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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 7 years ago

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Muli - Grecente Fic

Para kay @girl-in-a-well para sa kanyang naisip na ghost!Greg at kay @ruscano

Para sa el fili boys.

~°~

“Sino kayo?”

The voice was forceful, it's tone commanding. One of the four young men currently lying on the ground opened his eyes. The fog that enveloped the mountain had lifted, and a silhouette could be seen, draped in the morning's golden light.

“Sino kayo?” the voice asked again.

The young man sat up, rubbed his eyes and nudged his companions. The first one to wake was already up on his feet, standing in front of his friends, as if blocking them from the newcomer.

“Bisita lang kami dito, hindi kami manggugulo.”

“Bass, sino yan?” one of the young men yawned. “Shh, Placiding tumahimik ka muna.” “Sir Mon? Ikaw ba yan?”

As if by magic, the fog disappeared, leaving them bathing under the sun's light. By this time, the young men could take a better look at their visitor: another young man in a tan coat and pants, a hat perched on his head. A military uniform. From several hundred years ago.

“Rayadillo…” One of them whispered. “Tanga, Norfolk.” “Shhhh.” The young man, Bass intervened. “Wala kaming balak gawin, gusto lang naming umakyat.” Another young man walked up beside Bass.

Silence. The uniformed young man looked at each and every one of them, eyeing their appearance and their faces. Finally he nodded.

“Mas maganda ang tanawin sa itaas.”

He turned his back and walked, but after a few paces, turned around and noticed that no one was following him.

“Halina kayo, may ipapakita ako sa inyo.” He smiled, and they saw a literal glimmer in his mouth: a gold tooth shining.

“Ano, sasama ba tayo?” one of the young men asked.

The two in front looked at each other then nodded, urging their companions to follow suit. The five of them silently making their way through the upward slopes of the mountain. It took them almost an hour before they could reach their destination, but the view was indeed astonishing.

“Shit! Sandali, camera ko!” “Camera?” The uniformed soldier stared as one of the boys pulled out a camera from his backpack and started taking pictures.

“Ang ganda! Di na kailangang I edit!” “Nakuha mo kaagad?”

The voice was laced with curiosity as the young man in uniform peeked over the photographer's shoulder to look at the little window that shows the exact view in front of them.

“Medyo marami na ang nag iba simula ng…” Isagani muttered. “Ah, ganoon ba. Gano nab a katagal?” “Mahigit isang daan.” “Aaaahhh.” “Basilio, Placiding, Isagani, cheese!” “Gago ka, Pelaez!”

A flash, Placiding immediately berated Pelaez for the stolen shot. Meanwhile, Basilio and Isagani stayed with the soldier, still surveying the horizon.

“Sabihin ninyo…” the soldier started. “May nangyari ba…” “Mahabang kwento, pero Malaya na tayo.” It was Isagani who answered. Basilio looked at him. “Salamat naman.” There was a content sigh from the soldier.

Just then, a dove came into view and landed softly on Basilio's shoulder.

“Mukhang sinusundo na kayo.” The soldier smiled. “Juanito, Placido, tara na.” Isagani called. “Paano pala tayo bababa? Nakalimutan ko na yung mga dinaanan natin.” Juanito said as he continued snapping photos. “Si Sinang na bahala.” Basilio said. As if on cue, the dove flew overhead “Kuya, pwede bang makahingi ng picture, kahit isa lang?” “Ang creepy mo, gago.” Placiding shivered after elbowing his friend.

The soldier laughed but obliged. He straightened his uniform, loosened the long sword from his side and leaned against it, his palm slipping in between the buttons of his uniform. He looked up at the sky

“Ah, hindi nga pala dapat sa taas ang tingin, kung hindi sa malayo.” He smiled, making eye contact at the youths.

Click

~o~

“Kuya Eli, Kuya Mon, andito na sila!” A young woman ran to the cottage, waving. “Saan ba kayo nagpunta, kanina pa naming kayo hinahanap. Hindi ba't ang usapan sabay-sabay tayong aakyat? Bukas?”

There were two men waiting for them. The taller, Eli: the one with sun-kissed skin and long hair was the first to berate the youngsters, the other one, also sporting long locks, dark spectacles and a head shorter than Eli just smiled.

“Boys will be boys. At least they're safe.” “Pero Mon…” “O, anong nakita nyo doon?” Mon asked. “View! Maganda yung view, tapos may nakilala din kami!” Pelaez reported. “Meron pa bang ibang grupo na aakyat sa bundok?” Eli called their guide but was met with a negative. “Hindi naman sya mukhang hiker. In fact, naka uniform sya..” Placiding said. “Eto, may kuha ako sa kanya.”

Pelaez handed his camera to Eli and the man's eyes widened. Behind him, Mon hummed, obviously interested at the picture.

“Sinundan ba kayo?” “Hindi. Sabi nya di daw sya pwedeng umalis. Hinatid nya lang kami sa may paanan ng bundok.” Isagani said. “Sinang, nakita mo?”

The girl who escorted them nodded. Eli sighed.

~o~

“Elias.”

While the rest of the group were preoccupied with their own business, Basilio approached Elias who was standing outside the cottage, looking at the mountain.

“May pinapasabi sya.” “Kanino daw?” “Wala syang binaggit. Basta binigay lang niya yung mensahe niya. Tingin mo?”

Elias closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could clearly hear the wind as it softly blows around. He nods. He then opened his eyes and walked inside the cottage, giving Basilio a pat on the shoulder as he passed.

“Ako na bahala. Dumito lang muna kayo hangga't hindi pa oras umakyat.”

~o~

“Di ba sabi, wag muna aalis! Ano ba!” Basilio hissed as he followed his friends back to the mountain.” “Shh, wag ka maingay, mamaya marinig tayo, ma bulilyaso pa.” Pelaez shot back.

The four of them are back hiking. In the dark. Hiding. They managed to wring the truth out from Basilio when they noticed Elias was gone for most of the day and immediately left the moment he returned. They also saw the young man who was with Elias, also wearing a rayadillo complete with straw hat.

“Di ba, ang sabi wag aakyat hangga't hindi oras?” A high pitched voice boomed from behind them “TANGINA SINANG ANO BA!!! ASINAN KITA DIYAN E!” Pelaez barked. “SHHHHH!” the others hissed “Bakit kayo andito? Sila kuya Eli andun sa kabilang ibayo, tanga.” The young woman said nonchalantly. “Ay pucha.” “Hay nako, tara na nga.”

In an instant, Sinang changed into a dove and perched herself on the nearest tree branch. She led the four to the other side of the mountain and they started their climb up.

“Sabin a ba e.”

To their surprise and disappointment, they were met by Elias on their way up. The man was standing in the middle of the path as if waiting for them.

“I told you, hindi mo sila mapipigilan.”

A voice from behind the group came. The young ones looked around and saw Mon, still with those dark, round spectacles even in the dead of the night.

“Mon, bakit hindi mo pinigilan?” Mon just shrugged. “Let's just say, kagaya din nila curious ako kung totoo nga ang mga kwento.” “Anong kwento?” Placiding asked.

Eli sighed. He motioned for them to follow him and he led them to a place overlooking the valley.

“Ingat, baka kayo mahulog.” He reminded them. “Sir Mon, ano yung kwento?”

~o~

Standing at the same spot where he lead the kids earlier that day, the soldier looked up at the sky, marvelled at the silver dots that glimmer and the moon that shone brightly down at him. Has it really been more than a hundred years? He looked down, yes, it must have been for the scene surely had changed and he wondered why he hadn't noticed. Saddened a bit, he looked up at the sky once more.

“Mukhang hinahanap-hanap na ng Aguila ang langit.”

He felt like his body was moving in slow motion. At first it was just his head, then his whole body followed, as if by invisible bidding, he turned around to see the face he's been longing to see.

“Kamusta, Goyong?”

~o~

“Alam ninyo naman ang pangalan ng bundok na ito?” the others nodded. “Then alam ninyo kung ano nangyari dito.” Again, another nod. “There's been a legend na may isang binatang nagpapakita dito. They say that you could see him running around the mountain, especially during early mornings of December. Paikot-ikot tapos hihinto sa may tuktok at titignan ang tanawin.” “Hindi naman tayo nagpaikot-ikot kahapon di ba?” Pelaez whispered. Placiding elbowed him. “Siya ba si?”

~o~

“Ano na, Goyong? Wala man lamang bang pagbati?” the other soldier grinned, that boyish, toothy grin that he was so fond of. “Putangina Enteng.” He laughed, walking briskly to meet his long lost friend. “Maligayang pagbabalik, Goyong.” Vicente whispered as he felt himself gripped in a tight embrace. “Sira, ikaw nga itong nagbabalik.”

~o~

“You mean that was?!?!?! Putangina!” “Juanito Pelaez, ang bibig mo!” Elias admonished. “Shit, sorry.ooops, sorry.” Elias shook his head while the others laughed. “Well, they say that it's the boy general himself, but who knows. Ano, Eli?” “Siya nga.” “Dapat pala sa instax ko siya kinuhanan tapos pina autograph ko!” Pelazed continued. “Gago nito.” Placiding muttered. “Sir o, si Placiding nagmumura!” “Pero bakit hindi siya maka alis?” Isagani asked. “Nakatali ang kaluluwa niya dito sa bundok na ito. Biglaan ang pagkamatay niya, malamang hindi niya naisip na patay na siya at iyon, patuloy lang siyang paikot-ikot ditto.” Basilio replied. “Sir, pumunta ba kayo dito para I release yung spirit niya?” all eyes turned to Eli. “Hindi, may dinala lang ako na bisita. Pero kung gusto niya, pwede din.” “Sino iyong kasama ninyo kanina?” “Vicente Enriquez. Hindi mo kilala?” Sinang chimed in, Pelaez, who asked the question turned to her. “Sorry, hindi naman kasi ako galing sa angkan ng mga aswang na mukhang may record mula pa ng panahon ng kastila.” He remarked. “Hindi mo lang kasi alam sariling history ng bayan mo, tonto.” “Sir Eli si Sinang o!” “Well, may point si Sinang. Not a lot of people know our history, but we're digressing. Vicente was del Pilar's aide de campe, his right hand man, if you will, maybe may huling habilin sya na hindi nasabi.” It was Mon who replied

~o~

“Bakit ka andito?” “May gusto ka daw sabihin?”

A long pause. No one dared to look at the other so they both just stared at the vast expanse of land in front of them, probably reliving that fateful day.

“Ang ganda pala dito ano?”

It was Vicente who spoke first, making Goyong to instinctively look at him. Vicente smiled.

“Ano? Wala kang masabi?” There's a teasing tone in Vicente's words. “Gago ka talaga, Enteng.” He lowered his gaze and shook his head.

Another bout of silence. In the distance, the first signs of daylight started to appear.

“Mauubusan na naman tayo ng oras, Goyong…” “Na naman…” “Anong sasabihin mo?”

Gregorio heaved a deep breath.

“Enteng…”

A shake of the head again, as if dispelling the words that need to be said. Eyes went back to the horizon.

“Masaya na akong nandito ka…” “…kahit ngayon lang.”

~o~

As the sun rose, Elias got up and dusted his pants. The young ones followed, wondering what would happen next.

“Aakyat tayo?” Pelazez asked. “Oo, alam ko namang hindi kayo mapipigilan e.” Elias laughed.

Up and up they went, sometimes slowing down due to the fog. But they made steady progress silently. No one was speaking, but they could hear Pelaez's camera clicking every now and then. Once they reached a clearing, they saw the two soldiers, siding side by side.

“Oras na ba?” the soldier smiled, leaning back a bit to look at the newcomers.

~o~

There was no response, but they knew it was time. “Ano, wala ka ba talagang sasabihin?”

The general stayed silent and once again looked up, just like he did several moments before he died. He actually had a lot to say, but he's at a loss as to how to start. An apology? Words of gratitude? Regret? Freindship?

Love?

“Goyong.” “Ginoo.” He began, looking past his friend and straight to Elias. “Salamat.”

He then turned his back: to the sun, the world, his best friend.

“Oras na, Enteng. Salamat sa pagbisita. Iyon lang siguro, koronel.”

Then he disappeared.

~o~

“Koronel.” Elias began, approaching the remaining soldier. “Hindi naman siya ganyan. Hindi siya nauubusan ng salita.” There was an attempt to laugh, but it was botched. “Pwede ko siyang pakawalan, para hindi na niya kailangan pang---“ Elias was cut off when Vicente shook his head. “Mas pinili niya ito. Naramdaman ko iyon habang magkasama kami. Pakiramdam niya ay kulang ang naiambag niya sa rebolusyon kaya mas gugustuhin niya na bantayan ang lugar na ito.” “Kung ganon, tayo na.”

~o~

“Pelaez, nasaan na yung articles natin para sa sports section?!” Placiding glared at his classmate from across the table. “Sandali lang, eto na nga, ine-edit na!” “Last week pa yan a!” “Busy ako!” “ML pa more!” Sinang grinned. “How's this month's paper going?” Mon boomed as he entered the room. “Halfway there po.” Isagani smiled wryly. “Ano? Sa isang bukas na ang release niyan a?!” the professor gasped. “Ano pa po, e di wala na namang tulugan.” Placiding sighed. “Yung write up ni Basi sa multo ng Tirad, okay na ba? Asan na ba iyang si Bass?” “Kasama si Eli, may pupuntahan daw.” Mon pouted. “Selos ka, sir?” Sinang giggled. “Matagal pa ba? Nasa kanya kasi yung mga photos natin e. Hindi ko pa naeedit…” Pelaez stopped, gulped as Placiding rose from his seat.

~o~

“Nakuha talaga.” Basilio whistled under his breath as he went through the pictures Pelaez took. “Buburahin ba natin?” he looked at Elias for confirmation.

Elias was looking outside the window of their little apartment. The sky was overcast with dark clouds. His mind wandered back to the mountain, to the two soldiers, and…

Ibarra

“Kuya?”

Elias snapped out of his reverie and turned his attention to the young man, eyes wandering to the monitor where there is a shot of the mountain and…

“Huwag na. Alam naman nina Juanito na hindi iyan dapat ilabas.” “Pero…”

Elias understood Basilio's reluctance. But he's grown to trust the youngsters he met here, and besides… his eyes focused on something on the photo.

“Hindi dapat binubura ang mga ala-ala, Basilio.” He mutters, gaze now going back to the sky.

~o~

Alone once again, Gregorio surveyed the land, trying to commit it to memory. By now, he'd fully recognized the changes brought about by a hundred years, but still, the land is beautiful.

And free.

He'd just finish his run: the same path over and over. But he'd recently changed course. Before, he was trying to get out of the mountain, trying to go home. But now.

“Ano pang ginagawa mo diyan?”

He looked back, and smiled at Vicente who was grinning at him.

“Nakasanayan lang.” he grinned sheepishly. “Tama na ‘yan, hinahanap ka na ng mga kasama natin.”

Right. He'd forgotten that he wasn't alone in that mountain. His fallen comrades, some of them also stayed, and strayed. But now, they're back together, almost his whole brigade. He's finally home.

“Goyong.”

He saw a bur of blue then felt arms around him. Tight, but not constricting. He felt heat, and he felt his friend. “Umuwi na tayo.” Vicente whispered to him. He nodded, lacing his arms around his friend.

Vicente slowly released his hold, pushed them apart, but not too far. The hand that was once gripping his shoulder snaked up to his cheek. He knew what this meant, well, he hoped that's what Vicente was weaning to do so he let himself be lead on. And true enough, Vicente pulled him closer until their lips met. It was a chaste kiss at first until he managed enough courage to return every kiss with a deeper one, teeth nipping at lips, pulling, sucking as he pressed their bodies closer.

“WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

They would've continued had their troops not hollered. They were forced to break apart, but they shared a look and another kiss before he turned to his men and yelled at them.

“BALIK SA PWESTO!” he laughed halfway, and his soldiers laughed as well. “Tara na.” Vicente said, offering his hand. “Enteng, bakit?” “Hn?” “Bakit ka nagpaiwan?”

Vicente grabbed his hand, squeezed it tight.

“Ikaw ang unang umalis. Hindi ko na hahayaang mangyari ulit iyon.” “Enteng, kalian pa?” “Matagal na, Gago ka lang kasi.” “Bakit di mo sinabi?” “Na ano? Mahal kita? Habang hinahabol mo ang kung sinu-sinong babae?” Vicente laughed. “Enteng.” He grabbed Vicente, hugging him from behind. “Wala sa kanila. Huli ko lang nalaman. Wala ni isa sa kanila. Vicente. Ikaw lang.” “Totoo ba yan?” “Wag kang panggulo, gago. Totoo ito.” He buried his face in the crook of Vicente's neck. “Salamat.” Vicente held his hand. “Pero masisigawan na namna tayo kapag hindi pa tayo umakyat. “Sandali.”

He tipped Vicente's chin until they kissed again.

~o~

Note: this is a part of a series featuring the el fili boys. Tinatamad lang ako magsulat hahahaha

#heneral moon #heneral goon #grecente #el nolibusterismo

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 7 years ago

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I wanna redo the whole twitterserye cause well, ya know, #Alejandrebound… but.. but,, *side eyes Alejandrino’s and Miong’s admins* I don’t wanna die yet. Hahahahaha

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 7 years ago

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Really you four.why over the toilet

Sorry it took me a while for this nonnie… Heres something inspired by a local fandom.

~°~

“Pelaez! Rusca! Pilar! What is the meaning of this?!”Three youths turned to the door to see the glaring face of the third year representative glaring at them. Flanked by the second and first year reps, the three blocked the only escape out of the small bathroom.

“Shhhh!” Juanito Pelaez hissed, looking around as if anyone could hear them.“Why are you shushing me for?!” the third year rep marched towards them and snatched the cigarette from Juanito’s lips.“Chill, Placiding. At least we’re not doing drugs.” Placido Peninente rolled his eyes and prompty gave Pelaez a smack on the head.“If Padre D. hears about this, everyone will be in trouble.” The second year rep said calmly.“Don’t worry Roman, We can wiggle our way out.” one of the boys grinned, waving a half empty bottle of beer. Placido pinched the bridge of his nose. Smoking, and drinking… The hell are these students up to?“Yes, Pilar, I’m sure your connections will be pulling some nasty moves. We know.” the first year rep stared squarely at the almost drunk Goyong, his eyes accusing, and tone menacing.“The fuck did you say, Jacinto?!” Placido and Roman lunged forward as Goyong threw himself at Jacinto.“You asshole still bitter about Miong winning the student council election?! Get over it, loser.”“EJ.” Roman pleaded with a look while he and Placido pushed back Goyong. EJ just smirked and raised his hands.“Aren’t we lively tonight?”Even Goyong stopped struggling as they heard a booming voice behind them. Everyone froze. Even Goyong promptly retreated to his spot beside the toilet bowl, his hand sliding behind his back to hide the bottle of beer.“I know it’s Friday, but some of us have classes tomorrow.”“We’re sorry, sir we just…” Roman started. By their luck, a senior caught them, and not just any senior, Antonio Luna, the famed hotheaded disciplinarian. Roman was about to say something but gaped when a sophomore cut between them and walked into the drowded bathroom, holding a bag of ceer bottles and cigarettes.“Basilio.” Placido hissed at the newcomer.“Come on, all of you, come with me.”

The boys followed, looking dejected. They haven’t gone several steps out when Luna turned around.“And bring all your stuff, we need them as evidence.”

—

“They were what?!” another senior, Selong barked as he heard the srory.“Boozing and smoking over the toilet? The haunted third floor bathroom?!” Selong continud.“man, I’d say you have guts.” Elias, the heartthrob of the sophomores grinned, ruffling Basilio’s hair.

The young men just gaped. Just when they thought they’d get a serious scolding, Luna led them up to the rooftop where a crowd of students were milling around, doing just what the four young men were doing.“What’s this?” Placido gaped, eyes sweeping around the room.“Welcome to the Liga” a Elias raised a glass.“A monthly gathering of like minded students with some perks.” Luna grinned.“It just looks like a normal party.” Rusca said, lighting another stick of cigarette.“That’s where you’re wrong.”

A man appeared behind them, handing out papers. The group read it and eyes widened: the paper listed major concerns about the school and the administration. The youths looked at each other.

“We’re here to start a revolution.” Andres grinned.

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 8 years ago

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Since my lappie is in a state of coma (or prolly dead), I lost the most recent drafts for the Hades/Persephone and the Boxer au. Now I'm seriously considering on taking them down as I have no idea how far I've gone in writing the next chaps, and I am currently not in the mood to re write the whole thing.

#personal #rants

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 8 years ago

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Bakit biglang napatayo si Pole? Anong meron kay Miong?

Abangan... *cue Ang Probinsyano theme*

Can we also appreciate Heneral at ang kanyang: "cannot unsee" look

“Tignan mo itong si Miong, oh.”

#heneral moon #wala akong tulog kaya ako ganito

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 8 years ago

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Para kay @ruscano ~°~ Lumakad ang oras, nagdaan ang mga bagyo, muling sumikat ang araw para sa mga estudyante. Ngunit hindi na pala sila mga estudyante. Napaglipasan ng panahon, binayo ng mga giyera, ang mga bata ay unti-unting tumanda. Nagkaroon ng buhay sa labas ng eskuwela, natutong mamuhay sa totoong mundo. Kinalimutan ang pagkabata, tnalikuran ang laro para humabol sa bilis ng ikot ng mundo. Nagkahiwa-hiwalay sila, hindi na nagkita hanggang sa isang imbitasyon ang dumating. Salu-salo sa kanilang dating paaralan, pagpupugay sa pinagsamahan nila ng ilang dekada. At doon, sakabila ng mga namumuting buhok at lumalaking tiyan, tumakbo pabalik ang oras. “Penitente!” Malakas ang boses na iyon, at kilalang-kilala ni Placido ang may-ari nito. Humarap siya at nakita ang dating kaklase, kumakaway ito habang papalapit sa kanya. Sumagi sa isipan niya ang isang alaala na akala niya’y nabaon na sa limot. “Kamusta, Placido?” Bati nito. Hindi siya sumagot, hindi niya alam kung ano ang isasagot. “Heto ang utang ko.” Ibinukas ang palad, bumugad ang mamerang kulay pilak Napatingin si Placido, pilit inaalala kung anong utang iyon. “Dia pichido.” Tawa ni Juanito, hindi pa din kumukupas ang lutong ng halakhak na iyon. Napangiti siya, naalala ang nakaraan. Marahil hindi naging sobrang lupit ang tadhana. “Hindi na kailangan. Itago mo na iyan.” Sagot niya. Pilit pa ding inilalapit ni Juanito ang palad niya kay Placido, may kislap sa mga mata nito. “Papa!” tinig ng isang bata. Isang batang tumatakbong papalapit kay Juanito. Ah, oo nga pala, pamilyado na ang dati niyang kaibigan. Napahawak si Placido sa dibdib, bakit? Bakit tila sumisikip ang kanyang dibdib. “Ibigay mo na lang sa anak mo, regalo.” Sagot niya na nakangiti. Unti-unti siyang lumayo habang papalapit ang bata, parang nais niyang takbuhan ang katotohanang iyon. Ayaw niyang harapion iyon. Hindi niya kaya. Pero bakit? “Placido, saan ka pupunta?” Tanong ni Juanito, may lungkot sa boses nito. Diyos na mahabagin, bakit tila gusto niyang maniwala na pangungulila ang narinig niya mula kay Juanito? “Magpapalamig.” Sago niya, hindi nilingon ang kaibigan, tuloy siyang lumakad. “Sige, sabihin mo lang kung kailangan mong tumakas, itatakas kita.” Napatigil siya, wala sa loob na unti-unting nilingon si Juanito Pelaez, nakita niya ang ngiti sa mga labi nito, ang mga matang hindi nawawalan ng kinang. Muling sumikip ang dibdib niya, gusto niyang bumalik sa nakaraan. “Aasahan ko iyan.” Ngiti niya, sabay talikod muli. “Hindi na siya lumingon, nararamdaman pa rin niya ang mga mata ni Juanito, nararamdaman ang pagbalik ng hindi mawaring emosyon. Pero huli na ang lahat, wala na siyang magagawa pa. Ngunit mukhang Masaya naman si Juanito… Hindi man sa kanya, hindi man siya ang kasama, Masaya si Juanito… At iyon lang ang nais niya.

#penilaez #el noli #el nolibusterismo #i was bored

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 8 years ago

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The Little Mermaid AU that I will probably not finish

He hears the sea call to him. Sometimes, when things are unusually quiet, or when he’s been left alone to his thoughts, he hears it: the waves. Of how it rushes to shore or angrily slams against rocks, the rushing whisper of the breeze, and the echoing squawks of birds. He hears it all, and he remembers.

The water that is like air, the tall underwater towers, the city and its inhabitants. He could almost see the lights dancing on the domed canopy in the garden, marvels at how the light can still reach the kingdom below.

He would then stop, clasp the pendant hidden beneath his shirt then smoothen the blanket on his lap, only to get crumpled as it gets caught when he balls his fists, silently cursing his useless lower limbs.

He remembers swimming, of how it felt like running. There is almost no resistance when he swims, as if the water itself paves a way for him, for them. Then he remembers rising to the surface, with the sun almost blinding him and he squints as he looks around for him. Then he would hear the laughter from the rocks, the foreign tittering laugh that had become so familiar to him. And he hears the sound of the waves, of the birds.

The sea calls to him.

“Hello.” A small voice pipes in.

He snaps out of his musings and sees the little girl with her arms on his table, looking at him with bright, olive eyes. She had climbed up the chair, then to his to table and is now making a place of her own on it. He observes her, his nearly obsessive compulsive mind screaming about the paperwork now out of order, of the letters now out of sequence… He pushes that voice deep into the back of his head and locks it in, much like what he does when the pull of the sea makes his mind thrash and rebel. Yes, things like that are best kept locked up.

“It’s my birthday tomorrow.” It came almost like a squeak. She had crawled her way from one end of the table towards him and is now pouting as she looks at her dangling feet.

“I wish the war will end, Papa is always busy, and Mama is out healing wounded soldiers. Do you know when it will end? Can you make the war end?”

He heaves a sigh. Yes, he’s had an experience handling children, but his skill in that department isn’t as polished as the rest of his skill set. But inexperienced as he may be, he knows very well that a pouting child should not be left alone, thus he reaches out for the girl, lifts her off the table and places her on his lap. The girl immediately clings to him, small arms trying to circle around his neck. He smiles a little.

“I don’t know when the war will end. And I’m sure even your father wishes for it so he could spend more time with you.” It’s a pathetic answer, but with his level of expertise in the child care department, that’s the best he could come up with given the short notice.

They stay still for some time, and when he’s starting to think that she’s fallen asleep, she feel her little hand close in around the thin rope of his necklace.

“What’s this?” her enthusiasm returns. Reluctantly, he pulls out the necklace, and in that instant:

He feels that he’s been thrown back to those days…

“What does it do?”

The voice he’s hearing does not belong to the little girl anymore, but a mixture of her voice and someone he knows very well.

“It…” he starts, trying to regain control of his thoughts.

“I don’t hear anything.” She complains, he shudders at how those words eerily echo the ones from his memory.

Slowly, he looks at the girl on his lap, fearing that she had turned to some ghostly image from the past, and relief washes over him as he sees her, staring at her in anticipation.

“It’s a sea trumpet.” He smiles.

“A what?” she pouts again.

He raises an open palm and she gives him the necklace. He examines it, the

“You use it to call sea creatures.” He sees her eyes brighten and she snuggles closer to him, her eyes alternating from the pendant to his face.

“Really?!” he nods.

“Like mermaids?!” his smile freezes halfway when he hears this.

“Hm?”

“Mermaids!” she squeals, and goes on explaining about the said creatures.

“Yes, yes. Like mermaids.” He smiles, giving her a pat on the head.

“Do you think this came from one of them?” she asks, examining the pendant, sniffing it and even lightly knocking on its surface with her small fingers.

“Well…” he begins, unsure if it’s okay to continue.

“There was one a sea prince who owns something like it.”

“And?” she looks up to him expectantly. Pole sighs.

“He lives in a beautiful palace under the sea, with the walls are embedded with pearls and shells of different sizes serve as decoration.” The girl’s eyes widen in amazement.

“He has a brother who is significantly older than him, and a younger brother not quite near his age. Their grandmother serves as steward for the kingdom. The prince spends his time playing inside the castle or roaming their lands. Sometimes, when he could slip through the guards of the city, he would go out to the open sea and swim, even taking great risks by going up the surface.” He smiles wistfully.

“One day, he was too engrossed in playing near the surface that he failed to notice the approaching humans and their boats. And when he breaks through the waves again, one of the fishermen called to him. In shock, he dives down back into the water, and that’s when the men saw his tail. The boats rushed to catch him, and even though he’s a fast swimmer, the humans cast their nets and he finds himself captured.” The little girl shudders and holds to his shirt. He chuckles.

“Did he try to use the shell?” she asks. Pole shakes his head

“He thought about it, sure. But you see, this prince is softhearted. He knew that if he called any sea creatures to help him, theres a high chance for those creatures to be caught by the humans. He used the sharpened shell he uses as a makeshift knife. He cut himself free and swims off. But since his tail caught a patch of the net he’d cut off, he couldn’t swim fast enough. Also, he got injured by one of the spears hurled at him. The waves push him to shore where he loses consciousness.”

“Did someone help him? Surely a princess came by…”

Once again, his hand goes to his blanket-covered, lifeless, lower limbs. He knows what happens after that, and even the rest of the story, but that’s not something a child should learn this early. He inhales deeply. He would have to end this day with a bunch of lies, it seems.

“The prince got rescued, meets the love of his life, gets himself a pair of legs, marries, and lives happily ever after. The end.”

His heart almost leapt to his throat upon hearing the voice. He feels coldness spread within him as his heart starts beating madly.

“Time for bed, Maria. You’ve bothered Mr. Mabini enough. He has to sleep too.”

“Miong…” he mutters

The president walks over to them and lifts the girl off his lap. He accepts the apology and assures that everything is fine.

“I fell asleep and when I woke up, she’s out of bed. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.” Miong says sheepishly.

“Can I stay with you sometimes? You tell better stories than Papa.” The two men laughs.

“Papa, look!” she raises her hand and presents the necklace.

“Is that from the minister?” the president flashes an apologetic look.

“Give it back to him, Maria, you shouldn’t play with others’ belongings.”

“It’s okay, it’s my birthday gift to her.” He replies, and is delighted to see the grin spread across the little girl’s lips.

“What are you going to say?” father asks the child.

“Thank you, thank you, thanks you!” she wriggles in her father’s arms until the president lowers her down enough to place a kiss on his cheek. He smiles and ruffles her hair.

“Happy birthday, little one.”

He watches as father and daughter leave, not minding the burning sensation in his chest. Once again, his hands run across the blanket on his lap. His mind starts to think about what could have been if…

“It doesn’t matter.” He says softly.

~o~

He stays in his office and tries to immerse himself in work once more so as to take his mind off that story. But it’s no use, it comes back to him much like the waves to the sandy beach.

“The prince got rescued, meets the love of his life, gets himself a pair of legs, marries, and lives happily ever after. The end.” That was Miong’s version of the tale. Surely a made up, version, but…

“meets the love of his life.”

Yes he did, didn’t he?

Or so he thought.

“gets himself a pair of legs”

Once again he is reminded by his own useless ones, and how they have failed him.

“marries and lives happily ever after”

Of course, that’s how all fairytales go, right?

But his story is not a fairytale. What is it then?

A tragedy? He shakes his head, trying to ignore the bitterness seeping into every crevice of his soul.

“The end.”

Is it?

“Pole?” the voice followed the knocks on his door.

“Is anything wrong? Is there something urgent we…” he is cut off by a hand and a smile.

“It’s nothing Pole. I just couldn’t get away from Maria. Here, this belongs to you.” He sees the necklace.

“It’s my present to your daughter.”

“I know it’s important to you, I’ll just explain it to her.”

“It’s… It’s not really important. Besides, I’m yet to receive my salary so I don’t exactly have money to buy a present.”

“I… uh…” he laughs as he sees the other’s reaction.

“I’m only joking, Miong. Maria likes the necklace, and since I’m really not fond of it, it wouldn’t hurt handing it over to someone who appreciates it.”

“But when you first came here…” Miong stops, unsure of what to say next.

“It’s late, Miong. And I’m sure you’re tired. Better get some sleep.”

Yes, he thinks. It’s better this way. Let the past sink into the bottom of the sea. Miong smiles at him and he feels that burning sensation again. Gods, why does it still hurt? Why does it always hurt.

“Miong.” The words tumble out of his mouth even before he could think.

“Yes?” Miong looks back and their eyes meet. He swallows his protests and asks the question that’s been bothering him for the longest time.

“Don’t you remember anything?”

His heart sinks as he sees Miong’s face register a look of confusion. Of course he doesn’t remember, why is he so stupid as to hope? He musters a smile

“We have a cabinet meeting tomorrow.” Miong nods.

“Goodnight.”

And once again, he hears the faint sound of waves.

#mabinaldo

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ensaymada-ng-gehenna · 8 years ago

Text

Twittererye 3/?

‘Hello admins!’ the message reads.

It came from Andres Bonifacio’s admin. There’s no follow up after that, and based on the time sent, it’s been at least three hours since it was sent. She’s wondering what the admin wants and why there was no reply after the initial message. Thinking it wouldn’t hurt to know what’s going on, and besides she needs a distraction to take her mind off work, she types a response.

‘Hello.’

‘Uy, hello!’ the reply came about a minute after.

‘Ako pala si Marc, admin ni Boni. J Sayang umalis ka na after ng show, hindi tayo nagkita. Si Polo na lang naabutan ko.’

She stops and tries to recall... Show? What show? Then he remembers meeting Pole’s admin when she watched Hedwig. And “Polo”, at least now she knows his name. She smiles

‘Sa Hedwig? Nanood ka din?’

‘Kasama ako sa production, alipin.’ She laughs

‘ Gusto ko lang mag thank you sa pagpunta sa show.’

‘Ang ganda ng show, ang galing ng cast. May re-run ba?’

‘Hindi ko alam, wala naman napag-usapan. Pero sana meron next season. Kaya din pala ako nag message, kapag may mga plays, pwede ko kayo makunan ng free tickets. Sabihin ko nalang dito pag meron. Naisahan ka nyang ni Polo sa Hedwig, nanghingi lang ng ticket sakin yan, on the day pa!’

‘Oo nga pala, bakit wala pa si Polo? Ganitong oras, gising pa yung mokong na yun a’

‘Pololo! Asan ka na, ano na? Kami na lang bang dalawa ni Miong mag-uusap dito?’ she laughs at reading this.

‘Teka, ano nga pala pangalan mo?’

‘Mea’

‘Mukhang close kayo ni Polo, magkakilala na ba kayo before the fandom?’

Her heart starts pounding for no reason at all. She hears the familiar ping of an incoming email and grudgingly takes her eyes and attention off her phone. It turns out to be an email query that needs to be researched from past files. She spends good fifteen minutes before she goes back to her phone.

‘Sana gising pa siya’ she thinks.

‘ Oo. Magkababata kami nyan, sabay na din kami lumaki. Siga yan sa school kasi natalo niya yung dating siga ng school. Patpat kasi yan nung bata pa kami, maski hanggang ngayon naman di ba? Hahahaha, ayun, napagtripan siyang I bully nung grade four kami. Ayun, nakipag basag ulo, nanalo, na guidance, naging bida ng section at grade level. Wala namang problema sa grades ni Polo, scholar yan, kahit anong gawin namin ng barkada sa kanya, hindi nawawalan ng tamang sagot sa klase. Dati, nilasing namin yan, yung subsob na sa lamesa, akala namin di papasok kinabukasan. Gulat na lang namin, pumasok, nag quiz, lima lang mali. Samantalang kami, mga nagtatawag pa ng uwak.’ This was followed by a smiley.

‘ewan ko ba kung anong utak meron yan’ Marc continues

‘hindi pa yan nakatikim ng line of 7, ni wala ngang grade yan na bumaba ng 86. Naalala ko, nung elementary kami, umuwi yan, iyak ng iyak. Nakita sya ni mama na nakasiksik dun sa may cupboard na ginagamit namin pag nagtataguan. Ayun, humahagulgol, tinanong ni mama kung may umaway sa kanya, wala naman daw, tapos nakita ni mama yung papel na hawak nya. Periodical test sa Math, 86 yung grade. Akala ni mama matutuwa si Polo kapag binati tungkol sa test, ako kasi tapak lang ng 80. Ayun, lalong umiyak si Polo, natakot siya umuwi at ipakita yung score niya, natatakot siya kasi baka bumagsak na daw sya, di sya maka graduate. E yung grade nya ang highest sa batch nun.’

‘Seryoso?’ she types back.

‘Oo, ganun ka grade conscious yung taong yun. Hindi sya geek,hindi sya nerd, noon talaga, takot sya mawala yung scholarship nya. Pero wag ka, walang makatalo sa kanya sa street fighter, mortal kombat, pati crash bandidcot. Kaya lakas ng loob maghamon nyan sa arcade kapag Byernes. Maski noong college, hari ng MMORPG yan, sya may pinakamataas na level at pinkamayaman. Nagbot lang ako kaya ko nahabol. Pero laude pa rin. Minsan, bago mag exam hahanapin namin yan, andun pala sa computer shop nagpapa level up, pero pagtapos ng exam, sampu lang mali. Alchol tolerant din yan. Ilang red horse yung naubos namin bago namin yan napatumba. Syado lang talagang focused sa pag-aaral. Kahit anong gawin namin dati para I distract sya, wa epek. Puro aral nasa utak, aral, trabaho, pamilya. Kaya nga walang girlfriend yan e.’

There it goes again, the faint, yet rapid beating of her heart. Why? And why did it she feel like her own heart jumped inside her when she read the last line

‘Feeling ko nga, passionate sya sa studies. Nagla-law daw sya ngayon?’

‘Pangarap nya yan simula bata pa kami. Judge kasi si lolo, kaya madami syang libro sa bahay. E etong si Polo mahilig magbasa, nakahiligan nya yung mga libro ni lolo tapos minsan sinama kami ni lolo sa hearing, ayun na. Hahahaha.’

‘Nakakatuwa naman pala sya.’

‘Nakakatawa din. May crush yan dati na kabarkada namin, si Marceline. Simula high school, ay hindi, elementary, nung lumipat si Celine samin, crush na nya yun, hindi lang nya masabi. Tapos, naging editors sila ng school paper, halos araw-araw wala yang ibang makwento sakin kundi si Celine. Paulit-ulit, rinding-rindi na yung tenga ko sa kwento nya, sige pa rin. Hanggang college, hatid-sundo nya yun minsan sa uste. Kahit pa maipit-ipit sya sa pnr pabalik ng dorm, sige pa rin.’

‘Kala ko walang girlfriend si Polo? Bakit mukhang close naman silang dalawa?’ she types, trying to ignore the persistent tightening of her chest.

‘Torpe yun. Ni hindi umamin. Parang MU na parang hindi sila. Sya pa naging escort ni Celine nung debut nya. Kala nga ng barkada aamin na, kaso wala, hanggang sa nakatanggap ng scholarship is Celine sa U.S. di pa rin umaamin si Polo.’

‘sayang naman silang dalawa.’

‘yaan mo, ang torpe ni ungas e. Alam mo bang halos allergic sa tao yun? Sa klase, hindi ka nya kakausapin kung hindi kailangan o kung hindi tungkol sa school project. Gulat nga ng mga classmate naming magkaibigan kami. Yung ibang kabarkada kasi namin e mga upperclassmen, kaya bihira lang din kami magkasama-sama. Kaya nga nagulat ako nagkita pala kayo. Natututo na lumabas sa lungga nya yung alaga ko.’

‘Nagkataon lang naman na parehas kaming nandun.’

‘Maski na. Bihira makipag-usap yan sa ibang tao. Lalo pa sa babae, torpe nga kasi. Kaya ipaalala mo sa akin, may libre ka sa sakin na ice cream pag nagkita tayo, nakausap mo kasi yung torpedo nay un. May picture pa kayo.’ Her mind flies back to the events of that night, she can’t help but smile.

‘Wala naman kaming picture na kaming dalawa. Yun lang pinost naming sa twitter yung picture.’

‘ANO?! WALA KAYONG PICURE SA BOOTH!?!?!’

‘sorry, caps. Sayang naman, ang ganda ng booth namin, sana nagpa picture kayo. Remembrance.’

‘Hindi na namin naisip, tsaka papasok pa kasi ako sa trabaho. Sayang nga ano?’

‘Ay oo nga pala, may trbaaho ka. Hala, e di nasa trabaho ka ngayon?! Baka naiistorbo kita.’

‘Hindi. Tapos na ako sa reports ko. Inaantay ko na lang yung meeting mamaya. Ok lang, bored din naman ako dito. Ikaw, bakakelanganmo na matulog.’

‘Ay oo nga pala, medaling araw na. Hahahahaha. Sige, next time na lang ulit. Sana next time kasama na si Polo. Basta, kapag may event, sabihan ko na lang kayo. One time, labas tayong tatlo.’

‘Sige, sige, thanks.’

That ended their conversation. She smiles as she recalls

~o~

Marc wakes up with the incessant ringing of his phone. Given that his ringtone

“MARCUS AURELIUS HIDALGO ANO YUNG PINAGSASABI MO SA GROUPCHAT?!” Polo yelled from the other line.

“Apollo Geronimo, kinwento ko lang kay Mea yung tungkol sayo.” He yawns.

“E bakit ako? Tsaka kailangan lahat yun sabihin mo, pati yung kay Celine?”

“E anong magagawa ko, ikaw lang naman common friend namin, e di ikaw na lang pag-usapan namin.”

“anong ‘pag-usapan’? Nilaglag mo kaya ako.”

“Gago, kung nilaglag kita, e di sana kinwento ko pati yung naihi ka sa kama nung bata pa tayo kaasi natakot ka dun sa isang episode ng gabi ng lagim kaya di ka pumuntang banyo.”

“Gago nito.”

“Thank you.” Marc paused, something just hit his fresh-from-bed brain.

“Ewan ko sa’yo. Wag mo ulitin yun kundi ikaw ilalaglag ko. Bye.”

Before he could say anything, Polo ended the call. He blinks several times, his brain processing the question he’s about to ask his friend before the call was terminated. When at last he’s formed a coherent thought, he punches in his friend’s number and waits for an answer.

“Pololo, may tanong ako.” He greets as Polo answered.

“Ano yun.”

“Alam mo ba na pupunta si Mea sa show?” Silence.

“H-ha?”

“Hindi ka nanonood ng show ng weekdays kung may pasok ka. Pagkakatanda ko tinanong kita kung kelan ka manonood, ibang date yung sinabi mo. Tapos bigla kang tumawag sakin para sa ticket kasi sabi mo nung araw na yun ka na lang manonood.”

“Hindi ba ako pwedeng magbago ng isip?” Polo counters.

“Pwede naman. Pero yung magbago ka ng isip kasabay ng panonood ni Mea, masyadong coincidence nay un ‘tol.”

“Tsaka pano mo nahanap si Mea sa dami ng tao sa lobby? At ikaw, makikipag-usap sa kung sinu-sino lang? Magkatabi pa kayo sa upuan! Tapos inantay mo pa makaalis? Hoy Pololo, iba na naamoy ko.”

“Utak mo, linisin mo. Natural aantayin ko sya makaalis, iba na panahon ngayon. Gabi na, tapos mag-isa lang sya. Mas maganda na nakita ng driver na may kasama sya.” He replies, his voice showing traces of irritation.

“Polo, hindi naman sa nangingialam ako, pero baka naman kasi masyado na napupunta sa isip mo yung RP nyo sa twitter. Tol, twitter lang yun, RP lang yun. Ano bang malay natin kung may boyfriend sya? Okay lang kung friends, sige, pero tol, hinay-hinay muna. Wag ka masyadong magpapaniwala, baka masaktan ka na naman.” Again, silence.

“Nasobrahan ka lang ng tulog, boy. Ikain mo nay an. Ang dami mong naiisip.” With this Polo ends the call.

He pockets his phone and stares outside.

~o~

Na mi-miss ko na silang dalawa. Kung sino man may kakilala kay twitter Pole, paki chismis sakin. hihihihihi

#mabinaldo #well sort of mabinaldo #twitterserye

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