“Took you long enough” grumbled Eunice as Luis leaned in to give his big sister a kiss. “We could have gotten here earlier if Omar here wasn’t driving like a Lola”
: Dude, that’s a Mercedes! I can’t just drive it around like it’s a cheap piece of junk!” protested Omar who obviously did not appreciate Luis mocking his driving in front of Eunice. “Ok fine let’s just order food. I got somewhere to go”
“You’re going on a date? Who is it? Don’t tell me it’s this guy?!” pointing to Omar.
“Of course not! No offense Omar but your just not my type” replied Eunice much to the disappointment of Omar. The very thought that some other guy is going to take her out tonight irritates Omar so much that he keeps on glancing to the door, expecting that the mystery guy would enter the crowded cafeteria.
“I bet he doesn’t drive a Mercedes”
“What’s that Omar?”
“Nothing, let’s just order food” replied Omar as he removes the realistic day dream from his head.
“If you have a date, why the hell are you eating dinner with us?” asked Omar as he simultaneously chew spoonful of spaghetti. “First, don’t speak with your mouth full of food, it’s disgusting” “second, I already promised Luis here that we would eat together. You’re the one who’s out of place” finished Eunice that surely embarrassed Omar. He tried to find an ally in Luis but all he saw was his “friend” trying to hide his laughter underneath the table.”
“That’s a really nice thing to say considering your brother has been treating me like a P.A. and a driver all day long”
“Well, you did volunteer” replied Luis in a matter-of – fact type tone suggesting that this embarrassment that Omar is currently enduring is self inflicted.
“This is why I hate going out with you two. You both bring out the devil in each other. Maybe I should write a book about how you two treat me.”
“No ones gonna read it” said Luis
“Why not?”
“Cause you wrote it perhaps?” remarked Eunice
“Ok that’s it! No one insults my writing!” said Omar, his voice showing frustration with the argument he obviously cannot win.
Heheheheh and the two Mariveles just laughed at how frustrated Omar is with the two of them.
“Ok boys, got to go” said Eunice glancing at her watch. It shows 6:47.
“So soon? We haven’t even made Omar cry” remarked Luis earning him a punch in the stomach from Omar.
“You two play nice. Omar, take good care of my brother.”
“You mean your sister?”
“Yeah, my baby sister that just almost made you cry!” shouted Eunice as she stepped out of the cafeteria irritating Omar more by not letting him say the last word.
“Those 2 jackass better not do anything stupid here” said Eunice to herself as she walks the short walkway from the cafeteria to the PGH gates. She can’t stop thinking what it is that is so important that would make Michael ask he to skip work.
Beep..
“Eunice fumbles inside her purse to retrieve her cellphone. She flips it open and reads the msg
She’s awake..:)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Episode 6: destiny
Faces. Everyday we see a variety of faces, in the streets, in the church, every breathing moment of our lives our brain register a new face, a different personality, someone new, neither menial nor inconsequential. Faces that we may forget in 2 seconds or faces we’ll remember for 3 centuries. For time does not tarnish the face of a savior, the face of a willing sacrifice, a face that forever hunts the hearts of the guilty. For that’s the good thing about human beings. We forget who we are but we, no matter how hard we try, shall never forget a face that touched our lives.
“She looks so alive” whispered Eunice to herself. She finds it easier to talk to herself when dealing with comatose patients. She explains this by saying she would rather look crazy, that go crazy being alone all the time at the ICU unit. As she moves her thin hands to finish the sponge bath on her patient, she cannot help but to admire the incredible beauty of the child that lies before her. Long, jet black hair, smooth skin, fair complexion, it’s obvious that this girl is very well cared of thought Eunice.
She wipes the moist cloth over the face of the little girl, caressing with all the tenderness that she’s known for. Nicknamed “Madre” by her co-workers, Eunice has always exuded a soft, overly caring aura to all. She’s easily approachable, friendly, and always extends a helping hand to anyone who desires it. Her melodic voice paired with a pure Filipina beauty makes her the sought after nurse in the whole unit. Every male doctor in the hospital has in some point, made a move on her (or rather, thought about it). But this unique beauty’s heart has always belonged to someone, a mysterious man unknown even to the closest of Eunice’s friends.
BEEP BEEP YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE.
Shit. Eunice drops the towel that she was holding, startled, she wipes her wet hands and fumbles for her cell phone. She flips it open and opened her inbox.
ð Michael
ð Bro ko!!
A strange smile creeps over Eunice’s face. It’s been a while since she heard anything from Michael, a guy she met at the nearby starbucks in UN Avenue. They exchanged no.s but never really went out on a real date. “Maybe today’s the day he finally got the nerve to ask me out!?” thought Eunice as she open’s the message:
Xan ka? Kung nxa hosp ka uwi ka na plz It’s an emergency. Get out of there ASAP. I’ll explain later.. ingat po..
“What the?!” Michael’s weird message brought a cold tingling sensation on her spine. “He’s practically a stranger and he’s asking me to leave the hospital?!” she started freaking out as she dial Michael’s no.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
No answer. Eunice sat down on the nearby stool to collect her thoughts. Then a strange idea passed trough her mind. “This is his way to ask me out! He wants me to walk out from my work so we could go out!” thought Eunice as she gathers her stuff preparing to leave the young girl’s room. Excited by this sudden revelation of thoughts, she completely forgot that she left her phone on the young girl’s side table. She was halfway across the wash white walled corridor when she remembered her phone. She ran all the way to room 187 to retrieve her phone. When she finally has her cell phone, she read the remaining message.
Dinner at 8.. kasama ko ci Omar,, see der te..
“Shit I totally spaced!” exclaimed Eunice. She promised her brother Luis that they’ll eat together on the hospital’s cafeteria for dinner. “I guess I’ll eat dinner before finding out what mike’s up to” thought Eunice as she makes her way back to the nurse’s station.
Sure mit ko keo dun
Replied Eunice to her younger brother, who at this very moment, is brooding over a weird parchment paper at the local library 4 blocks from the hospital. Her head nurse has given her the night off as there is practically no one at their unit. Except for a policeman that keeps guard by the young girl’s door. Why he’s there no one knows. One doctor speculated that the young girl is probably the daughter of a very rich and very influential person judging by the police being her personal body guards, the best doctors and consultants attending to her case, and the silence that lies behind her case. Not even Eunice who is the direct nurse in charge of her care knows squat about her. All she knows is that the girl lost consciousness and never came back. Her case is a tight lid that not everyone is privileged to know. But this does not bother Eunice at all. “I care for the girl. It’s my job. I like it. That ‘s all I need to know” thought Eunice as she packs her bag ready to meet up with her brother. She bid goodbye to her co nurses and walks out of the unit still thinking what Michael meant with his weird message earlier.
“She looks so alive” whispered Eunice to herself. She finds it easier to talk to herself when dealing with comatose patients. She explains this by saying she would rather look crazy, that go crazy being alone all the time at the ICU unit. As she moves her thin hands to finish the sponge bath on her patient, she cannot help but to admire the incredible beauty of the child that lies before her. Long, jet black hair, smooth skin, fair complexion, it’s obvious that this girl is very well cared of thought Eunice.
She wipes the moist cloth over the face of the little girl, caressing with all the tenderness that she’s known for. Nicknamed “Madre” by her co-workers, Eunice has always exuded a soft, overly caring aura to all. She’s easily approachable, friendly, and always extends a helping hand to anyone who desires it. Her melodic voice paired with a pure Filipina beauty makes her the sought after nurse in the whole unit. Every male doctor in the hospital has in some point, made a move on her (or rather, thought about it). But this unique beauty’s heart has always belonged to someone, a mysterious man unknown even to the closest of Eunice’s friends.
BEEP BEEP YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE.
Shit. Eunice drops the towel that she was holding, startled, she wipes her wet hands and fumbles for her cell phone. She flips it open and opened her inbox.
ð Michael
ð Bro ko!!
A strange smile creeps over Eunice’s face. It’s been a while since she heard anything from Michael, a guy she met at the nearby starbucks in UN Avenue. They exchanged no.s but never really went out on a real date. “Maybe today’s the day he finally got the nerve to ask me out!?” thought Eunice as she open’s the message:
Xan ka? Kung nxa hosp ka uwi ka na plz It’s an emergency. Get out of there ASAP. I’ll explain later.. ingat po..
“What the?!” Michael’s weird message brought a cold tingling sensation on her spine. “He’s practically a stranger and he’s asking me to leave the hospital?!” she started freaking out as she dial Michael’s no.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
No answer. Eunice sat down on the nearby stool to collect her thoughts. Then a strange idea passed trough her mind. “This is his way to ask me out! He wants me to walk out from my work so we could go out!” thought Eunice as she gathers her stuff preparing to leave the young girl’s room. Excited by this sudden revelation of thoughts, she completely forgot that she left her phone on the young girl’s side table. She was halfway across the wash white walled corridor when she remembered her phone. She ran all the way to room 187 to retrieve her phone. When she finally has her cell phone, she read the remaining message.
Dinner at 8.. kasama ko ci Omar,, see der te..
“Shit I totally spaced!” exclaimed Eunice. She promised her brother Luis that they’ll eat together on the hospital’s cafeteria for dinner. “I guess I’ll eat dinner before finding out what mike’s up to” thought Eunice as she makes her way back to the nurse’s station.
Sure mit ko keo dun
Replied Eunice to her younger brother, who at this very moment, is brooding over a weird parchment paper at the local library 4 blocks from the hospital. Her head nurse has given her the night off as there is practically no one at their unit. Except for a policeman that keeps guard by the young girl’s door. Why he’s there no one knows. One doctor speculated that the young girl is probably the daughter of a very rich and very influential person judging by the police being her personal body guards, the best doctors and consultants attending to her case, and the silence that lies behind her case. Not even Eunice who is the direct nurse in charge of her care knows squat about her. All she knows is that the girl lost consciousness and never came back. Her case is a tight lid that not everyone is privileged to know. But this does not bother Eunice at all. “I care for the girl. It’s my job. I like it. That ‘s all I need to know” thought Eunice as she packs her bag ready to meet up with her brother. She bid goodbye to her co nurses and walks out of the unit still thinking what Michael meant with his weird message earlier.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Episode 5: souls entangled
“Dude, you’ve been reading that for ages” complained Omar as he flipped though centuries old text books. “I really think we should get something to eat”
“I am not hungry” replied the obviously irritated Luis. “sumama ka pa kase sabi nang wala kang trip dito” (I knew you shouldn’t have came with me, this does not interest you)
“Well, at least that librarian is hot” commented Omar as the librarian passes their table pushing a book cart bound for the back sections of the library.
Luis just shrugged and continued reading the article that so grasped his interest.
“What’s so special about this story anyway? I thought your writing about the Malleus Maleficarum? (Witch’s hammer) said Omar as he snatches the piece of parchment in Luis’ hands.
“Because, that – is one of the first recorded events that the book was used” replied Luis as he snatches back the parchment much to the surprise of Omar. Luis knew that taking Omar to the National Library is a royal disaster, but the leech of a best friend that he has insisted of coming not to read; but to finally convince him to “finish” his thesis. Omar has been pushing Luis to shortcut his thesis so that he could finally join him in attending Grad parties and such events. Omar even said to him once “a senior not drunk is not a senior at all”. But Luis always shuts him down. This whole business of witches has totally engulfed all his attention. Finally accepting defeat, Omar sits on his side of the table, piling up books that he could use as a pillow. Luis takes a final look at his friend and returns to his reading. Luis is a good looking guy. A few trips to the shower and a good haircut would surely make him look like Mr. UST. But he chooses to grow his hair so that it covers most of his face, he only wears jeans, sneakers, and mono colored shirts, much to the disdain of Omar who, in the UST food chain, is the perfect guy. Girls line up to be Omar’s date for parties and social events all around school. This is the reason why many wonder why a good looking guy driving a Mercedes would choose to hang out with the Lit College’s resident geek. Omar’s explanation when confronted with this question is always “do I ask you where you crap? No. because that’s a personal decision. So don’t ask me who I choose to keep my crap” this undying loyalty and incredible affinity with books keep these freshmen roommates friends for their entire college life. And so is the reason why Luis has to finish this thesis. Omar’s thesis about the Noli Me Tangere has so astounded the Lit faculty in UST that it has already been deemed “thesis of the year” even though half of the thesis of the graduating class has not yet been reviewed. The entire faculty except 1, Dr. Mateo Chavez, head of the European department and Luis’ thesis adviser believes that Omar’s thesis is the best. Dr. Chavez or, Dream Killer as the students so affectionately calls him for his Zero Tolerance on sleeping students, believes that Luis’ may have stumbled upon a wonderful thesis. “The Malleus Maleficarum and its contribution to the persecution of early Filipino inhabitants during the Spanish rule” is truly a unique topic and has “great potential” as the Dr. often refers to it. Dr. Chavez’ continued pressure to Luis further drove his obsession to finish what he already has invested long hours of not sleeping into.
“I can’t get it” mumbled Luis as he parted his long hair that has blocked his view of Omar. “What?” Omar replied as he flipped open his cell phone to check for messages. “The book clearly stated that most witches are Women, but in this story, they burned the young man instead of the girl. What’s up with that?
“Maybe the girl’s too young” replied Omar as he searches the perimeter for the hot librarian that he’s been goggling at all day.
“Nah, no age restrictions for witches” mumbles Luis as he re-read the parchment again.
“Maybe their not burning a witch, like you said, he’s a murderer. He killed all those people in 1 night. Crazy son of a bitch. He deserves to be burned alive” stated Omar as he returns the books to the shelves that they took it from.
“something‘s not right with this story.”
Well, whatever it is, we can’t deal with it with an empty stomach. Let’s go have dinner. My treat” offered Omar, who after the long hours spent in the National Library, is willing to do anything just to get out of this “hell hole with books” as he likes to call it.
“I can’t bro, sorry. I am going to have dinner with my sister”
“si ate?! Sama ko!” exclaimed Omar as he rushes his book returning chore. “No one’s hotter that your sister man. That’s 1 of the reasons why I am friends with you” snickered Omar as Luis looks at Omar with a puzzled look. “I know you like my sister, but you’re actually volunteering to eat Hospital food?”
“Yup!”
“Then let’s go it’s her break in 20 minutes “said Luis as they Exit the main building of the National Library and into Kalaw St. where Omar parked his black Mercedes.
“Dude, there’s traffic at Taft, we should take this St.” pointing to a street adjacent to 711 store.
“You sure your Ate won’t mind me tagging along” asked Omar
“Yup. It can’t get any worse. They already serve crap food at PGH.”
“I am not hungry” replied the obviously irritated Luis. “sumama ka pa kase sabi nang wala kang trip dito” (I knew you shouldn’t have came with me, this does not interest you)
“Well, at least that librarian is hot” commented Omar as the librarian passes their table pushing a book cart bound for the back sections of the library.
Luis just shrugged and continued reading the article that so grasped his interest.
“What’s so special about this story anyway? I thought your writing about the Malleus Maleficarum? (Witch’s hammer) said Omar as he snatches the piece of parchment in Luis’ hands.
“Because, that – is one of the first recorded events that the book was used” replied Luis as he snatches back the parchment much to the surprise of Omar. Luis knew that taking Omar to the National Library is a royal disaster, but the leech of a best friend that he has insisted of coming not to read; but to finally convince him to “finish” his thesis. Omar has been pushing Luis to shortcut his thesis so that he could finally join him in attending Grad parties and such events. Omar even said to him once “a senior not drunk is not a senior at all”. But Luis always shuts him down. This whole business of witches has totally engulfed all his attention. Finally accepting defeat, Omar sits on his side of the table, piling up books that he could use as a pillow. Luis takes a final look at his friend and returns to his reading. Luis is a good looking guy. A few trips to the shower and a good haircut would surely make him look like Mr. UST. But he chooses to grow his hair so that it covers most of his face, he only wears jeans, sneakers, and mono colored shirts, much to the disdain of Omar who, in the UST food chain, is the perfect guy. Girls line up to be Omar’s date for parties and social events all around school. This is the reason why many wonder why a good looking guy driving a Mercedes would choose to hang out with the Lit College’s resident geek. Omar’s explanation when confronted with this question is always “do I ask you where you crap? No. because that’s a personal decision. So don’t ask me who I choose to keep my crap” this undying loyalty and incredible affinity with books keep these freshmen roommates friends for their entire college life. And so is the reason why Luis has to finish this thesis. Omar’s thesis about the Noli Me Tangere has so astounded the Lit faculty in UST that it has already been deemed “thesis of the year” even though half of the thesis of the graduating class has not yet been reviewed. The entire faculty except 1, Dr. Mateo Chavez, head of the European department and Luis’ thesis adviser believes that Omar’s thesis is the best. Dr. Chavez or, Dream Killer as the students so affectionately calls him for his Zero Tolerance on sleeping students, believes that Luis’ may have stumbled upon a wonderful thesis. “The Malleus Maleficarum and its contribution to the persecution of early Filipino inhabitants during the Spanish rule” is truly a unique topic and has “great potential” as the Dr. often refers to it. Dr. Chavez’ continued pressure to Luis further drove his obsession to finish what he already has invested long hours of not sleeping into.
“I can’t get it” mumbled Luis as he parted his long hair that has blocked his view of Omar. “What?” Omar replied as he flipped open his cell phone to check for messages. “The book clearly stated that most witches are Women, but in this story, they burned the young man instead of the girl. What’s up with that?
“Maybe the girl’s too young” replied Omar as he searches the perimeter for the hot librarian that he’s been goggling at all day.
“Nah, no age restrictions for witches” mumbles Luis as he re-read the parchment again.
“Maybe their not burning a witch, like you said, he’s a murderer. He killed all those people in 1 night. Crazy son of a bitch. He deserves to be burned alive” stated Omar as he returns the books to the shelves that they took it from.
“something‘s not right with this story.”
Well, whatever it is, we can’t deal with it with an empty stomach. Let’s go have dinner. My treat” offered Omar, who after the long hours spent in the National Library, is willing to do anything just to get out of this “hell hole with books” as he likes to call it.
“I can’t bro, sorry. I am going to have dinner with my sister”
“si ate?! Sama ko!” exclaimed Omar as he rushes his book returning chore. “No one’s hotter that your sister man. That’s 1 of the reasons why I am friends with you” snickered Omar as Luis looks at Omar with a puzzled look. “I know you like my sister, but you’re actually volunteering to eat Hospital food?”
“Yup!”
“Then let’s go it’s her break in 20 minutes “said Luis as they Exit the main building of the National Library and into Kalaw St. where Omar parked his black Mercedes.
“Dude, there’s traffic at Taft, we should take this St.” pointing to a street adjacent to 711 store.
“You sure your Ate won’t mind me tagging along” asked Omar
“Yup. It can’t get any worse. They already serve crap food at PGH.”
Friday, April 11, 2008
Episode 4: Fairy Tales
Once upon a time, in a land far, far, away lives a beautiful woman loved by all in the village. It was a small town on the edge of the snowy mountains. She was of royal blood, as manifested by her long locks of golden hair and magnificent beauty. This beauty attracted all the men in the town and even in the nearby villages. They would argue about whom the most is fit to become the lady’s husband. Her beauty so intoxicated them that they would go to such extent as to killing rival suitors, holding fights to the death by the house of the lady, even building small personal armies to exterminate the opposition. This brought immense chaos to the town. The river flowed with blood; the streets littered by the dead, the killings not only destroyed the town, but the thriving life in it. Her father, a power landlord of the town ordered that her daughter will never be wed, and that a fortress built with walls as high as mountains to serve as her daughter’s prison. This is his way of protecting the town from her maddening that bewitched men young and old.
This saddened the young woman. The only thing that she wanted was to live normally and have a family of her own. Inside this castle she felt like a cage bird, slowly rotting in her prison of concrete. Her only comfort was the guiding words of the only person her father allowed to enter the fortress. The local bishop reverend Ricardo Celest.
After the second visit, she would not be at peace anymore. For her entire life.
Ricardo Celest.
He is the local bishop of the village and the only person allowed inside the walls of the young woman’s “fortress”. He was a man admired by all. His presence triggered respect and even fear to the flock that he tends. The mere sight of his near balding head and piercing blue eyes makes any sinner confess of their guilt. A man of rigor beliefs, bishop Celest imposes a near martial rule over the town that both gripped their minds and hearts. But the trust that everyone gave him including the young woman’s father would soon be betrayed by a dark obsession. As soon as he enters the young woman’s room, the poor girl would wish that death would be sooner. For this holy man bring with him the pain and humiliation that even hell would not rival. He raped her over and over again; torture her, physically and mentally. He would subject her to all the dark malice that his “holy” mind could imagine. He would do this every visit, inflicting more pain that the first one. He would bring tools of torture, slashing and bleeding the young girl until she loses consciousness from the pain.
Every night the young woman would pray to god for salvation. She looks at her wounds and starts to cry all over again for no matter what happen, she would receive new wounds tomorrow from her benefactor. Her only salvation was the creature growing on her womb. The new life that has sprung from the malicious evil that has befallen her. Her son was her only solace from the pain that everyday living would inflict on her. But fate has been kind to her. Upon discovery of what happened, the young woman’s father was so outraged that he burned the church thus, killing the malevolent priest in his sleep. This deed has freed the young girl from her infernal prison, but it also caused the authorities to apprehend and sentence her father to be hanged. The young woman was left alone, with a son she named Michael (like god), who, on the eyes of the village, was the son of a disgraced man of god, thereby causing her young son to be excommunicated. The young woman was forced to a life of poverty upon learning that all her father’s wealth was removed form her by the church upon accusations that her father was a “heretic” and his wealth was product of “dark magic” that opposes the teachings of the church. Undaunted, the young woman accepted her fate for she is now content with what se has. She was freed from her captivity, and she has a son that loves and cherishes her. She lived on a small farm, planting crops to ensure her son’s survival. Her life was as peaceful and tranquil as she had imagined. She remarried, to a young farmer much to the disdain of the farmer’s family, and lived the remaining days of her life with him and Michael. She bore a daughter this time, which she named Lyra.
But peace would not last very long. A famine has struck the village rendering the once fertile land to dust and ruble. It did not take long before the villagers accused the woman of witchcraft, blaming her for the predicament that they are in right now. They gave her name to the inquisition, which then sent soldiers to abduct her. Her husband fought to defend his wife from the wretched hands of the inquisitors, but was murdered in cold blood in front of the woman, her young son Michael, and 8 year old lyra. In did not take long before they passed judgment on her. She was sentenced to be burned at the stake in front of the whole village. She died crying out to Michael to protect young lyra with his life. And she died, never knowing what happily ever after means.
That night Michael murdered the entire village in their sleep. 666 men, women, and children, were killed in cold blood that authorities from neighboring villages immediately apprehended Michael and burned him in the very spot that her mother was killed. The fire was so great that when they finally doused the flames, no remains where found. They say young Lyra was so scarred by the events that she lost her mind and wandered the world as an insane woman, while others say she fled to the forest and became the witch of the northern mountains, forever torturing malignant souls that dare venture into her lair. For all we know, she could be dead, freed from the dark curse imbedded in their blood line..
This saddened the young woman. The only thing that she wanted was to live normally and have a family of her own. Inside this castle she felt like a cage bird, slowly rotting in her prison of concrete. Her only comfort was the guiding words of the only person her father allowed to enter the fortress. The local bishop reverend Ricardo Celest.
After the second visit, she would not be at peace anymore. For her entire life.
Ricardo Celest.
He is the local bishop of the village and the only person allowed inside the walls of the young woman’s “fortress”. He was a man admired by all. His presence triggered respect and even fear to the flock that he tends. The mere sight of his near balding head and piercing blue eyes makes any sinner confess of their guilt. A man of rigor beliefs, bishop Celest imposes a near martial rule over the town that both gripped their minds and hearts. But the trust that everyone gave him including the young woman’s father would soon be betrayed by a dark obsession. As soon as he enters the young woman’s room, the poor girl would wish that death would be sooner. For this holy man bring with him the pain and humiliation that even hell would not rival. He raped her over and over again; torture her, physically and mentally. He would subject her to all the dark malice that his “holy” mind could imagine. He would do this every visit, inflicting more pain that the first one. He would bring tools of torture, slashing and bleeding the young girl until she loses consciousness from the pain.
Every night the young woman would pray to god for salvation. She looks at her wounds and starts to cry all over again for no matter what happen, she would receive new wounds tomorrow from her benefactor. Her only salvation was the creature growing on her womb. The new life that has sprung from the malicious evil that has befallen her. Her son was her only solace from the pain that everyday living would inflict on her. But fate has been kind to her. Upon discovery of what happened, the young woman’s father was so outraged that he burned the church thus, killing the malevolent priest in his sleep. This deed has freed the young girl from her infernal prison, but it also caused the authorities to apprehend and sentence her father to be hanged. The young woman was left alone, with a son she named Michael (like god), who, on the eyes of the village, was the son of a disgraced man of god, thereby causing her young son to be excommunicated. The young woman was forced to a life of poverty upon learning that all her father’s wealth was removed form her by the church upon accusations that her father was a “heretic” and his wealth was product of “dark magic” that opposes the teachings of the church. Undaunted, the young woman accepted her fate for she is now content with what se has. She was freed from her captivity, and she has a son that loves and cherishes her. She lived on a small farm, planting crops to ensure her son’s survival. Her life was as peaceful and tranquil as she had imagined. She remarried, to a young farmer much to the disdain of the farmer’s family, and lived the remaining days of her life with him and Michael. She bore a daughter this time, which she named Lyra.
But peace would not last very long. A famine has struck the village rendering the once fertile land to dust and ruble. It did not take long before the villagers accused the woman of witchcraft, blaming her for the predicament that they are in right now. They gave her name to the inquisition, which then sent soldiers to abduct her. Her husband fought to defend his wife from the wretched hands of the inquisitors, but was murdered in cold blood in front of the woman, her young son Michael, and 8 year old lyra. In did not take long before they passed judgment on her. She was sentenced to be burned at the stake in front of the whole village. She died crying out to Michael to protect young lyra with his life. And she died, never knowing what happily ever after means.
That night Michael murdered the entire village in their sleep. 666 men, women, and children, were killed in cold blood that authorities from neighboring villages immediately apprehended Michael and burned him in the very spot that her mother was killed. The fire was so great that when they finally doused the flames, no remains where found. They say young Lyra was so scarred by the events that she lost her mind and wandered the world as an insane woman, while others say she fled to the forest and became the witch of the northern mountains, forever torturing malignant souls that dare venture into her lair. For all we know, she could be dead, freed from the dark curse imbedded in their blood line..
Episode 3: eye of the beholder
Have you ever seen the unseen? Have you ever felt the indescribable urge to cry or scream every time you’re alone in a dark place? Have you seen shadows move at the edge of your eye? How about the feeling of a strange presence at the bathroom or inside your car? The human imagination is like an immense video collection of memories but when does memory become reality? Reality becomes fantasy? Fantasy becomes insanity?
These are strange questions that plague the mind of a genius like Elise. Questions such as these keeps her awake at night, keeps her from looking at any glass surface, keeps her from keeping real friends, keeps her from living.
“Fuck”
Mumbled Elise as she accidentally drops her cigarette to the concrete ground. With shaking hands she picks up the cigarette butt and takes a quick puff. She’s hiding out on the roof top of PGH. This small rectangular top floor most commonly used by doctors and nurses for reasons that may not suite their chose profession is her favorite hiding spot. Strangely, she finds comfort on places that oversees manila. Wiping her teary eyes with a flower printed handkerchief she tries t digest what she just saw in Mr. Elmira’s room. The very scene that caused her to momentarily lose her grip to the real world. The very incident that makes her wish she would just drop dead.
Judgment eye! Exclaimed aling Merced as she first laid eyes on little Elise. She was 8 yrs old at that time walking the long streets of Divisoria with her “yaya”. It was her mother’s birthday and by some strange twist of fate she convinced her driver to drop her of in Divisoria with her yaya to buy a gift for her mother.
“Lumayo ka sa kanya!” shouted Marissa as she yanks Elise from the grip of what she sees as an insane beggar. One scratch on Elise would cause Marissa to board a boat back to samara and return to farming.
“tama ang sabi ni amang. Bago ako mamatay makikita ko ang bata ng mga mata” (father was right! Before I die I’ll actually see the child of the eyes! ) said the feeble looking aling Merced as she returns the lifeless gaze Elise is pointing at her.
“Anak ng mga mata? “ (Child of the eyes?)
oo anak. Anak ka ng mga mata, sapagkat ang mga mata mo ay mata ng langit at impyerno. Explained the feeble old lady as she kneels down in front of Elise, holding her hands to her heart as if she was a long lost daughter. Much to the horror of Marissa.
Tulong! Tulong! Shouted Marissa, as she tries to yank of Elise from the grip of the old lady. Shoppers and store clerks alike now start to notice the little commotion in the middle of the pavilion. 2 guards from the nearby bank tries to convince aling merced to let go of the little girl, but her grip was so tight that they have to practically tear of her hands from Elise’s limbs. On the contrary, the situation did not scare little Elise. Rather, the crazy old lady’s words caught her curiosity. Deep in her mind she’s thinking, “This lady is really crazy”
“ konti na lng. Hindi na ko mukhang baliw sayo bata.” (in 30 seconds I’ll no longer look crazy to you kid”
Replied a restrained aling merced. She was surpassingly stronger that she looks and it took 2 middle aged guys to keep her from running back to what they thought was a very scared child.
Those words were like a wake up call to little Elise. And a warning to what is about to happen. In a split second aling merced frees herself from the arms of her captors. She falls to the ground and starts to flail her hands forcefully to the air.. Her eyes were as white as static from the television and spit was pouring out of her mouth. Her body was jerking sideways as if a deadly electric bolt has passed through her body. Everyone was stunned. Onlookers were horrified with what they were seeing. One girl fainted on the sight of aling Merced”episode” No one dared to touch her during the seizure episode. Or perhaps, no one knew what they could have done to help her. Death is ripping her soul of her body and no one knows what or how they could help her hold to life. All they could do was look on. And watch a scene that all of us are required to play sooner or later. Death’s finale.
Marissa could barely stand on her own feet. Tears flow through her eyes as she watch aling Merced twist and jerk her way out of the living realm. Too stunned to moved, she slowly moves her gaze to her young charge.
She nearly lost her grip on reality when she saw what was happening to Elise.
Down on her knees, Elise was crying. With tears of blood.
These are strange questions that plague the mind of a genius like Elise. Questions such as these keeps her awake at night, keeps her from looking at any glass surface, keeps her from keeping real friends, keeps her from living.
“Fuck”
Mumbled Elise as she accidentally drops her cigarette to the concrete ground. With shaking hands she picks up the cigarette butt and takes a quick puff. She’s hiding out on the roof top of PGH. This small rectangular top floor most commonly used by doctors and nurses for reasons that may not suite their chose profession is her favorite hiding spot. Strangely, she finds comfort on places that oversees manila. Wiping her teary eyes with a flower printed handkerchief she tries t digest what she just saw in Mr. Elmira’s room. The very scene that caused her to momentarily lose her grip to the real world. The very incident that makes her wish she would just drop dead.
Judgment eye! Exclaimed aling Merced as she first laid eyes on little Elise. She was 8 yrs old at that time walking the long streets of Divisoria with her “yaya”. It was her mother’s birthday and by some strange twist of fate she convinced her driver to drop her of in Divisoria with her yaya to buy a gift for her mother.
“Lumayo ka sa kanya!” shouted Marissa as she yanks Elise from the grip of what she sees as an insane beggar. One scratch on Elise would cause Marissa to board a boat back to samara and return to farming.
“tama ang sabi ni amang. Bago ako mamatay makikita ko ang bata ng mga mata” (father was right! Before I die I’ll actually see the child of the eyes! ) said the feeble looking aling Merced as she returns the lifeless gaze Elise is pointing at her.
“Anak ng mga mata? “ (Child of the eyes?)
oo anak. Anak ka ng mga mata, sapagkat ang mga mata mo ay mata ng langit at impyerno. Explained the feeble old lady as she kneels down in front of Elise, holding her hands to her heart as if she was a long lost daughter. Much to the horror of Marissa.
Tulong! Tulong! Shouted Marissa, as she tries to yank of Elise from the grip of the old lady. Shoppers and store clerks alike now start to notice the little commotion in the middle of the pavilion. 2 guards from the nearby bank tries to convince aling merced to let go of the little girl, but her grip was so tight that they have to practically tear of her hands from Elise’s limbs. On the contrary, the situation did not scare little Elise. Rather, the crazy old lady’s words caught her curiosity. Deep in her mind she’s thinking, “This lady is really crazy”
“ konti na lng. Hindi na ko mukhang baliw sayo bata.” (in 30 seconds I’ll no longer look crazy to you kid”
Replied a restrained aling merced. She was surpassingly stronger that she looks and it took 2 middle aged guys to keep her from running back to what they thought was a very scared child.
Those words were like a wake up call to little Elise. And a warning to what is about to happen. In a split second aling merced frees herself from the arms of her captors. She falls to the ground and starts to flail her hands forcefully to the air.. Her eyes were as white as static from the television and spit was pouring out of her mouth. Her body was jerking sideways as if a deadly electric bolt has passed through her body. Everyone was stunned. Onlookers were horrified with what they were seeing. One girl fainted on the sight of aling Merced”episode” No one dared to touch her during the seizure episode. Or perhaps, no one knew what they could have done to help her. Death is ripping her soul of her body and no one knows what or how they could help her hold to life. All they could do was look on. And watch a scene that all of us are required to play sooner or later. Death’s finale.
Marissa could barely stand on her own feet. Tears flow through her eyes as she watch aling Merced twist and jerk her way out of the living realm. Too stunned to moved, she slowly moves her gaze to her young charge.
She nearly lost her grip on reality when she saw what was happening to Elise.
Down on her knees, Elise was crying. With tears of blood.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
episode 2: the tomorrow of dreams
"Code blue!" shouted Elise when she found out that her patient Mr. Elmira is already missing a pulse. In a flash the room is filled with random people, or health care professionals, as they like to be called, doing things that normal people would not even be able to understand. ECG leads are attached, Emergency Meds are being prepared, and a cardiologist bends down to pick up an apical pulse using his stethoscope. Utter chaos. Elise steps back to get a better view of the impending death that is approaching. 24 year old Elise would probably have a better understanding of death than most people in the room. She chose to be a nurse to be near death. She’s practically dating death. But every time death knocks on her patient’s doors, she refuses to answer. She just falls to her feet, eyes staring out in space, her long dark hair that she keeps tied up neatly falls of creating the impression of an insane woman.
"Elise!"
"Get her out of this room!" Yelled the obviously irritated Cardiologist. His voice echoes across the halls of ward 2c prompting 2 medical students watching the resuscitation to carry of the obviously dazed Elise out of the room.
“Martha, I will tolerate fear but not incompetence, I don’t want her attending to any of my patients” said Dr. Vasquez, head of the cardiology department in Philippine General Hospital and attending physician of Mr. Elmira. Elise’s “accident” during the code is the second incident of her blacking out during life threatening situations. Co workers are starting to doubt Elise’s competence and are hell bent on getting her out of the ward. After all prestige is the greatest price in a government funded hospital. And a loose cannon like Elise could easily remove any merit the ward receives with her “accidents”.
“Doc, I understand that your really pissed,” explained the head nurse Martha in a calm soothing voice that truly suites her matron like image. "But Elise is a good nurse. She has proven that with 2 unquestionable years of hard work and dedication. She is a great nurse, and that’s on UP standards” explained the head nurse while sorting out the charts on the rack.
"Tell that to dodong’s family, I am not the one who’s dead." Said Dr. Vasquez in a totally soulless voice. Dr. Vasquez is a very influential doctor on this very prestigious hospital. He can get nurses fired just because he does not like them. If not for Martha’s convincing speeches about second chances, Elise would be working on some sub standard public hospital instead of the great position that she’s in right now. After all, how many non-up nursing grads can get accepted to 1 of the most sought after hospital in Asia? But her luck may be running low this time.
“I don’t know how long I can cover her ass” whimpered an obviously exhausted Martha as she slumps down to her chair and bury her chubby little hands on her face.
“why don’t’ you just fire her. No one really likes her here” snickered Emmy, the short haired suma cum laude know it all charge nurse of ward 2c. It has been obvious to any one who has passed by ward 2c that Emmy hates Elise. Elise’s silent yet smart image truly irritates Emmy. Known for her”I don’t care who hears it” approach in insulting co-workers, everyone in 2c, not even 1, dares to get on her bad side. Her short hair and slanting eyebrows give everyone the impression that she can take you on a fist fight, regardless of her punitive appearance.
“I may have no choice” sighted Martha much to the delight of Emmy. Martha has always liked Elise. Even though she too is not spared by Elise’s cold aura. Her hypnotic voice and calming approach to everyone does not even break the barrier that Elise has created to keep everyone out. Much to the disappointment of Martha. A psychiatric nurse by heart, Martha has always been intrigued by the misunderstood. Her chubby exterior and excessive use of smiling hides behind a very scientific, methodical, even manipulative persona. The quiet, nearly deafening lack of communication skills, the emotionless stares, the fascination with the hospital rooftop, and recently, the “blackouts” during emergencies has tweaked Martha’s curiosity level to an all time high. This may be the reason why she took a very special interest on Elise. The weird attracts the weird. People with secrets would always have someone gunning for a revelation.
"Elise!"
"Get her out of this room!" Yelled the obviously irritated Cardiologist. His voice echoes across the halls of ward 2c prompting 2 medical students watching the resuscitation to carry of the obviously dazed Elise out of the room.
“Martha, I will tolerate fear but not incompetence, I don’t want her attending to any of my patients” said Dr. Vasquez, head of the cardiology department in Philippine General Hospital and attending physician of Mr. Elmira. Elise’s “accident” during the code is the second incident of her blacking out during life threatening situations. Co workers are starting to doubt Elise’s competence and are hell bent on getting her out of the ward. After all prestige is the greatest price in a government funded hospital. And a loose cannon like Elise could easily remove any merit the ward receives with her “accidents”.
“Doc, I understand that your really pissed,” explained the head nurse Martha in a calm soothing voice that truly suites her matron like image. "But Elise is a good nurse. She has proven that with 2 unquestionable years of hard work and dedication. She is a great nurse, and that’s on UP standards” explained the head nurse while sorting out the charts on the rack.
"Tell that to dodong’s family, I am not the one who’s dead." Said Dr. Vasquez in a totally soulless voice. Dr. Vasquez is a very influential doctor on this very prestigious hospital. He can get nurses fired just because he does not like them. If not for Martha’s convincing speeches about second chances, Elise would be working on some sub standard public hospital instead of the great position that she’s in right now. After all, how many non-up nursing grads can get accepted to 1 of the most sought after hospital in Asia? But her luck may be running low this time.
“I don’t know how long I can cover her ass” whimpered an obviously exhausted Martha as she slumps down to her chair and bury her chubby little hands on her face.
“why don’t’ you just fire her. No one really likes her here” snickered Emmy, the short haired suma cum laude know it all charge nurse of ward 2c. It has been obvious to any one who has passed by ward 2c that Emmy hates Elise. Elise’s silent yet smart image truly irritates Emmy. Known for her”I don’t care who hears it” approach in insulting co-workers, everyone in 2c, not even 1, dares to get on her bad side. Her short hair and slanting eyebrows give everyone the impression that she can take you on a fist fight, regardless of her punitive appearance.
“I may have no choice” sighted Martha much to the delight of Emmy. Martha has always liked Elise. Even though she too is not spared by Elise’s cold aura. Her hypnotic voice and calming approach to everyone does not even break the barrier that Elise has created to keep everyone out. Much to the disappointment of Martha. A psychiatric nurse by heart, Martha has always been intrigued by the misunderstood. Her chubby exterior and excessive use of smiling hides behind a very scientific, methodical, even manipulative persona. The quiet, nearly deafening lack of communication skills, the emotionless stares, the fascination with the hospital rooftop, and recently, the “blackouts” during emergencies has tweaked Martha’s curiosity level to an all time high. This may be the reason why she took a very special interest on Elise. The weird attracts the weird. People with secrets would always have someone gunning for a revelation.
Monday, April 7, 2008
episode 1: songs of a dying mother
shhh,, dont talk.. this is not the time for arguments.. the dark fates have chosen tonight of all nights for you to walk the earth not with the body that your earthly mother have given you,, but asecend to what you truly are..
sleep. rest. forget the mother that you have loved and endeared. nothing and everthing is what it seems. this lie that have shaded your entire life has been removed, move, move like you have never moved before.. believe. that this is all a strange dream. a dream that tomorrow you will start to play. every minute. every second, every moment for eternity.
grieve,, for it is the last emotion that you will feel. for i shall give you the curse of not feeling. a stoic existance of tranquil yet dispair, calm yet misery, light yet darkness. emotions are chosen responses. ingrainged by soceity's manical pursuit of uniformity. tomorrow you will have no use of it, for you are alive yet dead, all seeing yet blind. content yet wanting..
cry,, for you will not know of it for a long time. sadness requires strength, the strength to accept that certain circumstances of life cannot be altered,, thru it i will help you awaken dormant powers from your past. the past that they made you forget. the past paved by countless lives wasted. but tommorrow,, it will all be over,, i wont give you the ability to forget,, but i will help you gain the ability to change the unchangable. tomorrow you will challenge the fates not as an actor of the revolving wheel,, but as a player of the destiny roulette..
all in due time...
dream my child,, and sleep shall take all the pain. lost and despair will guide your fate tomorrow. this night of the 13th will end, and the swords of retribution will be yours tomorrow. how likely that it will be you, an "excomunicado", a sinner by the censures of the world. the blood path has been laid for you, and you shall follow with vengence and animosity. the lord will despair for your fall, but he knows what needs to be done child of the fallen.
tomorrow you shall take my hand. and recieve the greatest message that has befallen men for centuries. it is not an option of choice. this burden is yours to carry..
in due time..
sleep. rest. forget the mother that you have loved and endeared. nothing and everthing is what it seems. this lie that have shaded your entire life has been removed, move, move like you have never moved before.. believe. that this is all a strange dream. a dream that tomorrow you will start to play. every minute. every second, every moment for eternity.
grieve,, for it is the last emotion that you will feel. for i shall give you the curse of not feeling. a stoic existance of tranquil yet dispair, calm yet misery, light yet darkness. emotions are chosen responses. ingrainged by soceity's manical pursuit of uniformity. tomorrow you will have no use of it, for you are alive yet dead, all seeing yet blind. content yet wanting..
cry,, for you will not know of it for a long time. sadness requires strength, the strength to accept that certain circumstances of life cannot be altered,, thru it i will help you awaken dormant powers from your past. the past that they made you forget. the past paved by countless lives wasted. but tommorrow,, it will all be over,, i wont give you the ability to forget,, but i will help you gain the ability to change the unchangable. tomorrow you will challenge the fates not as an actor of the revolving wheel,, but as a player of the destiny roulette..
all in due time...
dream my child,, and sleep shall take all the pain. lost and despair will guide your fate tomorrow. this night of the 13th will end, and the swords of retribution will be yours tomorrow. how likely that it will be you, an "excomunicado", a sinner by the censures of the world. the blood path has been laid for you, and you shall follow with vengence and animosity. the lord will despair for your fall, but he knows what needs to be done child of the fallen.
tomorrow you shall take my hand. and recieve the greatest message that has befallen men for centuries. it is not an option of choice. this burden is yours to carry..
in due time..
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