Hat's off to all the mothers who personally take care of their children without the aid of a yaya. Their patience is incredible. I love you, Aya. But now I understand why my mom was always exasperated when my sister was only a baby. Taking care of a child is hard work. Imagine if I had to take care of Aya everyday. I would lose my mind.
Yes, I have a daughter now. It's been sometime since I was able to post anything here. But I guess today is a good day as any to re-start this habit. It has been my experience that I tend to write whenever there is something important happening in my life. Having a child is one thing that obviously is of importance.
Having Aya has changed my life entirely. Before her, everything I thought about, dreamt about, was always centered on myself. Now, I also think about her. In fact, most of the time, I think about her and how she will grow up, what type of person she will be, what things she will like and love. Would she have the same interests like me? Will she love me as much as I love her? Will my family love her, the way that they love me? A thousand questions, probably. I will relish the chance to see how these questions are answered eventually.
I love you, Aya. Please forgive Dada if sometimes I do not know how to properly take care of you. But I am trying, my dear. Dada will take good care of you even if it means sacrificing some of my dreams so that you may realize yours.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Episode 2: Pains of the Heart
Bambi woke up in a start. Immediately she felt her head throbbing furiously. She clutched it between her hands, massaging her temples. She opened her eyes and is instantly blinded by the rays of the morning sun. It intensified her headache.
What a dream, she thought. For the last few days, her dreams about Red have been intensifying. Is it because she rarely sees him nowadays and she misses him so? Or is it a foretelling, an omen, of bad things to come. She fervently hoped not.
Just thinking about Red had always made her smile. This instance is not an exception. Her headache seemed to subside with just the single thought of the man she has loved for almost all her life. Despite Red’s usual aloofness and seeming impenetrable façade, Bambi has always felt that Red cared for her deeply. He showed his feelings through his own weird ways, how his stare lingers on her face, how his hands always goes straight to her hair and gently fondles it. But the most telling indication of his love for her is how he looks into her eyes. Every time Red looks at her this way, she always feels exposed, naked. But at the same time comforted, loved. As if she had no reason to hide anything from him.
She has always known that Red was the right man for him. She did not doubt that one bit. The first time she saw him, they were barely ten years old. They grew up together. Their parents were long time friends and business associates. In fact, their dads were former partners in the construction business that Red’s dad founded and ran. Red’s dad was the CEO while Bambi’s dad was the Chairman of the Board.
From then on, they were always together, even in school. Red would always defend her when she was being bullied in grade school. Red would carry her books for her when they were in high school. He would even allow her to copy his homework when she forgot to do hers. Red was a constant part of her life. She thanked God for that.
Despite Red’s manifest intelligence, however, he never did do well in school. He was always quiet. He was locked up in a world of his own and the only person who could break through the wall was Bambi. She was the only person allowed to enter Red’s fascinating world and that suited her fine.
Their parent’s business flourished under the adept hands of Red’s dad until his untimely death when they were in college. The business eventually had to fold up because of the death of Red’s dad. The business lost its soul. Even Bambi’s dad conceded that no one could run the business the way Mr. Roces did it. So after careful consideration and consultation among the shareholders and Red’s family of course, the company was closed shortly after the death of Red’s dad.
The death of Red’s dad had a profound effect on Red. It was a violent death; the full details of which, were not even disclosed to Red himself. Only his mom knew of the details of the incident. She tried carefully to keep the details of the death from Red. But Bambi had a distinct feeling that Red already knew.
Her dad had told her some details of the incident. But she knew that there was something more. It was the official report that Mr. Roces was the victim of the “agaw-kotse” gang, which was operating in Quezon City. When he was on his way back from work, the gang came down on him. They knew his usual route, his habits and his schedule. They stalked him and researched him well. When the time came to perpetrate their crime, they had no difficulty in executing it. They abducted Mr. Roces first, killed him and left his body in a vacant lot in Antipolo. They did not only take his car, his wallet and his cellular phone, they also took his life and the hopes of his family.
Red was inconsolable. He refused to talk to anyone after the incident. He locked himself inside his room. He even closed the shutters of the windows; he did not even want light to touch his skin. Red’s mom, Leda, pleaded with Bambi to help her comfort Red. Leda knew that Bambi was the only person who can reach out to Red. She did just that.
Red allowed Bambi to enter his room. The door to Red’s room was always locked after the incident. But when Bambi called out to him from outside his room, Red unlocked the door for her from the inside. As she expected the room was a mess. The room was encapsulated by darkness. Red did not even turn the lights on. Bambi stumbled upon Red on the floor. He was naked. He just stayed there inside his room, sitting alone, awake in the darkness. Bambi could not help but cry.
When Red finally relented and agreed to leave his room, after days of prodding and begging from Bambi. However, it was apparent that something had changed in him. He was darker, more brooding. If he smiled sparingly before the incident, now, he does not smile at all even at Bambi. But the sharpness of his eyes remained, and to Bambi, it felt like it even intensified. There was calmness in those eyes. Satisfaction, it even seemed. It was like looking into a serene lake.
From then on, Bambi had difficulty connecting with Red. They were still together; they still met each other from time to time. But everything was different. Red felt different. He was more self-conscious, more self-contained and shy. Bambi tried in vain to aid him in this time of despair. But she felt that Red did not want her to interfere. He wanted to deal with this on his own. Bambi left it at that. She was there, always, for Red. But if he wanted to be left alone to deal with this problem, she had no choice but to let him do just that.
It was not only Red who changed drastically because of this incident. Life was sucked out of Leda as well. But her condition was even worse. She was close to being an invalid. She just stayed inside their house. The once bubbly and joyous hostess disappeared in an instant. In her place, an almost catatonic woman emerged. Her eyes did not even move around. She sat and just stared into space. She also barely spoke. The only sign of life appears whenever their maids attempt to feed her during meal times. Even when Red’s siblings visit the house, Leda remains quiet and unconcerned. Red’s sister always ends up in tears whenever she sees their mom.
But Red is seemingly oblivious. Or worse, he chooses to ignore the sad condition of his mom. Red was always closer to his dad more than her mom. But he was never unconcerned towards her. She was always there when he needed her. Red was likewise available whenever his mom needed him. But after the incident, they just drifted farther apart. Bambi feared that Red blamed his mom in some way. As to the reason behind it, Bambi could only venture a guess.
But despite all these circumstances, Bambi knew deep inside her heart that she will always love Red, no matter what. No matter what he does. He would always have a special place in his heart. She even hoped that they would get married sooner rather than later. She desperately wanted to help Red heal. She wanted the old Red back.
What a dream, she thought. For the last few days, her dreams about Red have been intensifying. Is it because she rarely sees him nowadays and she misses him so? Or is it a foretelling, an omen, of bad things to come. She fervently hoped not.
Just thinking about Red had always made her smile. This instance is not an exception. Her headache seemed to subside with just the single thought of the man she has loved for almost all her life. Despite Red’s usual aloofness and seeming impenetrable façade, Bambi has always felt that Red cared for her deeply. He showed his feelings through his own weird ways, how his stare lingers on her face, how his hands always goes straight to her hair and gently fondles it. But the most telling indication of his love for her is how he looks into her eyes. Every time Red looks at her this way, she always feels exposed, naked. But at the same time comforted, loved. As if she had no reason to hide anything from him.
She has always known that Red was the right man for him. She did not doubt that one bit. The first time she saw him, they were barely ten years old. They grew up together. Their parents were long time friends and business associates. In fact, their dads were former partners in the construction business that Red’s dad founded and ran. Red’s dad was the CEO while Bambi’s dad was the Chairman of the Board.
From then on, they were always together, even in school. Red would always defend her when she was being bullied in grade school. Red would carry her books for her when they were in high school. He would even allow her to copy his homework when she forgot to do hers. Red was a constant part of her life. She thanked God for that.
Despite Red’s manifest intelligence, however, he never did do well in school. He was always quiet. He was locked up in a world of his own and the only person who could break through the wall was Bambi. She was the only person allowed to enter Red’s fascinating world and that suited her fine.
Their parent’s business flourished under the adept hands of Red’s dad until his untimely death when they were in college. The business eventually had to fold up because of the death of Red’s dad. The business lost its soul. Even Bambi’s dad conceded that no one could run the business the way Mr. Roces did it. So after careful consideration and consultation among the shareholders and Red’s family of course, the company was closed shortly after the death of Red’s dad.
The death of Red’s dad had a profound effect on Red. It was a violent death; the full details of which, were not even disclosed to Red himself. Only his mom knew of the details of the incident. She tried carefully to keep the details of the death from Red. But Bambi had a distinct feeling that Red already knew.
Her dad had told her some details of the incident. But she knew that there was something more. It was the official report that Mr. Roces was the victim of the “agaw-kotse” gang, which was operating in Quezon City. When he was on his way back from work, the gang came down on him. They knew his usual route, his habits and his schedule. They stalked him and researched him well. When the time came to perpetrate their crime, they had no difficulty in executing it. They abducted Mr. Roces first, killed him and left his body in a vacant lot in Antipolo. They did not only take his car, his wallet and his cellular phone, they also took his life and the hopes of his family.
Red was inconsolable. He refused to talk to anyone after the incident. He locked himself inside his room. He even closed the shutters of the windows; he did not even want light to touch his skin. Red’s mom, Leda, pleaded with Bambi to help her comfort Red. Leda knew that Bambi was the only person who can reach out to Red. She did just that.
Red allowed Bambi to enter his room. The door to Red’s room was always locked after the incident. But when Bambi called out to him from outside his room, Red unlocked the door for her from the inside. As she expected the room was a mess. The room was encapsulated by darkness. Red did not even turn the lights on. Bambi stumbled upon Red on the floor. He was naked. He just stayed there inside his room, sitting alone, awake in the darkness. Bambi could not help but cry.
When Red finally relented and agreed to leave his room, after days of prodding and begging from Bambi. However, it was apparent that something had changed in him. He was darker, more brooding. If he smiled sparingly before the incident, now, he does not smile at all even at Bambi. But the sharpness of his eyes remained, and to Bambi, it felt like it even intensified. There was calmness in those eyes. Satisfaction, it even seemed. It was like looking into a serene lake.
From then on, Bambi had difficulty connecting with Red. They were still together; they still met each other from time to time. But everything was different. Red felt different. He was more self-conscious, more self-contained and shy. Bambi tried in vain to aid him in this time of despair. But she felt that Red did not want her to interfere. He wanted to deal with this on his own. Bambi left it at that. She was there, always, for Red. But if he wanted to be left alone to deal with this problem, she had no choice but to let him do just that.
It was not only Red who changed drastically because of this incident. Life was sucked out of Leda as well. But her condition was even worse. She was close to being an invalid. She just stayed inside their house. The once bubbly and joyous hostess disappeared in an instant. In her place, an almost catatonic woman emerged. Her eyes did not even move around. She sat and just stared into space. She also barely spoke. The only sign of life appears whenever their maids attempt to feed her during meal times. Even when Red’s siblings visit the house, Leda remains quiet and unconcerned. Red’s sister always ends up in tears whenever she sees their mom.
But Red is seemingly oblivious. Or worse, he chooses to ignore the sad condition of his mom. Red was always closer to his dad more than her mom. But he was never unconcerned towards her. She was always there when he needed her. Red was likewise available whenever his mom needed him. But after the incident, they just drifted farther apart. Bambi feared that Red blamed his mom in some way. As to the reason behind it, Bambi could only venture a guess.
But despite all these circumstances, Bambi knew deep inside her heart that she will always love Red, no matter what. No matter what he does. He would always have a special place in his heart. She even hoped that they would get married sooner rather than later. She desperately wanted to help Red heal. She wanted the old Red back.
Monday, May 19, 2008
THE DIFFERENCE
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country: This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt, that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.On the other hand, Canada , Australia& New Zealand , that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture& cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole worldand exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the bestquality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security,order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.What is the difference then?
The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition. On analyzing the behaviorof the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the greatmajority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws& rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and ofcourse...Discipline
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.
But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.If you love your country, let this message circulate so that manyFilipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture& cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole worldand exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the bestquality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security,order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.What is the difference then?
The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition. On analyzing the behaviorof the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the greatmajority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws& rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and ofcourse...Discipline
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
If you do not forward this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.
But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.If you love your country, let this message circulate so that manyFilipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Episode 1: A taste for killing
The warm air permeated Red’s nostrils. The window of his car pulled down as he sniffed the air around him. His dark car is parked along a noisy, neon-lighted street. A couple of young men casually strolled pass his car, wearing their night clothes. Some of them, so scantily clad that you could almost see their souls. But Red did not notice them, did not even see them. He is not even interested. His keen senses are not focused on these fellows who are merely looking for the next sexual conquest for that night. He had grand designs tonight. He can almost taste it.
Red closed his eyes. His nostrils twitched, forcing itself to zero in on its intended target. He knew the smell of his quarry very well. This is the night that he will claim it. He has waited days, weeks even for this special night. His stalking days are now over. He must perform the act now or he will never will. This thought made him quite uneasy. He rubbed his hands against his kaki pants and absent-mindedly patted his left chest with his right hand. He should look immaculate tonight. Destiny awaits him.
Then he found it, that distinct smell. After weeks of following his prey, he cannot mistake that stink for somebody else. Its sweat during this scorching summer nights is unmistakable to Red. It encapsulated his whole-being. It drove him insane. It is utterly intoxicating.
He scanned the thoughts of the men passing by his car. No indication that they have seen his prey. His mind jumped from one man to another. No images of his intended victim. He followed the smell with his thoughts, farther and farther away from where his car is parked. The thoughts of these men are all the same it seems. But he should not be distracted. He should find Roger as soon as possible. The night will not last long.
At last, at the corner of a street facing a huge mall, Red found what he is looking for. His prey. Through the eyes of an old lady, a cigarette vendor to be sure, he saw Roger. The fiend was in his usual shabby attire. The potbellied man was wearing his favorite faded jeans. Tonight he opted for a plain gray shirt. His attempt to hide his identity by wearing a cap is truly futile. Anyone who knows him will surely recognize him despite the cap. Not that he is attempting to hide himself. To the contrary, the cap is part of his uniform nowadays. Red thought that it’s because of Roger’s fading hairline.
Red entered Roger’s mind. As usual, his mind was filled with thoughts of lechery and money. Red could barely go through all the muck in Roger’s brain. Red wanted to vomit. Roger was ogling at a girl standing near the façade of the mall, scantily clad, as to be expected at this particular place. But he perished his carnal thoughts. He has a different agenda tonight. He must sell his wares first before he can take home this bacon. He’s been waiting for almost an hour now. But his usual customer is still nowhere in sight. He is late as usual. But Roger did not care. As long as the junkie arrives and pays for the paraphernalia, Roger is happy.
Roger disliked waiting for customers this way. He is used to asking his customers to drop by his house in Pasay to pick up the wares that they want to get from him. But times have been tough these last few days. Roger is desperate to find money.
He slammed his right hand into his pocket, making sure that his goldmine is still there. The shitbag requested for a few tablets of E tonight. He could only bring four tablets. But that’s ok, his customer said.
A few blocks away, Red revved up his car and proceeded to Roger’s location. After less than a minute, he parked his car on the street across from Roger, and waited.
A few minutes pass by. Then a white Toyota Corolla stopped in front of Roger. The bastard then leaned forward, handed the packet to the guy in the passenger seat. Roger counted the wad of money handed over to him and smiled. He is not the only with a smile on his lips, though. Red’s lips also curled into a smile. The fiend has finally finished his business. Red’s business is now about to start.
After the transaction, with his usual lumbering gait, Roger ambled to the direction of Taft Avenue. Red’s hands trembled with anticipation. His left hand brushed pass the knife concealed in his pockets. He looked at the rifle on the passenger seat. It won’t be long now, Red. He thought to himself. He wanted Roger badly. He slowly drove his car to follow Roger.
The street before Taft Avenue, Roger made a right turn. Perfect, Red thought. Roger was following his routine tonight to a tee. Roger followed slowly. He then parked the car under a small tree and got out. He decided to follow Roger on foot.
The light posts on this street have not been working for sometime now. Red thought that Roger goes through this street because of the darkness. This suited Red fine. He got the rifle from the passenger seat and followed Roger.
Roger is oblivious. His lumbering gait did not change. Red is gaining on him: seven meters, five, four…then Red fell to his knees and aimed. He pulled the trigger and the tranquilizer dart hit Roger on his nape. He fell to the ground, asleep.
Red quickly went to him. He held on to Roger’s belt and lifted him to his shoulder. He then quickly brought him to his car, opened the passenger seat and shoved Roger inside. Red could barely hold his excitement.
The engine of his car blasted into life and he sped away. Roger was fast asleep on the passenger seat, open-mouthed. His sweaty smell filling Red’s nostrils. Red almost vomited.
Upon reaching his house, Red took the controls of the garage door and opened it. The squeaking door was grating to Red’s ears. More importantly, Red feared that the noise might wake Roger. He looked at his prey. No sign of life there. Red grinned.
Red opened the door to his house. But he did not open any of the lights. He did not want to wake Leda up again tonight, especially considering the package that he was carrying. Roger weighed a ton. His squatter’s life apparently had no effect on his weight.
Red immediately brought Roger to the basement. He opened the lights. The basement is immaculately clean. The steel operating table reflects the lights so well. This only increased Red’s anticipation.
Roger began to moan. Red carefully placed him on top of the table. He strapped Roger’s hands and feet to the table. Roger’s moans increased in intensity. Red worked quickly. He took the knife from his pocket and slashed Roger’s gray t-shirt. He then removed Roger’s shoes and pants. Red sat on the stool by the table, waited for his prey to wake up. Red liked it this way. He loved to see the reaction of his victims.
The grand father clock upstairs chimed four times. With that, Roger opened his eyes. This is one of Red’s favorite parts. Red entered Roger’s mind.
Roger is aghast. Where the hell is he? He looked to the left and sees the dark corner of the basement. He then veered his vision to the right, clearly confused at seeing Red staring at him. A mischievous smile permeating his lips.
“Who are you?” Roger at last said, groggily.
“Who do you want me to be?” replied Red.
“What am I doing here?” Roger asked.
“You are here to be cleansed,” Red answered.
Immediately, Red stood from his stool. He placed a rag inside Roger’s mouth. Roger attempted to scream, but to no avail. Roger attempted to break from the straps. But the straps were strong enough to hold down a horse. Red made sure of that.
While Roger was trying to break free, Red held on to his beautiful knife. He smiled. He changed his grip, the knife’s point facing downward. He closed in on Roger and plunged the knife deep into Roger’s belly. Roger gasped. Red laughed, quietly at first, then louder and louder. He then slashed through Roger’s potbelly, all the way down to his navel. Roger silently screamed, blood sputtering through his mouth, soaking the rag.
Red then plunged his hands into Roger’s stomach. He is sure at what he is looking for. There it is. Red then took out Roger’s large intestines and sliced a small part of it. Roger convulsed.
With a small portion of the intestines in his hands, Red finally took the rag out of Roger’s mouth. Roger could no longer scream even if he wanted to. The blood was oozing freely from his mouth now. Red then slammed the piece of flesh into Roger’s mouth. He forced the piece down Roger’s throat. Roger gagged. But Red continued.
Red looks into Roger’s eyes, entering his mind for the last time.
Before the darkness came, through Roger's eyes, Red saw himself smiling.
Red closed his eyes. His nostrils twitched, forcing itself to zero in on its intended target. He knew the smell of his quarry very well. This is the night that he will claim it. He has waited days, weeks even for this special night. His stalking days are now over. He must perform the act now or he will never will. This thought made him quite uneasy. He rubbed his hands against his kaki pants and absent-mindedly patted his left chest with his right hand. He should look immaculate tonight. Destiny awaits him.
Then he found it, that distinct smell. After weeks of following his prey, he cannot mistake that stink for somebody else. Its sweat during this scorching summer nights is unmistakable to Red. It encapsulated his whole-being. It drove him insane. It is utterly intoxicating.
He scanned the thoughts of the men passing by his car. No indication that they have seen his prey. His mind jumped from one man to another. No images of his intended victim. He followed the smell with his thoughts, farther and farther away from where his car is parked. The thoughts of these men are all the same it seems. But he should not be distracted. He should find Roger as soon as possible. The night will not last long.
At last, at the corner of a street facing a huge mall, Red found what he is looking for. His prey. Through the eyes of an old lady, a cigarette vendor to be sure, he saw Roger. The fiend was in his usual shabby attire. The potbellied man was wearing his favorite faded jeans. Tonight he opted for a plain gray shirt. His attempt to hide his identity by wearing a cap is truly futile. Anyone who knows him will surely recognize him despite the cap. Not that he is attempting to hide himself. To the contrary, the cap is part of his uniform nowadays. Red thought that it’s because of Roger’s fading hairline.
Red entered Roger’s mind. As usual, his mind was filled with thoughts of lechery and money. Red could barely go through all the muck in Roger’s brain. Red wanted to vomit. Roger was ogling at a girl standing near the façade of the mall, scantily clad, as to be expected at this particular place. But he perished his carnal thoughts. He has a different agenda tonight. He must sell his wares first before he can take home this bacon. He’s been waiting for almost an hour now. But his usual customer is still nowhere in sight. He is late as usual. But Roger did not care. As long as the junkie arrives and pays for the paraphernalia, Roger is happy.
Roger disliked waiting for customers this way. He is used to asking his customers to drop by his house in Pasay to pick up the wares that they want to get from him. But times have been tough these last few days. Roger is desperate to find money.
He slammed his right hand into his pocket, making sure that his goldmine is still there. The shitbag requested for a few tablets of E tonight. He could only bring four tablets. But that’s ok, his customer said.
A few blocks away, Red revved up his car and proceeded to Roger’s location. After less than a minute, he parked his car on the street across from Roger, and waited.
A few minutes pass by. Then a white Toyota Corolla stopped in front of Roger. The bastard then leaned forward, handed the packet to the guy in the passenger seat. Roger counted the wad of money handed over to him and smiled. He is not the only with a smile on his lips, though. Red’s lips also curled into a smile. The fiend has finally finished his business. Red’s business is now about to start.
After the transaction, with his usual lumbering gait, Roger ambled to the direction of Taft Avenue. Red’s hands trembled with anticipation. His left hand brushed pass the knife concealed in his pockets. He looked at the rifle on the passenger seat. It won’t be long now, Red. He thought to himself. He wanted Roger badly. He slowly drove his car to follow Roger.
The street before Taft Avenue, Roger made a right turn. Perfect, Red thought. Roger was following his routine tonight to a tee. Roger followed slowly. He then parked the car under a small tree and got out. He decided to follow Roger on foot.
The light posts on this street have not been working for sometime now. Red thought that Roger goes through this street because of the darkness. This suited Red fine. He got the rifle from the passenger seat and followed Roger.
Roger is oblivious. His lumbering gait did not change. Red is gaining on him: seven meters, five, four…then Red fell to his knees and aimed. He pulled the trigger and the tranquilizer dart hit Roger on his nape. He fell to the ground, asleep.
Red quickly went to him. He held on to Roger’s belt and lifted him to his shoulder. He then quickly brought him to his car, opened the passenger seat and shoved Roger inside. Red could barely hold his excitement.
The engine of his car blasted into life and he sped away. Roger was fast asleep on the passenger seat, open-mouthed. His sweaty smell filling Red’s nostrils. Red almost vomited.
Upon reaching his house, Red took the controls of the garage door and opened it. The squeaking door was grating to Red’s ears. More importantly, Red feared that the noise might wake Roger. He looked at his prey. No sign of life there. Red grinned.
Red opened the door to his house. But he did not open any of the lights. He did not want to wake Leda up again tonight, especially considering the package that he was carrying. Roger weighed a ton. His squatter’s life apparently had no effect on his weight.
Red immediately brought Roger to the basement. He opened the lights. The basement is immaculately clean. The steel operating table reflects the lights so well. This only increased Red’s anticipation.
Roger began to moan. Red carefully placed him on top of the table. He strapped Roger’s hands and feet to the table. Roger’s moans increased in intensity. Red worked quickly. He took the knife from his pocket and slashed Roger’s gray t-shirt. He then removed Roger’s shoes and pants. Red sat on the stool by the table, waited for his prey to wake up. Red liked it this way. He loved to see the reaction of his victims.
The grand father clock upstairs chimed four times. With that, Roger opened his eyes. This is one of Red’s favorite parts. Red entered Roger’s mind.
Roger is aghast. Where the hell is he? He looked to the left and sees the dark corner of the basement. He then veered his vision to the right, clearly confused at seeing Red staring at him. A mischievous smile permeating his lips.
“Who are you?” Roger at last said, groggily.
“Who do you want me to be?” replied Red.
“What am I doing here?” Roger asked.
“You are here to be cleansed,” Red answered.
Immediately, Red stood from his stool. He placed a rag inside Roger’s mouth. Roger attempted to scream, but to no avail. Roger attempted to break from the straps. But the straps were strong enough to hold down a horse. Red made sure of that.
While Roger was trying to break free, Red held on to his beautiful knife. He smiled. He changed his grip, the knife’s point facing downward. He closed in on Roger and plunged the knife deep into Roger’s belly. Roger gasped. Red laughed, quietly at first, then louder and louder. He then slashed through Roger’s potbelly, all the way down to his navel. Roger silently screamed, blood sputtering through his mouth, soaking the rag.
Red then plunged his hands into Roger’s stomach. He is sure at what he is looking for. There it is. Red then took out Roger’s large intestines and sliced a small part of it. Roger convulsed.
With a small portion of the intestines in his hands, Red finally took the rag out of Roger’s mouth. Roger could no longer scream even if he wanted to. The blood was oozing freely from his mouth now. Red then slammed the piece of flesh into Roger’s mouth. He forced the piece down Roger’s throat. Roger gagged. But Red continued.
Red looks into Roger’s eyes, entering his mind for the last time.
Before the darkness came, through Roger's eyes, Red saw himself smiling.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Death to cellphone snatchers....
I made the mistake, Friday night, of being complacent. I thought that I was safe here in Makati. I paid dearly for such a mistake. While I was alighting from a bus, I came from the gym you see, one of the other passengers was apparently, a cellphone snatcher. In a heartbeat, I lost my phone. I even attempted to pursue the shit head. But I was not even able to see who he was. I looked like a fool looking for a needle in a hay stack. The bastard got the better of me. Now, two days after the incident, I'm still fuming. It's not only because I lost my cellphone. I think what really pisses me off is the fact that I was had. I have always believed that I had things under control. I was careful, meticulous, somebody even told me that I was cunning. But in this instance, I was the victim. I was helpless.
I say...death to all cellphone snatchers. I hope to God that one day I will get a chance to exact revenge on one of these freeloading shitbags. I want to kill one of them with my bare hands. Feel his skull crush under my hands. I want him to know before he goes to hell that I ended his life. I want him to see the smile on my face while darkness invades his vision. I want him to know that one of the victims of his dastard crimes has ended his pathetic existence.
Death to you, asshole. The one who took my cellphone. I know why you perpetrated the crime. It was because you were desperate. It was because you are poor. It is because you are pathetic. You are like cattle in this world. You will die and no one will remember your name. You will disappear from this world without anyone remembering who you are, what you did, where you came from. You are dust. Nothing more. I pity you.
I say...death to all cellphone snatchers. I hope to God that one day I will get a chance to exact revenge on one of these freeloading shitbags. I want to kill one of them with my bare hands. Feel his skull crush under my hands. I want him to know before he goes to hell that I ended his life. I want him to see the smile on my face while darkness invades his vision. I want him to know that one of the victims of his dastard crimes has ended his pathetic existence.
Death to you, asshole. The one who took my cellphone. I know why you perpetrated the crime. It was because you were desperate. It was because you are poor. It is because you are pathetic. You are like cattle in this world. You will die and no one will remember your name. You will disappear from this world without anyone remembering who you are, what you did, where you came from. You are dust. Nothing more. I pity you.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A few words...
Last Friday, April 4, 2008, I was tasked to proceed to the RTC-Makati City to procure copies of a document important for one of my office's clients. I was expecting that the task would only take a few minutes of my time and then I would be able to return to the office to finish other important tasks. But lo and behold, my plans for the whole day were destroyed in a heartbeat as I discovered that the RTC Branch where I was supposed to go was CLOSED. Mind you, it was a Friday, supposedly still an office day.
To my chagrin and annoyance, I found this note posted on the door of the RTC. Res Ipsa Loquitor. Apparently, every single one of the personnel of the branch went to the wake of the mother of a co-employee. As the note indicated that the branch would be open by afternoon, I went back to the office and planned to go back in the afternoon.
After getting my lunch and returning some calls in the office, I then decided to return to the RTC branch. I said to myself that it would probably be better if I got there before 2 pm so that I won't have to wait long. Again, I was surprised. There was still no one present in the branch. I was informed that these personnel were coming from Montalban, Rizal where the wake was being held.
I was not even alone in my misery in waiting for the return of the entire personnel of the branch. Another lawyer was likewise waiting since, as he informed me, he had a hearing scheduled in this branch that afternoon or at 1:30 pm. It was already 2:30 pm but no personnel of the branch was even in sight. We both decided to go back to our own offices since it was clear that we were waiting in vain.
Such an occurrence really irked me. But I also laughed as a result of this predicament. ONLY IN THE PHILLIPINES, man. It was a Friday, to repeat, still an office day. But the branch was not open for business. Outside the door of the branch, I could hear the phone ringing furiously. Apparently, I was not the only one who had business with the branch. I just couldn't help but take the picture above. I was disappointed and disillusioned enough already with the workings of government offices in this country; and then this happens. Despite the fact that I have learned not to expect anything spectacular from government offices, I still get surprised when I face this kind of b-lls---t. Well, that's life in the Philippines, I guess.
Some of my cousins have already left the Philippines to live and work abroad. These cousins were likewise the products of the premier state university. But they opted to pursue their careers in foreign lands. Is this because they realized that they can get no advancement here in this country? Is this because they got fed up with the tediousness of the government system here? It would have been better if this tediousness was brought about by the demands of efficiency. Obviously, this is not the case. It is the product of red tape, corruption, and inefficiency. CRAP.
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