Urban Legend: The Kid's Reincarnation

May mag asawang binayayaan ng magandang katangian sa panlabas na kaanyuhan. Kaya ng malaman ng dalawa na magiging magulang na sila, umasa sila na kung ano man ang kasarian ng bata, ay pwede nila itong ipagmalaki sa kanilang kaibigan.

Nang manganak si Ella, ganon na lamang ang kanyang pagkabigo ng makita nya ang itsura ng kanyang anak. Ganon din ang naramdaman ni Rico ng makita ang bunga ng kanilang pagiging mag asawa.

Ang batang kanilang inaasam ay hindi kagandahan. Masasabi din na hindi nila maipagmamalaki ang batang pinangalan nilang Eliz. Naiiba ang itsura ng bata. Kahit na makinis ang balat nito at mapungay ang mga mata, nagpapangit ang malaking balat nito sa mukha at ang hindi magandang hubog ng ilong nito.

Sa kabila ng pagiging iba ng itsura nito, nagawa pa din nila itong mahalin at protektahan sa ibang tao, lalo na kapag ito ay naaapi. Namuhay si Eliz na nakakulong lamang sa bahay nila.

Sa pagdating ng kaarawan ni Eliz, naisipan ng pamilya na magbakasyon. At naisipan nilang sila-sila na lamang ang magdiwang ng kaarawan ni Eliz, at pinili nilang sa probinsya na lamang sila magbakasyon.

Habang nasa byahe, nakaramdam ng panankit ng puson si Eliz. Nai-ihi ang bata. Itinigil ni Rico sasakyan at sinamahan ni Ella ang kanyang anak na makaihi.

Napunta ang mag ina sa parteng may bangin, at dun napili ni Ella paihiin si Eliz.

Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas, tumatakbong lumapit si Ella kay Rico. Umiiyak ito at parang nababaliw sa kakapalahaw. Sinasabi nyang nahulog si Eliz sa bangin at hindi nya ito nagawang tulungan.

Nagpatawag ng tulong si Rico at di rin nagtagal, may mga otoridad na tumulong sa mag asawa.

Sa pagkawala ni Eliz, nangulila si Rico, samantalang si Ella ay namuhay na ng normal. Ngunit hindi rin nagtagal, nagkaron muli sila ng anak, at pinangalanan nila ito ng Arthur.

Malayo ang itsura ni Arthur kay Eliz. Masasabing gwapo at maaring ipagmalaki. Naging masaya ang buhay ng magpamilya, at lumalaki si Arthur na matalino at madaling makakilala sa mga tao, at bilang gantimpala sa kanilang anak na bibo, napili nilang mag asawa na ipagdiwang ang kaarawan ng bata sa ibang probinsya naman.

Nakarating naman sila sa kanilang destinasyon ng ligtas, at nagdiwang sila na parang walang bukas.

Napili ngayon ng pamilya na gumala sa probinsya, at nataon naman na naiihi ang bata. Dahil sila-silang mag anak lang ang nasa lugar, pinili na lamang ni Ella na samahan ang anak nya sa isang medyo mapunong lugar.

Habang naglalakad ang bata, napansin ni Ella na naging balisa ang bata at parang hindi ito mapakali. Bilang ina, nag alala na ito kaya minabuti nyang tanungin ang bata.

"Anak, what's wrong?" Tanong ni Ella.

Hindi agad sumagot ang bata, blangko itong nakatingin sa kanyang ina.

"Tell mommy, anong nararamdaman ng baby ko?" Tanong ulit ni Ella kay Arthur.

"Natatakot ako mommy," sagot ng bata.

"Bakit naman?" Tanong ulit ng kanyang ina.

Biglang kinilabutan ang ina, at ang lahat ng kilabot ng nakaraan ay nanumbalik sa sinagot ni Arthur... "Natatakot ako mommy, baka itulak mo ulit ako." Sagot ni Arthur.

At my young age

The first encounter with the paranormal was when I was a first grader. Being young, I never thought of any out-of-ordinary situation – even ghosts, although I heard a lot of story about them. As a child, all I can do is to sit around, listen to our maid’s stories and get scared, so I can sleep early at night. It never came to my mind that I will experience something out-of-ordinary that will emboss to my mind until now.

It’s a sunny morning, and our break is just about to end. I walk to my teacher to ask permission if I can go out to have a pee. She just nodded. Our classroom is just next to the comfort room, so I will never be late if ever my teacher starts her discussion.

Upon entering the CR, two sixth graders entered the room before me, the shorter one occupied the first cubicle, and her friend just waited outside, next to the door while they chatted. I was about to enter the second cubicle when I notice a girl wearing a white blouse and a blue skirt entered the third cubicle. She even wears her hair in pigtails and I find it cute, but I just shrugged and proceeded to the cubicle. While doing my business, it came to my mind that maybe she’s a kindergarten because she’s smaller than me, but I felt odd. Her uniform is different; her skirt supposed to be in color green if she’s part of this school. So it came to myself that maybe, she’s just visitor or a daughter of some teacher in that school, I didn’t care at all. After a few seconds of brainstorming about the little girl, I heard a lady crying. I thought it was from the sixth grader who occupied the first cubicle, but to my surprise that cry didn’t belong to her or to them.

“Girl, ikaw ba yung naiyak? (Girl, are you crying?)” Her friend from the outside asked.

“Hindi. (Nope)” Her friend answered.

“Bata, ikaw ba yung naiyak? (Hey kid, are you the one crying?)” She’s pertaining to me now, I just said no.

“Baka naman yung bata sa dulong cubicle. (maybe the little girl at the third cubicle is crying)” her friend said while she’s still in cubicle.

“Baka nga... (maybe...)” then the girl from the outside called the girl from the third cubicle, but no answer.

This time, I went outside from the cubicle and so the short sixth grader too. The three of us can still hear the unknown owner of the cry, until that time it never came to my mind that we are haunted. Due to curiosity, I walk through the third cubicle and knocked on the door, but there’s no answer. I never hesitated to push the door to see who’s in there, but to my surprise, no one was there! The cubicle was empty, but the cry still lingers to that room!

The three of us ran out from that comfort room! We never screamed, but we know we are looking pale as a sheet. When I entered my room, my teacher noticed my beaded sweats forming from my forehead. From her eyes, I can tell that she wanted to ask questions and I know she saw us running out from the CR, but then I chose to be quite and never discuss anything that I have been encountered. Then, I swear to myself that I’ll never go to that CR ever, even if I have a company.

Hair Touch

Everybody likes Andrea’s long, straight black hair; some envy her for having that lavishing hair. Every girl in her school turn their heads whenever she passed them by; her classmates love to make fun with her hair and sometimes, the boys that is close to her tries to caress it.
Her hair is outstanding! And whenever she was asked what she did to her hair, she always answers “Shampoo and conditioner. I also make sure that I rinsed my hair thoroughly so it won’t feel sticky.”
“Pero bakit ang lambot-lambot ng buhok mo? Eh gano’n din naman ang ginagawa ko sa buhok ko eh.” Grace asked for more, while she’s combing Andrea’s hair.
“You’ve encountered a lot of hair treatment, so I’ll suggest na dapat i-hot oil mo din yang buhok mo.”
Grace just shrugged, and kept combing Andrea’s hair, noticing some strands are falling, but she didn’t mind it.
Andrea and Grace are friends since their freshmen years in college. Grace actually fell in love on Andrea’s hair since she thought that it’s amazing and one of a kind. That’s why she befriended Andrea, and now that they are in there sophomore life, they still stick together.
Grace loves to experiment Andrea’s hair because her friend always let it loose and never tried to put accessories on it or tuck it with just ponytail – this must be the reason why Andrea manage to have a perfect straight hair.
According to Andrea, she never put any chemicals on her – even hair polish, gel or hot oil. She makes it natural so the natural nutrients won’t be destroyed. “Maarte ka kasi!” Grace said – her usual answer.
Andrea will laugh it out and cuddle her friend.

One night, Grace become weary, and somehow become bothered; she can’t sleep. She keeps on glancing on Andrea’s picture – looking happy while holding a lollipop trying, to put on Grace’s mouth.
Grace smiled for a while and tried her best to sleep, luckily she did.
The next morning, Grace didn’t see Andrea; she checked every place that Andrea would go to, but no luck. Grace even asked her some classmates who know Andrea, but it seems she never show to school.
For two weeks of being invisible in school, Grace become worried and decided to go to Andrea’s house, and hoping that somehow she can talk to her friend.
As Grace approaching to Andrea’s house, she saw Linda – the maid on Andrea’s house – sweeping their garage. “Te, nand’yan ba si Andrea?” Grace asked the maid.
“Naku, ikaw pala Grace. Wala si Andrea ngayon dito, nasa ospital s’ya apat na araw na nga s’yang nando’n eh.” Linda answered.
Without hesitations, Grace asked the hospital where Andrea was confined and went straight to said hospital. And it’s almost past one in the afternoon when she got to the hospital.
After asking where Andrea Baldemoro’s room, she went straight to it and immediately found the room that she’s been looking for.
She took a peek on the private room and saw Andrea, she’s alone and staring blankly out of the window and looking so sad.
Grace softly opened the door; Andrea was somehow surprised to see her friend slowly walking to her. “What are you doing here?” Andrea asked with a welcoming smile to her friend that was approaching to her.
Grace, on her wittingly attitude replied back, “I should ask you the same question, what are you doing here?” then she laughed.
Andrea laughs at her friend’s corny joke. Grace sat beside Andrea, and then caressed her hair, but when Grace was about to reach Andrea’s hair, Andrea took her hand and hold it like she won’t trade it for anything.
“Tell me, what’s wrong?” Grace asked her friend who’s still holding her hand.
“Nothing, it’s just that I’m gonna miss this hand.” Andrea replied with a sad tone. “This hand protected me, love me and adore me for who I am – especially my hair. Hahaha…” She added, trying her best to keep the blue away between them.
Grace felt a little bit odd to her friend, but she kept quite and sat still.
Andrea lay her head to Grace, “When I was a 4th year student back in high school, I was diagnosed with Leukemia.”
Grace’s eyes open widely with shock. “But --”
“Yes, you might think I’m healthy these past few months, but I’m not. Somehow I got cured, but it was just temporary. I keep taking medicine and had check ups always, but I’m getting tired of it.” Andrea allegedly spoke up before Grace can say something. Liquids formed to Andrea’s eyes, but she makes sure that Grace won’t see it.
Grace knows the weight of her friend’s dilemma, so she gently caressed her friend’s hair – to feel her support. On doing this, she noticed strands of hair are pulling out on Andrea’s head. She looks further now on Andrea’s hair and she noticed that it’s getting thinner. Somehow, she understands why Andrea keeps her hair long and she stays away from hair chemicals. When she fix Andrea’s hair and put it on her side, she noticed some bruises that formed to Andrea’s shoulder up to the back of head. Grace really felt sorry for her friend.
“Grace, you must take care always, especially your health. And don’t worry about me… I will be alright. I’m getting tired anyway, so maybe I need a rest. Will you stay beside me and hold my hand until I fall to sleep?” Andrea asked as she laid her body to the bed.
Grace just nodded and helped her friend to lie down, holding her hand. Knowing what might happen to her friend, she tries her best not to let down a tear from her eyes. Grace sat beside Andrea and fell asleep too.

Grace woke up when she felt someone cold hand caressing her hair. She opened her eyes a little bit and took a glimpse on the wall clock; it says 6:30 in the evening. Then she saw a lady that looks like in her age. She’s wearing a white dress and somehow glowing, what she noticed is the hair; it looks like Andrea’s hair.
“Take care my friend, I’m always watching you. Don’t worry about me, I will be fine.” Said the lady, then the apparition vanished into thin air.
Due to shocking experience, Grace finally woke up – in reality, she never knew if what happened a while ago was a dream or real. Then, she felt something cold was holding her, it was Andrea’s! With teary eyes, she called someone for help!

Sister's Lullaby

Isn’t it feels good that even though your love ones already passed away, they are still lurking around not to scare us, but to take care or look for us, though they are not around physically. Like what I’ve heard from my friend. This story was related to me, and here it goes.

Kat and Lyn are very good friends, although they are not close at that time… but there is one incident that these two kept their friendships tight, and that incident happened when Lyn had a sleepover at Kat’s house.

Kat has a cousin - a three year old boy named JC. JC is a chubby child, he’s cute and his cheeks are red as cherries. He’s talkative and very spontaneous – base on Lyn’s description.
During her stay at Kat’s house, she noticed that JC was so jolly though, he’s all alone. He often laughs and he’s really trying hard to talk, like he’s talking to someone; and he keeps staring at the wall like someone is standing in front of him.
Lyn didn’t pay much attention to the child, because she thought that JC was just playing with his imaginary friend, and that’s normal for his age.

While Lyn was getting ready to go to bed, she noticed her friend accompanied JC to other room that was next to Kat’s room. Kat stayed there for ten minutes, and when she went out, Lyn asked her what she did from the other room. She knows that no one was there, Kat left JC alone.
“ Pinatulog ko lang s’ya.” Kat replied.
“ Bakit mo iniwan mag-isa ‘yun? Okey lang ba kahit mag-isa lang s’ya? ” Lyn asked worriedly.
“ Matutulog naman na ‘yun,” She said. “ Tsaka okey lang s’ya.” Then she smiled.
Puzzled, Lyn didn’t mind it, though she’s worried. She lied beside her friend and call it a night.
Lyn suddenly woke up, because she has to take a pee. She walked outside the room to look for comfort room. She passed JC’s room and let herself went in to the CR.
When she was about to get out from the CR, she suddenly heard JC crying. “He’s awake!” Lyn taught.
She rushed to JC’s room to comfort the child. But when she was about to turn the knob, she heard someone is singing a lullaby. It was a lovely and very solemn, even Lyn was amazed with the voice she heard. She can no longer hear JC cries; on the other hand, Lyn was relaxed because the child was already asleep again.

She went back to her friend’s room, but when she was about to step inside, she heard the door from JC opened. She saw a lady wearing uniform went outside. The lady was wearing black blazer and slacks with white vertical line prints on it - like an anchor from a TV news programs.
The lady smiled at Lyn and put her forefinger to her lips, saying ‘keep quiet’. Lyn just nodded her head and smiled back. The lady walks away and Lyn went back to the room to find her friend snoring. She lied down next to her friend and slept.

The next morning, Lyn find her self alone in the room. She got up and fixed herself. While Lyn was combing her hair in front of the mirror, she noticed some pictures that are inserted to it.

Kat entered her room to find Lyn staring at one particular picture.
“Sino ‘to?” Lyn asked as she pointed to the solo picture of a lady.
“Pinsan ko ‘yan.” Kat smiled as she answered, “Bakit?”
“Nakita ko s’yang lumabas sa kwarto ni JC kagabi.”
“You just met her,” She said nothing-at-all. “Tatlong taon na s’yang patay.”
Lyn’s eyes went open-wide upon hearing her friend’s statement. She got tingling feeling down to her spine and makes her hair from her back stood up.
According to Kat, the lady was named Anne, and she was the sister of JC. When JC was just an infant, Anne was like a mother to him. She was always at the side of JC whenever her Tita (Anne and JC’s mother) was away. Anne sings lullaby at JC to make him fall to sleep every night. And when JC turned ten months, Anne met an accident. She was hit-and-run by a drunken driver one late at night. She was about to go home rushing because she knows that JC might refuse to sleep when she’s not around.
“She’s wearing a black blazer at slacks di’ba?” Kat asked Lyn who was staring pale at her. Lyn nodded.
“Yun ang suot n’ya nung nasagasaan s’ya.” Kat said.
“You mean, s’ya yung narinig ko kagabi?” Lyn still can’t believe on what her friend was telling to her.
“Oo. Actually hindi na ako tumayo nung narinig kong umiyak yung bata, kasi alam ko ipaghe-hele s’ya ng ate n’ya.” Kat replied. “Maganda talaga boses n’ya, kaya hindi nakakapagtaka kung bakit nakakatulog kagad si JC sa kanya.” She added.

Kat told Lyn that JC’s late sister still look for him – every where the child goes. Since JC was the youngest, and her Ate Anne was obliged to take care of him, she never failed of making his little brother fall back to sleep again in some uncomfortable nights - even after life.

Reunion

May apat na magkakaibigan, pawang mga high school students at pumapasok sa iisang paaralan. Gamit ang mga pangalan nila, pinangalanan nila ang kanilang grupo ng ‘TALK’ – dahil na rin sa tuwing makikita mo sila tuwing recess at lunch, sobra sila kung magusap. Tawanan, asaran at kung ano-ano pa.

Sila Tina, Amy, Lanie at Kian ay magkakaibigan na simula pa lang nang mag first year high school sila, kaya’t dismayado silang apat ng malaman nila na hindi pare-parehong paaralan ang papasukan nila pagdating nila sa kolehiyo.

Nang makagraduate ang magkakaibigan, nagkaro’n pa sila ng munting salo-salo sa bahay ni Lanie, para kahit sa huling araw nila bilang mga estudyante ng high school ay sila-sila pa rin ang magkakasama. Nangako sila sa isa’t isa na paglipas ng limang taon, ay dapat magkaro’n silang apat ng reunion. Walang dapat absent at walang dapat umayaw o magkaro’n ng dahilan para hindi maka-attend sa nasabing reunion.
Nag-set ng date si Kian, “March 10, *year*, dapat magkita-kita tayo.”
“Pa’no kung may date kami ng boss ko na’n?” Pabirong tanong ni Tina.
“Eh ‘di makipag-break ka kung ayaw kang payagan!” Suhestyon naman ni Amy.
Nagkatawanan lang ang apat, at nang lumalim na ang gabi. Nagdesisyon ang lahat na umuwi na, bitbit ang mga nireregalo sa isa’t isa.
Iyon na ang huli nilang pagkikita.

Lumipas ang araw, buwan at taon. Pare-pareho silang naging abala sa pag-aaral. At unti-unti na nga nilang nalimutan ang magkamustahan o magparamdam man lang sa isa’t isa.

Isang gabi, habang himbing na natutulog si Tina, bigla na lamang s’ya naalimpungatan dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam sa loob ng kanyang kwarto. Lumamig ang kanyang paligid at nagkaro’n s’ya ng pakiramdam na parang hindi s’ya nag-iisa.
Pumupungas-pungas s’yang naupo sa kanyang kama, at ng malinawan na n’ya ang kanyang paningin. Kahit medyo madilim, may nakita s’yang babaeng nakaupo sa paanan ng kama n’ya. Mahaba ang buhok nito at naka kamiseta itong puti.

Lumingon sa kanya ang babae, nakilala naman agad ito ni Tina.
“Kian!” Usal n’ya, “kanina ka pa ba d’yan?” Tanong nito.
“Hindi, kadadating ko lang.” Nakangiting sagot sa kanya ng kaibigan.
“Paano ka nakapasok dito?” Tanong agad ni Tina.
Ngunit imbes na sumagot si Kian sa tanong ng kaibigan, nagpaalala lang ito sa kanya. “Friend, punta ka naman sa amin… kailangan kita do’n eh…” May halo pang panlalambing sa boses nito.
Natawa si Tina sa inasal ng kaibigan n’ya, “hindi ka na talaga nagbago, ‘pag may kailangan ka… dun ka lang naglalambing.” Ani nito. “Kailan mo ba ako kailangan?” Humahagikhik na tanong ni Tina.
“Sa Lunes na ‘yun. Basta, punta ka hah? Please…” Pagpipilit pa ni Kian.
“Oo na pupunta na ako. Patulugin mo muna ako.” Saka ito humiga ulit at nagtalukbong ng kumot.

Ngunit biglang may naalala si Tina, kaya’t bumangon uli s’ya mula sa pagkakahiga upang kausapin muli ang kaibigan na dumalaw, ngunit sa kanyang pagtataka, nawala din ito agad.
Labis na napag-isip dito si Tina, ni hindi man lamang n’ya naramdaman na umalis ito sa kanyang paanan o narinig na bumukas ang pinto. Dito na natakot ang dalaga at ng tiningnan n’ya ang kanyang relo sa tabi ng kama n’ya, nakita n’ya na ala-una na ng madaling araw. Lubos na nagtaka ang dalaga. Paanong nangyari nakapunta at nakapasok si Kian ng gano’ng oras sa kanilang bahay – lalo na sa kanyang kwarto? Nagtalukbong uli s’ya ng kumot at pinilit na matulog.

Lunes ng tanghali, habang naghahanda si Tina sa kanyang lakad, bigla na lamang n’yang narinig ang telepono. Sinagot n’ya ito at nabosesan n’ya ang nasa kabilang linya.
“Tina, ready ka na ba d’yan?” Tanong ng babae sa kabilang linya.
“Opo Ms. Kian Ramos.” Sagot naman ni Tina.
“Sige, maghihintay ako sa pagdating mo…”
“Teka Kian, tatanungin ko lang sana--” hindi na naituloy ni Tina ang kanyang itatanong ng marinig nitong binaba na ng kausap ang telepono.
Saktong pagbaba ng telepono, nakaramdam na naman s’ya ng ibang presensya sa loob ng kanyang kwarto. Parang may nakatitig mula sa kanyang likod. Takot man s’yang lingunin ito, naglakas loob itong lingunin sa pag-aakalang may makikita s’ya. Meron nga, ang repleksyon n’ya sa salamin, kung saan kita din n’ya ang larawan ni Kian at ang maligalig nitong ngiti sa larawan.
Napangiti si Tina, sabay labas ng kwarto.

Habang naglalakad si Tina papuntang bahay nila Kian, nakaamoy s’ya ng sampaguita. Luminga-linga ang dalaga upang maghanap ng tanim na sampaguita, ngunit dismayado ito.
Malapit na n’yang marating ang bahay nila Kian. Malayo pa lang, tanaw na tanaw n’ya ang liwanag ng ilaw na nagmumula lamang sa tarangkahan ng bahay ng kaibigan. Nang makatapat na s’ya dun, nagulat s’ya sa kanyang nakita. May ataul sa harap ng bahay nila Kian.
Agad s’yang napansin ng nanay ni Kian – si Aling Ester.
“Tina, nand’yan ka na pala.” Bati ni Aling Ester sa dalaga na parang alam na dadating s’ya sa araw ding yun. Halata din dito ang medyo mugto pa nitong mata.
“Tita,” Ani n’ya. “Sino ho ba ang patay?” Tanong ng nagtatakang si Tina.
Hindi muna sumagot ang naulilang ina. “Pasok ka muna sa loob.”
Pagpasok ni Tina sa loob, nagulat s’ya sa kanyang nakita. Nando’n ang dalawa n’ya pang kaibigan – sila Amy at Lanie. Ngunit imbes na ngiti ang isalubong nila kay Tina, lumapit ang dalawa upang yakapin ang dalaga at saka umiyak.

“Patay na si Kian, Tina” Usal ni Lanie sabay hikbi.
Nagulat si Tina sa kanyang narinig. “Wala namang lokohan…” Sambit nito. Ngunit, hindi rin nito napigilan ang biglang pagluha.
“S’ya yung nakalibing d’yan.” Sagot naman ni Amy.
Umalis si Tina sa pagkayakap ng dalawa at tinungo ang ataul sa labas ng bahay.
Hindi s’ya makapaniwala sa kanyang nakita. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata, at hindi na napigilan ang pagbagsak ng mga luha sa kanyang mata.
“Tama ba ito? Baka nananaginip lang ako. Baka naman palabas lang itong lahat.” Sunud-sunod na bulong nito sa sarili.
Ngunit hindi n’ya napigilang malungkot at lumuha. Ang kaisa-isang kaibigan n’yang sobrang lambing ay bigla na lamang mawawala ng walang paalam.
Sumunod si Amy kay Tina at saglit na tumingin sa labi ng kanilang kaibigan. “Kakausapin daw tayo ni Tita Ester.” Tawag n’ya dito.
Pumasok na ang magkakaibigan, umupo ang tatlo sa harap ng nanay ni Kian.
“Alam n’yo mga anak…” Paninimula n’ya. “Matagal ng may sakit si Kian. Cancer sa atay ang kumuha sa buhay ng anak ko.” Nagsimula na namang lumuha ang mata ng nangulilang ina.
Lumapit ang tatlo bilang pakikiramay sa kanilang nanay-nanayan.
“Tinago n’ya iyon sa inyo hanggang sa maka-graduate kayo ng high school…” Pagpapatuloy n’ya. “Nang matapos n’ya ang second year college n’ya, tumigil na s’ya sa pag-aaral dahil sa kanyang sakit. Pinilit naming labanan ang sakit n’ya, ngunit matapos ang isa’t kalahating taon, nanghina na s’ya.”
“Alam n’ya na hindi na magtatagal ang buhay n’ya dito, kung kaya’t nakiusap s’ya sa akin na sana ay makausap man lang n’ya kayo, bago man s’ya, mawalan ng hininga.” Patuloy ang paghikbi ni Aling Ester, sinasabayan naman ito ng luha nila Tina, Amy at Lanie.
“Ngunit nabigo ako. Hindi ko kasi alam kung saan kayo hahanapin at kung paano kayo tatawagan. Kaya bago pa man s’ya malagutan ng hininga, narinig ko ang mahinang tinig n’ya, at rinig na rinig ko ang bawat salitang sinabi n’ya. Gagawa daw s’ya ng paraan upang magkasama-sama daw kayo sa nakatakdang araw.”

Hindi na napigilan ng ina ang humagulgol, kasama ang tatlong magkakaibigan na walang patid ang pagluha. Sa gitna ng kanilang paghihinagpis, bigla na lamang napatigil si Tina.
“Kaya pala bigla s’yang nagpakita sa akin nung isang gabi.” Sambit nito.
“Saan?” Tanong ni Lanie, sabay pahid sa mga luha.
“Sa kwarto ko.” Sagot naman ni Tina.
“Kailan?” Sunod na tanong naman ni Amy.
“Nung isang gabi nga lang.”
Sumingit naman si Lanie, “Nagpakita din s’ya sa akin, yun nga lang hindi ko alam kung panaginip, kasi para talagang totoo. At nung isang araw pa nga yun.”
“Ako, sa sala namin s’ya biglang nagpakita. Gabi din ‘yun.” Usisa naman ni Amy. “Hindi ko naman naisip na patay na s’ya, dahil akala ko, dumalaw na lang s’yang bigla. Yun nga lang, bigla s’yang nawala.”
“Kinausap n’ya ako. Tulad pa rin s’ya ng dati,” Napalalim ang isip ni Tina. “Pag nagpipilit, nanlalambing s’ya.” Dugtong pa nito.
Bahagyang napangiti ang dalawa, ngunit bakas pa rin sa mata ang lungkot. Halata dito na inaalala pa nila ang kaibigan kapag nanlalambing.
Tahimik lang na nanunuod sa kanila ang ina ni Kian. Patuloy pa rin ang pagluha nito.

“Ano nga bang araw ngayon?” Tanong pa ni Tina.
“A-d’yes ng Marso.” Sagot naman ni Aling Ester.
Alintana sa mukha ni Tina ang pagkagulat, kahit sila Amy at Lanie ay may naalala sa araw ding ‘yun.
Dito na napagtanto ng tatlo na si Kian pala ang nagset ng araw kung kailan muli sila magkakaro’n ng reunion, ika-10 ng Marso. S’ya din ang nagsabi na wala dapat umabsent o magdahilan na hindi makakarating sa simpleng reunion, at s’ya din ang dahilan kung bakit natuloy ang muntik na sanang maudlot na reunion.

“Kumpleto na sana tayo…” Sambit ni Lanie.
“Ang kaso…” Sunod naman ni Amy.
“Wala na yung party-planner natin.” Malungkot na sabi ni Tina sa dalawa n’ya pang kaibigan.

I Told You So

Nana and I, together with my relatives went to Baguio for two weeks vacation. We arrived there at 4 am; the place is so cold that makes our breath like a smoke coming out from our mouth and nose.

We rented a house. It’s fully furnished, and you can see the entire place of Baguio when you look outside the terrace of the master’s bedroom and every room is a blast! The living room is so lighted because it has a huge glass window, and from this room, you can see the garden that is full of flowers - particularly orchids. The kitchen is great it’s wide and very well ventilated because of larger windows; it has also lot of utensils. In short, what ever you need, just turn around and you will have it.

During our stay, we met Jin who was seventeen years old at that time. She’s the daughter of the caretaker of the said house that we rented; their house is nearby, so whenever the ‘elders’ need someone to accompany us, they call her. She’s in charge of us whenever the elders are gone for shopping or night out. Nana and I were both eight years old that time.

If ever the elders are gone, Jin, Nana and I usually just hang around in the living room and talk. If we’re bored, we’ll rush to the kitchen to find something to eat. If we’re done preparing the food, we’ll go to master’s bedroom to have a good view of the entire city of Baguio, while munching our made snacks.

Suddenly, while having a cool time at the terrace, Jin warned us about the house that we are staying.
“H’wag kayong gagala-gala sa buong bahay lalo na ‘pag alas-onse na ng gabi.” She said.
I throw a puzzled look to Jin.
“Bakit, may nagmumulto ba?” Nana curiously asked.
Jin just nodded. On the other hand, I didn’t pay much attention to what Jin said a while ago, and Jin knew it. In nine days of staying there, I didn’t feel any paranormal experiences. Perhaps, I usually go to bed early.
“H’wag ka naman ganyan.” Nana joked.
“Totoo,” Jin testified. “Basta, ‘wag n’yo akong sisihin kapag may na-encounter kayo.”
Being the eldest, Jin can make Nana get scared easier.
I changed the topic, because I no longer have interest on it. “Sino gusto gumawa ng strawberry jam?” I said. We went down and didn’t bother to open up about Jin’s warning.

The digital clock showed 10:56 pm; I was able to see what time is it, because I was awakened by this call – call of nature. I get up from my bed and went out of the room. I was so sleepy that time, but I have to get up and find the CR that is next to my room that I’m staying, all alone. I reached the CR and step inside. I did my business and washed my hands. While doing it, I purposely looked around. I don’t know why I did that, but I just did. It’s like I am waiting for something, though there’s no reason to stay there. Then suddenly, the room felt chilly.
Cold sweat begun to form on my forehead as I look myself on the mirror; tingling feeling went down to my spine. Temperature went lower than the usual. I knew to myself that there is ‘something’ inside that room. I find the door and turn the knob, and luckily, I managed to get out.
I knew to myself that I’m scared that time, but there is something on me that made me stick my ears to the comfort room door. I listened very carefully to think that I might hear a heavy breathing or mourns, but I didn’t. What I heard made my heart skipped for two seconds – I heard a voice. It’s a voice of a lady. She’s singing some kind of an Asian song, must be a Japanese one. I even noticed the way she delivers the melody, it was so fascinating and I was amazed, but she’s singing an old one – very old one, it might be 1900’s age. I knew all about this, because my dad and mom have this collection of old Japanese songs. They got this when they work abroad, particularly in Japan.
As I listened to the voice, it’s getting louder and louder. I have this feeling that it’s getting nearer to the door. I stepped back and ran to my room. I never did look back; I might see someone come out there.

Morning came. Nana noticed my mood swings that morning; she knows that I’m disturbed.
“Ano’ng nangyari sa’yo?” Nana asked me, as she put a mouthful of rice in her mouth.
I looked straight to her eyes, frightened. “You know”, I finally spoke up. “Something happen last night.” I said.
Nana put down her spoon and listened intently.
“You see, I woke up last night. Four minutes before eleven, may narinig ako sa banyo.”
“Ano narinig mo? Pa’no ka napunta sa banyo? Ano ginawa mo dun?” She asked like I’m driving her crazy.
“Nag-CR ako, then nung natapos na ako sa ginawa ko du’n, lumabas ako. Lumabas ako, kasi may pakiramdam ako na hindi ako nag-iisa that time. Tapos, nung nakalabas na ako, may narinig akong kumakanta. Japanese old song s’ya, alam kong luma na ‘yun, kasi ibang iba yung kanta n’ya.” I narrated.
“Loka! Baka naman may nagpapatugtog lang sa katabing bahay.” She defended.
“May katabi ba tayong bahay?!” I annoyingly asked. “Tsaka, pa’no mo i-eexplain ang palakas na palakas na boses n’ya, like she was getting near to that door!”
Nana kept her mouth shut. She knew that I’m disturbed and annoyed.

Jin came with a smile on her face, but when she saw my face that was obviously drained with blood, that smile faded away.
“Ano’ng nangyari d’yan?” She curiously asked Nana.
“May narinig daw s’ya kagabi, nakanta” Nana replied.
“Yan, pasaway ka. Sabi ko sa inyo wag kayong gagala-gala sa buong bahay ‘pag gabi.” She reminded again her warnings.
“Naiihi na kasi ako no’n” I replied.

“Hindi n’yo ba alam na ang unang tumira dito ay isang pamilya na hapon?” She said, “Lolo ko ang naging katu-katulong nila, at ayon sa kwento n’ya, may nag-iisang anak silang babae. Madalas din daw n’yang marinig na nakanta yung anak tuwing gabi, lalo na pag-alas onse. Kasi sa mga oras na yun, dun lang s’ya nagiging malaya. Yan ang kwento sa akin ng lolo ko.”
She paused for a while and told us more of the story. “Madalas daw pagbuntungan ng galit yung anak nila, dahil yung babae, hiniwalayan yung lalake, umalis na lang bigla. Dahil dun, nagpakamatay yung anak sa kwarto n’ya.” She narrated.
“Eh bakit sa banyo s’ya nagparamdam?” I asked.
“Ang alam ko, yung kwarto mo at yung banyo na yan, magkadugtong dati, tapos hinati lang.” She said, remembering all the memories that her late Lolo told her. “Yan yung banyo na sana kadugtong ng kwarto mo.”
Due to Jin’s revelation, it gave me goosebumps, and again the tingling sensation freak out my spine. I was thinking that I’m not safe on the room that I’m staying.

That night, I stayed on Nana’s room. I slept with her and hugged her while I’m sleeping. I covered my face with the blanket and left a little hole where I can breathe.

A Friendly Reminder

My best friend Mariz was residing at her cousins’ when we are in our high school days, at ang isang advantages nito ay malapit sa school ang bahay ng pinsan n’ya, kaya no problem kapag kailangan ng place para tambayan lalo na kapag wala ng klase or maagang nagpapadismiss ang school. Sa gabi lang naman din sila nagkikita-kitang magpinsan, dahil parehong may work ang kinakasama ni Mariz.

Minsan, sa sobrang sarap ng kwentuhan ay inaabot kami ng paglubog ng araw bago umuwi. Hindi naman problema sa akin yun, dahil malapit lang ang bahay ko sa kanila, kaya kahit abutin ako ng alas-syete sa daan ay okey lang.

Isang araw, kahit hapon na kami pinauwi ng mga teachers namin, I decided to go to Mariz’s house, as usual- para tumambay. I stayed their until 5:30 in the afternoon bago kami magdecide na maglaro ng volleyball. Dumiretso kami sa bakanteng garahe at dun naglaro ng volleyball.

Volleyball player kaming pareho, kaya alam namin na masakit sa braso ang may burloloy na nakasuot sa kamay namin, at mas lalong masakit sa ulo kapag may nakasuksok na cellphone sa bulsa namin at mahuhulog na lang, kaya we decided to take off everything na pwedeng maging hassle sa paglalaro namin. Pinatong namin ang aming gamit sa may lamesa, malapit sa gate ng garahe, then we played.

For ten minutes, we played volleyball and enjoyed it, since wala kaming kaagaw sa bola. Nilingon ni Mariz ang lamesa kung saan nakapatong ang cellphone namin, bigla itong umilaw. Tumigil kami sa paglalaro at nilapitan naming pareho ang lamesa, to our surprise may tumatawag – I thought.
Nang pinindot na ni Mariz ang cellphone para sagutin ang nasa kabilang line, nagtaka s’ya. Wala naman daw.
I suggested to scan her missed calls records, kasi ugali ni Mariz ang i-clear out ang lahat ng messages n’ya, even her phone call records, kaya madaling malalaman kung sino ang bagong tawag, bagong dialed, even new received calls.
She checked it. “Wala naman akong missed call eh.” She said.
“Eh di sa received.” I replied.
Still scanning her phone, “Wala pa rin.”
“Tingnan mo sa dialed.” I suggested.
“Pre, hindi ko naman hawak ang CP ko, paano ako tatawag?” She annoyingly replied.
I get her phone and scanned it to myself. In my surprise, there’s no number registered on the received and missed calls records. Then, I tried the dialed one, there’s a number – cell phone number.
I felt weird ng makita ko ang number na ‘yun, isa pa, paano s’ya napunta sa dialed kung hindi naman hawak ni Mariz ang cellphone n’ya for ten minutes? At sino naman ang pipindot no’n? Kahit sabihin natin na may nang-ngahas na pindutin yun ng mga tao sa labas ay imposible pa rin, dahil mataas ang gate. High enough para hindi maabot ng sino man.
Baka naman may sira ang phone nito, kunwari pa. I thought, but it still imposible, kasi alam kong maingat sa gamit ang kaibigan kong ito, lalo na sa cellphone.
I showed to my friend yung number na nakita ko, “Baka kilala mo naman ‘yan.” I said.
She gets her phone and looked carefully to the number. “Pamilyar sa akin ‘tong number na ‘to.” She suddenly uttered.
Tumaas lang ang kilay ko ng biglang s’yang pumasok sa bahay. I followed her in until we reached her room. May nilabas s’yang tickler, mga naglalaman ng cellphone numbers. Tamad magsulat ang kaibigan ko, kaya nagulat na lang ako ng nakita ko itong mga number sa kanya. Hindi naman halos napuno ang laman ng tickler, dahil mukhang mga importanteng tao ang nakalista dun, too bad, hindi ko nakita ang pangalan ko dun.
She let me scanned her records, dahil memorize ko daw ang number, at para daw s’yang kinalibutan ng malaman n’yang parang pamilyar ang number na ‘yun sa kanya.
I scanned it, it belongs to *name*.
I showed her the owner of that number. Upon looking at the cellphone number na nasa record n’ya, her eyes widens! Then a moment later, she became pale. I asked her kung ano’ng nangyari sa kanya, she answered, “Matagal na ‘tong patay ah…” she said.
I looked at her puzzled but I do have this tingling feeling at the back of my head.
“Paano mo nalaman na patay na ‘to? Bakit s’ya nagparamdam ngayon?” I asked.
“Childhood friend ko s’ya at death anniversary n’ya ngayon.” She said.
I shut my mouth upon hearing her statement and after few seconds we both ran out of the house and stay outside the gate.

I stayed with her until her cousins get back from work, and when I finally got home, I was grounded for two weeks. I was never annoyed by the punishment that my parents gave to me, I more relieved because for two weeks I won’t be at my friends house.