Dame Violet's Works

My Sweet Serenity (Bersyon sa Maikling Kwento)

2009-07-15T04:50:00.001-07:00

Dati akala ko may silbi ang buhay ko. Dati akala ko may karapatan akong maging masaya. Pero nagkamali ako. Kung noon lagi kong hinahanap kung ano ba talagang papel ko sa mundong-ibabaw, ngayon alam ko na…para dahan-dahang mabulok, at mahulog, gaya ng dahon. E sa ‘yun ang tadhana ko eh. Ano ba namang magagawa ko?

“Akane, bumangon ka na! Ano pa bang hinihintay mo?” pasinghal na sinabi ng kanyang ina, “Naghihintay ka ba ng pasko? O baka naman imbitasyon?!” nakakatawa man ang mga salitang ginamit ng kanyang ina upang tawagin ang kanyang pansin, ngunit hindi man lamang dumaplis sa kanyang mga labi ang ngiti, sa halip ay mas malungkot na ekspresyon na nagpapahiwatig na isang bagong araw na naman ang dadating, may mga bagong problema na naman, at tila nakalimutan na ng Diyos na bigyan s’ya ng kaligayahan…kahit man lang sana minsan.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas at handa na s’ya upang umalis sa mala-impyernong kapaligiran ng kanilang tahanan, kung matatawag mo man itong gano’n.

Hindi sana siya magpaparamdam na aalis na siya ngunit nakita na naman siya ng ina niyang hindi niya alam kung mahal ba siya o gusto lang s’yang kutyain sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos.

“Akane, ano ka ba naman?! Ayusin mo naman ’yang buhok mo! Ano nalang ang sasabihin ng mga tao sa akin, ako pa naman ang nanay mo tapos sasabihin nila bakit ganyan ang anak ko?“

“Sabihin mo nalang na hindi mo ako anak,“ dire-diretsong naglakad palabas ng pintuan si Akane nang hindi lumilingon pabalik.

Natatakpan ng buhok niya ang kalahati ng kanyang mukha, dahilan upang hindi makita ang kaliwa niyang mata. Noong una ay nagtataka ang karamihan ng tao sa kanilang sabdibisyo, ngunit sa kalaunan ay nasanay na rin sila. Dalawang taon na rin ang lumipas mula noong makita nila si Akane nang normal.

Habang siya ay naglalakad tungo sa eskwela, nakakita siya ng isang dahong bumagsak sa lupa nang dahan-dahan mula sa isang puno, Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa tayong pahirapan nang unti-unti bago tayo tuluyang bumagsak at mawala? Kinausap niya ang dahon nang di nagsasalita, tila ba sila ay may telekinesis.

Nabaling ang kanyang atensyon sa portada ng eskwelahan na dinadagsa ng mga babaeng masayang naghahagikhikan, mga lalaking nagpapalakihan ng braso, at mga guro na nagsisimula na namang maperwisyo. Simula na naman nang isang bagong taon sa paaralan. Para namang may magbabago. Siya ay nagbuntong-hininga at tumuloy sa pagpasok sa paaralan nang hindi napapansin ang isang tao sa may lilim na nagmamasid sa kanya.

Anong nangyari sa kanya? napaisip ang taong iyon, Napakalaki nang kanyang pinagbago.

Ikaapat na baitang na sa mataas na paaralan si Akane, labin-limang taong gulang, ngunit hindi tulad ng ibang kasing-edad niya, siya ay hindi pala-kaibigan o madaldal, karaniwan lang siyang nasa kanyang upuan sa likurang-gilid, sa tabi ng bintanang may senaryo ng isang puno ng narra.

Umupo siya sa kanyang upuan at minasid ang puno, tulad ng nakagawian, naalala niya kung pano nagsimula lahat ng kanyang paghihirap.

--------------
Ikalawang-baitang siya noon sa high school. Isang Akane na mahilig mag-ayos at magpaganda, ngumingiti sa lahat ng taong kanyang nakakasalamuha, at malambing sa kanyang mga magulang, pero, naalala niya, wala siyang napala.

Lahat ng tao ay nakikita siya nang parang anino lamang, oo nga’t may mga kalalakihang nagagandahan sakanya, may mga taong ngumingiti sa kanya, pero lahat sila nawawala kapag talagang kailangan na niya. At ang mga magulang niya? Masyado silang abala sa pagtatrabaho. Madalas kung lalambingin sila ni Akane ay singhal o init ng ulo lang ang mapapala niya. Sinubukan niyang ayusin ito, pero nabigo lamang siya.

-----------
“Hoy Akane, naaalala mo pa ba ako?” isang lalaki ang ngumiti sakanya, isang pamilyar na boses mula sa nakaraan, isang taong naging malaking salik kung bakit nagkaganito siya ngayon.

Sa mga oras na iyon ay hindi niya alam kung ibubuka ba niya ang kanyang mga bibig upang magsalita o mananahimik nalang siya, o baka magpapanggap nalang siya na hindi na niya naaalala ang lalaking kaharap niya.

“Ako to, si Haruki, yung klasmeyt mo nung second year!” nagsalitang muli ang lalaki, tila ba nadama niya na nasa alinlangan ang dalagang sagutin ang tanong niya.

“Oo, naalala kita.”

“Mabuti naman. Kababalik lang namin galing ng Canada, napag-isipan nang pamilya kong dito nalang ulit manirahan.”

“Ahh.”

Nagdadalawang-isip pa rin si Akane kung kakausapin niya ang lalaking kaharap niya o tatakbo na siyang papalayo, natatakot siya na baka sa kalaunan ay bumalik siya sa dati. . .
-----------

Bandang-Agosto ‘yun dalawang taon na ang nakalipas, isang masungit na lalaki ang nasa unahan ng silya ni Akane. Lahat ng kanyang mga kamag-aral ay nakakausap at nakakatawanan niya maliban dito, kaya isang araw ay napag-isipan niyang kaibiganin ang lalaking madalas niyang nakikitang nakaupo lang sa kanyang silya, nakatingin sa puno ng narra.

“Hi!” pangiti na bati ni Akane “Gusto mo bang maglakad-lakad? Tara, bili tayo ng meryenda sa canteen.”

”Huwag na,” sagot nito ”kung gusto mo ikaw nalang,” sabay balik sa kanyang ginagawa.

”Ahh... gusto mo ba ibili nalang kita? Ano bang gusto mo? Sige na huwag ka nang mahiya, libre ko naman e...“

”Pwede bang tumahimik ka? ” binara siya nito ”Pag sinabi kong ayaw ko, ayaw ko.”

”Sorry ha, ” nangingilid ang mga luha ni Akane. ”akala ko lang kasi nagugutom ka o kaya gusto mo ng kausap. ”

Napatingin kay Akane ang lalaki, hindi siya umimik, minasdan niya si Akaneng tumalikod sakanya at lumakad papalayo, nang tumungo ang lalaki ay napansin niyang napatakan ni Akane ng luha ang kanyang notebook.

Natapos na ang recess at bumalik na sa kanyang upuan si Akane, kinalabit nito ang lalaking nasa unahan niya na para bang walang nangyari kinaumagahan.

”Ano na namang gusto mo?” nilingon siya nito.

Ngumiti lamang si Akane dito na para bang ipinahahayag na ”Tungkol sa kanina, okey lang, huwag mo yung alalahanin. ”

Napaisip ang lalaki kung ano ba talagang meron sa babaeng iyon.

Kinabukasan ay muli syang kinausap nito at sinabi, “’Di ba Haruki ang pangalan mo? Ayos lang ba kung tawagin kitang Haru?”

“Tawagin mo ako kung anong pangalan ko. ”

”Ahh... ganun ba... sorry ha... sige. Kung iyan ang gusto mo eh.“ Ngumiting muli si Akane.

Isang malamig na tingin lang ang sagot ni Haruki.

Ilang araw pa ang lumipas at patuloy na kinakaibigan ni Akane si Haruki, lagi niya itong nginingitian kahit na ang lagi lang naman nitong natatanggap ay ang malalamig na tingin ni Haruki o di kaya’y tatalikuran nalang siya nito nang parang walang nakita. Hanggang isang araw, habang kumakain ng tanghalian si Haruki sa ilalim ng puro ng narra, bigla siyang tinabihan ni Akane.

”Alam mo ba gustung-gusto ko rin ang punong ito? ” nakatingala si Akane sa puno ng narra ”Matibay kasi ito, kahit na anong ulan hindi ito bumabagsak, kahit na anong kulog hindi ito natatakot, kahit na anong hangin hindi ito nagpapadala, ” napalingon ito kay Haruki, na nakatingin sa kanya at nakikinig sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon. ”Alam mo, ” patuloy niya ”pareho kami ng punong ito. Kahit na anong pangdi-dedma pa ang gawin mo sakin, kakaibiganin pa rin kita, ” nginitian nito si Haruki, na siya namang tumungo, ”kahit na anong singhal at init na ulo pa ang abutin ko, ” sinabi ni Akane ng mas mahina, ”mamahalin ko pa rin sila. ”

”Sila? ” tanong ni Haruki.

”Oo, sila, ang mga magulang ko. Parati kasi silang busy sa trabaho kaya wala na silang oras sa akin eh. ” Sagot ni Akane, tila ba pinipilit ngumiti. ”Lagi ko silang nilalambing at tinatanong kung kumusta ang naging araw nila, pero gaya mo, ‘di rin nila ako pinapansin. Ang masakit pa nga eh, minsan, papansinin nila ako, pero kukutyain lang nila ako kung bakit raw ako ganito, bakit raw masyado akong masaya, parang wala raw akong pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid ko. ”

Nangingilid na naman ang mga luha ni Akane habang kinikwento ito kay Haruki, ”Minsan tinatanong ko kung gano’n ba talaga ako? Masyado nga siguro akong masaya, na kadalasan eh nakakairita na sa inyo. Pasensya na talaga, gusto ko lang kasing maging masaya tayong lahat eh, ” napatigil ito at pinahid ang kanyang luha gamit ang kanyang kamay, ”kaya ngayon, tanggap ko na na kung ayaw mo akong maging kaibigan eh dapat na tumigil na ako. Siguro nga nagiging abala na ako sa iyo no ? ” Tumayo si Akane at ngumiti sa huling pagkakataon, ”Sige Haruki, mauuna na ako ha. ”
Pero bago pa tuluyang makahakbang palayo si Akane ay hinawakan ni Haruki ang kanyang kanang kamay at nagsabing, ”Huwag kang umalis. Mula ngayon ay magkaibigan na tayo,” at sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa buhay ni Akane, ay napangiti nito si Haruki.

Ilang mga buwan pa ang lumipas at dumating ang Marso, malapit nang matapos ang pasok at magbabakasyon na nang biglang sabihin ni Haruki kay Akane ang isang masamang balita.

”Akane, pupunta na kaming Canada, doon na kami titira. ”

Hindi nakaimik si Akane. Para bang binagsakan siya ng langit at lupa. Ang matalik niyang kaibigan ay tutungo sa ibang bansa, paano na sila magkikita? Paano na sila mag-uusap? Marami siyang katanungan pero kahit isang salita ay hindi lumabas sa kanyang bibig.

“Hatid mo ‘ko sa airport ha?” wika ni Haruki.

Tatlong araw pa ang nagdaan at dumating na sa wakas ang araw na kinatatakutan ni Akane. Nagbihis siya nang maayos at dumiretso ng airport kung saan nakita niya si Haruki na may hawak na bag na papalarga na.

‘’Akane, buti nakarating ka,’’ bati nito sa kanya ‘’sana, kahit na magkakalayo tayo,’’ tinignan nito si Akane sa mata nang may pungay, ‘’sana tandaan mo na...’’

‘’...Na importante ka sa akin.’’

Hinalikan nito si Akane nang biglaan, si Akane, hindi alam kung katotohanan ba ang kanyang nakikita, ay sadyang ‘di makapaniwala. Ang kanilang labi ay magkalapat at hindi na napigilan ni Akane ang pagdaloy ng mainit niyang mga luha. Gusto niyang tumigil ang oras sa mga panahong iyon, ayaw niyang mawala ang nag-iisang taong minamahal siya.

‘’O sya, aalis na ako. Huwag mo akong kalimutan ha ?’’

-----------

Magkasama si Akane at Haruki sa dati nilang tambayan, sa ilalim ng puno ng narra.

‘’Ang laki na nang ipinagbago mo,’’ panimulang salita ni Haruki. ‘’Nung makita kita sa may geyt halos hindi kita nakilala.’’

‘’Oo.’’

‘’Ano’ng nangyari sa’yo ?’’

‘’Marami, masyadong marami.’’

‘’Ano nang nangyari sa pagiging puno ng narra ? Matibay, di natatakot at hindi nagpapadala ?’’

‘’Wala na. Kalokohan lang ‘yun,’’ nagbuntong hininga si Akane, ’’Matatawag mo akong normal. . . noon. Masiyahin, palangiti, madaming kaibigan, mapagpatawad at mapagmahal,’’ tumigil siyang sandali upang tignan si Haruki, ’’pero sabi nga nila,’’ patuloy niya ’’tulad ng mga dahon sa tagtuyot, nalaglag na ako sa kinakapitan ko; natuyo dahil walang nagdilig.“

’’ Lahat may limitasyon, nasagad ko na yung akin.’’

Napatahimik si Haruki, hindi niya alam kung anong sasabihin niya. Ang dating Akaneng nakilala niya ay tila kinain na ng mga salitang binitiwan niya.

“Mauna na ako,’’ naglakad papaalis si Akane.

“Teka,’’ pigil ni Haruki, ‘’anong nangyari sa kaliwang mata mo ?’’

’’Wala,’’ sagot niya ‚’’ayoko lang na makita ng kaliwa kong mata ang nakikita ng kanan. Ayoko lang na mabahiran ng kalungkutan ang kaliwa kong mata gaya ng nangyari sa kanan.’’

Tumuloy siya sa paglalakad hanggang mawala na siya sa paningin ni Haruki.

-----------

’’Tao po,’’ katok ng isang lalaki sa bakuran ng isang babaeng tila hapong-hapo na nasa higit-kwarenta na ang edad.

“Sino yan?’’ sagot nito.

“Kaklase po ni Akane.’’

Pinapasok ng babaeng napag-alamang ina pala ni Akane si Haruki at sila ay nag-usap patungkol sa kalagayan ni Akane. Sila ay nagpalitan ng salita, hindi inaasahan ni Haruki ang mga salitang lumabas sa mga labi ng ina.

‘’Kung alam lang ni Akane kung ga’no ako nagsisisi sa mga bagay na nagawa ko,’’ yumuko ang ina at nagpatuloy, ‘’kaso nga lang kapag andyan na siya, tila ba may galit na bumabalot sa puso ko. Naiinis ako sakanya kasi sa kabila ng mga problema e masaya pa rin sya, nagagawa pa rin niyang ngumiti,’’ tuluyan ng lumuha ang ina ‘’kaya ngayong nagkaganyan siya, maniwala ka man o hindi, hindi pa rin ako masaya, pero may parte sa puso ko na palihim na natutuwa sa mga pangyayari.’’

‘’Bilang ina niya, alam kong may pagkukulang ako, bilang isang tao alam kong naging masama ako...pero ang mahirap e hindi ko alam kung paano ko ito mababago.’’

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at bumalik sa eskwelahan ang nagcutting-classes na si Haruki, uwian na noon at bumalik lamang siya upang makausap si Akane.

Malakas ang buhos ng ulan sa mga panahong iyon, lahat ay nagsi-uwian na ngunit nakita pa ni Haruki ang mga gamit ni Akane sa kanyang upuan, pinuntahan niya ang puno ng narra pero wala siyang ibang nakita kung hindi ang ukit sa puno na nagsasabing ‘’paalam’’.

Hindi alam ni Haruki kung ano ang gagawin niya sa mga oras na iyon, hindi niya alam kung saan niya hahagilapin si Akane, napatingala na lamang siya sa langit na tila ba nagbubuhos ng galit, maya’t-maya ay may kulog at kidlat at napukaw ang kanyang pansin sa may rooftop, isang mala-hugis babae ang kanyang naaninag sa may dulo, tila ba nagbabadyang tumalon, kumaripas siya ng takbo nang hindi nag-iisip, ang tanging tumatakbo lang sa isipan niya ay si Akane.

Sa wakas narating na rin niya ang pinakatuktok, naroon pa rin ang naaninag niyang hugis. Malakas ang ulan at hirap na siyang makakita, nilapitan niya ito pero may malakas na tinig na nanggagaling dito ang pumigil sa kanyang humakbang pa.

‘’Huwag kang lalapit,’’ tinig ng isang babae, tinig ni Akane! ’’Eto ang tadhana ko, huwag mo akong pipigilan.’’

Gusto nang sumabog ni Haruki sa halu-halong mga emosyong kanyang nararamdaman ng mga oras na iyon, hindi niya alam kung iiyak ba siya, maawa, luluhod, o magagalit, bigla na lamang lumabas ang mga salitang ito sa kanyang mga nanginginig na labi:

’’Sira ulo ka kung iaasa mo lahat sa tadhana! Ginawa tayo ng Diyos para gumawa ng sarili nating kapalaran,’’ pilit na sinisigaw ni Haruki ang bawat salita upang marinig ng humahagulhol na si Akane, ‘’Ginawa niya tayo para maging masaya,’’ lumapit ito kay Akane, ‘’Ginawa niya tayo para magmahal...at mahalin.’’

Hindi alam ni Akane kung anong ibig sabihin ni Haruki. Ang mga salitang narinig niya ay tinawanan niya at sumagot ng ‘’Magmahal? Matagal ko nang nasubukan ’yon. Matagal na akong naniwala! Pero wala naman akong napala di ba?! Wala pa ring nagmamahal sa akin. Lagi niyo nalang akong pinapaasa, lagi niyo nalang akong iniiwan!’’

Lalong lumakas ang iyak ng langit at sigaw ng kulog, mabilis na niyakap ni Haruki si Akane, ’’Minsan talaga... hindi ka nag-iisip.’’ Ngumiti ito at yumuko, nakitang muli ni Akane ang mapupungay nitong mata, at sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay dumampi ang mga labi ng binata sa kanya, sa bawat hinga na nilalabas nilang dalawa ay narinig ni Akane ang mga salitang kailanman hindi niya maririnig mula sa bibig ng sinuman.

Tumila ang ulan. Tuluyan nang kumalma si Akane sa mga bisig ni Haruki. Ang katahimikan, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, ay hindi nakakahiya ngunit winasak pa rin ito ni Haruki...

’’Mahirap umasa. Mahirap mabigo. Pero kung hindi mo gugustuhing indahin lahat ng iyon, hindi ka magiging masaya,’’ tumingin ito sa langit na kumalma na rin sa mga oras na iyon, ’’kaya kayanin mo,’’ patuloy nito, ’’at sa bawat luhang papatak sa mga mata mo, sa bawat ulan, alalahanin mo na laging pagkatapos noon, makikita mo iyan,’’ tinuro ni Haruki ang bahag-haring malaking ngumingiti sa kanilang dalawa, ’’ Iyan ang pangako ng Diyos, di ba?’’

Nanuot sa puso ni Akane ang bawat salitang binitiwan ni Haruki. E ano kung masktan siyang muli? E ano kung iwan siya nito uli? Lagi namang nandiyan ang Diyos, hindi niya pababayaan ang sinuman, kahit si Akane pa man.

Hinawi ni Akane ang buhok nitong tumatakip sa kaliwang mata niya ‚’’Gusto kong masaksihan mo ito,’’ sinabi niya sa kaliwa niyang mata, ’’gusto kong magsimula muli, gusto ko maging matapang, gusto kong maging masaya.’’ Nginitian nito ang binata.

-----------

Ngunit sino ba ang makakapagsabi sa hinaharap? Dali-daling umuwi si Akane at Haruki ng magkahawak ang kamay patungo sa bahay ng dalagita. Ibabalita sana nila ang nangyari, ibabalita sana nila ang simulang gusto nilang buksan ngunit. . .
Ang katitila lamang na ulan ay muling nagsimulang maghimutok. Dumilim ang langit sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ng dalawa. Noong una ay hindi nila ininda ang panahon hanggang biglang dumating ang kapitbahay nilang si Aleng Choleng na kumakaripas ng takbo, ’’Iha, buti nandito ka na! Bilisan mong makauwi sa inyo! May mga pulis na nakapalibot doon, hindi pa rin namin alam kung bakit!’’

’’Ho?’’ kinabahan siya. Hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin niya sa mga oras na iyon. Muli na naman siyang nawala sa ilaw na gusto na sana niyang sundan. Ang pagkakahigpit ng hawak ng kamay niya kay Haruki ay biglang bumitaw, gusto niyang kumaripas ng takbo pero sobrang nanginginig ang kanyang mga binti. Hindi na niya alam ang sumunod na pangyayari.

Pagdilat ng kanyang mga mata ay nakapasan na siya kay Haruki, naaninag na niya ang kanilang bahay, pero hindi tulad ng sinabi ni Aleng Choleng, wala na ang mga pulis na nakapalibot sa kanilang bahay.

’’Haruki, pwede mo na akong ibaba.’’

’’O gising ka na pala?’’ sagot nito.

Bumaba si Akane sa likod ng binata at dahan-dahang lumapit sa kanilang bakuran. Nagdadalawang-isip pa ito kung bubuksan na nito ang pinto o mananatili muna s’yang nakatayo doon. Nagtataka siya kung bakit sadyang napakatahimik ng paligid. Bakit wala man lamang kalabog mula sa loob? Hindi kaya…

Sa wakas ay nagkaroon na siya ng lakas ng loob na buksan ang pinto. Madilim ang paligid. Tahimik lahat. May narinig siyang mahinang nagbilang…

’’One...two...three..’’

’’HAPPY BIRTHDAY AKANE!!!’’

Agosto 17 pala noon, kaarawan niya. Nakita niya lahat ng mga kaibigan at kaklase niya sa kanilang bahay. Nandoon rin ang ate niya at ang kanyang mga magulang. Higit pa niyang kinagulat na ang mga ito ay nakangiti sa kanya. Nilapitan siya ng kanyang ina at niyakap siya, ’’Anak, pasensya ka na kung madalas ka naming napagbubuntungan ng sama ng loob ha.’’

Nang mga oras na iyon ay lumapit rin ang kanyang ama na minsan niyang inidolo nung siya ay paslit pa lamang, ang dating nawalang init ng pagmamahal ng kanyang ama ay muli niyang naramdaman, ’’Anak, gusto kong humingi ng tawad. Alam kong nagkulang kami sa iyo...hayaan mong magsimula tayong ulit,’’ pare-pareho silang nangingilid ang mga luha, ’’pare-pareho tayong magiging masaya.’’

Sa mga oras na iyon, ayaw nang ipikit ni Akane ang kanyang mga mata. Ayaw na niyang matulog sapagkat sa wakas, mas maganda na rin ang realidad kaysa sa kanyang panaginip.

-----------

Ang natira sa gabi ay dinaan nila sa pagsisiya. Lahat sila ay nagtawanan at nagpakabusog.
‘’Nako, Aling Choleng ang galing niyo palang umarte, ano?’’ bati ni Akane.

“Hehe.. hindi naman gaano. Idolo ko kasi si Nora Aunor noong mga kapanahunan ko e,’’ nahihiyang amin ng ale.

‘’Halata nga ho eh… Nako sa sobrang galing niyo e nahimatay pa itong si Akane,’’ pang-aasar ni Haruki, sabay hampas ni Akane sa braso nito.

“Hahaha. Nako. O siya, maiwan ko muna kayong dalawa ha,’’ tuluyan nang nawala sa eksena si Aling Choleng.

“Tara sa labas,’’ aya ni Akane kay Haruki.

Tumingin ang dalawa sa lawa-lawang mga bitwin sa langit. Biglang nagsalita ang dalaga, ‘’Kung sa lahat ng bagay mabibigo ako. Kung siyam sa sampung gagawin ko e mababaliwala, tutuloy pa rin ako,’’ tinignan nito si Haruki.

‘’Alam mo ba kung bakit ?’’

Napailing ang binata.

‘’Kasi doon sa isa sa sampung iyon, nando’n ka,’’ ngumiti ito.

‘’Ikaw ang...’’ tumigil ito sandali, ‘’Ako ang... ?’’ sabat ni Haruki.

‘’Tangi kong pag-asa.’’

‘’Kaya salamat,’’ patuloy nito, ‘’dahil dumating ka.’’

At muling naglapat ang kanilang mga labi upang bigyang tunay ang pangakong kailanman ay hindi na silang maghihiwalay muli.

Test of Friendship (a speech project)

2009-02-08T04:56:00.000-08:00

SCENE 1

Setting: Outside the lead’s house on a sunny afternoon

Narrator: Once in our lives, we’ve been left by someone we cherish. May it be for the betterment of ourselves or not, we know that it hurt a lot, a lot, a lot. This is where our story begins. It was another sunny afternoon outside the lot of this petite girl wearing her common get-up—a pair of jeans and shirt. Her black hair flows through her shoulders right to her back as she was gazing on a blue sky thinking very, very deep that not even the biggest shovel can ever dig.
Chessy is a girl who had been left by her parents, both literally and figuratively while she was young as eight. Five years had passed since then, she’s now a struggling teenager left alone with her fraternal twin sister, Chessa. And yes, their names may sound as close as you might think but no, not their personalities. And by that, we mean really, really not. Their father died from a car accident and their mother, their only parent now, went abroad to taste what she preferred to call “greener pasture” and she’d send some foreign money to her twins once in awhile. If they got lucky, it would be packed with a letter.

Background Music: Maybe by Yiruma

Chessa: Oh, Cheeessy… I need to get my nails done and I can’t do the dishes! Come and do it for meee!

Chessy: Oh for crying out loud. No, thank you. I’ve got plenty of things to do. *disgusted voice* Solitude destroyer.

Chessa: Hm, like what? Write one of your cheesy songs and sing like a frog when you think nobody hears you? Aww, cheesy Chessy.

Narrator: Oops, did I forget to tell you that teeny-weeny detail? Yes, Chessy is an aspiring singer and composer but she’d never let others find that out. Yet now, she was dumbfounded by her quote and quote “twin sis” who apparently knew her little secret.

Chessy: The hell you care?! It would be useless to fight something with a b-word like yourself, so *imitates Chessa’s slutty voice* do your nails *back to normal voice* and leave me alone!

Chessa: Yeah, sure. I know, right. (Walks away and Chessy follows her in)

SCENE 2

Setting: Kitchen sink with dishes asked to be made done by Chessa

Background Music: Maybe by Yiruma continues

Chessy: *in mind* Daddy died. Mommy left. And I’ve been stuck up with my fraternal twin. Yes, fraternal. Aside from our names and birthdates, and well biological parents, there’s nothing much common between us. Not anymore.

Chessa: *distinct* Chessy, someone’s at the door. I believe they’re yours.

Chessy: Right, coming right there. Hang on for a sec. (goes to the door and answers it)

David: Hey there!

Narrator: David. He’s half Indian and is a math nerdie, if you can’t tell.

Chad: How’s it going, Chess?

Narrator: And well, he’s Chad. He kinda loved carbs too much.

Chessy: Hey buddies! I’m good and you…?

David: (Enters) Terribly, awfully looking forward for this school year!

Chessy: Ah, what a weird choice of adjectives. Was that meant to be positive or not?

Chad: Now, Chessy, you act like we haven’t been friends since pre-school!

David: How I miss Ava back during those days!

Chessy: Right. My “best friend” during those days. Simply Ava.

Chad: You mean not the hot popular girl we know today, right?

Chessy: Yeah-uh.

David: She’s still good, isn’t she? Look at her physique.

Chessy: Ha-ha! Funny. So what are you doing here anyway?

Chad: Nothing special, really. We just checked you out to see if you’re ready for tomorrow and yep, we see you’re good so we gotta go now and do some “beauty rest.”

Chessy: Hey, I should be the one saying that, you know.

Chad: I know. Whatever. Let’s go, buddy.

David: Right, see ya, Chess!

Chessy: Bye.

SCENE 3

Setting: Classroom. First day of classes. Chessy arrives with Chessa but the moment they enter the room is as if they were never together.

Chessa’s Circle of Friends:

Chessa: Hey Karen, how was summer?

Karen: Nothing special. My dad bought me this pair of Jimmy Choo Flip Flops and Christian Louboutini heels. I like it better when it’s pink, and I believe he knows that. And I got this new phone as a gift from a relative. I’m actually fed up by it and I want it to be thrown away.

Narrator: She’s Karen—a rich, rich girl. Apparently it was because his father was a successful business tycoon at some designer company. No wonder she got those designer clothes, shoes and other stuff.

Chessa: I see. Where’s Ava?

Karen: Dunno. Pretty sure she’s gonna be here any moment though…well, and steal away our thunder!

Chessa: That’s why we love her. *giggles*

Karen: I know, right.

Chessy’s Circle of Friends:

Chessy: Well… another heck of a year of schooling!

David: Hurray for us, Social Outcasts!

Chad: Hurray for you. I promise to become a jock this year.

David: I believe they starve new recruits by giving them a no-carb diet!

Chad: Say what?! We’re Asians and they know rice is our staple food! And rice is one heck of a carb!

David: WeeEeLll…

Chad: Urgh, forget it!

Chessy: *giggles*

-SILENCE overthrew the room-

Narrator: Whoa! Undefined silence. I believe she’s here. Who, you might ask. She’s just the queen bee with an army of skanks behind her with her delicious physique and popularity. A rich girl with looks, a definitely big fish in the sea for almost all the guys out there. She’s here—Ava. Chessy’s ex-bff and Chessa’s current.

Ava: (Goes to Chessa and Karen while all the other people seemed to be drooling) Hey, girls. How was summer? Oh forget that basic question, how do I look?

Chessa: As usual. Pretty. Duh! Or we won’t be friends with you.

Ava: *Stares*

Chessa: Joke. That’s a joke.

Ava: *Rolls her eyes* Anyway, let’s go shake the geekiness out of those social outcasts over there. (Points over Chessy’s table and walks with her “friends”) Hey losers!

David: Hey, gorgeous.

Karen: Ew.

Chessa: Ew, ew, ew.

Chad: Dude, they speak alien-ish!

Ava: Duh! I mean, like gross. Quit flirting you dirty little bandit and stay to the level where you are: g-e-a-k. Geak!

David: Do you even know how to spell GEEK? G-E-E-K, ring a bell?

Ava: OK, irregardless. All I want to say is that, I f-ing don’t want to see your fugly faces in here.

Chessy: Well, sorry to break your ice but we have brains that’s why we’re here in the star section unlike you, you and your little friends are just here because you’re rich and you think you can buy anything, well, you’re wrong! Definitely ultimately absolutely wrong!

Karen: Well, you know, not because we’re rich and well… you don’t act like one, it’s not our fault.

Ava: Yeah, why not be like your sister? She acts more humane.

David: Whoa, she knows the word humane.

Ava: *Glares*

Chessy: So that’s what humane is to you. O-K. I wonder if you even spell that word right.

Ava: Whatever major losers. *walks away with her friends*

SCENE 4

Setting: A rather secluded spot at their campus where the three usually hanged out after classes.

Chessy: I mean, we’re like BFFs that time. I wonder what could have possibly gone wrong with our friendship. Everything was fine. We could tell each other secrets. And we’d never let anyone know anything about it…

Chad: Even us?

Chessy: Yeah…

David: They’d have to keep it from us, especially me, because they had a secret crush on me. I was freaking hot back then.

Chessy: Oh please, we all knew you never were.

Chad: Let the guy dream. Hehehe.

Ava *distinct*: Again? I thought we’d be altogether for dinner for my birthday next week.

-caught the three’s attention-

Narrator: The three then wondered about what the queen bee’s sad about. Who knows it might be her weakness, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she was like all the other girls—you know, encounter problems and difficulties.

Ava: To Russia? Again? Why did it have to be on my birthday? Business? Daddy, we’re rich and you know that, don’t you? Is it more important than me? (Pauses a little while, then hanged up)

Chad: Maybe her Daddy said yes.

David: *Giggles*

Ava: Who’s there? (Sees them and comes near) How long have you been standing there and what did you hear?

David: Oh freaking nothing, just you, being dumped by your own father for a business trip in Russia on your birthday, that’s all.

Ava: You- -

Chessy: So he was still like that? You know, Ava, we might have opposite interests now but I want you to know that we’re still friends after all and you can talk to us if you like.

Ava: And what? Gossip it around the campus? Well, no, thank you! *Runs away and hides herself somewhere she believes no one can see her.

SCENE 5

Setting: A place Ava believes no one sees her.

Background Music: River Flows in You by Yiruma

Ava: He was still like that, after all. And I’m not the only one who knows that now. I hope the losers don’t spill. Oh, God. I wish I was given a happy family. You know I’d give up my popularity day or night just for that.

Narrator: Now, now, she believed she was all alone. One thing she didn’t know was her old best friend, Chessy followed her. She knew Ava would react hysterically but she was assured she’ll get over it and would want to talk, just like the old days.

Chessy: Ava, you OK?

Ava: What are you doing here? Go away and get lost. You would never understand me.

Chessy: But you know I did. You just stopped confounding in me, that’s all.

Ava: …

Chessy: Come on, spill the beans.

Ava: Promise not to tell?

Chessy: Promise.

Narrator: The conversation turned out just like what Chessy planned. It was as if they were back to childhood, when they were the best of friends.

Ava: He never changed. He’s still busy. He says he gives me everything I need. Well, yes, that’s true but those are just plain things. One thing he can’t give is his time, I don’t even know if he loves me. Ever since Mom died, he has been busier. Doubled after her death, so I tried to be popular, so that everyone will look up to me, as if I were the best—the perfect.

Chessy: That’s why our friendship deteriorated. As if it never existed.

Ava: …

Chessy: Now I understand. Don’t worry, we’d make your birthday as splendid as it can be.

SCENE 6

Setting: Classroom—very early in the morning. There are three plans written on the whiteboard: 1. Befriend Karen and Chessa, 2. Plan the surprise party, 3. Call Ava’s Dad

Chad: You kidding? We’ll befriend the plastics??

Chessy: Plastics?

Chad: Oops. Sorry, I just watched Mean Girls.

David: Anyway, you haven’t forgotten they’re popular and we’re social outcasts, right?

Chessy: Yeah… To wrap up, our first plan is… (underlines the first plan)

SCENE 7

Setting: Chessy and Chessa’s house, living room, while Chessa keeps herself busy texting.

Chessy: Hey Chessa, can I have a minute?

Chessa: What?

Chessy: You see, uhm, I hope it gets easy but, uhm…

Chessa: Just say it.
Chessy: I want us to be friends, you know, like before.

Chessa: No, thanks.

Chessy: This question has been haunting me for years: why did we grow apart?

Chessa: Simple. Because you’re uncool and I’m your opposite.

Chessy: No, I know there is something much deeper than that.

Chessa: You know what? Because you consume my time, you consume everyone’s time!

Chessy: What do you mean?

Background Music: River flows in You by Yiruma

Chessa: It’s as if you’re the only daughter and I was never your twin! Mom comes here once in a while for occasions that are important to you. Like our 10th birthday! It is ours but it seemed like it’s just yours. Simple as it seems, Mommy just let you blow the candle, but it hurt for a ten-year old like myself back then! And our graduation. She only climbed the stage when you got tons of medals but then she “got a call” from her boss when she was about to claim mine. It hurt, it just hurt!

Chessy: It’s not true! We did not do that intentionally, I swear. We’re sorry. I’m sorry.

Chessa: Your sorry’s just not good enough!

Chessy: If there had been times that you felt an outcast in this family, well I am really, really sorry. Believe me, I wasn’t aware! I didn’t mean to do that to you, because you’re my sister after all, you’re my twin. We might be opposites but that doesn’t change the fact that I love you.

Chessa: Really?

Chessy: Really. *extends her arms for a hug*

Chessa: I wonder if Mommy feels the same.

Chessy: I’m sure she does. She loves us both equally. Mothers don’t play favoritism, you know. They love their children, no matter how much we think they don’t.

Chessa: Thank you, Chessy.

Chessy: For what?

Chessa: For being the way you are.

SCENE 8

Setting: Classroom, in the table of Karen.

Karen: Wait, what? We’re gonna hang out with those? OMG! Is it the end of the world already?

Chessa: No, it definitely isn’t. Ava and I just came to a realization that our thoughts about them weren’t right. Besides, the more, the merrier, right?

Ava: Yes. And we’d be the best of friends. Remember when we were in pre-school? We’d hang out together and have fun.

Karen: What’s with the sudden change of heart?

Ava: Uhm. Maybe it’s time to change. You know, we’re sophomores and it would be absolutely not so pleasing to fight and bully others.

Karen: Oh well, I guess you’re right.

Chad: So we’re cool?

Karen: Absolutely.

Narrator: Now they’ve been back to the way they were when they were kids. They’d hang out together like what they used to do back then. They’d confound to each other, seek advice and give each other a hand. They’d laugh, they were blissfully happy.

SCENE 9

Setting: Classroom, with the plans.

Narrator: But most importantly, they have fulfilled their first plan.

Chessy: The surprise party! We are all aware that it’s Ava’s 14th birthday this coming Saturday, and there’s nothing she wish more than a happy celebration with her family and friends.

Chessa: And we’d surprise her.

Chessy: Absolutely.

Karen: I go give a hand for the things needed.

Chessa: And I’d arrange our house for the venue.

Chad: And I’d go eat?

David: No, silly. We’d go shopping for the necessities!

Chessy: Right.

SCENE 10

Setting: The preparation. Everybody is busy decorating stuff for Ava’s birthday 2 days from now.

Background Music: River Flows in You, upbeat by sori400jy.

SCENE 11

Setting: Back to the classroom.

Chessy: And for our final plan…

Chessa: Call Ava’s father for the celebration!

Karen: Here’s his number. I personally asked Daddy’s help to get Mr. Brown’s number.

Chessa: Yay!

Karen: Now Chessy, the proponent of all these plans, do the honors… (hands the cell phone)

David and Chad: *Cheers*

Chessy: Well, here it goes…

-riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing-

Background Music: Kiss the Rain

SCENE 10

Setting: Chessy and Chessa’s house, everything was set and Ava was blindfolded

Narrator: Curious you might be, about what happened with the conversation? Well, it went not exactly the way they wanted but here they are, they still continued the planned occasion. And if there’s one thing that cannot be broken, that’s Chessy’s promise to make it memorable.

ALL: Surprisee!!!

Ava: Oh, thank you... I love you guys.

Chessa: Group huggg!!!

Narrator: Well, they had fun. Ava’s father might not be around but atleast Ava felt important and wanted. This, I believe, is the best birthday she had ever experienced—with her true friends.

The Questions

2009-01-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

How can you say that you are head over heels in love? How can you say if you are willing to go through everything with it? How can you say you have loved?

Is it when you see him walk towards your path and your heart suddenly raises its common beat?
Is it when you become sad when you know that there is someone for him yet it's not you?
Is it when you daydream and doodle his name sometime when you shouldn't?
Is it when you wish in the very first star you see at night about him and you and a happy life?
Is it when you stay up all night waiting for his littlest presence or googling him?
Is it when you become absolutely happy in the littlest contact with him?
Is it when you're eye catches his every move without you noticing it?
Is it when you try to get his attention in the littlest ways?
Is it when you dream of him with you forever?
Is it when you feel so overwhelmed to write poems whenever you think about him?
Is it when you shiver yet you feel warm when you are around him?

Is it when you stay when you could be somewhere else just to be with him?
Or is it when you run away and bring yourself back to pieces, to reality?
Is it when you talk with him hours and hours and you try to come up with a topic and not to make the conversation dead?
Or is it when you hold back hesitating whether to talk to him or not?

How can we say that it is pure love not merely attraction?
Is love real when you simply love him one-sidedly, even though you don't know him all throughout?
Or does love only become real when you know who he is, and you love his good and bad sides?
Can love be love if only you are holding on, loving him?
Or is it simply when you love each other that it becomes love?

Love is something no one can explain. Love is very broad. Love is something we should know of, yet we can't. It's one of the things we are not bound to know perfectly. It is broad yet narrow. It makes us intelligent yet dumb. We understand love as love but merely its definition.

Yet how can we say if it is real, isn't it just surreal to rely on our feelings? For we are just humans who are bound to make mistakes, right?

It's like an outcast to reality. It's an exception to the rule.

We go inside a world where there are no limits. As long as we cling on to that feeling, may it be requited or not, may it be one-sided or not, may it be fantasy or not, we feel happy. We feel how it is to truly live, how to truly smile. Within that world, everything is possible. As long as that strength exists, no one, nothing can destroy it.

I guess that's love. Right?