Tame The Innocent

-Sinulat ni April Ann Rose Cañada

Ako si Anne isang kolehiya, may crush ako sa school unang kita ko palang sa enrollment ay gusto ko na siya.At siya ay si Louie matangkad, matalino at syempre gwapo. Nagulat nga ako nung naging mag classmate kami, syempre natuwa ako. lalo na pag may seating arrangement parehong “C” kase ang apilyedo namin. Nahihirapan akong tingnan siya, natatakot kase akong mahuli niya akong nakatitg sa kanya. Kaya laging pasimpleng tingin lang pag ngumingiti siya, may kung ano sa puso ko na tuwang tuwa. Naging close din naman kami kahit papano.

Masaya ako pag kasama ko siya hanggang sa dumating yung time na dina kami nag usap, siguro nagkahiyaan o nagkatampuhan? diko alam. Pero kahit ganon, crush ko pa din siya, marupok ako ehh!! proud ako palagi sa mga naaachieve niya. Kahit sa mga magulang ko ipinagmamalaki ko siya, ganon ako ka proud sa kanya. Gustong gusto ko siya makita araw araw, kahit na alam kong wala lang ako sa kanya. Ganun talaga, kahit na alam kong hindi ako yung gusto niya, marupok nga ehh diba!! makulit kase akong babae, madaldal, galawgaw, parang may topak, wala sakin yung hinahanap niya.

Alam kong hindi niya ako gusto, at hindi niya ako magugustohan kahit kelan dahil sa itsura kong ito. Wala akong magagawa. Isang taga hanga lang ako sa kinikilig sa tuwing nag uusap o binabanggit niya ang pangalan ko. Sa mga pictures na ine edit o kina crop ko para lang masabing may picture kaming kami lang. Yung magkatabi lang kami kapag no choice na o wala nang upuang bakante. Sakeet tehhh, sobrang sakeeet… masakit palang magka gusto sa taong di naman mapapasayo, hindi mo masabing “Gusto kita Louie”. Pero kahit na ganon . Malaki parin ang pasalamat ko dahil bukod sa mga magulang ko, isa karin sa mga inspirasyon ko. Sa bawat araw ng pagpasok ko. next year gagraduate na tayo, goodluck sa career mo at sa career ko.

-Sinulat ni Rosie Jean N. Inday

Hinahanap ko si Kuya Nathaniel ngayon at ‘di ko alam kung saan na naman nagsusuot ang gwapong lalaking yun. Kanina pa ako naghihintay sa kanya at mag aalas sais na at hindi pa siya lumalabas sa silid-aralan niya. Kung ‘di lang kami magkapatid eh di sana kanina ko pa siya iniwan. Nasan na kaya siya?

Tumungo ako sa loob ng paaralan.Kanina pa kasi ako sa gate. Gabi na at ang
naaalintana ko lamang ay ang ilaw na nagmumula sa silid-aralan ni kuya. Bakit kaya ang tagal niyang lumabas? Eh dapat alas singko ng hapon ay nakasarado na ang lahat ng mga silid-aralan.

Habang nasa corridor ay rinig na rinig ko mula rito ang mga boses na nanggagaling sa loob ng kanilang silid. Nagbabakasakali akong sana ay nandoon pa si kuya pero parang iba yung mga boses na naririnig ko. Sumilip ako mula sa likod ng nakabukas na pintuan. Laking gulat ko nang makita ang… “Aray!” bigla akong nauntog nang maisara ko nang malakas ang pinto.”Patay na…” nasabi ko na lang ng pabulong.

“Uy,iha.Ano pa ang ginagawa mo rito? Ang ingay-ingay mo. Nakikita mong
nagmimeeting kaming mga guro at anong oras na. Bawal na ang mga estudyante rito.”

“Ayyy. Sorry po Punong-gurong Spencer. Hinahanap ko lang po kasi si kuya Nathaniel. Nagbabakasakali lang po ako na baka andito pa po siya”.

“Allaine, wala na rito ang kuya mo. Kanina pa ang class dismissal. Umuwi ka na.”

“Ah, ganun po ba? Salamat po Bb. Kim. Salamat nalang po sa inyo at paumanhin.”sambit ko kasabay ang pagtalikod nang dahan-dahan dahil sa kahihiyan.

Oo nga pala. Ginagawang meeting place ng mga guro ang classroom nila kuya. Pero ang gumugulo sa isipan ko ngayon ay kung paano ako makakauwi nito gayong ang napakabait kong kapatid ay iniwan ako nang ‘di ko man lang siya nakitang lumabas. Eh pa’no ba siya nakalabas nang ‘di ko man lang siya nakita?Napapansin kong may mali sa mga nangyayari pero tinatamad akong mag isip kung ano yun.

Habang palabas ako mula sa paaralan ay may napagtanto ako sa aking dinadaanan. Alam mo ‘yun? Parang may mali eh.

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ako ng aking pag iisip, bigla na lamang tumunog ang cellphone ko, hudyat na may nagtext.Pinindot ko yun at binasa.

“Allaine, umuwi ka na. Nasan ka ba? Andito na ako sa bahay. Kanina pa kita hinahanap” -mensahe galing kay kuya
Kaya nagreply ako.
“Huyy, kuya. Andito pa ako sa school. Kanina pa ako naghihintay sa’yo noh!? Ang bait bait mo talagang kapatid. ‘Eh paano ako makakauwi ngayon? Gabi na at ang layo pa ng bahay. Hahay. Sa susunod ako na ang magdadala ng sasakyan ah para hindi na ako maghintay ng ilang oras dito tapos magtetext kang nakauwi ka na pala.” ipinadala ko na ang mensahe.

“Kuya, sunduin mo naman ako dito oh.” pahabol ko pa.

Pinindot ko ang send icon para malaman ni kuya na hindi ako okay. Hindi talaga ako okay. Ipinagmamalaki niya pa sa nobya niya ang kabaitan niya. Akala mo naman mabait, eh iniwan nga niya ako dito nang mag-isa. Madilim na kaya ang daan.

Bumalik ako sa gate na hinihintayan ko sa kanya kanina. Para dito nalang ako sunduin ni kuya.Habang naghihintay, bigla na lamang tumunog ang cellphone ko at nasasabik na basahin ang reply ni kuya dahil masusundo na niya ako. Kaso mali pala kasi message not sent ang nakalagay. Kainissss!!! Bakit walang signal? Ilang beses kong niresend ang text ko. Nakakalima na yata ako ng resend. Anlabo namang walang signal eh siyudad tong lugar namin, wala naman ako sa probinsiya.Patuloy ako sa paggawa ng paraan para masend ang text at naiinis na ako dahil hindi talaga siya nasesend.
Nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa nang mapagtanto ko na wala nga pala akong
load.Malas ko talaga ngayong araw na ‘to.Eh pano ako ngayon masusundo ni kuya? Nagsasayang lang ako ng oras sa kakahintay.

Imbes na magpakatanga na naman ako rito, napagpasyahan kong maglakad na lamang. Mabuti at may mga tao pa akong nakikitang naglalakad din. Medyo umaambon na kaya tumakbo na lamang ako. Lumapad ang ngiti ko nang maaninag ang kanto ng aming subdivision.Nasa phase 1 lang ang bahay namin kaya di kalayuan.

Nang makita ko ang kalaki-laking bahay sa di kalayuan, gumaan ang loob ko dahil hudyat na malapit na ako sa pinakamamahal kong tirahan. “Lalalala…” kanta ko habang lumulundag.Malapit na ako sa gate namin at nagdadalawang- isip akong pindutin ang doorbell sa kadahilanang baka mapagalitan ako ni mommy at daddy dahil takipsilim na akong nakauwi.

Naniniwala na akong nandito na si kuya dahil kitang-kita mula sa gate ang
nakaparadang kotse niya katabi nun ang kotse ni Daddy.

“Kasalanan to ni kuya eh.” Akma ko na sanang pipindutin ang doorbell nang may biglang…

“Psst,Psst!” hindi ako lumingon.

“Psst,Psst!” hindi man lang ako sumulyap sa pinanggalingan nito pero nakikita ko sa aking peripheral vision na may lalaking nakatayo sa may gilid na ilang inches lang ang layo mula sa kinaroroonan ko.

“Psst,Psst!” Kinakabahan na ako rito sa kinatatayuan ko at nagdadalawang-isip akong lumingon.

“Psst,Psst!”
Lumalakas na ang pagsitsit nito kaya dahan-dahan kong tinungo ang aking ulo sa pinanggalingan nito.

Matangkad na lalaking kulay itim, salubong ang kilay na parang galit, malaki ang mga mata, at eyebags sa kailaliman nito. Sandali akong kumurap baka guni-guni ko lang ang lahat pero kahit ilang beses akong kumurap ay nandun pa rin ang lalaking yun. Palapit nang palapit ito sa akin.

“Diyos ko po!! Lumayo kang pangit ka!!”

Kinakabahan na ako at rinig na rinig ko ang mabilis na pagkabog ng aking dibdid dahil sa takot.

“May pangit na lalaki!!” sigaw ko nang palapit pa ito sa akin. Sisigaw pa sana ako nang bigla akong nakaramdam ng malakas na hampas sa batok. Binatukan ako ng lalaking pangit.

“Huyy!! Makapintas ka naman. Kung pangit ako, pangit ka rin. Ang dugong
nananalaytay dito sa katawan ko ay dugo mo rin. Magkamukha lang tayo!! At isa pa, ba’t magdodoorbell ka diyan? Eh dito sa kabila ang bahay natin. Huyy!! Baka nakalimutan mong gawa lang sa kahoy ang bahay natin. “

Napagtanto kong si kuya pala ang lalaking yun.

“Ikaw naman kasi kuya, nakakatakot ka. Pero totoo yung sinabi ko ah.”

“Alin dun? Yung nakakatakot ako?”

“Hindi, yung isa ko pang sinabi.” Binatukan na naman ako ni kuya kaya dali-dali akong pumasok sa bahay.

“Allaine, bakit ngayon ka lang? Gabi na ah. Bakit hindi ka sumabay sa kuya mong umuwi?”mala imbestigador na kinuwestiyon ako ni Mommy nang nakapameywang pa na kung titigan nang matagal ay parang isang magandang matandang naagawan ng tungkod.

“Eh, ma. Iniwan kaya ako ni kuya sa school. Ilang oras akong naghintay sa labas nang magtext siyang nakauwi na pala siya.”Biglang pumasok si Kuya.

“Huyy, Huy, Huy! Anong iniwan sa school eh hindi nga kita nakita paglabas ko.“

“Hay naku, kuya. Eh ikaw yung hindi ko nakitang lumabas eh. Eh baka nagcutting ka. “

“Anong nagcutting? Eh hindi nga ako kailanman nagcutting. Ano bang sinabi ko sa’yo kaninang umaga? “

“Hmm… Sabi mo, hintayin kita sa labas. “
“Oh, naghintay ka ba? “
“Oo naman kuya”
“San ka naghintay?”
“Sa labas nga tulad ng sabi mo”
“Saang labasan nga? “
“Meron pa bang ibang labasan?”
“ Saan ka nga naghintay?”
“Hmm…dun sa… ENTRANCE”

“Hahayy. Allaine. Bakit ka sa entrance naghintay? Malamang hindi kita makikita dun
kasi ang labasan sa exit”
“Oo nga noh? Kaya pala parang may mali sa dinadaanan ko kanina.Pero kuya.
Labasan pa rin yun. Sa labas nga lang ng entrance. “
“Hayyy. Ang talinong bata! “

-Story by Shaira Pelayo

The weather’s so clear, the sky’s so blue, yet his heart was completely covered with dew. The birds around him kept on chirping happily as if inviting him to sing along with them. But Vishnu doesn’t feel like singing or even smiling. The brunette had just experienced a broken heart. Gulping the remaining ice macchiato he was holding, the man slowly brought his head down to once again read the last message he received from his ex-girlfriend, Xyla, 3 days ago. The corner of his mouth instantly curved downward in defeat. Bored, she said. Bored. Boredom wins over their relationship which had lasted for a year.

“Is it really that easy to let go? To say goodbye?” Vishnu sighed and turned off the phone.

“Not only that, you also left me such a deep scars.” His face contorted with a mixture of anger, sadness, and disappointment. The brunette abruptly stood up, changing his expression into one determine face.

“I’ll leave to Japan, anyway.” He mumbled as he went home.

In the middle of the waiting room, a brunette wearing a black cap, a black HBD hoodie,and a black jeans accompanied by his black traveling bag seated there, staring at nothing. It’s funny if you ask him how he ended wearing all black -as if he’s mourning, well, maybe he is- but he originally planned to wear something yellow or blue or rainbow last night. Now that he’s wearing all black, it’s still a mystery how he ended up like that.

His whole demeanor was a complete opposite with his surroundings. It’s still 4:10 a.m. but the airport was already lively with it’s numerous passengers. Airport never rest, it’s always open 24 hours a day, always offering a one last goodbye to those who leaves and a sweet welcome back to those who comes back.

“All passengers leaving for Tokyo by Japan Airlines with a flight number J703 can proceed to the plane from gate 2B.”

Vishnu awoke from his reverie upon hearing the loud announcement. He picked up the black traveling bag as he stood up, breathing a big amount of air in the process. As he was about to head toward the gate that he was informed to, he was startled when someone bumped into him.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Vishnu apologized as he took a step back.
“A-re you okay?” He added, voice filled with worry.
The girl only nodded her head before she continued walking.

“H-Hey,” the guy’s voice stopped the girl and she once again turned to him “You dropped this,” he continued as he awkwardly handed the small container of gum.

A pregnant silence enveloped them as the girl stared at him intensely -blue eyes burning with something he can’t put a finger on.
“It’s a melon flavored.” Vishnu looked taken a back with the statement, “Huh?”
“Take that,” the girl said leaving him completely.

It’s already night when he reached his temporary apartment that Eijun -his Japanese friend- rented for him. Upon entering his new home -for the meantime- a cold shiver ran down on his spine. He doesn’t want to admit it but the apartment was kinda creepy. Maybe because of the croaked sound the door made when he shut it down or the water that dropped from the broken faucet or maybe the room was naturally creepy.

But nonetheless, the room was spacious enough for him. It had a single bed, a closet, a small bathroom, and a combination of sala and kitchen set. Though the paint-less walls -plus the small hole in the edge adjacent to his bed bothered him. Not that much but maybe he can put a curtain or two on that wall. But aside from that, everything was good for him.

Vishnu dropped to the bed and as he felt the comfort of the bed, tiredness immediately washed over him. Seconds passed by, Vishnu succumbed to sleep.

He’s sleeping peacefully when a loud banged awaken him. Sitting straight he rubbed his eyes with his knuckles, fighting the sleepiness. He yawned but stopped midway when another banged -but twice the loud this time. Vishnu was now fully awake, senses heightened as he stared intensely at the wall where the noise came from.

A shriek escaped from his mouth when he heard the shattering of the plates and maybe some glasses. Not long after that, he heard some footsteps. At first, he heard it faintly but after some seconds the stomped became louder and harder. It suspiciously sounded like someone was running. Vishnu sighed in relief -seemingly not noticing how he stopped breathing altogether- that now he somehow guessed what were the noises about.

“Too bad, guess I have a very noisy and annoying neighbours.” He mumbled tiredly, shoulder slumped down in fatigue as his brown orbs lingered at the digital clock, 12:01 am.

As the brunette attempted to sleep again however, the noises went double. Spitting incoherent words the Brunette jumped out from his bed and waltzed toward the small hole he saw the first time he stepped a foot in there. Breathing heavily, Vishnu decided to peep on the hole.

Expecting to see some kids running or a furnitures or anything that connected to that noises however, he doesn’t expect to saw nothing. Or maybe he saw a thing? But it’s vivid!

“So my neighbour has a blue . . . wall?” Vishnu murmured confusedly. That night he decided to sleep with an earphones plugged on his ears.

The noises happened again on the second day.
And the third day.
And the fourth day.

Tonight marked the fifth day and Vishnu was more than determined to find out what’s really happening in the other side. Although he tried his uttermost to knocked the door of his (noisy) neighbour multiple times but no one answered him. His attempts were futile. But he can’t give up. No, he will never give up.

Seated on the wooden chair facing the hole, the brunette patiently waited for the clock to struck 12. He doesn’t understand why but the noises only happened in midnight.

It always started at 12 and ended at 3 am. Only one minute left before 12 and Vishnu kept on peeping on the hole.

It’s dark.
He can’t see anything but darkness.

He tried to peep again but was startled when a loud banged was heard. Trying to calmed his erratic heart Vishnu then proceeded to his mission. Peeping again on the hole for the umpteenth time, the brunette’s lips formed a frown when his orbs met with the familiar blue wall.
Again?

“Why is it always happen-” he didn’t finished his sentence when a sinister laugh echoed in the silent night.
A shiver ran down his spine.

The next day the brunette decided to watch cinema just to relax. He doesn’t get a wink of sleep last night after that noises and he badly wanted to just enjoy his stay there. It seems like going to Japan was a bad idea at all but he doesn’t want to regret it.

Entering the dark room, Vishnu gasped when his brown orbs met a very familiar figure. “Bubble gum girl . . ?” His eyes trained at the girl clinging tightly with some dude he doesn’t know. Lips forming a thin line, he averted his eyes on the screen.

After the movie ended Vishnu found himself seeking for that Bubble Gum Girl but he saw the black raven instead. Then his eyes shifted to the silver necklace lying on the seat where the girl was previously seated. Vishnu fished it out before he called the guy’s attention.

“Excuse me, your girlfriend drop this,” Vishnu said as handed the necklace.
The guy stared at him as if he grown a 3 heads. Vishnu frowned when the guy only stared at him confusedly.

“Don’t you heard me?” Vishnu hesitantly asked. Staring at him straight on the eyes, the guy then declared,
“Sorry. But I came here alone.”

It was raining cats and dogs and the wind slapped him harshly causing him to shivered in coldness. His hold on his cardigan tighten and as he was about to entered his apartment he saw a bulky man walking on his way wearing a dark shaded glasses through his peripheral vision.
The man was intimidating as its finest.

“Good evening Young man.” A deep husky voice greeted him in a surprising polite way.
“A-h g-good evening Mr..?”
“Kataoka.”
“Ah yes. Good evening Mr Kataoka. H-how can I help you?” Vishnu mentally slapped himself for stuttering a little too much. Mr Kataoka then introduced himself formally.
Saying that he’s the owner of this apartment building and upon hearing it, Vishnu can’t help his excitement.

“You’re the owner of this apartment building, Mr Kataoka?”
“As what I’ve said earlier, yes I am.” Kataoka said in a stern voice. Vishnu looked down in shame. He suddenly felt like being reprimanded by his father.

“I-f that s-so. Can I ask who are my neighbours?” He asked in a small voice.
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no! Ah – I mean y-yes. I’ll be staying here for a month but, I can’t sleep at night because of the noises that my neighbour’s emitted.”
“And who are these neighbours you’re referring?”
“T-that room,” Vishnu pointed the room beside his with a shaking finger. A silence washed over them before Kataoka raised his brow.
Confusion. That’s the very emotion Mr Kataoka’s face displayed. The first expression Vishnu saw that night.

“I’m sorry Young man but no one lives there. The last family who live there left the place after their daughter died.”

Vishnu’s mind instantly went chaos. How could it be possible? He’s hundred percent sure that there’s someone who live there. Those noises, those footsteps, are all of that an illusion?

“Excuse me Sir but how did their daughter died?” He questioned still in disbelief.
“Suicide. Their daughter was a beautiful lady that has a striking blue eyes. The parents doesn’t know why she committed suicide though . . .” Mr Kataoka continued to talked but Vishnu turned deaf.
No one lives there.
They had a daughter.
She committed suicide.
And she has a blue eyes.
Vishnu fainted on his spot after all the informations sunk down.

-Original Composed by RJ

Pag nagkagusto ako sa isang tao, ako yung tipong “Oo, gusto ko siya” at never komg hinahangad o hahangarin nq magkagusto din sa akin yung taong yun. Never kong dapat i expect na he will like me back kasi hindi naman lahat ng taong nagugustuhan mo ay magugustuhan ka rin in the same way you did. You can’t force a person to love you kasi lang mahal mo rin siya. Hindi naman yung tao mismo ang pipili kung sino ang mamahalin niya. Only your hearts will choose who could it be and who’s the right person for you to love pero hindi naman lahat ng nilalaman ng puso mo ay tamang tao. Minsan, napipili ng puso natin ang maling tao.

Gaya na lamang ng one sided love, yung tipong mahal mo siya pero hindi ka niya mahal kasi iba yung minamahal niya. Kailangan mo na lang tanggapin na ganun talaga kasi ang girap maghabol sa taong iba yung hinahabol.Ang hirap magmahal sa taong iba yung minamahal at mas lalong mahirap na nasasaktan ka nga pero wala siyang pakialam. Naniniwala kasi ako na selfless yung love. Selfless, kasi pagdating sa love, hindi dapat pansariling kasiyahan lang yung iniisip mo. Kung talagang mahal mo yung tao, ipapaubaya mo na lamang yung kasiyahan mo para sa kasiyahan niya. Pipiliin mo na lamang ang maging masaya siya sa iba kahit na ikaw yung masasaktan. Your heart is so precious para masayang lang sa taong hindi ka kayang mahalin.

Para sa akin, ang totoong pagmamahal ay yung kaya at pwede kang ipaglaban laban sa mga hadlang. Yung tipong handang ipaglaban ang pagmamahal niya para manatili ka lang. Sa anumang dagok ng buhay ay andiyan pa rin siya inaalalayan at sinasamahan ka. Yung taong ilang beses mo mang ipagtabuyan ay hindi ka pa rin niya kayang iwan. Yung taong iniintindi ka sa pagkakataong walang sinuman ang nakakaintindi sayo. Yung taong kaya kang patawanin kahit sa mga corny jokes nito. Kakantahan ka kahit na boses palaka siya. Yung taong hindi ka sasaktan kahit sinasaktan mo siya. Yung taong may pakialam tungkol sa mga nararamdaman mo.

True love waits ika nga. You need to be patient to find that right person. That right person is to be given by God in his perfect time. Be patient enough at wag magmadali sa ganitong bagay. Dadating at dadating din yung perfect time na yun. Yung kusang ibibigay sayo ng Diyos na hindi mo na kailangan pilitin ang sarili mong magmahal. That true love is your true happiness. Hindi lahat ng taong kayang pangitiin ay kaya ka ring mahalin. Hindi lahat taong magugustuhan mo ay magugustuhan ka rin. Hindi lahat ng taong gusto mong manatili ay mananatili hanggang sa huli kasi sa milyon-milyong tao na nandito sa mundo isa lang yung nakalaan para sayo.

Marami pang iba diyan na siguro’y pasimpleng naghihintay sayo pero di mo lang napapansin dahil busy ka sa paghahabol sa taong iba naman ang gusto. Minsan, kung sino pa yung taong hindi mo man lang napapansin ay siya pa lang nagmamahal sayo nang totoo.Nagiging bulag ka lang kasi iba naman ang hinahanap ng mga mata mo. Pagdating sa pag-ibig, nagiging bulag yung tao. Hindi literal na pagiging bulag. Nabubulag tayo sa pag-ibig dahil ang nakikita lamang ng mga mata natin ay kung gaano kaganda ang katangian ng minamahal natin. Minsan nga, sa pagiging bulag ng tao pagdating sa pag-ibig ay nagiging tao ito. Yung tipong hindi na niya nakikita ang kamalian ng tao dahil ang lahat ng kamalian nito ay natatakpan na ng pag-ibig.

May mga taong pinagtagpo nga pero hindi naman itinadhana. May mga taong maaaring mahal ngayon at maaaring bukas ay hindi na. Meron din andiyan ngayon at bukas maaaring wala na. Ang hirap i predict ng mga nangyayari. That’s why you should accept what’s going on in a good way. Mas mabuti na ang masaktan kesa ikaw yung makasakit. Mas mabuti na ang iwanan kesa ikaw yung mang-iwan. Mas mabuti na ang umiwas kesa ang magpakatanga. Aside all of these, you should love yourself kasi sa oras na masaktan ka, yang sarili mo lang ang mananatili at magtatayo sayo mula sa pagkadapa at kukumbinse sayong patuloy kang lumaban at wag kang susuko.