SPLENDID NIGHTMARE IN A BLAZING ULTIMATE TRIP

By: Carlo “Carlz” Sangutan

    It was a Friday evening when Richard laid his body down on his bed alone. At exactly twelve midnight, he felt there was someone lying beside him. But he thought that maybe it was just only his imagination because he missed his girlfriend who recently went abroad. A few minutes after, he again felt someone’s touch over his body. He did not mind it since he was very sure that no one was there because he locked the door of his room before he blew the candle and proceeded to bed. Darkness colonized the whole city. He could not see anyone even himself. The sweet touch continued to run over his body until he fell asleep.

    As Richard unsealed his eyes, he still felt tired and suffered pain all over his body. He suddenly remembered that he and his friends were having a little celebration in a club because one of his companions was position-elevated in work. They also got intoxicated and without expecting, moved with the music all night. He then concluded that the pain he felt was from what they had done last night.

    Richard realized that he had dreamt again the same strange dream he always dreamt since the day his girlfriend answered him “Yes”. He wondered why his dream gave him a situation which showed that he missed his girlfriend who went abroad. This was quite mind-puzzling because his girlfriend was not in abroad; instead her whole family was just living near their house. They were just neighbors. They both lived near Katipunan Street in Barangay Labangon.

    Suddenly, a voice was heard coming from the kitchen. It interrupted him to think about the reason why he dreamt the kind of dream that did not perfectly copy the real situation of their relationship with his girlfriend. It was the voice of Aling Anita who is calling her son to come down to have breakfast with her.

    Richard directly came down the stairs and went to their kitchen. As he reached the kitchen, there were already different kinds of food served at the table. Rice, fried egg, tinola and siomai were some of these stuffs with bananas as desserts. He hastily ate his breakfast in just four minutes and thirty-five seconds because he had planned to have some fun in this certain day. He missed his place. Since he spent his time from Mondays to Fridays mostly in his boarding house near his school, he could not make fun with his barkadas in their neighborhood.

    He suddenly thought about his girlfriend whom he loved very much. He never saw her quite a month. This was why he planned to visit her in their house. With this plan, he also remembered one important thing for him, his cellphone, which was kept inside his clothes cabinet. He placed it under his favorite shirts and it had never been used after he decided to stay in his boarding house just to focus on his studies.

    Richard hurriedly went upstairs and got his phone from his cabinet; recharged it and after few minutes, turned it on. He then undoubtedly sent messages to his sweetheart. He sent her inspiring quotes and a message which said, “Hi, dear. How are you? This is Richard.” He waited for a reply in few minutes but nothing entered to his cellphone’s inbox. It made him wonder what happened to his girlfriend. Suddenly, he remembered his dream, a very strange dream. He directly based it from what ancients had said that “dreams represent something in real lives.” Upon conceptualizing what had been said, he thought that his girlfriend might be already destitute of life since in his dream, someone who was invisible touched him when he was on his bed knowing that he was not with his girlfriend. He hurriedly went downstairs and asked his mother if his girlfriend was already dead. Aling Anita said that she did not know what happened to Sarah, her son’s sweetheart, since it was quite three weeks that she had not seen the girl.

    Richard abruptly went outside their house and proceeded to Sarah’s palace. As he reached his girlfriend’s magnificent house, he did not notice anyone in it. The gate was strongly locked. Beside the gate, he stayed in expectation for anyone who would go inside the said house but no one entered until there was a lady who passed by in front of him. He asked her, “Excuse me, Miss. Where are the owners of this house?”  The lady answered, “Ah, they already left that house and transferred to another because they wanted to be near to the municipality. They are now living near Colon Street, just at the back of University of the Visayas. “When did they leave?” asked Richard. The lady said, “They left two weeks ago.” Richard again asked, “How many of them left?” He made to ask the kind of question, to know and be sure that Sarah was still alive. “They were just three,” said the lady. Richard wondered why there were only three of them left instead of four: Sarah, his parents and his brother. He interrogated the lady, “Are you sure? Hadn’t you seen the fourth one?” “Yes, of course. There were only three persons who left that house and locked the gate afterwards. There were only a boy and his parents. I saw it with my observant eyes,” the lady replied. Richard thanked the lady about the information. His mind was again disturbed by his mental conception about what was truly happening to Sarah. In spite of what he imagined about his girlfriend, he planned to have a trip with his barkadas.

    Richard then went back to their house and changed his clothes. He texted his barkadas and invited them to go with him in different places especially in the center of the island. They went to Emall, Metro Gaisano, Ayala, and lastly SM. His friends were really enjoying.

    At SM when they were on the second floor, Richard saw Sarah walking toward a part of the building where dresses were sold. He ran after the girl, wanting to talk to her about their lives and their relationship. Sarah stopped near dresses department and looked for something that would fit to her. This was the time that Richard, chasing breath, tapped the girl’s shoulder and said, “Hi Sarah, long time no see. How are you?” Then Sarah was shocked while saying, “Richard? Is that you? I’m just OK…How about you?” “I’m also OK especially now that I again see you,” said Richard.

    Suddenly, a man from a distant part called Sarah with the use of the sweet word “Babe”. Richard described the man as good-looking, who he thought, at around twenty-five to thirty years old. He at first thought that the man was just only Sarah’s friend but thoughts were battling in his mind that it was not her friend. The word “babe” which was used by the man to call her proved it. The man came near toward them and slowly put his arm on Sarah’s shoulder. Sarah then introduced the said man to Richard and the name of the man was Jericho. She asked Richard for his cell number and also gave her number to him.

    Richard was suddenly called by his barkadas from a distance; interrupting his conversation with Sarah and Jericho, telling him that Aling Anita, his mother, wanted him to go home because it was already five-thirty in the afternoon. He then said goodbye to Sarah as well as to the man.

    As Richard walked towards home together with his barkadas, his mind could not settle upon thinking Sarah. He regretfully asked himself why he did not still communicate with Sarah even through his phone, in order Sarah would not to be in the hands of another man. He never forgave himself. His heart seemed like being crumpled by the so-called destiny. He even thought of ending his existence.

    When he approached home, his barkadas also made their way to their respective sanctuaries. He pushed their door to open it and when he closed it, his phone rang. It was a text message from Sarah. He opened it and it said, “Good eves, can we meet tomorrow at SM? Thanks.” He wondered why Sarah would still like to meet him even if she already had Jericho to meet with.

    In the morning, they both met in the second floor of SM and decided to eat in a restaurant where they could go to have their talk. When they were in a restaurant, Richard frankly asked Sarah there and there; why she still wanted to meet and see him. Sarah briefly answered that she still loved him and wanted to continue their relationship. Richard was shocked, wondering why she loved him even if she already had Jericho. He asked Sarah about Jericho. Sarah, who was laughing, said that she and Jericho were just friends: close friends. They just used to call each other 'babe' to emphasize their friendship.

    Richard, upon hearing those words, happily hugged Sarah. He hugged her tightly that no key could unlock while saying that he still loved her and wanted also to continue their relationship. They now lived happily but suddenly, a shout of different voices was heard. I accidentally opened my eyes and realized that it was such a very satisfying dream. I said 'yes' but what I saw around me were people shouting for help; some were crying and others were praying soulfully. Oh! We were in the bus, I remembered. I saw the driver sweating; trying to stop the vehicle and managing to turn the bus as where the correct direction was. The bus was still in a speed. People around me were still craving for hope.

    Suddenly, a huge truck came towards us from the opposite direction. I tried to see the driver of that truck and just wanted to signal him to stop his truck to avoid collision. Oh, yes! I saw the driver ten meters from our bus. Oh, no! He was drowsing. I managed to say 'I love you, my dear God' and -BOOM-, our bus collided to the huge truck. The shout of the people vanished. The crying was stopped, also with the praying. Without a minute, both our bus and the truck exploded, covering all parts with magnificent flame.


--- THE END ---
 

Silong sa Payong ng Panandaliang Pag-ibig

Si Marco ay isang mabait at responsableng anak ganun din sa pagiging mag-aaral. Siya ay isang Roman Catholic. Ginagawa niya lahat kung ano ang iniuutos sa kanya ng mga nakatatanda lalo na kung para sa kabutihan. Ginagawa niya lahat ang kanyang mga assignment pati na rin ang kanyang mga proyekto. Ngunit hindi maipagkakaila ang kanyang pagiging “chickboy”. Kabe-break nga lang nya eh, may nililigawan agad. Si Janet naman ay isang mabuting mag-aaral pati sa bahay ay napakabuti niya sapagkat tumutulong siya sa mga gawaing bahay. Magaling siya sa klase. Ngunit sa kabila ng pagiging magaling, siya ay tahimik na babae na parang nahihiya palagi. Sila ay parehong nag-aaral sa magkatulad na unibersidad.

Isang umaga, pasukan na naman. Ang lakas ng ulan! Ang lakas pa ng hangin, parang may bagyo. Nagdadalawang-isip si Marco kung papasok ba siya gayong baka mabasa siya. Sira na kasi ang payong ng nanay niya. Ilang minuto pa, huminto ang buhos ng ulan kaya nagdesisyon siyang papasok na. Pagkatapos niyang magbihis, lumakad na siya papunta sa kalsada kung saan kadalasang dadaan ang mga pampasaherong jeep.

Sa kabilang dako naman, si Janet ay papunta na rin sa school. Naghihintay siyang may dumaan na jeep sa tapat ng kanilang bahay. Ilang minutong nakalipas, nang wala pa ring sasakyang dumaraan, bumuhos na naman ang ulan kaya kinuha niya ang payong sa kanyang bag.

Si Marco, habang nasa jeep na, ay nagpapasalamat pa dahil at least hindi pa siya naabutan ng ulan sa kahihintay ng sasakyan. Ilang kilometro mula sa kanyang pagsakay, naubusan ng gasolina ang jeep. Kung kaya napilitan ang mga pasaherong maghanap ng ibang masasakyan. Ngunit napakamailap ng jeep sa panahong iyon lalo na’t may ulan. May nakita siyang babaeng nakapayong sa lugar malapit sa jeep na sinakyan nila.

Naki-share siya pero bago siya naki-share, tinanong niya muna ang babae, “Pwede bang makisilong sa payong mo, Miss?”
“OK,”sabi ng babae na noon ay si Janet.

Habang wala pang jeep na dumaraan, nanatili silang nakatayo’t nakasilong sa isang payong.

Biglang nagtanong si Marco kay Janet, “Ano nga palang pangalan mo, Miss?” Nabigla si Janet at saglit na kinabahan. Napatitig siya sa lalaki at naitanong sa sarili, “Ano ‘to interview?”
“Miss?” sabi ni Marco.
“Ah, eh, Janet pala. Ikaw?” sagot ni Janet.
“I’m Marco Arquinas,” tugon ni Marco.

Ilang saglit pa, may dumaan na jeep kaya sumakay na sila agad. Sa loob ng jeep ay magakatabi silang umupo. Natanong ni Marco kay Janet, “Ah, Miss, sa’n ka nga ba nag-aaral?” Hindi niya kasi alam kung saan ito nag-aaral dahil hindi ito nakasuot ng uniporme. “Ahm, dyan lang sa unahan, ‘yang sikat na paaralan dyan.” Sagot ni Janet.
“Ah, ganun ba? OK,” sagot ni Marco.

Pinagmasdan ni Marco si Janet habang si Janet ay nakatingin sa unahan ng jeep. Naiisip ni Marco, “Ang ganda n’ya, parang gusto ko na siya.” Ilang minuto ay nagpara na si Janet dahil umabot na siya sa kanyang patutunguhan, sa school. Nagulat siya bigla nang pagbaba niya ng jeep, bumaba rin si Marco. Dun lang niya nalaman na schoolmates pala sila.

Pagpasok nila sa loob ng school, hinarangan sila ng security guard at tinanong kung nasa’n ang kanilang uniporme. “Nabasa ‘yung uniporme ko kahapon, guard eh,” sagot ni Marco. “At sa’yo, Miss? Ang ganda mo pa nga naman!” tanong ng guard. Sumagot si Janet, “Hindi pa kasi ako nakapagpatahi ng uniporme ko eh, sorry po!” Binalaan sila ng guard na kung sa susunod na makita n’yang hindi sila mag-uuniporme ay hindi talaga sila papapasukin. Sumang-ayon naman ang dalawa. Nagpunta agad sila sa kani-kanilang klase.

Pagdating ni Janet sa kanilang classroom, wala lahat ang mga kaklase niya at pagsulyap niya sa pisara nila, may nakasulat na: “All Classes are Suspended! Classes Will Resume Tomorrow”. Kaya bumaba siya mula sa school building at napaupo sa may plant box.

Habang papunta pa lang si Marco sa classroom nila, nakasalubong niya ang mga kaklase niya sabay sabing, “Walang klase ngayon ‘tol.”
“Talaga?” tanong ni Marco.
“Oo nga ‘tol, kaya pauwi na kami eh. Sige, mauna na kami.”

Kaya bumalik siya sa kanyang dinaanan pababa ng school building. Pagdating niya sa baba, napansin niya si Janet na nakaupo sa may plant box nang mag-isa lang kaya pinuntahan niya sabay tawag sa ngalang, “Janet!”. Napalingon bigla si Janet. Paglingon ni Janet, lalong nahumaling si Marco sa ganda ng babae lalo na sa malambot at magandang buhok na lalong nagpapaganda nito.

Nagtaka si Janet kung bakit parang natulala si Marco paglingon niya. Nasambit niyang, “Marco?”. Natauhan agad si Marco, “Bakit?”
“Ba’t parang natulala ka dyan?” tanong ni Janet.
“Ahh, wala, wala ‘yun!” tugon ni Marco.

Pagkatapos ay biglang nagyaya si Marco kay Janet, “Pwede ba tayong mamasyal? Wala namang klase eh.”
“Talaga? Baka magalit girlfriend mo n’yan,” ni Janet sabay tawa.
“Wala na akong girlfriend ngayon. OK lang ba?” tanong ni Marco.
“Sa susunod na lang siguro may ulan kasi..,” sagot ni Janet. Pinilit siya ni Marco, “Sige na...ngayon lang naman eh. May payong ka naman eh.” “O, sige na nga,” mula ni Janet.

Ganun na nga ang nangyari. Namasyal sila sa iba’t ibang mall at kumain pa sa isang restaurant. Habang kumakain, natanong ni Janet kung bakit sila kumain sa restaurant eh OK lang naman sa kanya na sa karenderya lang sila kakain. Ang mas masaya pa dun, si Marco ang gumastos. Nahiya si Janet.

Habang nag-uusap, biglang nagtanong si Janet, “Bakit nga pala ang bait mo sa’kin? Ngayon pa nga lang tayo nagkakilala eh ang gaan na ng loob mo sa akin.”
“Sa totoo lang,(tugon ni Marco) frankly speaking, gusto kita. I love you! Nagkakulay ang mundo ko nang dahil sa kagandahan mo.”
“Charrrrr....!!!” ani Janet.
“Nagsasabi ako ng totoo, cross my heart, hope to die!!! I really love you, Janet!” sabi ni Marco.
“Pero...” sagot ni Janet.
“Sige na, do you also love me? Hindi ko naman minamadali ‘yung sagot mo eh,” ni Marco na parang nagmamakaawa.

Pinag-isipan ni Janet kung ano ang isasagot niya. Isa kasi siyang Bible Baptist. Hindi pa niya ito nasabi kay Marco pati ang dahilan. Pero pagkaraan ng 15 minutes, sinagot niya si Marco. Ayaw niya kasing masaktan ang lalaki. Masayang-masaya si Marco sa oras na iyon at nagyaya ulit na pumunta sa pinakamagandang tanawin sa malapit na lugar. Sang-ayon lang si Janet. Hanggang dumating ang alas 7 ng gabi. Nagyaya nang umuwi si Janet ngunit ayaw pang umuwi ni Marco. Gusto pa niyang i-celebrate ang sandaling sinagot siya ni Janet. Parang nakonsensya si Janet sa ginawa niya. Napag-isip-isip niyang parang pinaglalaruan lang niya si Marco. Bumuhos bigla ulit ‘yung ulan. Kinuha ni Janet ang payong niya at sumilong sila.

Nagyaya ulit si Marco na pupunta sila sa kanilang bahay upang makilala ng kanyang ina ang babaeng mahal niya, “Tayo na, punta na tayo sa’min.” Hindi gumalaw o kumibo man lang si Janet. “Netz, tayo na...” ulit ni Marco. Nakatitig lang si Janet kay Marco kaya natanong ni Marco, “Ano’ng problema? May nasabi ba akong mali? May nagawa ba akong masama?” Lumuha ang mga mata ni Janet sabay sabing, “I’m very, very sorry Marc. Sana maintindihan mo...”
“Ang alin?” H’wag kang magbiro Netz,” tanong ni Marco.
“Totoo Marc, sorry talaga. Hindi ako para sa’yo. Gusto ko nang putulin ang ating relasyon...”ni Janet habang patuloy sa pag-iyak.
“Bakit nga?!” galit na tanong ni Marco.
“Isa kasi akong Bible Baptist,” ni Janet na nanatiling umiiyak.
“Eh, ano naman kung ganun?” tanong ni Marco.

Ipinaliwanag ni Janet kay Marco na hindi gusto ng mga magulang niya na magkaboyfriend ang kanilang anak sa lalaking iba ang relihiyon. “Sorry Marc, but I love my parents more than I love you. Ayokong suwayin ang kanilang sinabi sapagkat sila ang nagpalaki sa akin. Sorry talaga,” ni Janet sabay iwan para umuwi.

Naiwan si Marco sa gitna ng bumubuhos na ulan na puno ng galit at puot sa sariling kagagawan. Hindi kasi niya inisip bago ginawa ang isang bagay kaya siya rin ang talo sa huli.....!