun swinging in my hands. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaiba. That feeling that I've never felt before. It's a weird but it's a good feeling.
"*Alam kong kailangan mo yung pera, kung ano man yan. I know it's not for you, it's for someone you love. Now tell me, who is it and I'll take you to the safe where you can get some money. Ituturo ko rin sayo ang exit sa likod.*" Ang lambing ng boses niyang ibinulong ang mga salitang iyan habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.
"*And please, don't hurt anyone of the hostage. Alam kong hindi mo rin gusto yun.*" Bumitaw na siya sa pagkakayakap at dinala kami sa safe kung saan nakatago ang pera.
"*Here it is ,sambit*" nito.
I can't believe kung paano niya ako napakalma nang ganun lang. And how was she knew what's I'm going through.
Nakasilip lang ang mga hostage sa 'min habang binubuksan ni Ms. Amnell ang safe. I read it in her I.D.. Sinimulan nang maglagay ng pera sa bag si Dark habang ako ay tumingin sa dalaga. Ang hitsura nito'y nasa mid 20's pa lang at kitang-kita ang ganda ng hugis ng katawan kahit ito'y nakauniporme ng bangko.
Nawala ang atensyon namin sa isang bantay at napapikit na lang ako nang makita ang pagtutok sa 'kin ng kaniyang baril.
"*No!*"
*bang*
A gunshot was fired and I knew at that moment, this will be my end. Unti-unti akong dumilat nang wala akong naramdaman. The only thing I felt was a body fell down on me. She caught the bullet for me. And that's the most heartbreaking thing I cannot explained.
All I knew was I fired back at him for shooting that woman. Dark pulled me and ran to the fire exit. We ran as fast as we can. Never looking back and carrying my guilt.
"*You'll be alright, Mom.*" I caressed her forehead while she's lying unconsciously as tears escaped through my eyes.
"*Max,*" tawag sa 'kin ni Dark na nasa pintuan ng kwartong iyon. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at nagpatuloy siyang magsalita.
"*Remember the girl at the bank?*" he told me.
"*Y-Yes. W-What about her?*" interesado kong tanong sa kaniya.
"*I just found out. She's admitted here.*"
"*Room 143,*" he said tapping my shoulders.
"*You should visit her,*" sabi pa nito.
"*I-I can't, I'm sure nandoon ang family niya. Anong sasabihin ko sa kanila?*" nag-aalalang tanong ko.
"*Tell them she's your friend,*" he suggests. Nakaisip ako ng paraan. Kumuha ako ng ballpen at kapirasong papel at nagsulat.
"***Thank you for saving my life even though I don't deserve it. I hope you'll recover soon. I realized that I should turn myself in. I can't bear to carry the guilt of what I've caused you. And you're right, I'm not doing it for myself. I'm doing it for my mother. She's at room 144 in case you'll recover first before her, you can visit her. Say hello to her for me.***"
Tinupi ko ang papel at naglakas ng loob na puntahan kung saan naka-confine ang babaeng nagligtas ng buhay ko.
*knocks at room 143*
Pinagbuksan ako ng isang babae, it must be her mother. Siya lang ang nagbabantay dito.
"*Oh, hello. Are you her friend*?" she greeted.
"*Y-Yes Ma'am,*" I answered.
"*Come in, I'm glad that you visit her, she really needs it. She doesn't woke up yet but you can stay,*" she said willingly. I never felt so welcomed.
"*Can you stay here until I came back? Bibili lang ako ng pagkain sa labas,*" sambit ng Mama niya sa akin.
"*Y-Yes, of course Ma'am,*" pagsagot ko pabalik dito.
Kahit yun man lang ang maitulong ko sa kaniya. She risked her life for a stranger and the worst part is, she saved a bank robber. Umupo lang ako at tinitigan siya. Kinuha ko sa aking bulsa ang papel na naglalaman ng isinulat ko kanina at isiniklop ito sa palad niya. Ilang sandali pa, her mom came back at nagpaalam na ko bago umalis.
Kinabukasan, I decided to turn myself in. Gusto sanang sumama ni Dark pero pinigilan ko siya. Masyado nang malaki ang naitulong niya sa 'kin para magdusa pa siya sa kulungan.
Two months later...
It's been three weeks since my Mom fully recovered. She was hurt after knowing what I did, but she still believes in me when I turned myself in. Nakikibalita na lang ako kay Dark sa kalagayan ni Mom since lagi niya akong binibisita simula nang nakulong ako.
And one day, dumating na yung pinakahihintay kong araw— ang makabisita si Mom sa 'kin. Kasama niya si Dark noong araw na iyon.
"*Mom!*" I missed her so much lalo na nang lumapit siya sa akin at agad akong niyakap kahit na may mga rehas na namamagitan sa amin.
"*Max, Anak! Kumusta ka naman dito?*" tanong niya.
"*Nga pala, may bisita ka pang isa,*" she said and I can't think of a person except Dark that will visit me in jail.
She slowly came out from Dark's behind. It was a woman, someone who's I'm familiar with.
I'm surprised as I recognized the face of that woman in my memory.
"*M-Ms. A-Amnell?*"
Apology
—
Maagang umuwi si Francine galing sa kanyang trabaho at dumating ng umiiyak. Napansin ito ng kanyang ina kaya agad niya itong nilapitan.
"Honey, why are you crying? What's wrong?" tanong ng kanyang ina at agad niya itong niyakap at inilapit sa kanyang dibdib.
"Tell me, did someone hurt you from school?" dagdag na tanong niya at mas lumakas ang hagulhol nito sa kaniyang dibdib. Hinaplos-haplos niya ang buhok nito at sinusubukang pagaanin ang pakiramdam.
"I cooked your favorite for dinner, tara sabayan mo kumain si mommy, okay?" tumingin si Francine dito at tumango lamang ng bahagya. Medyo tumahan naman ito sa paghagulhol at dumiretso na silang dalawa sa kusina. Umupo na si Francine habang ang kanyang ina naman ay inihahanda sa lamesa ang kanilang kakainin.
"Mom, he broke up with me," sabi nito sa kaniyang ina habang nasa kalagitnaan sila ng hapunan.
"Tell me honey, what happened?" nag-aalalang tanong ng ina ni Francine. Nakatitig lang ito sa kanya habang naghihintay ng isasagot ng dalaga.
"These past few weeks, madalas na kaming nag-aaway. Hanggang sa nakakatulugan nalang namin yung isa't-isa na may sama ng loob, it hurts me mom, sa tingin ko sumuko na siya sakin," at nagsimula nanamang tumulo ang luha niya. Lumapit ang kaniyang ina upang punasan ito.
"And what hurts me more kasi pakiramdam ko, ako yung may kasalanan ng lahat but I always put the blame on him tuwing mag-aaway kami, akala ko okay lang yun, kasi babae ako at dapat lalaki lang palagi ang mag-sorry," nagsimula ulit itong umiyak at isinandal ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ng kaniyang ina.
"Alam mo kasi honey, hindi naman dapat lalaki palagi ang humihingi ng tawad, kapag ikaw yung may kasalanan dapat ikaw yung magpakumbaba. May damdamin din sila, nasasaktan din sila, siguro kaya siya sumuko kasi naiparamdam mo sa kanya na siya nalang yung nagmamahal, kaya gusto ko humingi ka ng sorry sa kanya, okay. Ayaw kong mangyari sa'yo yung malaking pagkakamali ko noon, na dahil sa pride ko, you grew up without your dad," mahabang paliwanag nito kay Francine. Nagulat naman ito sa rebelasyong nalaman niya sa ina.
"M-mom, but you said my dad died in an accident?" tiningala naman nito ang ina.
"I'm sorry honey, but the truth is, your dad broke up with me without knowing I was pregnant with you, nawalan ako ng lakas ng loob na sabihin sa kanya na magkakaanak na kami kasi alam kong sumuko na siya sa ugali ko, so I chose to raise you alone," napayakap ito mahigpit kay Francine at biglang bumigat ang mga mata nito nagbabadya ng pagtulo ng kaniyang luha.
"Kaya if you really love him, say that you're sorry before it's too late," dagdag nito at agad namang umalis sa pagkakayakap ang dalaga at agad na kinuha ang kaniyang cellphone.
She dialed his number at agad itong tinawagan. Wala pang limang segundo ay sinagot na ang kaniyang tawag.
"Hello, Klyde, please don't drop the phone, we need to talk, dating tagpuan. I'll wait until 10pm," hindi na nito hinayaang magsalita si Klyde at dumiretso na ito sa kanilang dating tagpuan. And it turns out that she's also pregnant with him.
She Ended It On April Fools.
—
"Mahal, buntis ako." Pag-amin ni Claire sa kanyang boyfriend at ini-abot ang pekeng pregnancy test na nabili niya kamakailan lang. Balak niyang i-prank ito. At dahil dati na siyang nagti-tyatro ay nagawa niyang palabasin ang luha nito sa loob lang ng ilang segundo upang mas kapani-paniwala ang gagawin niyang prank.
"Seryoso ka ba Claire?" tanong ni Kent sa dalaga na may pag-aalala sa kaniyang mukha. Tinitigan niya ang pregnancy test na inabot sa kanya ng dalaga. Umiwas naman ng tingin ang dalaga ng tingin upang hindi siya tuluyang matawa.
"Oo, Kent. Ikaw ang ama ng dinadala ko." sagot naman ng dalaga na bahagyang pinupunasan ang kaniyang luha sa pisngi.
Napahawak na lang sa ulo ang binata at nanlaki ang mga mata. Hindi nito alam ang kaniyang gagawin sa inpormasyong kaniyang nalaman.
"Hindi pwede Claire, bata pa tayo. Marami pa akong pangarap," paliwanag nito habang nakaluhod sa harapan ni Claire. Para namang tinusok ang dibdib ng dalaga. Alam niyang isa lang itong pakulo ngunit hindi niya maiwasang masaktan sa naririnig mula sa binata.
"Pero paano ang anak natin? Ano gagawin natin?" Napili ng dalagang ipagpatuloy ang pagtatanong. Nagbabakasakaling makapag-isip ng matino ang binata bago pa man niya tapusin ang prank.
"Hindi ko alam, ipalaglag mo yan. Hindi ko kayang panagutan yan, Claire naman." pagmamakaawa ni Kent sa dalaga. Paikot-ikot ang binata na hindi alam ang gagawin. At muling tumulo ang luha ni Claire sa narinig. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, lehitimong lungkot at sakit na ang kaniyang nararamdaman.
"Ipalaglag? Naririnig mo ba ang sinasabi mo Kent?" lumakas na ang boses nito at halata na ang galit sa kaniyang tono ng pananalita.
"Alam mo, Kent? It is supposed to be a prank. Pero sa narinig ko, we better end our relationship." sambit ni claire at mas lalong humagulhol ang iyak nito. Nagsimulang maglakad papalayo si Claire habang pinupunasan ang kaniyang luha.
"What? Hindi ka buntis?" Galit na tanong nito kay Claire at hinabol ang dalaga at ipinaharap sa kanya.
"Yes! It's a prank Kent! But it's also a test kung gaano mo ako kamahal. And you failed that test, Kent. You failed!" gigil na sumbat ni Claire.
"I-I'm sorry Clai—" hindi na natapos ng binata ang sasabihin ng isang malakas na sampal ang dumapo sa pisngi nito. Umalis na si Claire at iniwan ang binatang nakahawak ngayon sa kaniyang pisngi sa lakas ng pagkakasampal ng dalaga.
Sumakay na ito sa kanyang sasakyan habang umiiyak na umuwi sa kanila. Pagkadating na pagladating niya ay sumama ang pakiramdam nito at dumiretso sa banyo. Sumuka at humihilab ang tyan, medyo nahihirapan din itong huminga kaya naman ay napaupo ito sa bowl.
"No, hindi pwede 'to." Napatulala ito at nag-alala kaya kumuha ito ng totoong pregnancy kit para mag-test. Dalawang guhit na pula ang bumungad sa kanya pagkaangat niya ng pregnancy test kit.
Positive.
Napahagulhol muli ito nang hindi alam ang gagawin ngayong alam na niya na hindi ito kayang panindigan ni Kent.
Hindi niya alam ang susunod niyang gagawin kaya nagpalakad-lakad ito sa loob ng CR, nag-iisip ng magandang paraan. Naglakas loob ulit itong bumalik sa bahay nila Kent.
Minaneho niya ang kaniyang sasakyan patungo sa bahay ng binata. Hindi mapakalma ang isip ng dalaga sa nangyayari. Hindi niya rin alam kung bakit pa niya kailangang puntahan ang binata gayong alam naman na niya ang magiging tugon nito. Malapit na siya at tanaw na niya ang gate ng bahay, nang makita niya si Kent at ang ex nito na naghahalikan sa tapat ng gate.
Napasabunot sa ulo ang dalaga sa nakita na tila biglaang nasiraan ng bait. Pinaharurot niya ang kaniyang minamanehong sasakyan.
Napatigil si Kent at ang babaeng kasama niya nang makita ang papasalubong sa kanilang sasakyan ngunit huli na ang lahat bago pa sila makaiwas.
Ikinamatay ng dalawa ang insidente habang si Claire naman ay nawalan ng alaala. At ang batang nasa kaniyang sinapupunan ay namatay sa loob ng tiyan niya.
The Ghost Writer's Romance
—
"Hi kyaaah! " chat sakin ng isang babaeng kilala ko sa real world.
Siya lang naman kasi yung niligawan ko ng isa't kalahating taon pero sa huli ay iba pa rin ang sinagot. Sino nga ba naman ako diba? We were teenagers back then and naiintindihan ko na mas angat ang looks kaysa sa personality kapag ganyang mga edaran pa lang. 20 na kami pareho at nagtatrabaho na ko samantalang siya naman ay graduating sa kaniyang kurso.
"Hi din! " reply ko sa kanya habang nagsusulat ng ipanga-update ko mamaya.
"Silent reader mo po ako,"
"Ang gaganda po ng mga stories at poems niyo," magkasunod niyang tipa sa kaniyang messenger.
"Salamat, I appreciate it po," nung sinabi niya yun ay parang gusto ko nang magpakilala ngunit naalala kong diring diri pala siya sakin simula nung una pa lang.
"Ahm, pwede po ako humingi ng tulong?" sagot naman nito.
"Ano iyon? kahit ano binibini," reply ko habang malapit ko nang matapos ang aking ginagawang kwento.
"Papagawa po sana ako ng poem."
"About moving on po, thank you in advance,"
"Kundi lang naman nakakaistorbo," sunod sunod nitong mensahe.
"Oh sure! Kailan mo ba kailangan?" sagot ko at tila unti unti ay bumabalik ang aking nararamdaman para sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung paano pero hindi naman yata talaga ako nakamove on sa kanya. Paano ko magagawa yung tulang yun e mismong sa sarili ko hindi ko ma-apply. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako nang makatanggap muli ng reply niya.
"Salamat po yiieee. Ambait niyo naman po, sana makita ko kayo in person para personal na makapagpasalamat, " Kahit wag na, pagsisisihan mo lang, bulong ko sa aking sarili.
Hindi nagtagal ay madalas na siyang nagpapatulong sa akin pag may gagawing poems, essays or short reviews etc. In short, naging ghost writer niya ako. Ang tanga ko lang sa point na napapapayag niya pa rin ako sa kung anong kanyang gusto. Parang hindi ko na kontrolado ang katawan ko kapag siya na ang nagmando. At dumating pa sa point na niligawan ko siya gamit itong account ko upang itago ang tunay kong katauhan na in the first place, I just want to promote my works without criticising my face. Kaya nagtatago lang ako sa aking pen name.
Napasagot ko siya, sa tagal kong hiniling sa Maykapal. Naging kami, syempre hindi pa rin niya alam kung sino talaga ako. Halos lahat ng poem at stories, tungkol na sa kanya, tungkol na sa aming dalawa.
Three months na kami nung hiniling niya na makita na yung mukha ko at dalhin na daw namin sa real world yung relationship na nabuo namin dito. Magkahalong saya , kaba at takot ang nararamdaman ko. Na baka kapag nakita na niya ako ay umalis nalang siya bigla. Na malaman niya na yung sinagot niya dito ay yung pinandidirian niya noon.
Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong gawin, ngunit sa huli'y napagdesisyunan kong sumugal, sa ikalawang pagkakataon.
"Happy Third Monthsary Babe!" bati ko sa kanya at sabay send ng ginawa kong tula sa loob ng isang linggo para sa kanya.
"Happy Third Monthsary din babe! Your words never failed to make me smile everytime na ginagawan mo ako ng poem. And may good news ako sayo,"
"Pwede na daw ako magkaroon ng kasintahan at ikaw yung gusto kong ipakilala sa kanila," magkasunod nitong reply na tila ba sobrang excited.
Nagaalangan pa ako nung una pero, eto na yun. Ito na yung pagkakataon ko.
"Total, malapit lang naman tayo sa isa't isa, meet me at little Tagaytay. Sa park na paborito mo. I want you to saw me there," sabi ko naman ngunit hindi pa rin maialis ang kaba sa aking dibdib.
"Okay babe! I'll see you there at 6pm. Don't be late huh. Mwa," alas dose na ng tanghali noon at naghanda na ako ng susuutin at ng surpresa para sa kanya. Alas singko ay nakahanda na ang lahat, nagbihis na ako ng semi-formal na damit at humarap sa salamin.
'Putspa! Ang panget pa din,' bulong ko sa sarili at inayos pa ng kaunti ang buhok.
5:45pm
Maaga aga ako ng kaunti kaya naman ay naupo muna ako sa isa sa mga bench ng nasabing parke. Maya maya pa ay nakita ko na siyang paparating, lumilingon lingon sa paligid at agad binuksan ang kaniyang cellphone.
"Hi babe! I'm here na at our meeting place. Anong kulay ng suot mo?" mensahe nito.
Bigalang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at nagsimula akong pagpawisan kahit na napakapresko naman ng hangin. Sobrang kinakabahan pa rin ako sa magiging reaksyon niya.
"White plain t-shirt, black skinny jeans," tanging naireply ko sa kanya at agad tumayo sa aking kinauupuan. Marami ring nakaputi rito kaya hindi niya ako agad napansin at lumapit mula sa kaniyang likuran.
"Yvonne," bigkas ko at agad naman siyang lumingon sa akin.
"Uy, Niall! Napadaan ka rito," bati niya sa akin.
"May nakita ka bang lalaking nakaputi tapos..." hindi na niya natapos ang kaniyang sasabihin ng ipinakita ko ang aking cellphone sa kanya na naglalaman ng aming conversation.
"Huwag mong sabihing...?"
"Oo, ako nga Yvonne." napayuko naman ako sa tono ng boses niya. Alam ko na na mangyayari ito. Hindi pa rin niya ako matatanggap sa kabila ng lahat. Unti unti nang pumapatak ang aking luha ng bigla akong may naramdamang mainit na bisig na yumapos sa aking katawan.
"Ssh! Bakit ka umiiyak? Hindi na ako yung dating Yvonne na mahilig sa gwapo," iniangat niya ang aking ulo at pinunasan ang luhang nagsimula nang pumatak sa aking mga mata. Pagkatingin ko naman dito ay agad itong ngumiti.
"So, sinasabi mo na panget ako?" malamig kong tugon habang pinipigil ang namumuo nang ngiti sa aking mga labi.
"Oo panget, kasi umiiyak ka," sambit naman nito nang hindi ko napigilang ngumiti.
"O diba! Ngiti ka lang palagi para palagi kang gwapo," dagdag pa nito.
"So ano? Tara na? Babe," napakagat naman ako ng labi sa sinabi ko.
"Ayusin mo muna yang hitsura mo, para kang batang inagawan ng candy," sagot naman nito.
"Ganito ulit makikita mo kapag nawala ka pa sa 'kin, " hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at agad siyang niyakap ng mahigpit.
"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, Ms. campus crush, heartbreaker ng taon, at maldita ng dekada ay sa panget na katulad ko lang pala babagsak," sabi ko at agad na napatawa sabay hampas naman niya sa aking braso.
"Tara na, baka hinahanap na tayo nila mommy," anyaya nito at naglakad na kaming magkahawak ang kamay.
"Tara! Excited na din akong makita yung future in-laws ko," sagot ko naman sa kaniya ng nakangiti.
End.
Corredor De La Muerte
1944
Suddenly I awoke to a strange noise cirling around the room. When I felt the tight clasp of my arms, waist and feet, a muzzled mouth, my eyes were blindfolded and my motion is limited.
I don't know how I got here. There was a lot going in my mind. I wish everything was a dream but everything felt real. I was a retired veteran in my country and I saw a lot of scene like this, criminals on the death row.
I feel the sweat dripping all over my body for the lack of ventilation around the room. I'm in an isolation, and I was terrified. I tried to break the clutches of my hands but I failed to do so. A few seconds later, I began to hear muffled footsteps approaching from the outside of the room. I heard the metal door opened and more footsteps as it approaches my direction.
He was directly in front my face as I heard his slow warm breath. He gradually removed my blindfold and I saw him. He was wearing an army uniform, he is somehow familiar. I don't know where or when I saw him but I'm definitely sure that I knew him.
"This is the day, my friend. The day you will be freed from the pain and suffering." I know I already heard those lines. And I knew what was gonna happen. He lighted a cigarette and start puffing and releasing smoke.
I am bound on an electric chair. I know I will be tortured before they finally execute me. I looked at him straight in the eye as I was trying to remember where I saw this scenario.
He turned off his cigarette scorching my right hand. I screamed in pain.
"Let's play a little game before you bid goodbye to this cruel world, eh?" He said and brought out a box of tools. My eyes widened as he pointed a knife in my crotch. I hardly wished it was just a bad dream as he slided the knife in. I groaned in pain and my body started shaking, my body started to feel weak. He removed the muzzle in my mouth and began showing a sharp cutter. He approached my face once again as I spitted at his face and that only made him furious.
"Motherfucker!" I shouted. He held my jaws tightly. He laughed as he pulled out my teeth trying to get into my tongue.
I spitted blood unto his face. He wiped it with his hands and slapped me hard with that same hand. Another man came in wearing the same uniform. Not a second and he switched up the electricty in my chair that is up to 2000 volts. My body's just waiting to be electrocuted. This memory suddenly strucked. The man in front of me is me 46 years ago.
I blinked and suddenly I'm in the same room. I saw myself in a soldier's unform.
And there was a black kid sitting in an electric chair, crying. Begging for help. He was familiar. I saw him in an article on the internet. He was 14, wrongly accused of killing two young women aged 7 and 11. And I am sharing the same room with him.
He looked me straight in the eye furiously while tears falling down on his cheeks. I know there's a lot going on his mind. I stepped backwards slowly as I realized that I turned the switch on. In less than two seconds, he's dead but his eyes was wide open.
1990
Present
I woke up in my room gasping for air. I had a heavy breathing. It's all just a dream. What a nightmare, I said to myself. I get out of my bed and went to the bathroom. And I was horrified to what I saw in the mirror. There's blood all over my mouth. My teeth was bust out and my tongue was cut.
"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" It was real. I went out of the bathroom. And there he is, the kid. He is standing beside my bedroom. Staring at me, his body was burned just like the last time I saw him. Smoke evaporates through his body.
I frozed. He slowly walks towards me.
"You know I'm not the one who killed those poor white girls. And you know who it really is," and all of a sudden he was riding at my back.
"It's you, you killed them!" I lost control on my feet as his weight got heavier for every second he was at my back.
I was terrified.
"What do you want?!" I shouted crying.
"I want you to open the case and confess that you murdered them," he whispered and pointed at my door. Two girls entered the room. It was them, the victims.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me." I bowed down in front of them.
"I will, I will confess for my sins, just please don't kill me," I begged.
And I woke up. Gasping for air, coughing. I looked in the mirror again. It was all just a dream. But something tells me it was real.
After that, I opened the case and surrendered myself. Weeks passed, I saw them again in my dream. Smiling, they're finally free. And I'm finally freed my conscience of hiding this secret.
END.
DISCLAIMER:This is just a fiction. But includes reality elements.
The 80/20 Rule In Relationships and What I Learned About It
Do you know there's an 80/20 rule for relationships? If not I'll explain to you how it works and what is this rule all about. When it comes to picking a relationship, every one of us sets standards, right?
We have an ideal kind of partner with whom we wanna spend our lives. Some of us want a good-looking partner, attractive ones, caring, easy to get along with, share the same interests. But because of the uniqueness of people, we can't always get all the personalities and traits that we want from a person. there will always be imperfections, even you.
That's when the 80/20 rule comes in. Most of the time, only 80% of our standards are met, the remaining 20% is you must provide it for yourself. That's why most relationships end because they want that 20% that they will never have with their partners. Maybe that 20% is the time you spend together, the patience of the person, or even how the person is good in bed. That's why the main cause of why relationships end is because of the third party because some other men of women have that 20% missing from your partner, you failed to realize that picking that 20% will cause you to lose that 80% you found from your partner.
And you will end up regretting what you did. Have you experienced this? Hardly looking for that 20% and ended up with nothing? If yes, I hope you already learned your lesson and not repeat it if you want to have a more stable and happy relationship.
For having a stable relationship, in my opinion, we must have that contentment in our hearts for what we already have because not everything we wanted, he/she can provide. We are born imperfect, and that's what makes us unique in our ways. You, yourself is imperfect, but you are a beautiful being. As long as we always do the best we can, that is enough.
And if you're the ones had experienced being cheated on, you also must be thankful that God avoids you from the wrong person. You are wonderful, you are deserved to be loved, you don't deserve to be hurt.
We hurt, but we're learning. That's the most important thing we need to remember, the lesson each experience taught us. They taught us to be brave, to get stronger, and to move on. Moving on from the past is a hard thing to do when you had a lot of happy and memorable moments with that person. But if maybe you are not destined to be together, always remember that you will surely find the best for yourself.
We just need to learn to love again after all we endured and sacrificed. That's one way to be truly happy, always have that love in your heart, and never lose hope.
It's okay to get tired, it's okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel all emotions, that's all-natural. But it's always up to you if what emotion you want to live the rest of your life. Stay strong and defeat all your demons.
I learned that the 80/20 rule is mainly about your contentment on things that you already have. That's one way to be happy in a relationship. And the other thing I learned is acceptance. Accepting your partner's flaws and imperfection as you, yourself also is imperfect.
I also learned that every decisions you make have pros and cons. How you handle things is always important. You always must prioritize the valuable things such as relationships with people. This also applies in friendships. You can't always be dependent and always save something for yourself. And lastly, never get tired of loving.
My Journey To Writing
When I was in grade school, my teacher assigned us to write Filipino poetry about nature. I don't know how to write a poem back then but with the help of our professor, I managed to learn about the basics of writing a poem the same day the teacher assigned us to write a poem about a certain topic.
Four lines per stanza that rhyme at the end. That's the only thing I knew about. So I started to work on it. Trying hard to get that rhymes without abandoning the topic itself, and so I did it. The teacher asked us to pass on our works and read them out loud in front of the class. We're about fifty students in the room and it consumed three days just to recite all of our poems.
I recited on the third day. I was nervous, my palms are sweating. And my mouth seems to make a mistake every time it attempts to speak. So I took a deep breath, imagined I was never in front of the class and I was the only person reading my work. I looked at my paper and recited it. After a few minutes, I looked at my teacher, she's smiling. She seemed proud of me and I never feel that proud of my work before that day.
I don't exactly know when it became my passion. But every time I reminisce about those days, I always miss the feelings. And so, when I started high school. I excelled at writing poems in Filipino and even English. I slowly increased my vocabulary, made a poem for a loved one, excelled at essays and any writing forms. Joined contests and won some of them.
I was happy that I found what makes me happy, never really thought of earning from it though until I found this platform. Before I became fond of writing poems, I wanted to be an artist and since I am a gamer, I wanted to develop games back then. But never happened since I was really bad at drawings.
So I started to share my pieces to my social media accounts, some say it was good. And some just think I was being crazy for a girl since the poems I wrote are about admiring a person. I don't mind them and over the years I just thrive to improve my works slowly but surely, learning about new techniques and formats.
I'm also a bookworm, I read a lot of short stories and series on the internet and books from modern Filipino and foreign authors. I admire their works and learned a lot from them. So I tried to write some short stories coming from the mind that also helped me overcome or at least lessen my overthinking. I convert my thoughts to works and apply some flavor to them. And the results make me glad that it made me feel the same feeling when I wrote my very first poem. Glad that I made a separate social media account just for my works, hiding my identity because I want to become known for it, not because of who I am. I read more over the past years and I wanted now to become a published author. The only problem is I still don't have the right ingredients and dedication to work on it. But with the support of my few readers and my friends, I will work harder to make it happen.
My thoughts are becoming more vivid as I grew older. Making me one step closer to what I dream of. Experiences from reality make a unique story that will have a chance at success in a book. I wanted to learn more about how to write stories that will captivate readers and make them feel the emotion you want to feel them reading your story.
I started to write my stories bit by bit, idea by idea. I never missed a day without writing at least ten sentences for my story until I make it done and I will post it to my separate social media account to make them comment on their opinion and constructive criticisms. I also dared to write short series and every time an idea lighted up in my thoughts, I'll immediately write it on my notes before it disappears.
And now, I'm still looking forward to being a published author and I just need to make a lot of stories and experience life more to make one. I hope this is the platform that will support me in doing so.
The Devil's Novel
@scarquinn
It's been three years now, pero hindi ko pa rin makalimutan yung nangyari sa akin. After I saw a copy of that book once again, biglang bumalik lahat nang nangyari.
—
It all began when an accident happened that night years ago. I was drunk driving. Galing ako sa bahay ng workmate ko nung nagkainuman kami at naparami ako ng inom. Sa totoo lang, lahat kami nun bagsak na at ako nalang ang natatanging kaya pang tumayo. Hindi na ako nagpaalam na aalis dahil hindi ko na rin naman sila magising.
I can't spend the night there kasi may mga pasok pa kami bukas kaya naman napilitan akong magmaneho. I picked my keys in my pocket at binuksan ang pintuan ng driver's seat.
I suddenly stopped when I saw a man-like shadow inside my car. He was there I knew it. I shook my head to see if I was hallucinating. And so I suspected that I was because there was nothing on my passenger's seat when I looked at it again.
I started my car and began driving. It was past midnight, kaya kakaunti nalang ang sasakyan sa daan. Ilang milya nalang ang kailangan kong daanan bago ako makarating. When my phone suddenly rang. I tried to reach in my pocket while I was looking at the road when it slipped through my hands. So I had to bow my head down for me to reach it.
I got it immediately and looked back at the road. But it was too late. Nang makita ko ang nakakasilaw na liwanag at narinig ang nakabibinging busina ng sasakyang papasalubong sa aking direksyon. Ang huli ko na lang na natatandaan ay ang pagtalsik ng minamaeho kong sasakyan bago ito magpagulong-gulong at tuluyan akong mawalan ng malay.
I woke up in the hospital. My head hurts so much, my left foot and my right arm was broken. I got bruises all over my body, my ribs was fractured, my ear was torn. I can't move my body and the only thing I can control is my eyelids. In short, a total disaster.
I saw him again. I knew it. I wasn't hallucinating that night when I saw that shadow, He's staring at me. I was in terror but I can't scream. He came closer, slowly. He was inches apart from me. I was heavily breathing, my heart beated rapidly.
"Hey, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" sa wakas, isang nurse ang biglang iniluwa ng pintuang iyon na siyang nagpawala ng aninong kanina lang ay nasa tabi ko.
"My fucking whole body hurts," I replied. As I looked at her and her face is somehow familiar. I asked her a question as I am trying to remember where I saw her the first time.
"How long was I've been unconscious?" She smirked at me as she gazed at me straight in the eye.
"Three years," maikling sagot nito at sapat na iyon para bahagya akong mapabalikwas sa kinahihigaan ko. But in reality, it just widely opened my eyes and accidentally gasped for air. And that's when she started to laugh. I sighed as she continued laughing. Napangiti nalang ako sa nasasaksihan ko ngayon. She was joking about how long I have been unconscious.
She gasped for air after laughing so hard earlier.
"I did it! I made you smile," she said to me joyfully.
"Three days, it took only three days until you woke up. Bakit ka pa kasi nag-inom nung gabing yun. Alam mo naman palang uuwi ka?" she asked. I was going to answer that question when time suddenly stopped. I felt the heaviness of the air circling around the room. Murmuring voices are all over the place. Once again, he was there. But this time, in a human form.
I know he was the shadow earlier and that in the car. They have the same aura. He's wearing a tuxedo, staring at me. As if he wanted to tell something.
"I can grant you your immidiate recovery, no scars, no bruises, no broken bones. And if you accept the deal, you can save yourself from being crippled for a lifetime. As you can see the damage the accident had caused you," he explained to me without him saying for what will be the cost of his offer.
"This is your fault, ikaw may kasalanan kung b-bakit ako naaksidente, why would I agree to a deal with the devil? And what would be the cost?" I told him. I was never confused of what's happening. I was hesitant and interested as the same time. I don't want to be useless for the rest of my life.
And minutes later, I just found myself considering that deal.
"Because, you don't wanna be useless right? At sa kondisyong hihingin ko. Wala pa akong naiisip, kaya be ready when I finally decide to get my favor back," he said confidently and snapped his hands.
The pain slowly subsided as I saw my bruises fading, my broken bones are getting back to their place. All of a sudden I am back as if the accident never happened. He advised me to leave immidiately and so I did. I glanced at the nurse one more time before leaving.
All I heard back there is the nurse who is left dumbfounded after I magically disappeared before her eyes.
At least I was okay, for now.
I immediately came back to work. My colleagues was left dumbfounded whe they saw me. It feels good to be back. Something's in me na hindi ko maipaliwanag. It was an overwhelming feeling.
I greeted every person na makasalubong ko nung araw na iyon. Mas mabilis ko na din natatapos ang mga pinapagawa sa akin. It felt everything is in the right place. Not until I found out that all of it was going all according to the devil's plan.
T'was the most perfect year happened to my life. I am wedded to the person whom I loved for a very long time, Evening. We had kids named Summer, Celestine and Dark. We were happy until the devil decided to barged in our lives once again.
He visited me one night. Matutulog na sana ako nun nang biglang umihip ang malakas na hangin mula sa bintana. The next thing I knew was he was there, leaning at my wall, grinning. I gulped. He stepped slowly towards me and out of nowhere, a book came out of his hands. He was playing with it using his fingers.
"Long time, no see. It's been a while, eh?" He patted my shoulders and sat beside me. I looked at him nervously as he was making an eye contact with me.
"It's time for my favor, don't worry it's very simple. It's just like the ones you already watched on the movies." He explained.
"See this book, I want to get it published." he gave it to me and lighted a cigarrette.
"Since when you become a writer?" I asked him as he puffed his cigarette.
"Since you, Samael. My original child, I was looking out for you since Day 1," he said and that made me thought about things. I learned I was an orphan when I was eleven and that changed a lot of things in my life.
I was never bullied at school but I never had a friend either. It seems that they're afraid of me. They said that often times, they saw my eye turned red. And more mysterious things happened all my life.
"But how? And what's about this book," I asked.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I need you to read it, and..."
"And what?"
"Fulfill the phropecy, it is written on this book," he said as I started to open the pages. Kakabasa ko pa lang ng unang pahina ay nalaman ko na tungkol sa akin ang libro. Nakalathala dito ang lahat ng mga nangyari sa buhay ko. It was very detailed.
"H-How should I supp—" bago ko pa man matapos ang sinasabi ko ay napahinto ako nang pagkalingon ko ay wala na siya.
Sinimulan kong basahin ang libro simula umpisa. Tuluyan lang akong naniwala nang mabasa ko ito hanggang kasalukuyan. Inabot din ako ng dalawang araw sa pagbabasa. Saka ko pa lamang sinimulang basahin ang aking kailangang gawin.
"The devil gave the book and told him about the prophecy. In order to fulfill it , he must obey what has been written on this book," pagkabasa ko nun ay huminga ako ng malalim at itinuloy ang pagbabasa.
In just after a year, I fullfilled what the devil has sent me to do. It was hard long year. I didn't know how I did it. I just realized it was done.
"His wife was planning to leave him with their children. And he discovered it reading the book. In order to avoid his wife, he killed her."
And so I did, in a very amusing way and it was clean. It was a very delightful view of her covered in blood while begging for her life as I told her what I discovered. Her screams served as a sweet cheerful melody in my ears. And her slowly fading breath sounds like the instrumental in an ending of a beautiful song that touched my heart deeply.
"His boss was going to promote his co-worker instead of him who almost dedicated his life in his job. So he killed his co-worker without anyone knowing. And taking the promotion."
And so I did, and just a week later, I was promoted. I displayed his body in his office, hanging. Making it look like a suicide. It was a picture perfect scene when I saw their faces crying.
"His son, Dark will soon became a rebel, and will do the things against his will. So, he amputated his son's legs and made him unable to execute his plan."
And so, I did. The three hours of torture was worth it. First, I tied him up in a chair, blindfolded, in an empty basement. I talked to him and every wrong answer I will bury a nail in his toes. He screamed in pain. He told me ten lies equalled to ten toes. Then I amputated his both legs. And my son will finally stay with me for the rest of his life.
"And he let the world to see what he had done. Without knowing his identity, he left the book in his father's house which happened to be an author, a greedy one. And soon kill him after it was published under his father's name. And it will sold millions of copies."
And so I did. It became one of the world's selling book in that year. I'm pretty pissed that it wasn't my name printed on it. But it was good. At least the sales went in my bank account. I became rich.
I thought it was finished until a text appear in the last page.
"And soon he will discover that someone will know his history, what he did, and who he really are. And that's the one who is reading his story. And so, he must kill them."
It's been three years now, pero hindi ko pa rin makalimutan yung nangyari sa akin. After I saw a copy of that book once again, biglang bumalik lahat nang nangyari. I still need to kill who knew my history.
And it's you.
WN/: Hoped you enjoyed the story. ❤️
@scarquinn