Chapter Text
Life is good.
That’s what I always say, you know? Kasi totoo naman. I can say that I am truly and fully satisfied with where I am in my life right now. Now, alam ko I’m just 27 years young (sabi nga ng mga matatanda), but really, I can say that I’m on top of the world, per se. I’m not bragging; I don't show this off to everyone I come across, and hindi ko ‘to basta-basta niyayabang at any random time. I just say life is good whenever somebody asks. Besides, people always say na mukha naman akong masaya lagi.
Well, who wouldn’t see it, anyway? A great and stable job, a loving and accepting family, and an ever-loyal, caring, and perfect wife—who could ask for more, really? How could I ask for more when the first thing I see the moment I open my eyes is my ever-loving wife? As I sigh, taking in the peeking sun rays passing through our bedroom curtains, I take a good look at my loving wife.
Jhoanna.
Tulog pa siya. I always wake up ahead of her, even if she tries. Can she blame me? Three years into our marriage, and I still want to spoil her every chance I get—a full spread of breakfast in the morning, packed lunches that could rival dishes from 5-star hotels, and occasional dinner dates from restaurants na hindi namin aakaling mapapasok namin back when we were in college. Because that’s what she deserves, after everything we went through. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng sakripisyo niya.
You see, we weren’t always like this. We both grew up in borderline lower-middle-class families. Back in college, sobrang tipid kami lagi, kahit kasi scholars kami at nasa state university ay hirap pa rin kami. Even in high school, we made keychains and bracelets together para may pang-extra kami for projects and extra-curricular activities na we thought would help us in college. Jhoanna always did everything with an extra mile, though, taking on random part-time and tutoring jobs while juggling academics, extra-curricular organizations, student council, and me. I’ve seen her at her lowest, and back then, I couldn’t do anything but merely support her in her endeavors.
I won’t get into too much detail. I’d rather not remember everything, really. May mga bagay na hindi dapat binabalikan, lalo na kung masakit.
But now, after years together, andito na kami: me and her, a Chief Financial Officer for a fast-rising IT company and a high-profile news writer. We are where we dreamt we would be—thriving, living, together.
3 years of friendship, 8 years in a relationship, and now 3 years of marriage.
14 years with Jhoanna.
What a life, grabe.
“Nagdadaydream ka na naman diyan,” a hoarse voice snaps me out of my reverie. “Kakagising lang natin tapos dream na ulit agad.”
I chuckle as I watch my wife’s eyes flutter to look at me, a smile slowly painting her lips. The morning sunrays, like the paid actor that it was, painted her face in all the right angles, highlighting her angel-like features—her plump lips, prominent cheekbones, those perfectly placed moles above her upper lip, long lashes, her doe-like eyes that contained the stars.
Higit pa sa kagandahan. I don’t think the word gives justice to her.
“Can you blame me, when you wake up to such a dreamy view?”
“Bolera.” She chuckles, sounding like the heavenly chimes, like she always had.
We don’t move after that, opting to just stare at each other with lingering smiles on our faces. Gawain namin ‘yan, lalo kapag weekends na pareho naming off days. We’d cuddle in the morning beneath our comforter, especially kung medyo…active ‘yung night before. Minsan, we’d rise tanghali na, skipping breakfast and other morning activities altogether.
And seeing Jhoanna’s lazy smile on her face, I can safely say ganon na nga ang plano.
“Bango mo naman,” she says, nuzzling her face on the crook of my neck while closing her eyes. I wrap my arms around her even more, shuddering a bit when I feel her bare skin against mine.
Naalala ko na naman ang gabi. Anniversary din kasi namin kahapon.
“Para sa’yo, mahal. Lumunok ako ng essential oils,” I joke.
“Gaga.” She laughs before looking at me with so much twinkle in her eyes. “Pero kahit ano pa ‘yang inumin mo, lagi’t lagi lang akong nandito para sa’yo, mahal.”
I laugh, touched and so badly in love. She snuggles herself even more, and just like that, nagyakapan ulit kami for a good few minutes. Nasilip ko ‘yung clock sa desk namin: 7:32am.
Maaga pa.
Good thing I made brunch reservations ng 11am pa, kasi alam kong tatamarin talaga kami paggising today. That, saka para rin meron kaming more time to cuddle and laze around with each other after a gruelling week of work. That’s what we decided for our anniversary, anyway—a slow day, kami lang, ‘di need na bongga, ‘di need na magastos. Basta kami lang.
That’s enough for us. And as I feel Jhoanna’s breath evening out, I ponder my life now. Sa kanya pa lang, panalo na ako, and alam ko sa sarili ko na habang may buhay ay itot lang ang hahanap-hanapin ko at hihilingin sa buhay ko—ang kasama siya, yakap ko like this, snuggling with each other like we had no care about anything else.
Yeah, life is really good.
—
Ganito ‘yan.
‘Pag work days, gigising kami ng maaga pareho, una ako, of course. We’d have a lovely breakfast together, shower together, prepare for the day together, then we leave our house sa Valle Verde together. Hahatid ko siya, minsan Veloz niya, minsan Civic ko, pero basta ako lagi ang maghahatid sa kanya. No questions asked. Our workplace isn’t that far from each other, anyway (kapag walang traffic, of course): hahatid ko siya sa Intramuros, then I’d head out sa may MOA area. Truthfully, we have Life 360, but we rarely use it since we already know where each other is anyway. And since my sched’s a bit more flexible than hers, mas maaga akong nakakaalis sa workplace ko to pick her up again, either head home or have a good dinner together. Sometimes, I’d wait for her, either sa car or sa office niya, depending on her workload. ‘Di bale nang ako ang hihintay, ‘wag lang siya. And sometimes, she still apologizes to me for it, even though it’s not an issue at all. Besides, I like seeing her work, and I love hearing her talk. I don’t mind being asked for my opinions on things she knows I'm credible to talk about.
Basta nandyan siya, okay na ako kahit ano pa ‘yan.
Ganon lang ‘yung base routine namin everyday. Of course, there are deviations from time to time—field work niya, travel ko, overnight siya, out of town ako. Even so, at the end of the day, at the end of the week, sa isa’t isa lang ang uwi namin.
And as I stand by my seat in my office, overlooking MOA during the early afternoon, I can’t help but be reminded of how happy and how lucky I am right now. Kaka-third anniversary lang namin this weekend, and boy, what an anniversary that was. Kahit na random lang ‘yung ginawa namin, nagstay in sa bahay most of the time, then nagstaycation para…well, the fact that we have each other is enough. I touch my wedding ring—the one we had nung kinasal kami sa New York—and then my infinity necklace—the one she gave me when we got married sa Amsterdam.
Wala na akong hihilingin pang iba.
“Ma’am Aiah, may icoconsult lang po ako regarding sa income taxes po for this cut-off.”
Yeah, I’m really happy where I am right now.
“Hindi dapat ganito ang computation ng taxes natin!”
But that doesn’t mean na my life is all rainbows and butterflies. Siyempre may magpagpapahirap pa rin every now and then. May stress, may problema, may kailangang asikasuhin. Like today, Monday, out of all days. May pagkakamali na naman ‘yung accountant sa computation ng income tax. Tapos for sure, wala na namang aminan ‘yan. And like the hands-on boss that I was, I opted to fix the problem myself since I didn’t have any major meetings or tasks today. Besides, it’s nice to go out of the office every now and then, and medyo wala akong tiwala dun sa bagong accountant.
Who would’ve thought that this would be my first mistake of the day?
I gather the necessary papers, double-check the company sheets, then I head out to the parking. I text Jhoanna a short “punta me BIR mahal” before opening my car door and throwing my phone and papers on the passenger seat. Hindi ko na need ng maps since I know my way. I also clocked the way the skies darkened a bit, not that I’m afraid of the rain while driving.
Somehow, though, for some reason, medyo nakaramdam ako ng kaba.
Still, I pushed through. Taxes won’t wait to be fixed.
So I go out, slowly, taking note of the very light traffic. Buti naman, that means this would be a quick trip lang. In and out, then back to the comfort of the office, just before her time to leave and pick Jhoanna up again.
But sometimes, life would throw you curveballs.
As soon as I cross the intersection, the green light still shining despite the gloomy sky, a truck suddenly comes speeding from my left, raging. And I’m here, stuck sa gitna ng intersection, eyes wide and fists frozen. I tried, god knows I tried speeding away from the truck’s impact zone. But I was too frozen to move, the truck was too fast to stop.
Parang eto na nga ‘yon.
I couldn’t help but think about my life. Where I am right now, what I have, and who I am. I think about Jhoanna, all the things we went through, and all the things we have yet to do and achieve. Andami pa naming gustong gawin kahit na antagal na naming magkasama na maraming nagagawa. Oh god, we were even talking about having kids at some point in our lives nung Friday. What would happen when I’m gone? Paano siya?
Tama nga ang sabi ng mga matatanda: good things come to an end at some point.
The last thing I hear is the honk of my car, the screech of my tires, and a tingling sound of chimes I didn’t know where. The last thing I see is my windshield, and a sudden flash of white.
Then, nothing. My mind lingers, bago na tuluyang mawala ang malay ko. Tears fall along my cheeks unknowingly, a mixture of pain and panic lingering.
Jhoanna.
And then, nothing.
No pain, no screeching, no shouts. Nothing.
I blink my eyes, unsure how much time passed. Huminga lang ako nang malalim, slowly. There really was nothing; no pain, no ruined Civic or crashed truck, no intersection, no bystanders. Just darkness, stillness, and confusion. And…crows?
Where the hell am I?
I look up, still blinking. Judging from the darkness, parang late night na. Wala na ako sa intersection, or kahit man lang sa MOA area. Instead, I find myself lying on the cold pavement, walls too close to my comfort, with a nearby dumpster that seemed too clean and too empty to actually be one. I sit up slowly, still confused, kasi anong nangyari sa truck? Sa kotse ko? Sa akin? I’m pretty sure na nabangga ako, kasi imposibleng nakaiwas ‘yung truck sa bilis niyang ‘yon, and I was literally frozen in fear and panic. Tapos ngayon, I’m lying in some place I don’t recognize with no scratches at all? Ni dumi sa white kong polo blouse at sa dark blue kong trousers, wala eh. Not even a broken heel, and my ponytail seemed untouched din.
Is this a dream?
Maybe I’m dead and in some sort of a limbo. Or maybe I’m in a coma tapos this is a dream. But everything felt a bit too real for that. I can feel the cement beneath me, the air that seemed to carry something heavy and atrocious, and even the starless sky—
Teka, bakit parang may aurora borealis sa langit?
Siguro nga this is a dream. That sky pa lang, it looked too good to be true. So, with that in mind, I stood up, nagpagpag, and I looked around again. Mukhang nasa eskinita ako, but I still couldn’t figure out where exactly I am. Hindi talaga familiar eh—it doesn’t look like the typical city streets, nor does it look like a street from a central business district or high street. Medyo natakot tuloy akong lumabas, but then again, this is supposed to be a dream. Right?
But, the moment I step out of the eskinita, my confusion comes back full force.
I step back in surprise: walang familiar sa labas at all. Nothing looked like the streets I grew up in. Instead, para akong napasok sa isang Wattpad-written setting na nagmix ng cyberpunk and medieval period. Carefully, sumilip ulit ako sa labas. Medyo nag-crouch ako para nakatago sa likod ng boxes na nakakalat dun sa opening ng eskinita. And, well, I almost lost my breath.
Akala ko namalikmata ako kanina, pero I am seeing flying cars na mukhang galing pang 1960. The establishments around me looked medieval, with almost everything built with mixtures of bricks and wood. The roads are paved with bricks, too, na para bang nasa Vigan. There were a few carriages around, with horses looking too thin, carrying them. Pero kahit ganon ay there were LED lights and boards, everywhere: ‘yung mga mukhang commercial establishments ay may LED signages that looked like they came out of the movie Tron Legacy with all the colorful blinking lights it has. Some signages even have holograms around. When I look up again, nakita ko ‘yung mga lumilipad na kotse at motor, with one vehicle having some kind of a holographic map for navigation.
Oh my god. Nasaan ako? If this truly was a dream, then this is wild.
Mukhang out of place din ako, kasi, judging from the few people I’m seeing, my clothes looked like a sore thumb. Sari-sari ang suot ng mga tao; merong mga mukhang knights na may armor sa shoulders, sa torso, and legs, with matching capes pa. Meron namang naka-robes na long loose sleeves, with matching sash and thick belts. Meron ding parang si genie, na may cropped open vest on top of a short-sleeved polo shirt, a brimless hat, and baggy pants. Aside don, the rest of the few people na naglalakad ay nakasuot ng simpleng kamiso de chino at loose pants.
Para akong nasa cultural exchange area, tapos ako mukhang corporate slave.
Napansin ko nang pinagtitinginan ako ng iba, most probably because of the clothes I’m wearing. I’m not gonna lie, this is scaring me a bit, kahit pa na sabihing panaginip ‘to. Kasi if it really is a dream, then I guess this would be a long one lalo kung coma ako. But, the thing is, the more na tinitingnan ko ‘yung paligid ko, the more everything felt like reality rather than a dream. ‘Di bale nang parang kakaibang language and writing system ang mga nakasulat everywhere, ‘di bale nang kakaiba ang mga suot ng mga tao sa paligid, ‘di baleng may mga lumilipad na sasakyan at may mga holograms in a medieval-looking town. Everything just felt too real, and as I clench my fists, I hear my heels clack against the pavement, the more na nahihilo ako because of confusion, awe, fear, and everything else combined.
“Hija.”
A voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up, and ‘di ko napansin na may lumapit na palang matandang babae sa akin. Tulad ng iba, nakasuot siya ng kamiso de chino at baggy pants na parang masyadong malaki sa kanya, meron siyang shawl na nakapulupot sa ulo niya, and her eyes, they looked at me in fear.
For some reason, in my head, I instantly knew na hindi naman Tagalog ‘yung sinabi niya. Iba nga ‘yung buka ng bibig ng ale. And yet, parang may auto-translate sa ulo ko na nagreregister ‘yung sinabi niya into a language I know. I don’t know how I knew that, but right now, I don’t think I have the time to figure out why.
“Yes po?” I tried to sound nonchalant para hindi halatang nagpapanic na ako at takot na takot. In my head, alam kong Taglish naman ang sinabi ko. But somehow, it sounded different to me, na para bang I’m suddenly speaking the language here.
What the hell is going on?
“Malapit nang sumapit ang oras ng kalapastangan,” she says. “Kailangan mo nang umalis at pumarati kung saan ka man galing.”
Huh?
And even before I can ask, she runs away, clutching her shawl. I notice everyone else starting to run faster and more hurriedly. Kahit ‘yung mga sasakyan sa langit ay parang nagmamadali. Isa-isang namatay ang ilaw ng mga establishments, and nagsasara ng mga pintuan, samantalang ‘yung iba ay nagmamadaling pumapasok sa mga bahay at buildings.
Is there some kind of curfew? Anong oras na ba? Heck, how does time work here, anyway? Same rin ba na 24 hours dito, wherever she is? And what the hell does ‘oras ng kalapastangan’ mean?
And the moment the last person in the streets gets in their house, may kampanang tumunog at dumagundong. The hairs on my arms and nape stood, as if I sensed danger before I can understand it. Madilim na ang paligid, wala nang tao, at nandun pa rin ako sa eskinita, wearing out of place clothes. My fear heightens, and my mind almost shuts down, with a single thought running through.
Get out of here.
May nakita akong sampayan just right across the street, and may black na cape na nakasampay. Without thought, I bolted for it, wore it to cover me, put up the hood para matago ang ulo and mukha ko, and ran. Where? I don’t know, basta away from the place, away from where the creepy chimes are ringing. I don’t know where I’m going, and the place felt endless. Parang puro buildings, puro parked cars, patay na ilaw, flicking streetlights. I turn when I felt like it, pero ganon pa rin, parang walang katapusan na bayan naman ‘to.
Then I feel it before I could even see or hear it.
God, para na akong naiihi sa takot. If heavy ‘yung atmosphere kanina pa lang nung mukhang may buhay pa ‘tong area na ‘to, then ngayon it’s definitely heavier, like shadows lurking around and just ready to pounce. I run faster, I turn blindly, anywhere, everywhere, basta lang makaalis dito at makapagtago.
I think about Jhoanna, what she must be doing now. Alam na kaya niya? Na nabangga ako? Ano kaya sasabihin niya? Lord, will she be able to handle that? Ako kasi, if I were in her shoes and marinig na ‘yung asawa ko ay na-aksidente ng ganon kalala, mas gugustuhin ko na lang din mamatay kung dun din siya papunta. God, I wish I was there with her instead of here sa kung anumang medieval horror movie dream ‘tong pinasok ko. Miss na miss ko na siya, and hindi ko kakayaning mas mapatagal pa ‘tong sitwasyon na hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako at malayo ako sa kanya.
Wait. Right. This is supposed to be a dream, right?
Tumigil ako sa pagtakbo and tumayo in the middle of the street. I closed my eyes and forced myself to relax. Dreams are supposed to be under your control, right? So, dapat hindi ako magpapadaig sa takot at panic na nararamdaman ko.
At the end of the street, I see chariots turning from the corner. May mga sakay na knight-looking men ang bawat isa. They looked like they came straight out of a fairytale movie na may castles, kings, and royal guards. I squint a bit, noticing the gold and silver emblem na nakatahi over their left breast pocket, and the gold and silver streaks sa armor nila. I couldn’t make out their faces since natatakpan ng helmets nila.
Tindi pala ng imagination ko, ano? ‘Cause why is my dream like this?
Pero, one thing to note is that, despite the shrinking armor, the bright gold and silver streaks, and the colors around the horses’ bridles, they have such a menacing aura that’s literally touching my fear radars right now. But no, I shake my head, at inuulit-ulit ko sa ulo ko:
Panaginip lang ‘to. Panaginip lang ‘to.
I’ve seen it in so many videos of experts explaining dreams before. As long as you are aware, na nananaginip ka, you can have control of what you are dreaming, kinda like lucid dreaming. So, for sure, kaya ko naman sigurong kontrolin ‘yung panaginip ko into making these scary-looking knights, na mukhang papalapit sa akin slowly, disappear.
So, I close my eyes, not even bothering to put the hood of the cape I stole down, and spread my arms wide. This is just a dream. I think of Jhoanna, my wife, and of wanting to be back by her side again. I think of all the things we still wanna do: it’s already our fourth year married, and yet, I don’t think our “spark” would die down anytime soon. I just hope that whatever trial this is that we are in right now would pass quickly. Naniniwala naman ako na our love will—
“Nahihibang ka na ba, binibini?!”
A scream jolts me out of my thoughts. And before I can look kung saan siya galing, a firm hand suddenly grabs my wrist and pulls me out of the middle of the street.
“May mga suwail!” I hear someone shout from the other end of the street—the knights. And bago pa ako mahimasmasan (medyo nahilo ako kasi somebody just pulled me roughly while I had my eyes closed), whoever grabbed me by my wrist is now pulling me to run away.
What the hell? Is this not a dream? Bakit walang nangyari?
But the more we ran, the faster the chariots behind us were. And the more we rushed, the more I realized—okay, this is far too terrifying to be a dream.
Then what the hell is this?!
“Bilisan mo, binibini!” The one pulling me screams. Judging from the voice, tunog babae siya. And feeling ko mas matangkad ako? Or baka dahil tumatakbo kami and medyo nakacrouch siya. But, she is wearing a cape just like me, and may hood din ‘yung suot niya. But, I can still see strands of ginger-colored hair flying out.
And, good grief, sobrang bilis niya. Halos magkandarapa na ako dito para makasabay. Muntik na nga akong sumubsob habang hila-hila niya ako. Pero ok lang din siguro, ‘cause our chasers aren’t letting up. Hello? They’re on horses, there’s no way we can outrun them forever.
Goodness, if I didn’t die in that car crash, then I’ll surely die here.
“Humawak lang sa akin,” the girl suddenly says. I wanted to say na siya ang nakahawak sa akin nang mahigpit, but decided not to. Not appropriate when you are running for your life.
But then, I notice her lift her other hand in front of her face. Dalawang daliri lang ang nakataas, with her thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger down. ‘Di ko alam kung anong ginawa niya next, ‘cause she kept making hand gestures na I don’t understand.
We turn abruptly sa isang eskinita, at mukhang dead end pa nga. Pero bago pa ako makapagreklamo, she pulled me hard and twirled me until my back ended up against her chest, the hand holding my wrist now holding me by my waist.
“Huwag kang sisigaw.”
“What?”
And suddenly, a yellow, glowing, intricate-looking spinning circle appears below us. Tapos bigla ring nagflicker and nawala. Then we jumped.
Like really jumped. High.
“Ah—” Kahit na pinagsabihan ako, I still screamed in surprise and fear. Girly must have anticipated that kasi bigla niyang tinakpan ang bunganga ko.
We land on top of someone’s rooftop na medyo malayo-layo sa eskinita na pinanggalingan namin. Pero we were still close enough to observe our pursuers at a high vantage point without being seen. And ayun na nga, after kong makuha ulit ‘yung balanse ko, nakapagtago ako sa tabi ng babaeng nagligtas sa akin. And saktong lumiko ang mga humahabol sa amin.
“Subersibong Mago!” Somebody shouted. Parang leader or general, judging from the medals na nakasabit sa shoulder niya. But, she sounded like a woman, hearing the softer-than-expected tone behind the growling and authority of the voice.
“Marahil ay isa siya sa kanang kamay ng Revolucion!” Another one of those knights comments. “At marahil ay tumagos siya sa mga dingding ng kanyang kasama kaya’t hindi na natin sila naabutan.”
“Halughugin ang mga kabahayan!”
Despite the riling situation, I still found the fact na whatever they’re saying is being translated into Tagalog in my head is fascinating. But that fascination is short-lived when I realize na walang nangyaring iba sa aking “so-called dream”, and nandito pa rin ako, chased down by those scary chariots, saved by some girl, and stuck wherever I am.
Fuck.
“Hibang ka ba?” Speaking of, the girl who saved me suddenly speaks again, removing the hood from her head. “Bakit hindi ka nagtago o umuwi man lang sa inyo. Naabutan ka tuloy ng oras ng kalapastangan.”
I was too mesmerized by her unexpected beauty: petite face, pretty lashes, tall nose, plump lips. Also I was right, mas matangkad nga ako sa kanya. Not exactly the image you’d have when you’d think about who saved you. I look down a bit, and I see na she’s wearing a mustard-colored cropped vest over a dirty white polo blouse beneath her big, black cape. She’s also wearing black baggy pants with pink streaks.
Weird color combination, but sure.
But then again, I remember na she actually asked me something. When I look up, I see her looking at me intently. Nagfi-flicker ng yellow mata niya, which creeped me out. Then naalala ko na this girl actually did whatever magic pala kanina, making us able to jump so high to hide.
“Hindi ka taga-rito,” she says. She grabs my wrists again and looks at it hard. “Wala kang mga marka.”
“Uhh…”
“Ngunit hindi ka naman mukhang tauhan ni Toro,” she continues to mutter to herself, and, well, she lost me there. Marks? Toro? What is she talking about?
“I’m not sure if I get you,” I say, though it sounded foreign, like a text-to-speech kind of thing. Great. That means kahit na English or Tagalog ang sabihin ko, it’ll get translated anyway.
“Ah, paumanhin,” she shakes her head. “Ngunit may nais lang akong siguraduhin.”
And with a snap of her fingers, the hood covering my head falls down, exposing my face. With a gasp, I try to cover my head, pero no point na rin kasi she already saw my face. I’m not entirely sure if I heard her gasp din, but when I looked up, I saw her look away from me, na para bang may malalim siyang iniisip.
I see her purse her lips, but she says nothing afterwards. So I mustered the courage.
“Ano ‘yung oras ng kalapastangan?” That’s the first thing I asked, kasi kanina pa nababanggit eh. “And where are we?”
She looks up, surprised. But she deflates after, then smiles patiently.
“Tunay ngang hindi ka taga-rito,” she says, standing up to dust herself. Just then, we hear screams of terror below us. She crouches again, and we look over to see the knights from earlier dragging people out of their houses. They start beating up the men na kinaladkad nila palabas, while the women and children are forced to watch while trying to get away from the knights’ grasps.
Jusko, akala ko pa man din mga royal knights ang atake nila. Para pala ‘tong mga pulis na masasahol?! And for what?
“Oh, my god,” I mutter in horror. “Hindi ba natin sila matutulungan?!”
Huminga lang ng malalim ang kasama ko.
“Wala tayong magagawa nang tayo lang dalawa. Maraming mga kawal si Toro, at hindi sila takot pumatay.”
Shivers go down my spine. Pumatay? Oh god, really, if sa car crash hindi ako namatay, then most probably dito ako mamamatay.
How do you explain that to my loved ones? Hell! Do they even know I’m here? Where’s here? Was this some kind of a trick? But obviously, this isn’t, kasi the screams of horror and pain below us are most definitely true and hunting.
Was this some kind of a different world…then?
“Alam kong marami kang katanungan. Sa totoo lang ay ako rin, maraming katanungan para sa’yo,” she hurriedly says. “Ngunit may kilala akong makakasagot ating mga katanungan.”
Tumayo ulit siya, and she offers her hand.
“Ako si Mari-El,” she introduces herself with a small bow. “At kung mamarapatin mo’y hayaan mo akong isama ka sa aking pinanggalingan, sa aming himpilan.”
Okay, bakit malalim na Tagalog ang translation ng mga sinasabi nila? I just realized.
I look down, and nakita ko ‘yung same guy na binubugbog na nakahandusay na lang sa pavement. Hindi naman na siya sinasaktan, pero parang hindi na siya gumagalaw, and umiiyak ‘yung mga babae at mga bata sa paligid niya. The knights have scattered around, baka hinahanap pa rin kami, and they just left the poor people alone nang ganon lang. How cruel and sick.
Oh god, what did I get myself into?
I look up at the girl beside me. Mariel, was it? I look at her hand na covered pala ng leather gloves na cut sa fingers niya, so I watch her bare fingers wiggle while waiting siguro sa kamay ko. Now, whatever world I am in right now, whatever situation this is, I’m pretty sure na kailangan alam ko kung anong nangyayari, kasi parang hindi yata ako makakabalik sa amin any time soon. And if this Mariel girl is my key to that, then I’d take it. Besides, she saved me, and that pretty face doesn’t look evil to me.
So, without much ado, I grab her hand and stand up.
“Aiah.” I introduce back. She blinks, an actually parang may gusto siyang sabihin, but she just shook her head.
“Hindi ka nga taga-rito. Sa ngalan mo pa lang," she says instead. “Halika, tayo na’t lumisan upang maiwasan na nang tuluyan ang mga kawal ni Toro.”
She pulls me again, and gives me a side hug, her hand on my waist. Siguro we’d jump around, kasi she’s doing those weird hand gestures again. Wala nang yellow circle, but her eyes are flickering yellow ulit. She pulls her hood again to cover her face, and I do the same.
I have so many questions, so many fears. But in my head, I kind of accepted my situation already. No point in panicking and denying, anyway. Enough proof na lahat ‘tong nakikita ‘to, ‘tong ginagawa naming patalon-talon over rooftops, and ‘yung parang desert na nakikita ko na mukhang dun sa direction na ‘yon kami papunta. Whatever this is, wherever we are, I have to know everything I can first. Lamang ang may alam, sabi nga ni Kuya Kim. Or ni Atom? I’m not sure. I have to know, and if this Mariel girl claims to have answers dun sa pupuntahan namin, then I hope na they have enough answers for me, because the last thing I want is to stay here. I have to go back, that is my primary and only goal right now.
Uuwi ako sa’yo, Jhoanna. I’d do what I can, I promise.
So, we’re apparently in a world called El. It’s a mono-kingdom world, ruled by the descendants of El, their god, whom they worship. It’s a world where magic, science, and tradition are balanced enough to co-exist. That explains the flying old-looking cars, the LED lights despite the medieval-looking structures, and the lady beside me jumping around rooftops and structures like nothing.
I figured na madaldal pala ‘tong si Mari-El. Yes, may dash pala dapat, because apparently, everyone is named with -El sa dulo bilang reverence sa kanilang god. No wonder she told me na halata sa pangalan kong hindi ako taga-rito.
Anyway, Mari-El told me everything she could while w jumped and dashed through the desert towards a forest na I could barely see pa. While citizens are named with -El sa dulo, and royal family naman daw na descendants ni El ay sa umpisa nilalagay ay pangalang El. El Manu, El Chico, and kung ano pang names na binanggit niya na hindi ko naman narerecognize.
She mentions Toro, who is the current king. Hindi El Toro ang sinabi niya, just Toro, and judging by the knights kanina, and the way Mari-El’s jaw is clenched right now, I can tell na he’s not a good king. I guess he’s so evil na feeling ni Mari-El ay ‘di niya deserve na tawaging El Toro. He’s been ruling daw for 7 years na, currently on his 8th year, and, well, wala gaanong sinabi si Mari-El about his rule. Pero I think gets ko naman.
Possible dictatorship. Evil rule. Tyranny. A greedy king, maybe. Basta, not a good rule.
She also tells me that citizens are tagged according to 4 categories:
Mamamayan.
Mago.
Escolar.
Mandirigma.
Apparently, some people are blessed with gifts. Mari-El obviously has one, and remembering the knights shouting, she must be a Mago. So, I can identify people daw according to marks on their wrists—a black slash for ordinary citizens, green for the mages or mago, blue for the scholars or escolar, and red for the knights or mandirigma—or sa clothes na they are wearing—kamiso for the mamamayan, the genie-like clothes for the mago, the robes for the escolar, and armor for the mandirigma. Again, that explains the different clothes kanina.
She says most of the time, people only have one classification. Special cases daw ‘yung may two or more. Pero she doesn’t elaborate on that.
She briefly tells me about the Revolucion, a subversive group that she’s in. A group of people tired of El Toro’s rule, both gifted and ordinary people who are willing to fight and take up arms, an underground network beneath the Kingdom of El, which is trying to dismantle Toro. Led by a disgraced mandirigma, the Revolucion aims to free their world from El Toro’s clutches. And along with that mandirigma’s trusted people, they lay their lives for the cause, and they would do everything they could to see their cause through.
“Naniniwala akong may dahilan ang Bathalang El kung bakit tila kami’y hindi niya pinapakinggan sa buong pitong taon na kami ay nagdudusa,” sabi niya, and kahit na sobrang lakas ng hangin ay nangibabaw ‘yung bulong niya. “Ngunit ang aming pinuno’y hindi na naniniwala sa kanya.”
She leaves it at that. Wala rin akong masabi, nahihilo na kasi ako sa kakatalon at kakatakbo namin. I’m even surprised na naabsorb ko lahat ng pinagsasasabi niya. Siguro ganon talaga kapag desperado na malaman ang lahat ng kayang malaman, para mabilis na makafigure out ng way para makaalis.
Kasi the more na magtagal ako dito, the longer it would be na mapapalayo ako sa asawa ko, sa buhay ko.
We reached a clearing in the middle of a forest na sobrang layo dun sa city na we were in kanina. Civitel, she said—Civitel is both the name of the city and the tribe managing it. Halos puro mga mamamayan daw ang nandun, even the Civitel tribe itself is a proud tribe of mamamayans.
“Ako, galing ako sa tribu ng RedamEl. Ang pinakamakapangyarihan na tribu ng mga Mago. Ngunit sa ibang araw ko na lang ito ilalahad sa iyo,” she says as we land. “Narito na tayo. Sa himpilan ng Revolucion.”
I want to puke. But I don’t, medyo nakakahiya. Pero kasi talon kami ng talon, tapos para pa kaming si The Flash kung itakbo niya ako.
“Maiintindihan ko kung kailangan mong sumuka, Aiah,” Mari-El must have sensed it. “Hindi ka Mago, o Mandirigma, at mahirap ang ginawa ko para sa’yo.”
So, with the permission, I ran to the nearest tree and puked my guts out. I felt so dizzy, medyo umiikot na rin ang paningin ko. Jusko, not one day and ganito na agad. I wish I were home, sa sala, eating popcorn with my wife while watching silly cartoons na minsan paulit-ulit dahil hindi naman nakakasawa.
I feel warm hands on my back. Hinagod hagod niya ‘yung likod ko, and slowly, I felt better. Sumuka pa rin akong konti, pero at least hindi na umiikot ‘yung paningin ko.
“Alam mo, kung isa kang Mamamayan, hindi lang ganito ang iyong aabutin,” she comments while still caressing my back. “Maraming mamamayan ang ikinamatay ang ganito. Siguro’y nakatulong sa iyo ang pagiging banyaga mo.”
“Not helping.” I answer, sabay suka for the last time. Tinawanan lang niya ako.
The heck? An odd lady, really.
Anyway, no time to make away to her about it. Hindi ‘yun ang kailangan ko. I need answers, she needs answers din daw. So here we are.
Well. Where exactly is here?
Kasi we’re just in the middle of an empty forest. Puro trees, in fairness healthy trees. Kahit bugs or animals, wala eh. I turn back after puking my heart out, feeling significantly better. I see Mari-El, sa gitna nung clearing, hood down, arms wide, eyes closed.
“คקєгเՇє ק๏гՇคร ɭเ๒єгՇคՇเ!”
Ok, that I didn’t understand.
Suddenly, the trees around us started shimmering—shimmering??
No, seriously? I scramble towards Mari-El in fear, and we watch as the trees in front of her start to shimmer into what looks like an opening arc, an entrance. There wasn’t much noise, and parang hindi nga rin na-disturb ‘yung mga nearby plant life. So, may nag-materialize na lang na parang entrance in front of us, covered by the foliage.
I’ve been seeing too much today.
The doors open. It was made of something like a shiny silver-colored metal. Mukhang high tech din, since may iris scanner and CCTV camera. Mari-El beckons me to come with her, so I did. Feeling ko hindi ako dapat mahiwalay sa kanya right now, kasi if I do, baka katapusan ko na. Sobrang dangerous netong world na ‘to na baka one wrong footing lang ay maging kwento na lang ako.
The moment we step in, the doors close behind us. And baka tinatago na ulit ang entrance kasi I hear rustling behind it. For sure mukhang ordinary forest na lang ulit sa labas. We’re currently in a hallway, with walls covered with metal and bricks combined. Pababa rin ‘yung direction so I assume na underground itong headquarters nila. Medyo madilim, pero nakikita ko na naggo-glow ang mga mata at kamay ni Mari-El, so I follow her lang.
After a while, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I step closer na lang kay Mari-El just in case, kasi honestly I don’t know what to expect eh. And, when we reach the end, napanganga na lang ako sa nakita.
I thought I’ll see metals and electronics lang since underground kami. But no, actually para kaming nasa forest ulit. Pero mas maganda and mas captivating compared dun sa taas. May malaking lake sa gitna, with matching waterfalls na may very, very clear na water. Kitang-kita ang mga isda sa ilalim, pati lahat ng life underwater. May drones flying around na medyo kamukha ng mga ibon na lumilipad din. Actually, may drones din underwater na napapalibutan ng iba’t ibang kulay ng magic circles na kamukha nung kay Mari-El kanina.
May stairs pataas at pababa. Meron din namang elevator. May mga rooms din na gawa sa kahoy at bricks. Sari-saring tao rin ang nandun. May mga naglalakad lang, meron din mga nags-spar, nagpa-practice ng magic, may mga nag-aaral, kumakain, gumagawa ng mundane things.
This feels like a cozy town rather than a rebel headquarters.
“Wow.”
“Inayon lamang ng pinuno ng Revolucion ang buong himpilan na ito sa kung ano ang hitsura ng dating lupain ng naghaharing pamilya ng Bathalang El,” Mari-El explains, probably seeing me in awe. “Kung nakikita mo ang kastilyo na iyon sa ibabaw ng talon na ito, ganyan ang dating hitsura ng kastilyo ng El bago ito sinira and pinapangit ni Toro.”
So, this is like a glimpse of what the Kingdom of El was. Fascinating.
But before we can move, I hear rustling on the side, and the definite sound of armor clinking against each other. I turn my head and see a knight with no patches or medals, heading towards us. It was, again, a woman, with her striking red hair flowing like the wind was a paid actor. Sobrang tuwid nung tindig niya even while marching towards us, medyo expected of a soldier siguro. Her eyes, irises tinged with red, glaring at my direction.
Right, technically, I’m an unwanted guest. I pull my hood closer to my face. Buti ‘di pa nakikita mukha ko, kasi lalong mahahalata na ‘di ako taga-rito at all.
She stops in front of Mari-El. Sa’kin pa rin siya nakatitig. Si Mari-El naman ay lalong nagstraighten ang tayo, and kung mukhang relaxed and playful siya kanina, ngayon medyo tense na siya.
“Mari-El.”
“Misha-El.”
Misha-El. Cool name. Cool din siya sana if she weren’t glaring at me like I ate her lunch or something.
“Hindi ka dapat nagdadala ng bubwit rito.”
Oh good lord, she called me bubwit. I don’t even have the courage to feel angry at that, kasi sobrang intimidating talaga niya. Sobrang tense din ng atmosphere.
Mahal, save me, please.
“Maiintindihan mo kung bakit ko siya dinala rito, Misha-El.”
“Walang kadahilanan ang katanggap-tanggap upang magdala ka ng bubwit sa isang digmaang aapak lamang sa kanya. Hindi ito ikatutuwa ng pinuno.”
“Hindi siya narito upang makipaglaban—”
“Ibig sabihin ay hindi natin siya kaisa.”
I knew it before I could see it. Maglalabas siya ng espada na nakasabit sa waist niya.
“Misha-El!”
Medyo naramdaman ko na rin na pinagtitinginan na kami ng lahat ng mga tao sa paligid. And, before Misha-El could draw her sword and, I don’t know, kill me, maybe, I step back in fear and defense, leaning back while lifting my hands, bracing for a blade that would surely come my direction.
My hood falls down again, pero ‘di ko na napansin kasi nakapikit na ako, nakangiwi, at medyo nakayuko.
I didn’t feel anything. No slash, ni sapak wala. Wala rin akong naririnig na people or anyone talking, just the buzzing of the flying drones. When I open my eyes, I see Misha-El, staring at me like she’s seen a ghost, her hand just hovering over her still-sheathed sword on her waist. Mari-El just stood there, looking at Misha-El with an “I told you so” look. Walang nagsasalita, pero nakakaintimidate ‘yung pagtitig ni Misha-El, na para bang hindi siya makapaniwalang nandito ako.
What? What did I do?
The wind picks up suddenly. At bago pa may gumalaw or makapagsalita, something from atop the waterfalls swooshes.
One moment, I was standing, a bit crouched kasi anticipate ko ‘yung espada ni Misha-El. And the next moment? I was on my knees, hands still hovering over my body, staring wide-eyed at the person in front of me.
It was not Misha-El.
Hindi ko alam kung pinaglalaruan lang ba ako ng buhay or what, pero parang gusto ko ulit sumuka. Sa stress, sa gulat, sa horror, hindi ko na alam. But I couldn’t move at all, out of fear, our of shock, I don’t know either.
But all I know is the cold blade of someone’s sword now pressing on my neck.
“Pinuno!”
“Jor-El!”
I look up, and I see the navy blue cape fluttering around the newcomer. Mukhang mandirigma rin like Misha-El. May gold streaks and armor niya, na para bang high ranking siya, but there’s also a slashed gold and silver emblem on her chest. Yes, her, with her loose brunette hair flowing angrily, her eyes, those intense, doe-like eyes are glaring at me. Mas intense pa ‘yung glare niya kaysa kay Misha-El. Mas nakakatakot. Mas intimidating.
But that’s not the one that got me the most.
Because those eyes are familiar. Too familiar. Kahit pa na may slash scar tracing from her forehead, across her left eye, down to her cheeks, kahit pa na may konting pagkablue ang irises niya, kahit na those eyes looked empty and angry, those are eyes that I can see even with my eyes closed. Those cheekbones that I’ve memorized the shape of, that nose I’ve always kissed in the morning, those moles, and god, those lips, those plump lips (which looked dry) that I’ve tasted so much of.
This must be the head of the Revolucion. The rebellion leader. Ang mandirigma na handang ialay ang buhay niya para mapalaya ang mundong ‘to.
Jor-El. They called her.
Who looked exactly like my wife.
“Magpakilala ka.” Her voice booms. “Kung hindi mo nais na mawalan ng buhay.”
God, I just really, really want to go home now.