Two Moons: Ikalawang Yugto

Neon Quiapo

The Sky mourns our fallen comrades
The Sea flows as are her tears
Rise now warriors, 'tis not a time for grief
Assemble, great army, the devil's not asleep, kuya...

'...kuya...'

'Kuya! Kuya!'

Nagising ako sa paniniko sa akin ng katabi kong babae sa Bullet Jeep.

'Saan ka daw bababa?' pagalit na tanong sa akin ng dalaga.

Ako naman walang kamalay-malay sa nangyayari. Wala pa rin ang ulirat ko sa mahaba-haba kong idlip. Nakabalik lang ako sa matino kong sarili nang mapansin kong nakatingin na sa akin lahat ng pasahero.

'Saan ka daw bababa?' ang chorus ng mga pasahero.

'Teka, na-i-enter ko na dyan sa touch screen ah?' pabalang kong nasambit.

Bago pa man makapagsalita ang ibang pasahero ay inunahan na sila ng manong drayber.
'Bossing, pasensya na ho, may bug po kasi yung 2nd CPU unit ko e. Ipapagawa ko pa mamaya sa Payatas.'

'Ah.. Uhmm.. Sa may Quiapo TechnoHub lang ho ako.'

'Pwede ka na hong bumaba dyan sa platform', sagot ng drayber.

Dali-dali akong bumaba sa takot kong makalagpas sa pupuntahan. Habang pababa ako, narining ko ang mga bulung-bulungan ng mga pasahero. Kesyo bakit daw natutulog ako sa biyahe. O kesyo bakit ako pa daw ang parang galit. Pero nalaman ko na nagsalita pala ako kanina habang natutulog. May isa pang nagsabing pa-ingles-ingles pa raw ako wala na naman daw ang amerika. Nag-taingang-kawali na lang ako sa kanila.

Dumeretso ako sa may plaza ng Quiapo. Ang totoo nyan di ko pa alam kung saan ang pupuntahan ko. Nililis ko ang kanang manggas ko at tiningnan ang built-in PDA sa braso ko.

Jollibee Technologies
15th Flr. Left Spire, Fortune Towers (Formerly Quiapo Church)
Carriedo St. Quiapo TechnoHub

Titingnan ko sana sa GPS kaya lang ayokong magsayang ng 5 digicreds para lang dun. Dadaanin ko na lang sa santong paspasan.

Parang isang magulong panaginip/bangungot ang Quaipo technohub. Parang isang psychedelic/electronic neon maze. Meron dito lahat ng bagay na maiisip mo--may mga gadget na paglalawayan ng mga techies. May mga librong hindi pagsasawaan ng mga history buffs-- mga libro tungkol sa Enlightenment of The Great Obama, may merong title na 2012: The Second Coming Realized, may mga artifacts gaya ng CD's at DVD's at kung anu-ano pa.

Lumingon ako sa paligid para maghanap ng karatula at direksyon. Kung anu-ano ang nakapaskil, karamihan para sa negosyo. 'Bawal ang digicreds dito', 'Picochips lang po sa umaga', 'Tumatangap ng fabric rejuvenation', 'Nag-a-outsource ng dasal'. Meron ding pampersonal, 'Palimos ng digicred', 'Pangcharge lang po ng cybernetic arm', 'Alay para sa Unitron'.
Meron ding pang-serbisyo publiko (ito ang kelangan ko), 'Wag liliko sa ika-apat na mini-clover', 'Kumanan lang kapag asul ang stoplight 1, pula ang stoplight 2 at lila ang stoplight 25', 'Bawal lumakad ang may metal implant sa talampakan' atbp.

Pero mas lalo yata akong maliligaw kung babasahin ko ang mga ito. Matagal-tagal na rin akong naglalakad at medyo lowbatt na yata ang paa ko. Yung kaliwa lang naman, nakalimutan ko kasing palitan yung mga electroplating sa battery connection kaya mabilis magdischarge.

Sa awa ni Unitron, nakita ko rin ang Carriedo St.







Susunod: Ikatlong Yugto

A Tale of Colors

I live in a world of black and green -- mainframe colors, that is. Everyday I come to office to work, I plug-in my earphones, face the monitor and caress my keyboard for eight hours straight. Everyday, for just eight hours, my cube is my kingdom, my black terminal screen is my territory, and the green letters are my constituents. And every night as I come home after work, the only thing I look forward to is sitting in that same cube again tomorrow. For me, work is life. For me, life is just eight hours of work plus a couple hours for travel and a few more for traffic.

That is why my life was disoriented when a foreign color intruded my kingdom.

She came to me with vivid pink and sunny yellow. As soon as she stepped in front of my cube, she tipped the balance of my work-life scale.

What used to be an 8-hour routine became an 8-hour torture. I started to yearn to see her more often. Instead of me looking forward to working eight hours then coming home for the next day, I became obsessed with getting a glimpse of her hair, her eyes, and her face. And every time I get a glimpse, my heart shatters bit by bit, knowing that I can never fully appreciate her beauty and that she can never really learn of my existence.

My black and green world has vanished. What remained was a chaotic concoction of black and yellow, green and pink, with the pink and yellow dominating mostly. But the colors never resulted to a bright and sunny blend-- they instead mixed to radiate a blinding tint which hurts the eyes of those who stare.

So I was blinded ultimately. I saw nothing more except her. I look forward to nothing except a glimpse of her. My work deteriorated with it to the point that I have become the best to worst employee in just a few days. That's when I decided to make my move.

As a blind person would feel his way in a room, so did I felt my way nervously to her place. Slowly I walked, trembling, until I reach the front of her workstation. From within my darkened sight I saw a ray of pink and yellow in my periphery.

There was no turning back now, I said to myself. So I collected all the courage I have been keeping my entire life and formed them into a single word.

"Hi!"

I did not expect any answer from her. I can't think of anything at that moment. But she replied.

"Hi".

It was more than I could handle. I was flooded with a barrage of colors that completely knocked the sanity off me. But I'm out of courage so I collected all my known wisdom next and weaved them into the most rational sentence to say.

"You're Marie, right?" I asked

"Yes I am. And you are?" She asked back.

"My name is Earl" I answered.

"Oh. Hi. Nice meeting you."

Then she faced her monitor once more and continued what she was doing before I came. I stood there just doing nothing, waiting for some miracle to happen or something. I was still in shock with what just happened. Then she said something again which completed changed the entire feel and color of that scene.

"Do you need anything? I have to go back to work now."

I don't know what I said after that but the next thing I know, I was back at my cube with my earphones on, yet no music is playing. I was staring at my monitor although it is turned off, and my fingers are fiddling with the keyboards unconsciously.

And I can see a different color, too -- the blue screen of death.

Brothers! Flesh and Soul

[A Full Metal Alchemist Fan Fiction]

"Why that look again? Did you break you're automail again? Come here I'll fix it for you."

It was Wrath. It was probably more than his tenth time to break his arm and return back to get it repaired. Yet I never get tired of fixing it. Maybe because it made me feel that it was Ed's arm I’m repairing. Somehow it lessens my longing for him.

"I did not find mother" That was all Wrath said as we head home. I did not dare ask where he went or what he did. I was afraid he would tell me gruesome things like, he massacred a city or so. I never doubt his show of kindness to us. But he is still a homunculus and although I don’t want to believe it, I know that he is still capable of killing.

Tomorrow would be Ed's fourth year of disappearance. Wrath was almost as tall as him

now. If Ed was here, he would surely flame into an explosion if you say that to him.

"Does Ed cry when you put these on?" Wrath asked innocently as I prepare to connect the nerves of his automail.

"He always does". I can remember vividly Ed face as Grandma Pinako and I put on his automail connectivity. I remember how He would cry and scream like a baby.

"Ok I'll connect the nerves now", I warned Wrath as I lower the small lever in his automail, although I know that he never needed any warning because He never feels the pain. As I pulled the lever toward his shoulder, I half-expected a loud cry from Wrath but instead I only heard a soft voice.

"Can I go now?" Wrath asked.

"Sure. Just don't break that arm too often OK?" Then he was gone again.

"Did Wrath come here?" a young kid asked.

"He just left" I answered.

"Ok. I'll just follow him then. Thanks, Winry!"

It was Al. So much has changed with Al right now. He is definitely different from that armored Al I knew before. It's not that I don't like this Al or what. It's just that he became so different when he got his body back. He became so serious and silent and dark most of the time.

He becomes very contented and light-hearted though when Wrath is around. And the same is true for Wrath. When they are together, it seems the worlds problems seem to disappear. Wrath seems to forget that he is a homunculus. Al seems to forget about his lost brother and about his past 'death'.

Those are the moments when I’d wish nothing would transpire anymore, just them talking, laughing, and playing together, forever. It's just like Ed and Armored Al as they were traveling together. Those are the times when I only want to watch them.

Al and Wrath became like brothers when Ed disappeared. They would fight together, like Al and Ed used to. They would perform alchemy together like before. In short, Al and Wrath became like the previous Al and Ed. I sometimes wonder what would happen if Ed appeared suddenly. Will Al and Wrath's friendship be broken by Ed and Wrath's rivalry or the other way around?

I once asked Wrath what he'd do if he saw Ed.

"I'd kill him", Wrath answered matter-of-factly.

"I will stop you" Al would immediately answer.

"Then I will kill you too!" Wrath answered back. Everyone became silent after that. But Al would suddenly exclaim as he run away suddenly, "That is if you can catch me!" And they would just forget what they talked about as they run dashing into the fields.

But I never forget those conversations. Previously, I used to feel like Wrath had always wanted to kill Al, and that he is just waiting for his chance. But I always try to brush off those thoughts. I always tell myself that Wrath has no motive to kill Al--it was Ed who vaporized his 'mother' anyway. For Wrath, Al is his brother. And in return, Al treats him like one. And Wrath will not kill his brother as he would not harm his mother.

However, there are times when Wrath changes his attitude. When he seem to revert to his homunculus self that he has always been trying to hold back.

Wrath once asked Al, "Do you think I would be a good brother?"

"Of course you would!" Al answered, "But of course my brother Ed will always be the best brother in the world!"

Wrath just fell silent after that.

Maybe that's how he began his personal creed to become the best brother to Al. After those conversations, it has become wrath's dream for Al to treat him as a real brother, more than Ed.

Once in a while Wrath would ask Al, "Am I a good brother?"

Al would answer, "Of course you are, you somehow made me feel like Ed is still here'. With that name mentioned, Wrath would just fall silent again. Those are the times when I feel like Wrath would just explode. Those times, I became afraid.

One day, one of those conversations happened. As before, Wrath just fell silent. That same night, I saw Wrath walking to Al's bedroom. I never saw Wrath like that before, his eyes glaring with fury and his lips grinning with contempt. I followed him to Al's room and I peeped slowly to see Al sleeping in the bed and Wrath sitting on the chair beside him. I was paralyzed with fear at that moment. And then slowly, Wrath raised his right arm and moved it Al's neck. I tried to move and scream but I can't. Still sleeping, Al leaned on one side making the arm of Wrath envelop his neck completely.

Then it happened. Wrath was starting to grip Al's neck tighter and tighter. I almost thought Al would be killed.

Until Al muttered in his sleep, "Wrath...Let's just play tomorrow... Ok, Brother?"

It was that moment, I know Wrath will not kill Al. And he will not kill Ed either. That moment, I know Wrath would be more than willing to sacrifice his life to make Al happy.

***

That morning, I knew something big would happen, and I was right. As I was bringing some food to Al for his breakfast, I was greeted by an empty bed. When I proceed to Wrath's room, it was also empty. I went out running to our front yard, still no sign of them. "I know of only one place," Grandma Pinako shouted to me. But I know the place also.

When I arrived at their burnt house, I saw Al kneeling on the place where the front door used to be. Wrath was just standing behind. When Al stood up, I approached them and greeted,

"Hey, what are you two up to?"

"We're going on a trip" Al answered.

"And where would you be going?"

"To the Underground City!" Al exclaimed happily. Wrath was just silent all the time.

At that moment, I felt that Wrath has volunteered his life to bring Ed back, although Al has not realized that yet.

"Come on Wrath, onwards we go!!!" Al exclaimed ecstatically.

I felt happy for Al. For finally, he will have the chance to bring back his long lost brother. But somehow, I feel sad for him too. For I know that after this, another brother would be lost from him, forever.

The Council Up High

When the Grand Jury arrived, the Great hall was already filled with the presence of many beings of light. There were cherubs, seraphs, ophanims and all kinds of angels. There were fairies, demigods, fauns and other kinds of supernaturals. There were comets, nebulae, stars and other celestials.

As the Jury walk toward the thrones all beings began whispering to each other. The hall was immediately filled with noise that coagulated into what seems to be a white static. The hall custodian, known only by the name Allaj, picks up his gable and slams it onto the table in front of him. Everyone instantly fell silent.

"Let us all listen to the verdict." Allaj said with a booming voice.

Everyone moves their eyes on the direction of the thrones.

One member of the jury stands. The being is holding a shining golden scroll and a white scroll.

"Does the Jury have a verdict?" asked Allaj.

"Indeed", the Prime Jury answered. The Prime Jury then walked from the thrones and moves toward the pulpit.

"May I call on the defendant. OldFather, please step to the center." said the Prime Jury.

From the audience in front of the thrones, a being clad in brown robe and overrun with flowing grey beard stands up. The being called OldFather walks slowly to the center of the hall. OldFather is one of those beings considered as lords of nature and dwell in isolated mountains, rocks, and caves. In some cultures, he was called a troll.

The case of OldFather is a classic one. With his powers, he created a world from the earth. He created beings to steward this world. But he made the world hostile such that his creations consistently fought with each other to their destruction.

His own creatures then began to complain, from Job to Moses to the Apostles. And the Grand Jury heard them all. Hence this trial.

"I am here." OldFather said.

"OldFather", said the Prime Jury. "You have been accused of Abuse of Power. Let all present here be known of this decision and how it came to be."

The Prime Jury then opens the golden scroll and raises it above his head. The scroll released a very bright light outward and shone over all beings in the Great Hall. All beings are suddenly aware of the decision.

"You will be stripped of your power and be exiled atop the asteroid Alkatro and sentenced to stay there for the remainder of your existence."

The custodian Allaj then slams his gable. "Abide!"

Two shining light shapes then appeared on both sides of OldFather. Then, in an instant the lights were gone as well as OldFather.

The Prime Jury then picks up the other scroll, the white one. He opens the scroll and speaks.

"From this day on, I appoint Yhvh, of the seraphs, to be the new God of the world. You shall bring new order to this world. Let this scroll be your guide."

Prime Jury raised the white scroll. It transforms into a white orb of light and flies away from his hands. It flies around the hall as if looking for something. Then it zooms on one direction. It flies to the searph's group and halts.

One seraph steps towards the light slowly. The light just stayed there. The seraph walks closer to the light then starts to reach his hand to the light. As soon as he touches it, the orb bursts into a majestic light and illuminates the hall. Then the light disappeared along with the seraph.

"The Grand Jury has spoken. This session is finished." said the Prime Jury.

The custodian Allaj then slams his gable. "Abide!"

---------------

Atop the hill dedicated to skulls, three men considered as rebels were each crucified to wooden crosses. The man in the middle suddenly exclaims "Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?"

A few moments later the earth shook and the rocks split. The OldFather's spirit has left the world.

Surfing the Apocalypse

The monitor flickered bright against the dark backdraft of the open night sky. A blinking button just below the screen screams for attention. Akki presses the button just as he enters the cabin. An image of a person forms instantly on the screen.

"Hey, Dude! Where you at? You surfin' this weekend?"

"Hey Ladzik, whazup. Can't find me a good wave lately. Guess I'll just stay here." said Akki.

"What! Loser. I have one for you. On the third sector. A credible source predict its gonna be epic. Mother of all waves, dude!" said Ladzik.

"Yeah sure. Who's your source? Camping? That guy can't predict the end of the world. You should have asked Bieber and I'll believe you."

"No, dude. This is authentic. It's top brass. Conspiracy-stuff. They knew about the Great Flood, for crissake! Just risk it ok? You haven't got anything anyways. What you say?"

"Alright, dude. I'll go. Where is it again?"

"It's on Earth. My source says the date is December 12, 2012. That's this weekend."

"How big is it?"

"It's their Apocalypse, Dude! Expect massive earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic eruptions. And of course epic waves. I'm telling you it's the shit! "

"Awesome! You aint' comin'?"

"Oh, I'd love to! But I have this meet-up on Pleiades. Business."

"Oh, poor you."

"Yeah dude. Hey, I gotta go. Enjoy youself there. Hang Ten!"

"Alright, Dude."

Akki presses the blinking button again. The monitors turns all black. He then walks toward the back of the monitor and opens a tall metal vault behind. He picks up a long silver surfboard. He walks toward the door of the cabin carrying the surfboard.

He walks to the bridge of the ship and sits in front of the navigation deck. He types in some coordinates and pushes some levers and buttons. Then he moves the Main Lever forward at maximum warp speed.

"Apocalypse, here I come!"

An Oracle Story

In my quest to have a glimpse of my future I have gone to many places. I have met many fortune tellers, soothsayers, diviners. I have gone to eclectic "prophets" that go through extremely weird rituals-- so weird and so extreme that they consider crystal balls and tarot cards as child's play. I have met people who chew grains of rice and swallow them then regurgitate them again from their stomach and spread the oozing concoction on my forehead. I met people who claim that they have been possessed by the gods themselves, with their voices changing during possession. Yet for every person who claim they can see the future, I can only see myself consulting them-- I only see the present.

It was during my quest that someone advised me to go to this "sacred" place. It was believed that when you stay long enough in that place, and if you're intentions are clear and true, a real oracle will approach you and show you your future.

I was desperate at that time to see my future. I am at the point of taking my own life due to hopelessness and uncertainty for the things to come.

So I went to that place, the sacred land. When I arrived, I saw only a desolate park facing a vast lake, surrounded by tall trees, carpeted with Bermuda grass. I sat on one of the wood benches near the shore and stared at the lake for a very long time. I waited.

I waited and waited but no oracle came, not even a shadow of one. The sun set on the lake and still no oracle. I was torn apart because my last hope has faded with the setting sun. I just closed my eyes and cried.

During my moment of hopelessness, I heard a faint cry from the lake. When I looked up, I saw this woman walking towards the lake, crying. I stayed there on my place and watch her as the glistening lake water slowly lap her lower body as she continues crying. I just watch her, until her body was almost submerged up to her waist. Then I realized, this woman was trying to drown herself! I sprang up to my legs and ran toward her. I grabbed her by the waist and dragged her to the shallow shore; she did not offer any resistance.

In that beach by the sunset, it happened. I saw a vision of myself walking out to a yard from a small house. Then I saw two children walking after me. Then I saw myself turn around and carry the two children, and then I continue walking. Then I saw a woman coming out of the house behind me. I saw myself turn around again and the woman kissed me in the lips. Then she kissed the two children. When I looked at her face, I saw that woman, the same woman I saved from drowning. It was her in the vision.

Finally, I saw my future. My future is with her.

Two Moons: Unang Yugto

Philcoa A.D.

I'm hanging my hopes on a little red kite
Built a fortress 'round a frail stalactite
we're going down, my friend, (though i do not care)
Come, sail in my boat (as if you would dare)

'Paingles-ingles ka pa, e patay na ang Amerika!'

Napakislot ako ng sinigawan ako ni Manong Jun, Ang Magtataho. Hindi ko kasi namalayang napalakas na pala ang pagsasalita ko habang kumakatha ako ng tulang Ingles.

'Magkano ho ba?' tanong ko sa kanya habang inaabot ang virtuacard ko.

'2 digicreds lang, pogi' sabay swipe niya ng card ko sa card interface.

Mapait akong napatango nang mabasa ko ang balance ko sa screen ni manong.
'Andres, meron ka na lang 355 digicreds. Magkarga ka na agad ng digicreds upang hindi ilitin ng Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang lahat ng ari-arian mo.
May kargahan ng digicreds sa mga babanggiting lugar na malapit sa yo;
Balara Technohub, Guho ng Oblation fleamarket, Fort na Ligas ... '

Di ko na natapos basahin ang nakasulat dahil sa pag-aalala ko.

Meron na lang akong 355 digicreds.

40 digicreds para sa buwanang upa ko sa tinitirhan ko ngayon na RCB (Residential Converted Barracks) sa Fort na Ligas.
80 digicreds para sa inutang ko na SmartHouse sa Pinatubo Habitations.
35 digicreds para sa pagkain ko sa isang buwan.
18 digicreds para sa pamasahe ko.
2 digicreds para sa 'pamasahe' ko.

Suma total, 175 digicreds ang ginagastos ko bawat buwan. Ibig sabihin, may dalawang buwan na lang ako para makahanap ng bagong trabaho kung ayaw kong mailit ng gobyerno ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko.
Hayup na recession kasi yan! Tuloy nasibak ako sa Andoks Solutions. Kala ko pa naman magiging ok na ang lahat nung manalo si Smith bilang unang puting presidente ng South African Union.

Dalawang buwan.
Bale dalawampu't apat na araw na lang.
Kung pwede lang sanang gawing mas mahaba ang isang buwan. Sabi dun sa nabasa kong aklat ng kasaysayan, dati daw may tatlumpung araw sa isang buwan. Umikli daw ito nung panahon na napuno ng 'ore mines' ang buwan.
Ngayon puro resort na lang meron dun. Pugad na ngayon ng mga political prisoners na naghahanap ng asylum.
Ang sabi-sabi, dun daw naka-asylum si Jomari Singson, ang founding overlord ng ‘New Order Hackers!’ (NOH!).
Kaya nga natatawa na lang ako sa tuwing nag-rarally sila sa ilalim ng araw (may alam pa silang mga slogan na nirerecycle lang naman gaya ng, 'Tolits pasista NOH!', 'Ibagsak ang pamahalaang Tolits NOH!', 'Lumaban ka Pinoy NOH!'), pero hindi nila alam nagbabakasyon lang ang lider nila sa isang magarbong hotel sa buwan.

Ang buhay talaga. Merong iba, hindi naman nagpapagod pero sa kanila pa napupunta lahat ng grasya. Samantalang yung iba, nagpapakahirap, nagpapakapawis pero wala pa ring napapala sa bandang huli.

'Sige ho, Manong', paalam ko kay Mang Jun sabay kuha ang virtuacard ko.

Pikit-mata kong sinipsip at ninamnam ang aking taho na binili ko ng pinaghirapan kong digicreds.

Lasang pawis.

Susunod: Ikalawang Yugto

Ang Talaarawan ni Juan Tamad (Mayo 14)

(Mas mainam kung babasahin mula umpisa, o Mayo 12. - EXD)

ika-14 ng Mayo

Mahal kong talaarawan,

Kaninang umaga, bumalik ako sa may bayabasan sa may dulo ng daan sa may bayan.

Ito yung nadaanan ko na punong bayabas na napakaraming bunga na nahihinog na nung isang araw nang pinabili ako ng alimango ni inang.

Nung isang araw kasi, nang padaan ako ay may narining akong mga huni ng ibon sa may mga sanga. Nung tiningnan ko kanina sa taas ng puno ay nakita ko na may isang pugad na may mga inakay.

Humiga ako sa mismong ilalim ng pugad para kung malaglag man, walang hayop o batang makakadampot sa mga mahina pang inakay.

Nung araw na yun, kabang-kaba ako na baka magsilapitan ang mga bata at makita ang mga inakay. Paminsan-minsan may lumalapit sa akin na bata, at tatanungin kung anung ginagawa ko sa ilalim ng bayabas. Syempre hindi ko naman sasabihin na binabantayan ko ang mga inakay. Kay naman sabi ko na lang hinhintay kong malaglag ang bunga ng bayabas kasi tinatamad akong akyatin sa taas.

Buti naman umaalis ang mga bata pag sinasabi ko yun. Minsan sinsigawan nila ako ng tamad. Pero ayus lang basta mabuti ang lagay ng mga inakay.

Umalis lang ako sa lugar na yun nung wala na din ang mga bata. Bandang hapon na rin nun. Kaya tuloy napagalitan ako ni Inang pagbalik ko ng bahay. May nagsabi pala sa kanya na maghapon lang akong nakahiga sa may bayabas. Sinabihan din nya ako ng tamad.

Pero ayus lang sakin. Mabuti naman ang lagay ng mga ibon.

Juan

Ang Talaarawan ni Juan Tamad (Mayo 13)

(Mas mainam kung babasahin mula umpisa, o Mayo 12. - EXD)

Ika-13 ng mayo.

Mahal kong talaarawan,

Kaninang umaga may kakatwang nangyari. Paggising ko ng umaga nagkaulirat ako na sumisigaw na pala si inang. Yung tungkol sa kahapon pa rin.

Sa kabila ng lakas ng mga sigaw niya, may narining pa akong kaluskos sa may likod bahay. Narinig din pala ni inang. Pagpunta namin sa likod nakita naming may gumagapang na mga alimango! Nang pinulot ni inang ang pagkakatali ay nakita niyang maraming alimango iyon para sa limang piso. Sa puntong yun lang humupa ang galit ni inang. Pasalamat daw ako at dumating ang alimango at mukhang nakamura pa ako sa pagbili. Dali-dali niyang pinulot ang mga alimango at dumiretso sa kusina para magluto ng panghanda.

Ako naman ay lumingon lingon muna sa paligid kung may tao. Wala naman akong nakita. Pero nung papasok na ako ay parang may narinig akong kalatog ng mga bote.

Juan

Ang Talaarawan ni Juan Tamad (Mayo 12)

Ika-12 ng Mayo.

Mahal kong talaarawan,

Napagalitan na naman ako ng husto ni inang. Wala na kasi yung pera binigay niya na pambili ng alimango. Hindi ko naman ginusto ang nangyari. Kaninang umaga, habang papunta ako ng bayan para bilhin ang bilin ni inang napadaan ako sa may parmacia. May eksenang naganap sa parmacia.

Isang lalaking may bitbit na malaking sako ang tila paiyak na nakikiusap sa tindera sa botica. Sa aking naulinagan, bumibili ang mama ng gamot para sa anak niya ngunit nakalimutan ang pera kaya't nakikiusap na pautangin muna pero ibabalik din agad ang bayad. Hindi naman pumapayag ang nagtitinda dahil bawal daw sa botica nila ang utang.

Hindi ko naman matiis ang mama. Nung lumapit ako sa kanila at tinanong ang problema nalaman kong isa pala syang magbobote. Naiwan daw pala ang pera sa bahay nila sa pagmamadali nya dahil kailangan na talaga ng anak nya ang gamot. Nung iniabot ko ang limang piso na pambili ko sana ng alimango, nagliwanag bigla ang mukha ng mama. Walang tigil ang pagpapasalamat sakin. Sabi nya, siguradong isasauli agad ang pera. Sabi pa nya, siya na daw ang bibili ng alimango, at kung kailangang samahan na gumapang ang alimango papunta sa bahay namin ay gagawin nya.

Binili nya agad ang gamot tapos ay nagpasalamat ulit sa kin at dali-daling naglakad papalayo. Habang naglalakad ay rinig na rinig mo pa ang kalatog ng mga bote sa sako niyang dala.

Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, nag-aabang na si inang. Nakita nyang wala akong hawak na alimango kaya't tinanong kung nasan ang pera. Hindi ko naman masabi na binigay ko sa mamang magbobote. Kilala ko si inang at maaari nyang sugurin ang mama o kundi man ay baka isuplong pa iyon sa mga tanod.

Sinabi ko na lang sa kaniya na nung bumili ako ng alimango ay napadaan ako sa may puno ng bayabas at naisipang magpahinga muna saglit sa lilim. Sinabi ko sa kanya na inilapag ko na lang ang mga alimango at pinagapang ang mga ito para maunang umuwi na sa bahay.

Nagpanting ang tenga ni inang sa sinabi kong yun. Katakut-takot na sigaw ang lumabas sa bibig niya. Tinawag akong tanga, tamad at kung anu-anopa. Tumungo na lang ako at pinilit magbingingihan at naglakad na lang papasok ng bahay. Hanggang ngayon nga parang dining ko pa rin na sumisigaw si inang.

Juan

When Butterflies Return

My father died when I was 10. He died during the night while he was sleeping. The old people said he had a nightmare in his sleep. The doctor said otherwise. Cardiac arrest due to a low blood pressure, whatever that is. What I learned back then is that it is not a nightmare.

A couple of weeks later, we saw a black butterfly flying inside our house. The old people would say that it is my father visiting us. You see, there was an old saying that whenever your loved one dies, they visit you one last time in the form of butterflies before they finally proceed to heaven or wherever they were destined to go. But back then I began losing belief on the old sayings. So we just drove the butterfly out of our house and away from us.

We never saw any butterflies again.

Many years later, as a married man, I encountered all sorts of butterflies, big and small, dark and light colored. But they mean nothing. They are just butterflies.

My wife once had a very grave sickness. The old townfolks said it was due to bad spirits. They told me to bring her to a faith healer. Being one of the financially less fortunate ones, I took my ailing wife to a faith healer because we don't want to spend much on doctors.

My wife became sicker and sicker.

In the end, we went to a hospital and consulted a doctor. My wife was cured after a few days. And I've lost any faith left in our beliefs and traditions.

Years later, we were gifted with our first child. She was a very beautiful girl. I remember playing with her every day before and after work. She learned to crawl on her third month, stand on her sixth and walk albeit clumsily on her ninth.

On her tenth month, she caught a high fever. We went immediately to the doctor for consultation. But the doctor was clueless. She kept getting sicker by the day. We went to other doctors but no one had a clue. The old townfolks said she it was her fate; that it was her time to go and that we can do nothing anymore. But I never believed them.

She passed away on her first birthday. We never know what really happened. I fell into a very deep depression. They said I should let go. But I just can't. I didn't even hear her first words and yet she was gone. I don't even know what happened to her. I cursed our beliefs. I cursed our traditions. I cursed fate, destiny, God.

A few weeks later, as i was sitting in my bed, I saw a small, yellowish butterfly hover on the floor near my feet. Then, the butterfly flew towards me and perched on my knee.

She just said 'papa'.

The Joke

There were two lovers.

They have been together for many years eversince childhood.

The two are very happy together.

One day the woman tells a joke to the man.

The man falls silent all of a sudden. He wen't into deep thought.

Soon thereafter, everything went cold between them. The woman never told any more jokes. The man, meanwhile, tend to be silent and introspective most of the time.

Years passed. The couple never regained the passion with each other. Many years passed but they just continued their lives coldly.

Ten years passed.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Forty.

Fifty.

Sixty.

Until they are both 100 years old.

One day, while on On their death bed waiting for their last breath, the man laughs suddenly. He laughs long and hard, tears rolled from his eyes.

The woman asks why.

The man replies,

"I finally got it!"

"Got what?", the woman asked.

"Your joke" the man answered.

Then both of them die laughing.

A Voyage of A Million Lightyears

If you are given a spot in Earth’s first intergalactic expedition to travel towards a still undiscovered planet beyond the Milky Way, an expedition that would last more than a lifetime in space, where your only companion is a bunch of crews and an intelligent A.I., aboard a faster-than-light spaceship, would you take it?

…

If a man tells you to get inside a dark enclosure with a promise that you will reach heaven will you get in?

It depends on who the man is. He may just be a killer. Or he could be a NASA official drafting you into their intergalactic space travel towards the heavens.

…

The boy travels inside a bubble. The bubble travels faster than light. The boy left the earth on a Sunday morning just after breakfast. Destination: towards God’s seat in the heaven in the Pleiades star cluster.

The bubble reached the first star of the cluster just before lunchtime. For lunch, the boy ate an apple, two pieces of bread and drank a glass of milk.

The bubble was pulled in the clusters local gravity well after passing Maia. The boy went down on his feet and knelt “for he has seen the throne of God” and lived.

God’s throne appears just like any other star but the boy knows that it is the throne. It looks brighter and more immaculate.

…

The man will do anything if it means going away from here. He boards inside the spaceship and doesn’t even bother to look back and wave farewell. He is very excited of the prospect of going into a wholly different environment. He doesn’t really hate it here, he just feel like he does not belong here, that there is another place somewhere where the likes of him can live peacefully to their hearts’ content. He is holding on to that thought.

…

Up there in space, the boy looks down on earth. Up there in space there is infinite silence, with only an occasional hum of engine or clatter of metal to interrupt it. Up there in space, the boy has unobstructed view of stars, comets and all heavenly bodies he only dreamt of seeing.

The boy looks down on earth, a pale blue dot on a large black canvass. The boy exclaims, ‘Wow!’. No one hears. The boy saw a painting of a thousand stars, an artwork of nebulaes, a masterpiece of celestial proportions. The boy sheds a tear in awe and admiration. The boy looks down on earth. He sheds a tear.

City Cries

It’s just another day at the office. As he arrives into his workstation, he was welcomed by a pile of paperwork on his desk, and a smirk on his boss’ face towering down on him as he sat down. What a way to start the day!

He did not let himself be discouraged by this. He just smiled and told himself that it is still very early in the morning. And it is just the start of the week. He’s got the rest of the week for this.

His smile disappeared after a realization. It is still very early in the morning. And it is just the start of the week. A voice screamed from inside him.

…

He woke up early that morning. He prepared, psyched himself up, went out feeling fresh and got on his daily commute to work. It’s a start of another day and it begins here on the highway.

10 minutes later their vehicle has moved 10 meters. But he was not worried. He prepared, was psyched up and feeling fresh.

10 more minutes later their vehicle has moved 10 more meters. He started to worry. He overheard from the driver that there was a commotion up ahead. This would take forever.

A silent voice inside him sighed in vain.

Ten thousand more silent voices sighed in unison.

…

He always see her on that same bus stop every morning. She rides on the same bus as his. He always try to sit a few seats away from her–close enough to see her face but far enough to not be noticed. He had always wanted to talk to her; to ask her name and get to know her. But he is afraid. So he just sat there looking at her. It’s always been like this eversince.

Today was different. She was not on the bus stop when he arrived. He boarded the bus wishing she was there. She isn’t. Just as the bus is leaving, she catches up. She looks for a vacant seat and found one–on his side.

As the bus moved forward, he opened his mouth to say hi. But the bus honked its horn loudly just in time. He lost courage again. He just sat there beside her silently the whole ride.

…

As he stood there on the roof of that tallest building in the city, he shouted random words of curses and praises to random names of people. His was the only noise up there.

As he look up from the ground, he can only see the man’s mouth moving but no words being heard.

As she look out from the bus window, she can only hear the negotiation talks of the police through his amplifier.

As she sat there on her corner office, she can only hear the music on her mp3 player and see below a crowd of people all looking up.

He cursed her boss in her corner office for firing him. He cursed the lady in the bus who never notice him. He praised the police for trying their best. (He can’t hear them anyway). A voice whispered into his ear. Then he felt he was falling. From silence, the sound of the amplifier faded in. It became louder and louder and louder.

Then a complete silence.