Friday, March 18, 2011

A Window Through Another Persona

     First of all, you may think "What happened?"

     Let me answer your query with a simple smile and a cup of coffee as an introduction.

     I am no more Itinalang Naiisip and Ciel in Wonderland, but more of Crucial Insignificance. For those who do not know me, you have a choice on hitting the back button of the browser and leave in peace, or stick a little longer and snoop around this post.

     To start off, a brand-new blog means brand-new inspirations, well at least for me. With new inspirations, I feel refreshed and energized as I take into account my writing hobby. When I write, I make sure I have a blank slate to write on, in that case, a new notebook. It gives a sense of uniqueness, fulfillment and authority. But let us not stray away from the main topic of this thread. I changed my blog due to the changes that have occurred within the past few months. I seldom change blogs unless there is a need to change, because I am usually too lazy to pick up new templates for my new blog. Ah, yes. The template. For those who have seen my blog prior to this new one, you may notice that what my blog looks and contains reflect my personality. The template was a notebook with vectors and spirals. The posts were a combination of blogs, random thoughts, teasers and the stories themselves. There was no harmony, peace. Everything was in chaos. The blogs were of random sentiments. Well, that was I rewinding for about ten months earlier. Now, as I climbed another rung of the ladder, new principles, manners, codes of ethics were stripped off and forced upon me that caused me to make some drastic change in my personality. Yes, readers. I've been talking about my new personality all the while, not my brand new blog.

     Do remember that even though I have an insufferable measure of vanity (and perhaps, narcissism), I cannot simply stoop so low as to brag and blog about my new blog. What do you care? But I am not implying that I am bragging and blogging about my new personality either.

     I could care less if you have a better one. I am merely informing you and answering the inevitable query.

     My new personality isn't much surprising. In fact, I did not know I have this persona until the moment I reached out to my inner world and saw that the gears of my brain have simply reversed it spin. So, what is with the gloomy personality out of the blue? Dear, first of all, it is not out of the blue. I am rational enough to feel and know that the changes happening to me builds up slowly and bursts out when it reached it apex. Secondly, it is not gloomy. Yes, the template and the aura of this latest post may imply a gloomy atmosphere, but look closer. Use a magnifying glass if it will help you unravel the truth. Crucial insignificance. What is crucial? What about insignificance? Ever wondered why these two words were never used together? Why all of a sudden, a speck of dust from the earth suddenly decided to bring them together? Does the phrase not ring a bell? Yes, you got it. Paradox. More commonly referred to as irony. So, what is the irony? Crucial means critical, imperative, of greatest importance. Together with insignificance which means trivial, they form an irony. Why irony? Ask this yourself: How can a thing of insignificance become crucial?

     For the past few months up to the present, I see myself as a sarcastic being. I have faked smiles and laughter at times without noticing. I have been dealing with an inner turmoil I cannot seem to get a grasp of what it really is. It is more like I am battling in the dark with an invisible enemy. How cool is that. I have lost the light I knew that was once in me. No one would know for sure, but myself and God, with the exception of hypersensitive beings around me. I don't know what happened to that light. Before I left my high school alma mater, she taught me to Walk as a Child of Light, guided by Jesus, the Divine Light. These are the very motto and name of the school. However, I seem to fail her. I feel like an empty shell drifting off a shore after enduring a rough ride with the stormy ocean. Frustration. Maybe that is a reason for this new persona. I am frustrated beyond my control that I did not even decipher the matter with me. Or maybe it is not just simply frustration on random things, rather political things.

     To cut the story, yes, I am frustrated because of political reasons. To add to that, I developed a whole new persona, thanks to them higher-ups. Nothing special, right? Some may say, "get over it, kid. You're not the only one. Most of us ignore them." I respect that response, but it will be pointless to counter it with an argument that goes like, "we cannot ignore them! Now is the time to take an action," for that will be attacked by, "how many times have we said "now?" An action for what? For stopping them who rule with money? Not a chance in a million," statement. If I continued with, "justice shall prevail," the heated conversation will end with a "with money, justice is forever blind and deaf." The end.

     This is what is going on in my little archipelago. It is frustrating to envision a future with a president who smirks and smiles even at the worst of events. He claimed he is not doing such things, but what can the citizens deduce from their own television screens? I am not saying this because I detest the current president, but simply because I do not trust his capabilities, even if he is technically legible to run the country. Yes, he is the ideal president, actually. No records of known graft and corruption during his senate years was one of the causes of his landslide during the election. How I would kill and die for a president like that. However, something is amiss. I cannot feel the president. Physically, yes, but considering the deeper meaning of that statement, you will know. I am not seeking for the president to show his smirking face every second in the television. He has a life and a huge role to play in this country. When I say, to feel someone, it is like to feel his spiritual presence even in his physical absence. The thing with the president, he is physically invisible to me, and spiritually invisible to me as well. Prove me wrong, counter my claims, I could not care. This is my opinion, and we live in a very democratic country.

     He has good platforms, especially the K-12 Basic Education Program. Although, I would like to suggest that he keep it in the attic for the moment, and focus on reviving the economy of the Philippines, now that Japan and several other countries are facing their own demons. Oil price have been increasing, and it really is a bother even if let us say, my parents have a decent job. Eating dinner while Chinese and Filipino suffered inside the memorable bus during the hostage-taking is unforgivable. Denying that he was not there makes it even worse. Did he meet my vision of an ideal leader? Yes, but not quite. The very first trial on his efficiency proved to be a major failure in the Philippine history.

     I am sick and tired of hearing the same news over and over again. I sometimes wish I could just live somewhere in space, out of the chaos and cruelty of the world. Of course, the president is not the only one to blame. There are others, too, but I do not have the time to list them all in here. All I know was that I am sarcastic and gloomy as of now. Hopefully as of now. I cannot believe this is actually happening. Many will disagree with my claims, views, opinions. But I know, somewhere around the planet, there is one or two who share my sentiments.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

     For story enthusiasts, please go to To Weave a Web of Stories to find my works of fiction. You are free to comment and criticize, but I am taking your right to flame. Thank you for coming this far. If you would be so kind, may I claim the cup and saucer to be prepared for the next reader?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Confessions of a Lady who was apparently Thrown with a Bucket Full of H2O Right in the FACE

I just feel like writing in English.

I finally dealt with my problems on poor study habit. As in, before, I never studied, just a quick (as in very quick) glance at the topics and poof! It became Koko Crunch! No, seriously, it became...lol...speechless. Ok, scratch that. ...glance at the topic and poof! I'm done reviewing. So, I really am surprised to still have line of 6 in quizzes, but I knew in my nature it was never enough. That I can't accept the fact I am having these grades while the others are rocketing.

It kinda hurt me since I am the competitive type. (sooo daming alam!)

Anyway, I wasn't all satisfied with my grades, and now I've decided to adapt Sheena's study habit. the one that goes like this: Sleep really early at night and then wake up very early as well in the morning. Around 3-4 am to study. And since I live in Cavite, I have to give allowance to all natural disasters of commuting. Sometimes, I overdo it, causing me to guess incorrectly and have myself at school at around 6 am already. But, it doesn't matter since I am an early bird.

WHAT? MARY ANNE HAS A STUDY HABIT?

Yep, guessed right. I really am motivated this term.

As in, SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICASEXPIALIDOCIOUS-ly (not sure of the spelling) motivated. Somehow, a certain person brought me back to life and to my senses, and I couldn't thank him enough. He was like the light of my life at the moment, but of course I haven't gotten to the thought of us becoming an item. It's way beyond my control and wishes for I am still in love with studying. And I have this weird fetish of pushing guys away from me when I sense they have ulterior motives. (sooo! as if naman!) But, that's me, and I can't change what is beyond my control.

I am so happy I met that person.

Perhaps, one of you may have known him for I told you, and one may have picked up if he's observant enough. Although, I am now telling you: what you think is what it really isn't. :) Confused? It's for me to know and for you to find out.

Anyway, enough of him.

Another motivation is the new notebook my brother made for a project. Then, he gave it to me. How sweet :> I do have to admit I was unable to use it everyday since it's too big to fit in my bag.

My bag is another motivation. The design of my bag is simply awesome that I literally bear-hugged my mother to death when she told me it's for me. :> Oh, also her gift to me, the key chain. Even though Romel Ramos has quite insulted the biggest of the crystal balls there, it still is the most ingenious creation to actually motivate a person.

Then, Patricia's gift to me - a mess kit of some sort. I don't really know what to call it but I call it mess kit since that's where I put my face powder, lip gloss and perfumes. It made me realize I could start being a very organized person. Thank you, dear.

Of course, I couldn't forget about Sheena's total influence in me. She's really a good influence so I don't really have to worry. She's the one who taught me to use clearbook for handling my papered documents easily. She's the one who inspired me to go commuting rather than a living in a condominium. She's the one who really makes my day aside from my other friends who also mends some parts of my days. I think the greatest lesson I learned from her is to believe in Him. I never visited the chapel since last two terms. I do sit it for a while but it is inconsistent. I tend to ride the jeepney towards Andrew already. I deem it a hassle. But now, I've changed and it felt really good to be in the chapel. It's like mending my broken connection with God. So, I am hoping this term I am helping myself while asking the help of God.

I've really changed a lot.

That is thanks to my circle of friends.

And I do hope I'll be able to continue it as I go with my life.

Thank you guys.

Friday, December 3, 2010

A Short Interlude for All the Updates

 *Canon in C Major Violin plays in background*

         Okay, here I am again, the author and co-author of the works posted in this simple blog. I do want to stress on the fact that just because I posted an interlude it means the current story is going to be on hiatus. No. I'd like to blog, that is all. Oh, just to make it clear, I'm doing the Chapter 4 at the moment. So, no worries. I am here for two things: 1) To give updates about the stories I ceased at the moment 2) To give my readers a piece of my mind again. No, I'm not pissed or anything, but, some food for thoughts.

          To start off, Love Tales Collection is a collection of short stories (maximum of 3 chapters) made of sudden inspiration from authors who wished to collaborate with me. I can also put my  own there, with different characters and all. So, basically, the collection is purely circling in the world of romance. It won't have a limit unless the author/s involved decides to close it after gathering enough stories.

          Secondly, Romantic Reincarnations Trilogy will have two more chapters in order to be declared finish. The second to the last chapter still needs polishing, and the last chapter needs a strong idea. Inception much? Nah. At the moment, I shall hold it to give way to the current story I am writing.

          Third, Pirated Love Story is finished. I plan not to put additional chapters.

          Fourth, I have an avid reader for Not Your Ordinary Fairy Tale, and the next time he stalks my blog, I want him to know I am eternally grateful that he liked a crappy story like that. The fact that he is waiting for the next chapters makes me guilty of doing the story halfheartedly. So, for the next chapters, I will really give my full attention.

          Lastly, Call of Duty is NOT the game itself. I don't play the game, my brothers do, and I don't really fancy those type of games. Although, I have to admit I was hooked on DoTA. Plus, I'd like to clarify that this is a work of fiction. Names, places, events presented in this novelette is purely from the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people, places and events is purely coincidental. (Um, tapos um-extra si Alter Ego ko, ginawang mala-DIFFCAL 'yung disclaimer: This is a product of a fiction's limit as infinity. Names, places, events curved in this novelette is purely derived from the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people, places and events are asymptotic to the truth and is limited as the fiction approaches the novelette. = MAJOR FAIL)

          And this is where my update stops. Time for a new sentiment.

*music stops*

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

*Seasons of Love by RENT Artists plays*

          I came across a blog of someone who added me in Facebook. Yeah, I remember her. She got two blogs, one for stories and one for random journal entries. I couldn't access the stories part so I left it and went to her other blog. The first thing that greeted me was that big Jho! on top of the page. Didn't seem surprise at that since it is a stereotypical design. I browsed through her blog and I noticed something. It was full of life, metaphorically speaking. The colors, the simple design itself and the things that were posted there. I found out she was just any normal teen who has nothing but her blog to listen to her cries and sentiments in he absence of a friend. For friends aren't always there when you think you need them. They also have their lives to worry about. 

          Back on topic, I read a snippet of the most recent post she had. It was something about being on the honor roll, and trying to keep it constant. Then, at the middle part of the body, there was something about not being on the honor roll, at least no fail. Then, I realized the real beauty of the blog. I stand my ground on the statement that the true beauty of the blog lies not solely on the decorations and designs of the template used, but the content of the blog and how one digs up his imagination to make a monotonous entry full of life. I think I gained an insight as to how to decorate my posts - not necessarily the stories since I am a bitch when it comes to uniformity. That said, I'll try to dig my imagination, too, to decorate my posts.

          That concludes the short musical interlude.

*music stops*

Saturday, September 11, 2010

A Preview for "Not Your Ordinary Fairy Tale"

Not Your ORdinary Fairy Tale

Crystalys Kingdom (c) @ Mikuni



 What happens when a fairy tale collides with the other fairy tales?

Summary:
          Queen Lalaine was forgotten to be invited into the party. With all of her righteous rage, she stormed in the castle making a grand entrance. Just like Sleeping Beauty, she cursed the queen's three children and sent the two of them in different parts of the Crystalys Kingdom. How would the two children ever get back to the castle? How would they know they were not common folks but princesses? And the man in their dreams...could they break the spell? Romance, drama, rage, premonition, medieval dukes and duchesses, capricious counts and countesses, vacuous viscounts and viscountesses, wicked wizards and witches, stinky sages, drooling dragons and many more unknown element yet to be discovered all in one tale. This is a story where all of the fairy tales turn to threads to weave another fairy tale that you will surely never ever forget. And what's with that weird looking glass?

 That's what happens.

          What will happen if Alice had a companion? Or if Snow White actually ate poisoned orange rather than an apple? Did Sleeping Beauty have sisters? A fairy tale made up of various fairy tales that will leave your laughing your ass off. Go ahead. Laugh now.

 Tune in for the chapters to come.

 SNEAK PEAK:

...All ladies, gentlemen, barons, dukes, duchess, princes and princesses (and whoever is next) were invited into the grand feast. Everyone wore their best tuxedos and gowns all shimmering with gold, silver and gemstones...

.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.T.

..."You dumbtwits! We were outsmarted by our target!"
He took a ridiculously stupid-looking man and made him peer in the content of the cage.
"Does it look like a damned assassin?"
"No, Sir. I see a rock, sir."...
 

The Necklace

Picture is (c) at Danica Azares

Authors: Lolita Cielai and Dandan Dallandan

Previously on Chapter One: The Necklace
That old hag was a real bitch, intimidating the new student. Without further ado...


          "I think she will have her scholarship secured now that I am her seatmate." I smirked at the aghast look on her face that seemed to be bitch-slapped by an invisible bitch hand. She was too shocked to say anything, so she just adjusted her glasses and started the lessons in a really bad mood.


          "Thanks."


          A minuscule voice whispered a husky "thanks" to my ears. I looked to my side and saw her giving me a slight smile, which I returned. For some unknown reasons, I was smiling all through-out the day. I felt light-headed, and I almost got hit by a car. When I got back home, I saw the dirt y clothes piled up in front of me. There must be something wrong with my body, for I took it and dumped it on the washing machine without being irritated.




          Thanks. That ghostly whisper of her voice reverberated across the room, and I felt the chills down my spine. It was her. She was the reason I was like this. As I went to bed, I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of her all night.




Chapter Two: No Such Thing as a Happy Ending
I really hate "happily ever after"s. They are only applicable for fairy tales and when Fate maneuvers you towards your destined one. Wake up, kiddo. We're in the real world where Fate works the other way around. You just have to outsmart him.

          Grocery was running low.

          Living alone proved to be a hassle in my everyday living, but I had to buy my own groceries or else I would not eat for a week. Yes, I did live alone. My parents were out of the country, and my sister was married already. She and her husband did invite me to live with them, but I refused. I didn't want to be a burden to them. I'd rather take care of myself, thank you very much. So, I went to the nearest convenience store. Good thing I was able to catch up with the hoards of people there. It was sale, by the way, so no wonder there were many people who were trying to get their hands on those on sale. I saved fifty percent of my regular grocery budget. Score!

          As I was walking towards the promising comforts of my apartment, I remembered visiting my favorite place. It was this humongous tree by the crystal clear river. There were many other humongous trees out there, but this one was my favorite because of the lush garlands that were hanged there. Those garlands, of course, rot, and I became its maintenance. I went to the said tree, feeling the remaining cool summer breeze before autumn comes. Autumn... As the wind blew harshly, I turned my head to the other side. That was when I saw the heaven-sent scholar sitting by the grassy slope. She still had this solemn look on her angel-carved face, and I could tell she was bearing problems. I approached her coolly and sat beside her. I felt her burning gaze on me as I looked straight to the vast stretch of grassland in front of us.

          "What brings you here?" I started nervously, thinking of what would her reaction be.

          "I live just around the corner."

          She did not look at me; I could tell. For some reasons or another, it made me feel empty. A useless piece of trash. I looked into the distance her eyes were piercing at. There was nothing there to find; only the setting golden sun and the abundant trees there. Nothing more, nothing less. I could just...


           "Besides, this is my sanctuary. Been visiting here for months since I arrived. What brings you here then, as well?"

          I stole a glance at her and boy, I could faint at her smile! Then, everything seemed to be too dim as my eyes were blinded by her smile. Smile. There was something wrong with that smile.

          "What? Cat got your tongue?"

          I heard a child-like chuckle escaped her lips. Tongue, of all the good times, why must you choose this situation to twist thyself?

          "Well," I started nervously. "this is, after all, my favorite place, too, in this subdivision. Probably the most tranquil place." I coughed a little.

           "A tranquil place? You got to be kidding me!"

           I laughed at the disbelief shown by her eyes and her voice. But her laugh was a dry laugh. No sarcasm injected, yet there really was something wrong with that smile.

          "Sorry for being nosy, but I can tell you are carrying a burden." I gulped. This was not going to be easy. I waited patiently for her reaction.

          All the color in her cheeks and the fake radiance of happiness in her eyes was gone in a snap as she looked down to stare at the river.

          "Of course I'm burdened by school."

          Not the answer I expected.

           "You know you don't lie to me."

          Oh, that was just great, Marco. You just did a good job.

           I received no reply. Going home suddenly felt the best option for this situation. The sky got dimmer as it prepared for the coming of twilight. I rummaged through my pocket to see if I brought with me my apartment unit key. As I took the contents of my pocket, I saw the thing that started it all: the necklace.

          "What did you get for..."

           I immediately looked at her and I felt the cold beads of sweat into my forehead. She had this priceless expression on her face. She looked as if she just so a ghost; wide-eyed, paler coloration of her face and her eyes were piercing something from my palm.

          Oh, the necklace. 


          Oh shit.

          "Where did you get this?" Her voice was so fragile that I could sense she was going to break should I utter something. Words left me when I needed them the most.

          Without waiting for my reply, she grabbed the cursed material and threw it on the water.  At that precise moment, I experienced the ceasing of time. I was unable to think, to react correctly on the event.  The noisy whisper of the afternoon wind shook me out of my trance. Time passed by so quickly that I did not notice her leave. I did not know what came to me, for I suddenly jumped on the water and felt the mossy river floor for something I did not even have in mind. As I felt a familiar metal brushed my skin, I instantly grabbed it and lifted it out from drowning into the watery depths of the earth.

          "I found it!"

          Before I knew it, my feet brought me face-to-face with her. I gazed at her wide, a little sunken eyes, panting for breath. I did not know what was happening, for I was in trance and  half-tired.

           Increase in sensitivity.

          I could feel my ragged breaths as I looked down on her, her eyes never leaving the wet article on the palm of my hands. I could feel the tension that between us; it was suffocating.

          "You're soaked."

          I could see that.

          "Let's get you home."

          And I felt myself tumbling towards an eternal oblivion.

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

          "Hot chocolate?"

          Am I in heaven? I just heard the sweetest voice that could never be possessed by any mortal. I could see white light. This was probably paradise.

          "I was asking if you'd like to have hot chocolate."

          Eh? Why would an angel offer me hot chocolate? I could accept if she would offer me eternal happiness with her...

           Wake up...

          That husky phrase sent me shooting out of wherever I was laid on, wide-eyed shocked at the scene before me. I was in my house, all right. The white light I saw was probably the fluorescent light up in the ceiling. And that ghostly whisper...

          "Sheena."

          There stood the materialized goddess Venus herself. What now?

          "For the third time this evening, do you want hot chocolate or not?"

          Unbelievable. She was real.

          "What are you doing here?" I asked incredulously. Never in my life had I expected her, of all the people, to visit my humble abode. This was truly...

          "Answer me first."

          Oh. Right. The hot chocolate.

          "If that doesn't bother you."

          She turned away from me to work her magic on the hot chocolate she was saying. For some reasons or another, I found her dress giving me a déjà vu.

          "You passed out at the park."

          Right. The par-

          "Whatever drove you to save that cursed necklace was probably a non-human evil entity."

          Oh. I remember now. The necklace. The river. The black oblivion. The pieces are coming together.

           "Sorry for the trouble."

           "It's okay. I should be the one who must apologize for intruding your apartment. I can't bring you home."

            She put the porcelain cup and saucer on the coffee table in front of me.

           "Water?"
             
           I nodded helplessly, bewitched by this too-good-to-be-true situation. I heard the soft clatter of glasses as she took it from the cupboard, and the gentle rush of tap water as she filled it. In no time, she was in front of me, holding the glass of water. Not one of us dared to say anything - to embarrassed actually - and instead looked somewhere our eyes would not meet. This was suffocating.

           I suddenly remembered the object of discussion.

           "Here you go. It's yours. I found it in the river."

           "That's because I threw it there."

           My lips were sewed shut by an invisible being. I was unable to reply.

           "What's wrong with this necklace? If I know, it's very expensive, and I wouldn't mind if..."

           I was cut-off when she retorted back.

           "You can have it."

           "What's wrong."

           It was more of a statement than a question. I did not look into her eyes, afraid that I might see something that would break my heart; afraid that I could do nothing to comfort her at times like this; afraid that I might be rejected should I continue with my comfort plan; and afraid that I might break the friendship I so painstakingly built. All because of this necklace. We both knew we could not lie to each other. Maybe in a little while, she would open up...

            "It happened just a month ago."

            I looked at her suddenly, feeling the ruby color rush across my face. She sounded...forced. I suddenly felt bad about pestering her with her problem.

            It's not like everyday you got to meet Fate who go with your wishes. Consider this as an open opportunity you only get once in a blue moon.

            Shut up, self.

            "We were in a joy ride at a park."

            I could hear her voice breaking.

            "But he lost control of the car. You know what happened next."

            I found it appropriate to sit beside her, and so I did. Surprisingly, she leaned on me and I unconsciously wrapped my right arm across her small frame.

            So behind this tough shell lies her very fragile essence.

            "I was saved, but when we were brought to the hospital, he was dead on arrival."

            Foolish me. I could only hold her tiny frame with my arm and nothing more.

            "After the funeral, her mother approached me and asked if I was his girlfriend. I answered yes and she slapped me across the face. Nobody saw us because she led me somewhere secluded. She explained he already had a wife and three children. And that's when...that's when..."

            Her broken sobs turned into a full blast cry. I held her closer, offering nothing but the warm comforts of someone to lean on at times like this. Man. I never knew it was this deep. I hope making her remember it for me did do any damage this time.

           It took not more than five minutes before she stopped crying. Her swollen face was tainted with bottled up tears she had not cried for a long time. She sniffed before pulling away from my embrace. The blissful moment was gone.

           "I'm sorry. It's late already."

           Without waiting for my reply, she hurriedly went out of my apartment and into the cold, evening rain. True enough, it would not be obvious that she cried. The rain was her companion now to conceal what just transpired inside my humble abode. She was unable to bring the necklace.

            Self?

             Yes, my oh-so-great owner of our body?

            Nothing.

            Whatever. Still, your dream came true.
            
            Shut it.   

           The soft pitter-patter of the gloomy rain reverberated through-out the unit. I smiled forlornly at the dark sky that hovered above. The hot chocolate she made was forgotten.
  
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 
           Evening turned to morning, yet the rain never turned to sun. The glorious golden ball of hot gas was hiding behind the grey clouds, intimidated by the mass of rain that fell onto the earth. It was going to be hard to get to the university without getting wet.

           The morning bell rang, signaling the start of classes. The rain fell harder. It was music to my ears which was accompanied by the chatters of the other people inside the classroom. I fell sleepy.

           It happened just a month ago.

           A echo from the past shot me back to my senses, and I looked around to scan the room. The teacher was already there; everyone was seated on their respective seats. I noticed something peculiar.

         The seat beside me was empty.

         "Navarro."  

         "Present."

         Strange. Why would she be absent at a time like this. I heard from her friends that she truly planned to absent today, but I did not know the reason why. I did see the absence slip she secured from the vice dean of college of engineering.

          "Purugganan."

          She was a proper student, and there was no way in hell she would absent for nothing. Probably family matters or something.

          "Present."

          I missed her already.

          "Sacdalan."

          "She's absent, miss. Were you not informed?"

          The class president replied. The professor continued on.

          Sheena. Her name sang tunes of goodness and graces. I had admired her from afar. We had known each other for the past few months quickly, and she began unraveling herself to me. We became buddies for a while, but we progressed to best friends rather quickly. She was intelligent, definitely worthy of being a scholar. Oh, how I wish she would notice me...

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

          The school bell rang, signaling the end of classes. It was rather a short day for me. I did not know why, but I suddenly had the urge to actually go to my very in own sanctuary. Probably because studies had  already caught up with me? Nah, it couldn't be. I was not stressed; in fact I felt like I had been laid back all the while.

          That's when I collided with a huge crowd.

          "Ugh. Excuse me, please."

          Murmurs were everywhere. Surprisingly, I was able to wedge my way out of the thick mass of people. Just what on earth was happening?

          Car accident.

          We were in a joy ride at a park.
          
          I saw the victim in his most pitiful state. His body was thrown for like 5 meters away from his broken motorcycle. There stood the white truck at the other end; the cops were interviewing the driver. There was  dripping blood on one side of the truck. Probably the one where the poor guy slapped on.

          But he lost control of the car. You know what happened next.

           Cold sweat broke on my forehead. This scene was awfully familiar. I began to walk away, feeling nauseous about the whole accident.

          "She's alive! Go bring her to the hospital, now!"

          A loud siren from an ambulance woke me up from my nightmarish vision.

          I was saved, but when we were brought to the hospital, he was dead on arrival.

          That sent my skin crawling with goosebumps of some sort. I hurriedly left the place of accident and towards the comforts of my sanctuary.

          "...And you actually dared to show your face here?! GET OUT!"

          I looked to my right and saw Mrs. Gaffud scolding her son.

          SLAP!

          Oww, that hurts.

          ...she slapped me across the face. Nobody saw us because she led me somewhere secluded...

          I felt my body shiver as the rush of memories came back to me. The hot chocolate. The goddess Venus herself. The necklace. The tears. The rain...

          I ran, ran, ran as far as I could. I did not dare look back, afraid that these memories would turn into nightmares that would drag me to hell. Even though my feet hurt, I still went on; regardless of where they would bring me. At last, tiredness found its way to my system, and I stopped running.

          My sanctuary.

          I walked towards it, but I stopped in mid-step.

          Sheena.
  
          There she was, sitting by the tree. I couldn't see her expression, for her back was facing me.

          Sheena.

          The raven-haired goddess with short hair who captured the hearts of many men in the class.

          Sheena.

          The little lass who got a big brain and a big heart.

          Sheena.

           The tough, simple lady in blouse and jeans.

          Sheena.

          The woeful stranger who possessed the necklace I fell in love with.

          Sheena. 

          The captor who caught my heart.

          Sheena.

          The one who gave my dull life its colors.

          Sheena.

          The very reason I felt the need to visit my sanctuary.

          And there she was, ever-so beautiful; her lightly sun-kissed skin was glowing as it was basked in the golden sunlight; She would be the only lady forever in my heart, yet she would just be any other girls who passed by my life. She would be gone just like the others.

          I never knew it was this hard to yearn for something so near yet so far.  

          "What brings you here?"

          I asked casually. Now that I had sorted out my feelings, I should not be afraid. All this time, it was her who wrapped me in her little fingers. It was her that made me feel giddy all over. It was her that made me look forward to my dreams at night. It was her that inspired me back to life.

          "Nothing."

          "You know you can't lie to me."

          Then we laughed at each other.

          "I was absent because I had to go to the hospital to visit my grandmother. She was confined."

          "I'm sorry to hear that."

          Tranquil silence embraced us after a few exchange of words. Maybe I didn't have to be with her forever. Just this once in a lifetime togetherness was enough.

          Oh. The necklace.

          "Here. You forgot this."

          Without a word, she took the necklace.

          "And don't you ever throw it again.

          She laughed wholeheartedly. Her voice was like melody to my ears.

           "I won't."

          Time seemed to stop as she went towards me, her arms were outstretched, holding an opened necklace. I gulped as she tied it around my neck. Her trademark strawberry scent was intoxicating. It felt like hours when she finished.

           "Maybe, the old fortuneteller was right. Pierre got it from a fortuneteller by his house. The fortuneteller said that whoever bears that necklace must have the right mate in his life. If he has the wrong one, mishaps would befall the mate. But then again, maybe the fortuneteller was wrong."

          So that's why.

          "Perhaps, the guy loved you a lot. He gave you that necklace, so you would be the bearer. And you told me he was married already, so the accident was probably the mishap."

          She knitted her eyebrows in deep contemplation.

          "That's probably it. But it was the past. All I mind now is the present. And that is you."

          She was looking at the necklace all the while. She brushed it delicately with her fingers.

           "The fortuneteller said as well, that should the right mate wear it, it would reveal its hidden luster. True enough, it was never this shiny before."

          It was the most perfect moment.

          "He probably didn't wash it well."

          Uh-oh.

          "Way to ruin a moment."

           I pulled her into a tight embrace; afraid that this too-good-to-be-true moment would vanish in a snap of the fingers. It would drive me to my insanity. We shared a magical kiss that marked the start of  our fairytale.

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            "Cut."

           School festival was fast approaching, and our block planned on presenting a musical on stage. It was hard to be a props-man, plus I would hold a role in the said play. But it was harder to be a director.

           "Feeling stressed?"

           She turned her head towards me and gave me a sweet smile. Our relationship was not a secret anymore. Let's just say the loquacious in the class did us a favor.

           "Nah. Is your job finished?"

            "Ages ago."

           And we laughed and laughed our hearts out.

           "There's really no such thing as a happy ending. I thought Pierre was my prince charming as I was his Cinderella. But we were not meant to be."

           She had this faraway look in her eyes again as she reminisce those memories from before. I couldn't blame her though.

           "Yeah. Because they are only for fairy tales. Life is no fairy tale; more like a living nightmare. There may be no happy endings but there will be lifetime happiness."

           I gave her the most killer of the killer smiles I could muster.

           "True."

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

           And that was how out story went. 

           "Mr. Navarro?"
           
           "Yeah, I'm done. I'm ready to submit this."

           I only thought of writing in the feature section, but I was also invited to write in the literary. Talk about luck!

           "I'll be going home."

           "Have a safe trip!"

           As I went out of the newspaper head quarters, I saw the lady of my life.

           "Sheena."

           "Done already? I just went to buy something for dinner. I'd like to cook for you."

           She smiled as she lifted the white grocery bag. Hm. Free dinner!

           "Let's go home."

           I only asked to have a good life in both home and school, but You gave me something more than I deserved and asked for. Thank You, Lord.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Author's notes: (I can't help ranting)

OH MA GOD! IT'S FINALLY FINISHED! >_< I want to apologize for delaying this part two. It was haaaaard to think of the ending. :)) Ah, sembreak is finally over. And guys, makakasama nio pa ako next term! YAY!

Well, enjoy the rest of my blogs to come 8D