Category Archives: Short Novel
Huwag Kang Lilingon ~ Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
“Sa Muling Pagtatagpo”
Nakaalpas kami mula sa sakmal ng gubat na siyang naging libingan ng mga biktima ng mga halimaw at bumulaga sa amin ang isang sapa.
Napakalinis at napakalinaw ng tubig nagaanyayang kami’y magtampisaw… hinihimok kaming limutin ang lahat ng mga hindi magagandang karanasan namin mula ng dumating kami sa islang iyon. Pero napakahirap gawin niyon.
Naupo kaming magkakalapit, ang mga mata ay patuloy sa pagmamasid sinusuri ang bawat sulok sa paligid. Maging ang sapa, para sa akin, ay kahina-hinala—masyadong malinis, masyadong tahimik, masyadong mapang-akit.
Naupo ako sa mabatong bahagi sa tabi ng tubig, pinagmamasdan ang aking repleksyon na gumagalaw sa umaagos na tubig ng supa. Tuyot na tuyot na ang lalamunan ko mula sa mahabang oras ng paglalakad at nakaktuksong yumuko para uminom. Kumikinang ang malamig na tubig, napakahirap tanggihan.
Ibinaba ko ang aking hawak na pamalo, bagama’t nag-aalinlangan akong bitawan ito. Ang kahoy na ito ay parang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob at huwag matakot sa mga Sutsot.
Akmang ilulubog ko na ang aking kamay sa sapa, ang mga daliri ko’y nasa ibabaw na ng tubig. Pero may pumigil sa akin. Iginala ko ang aking paningin sa paligid. Sa likuran namin ay pinanggalingang gubat. Sa kabilang pampang ng sapa ay isa nanamang kagubatan.
Nakakangilo ang katahimikan. Napakahirap kumampante at isipang okay na ang lahat.
Paano kung ito ang sandaling piliin ng mga Sutsot para sumalakay? Ang sapa ay mukhang masyadong perpekto, ang agos ay tila isang duyan na parang gusto akong ipaghele.
Binawi ko ang aking mga kamay. Baka may kung ano sa tubig—isang bagay na kapag nainom namin ay magpapahina sa amin laban sa mga demonyo. Kung ano-ano na ang inisip ko. Pati tubig na walang malay ay pinagduduhan kong kakampi ng mga halimaw.
Sinulyapan ko sina Tomas at Jasmine. Ang kilos nila’y nagpapahayag nang pag-aalinlangan. Huminga ako nang malalim. Hindi ako pwedeng maging pabaya. Hindi ngayon… hindi kaylanman. Hindi ako pwedeng mamatay. Hindi ngayon. Hangga’t hindi ko nasisigurong ligtas si Eve.
Pagkatapos ay muli kong naramdaman ang pamilyar na kilabot na gumapang sa aking gulugod, malamig at matalas, parang haplos ng mga daliring hindi nakikita. Natutunan ko nang pagkatiwalaan ang pakiramdam na iyon. Iyon ang paraan ng katawan ko para magbabala na meron nagbabantang panganib pero hindi ko nakikita.
Tumayo ako, at pinagmasdan ko ng mabuti ang paligid. Bawat kilos sa madilim na bahagi sa harapan namin at likuran ay pilit kong inaaninag. Bawat tunog ay mabusising pinapakinggan. Batid kong ganoon din sina Tomas at Jasmine. Kaligtasan namin ay kaylangang tiyakin. Lahat kami’y nangangamba na biglang sumulpot ang mga Sutsot at katawan nami’y pilit na agawain..
Napansin ni Tomas na ako ay balisa.
“Ano ‘yun, bro?” tanong ni Tomas.
“Hindi ko alam…” Pabulong kong sagot. “May nararamdaman lang akong kakaiba.”
Mula sa likod ng isang malaking bato, isang lalaki ang lumabas.
Ang kanyang buhok ay tila mga madulas na lubid, ang kanyang balbas ay ligaw at may mga guhit ng abo. Halos kasing-tangkad siya ni Tomas pero mas malapad ang balikat. Ang machete sa kanyang baywang ay bahagyang kumikislap—ang hawakan nito ay parang pudpod na dahil sa ilang taong paggamit.
Dahan-dahan siyang humakbang palapit. Naamoy ko ang alat, kalawang, at pawis na umalingasaw mula sa kanyang katawan. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Hinablot ko ang aking sanga at humanda sa pakikipaglaban. Itinaas ni Tomas ang kanyang baril at itinutok sa lalaki. Pero nakakagulat ang bilis na ipinamalas ng lalaki. Sa isang iglap, naagaw niya ang baril ni Tomas at itinutok ito sa amin.
Susugod sana si Jasmine, pero mabilis na ibinaling ng lalaki ang baril sa kanya. “Huwag mong gawin ‘yan, Jasmine!”
Napatigagal kami.
“Kuya? Kuya Adam! Ikaw ba talaga ‘yan?”
Bahagyang ibinaba ng lalaki ang baril. “Oo. Ako nga. Kanina ko pa kayo pinagmamasdan simula nung makarating kayo sa sapa.”
Dali-daling lumapit si Jasmine para yakapin ang kapatid, pero mabilis akong humarang. “Sandali lang, Jasmine. Paano kung—”
“Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi ako Sutsot. Hindi ako nasaniban.”
Nakahinga ng maluwag si Jasmine. “Salamat sa Diyos at buhay ka! Alam kong matatag ka!” bulalas niya, bago mahigpit na niyakap ang kapatid. Pagkatapos ay humarap siya sa amin at ipinakilala kami ni Tomas sa kanyang kuya.
“Kayo ba ‘yung nasa balsa ni Kharon kagabi?” tanong ni Adam habang ibinabalik ang baril ni Tomas.
Tumango ako.
“Ako ‘yung nagwawagayway ng sulo kagabi. Tuwing nakakakita ako ng hanay ng ilaw sa gitna ng dagat, umaakyat ako sa tuktok ng mga burol na ‘yan.” Itinuro niya sa pinakamataas na bahagi ng isla. “Doon ako nagsisindi ng sulo para makita ng mga nasa balsa.”
Napailing si Tomas. “Mahirap paniwalaang nakatagal ka nang ganito dito sa dami ng mga demonyong ‘yan sa paligid.”
Ngumiti si Adam. “Sa tingin ko, ang training ko sa militar ang naghanda sa akin para rito. Pero ang tunay na nagpatibay sa akin ay ang kagustuhang ipaghiganti ang pagkamatay ni Julie… at iligtas ang sinumang maihahatid ni Kharon dito.”
Lalong hinigpitan ni Jasmine ang yakap sa kapatid. “Pero bawat taong naililigtas ko,” patuloy ni Adam, bakas ang panghihinayang sa kanyang boses, “sa huli ay kinakain din ng mga demonyong Sutsot.”
Kumalas siya sa yakap ni Jasmine. Tumingin sa aming isa-isa “At hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan tatagal ‘yung nailigtas ko kamakailang lang… at kayo man.”
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Tomas. “Ano? May nailigtas kang buhay pa hanggang ngayon?”
Hindi makahinga si Jasmine. “Babae ba siya, kuya?”
Sinalubong ni Adam ang kanyang tingin. “Oo.”
Nag-atubili siya—saka bumulong, “Evelyn ang pangalan niya.”
Nakaramdam ako ng hindi maipaliwanag na kaligayahan. Kitang-kita ko rin kung paano nagliwanag sa galak ang mukha ni Tomas.
“Nasaan ang kapatid ko? Nasaan siya?” Ang tanong ni Tomas.
Laking gulat ni Adam. “Oww, ikaw ang kapatid ni Eve?”
Lumapit ako’t kinamayan ko si Adam. “Salamat brod. Maraming salamat. Si Eve ang dahilan kung bakit kami narito. Dalhin mo kami sa kanya.”
Sandaling hindi gumalaw si Adam. Pagkatapos, sa isang dahan-dahang tango, humarap siya sa mabatong bangin. “Sumunod kayo sa akin.”
Tumawid siya sa sapa. Mababaw lang naman ito. Lampas tuhod lang angn pinakamalalim na bahagi. Sinundan namin siya. Hawak ko ng mahigpit ang aking pamalo. Si Tomas ay nagkasa ng baril. Nakahanda rin ang patalim ni Jasmine. Batid naming lahat na hindi kami puwedeng kumampante.
Nang matawid namin ang sapa ay pumasok kami sa isa pang bahagi ng gubat. Mas malinis ito, hindi gaanong masukal—pero amoy ng kerosene ang paligid.
Nagtaas ng kamay si Adam, hudyat na magdahan-dahan kami. “Mag-ingat kayo sa bawat hakbang,” babala niya. “Ang bahaging ito ng gubat ay puno ng mga patibong. May mga hukay dito na may mga matatalas na tulos at binuhusan ko ng kerosene. May mga alarm system din ako dito sa bahaging ito ng gubat. Ginawa ko ito para hindi hindi ako masalisihan ng mga Sutsot habang ako’y natutulog.
Habang naglalakad, napansin ko ang mga bahagyang kislap ng bakal sa pagitan ng mga ugat at sanga na natatabunan ng dahon. Ang hangin ay malapot sa amoy ng kerosene at kalawang.
Pagkatapos ay biglang tumigil si Jasmine. Sa unahan namin, nakasabit sa isang animo’y sapot ng gagamba pero yari sa baging ang isang kalansay—malinis na ang mga buto nito, ang bungo ay nakatingala sa langit. Ilang hakbang pa, may isa pang kalansay na nakasalampak sa isang hukay na puno ng matutulis na tulos ng kawayan.
“Mga Sutsot ang mga ‘yan,” ang wika ni Adam. “Mga biktima ng bitag ko ang mga iyan. Kapag narinig kong humihiyaw sila kapag nahuhuli sa mga patibong na iyan eh pinupuntahan ko para gamitan ko nitong bendidatong machete ko. Kaya takot na silang pumasok sa bahaging ito ng isla. Marami sa kanila ang namatay rito.”
Sa malayo, natanaw namin ang isang dampa na may bubong na gawa sa tuyong dahon ng nipa. Habang papalapit kami, may lumabas ng bahay… Eve.
“Diyos ko! Kuya! Kuya!” Ang boses niya ay binalutan ng magkahalong galak at iyak.
Mabilis na tumakbo si Tomas at niyakap nang mahigpit si Eve. “Salamat sa Diyos at buhay ka! Alalang-alala si Nanay sa’yo—pati na si Jeff.”
Gusto ko ring yakapin si Eve, sabihin sa kanya kung gaano ako kasaya na ligtas siya. Pero ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay ipikit ang aking mga mata at bumulong ng isang dasal ng pasasalamat.
“Hindi mo na kaylangang pumunta dito Kuya. Sobrang mapanganib.”
“At bakit hindi? Pinangako ko kay Tatay na poprotektahan kita sa lahat ng oras. Gagawin ko ang lahat para tiyaking ligtas ka Eve.”
“Sorry! Patawarin mo ako! Dapat nakinig ako sa’yo. Hindi ko na lang sana pinatulan ang hamon ng mga classmates ko na pumunta sa islang ito. Na-excite kasi sila sa mga napanood nila sa YouTube tungkol dito. At totoo nga palang may mga halimaw na naninirahan dito.”
“Masaya kami Eve na makitang ligtas ka.” sabi ko.
“Oo, salamat kay Adam. Iniligtas niya ako,” sabi ni Eve habang kumakalas sa yakap ni Tomas at sumisiksik kay Adam, ang kanyang ulo ay sumandal sa balikat nito. Para bang kay tagal na nilang magkakilala.
Gusto ko ring pasalamatan si Adam, pero ang mga salita ay tila bumara sa aking lalamunan. Sandaling nakalimutan ko ang isla, ang mga demonyo, pati ang pagkamatay ni Daniel. Ang makita si Eve na ganoon, buhay pero nakasandal sa balikat ni Adam—ay naghatid ng isang matinding kirot sa aking dibdib.
Gusto kong magdiwang dahil nakita ko siyang buhay, pero hindi ko magawa habang nakikita ko na parang napakalambing niya kay Adam. .
Tumingin ako sa malayo bago pa mabasa nina Tomas o Jasmine ang nakasulat na pagkadismaya sa mukha ko. Pero duda akong napansin nila. Ang mga mukha nina Tomas at Jasmine ay bakas rin nang pagkalito habang pinagmamasdan ang ipinapakitang lambing ni ni Eve kay Adam.
Napansin ko ang pag-aalinlangan sa ngiti ni Tomas. Ang kanina’y pasasalamat na ipinpakita niya kay Adam ay mukhang napalitan ng duda at kalituhan. Halatang pilit ang kanyan ngiti nang tumingin siya sa akin.
Si Jasmine naman ay parang nagtataka. Ang kanyang tingin ay nakatutok sa kanyang kapatid, pinagmamasdan kung paano nito hawakan si Eve. Hindi ko mahulaan kung ano ang naglalaro sa isip ni Jasmine. Pag-aalinlangan, marahil. O takot. Tahimik siyang nag-antanda ng krus, bumubulong ng dasal na siya lang ang nakakarinig.
“Siyanga pala, gustong sumama ni Jeff, pero hindi siya pinayagan ng nanay niya,” sabi ni Tomas, upang basagin ang katahimikan biglaang namayani sa kalagitnaan namin.
“Jeff… Sino naman si Jeff?”
“Ha… eh … Family friend,” mabilis na sagot ni Eve.
Napansin ko ang bahagyang inis sa kanyang boses. Kung bakit hindi niya sinabing kasintahan siya nito ay hindi ko alam. Marahil galit siya dahil hindi ito sumama sa amin para hanapin siya. O baka may iba pang dahilan.
“Ah… Kuya, nakita mo ba ang mga classmates ko?” tanong ni Eve ng may bahid ng pananabik na marinig ang kasagutan.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Tomas.
“Sorry Eve… pero wala na sila—maliban na lang sa isa, marahil,” seryosong sagot ni Tomas.
Napayuko si Eve nang madinig iyon.
“Kami lang ni Eve ang nakaligtas sa islang ito. Maging ang mga kasama namin ni Julie na pumuta dito noon ay isa-isa ring namatay,” dagdag ni Adam. “Halika, pasok tayo sa dampa.”
Sumunod kami sa loob. Isang lamesa na yari sa kahoy ang nasa gitna ng bahay. May mga prutas at tila bagong ihaw na mga isda sa ibabaw nito. Ang mga upuang nakapaligid sa lamesa ay yari din sa kahoy. Sa isang sulok ay may dalawang manipis na kutson—luma, sira-sira, at magkatabi.
“Kumain muna kayo—alam kong gutom na gutom na kayo. May tubig din dito.”
Atubili man ay kaylangan naming kumain.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala. Walang lason iyan.” Ang pabirong sabi ni Adam ng napansin niya tila parang nagaalangan kaming isubo ang mga pagkaing hawak na namin.
Habang kumakain, muli kong naramdaman ang pangangalisag ng mga balahibo ko sa aking kamay at batok. Parang may mga matang nakatingin mula sa labas o baka nasa bubong ng dampa.
“Paano ka nailigtas ni Adam, Eve?” tanong ni Tomas.
Ang tingin ni Eve ay napako sa sahig, napabuntong-hininga. “Ang natatandaan ko lang… matapos naming itayo ang mga tent, ang isa sa mga kasama ko ay nagpasimula ng siga. Nakaharap kami sa apoy nang makarinig kami ng paswit mula sa likuran namin. Lahat ng lumingon ay nagsimulang mangisay. Nawala ang kanilang mga mata, at ang kanilang mga tiyan ay unting nawawakwak.”
Nanginginig ang boses ni Eve habang ito’y nagkukwento.
“Dahil sa takot, tumakbo ako sa gubat. Nang tumigil ako para huminga, may humablot sa akin mula sa likuran at tinakpan ang bibig ko. Si Adam ‘yun. Sinabi niya sa aking huwag gagalaw at huwag gagawa ng ingay. Sinabi niya ring huwag akong magpa-panic habang naglalakad kami.”
Nabulunan si Eve sa emosyon. Inakabayan siya ni Adam. Isinandal ni Eve ang kanyang ulo sa kanyang balikat.
Sinakmal nanaman ako ng matinding panibugho. Pero wala akong magawa.
“Paulit-ulit na nagbabala si Adam na huwag lilingon sa likod, anuman ang mangyari—kahit may tumawag pa sa pangalan ko o may papaswit. Ang mga Sutsot ay tinatawag ang pangalan ko. May kaboses nga noon si kuyaTomas.”
“Patuloy niyang iwinawasiwas ang kanyang itak para hindi makalapit ang mga demonyo. Tumigil lang sila sa pagsunod nang makarating kami sa sapa.” Sinulyapan ko si Adam. Gusto kong magpasalamat sa kanya, pero aaminin kong mas nanaig ang matinding selos.
Napapikit ako ng makita kong halos idikit na ni Eve ang ulo sa mukha ni Adam. Nakakainggit. Dapat ako ang nakapagligtas sa kanya mula sa mga Sutsot. Kung nangyari iyong marahil ay sa balikat ko ngayon nakahilig ang ulo ni Eve.
Ngunit, may kung ano kay Adam na bumabagabag sa akin. Hindi panibugho. Parang mas mas malalim. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano.
“Bakit kaya hindi tayo sinusundan ng mga Sutsot dito?” tanong ni Tomas. “Ang mga halimaw na nakapasok sa katawan ng tao lang ang pwedeng masaktan ng mga bitag na nakita natin kanina.”
“Apoy lang ang tatapos sa isang demonyo na wala pa sa katawan. Alam nila na ang bahaging ito ng isla ay diniligan ko ng kerosene—lalo na ang paligid ng dampang na ito—at susunugin ko ito hanggang dagat kung kinakailangan. Kumukuha ako ng kerosene sa mga balsa ni Kharon tuwing may mga bagong dumarating.”
“Takot din sila rito.” Binunot ni Adam ang itak sa kanyang tabi; ang talim ay kumislap sa liwanag ng gasera. “Marami na itong napatay sa mga halimaw na yan. Dala ito ni Julie nang pumunta kami rito—sabi niya ay binasbasan ito ng isang pari.”
May kinapa si Jasmine sa kanyang bulsa. Inilabas niya ang singsing ni Julie—at inilagay ito sa palad ni Adam.
Pinagmasdan ni Adam ang singsing. “Nawa’y makahanap ng kapayapaan ang kanyang kaluluwa,” bulong ni Adam, ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata at itinikom ang kamay sa singsing na parang isang dasal at pangako. “Nawala ko siya nang ang isang Sutsot ay nagbago ng anyo at nagpanggap na ako. Iyon lang ang tanging paraan para makuha nila siya. Sandali lang akong pumunta sa sapa para kumuha ng tubig noon. Pagbalik ko… wala na siya.”
Lumapit si Jasmine at niyakap siya.
“Kailangan na nating makaalis sa islang ito,” sabi ni Adam. “Okay pa ba ang balsang ginamit niyo?”
Tumango si Tomas. “Oo.”
“Kailangan nating kumilos nang mabilis. Kung tapos na kayong kumain, tara na.”
Nagpalitan kami nina Tomas at Jasmine ng mga seryosong tango.
“Kailangan nating makarating sa dalampasigan bago lumubog ang araw,” sabi ni Adam. “Ang ilang minuto pagkatapos ng paglubog ng araw ang tanging pagkakataon natin.”
Noon ko lang tiningnan ang aking relo—halos alas-kuwatro na ng hapon. “Tara na,” sabi ni Adam, at humakbang na siya papalabas ng bahay. Sinundan namin siya.
Chapter 8
“Sa Ningas Ng Paghihiganti”
Huwan Kang Lilingon
(Maikling Nobela – Horror)
__________
This short novel has been translated into English and published through Amazon.
Huwag Kang Lilingon ~ Chapter 6B
Chapter 6B
“Sa Gitna Ng Libingan”
Kasunod nito ang mga alulong at ungol—ang mga sigaw ng mga Sutsot ay nagiging mga boses ng mga taong kilala at malapit sa amin: ang aming mga ina, ama, kapatid… kaybigan. Kopyang-kopya ng mga Sutsot ang boses ng mga mahal namin sa buhay. Lubos man ang pananabik namin sa kanila ay hindi kami puwedeng lumingon.
Habang naglalakad kami, ang mga Sutsot ay sumusunod—nakadapo sa mga sanga, tumatawid sa mga tulay na baging. Nasusulyapan ko sila kapag bahagya kong itinitagilid ang aking mata sa kaliwa’t kanan. Isang bagay ang napansin ko. Ang madalas gayahin ng mga Sutsot ay ang boses ni Adam.
“Sa awa ng Diyos, makikita ko uli ang kapatid ko,” deklara ni Tomas.
Tomas, naniniwala ka ba talaga na may Diyos?—boses iyong ng tatay ni Tomas.
Hindi na sumagot si Tomas. Tanging ang tunog ng nagngangalit niyang ngipin ang aking narinig.
Talaga lang ha. Hindi ka sumasagot. Kunwari cool na cool ka lang. Pero ramdam ko ang galit at panggigil mo. Sige Tomas. Kailan mo naramdaman na ang Diyos ay tunay na gumagabay at nagmamahal sa’yo?
Napaisip ako, ganoon din maraghil ang mga kasama ko. Ang tanong na iyon ay hindi lang para kay Tomas. Ito’y tanong para sa aming lahat.Sinusubok ang aming pananampalataya.
Naniniwala pa ba kami sa Diyos?
Sasabihin ko ito sa inyo, mga tao ulol… Sa tingin niyo ba ay maililigtas kayo ng inyong Diyos? Wala Siyang pakialam sa inyo. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit ang bawat taong tumapak sa islang ito ay hindi na nakabalik, sa loob ng daan-daang taon. Kahit isa. Tingnan ninyo… pinabayaan na kayo ng inyong Diyos. Hinayaan Niya kayong maging pagkain namin. Thank you, Lord… Thank you, Lord.
Ang boses na iyon mula sa isang Sutsot ay iba. Ito’y kakaiba. Hindi boses ng isang tao. Boses iyong ng nilalang na galing sa impyerno.
AMMMEEENNNN… AMMEEENNNN
Parang tinutuya ng mga demonyo ang pananampalataya ng mg Kristyano. Sinundan iyong ng mga tawang at hiyawan. Tinakpan ko ang aking mga tenga, pero tumatagos ang kabastatusang ginagawa ng mga halimaw..
Ang Diyos ninyo ay nandoon at kampanteng nakaupo sa kanyang trono, kasama ang Anak at ang Espiritu Santo, nanonood sa inyong pagdurusa. Wala silang pakialam. Naniniwala ba kayo na tutulungan nila kayo?
YES JESUS… YES JESUS…
Kumakapit kayo sa walang kwentang pag-asa. Walang kapangyarihan ang inyong Diyos, nakabahag ang buntot.
Ang huling boses na iyon—kay Adam.
“Nakakatawa kang demonyo ka. Walang kapangyarihan ang Diyos? Eh kaya nga kayo naitapon dito sa lupa dahil hindi kayo nagtagumpay labas sa kanya.” Wika ni Jasmine.
Wow, ipanagtatangol mo ang Diyos… nakaka-touch naman. Mas kinakampihan mo ang Diyos kaysa akin na kapatind mo… ha..
Hinigpitan ni Jasmine ang hawak sa kanyang rosaryo. Pumikit siya. Taimtim ang ginagawang panalangin
Sige, magdasal ka pa, ang sigaw ng isang pang Sutsot, ginagaya ang boses ng ina ni Daniel. Sa tingin mo ba ay maililigtas ka ng mga dasal mo? Bingi ang Diyos mo. Nag-aaksaya ka lang ng oras.
Sumama ako sa pagdarasal ni Jasmine.
Tingnan niyo si Willy, nagdadasal, patuloy nito, ang pinanggagalingan ng boses ay napakalapit lang sa akin. Sabihin mo sa akin, Willy—ilang dasal na ba ang sinagot ng Diyos mo? Nagkabati ba ang mga magulang mo matapos ang lahat ng gabing nakiusap ka para sa kapayapaan sa bahay niyo?
YES JESUS… YES JESUS
Pinigilan ba ng mga dasal mo ang pagkamatay ng kapatid mo sa liver cancer? At paano naman si Eve? Ipinagdasal mo rin ang pag-ibig niya, ‘di ba? Sabihin mo sa akin—nakikinig ba ang Langit noon?
Ang tawa ng Sutsot ay naging isang paos na hiyaw.
Bingi ang Diyos mo. At sino ka ba, Willy, para pagbigyan Niya?
AMMMEEENNNN… AMMEEENNNN
“Pati ba naman ang mga iyon eh alam din ng mga demonyong iyan ha Jasmine?” Ang tanong ko.
“Natatandaan mo pa ba ang sinabi ko kagabi?” Ang tanong ni Jasmine. “Dating anghel ang mga iyan bago sila naging demonyo. Taglay nila ang ilang kapangyarihan na taglay ng mga anghel. Kapag nakita na nila ang tao ay nalalaman nila ang mga kinikimkim mong sama ng loob, ang mga kabiguan mo sa buhay, at ang mga itinatago mong kasalanan.”
Tumigil sandali si Jasmine. Tumingin sa akin. “Sa isang tingin lang ay parang isang aklat na nababasa nila ang nakaraan ng isang tao. Pero nang itapon sila mula sa langit, nawala sa kanila ang isang kakayahan makita ang darating pa lang.”
Biglang muling nag-ingay ang mga Sutsot.. Pakiramdam ko ay nasa mismong itaas lang ng nilalalakaran namin.
“HAYOP KAYO!”
Sumigaw si Daniel at iwinasiwas ang hawak niyang pamalo sa mga tulay na baging nang buong lakas.
Napatingala si Daniel sa pinaghagisan ng hawak niyang pamala.
Naganap ang lahat sa isang iglap. Isang guhit ng itim na usok ang bumulusok pababa, diretso sa kanyang mata.
Pagkatapos ay bumagsak si Daniel. Ang kanyang katawan ay nangingisay; ang kanyang mga paa’t kamay ay pumipitlag sa lupa. Tumirik ang kanyang mga mata, at isang paos na ungol ang kumawala sa kanyang lalamunan—isang tunog na hindi nagmula sa tao.
Hindi namin malaman kung ano ang gagawin. Nalito kami sa bilis ng mga pangyayari.
“Laban, Daniel! Huwag mong hayaang maagaw ang katawan mo!” sigaw ni Jasmine, puno ng desperasyon.
Sinubukan ni Tomas na hawakan ang mga binti ni Daniel, pero kalaunan ay ay nasipa siya at gumulong sa tabi ko. Biglang tumayo si Daniel, ang mga mata ay dilat at ligaw. Sinasabunutan niya ang kanyang sarili, sinasampal ang kanyang mukha, at hinahampas ang hangin.
“Lumabas ka sa katawan ko! Lumabas ka!” sigaw ni Daniel, hirap na hirap.
Umiikot siya nang mabilis, ang kanyang katawan ay naging isang ipo-ipo.
Lumabas ka—akin na ang katawang ito! Boses iyon ng nanay ni Daniel. Ang katawang ito ay galing sa aking sinapupunan. Ibalik mo ito sa akin!
Bumagsak si Daniel, nangingisay sa lupa. Sa itaas namin, ang mga demonyo ay tumitili at tumatawa. Tuwang-tuwa silang pagmasdan ang paghihirap ni Daniel.
Pinilit ni Daniel na tumayo. “Tomas… patayin mo na ako. Please… tapusin mo na.”
Lalong lumakas ang tili ng mga Sutsot. Nakakarinding pakinggan ang ingay na likha nila.
“Sorry…” hingal ni Daniel. “Hinayaan kong kainin ako ng galit ko… nawalan ako ng kontrol.”
Pagkatapos ay naging tahimik siya. Sobrang tahimik.
Isang sandali pa, nakita ko ang isang malaking usok—parang usok ng sigarilyo—na lumabas sa kanyang mga mata. Iyon marahil ang kaluluwa niya.
Isang ngisi ang gumuhit sa mukha ni Daniel—hungkag, hindi natural. Umagos ang dugo mula sa kanyang mga mata. Dahan-dahan, ang laman sa paligid nito ay nagsimulang lumubog at matunaw, tila ba may kumakain sa mga ito mula sa loob.
Nakakasuka ang naririnig kong ingay mula sa katawan ni Daniel. Parang may napupunit na laman, parang may ginigiling na karne. Ang hungkag na mga hukay ng mata ay nakatitig sa akin. Ang katawan ni Daniel ay nanginginig, ang mga labi ay gumagalaw sa isang piping sigaw, habang ang bagay sa loob niya ay nagpapakasasa nang walang awa.
“Wala na si Daniel. Nakuha na ang katawan niya,” bulong ni Jasmine, garalgal ang boses.
Kaibigan ko siya. Sa isang iglap, nakita ko ang totoong Daniel sa likod ng mga nagdurugong matang iyon—nagsusumamo na palayain siya.
Nang walang kamukat-mukat , si Daniel—o ang bagay sa loob niya—ay sumugod sa akin. Ayaw gumalaw ng mga binti ko. Maging ang paghinga ay parang nakalimutan ko. Hindi halimaw ang nakita kong pasugod sa akin—kundi isang kaibigan na humihiling ng yakap.
Isang putok ng baril ang umalingawngaw. Bumagsak ang katawan ni Daniel, berdeng likido , hindi dugo, ang lumalabas sa sugat sa kanyang sentido. Agad siyang nilapitan ni Jasmine, itinusok ang kanyang kutsilyo sa dibdib nito.
Isa pang putok pa ang umalingawngaw. Si Tomas, habang nakapikit ang mga mata, ay nagpaputok pataas sa direksyon ng mga Suksok. Naghiyawan ang mga Sutsot. Isang bagay ang bumagsak sa mga sanga at umatras sa likuran ng mga puno.
Muling naghari ang katahimikan. Lumuhod si Tomas sa harap ng wala nang buhay na katawan ni Daniel. Patuloy ang pag-agos ng berdeng likido mula sa mga sugat. Sa sandaling iyon, naging malinaw: wala na si Daniel, at wala na rin ang Sitsit na kumuha sa kanyang katawan.
“Sorry, bro… sorry, bro,” paulit-ulit na sinsabi ni Tomas, umaagos ang luha sa kanyang mukha.
Ipinatong ko ang aking kamay sa balikat ni Tomas. “Bro, wala na tayong magagawa. Tapos na.”
Sandaling walang kumilos sa amin. Ang mundo ay tila lumiit sa bahagi ng lupang kumandong sa bangkay ni Daniel. Ang kanyang pagkawala ay tila isang bigat na hindi namin kayang buhatin. Ang isiping kasama pa namin siya ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas—tumatawa, nakikipagtalo, buhay—ay mas masakit pa sa anumang sugat. Ang pighati ay nanuot sa aming mga buto, habang ang isla mismo ay tila nagluluksa kasama namin.
At sa dulo ng isip ko, isang boses ang narinig—malalim, malayo, hindi maiiwasan.
Ang babala ni Kharon.
“Isa sa inyo ang mabubuhay para ibahagi ang kuwentong ito. Ang iba’y magiging plamuti sa kuwento.”
Naramdaman ko iyon—hindi bilang isang hula, kundi bilang isang katotohanang nagsisimula nang mabuo.
*****
Nanginginig na nagsimulang maghukay si Tomas gamit ang kanyang mga kamay. Alam ko ang ginagawa niya. Humahagulgol siya, at lumuhod kami sa tabi niya para tumulong. Huling beses ko siyang nakitang umiyak nang ganoon ay noong namatay ang tatay niya.
“Kasalanan ko ang lahat ng ‘to. Hindi ko sana kayo hinayaang sumama. Anong sasabihin ko sa nanay ni Daniel? Paano ko ipapaliwanag ‘to sa kanya?”
“Hindi na bata si Daniel. Isang matanda na siya na gumawa ng sariling desisyon,” sabi ni Jasmine.
“Kahit na. Idinamay ko ang mga kaibigan ko sa kamalasan ko. Isa sa kanila ang namatay dahil dito.”
“Kusang loob ang pagsama namin sa iyo. Hindi na kami mga bata. At kahit ayaw mo pa, magpupumilit kaming sasama. Hindi ka namin puwedent pabayaan.”
Sandaling hindi kami gumalaw. Tatlong taong pinagbuklod ng pagkawala, dumi sa ilalim ng kuko, dugo sa mga kamay, at pighating hindi kayang sukatin.
Pero hindi hinintay ng isla na matapos ang aming pagdadalamhati. Muling gumalaw ang gubat, ipinapaalala sa amin na ang kamatayan ni Daniel ay simula pa lamang.
Mababaw lang ang hukay pero malalim ang pighating nararamdaman namin sa pagkawala ng am ing kaybigan. Inangat ni Jasmine ang kanyang kutsilyo, nag-atubili lang ng isang saglit bago pinutol ang ulo ni Daniel.
“Sorry,” bulong niya. “Kailangang gawin ‘to.”
Naintindihan naming dalawa ni Tomas. Tumalikod siya, at ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata. Nang matapos si Jasmine, tinabunan namin ang katawan ni Daniel ng lupa at bato. Iyon ang ikalawang libingang hinukay namin sa araw na iyon.
Namayani ang katahimikan. Ang hamog ay parang balumbon ng kalungkutan na bumalot sa amin.
Inilibing namin si Daniel, pero pakiramdam ko ay naghuhukay din kami ng libingan para sa aming sarili. Ngunit sa gitna ng aming pagdadalamhati ay hindi namin puwedeng kalomutan na si Eve ang nasa isla at nahaharap sa matinding panganib. Hindi kami pwedeng huminto. At alam kong hindi rin titigil si Jasmine hangga’t hindi niya nahanap ang kanyang kapatid.
Hinawakan ko sa balikat si Tomas. “Kailangan nating hanapin si Eve habang may oras pa. Hinihintay niya tayo.”
Hindi na ako nag-atubiling malaman pa ni Tomas na katulad niya, gusto-gusto ko ring mahanap at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ni Eve. Mahalaga sa akin si Eve. Handa akong suungin ang ano mang panganib para sa kanya.
Sa gitna ng mga pagsubok at panganib na aming pinagdaanan at ang nakakalungkot na pagkawala ni Daniel, nalusaw na ang ano mang takot ko at pagaalinlangan. Tila ang mga ito’y sumama sa hukay ng aming kaybigan
At dito, kung saan ang kamatayan ay nasa likod lang namin, wala talagang puwang ang takot at pag-aalinlangan. .
Bago kami nagpatuloy, kinuha ko ang backpack ni Daniel. Tinignan ko ang laman nito. Nandoon ang kanyang lighter at ang inipon niyang gaas at mga mitsa ng mga gasera.
Ipinagpatuloy namin ang paglalakad sa gubat. Tatlo na lamang kami. Sa paglalakad namin ay aming tiniyak na hindi kami mabubulaga kapag biglaang sumalakay ng mga Sutsot. .
Criminal ka, Tomas. Pinatay mo ang sarili mong kaibigan, panunukso ng isang boses, perpektong ginagaya ang boses ni Adam.
Wala kang puso, Tomas. Kinuha mo ang buhay ng anak ko. Pagbabayaran mo ‘to, sabat ng isa pang boses—boses ngy nanay ni Daniel, puno ng galit at pighati.
Itinaas ni Tomas ang kanyang baril sa mga anino.
“Mga ulol!” sigaw niya. “Kapwa ninyo halimaw ang pinatay ko, hindi ang kaibigan namin! Kayo ang kumuha sa buhay ni Daniel. Magpakita kayo! Harapin niyo ako!”
Matapang ka lang dahil may baril ka. Pero tandaan mo, darating ang oras na mauubusan ka ng bala. At kapag nangyari ‘yun, humanda ka—dahil tayo na lang dalawa ang maghaharap.
Iba ang tono sa pagkakataong ito—hindi panggagaya. Iyon ang boses ng demonyong nagsalita noon. Maaaring si Berith nga iyon.
“Malakas ang loob mo dahil tao lang ako!” sigaw ni Tomas. “Pero ikaw—isinumpang anghel—kaya mo bang lumaban nang walang kapangyarihan? Nang hindi nagnanakaw ng katawan ng tao? Kaya mo bang lumaban nang patas?”
Isang nakakabinging atungal nanaman ang tumagos at dumurog sa mga puno, yumayanig sa lupa. Isa pa ang sumunod—mas matindi. Napakalapit lang nila sa amin.
At inihanda ko ang sarili ko sa koro ng mga tili at hiyaw na siguradong susunod.
At, dumating nga ito. Mas malakas. Mas nakakabingi.
Mag-ingat ka sa mga hinihiling mo, babala ng boses na kinopya is Adam.
Kung ang mga demonyong ito ay may pinuno nga, siguradong ang nanggagaya sa boses ni Adam iyon.
“Tatlo na lang ang silver bullets ko,” bulong ni Tomas.
“Kunin mo ang patalim ko kung kailangan.” sabi ni Jasmine.
Pero tumanggi si Tomas. “Huwag. Kailangan mo ‘yan. May mga bala pa naman ako.”
“Apat na sa mga kasama ni Eve ang nakita nating patay. Isa na lang, maliban kay Eve, ang posibleng buhay pa,” paalala ko sa grupo.
“Buhay o sinaniban!” balik ni Jasmine, nagngangalit ang mga ngipin sa panggigil habang hinihigpitan ang hawak sa kanyan patalim.
Muling pumasok si Eve sa isip ko—ang kanyang mukha, boses, ang paraan ng kanyang pagtawa. Paano kung nakuha na ng mga demonyo ang katawan niya?
Pilit kong iwinaksi ang isiping iyon. Hindi ko hinayaang kainin ako ng inisip kong iyon. Kaylangang manalig akong buhay at ligtas si Eve.
“At huwag mong kalilimutan ang kapatid mo,” mahina kong dagdag. “Tatlo pa sila. Maliban na lang kung ang bangkay na nilalapa ng mga lobo kanina ay isa sa mga kaibigan ni Eve… kung wala nang ibang nakarating dito sa isla bago sila.”
Ang mga demonyo ay patuloy na sinusubukang patingalain kami, umaasang mawala ang aming atensyon sa panganib.
Ang mga puno sa paligid namin ay nagsimulang kumaunti. Ang mga tulay na baging sa itaas ay naglaho na rin. Ang damo sa paanan namin ay napalitan ng baku-bakong batuhan.
Pagkatapos, sa isang hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, ang mga Sutsot ay tila umatras na, hindi na kami hinahabol. Bakit hindi nila kami sinundan sa bahaging ito ng gubat ay isang palaisipan. Para bang off-limits ito sa kanila. Pero imposible.
Pero bakit nga kaya? Marahil gusto lang nilang maging kampante kami nang sa gayon mas madali nila kaming talunin.
Ano man ang dahilan nila ay mahirap hulaan. Basta handa kami kung ano man ang susunod nilang gawin.
Chapter 7
“Sa Muling Pagtatagpo”
(Scheduled posting: 01 -17 -26)
THOSE WHO LOOK BACK
(A SHORT NOVEL – HORROR)
This is my newest book, fiction-horror. This is based on my short Filipino novel “Lingon.”
When Eve disappears on Miedo Island, Tomas will stop at nothing to bring her home. With him are Daniel, torn between fear and loyalty; Willy, harboring an unspoken love for Eve; and Jasmine, determined to find her own missing brother, Adam.
But Miedo Island is unlike any place they have known. It is inhabited by the Whistlers—demons under Berith’s command, and his growing obsession with Eve threatens to unleash a horror too vicious to contain.
Their arrival on Miedo becomes a test of faith, drawing them into a nightmare where trust becomes a risk and love becomes a wound.
On this island, fear is no mere feeling—
it is the predator that hides within the living.
And on Miedo Island, fear is awake…
and it has already chosen its prey.
**********
THOSE WHO LOOK BACK: Gemini’s Review
I asked Gemini this question:
If you were a publisher, would you accept this story for publication?
The following is Gemini’s exact response…
As a publisher, I would likely accept “Those Who Look Back” for publication.
The story demonstrates strong commercial viability and engaging narrative elements that would appeal to the target audience for supernatural horror and dark fantasy.
Here is a breakdown of the key strengths from a publishing perspective:
1. Strong Genre and Marketability
Appealing Genre: The story is a high-stakes supernatural horror/thriller, a consistently popular and marketable genre. It immediately establishes a sense of dread and mystery with the quest to Miedo Island, a place where “not one has come back” for centuries.
Unique Antagonist Concept: The demonic entities, referred to as “Whistlers,” are more compelling than typical monsters. They are described as being able to see a person’s past and use that knowledge to torment and mock their victims by mimicking the voices of loved ones. This psychological element adds depth to the horror.
Unique Theme/Tone: The opening quotes the author on the theme: “Fear is the predator that lives inside us”. This promises a narrative that blends external monster encounters with internal, psychological horror, which appeals to sophisticated horror readers.
2. Compelling Plot and Pacing
High-Stakes Premise: The core conflict—searching for a missing sister (Eve) on a demonic island —is an immediate, powerful hook that drives the plot forward.
Rising Tension: The tension is effectively built in the opening chapter, moving from the protagonists’ initial frustration and impatience to receiving ominous warnings from the locals (Fidel, Marco) , and finally, to the arrival of the mysterious ferryman, Kharon.
Action and Exposition Balance: The story balances character dialogue and exposition (e.g., Daniel’s skepticism and the discussion of Miedo Island’s history ) with escalating action and shocking discoveries (finding human remains, fighting the creatures).
3. Character Depth and Conflict
Relatable Protagonist: The narrator, Willy, is sympathetic due to his compelling internal conflict—his unrequited love for Eve is what primarily drives him, even more than simple loyalty to his friend, Tomas. This adds a layer of emotional complexity to the rescue mission.
Strong Ensemble: The cast of friends (Willy, Tomas, Daniel) provides contrast, with their camaraderie and distinctive personalities (Willy the quiet, internally conflicted one; Tomas the determined leader; Daniel the skeptical comic relief) enhancing the narrative. The addition of Jasmine as a knowledgeable but conflicted outsider further enriches the group dynamic.
4. Commercial Hook for a Series
Open Ending: The conclusion is highly effective for commercial publishing, as it offers closure on the immediate action while setting up a sequel. The revelation that the demon Berith is alive and wearing Jeff’s flesh, coupled with the narrator’s vow to find Eve, provides a clear, high-stakes trajectory for the next book. The small detail of the cross at the narrator’s neck stirring with warmth suggests a personal power or spiritual arc that can be developed further.
What Matters (4)
(A Short Story – Fourth of 6 Parts)
Mario got out of his car, carrying a plastic bag. He was also wearing a long-sleeve shirt, just like Jay, but without a tie.
“Bro, finally, we’re all together again,” Mario said, his voice a little choked up as he hugged each of us one by one.
“Damn, bro, you’re still so dramatic,” Chris said.
“No, he’s just missed us,” Jay replied.
“Wait, let’s sit first. Wow, I think these are the same rocks we used to sit on when we used to hang out here,” Mario said.
Mario opened the plastic bag he was carrying.
“This is for you, Jay. It’s a perfume. I know how much you love fragrances. And Mon, I got you a new phone—it’s a Galaxy S25 Ultra, the latest from Samsung.”
“Wow, bro, this is too much. This is expensive,” I said.
“It’s fine, Mon. Don’t worry about it. Jay told me yesterday when I called him that your phone looks old,” Mario replied.
Jay and I both hugged Mario and thanked him sincerely.
“Perfect timing! I should make a Facebook account for you, bro,” Chris said. “And what’s this? What’s in here?”
“It’s Viagra.”
We all laughed at what Mario had said.
“Hey, just so you know, I don’t need Viagra. Mine is always standing at attention whenever I command it. It tends to get excited whenever I see pretty women.”
“Is that so?” Jay challenged, raising an eyebrow. “What I learned in psychology is that guys who boast about their prowess are the ones suffering from ED.”
“ED? As in Echo Delta? What does that mean?” Chris asked.
“Erectile dysfunction,” I clarified, keeping the mood light.
Another round of laughter ensued
“As if you don’t know me, boys.”
“Come on, Chris, we know you too well,” Jay teased.
“It’s not Viagra; it’s a watch. A G-Shock,” Mario interjected.
What Jay and Chris said about Mario was true. He must have a good job in Saudi Arabia. I was happy for my friends; they had achieved their dreams. It’s tough to predict what will happen in a person’s future. You can never be sure what will become of your classmates and friends when you all go your separate ways after high school or college. It’s not necessarily true that only those who top the class—the valedictorians and honorees—will have the best future. No one can say for sure if the best students from the past will be the ones who succeed and prosper, as seen in the cases of Chris and Mario.
Truth be told, they were lazy students and considered the class slackers, often absent from school. Jay was the smartest of our group, while Mario was the weakest academically; however, out of the three of us, he was the wealthiest. He had the nicest car and treated the gifts he brought for us as if they were nothing special.
“Hey, Mon, I think I’m going to melt from your gaze. Stop staring at me like that,” Mario said.
“Sorry bro. You’re just truly impressive.” I responded, admiring his enthusiasm.
“Wait, wait… now that we’re all here, let’s take some pictures. It’s groupie time, guys!” Chris exclaimed.
The three of them took turns snapping pictures of the group. We acted like kids, scrambling to get into position.
“Great news! The pictures are live on Facebook,” Jay announced with a grin. “Don’t worry, Mon, I’ll get your account set up soon, and you can check them out. By the way, check out my profile pic! Still looking sharp, right?”
“Hold on, though. I’m getting pretty hungry. Can we grab a snack first?” Mario chimed in.
“Aren’t we supposed to hit the basketball court?” Chris teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Let’s do that next time. I didn’t bring my jerseys.” Jay suggested.
“Hey, Mon, I think I’m going to melt from your gaze. Stop staring at me!”
“Yeah, I’m hungry too,” Chris agreed. “Hey, Mon, where’s a good restaurant around here? You probably know a lot since you drive here every day.”
“Actually, I want LTB, Chris. Why venture far when Mang Isko’s lugawan is just a stone’s throw away?” Mario pointed to the familiar lugawan we used to frequent.”Wow, how cheap… lugaw, tokwa, baboy.”
“Alright, Chris, if you have your heart set on a restaurant, go ahead. But I’m all for Mang Isko’s lugawan, Mario. Mon, let’s indulge in some delicious LTB!”
Jay started walking toward the lugawan, and Mario and I followed.
“Hey, wait, I’m coming too! LTB sounds great,” Chris said.
We had the lugawan to ourselves, and it was sad to find out that Nanay Mameng and Mang Isko had passed away. Their children were now running the store and lugawan.
As the three of them sat down, I waited for our LTB order. I watched my friends happily chatting. Among the three, Jay looked the oldest, with a lot of gray hair. He was probably stressed from all the work and studying he did, which made his hair turn gray quickly. I checked the mirror hanging by the door of the lugawan to see if I had any gray hairs yet. Thankfully, I didn’t. Mario and Chris each had a few gray hairs, but Mario’s forehead had also become wider, possibly due to the heat in Saudi Arabia that caused his hair to fall out.
Chris stood up and took a selfie, showing his playful side. He even got one with me. He is taller than all of us. He always played center whenever our section formed teams in high school. Although Jay was the shortest of the four of us, he was also the most handsome, with a mestizo appearance. Mario and I were about the same height.
With the lugawan’s self-service setup, I stepped up to fetch our orders when they were finally ready, eager to enjoy and strengthen our bond over good food and great company.
“Wow, it’s been ages since I last had LTB,” Mario exclaimed. “But wait, Mon… are you just having lugaw with egg?”I nodded in response.
“Are you on a diet?” Chris inquired. “That’s probably the reason your belly isn’t bulging like mine, which makes me look like I’m pregnant.”
“Yeah, right,” Jay interjected. “And have you noticed, Chris? Mon’s chest and arms are getting bigger.”
“I’m just buff from driving and working in the fields, brothers,” I replied with a smile.
“What about you, Jay? Why do you look like you’ve lost weight?” Mario asked.
“Well… I think it’s probably due to lack of sleep. I’ve been buried in paperwork. The life of a school administrator is tough,” Jay admitted.
Though we had simple food, our spirits were high. They even ordered another round of LTB, but I was fine with just one. While we ate, we reminisced about all the crazy things we did back in high school. It was a fun conversation filled with laughter and teasing.
After we finished eating, Chris and Mario suggested going out for a drink.
“I know a karaoke bar in the next town that’s open from 3:00 PM until dawn. Let’s make it a night to remember—come on, we’ve got cars!” Chris said, his excitement infectious.
“Let’s not go there, bro. The trip is long, and it would be a waste of time. It would be better if we just bought some beer at the store and drank inside Mon’s jeep. It’s more refreshing, and the experience will be unique,” Jay suggested.
“Yeah, you’re right, Jay. Let’s not go far so we can keep chatting,” Mario agreed.
“Okay, okay, of course, the majority wins. Here’s Mon. He won’t vote; he’s always neutral. Alright, I’ll go buy the beer so we can start right away.”
So, as Jay suggested, we ended up drinking inside my jeep. He was right; it was indeed a unique experience—drinking inside a jeep. Chris bought the beer, and I picked up some peanuts and chicharrón to go with it. Thankfully, I had cleaned the jeep after my last trip. We were delighted when Mario also took out his Chivas Regal and imported cheddar from his car. He even had a shot glass! Chris grabbed a case of beer.
“Well, just like before, no one leaves until this is finished… and Mario’s Chivas too. I also bought plastic cups and ice cubes in case you want it cold,” Chris said as he passed us the open beer.
“To our reunion of handsome guys… CHEERS!” Jay said.
That’s how our drinking started, and our never-ending conversation continued.
“Why did we only think about meeting up now?” Mario asked. “Let’s make this a regular thing. Otherwise, it’ll probably take another 25 years before we do it again. How should we do it? What about every two years, whenever I’m on vacation? Or maybe every four years?”
“Not every four years… I might not make it!” Jay said.
We suddenly went quiet.
To be continued…
Edge of the Fall (Part 4)
(A Short Novel)
Light greeted my waking. It hurt my eyes. I closed them again. I felt my body aching all over. When I breathed, there was pain around my ribs.
I turned to my side and opened my eyes again, slowly.
I’m still alive. I’m not in heaven or hell, not in that mountain. I’m in a hospital room.
Two needles were stuck in my hand. Those are for the IV fluids that were hanging over the bed. I had an oxygen mask on, and it made me feel uneasy. I lifted it to check if I still needed it. When I realized I could breathe comfortably without it, I decided to take it off.
My arms were covered in bruises, and I was pretty sure my body and legs were too.
When I looked toward my feet, I noticed a woman with her head resting on the bed where I lay. It seemed she was watching over me. I wondered who it could be.
I tried to sit up, but my ribs hurt a lot. Could one or two of them be broken?
My movements awoke the woman.. She stood up and looked at me.
I knew the woman. I couldn’t be mistaken. She was the woman from the mountain. Without any hesitation, she hugged me. I was surprised, especially when she started crying unabashedly. It was awkward. I didn’t know whether to push her away or hug her back.
She was the reason I got beaten. She put me in harm’s way. Should I blame her?
Her hug tightened. At that moment, I suddenly remembered my sister. She would hug me tightly and cry, the way a woman does, whenever I confronted her about her wrong decisions.
“Dangsin-i sal-a gyesim-eul gamsadeulibnida.”
She thanked God that I was still alive. Should I also thank her for having survived the beating I got from her compatriots? Or blame her for being unable to push through with my plans.
“Jeongmal mianhae. Geugeos-eun modu nae jalmos-ieossda.”
The woman apologized, admitting that what had happened was her fault.
If you think about it, who was to blame for the beating I got? Could I blame the men who hit me, thinking I was assaulting their fellow citizen and a woman? If I had stumbled upon such a scene—a woman screaming, desperately trying to escape a man holding her tightly as they wrestled on the ground—what would I have done?
But is it my fault that it all happened because I stopped the woman from jumping? Was it right for me to try to stop her from taking her own life? The questions swirl inside me like a bitter winter wind, numbing any clarity I might have had. Yet, beneath the cold, like a hesitant bud breaking through the frost, I wonder if there’s any chance for warmth—if I did the right thing or if I’ve just trapped us both in an endless winter. Because of what I did, we continue to live. But does that mean we’ll also continue to feel the pain caused by those who neglected their promise to love us?
“How stupid of me. I put you in danger.”
She could speak English.
“Okay… okay… Just wait a moment! Let go of me first. I can’t breathe.”
She broke free from the hug. To my surprise, she knelt.
“Please forgive me.”
“Wait… wait… Please stand up. Don’t do that.”
The woman didn’t move. Her knees remained glued to the floor as she held my thigh.
I tried to stand. My legs and joints were in pain, but I managed. I placed my hands on her shoulders and gently lifted her.
“I am not blaming you for what happened to me.”
She stood up and hugged me again.
“Thank you. Thank you. But I’m sorry.”
After saying that, she gently sat me back down on the bed.
“Just sit down. You’re still weak. You are badly injured.”
I heeded her advice. I sat back on the edge of the bed.
“You might want to know. The doctors said all you have are bruises and contusions. None of your bones are broken.”
She pulled a chair and sat right in front of me. I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable she seemed doing all those things, as if we had known each other for a long time.
“By the way, I’m Su Jin.”
“Oh, and I’m…”
“Joseph! You’re Joseph. You’re from the Philippines. I’m sorry. I opened your wallet. I had to get information about you when I brought you here.”
I paused for a moment.
“Well, I think you had no choice but to do that. It’s okay.”
She took my cell phone and wallet from her bag and handed them to me.
“Here. Oh… I have your other personal belongings in my car.”
“Thanks. By the way, how long have I been here?”
“This is the second night.”
“How were you able to bring me to this hospital… from the mountain?”
“Those men helped me. I explained to them what happened. They’re very sorry. They were drunk at that time.”
Then I remember how I almost died in the hands of those men.
Ah, by the way, they’re paying for your hospitalization. They’re hoping you would not sue them and settle things amicably.”
Should I file a lawsuit? It doesn’t seem like it. If I were in their position, I might have done the same. It’s enough that they helped bring me to the hospital.
“I told them that they should pay you also for damages, especially if you decide not to work for some time because of what happened. They agreed. I’ll call them later so they can come and talk to you.”
It’s nice to think that she seems to have arranged everything. And she speaks English well. That’s not common among them. Unlike most of her countrymen, she must have graduated from university overseas or studied English seriously.
“How come you can speak English so well?”
“I studied in the US for almost 10 years. I just completed my Master’s there recently.”
That explains it.
“I was also able to contact your family in the Philippines.”
“Really? How?”
“Through your embassy. Your sister is coming to pick you up. She said you need to go home and take a break. By the way, Joseph…”
“Yeah?”
Su Jin hesitated. She seemed to want to say something, but was shy about it.
“Ah… Your sister told me your story.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know what happened.”
I didn’t know whether to be upset or not. My sister was so nosy.
“Is that so?”
She nodded and said, “We’re on the same boat.”
When I heard that, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. Su Jin laughed too. I don’t know why remembering what Jinky and my brother did to me didn’t bring any more bitterness.
Then she added, “They broke our hearts.”
I nodded, then said, “You wouldn’t believe this.”
“What?” Su Jin asked.
“I was on that mountain that afternoon to commit suicide.”
Su Jin froze.
“You want me to believe that!”
“But that’s the truth. Believe it or not.”
“Stop it, Joseph! I don’t believe you. You didn’t go there to die. You were there to save me. And you did.”
I just kept silent and listened to what she said. Who would believe that I went there to commit suicide? But instead of death, I found a new lease of life. But who was there for whom? Me for her or her for me. Perhaps we were there for each other. We were there to put an end to the harsh winter we experienced. We provided each other a spring of hope.
She took my hand. Her palms were so soft. She smiled and looked at me. Then, I realized how beautiful and sweet her face was, like the first bloom of spring pushing through the stubborn frost.
“”I owe you my life. You saved me. You are a very good man.”
I gently squeezed her hands in response, not knowing what to say. After all, was she the only one saved when I stopped her from jumping? I got saved as well.
“Thank you, too, Su Jin.”
She nodded and smiled and slowly bowed her head.
I don’t believe in fate. Everything that happens in a person’s life is the product of their collective decisions. But before I established my own belief system, informed by the things I learned and experienced, as well as the ideas I read and decided to embrace, my father told me when I was a boy that there are times when God intervenes in human affairs. Subconsciously, I sometimes revert to what my father said, rather than clinging to my new belief about fate. Additionally, he stated that everything happens for a reason.
So, how should I put it? Was it the will of God that I climbed the mountain that day to prevent Su Jin from jumping? But who prevented whom from jumping? It’s hard to believe that God would will Jinky and my brother to commit that treachery against me so that I would go to the mountain and eventually meet Su Jin. I think I met her on the mountain because we both decided to go there for personal reasons. But whatever it may be, it’s no longer important.
“By the way, aren’t you hungry?” That was Sujin breaking the silence as she let go of my hands.
“I brought some food.” She pointed to the table.
“Yeah, actually, I’m starving. Is there coffee available?”
“I’m afraid not, but there’s a café nearby. I’ll buy us coffee. What do you want?”
“Is it okay?”
“Of course!”
“Can you get me a caramel macchiato, please?”
“Sure! I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Wait!” I opened my wallet.
“No please. It’s on me.”
Before she left the room, Su Jin looked back at me. She smiled again.
“Don’t go anywhere, okay? Don’t run away from me.”
I laughed at what she said. Su Jin had a sense of humor.
I thought about her words before she left. It was funny, but honestly, I’d feel regret and sadness if she didn’t come back. It felt like she was filling some gap in my life at that moment. Did she feel the same way?
After a while, the door opened.
“Oh, you’re still here. I am glad you didn’t try to escape.” She said as she handed me the coffee.
“You’re funny.”
“Am I?”
She took a piece of bread from the table and gave it to me.
“By the way, your sister invited me to visit the Philippines. I’d like to. May I go with you and your sister? PLEASE. I need a little break.”
I looked at her and smiled.
“Chincha?”
I asked if she was serious. She looked like she was.
“Ne!.. Boo ta kam ni da!”
She retook my hands. She squeezed them tightly. It felt like she was warning me that if I disagreed, she’d twist my hands.
When I nodded, I saw how her face lit up with happiness.
“Yes! Gomabseubnida!”
Su Jin thanked me, and in her joy, she hugged me again. I hugged her back and rested my head on her shoulder. She allowed it. In that moment, the warmth of her embrace felt like the first rays of spring breaking through my heart’s long, harsh winter, offering a glimpse of renewal I hadn’t dared to hope for.
As for my mother, elder brother, and Jinky, I think I would eventually learn to forgive and forget, like the last snow of winter thawing and finally giving way to the soft bloom of spring.
Edge of the Fall (Part 3)
(A SHORT NOVEL)
I was about to start eating when someone arrived.
A woman.
I felt disappointed. Somebody had seen me. Our eyes met for a few seconds when she looked in my direction. It was the last thing I wanted to happen, for I didn’t want to leave even the slightest hint of my impending disappearance. She could possibly see my photo as a missing person when I finally hide lifeless at the bottom of this mountain. She could potentially provide a clue to my whereabouts.
I just hoped she’d leave quickly so I could dive into the ocean of rocks at the bottom of the mountain after I eat and finish my drink.
The woman was alone. I did not see anybody following her. Her brow was furrowed, her face set in a frown, and her eyebrows knitted together. Yet, even beneath the frown, her beauty remained undeniable, like the first flowers of spring pushing through the frost, fragile yet full of life.
She walked right past me, ignoring my presence. She was dressed in baggy jeans and a red hoodie, the vibrant color accentuating her fair skin. The soft breeze seemed to carry a hint of spring with it, the scent of blooming flowers—though the chill of winter still lingered in the air.
I followed her with my eyes. She stopped and sat on top of a rock. She had her back to me. She held her cell phone up to her ear. I wasn’t sure if she was receiving a call or making one. All I knew was that she was talking to someone and sounded like she was arguing with them.
Instead of eating, I watched her, hoping she’d leave quickly. Inadvertently, I eavesdropped on their conversation. Admittedly, she succeeded in distracting me from the very reason I was there.
The woman took the cell phone away from her ear, and it seemed like the conversation was over. I was startled when the woman suddenly screamed.
“Neohui dul-eun jiog-e gal su-iss-eo.”
I didn’t catch everything she said, just the words ‘hell’ and ‘two.’ Maybe she was telling the person she was talking to and anyone else involved to go to hell.
Then she stood up and repeatedly slammed the cell phone against the nearest pine tree to me.
Smash!
Some pieces of the broken cell phone even landed at my feet.
The woman sat down on the ground, sulking. She looked like a child who had been robbed of a toy.
“Salanghae! Geuleona wae?”
Apparently, her boyfriend had left her. She was crying. She sobbed like a child. Did I do the same? What a shame that the answer is yes. I cried a river upon learning that the woman I was about to marry was impregnated by no less than my brother.
I felt pity for her, understood her, and could relate. I stood up to give her a tissue.
As the saying goes, “Misery loves company.”
I slowly approached her. Just as I was about to hand her the tissue, she suddenly stood up and stepped over the rope blocking the way. She stopped right at the edge of the mountain. One wrong step, and death awaited her.
It seemed like she wanted to jump to her death… just like me. The difference is mine is planned, hers was a spontanneous decision.
I stepped over the rope, too.
She turned to look at me. Her eyes looked furious.
“Deo isang dagaoji mal-ayo.”
I understood what she said. She didn’t want me to approach her.
I stopped. But as she was about to jump, I quickly grabbed her arm.
She struggled to break free as I pulled her from the mountain’s edge. I was like winter, holding her back. Like the spring desperately trying to emerge but unable to break my frozen grip on her. When she kicked me in the thigh, I let go of her, but she didn’t manage to jump. Instead, I hugged her tightly from behind and lifted her away from the edge, keeping her from the precipice, like the last bit of warmth trying to push through the bitter cold.
“Naleul noh-ajwo!!!”
She wants me to let her go, but I didn’t. She was screaming and struggling until we both fell and rolled down the ground, luckily away from the edge of the mountain. She elbowed me several times. Cursed at me.
Then suddenly I heard something.
“GEUNYEOLEUL NAEBEOLYEODWO!”
That was a man’s voice.
It seemed like there was someone else.
And there was… and not only one.
A group of men suddenly arrived and saw us in that state.
They ran towards us. One pulled the woman away from my grip, and the others grabbed me. Three of them were holding me. They were reeking of liquor.
Everything happened so fast. A pair of slaps landed on my cheeks. Followed by a powerful punch in the stomach that put me to my knees.
I gagged from the pain.
They took turns slapping me. One of them was even pulling my hair. My ears rang from the force of the slaps that hit me.
While I was kneeling, I looked up at the men surrounding me. I held onto one of their knees.
“Please…”
“Dakcho!!! Shibalnoma!”
One of them cursed and even spat on my face.
“Let me explain,” I said in broken Korean.
But they wouldn’t let me. I received an endless barrage of punches and kicks… to my face… to my stomach… to my thighs.
I think my eyes were the only parts of my body that didn’t get hit.
While I tried in vain to parry the punches and kicks of my assailants, I managed to gaze at the woman still being held by the man who had pulled her away. She said something to the men, but I couldn’t understand her words. She was desperately trying to break free from the man’s hold.
Blood was dripping from the wounds they inflicted on me, but they wouldn’t stop. Their punches and kicks were like the unforgiving chill of winter—cold, relentless, and numbing, cutting through my body just as the frost cuts through the warmth of spring. One cut me off when I ran toward the mountain’s edge, hoping to jump and still achieve what I came here for. I fell to my knees again.
It wasn’t jumping off the mountain that was going to kill me; it was the merciless beating from these men. I didn’t intend to go that way
I regret not jumping as soon as I got there. I should not have planned to have a last supper. Instead of the food I brought, I ate painful punches and kicks and had their swearing and cursing as my side dishes. Should I’ve just let the woman do as she wished and followed her to the bottom of the mountain? It would’ve been just a flash of pain. Maybe I wouldn’t even feel it. Unlike the beating from these men, which was slowly killing me with pain, like the bitter cold of winter, it was relentless. I thought of spring—of the warmth and the possibility of change—but it felt as distant as a dream I couldn’t reach. I couldn’t even imagine it, not when I was trapped in this frozen moment, slowly succumbing to the cruelty of my assailants.”
Before I lost consciousness, I saw the woman managing to free herself from the clutches of the man who had grabbed her earlier. She ran toward me. She was trying to stop the men from beating me. I felt her body pressing against mine, her warmth a brief, fleeting contrast to the cold fury of the men beating me. As she tried to shield me from the relentless anger of her countrymen, it felt like the first sign of spring pushing through a long, unyielding winter. But it was too brief, too fragile, just like the hope I barely dared to feel. I struggled to stay awake, but my eyes just shut. Everything went dark.
To be continued…
When The Rain Falls (6)
Chapter 6 – “The Decision”
The rooster’s crow was a rusty blade scraping against my conscience. Sleep had been a stranger the entire night, replaced by a relentless loop of “Camille or Elena?” Shame burned in my throat as I glanced at the clock – almost nine. Elena, bless her heart, had taken the other room to care for her sick mother.Stepping onto the terrace, the cool mountain air slapped me awake. Elena and her mother were already there, their worried expressions deepening as they saw me.
“You had a good sleep, didn’t you, son? It’s almost nine o’clock,” said Elena’s mother.
“I walked quite a distance yesterday. They said I was almost at Marlboro Hills.”
“Ah… so, Dad, did you see Marlboro Hills already?”
“Not really. I was running out of time, so I headed back to visit the mini rice terraces. Next time, I’ll go there.”
“I see. Dad, do you plan to go out today?”
“Huh? Uh… I’m not sure. We’ll see later.”
“Okay, wait for me before you leave. We’re just going to the clinic in town with mom. We’re leaving, just waiting for you to wake up.”
“We’ll leave you for now, Jeff.”
“Alright, take care.”
“I’ll buy some cooked dishes for our lunch later,” Elena said before they left.
Alone in the house, I paced like a caged animal. The weight of my choice pressed down on me, a suffocating burden. Elena, a future filled with comfort and familiarity. Camille, a passionate whirlwind that threatened to upend everything. I set a deadline for myself – a decision by lunch.
It was almost noon when Elena and her mother returned. Fortunately, I had already cooked some rice. I helped Elena prepare the food on the table.
“Jeff, Elena has a surprise for you later.”
“A surprise Mom? What is it?”
“It’s a surprise, after all. Elena will tell you herself.”
Elena just smiled when she looked at me. I thought maybe she bought something for me in town.
Once the table was set, we started eating. At that moment, I wondered if you were already at the hut. I thought about what would happen if I decided to go with you and leave Sagada. My thoughts were interrupted when Elena tried to feed me some food.
Then, her mother spoke.
“Elena, give Jeff your surprise now.”
“Oh, right.”
“What is it, Mommy?”
“Hold on… you’re too excited.”
Elena stood up and grabbed her shoulder bag. She took something out and handed it to me.
IThe pregnancy test felt like a live grenade in my hand. Positive. Those two red lines burned into my retinas. Relief warred with terror in my chest as I saw Elena’s radiant smile. Elena was pregnant. I couldn’t speak right away.
“Oh, it looks like you’re not excited, Dad.”
Once I collected myself, I squeezed Elena’s hand, a silent apology tangled with a burgeoning sense of responsibility. The turmoil within me remained a locked box, but for now, this child was my anchor. Maybe, I thought with a sliver of hope, the universe had intervened, a divine hand steering me away from a path of destruction.
“I was just surprised, Mommy. But you don’t know how happy I am. I’m going to be a father.”
“… and I’m finally going to be a grandmother. I want you to get married at the courthouse as soon as possible. Just a simple celebration. I don’t want people here to see my daughter pregnant without knowing you got married.”
“Yes, Mom. I’ll call my parents later, and Elena and I will tell them our plans.”
Elena was thrilled with what she heard. I caressed her cheek, and she kissed my hand.
“Oh… finish your meal quickly, Dad. You have plans.”
“Huh… I don’t feel like going out anymore. I’d rather stay here by your side.”
“Aww, my Dad suddenly became sweet. Just yesterday, you were so grumpy.”
I still thought of you amid those conversations. You are the reason I could leave Elena, but now I’ve found a reason not to choose you – Elena’s bearing my first child. I don’t need to think any further, and maybe when you learn why I didn’t meet you at our rendezvous, you’ll understand.
Perhaps I can say that the Lord answered my prayer. Let’s just say that the Lord foresaw the future and knew I would be in this situation, so He granted Elena a child to prevent me from doing something foolish.
This doesn’t mean I now believe in fate… that destiny has wheels. The Lord gave us two gifts. The first is life, and the second is the freedom to make any decision we want. He doesn’t interfere with which path we take. I know that the sadness and failures we experience are not punishments from Him. Those are the results of our wrong decisions.
However, sometimes the Lord does favor those He cherishes. I’m not saying He favored me, but Elena. My fiancée is a very good person. I’m not saying you’re not a good person. I have no right to judge you because I am also not pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
What’s frightening is karma. I feared that Daniel might be punished for the wrongs he did to you. I also feared we might be punished for the infidelities we committed and the wrong we intended to do. I just hope that since we didn’t go through with our plan, we won’t face retribution.
**********
That night, we were awakened by the continuous honking of a car. Elena and I came out of the room, as did her mother. We peered out the window.
“Mom, could you please open the gate?”
It was Daniel calling.
“Jeff, please open the gate,” her mother said.
I opened the gate. Daniel drove the car in, quickly got out, and opened the back door. You stepped out, almost stumbling, so your husband decided to carry you inside the house.
You were soaking wet, and if I’m not mistaken, you seemed drunk.
Daniel laid you on the sofa in the living room. Their mother quickly went into the bedroom, got a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and changed you out of your wet clothes. I turned away while they dressed you together.
“Why don’t you ever carry an umbrella when you know it’s the rainy season?” their mother said.
“What happened to Camille?” Elena asked.
“She left the house before noon, said she was going somewhere. She took her shoulder bag and a large plastic bag.”
“Wait, let me wipe her face with warm water,” Elena said.
Daniel continued his story.
“When it got dark and she hadn’t returned, I started looking for her. Someone mentioned that around three o’clock, she bought wine and beer at the store and seemed to head into the woods towards the mini rice terraces. I thought she might be at the hut, so I went there. That’s where I found her.”
I just listened to their conversation. There was nothing I could say. I felt so sorry for your condition. I wanted to blame myself. I hope you can forgive me, but I can’t leave Elena, I can’t abandon the child that soon we’re going to have.
“Her plastic bag was full of clothes. I think Camille was planning to leave me.”
We all fell silent for a moment.
“That’s why, Daniel, you need to think things over. Treat Camille better. She told us she wants to separate from you.”
“Yes, Mom. When I realized she was planning to leave me, I understood that I don’t want to lose her. I’ll try to save our marriage. I’ll try to change, Mom.”
As Elena wiped your face with a cloth soaked in warm water, you suddenly opened your eyes. Our gazes met.
“I thought you loved me. But you didn’t. You just led me on.”
I was shocked when you said that. Elena looked at me, confused.
“Weren’t you satisfied with the way I f—– you? Wasn’t it good enough for you?”
Your words hung heavy in the air, a scathing indictment of my betrayal. Elena’s gaze darted between us, the first crack appearing in the facade of her happiness. It was a confused look, but the seed of doubt was sown.
“Ca… Camille… It’s Jeff… I’m not Daniel.”
“Ha!? Is that so?” you said.
Then you started laughing uncontrollably.
“So, you’re Jeff… not Daniel. Well, sorry then.”
“Oh, it looks like Camille is delirious,” said Elena’s mother.
“Yes, it seems so. She probably mistook Jeff for me,” said your husband.
Relief washed over me as you drifted off to sleep, a temporary truce declared. But Elena’s furrowed brow, a silent storm brewing, sent a fresh wave of unease crashing over me. The weight of my choices, for better or worse, had settled in. The consequences, like a gathering storm, loomed on the horizon.
TO BE CONTINUED…
M.A.D. LIGAYA
M.A.D. L I G A Y A 