I DO

By: Orlan Doromal Tabuada Jr.

It was summer when my bestfriend Lara had celebrated her wedding. Everything was perfect. Everyone was excited to see the groom and the bride, even me I was so excited. After a while, the wedding ceremony was started and the people who want to witness the wedding are all smiling much more with the groom. But when I saw Lara, she was crying maybe because she was so happy. Until she reaches the altar, but Lara is still crying. The priest start the ceremony, then for quiet sometime, the most awaited part had arrived and that is to take their vows to each other. But surprisingly, Lara did not take her vow, she cried and say sorry to the groom then she ran. Everyone was in shocked and everyone was trying to react with the situation.  When I looked at the altar I was surprised of what I saw. I saw her ex-boyfriend. Oliver. The one who was standing in front of them, and the one who are residing the ceremony, he is no other than the priest. I was really in shocked when I saw him, he was her first boyfriend who really makes her heart broken and that man was responsible also why Lara wants to marry Benjamin. I was thinking that would be the last day that they will meet each other but I was wrong. Now that she already saw Oliver, for sure Lara will be at lost again.

            Before this traumatic event happened, Lara and Oliver was then a childhood sweetheart. Lara was actually lived in her aunt’s house at Manila then Oliver that time was living in his brother’s house. When they finished studying highschool, Lara’s parents decided to send her in London to pursue her college degree and because of that Lara and Oliver had been separated from each other. When they both in second year college, Lara decided to go back to the Philippines to take a vacation, a vacation that take her for so many years, then she decided to continue her education in Manila.

            A month later, Lara received a letter came from Oliver, Lara wondered what the letter was all about and when she opened it she cannot found any message she search for Oliver to ask what he wants to tell her. But she can’t found Oliver she did not know, Oliver was preparing a special dinner to my house. I was then Lara’s bestfriend for so many years. Everything was in place, but Lara that time is still searching for Oliver then when I saw her coming, I warned Oliver to be ready. After a while, Lara presses the doorbell, Oliver and I was so nervous. Then I opened the door. I pretend that I did not know where Oliver was then I let her to get inside. Suddenly, the lights turned off and I bring Lara to the garden where Oliver prepares the dinner. It’s so romantic, the garden was full of red balloon and the table was covered by red table cloth with candle light.

            Next morning, when I was busy surfing to the internet, Lara calls me and I can feel that she was so happy and inspired. Then she shared what happened to them last night as if I was not there, she told me that Oliver was already her boyfriend. I was so happy for them. And that was the start of their love story.

            Their relationship lasts for two years, as I can see them, they are already contended and happy with each other since that was their first time to have special someone.

            That was June when Oliver’s parents decided to sent Oliver back to their home. Lara cannot do anything. Then she let Oliver to go back. Months had passed when Oliver did not show to Lara anymore; they have no communication at all.

            Lara starts to become depressed she can’t believe that Oliver did not try to call or text her. Then Lara starts to hate Oliver. She hates Oliver so much. Then she decided to go back to London to find any job. The day that Lara went back to London was the day that Oliver went back to Manila, and then Oliver explains why he can’t contact Lara. Because their place was located at the most remote area and there were neither signal nor internet.

            Oliver waited for Lara for quiet sometime. He’s been tried to contact Lara but Lara always ignore his calls. Oliver decided to pursue his second dream and that is to become a priest. Before he went to the seminary, Oliver leaves a message to the email of Lara and he explains everything. Oliver waited for five days if Lara will reply, but sad to say she didn’t. While in London, Lara did not find any time to look for her email because she was so busy for her work. After a day, Lara had tried to check her email and then she read Oliver’s message. She cried because she still love Oliver, then she calls Oliver to say sorry but it was too late for her because Oliver was already in the seminary.

            After 5 years, Lara went back to the Philippines to visit her family as well as Oliver. She was hoping that when she went back Oliver will still be there to be her boyfriend. But she knows it will never be that way. When she arrived at her house she remembers her moment with Oliver then her tears fall from her eyes. She knew to herself that she really love Oliver. Until that time she was still hoping that she will see Oliver. Although she knows that it will be impossible. While inside in the seminary, Oliver was not totally happy because he always thinking for Lara there were no day for him to be happy because of Lara. Until such time, he was ready to become a priest.

            After a year, Oliver received a message that there will be a wedding that will be held to Manila Cathedral. Oliver was not supposedly being the one to take charge to that wedding but because he was the only priest that was available he was asked to be the one to replace the priest who in-charge to that wedding. When he was driving he saw his picture with Lara, then he remember Lara. Tears fall from his eyes.

            When the wedding starts, Oliver start to cry because he know that the bride was the only girl he love and that was Lara. He wants to quit but he can’t do it because it was his responsibility as a priest. Oliver tried his best to finish the wedding but he was shocked when Lara quit. He ran after Lara. After he found Lara they find each other to talk about his past relationship. Until they get to the tough decision that they should both agree, on whether they will continue and leave their present situation or to stop everything so that everything will be in place. Oliver decided to stop their relationship because he doesn’t want to have any complications in their present lives. Lara asks him if he still loves her, Oliver did not answer. He looks at Lara then tears fall from their eyes, Oliver smile to Lara and he said “I love you”. Then he kissed Lara. Then after he does it, he left Lara alone.

            After one week, Oliver asks permission to quit for being a priest because he wants to be with Lara. When he was in the outside world, he was excited to see Lara but when he arrived at Lara’s house he was surprised of what he saw.

            He saw Lara with Benjamin, they were happy. Oliver cried and he asks me what happened. Then I told him, “That day when you left Lara alone, she want to tell you that she was already pregnant, one month. But if you ask me why she cried, the answer is, she still loves you but she can’t be with you anymore because she will have now a future baby and she can’t say I do to you anymore.”

           

I Just Want you to be Happy

By: Orlan Doromal Tabuada Jr.

It was 18^th day of November, when I saw her. She was totally naughty and rebellious. I loved watching her, although I know to myself,  that I will not like her because of her attitude but I don’t know what happen why I can’t get her out of my mind.

I supposed to pass that way, but accidentally I slipped right to her, and luckily I kissed her.  I saw her brown eyes and her lips, it is really like a lips of a baby.  Soft and delicious. I supposed to smile at her but I was hit by her finger. I tried to say sorry but she refused to accept it. She cried right to my face and she said “you idiot!, why you kissed me? Do you want me to kill you?”.  I was shocked and didn’t say any word. I hurriedly get my bag and run.

One morning, I saw her again. She was wearing a white whole dress. And it is so annoying for me to see her wearing that kind of dress.  My lips began to open and start laughing; unknowingly, she went to me and hit me again. I was shocked for the second time around. It hurts, but this time, she does it gentler than the first. I began to admire her when I saw her giving candies and foods to the street children. That was the first time I saw her smiling. That makes me realize that I shouldn’t judge her the first time I saw her. I supposed to leave to that place when somebody called my name. And it was, Richard, the closest friend I ever had to our village. To my surprise, Richard who is my true friend is the boyfriend of the girl I really admire.  I came to Richard to give him a straight punch. “ouch!” Richard said. I was just laughing at him. Then after sometime, that girl came by. I don’t know, but my body was shaking and my heart began to explode. I smiled at her, but in the third time she hit me again. Richard was shocked but me?  I already used to that, I asked her why but she was just staring at me like a horrible criminal. But because of Richard I did not asked her that much.

A month later, Richard was requested by his parents to visit their farm at Bukidnon. And Richard as the only child should say yes to the request of his parents. But before he went to Bukidnon, he asked me to take good care of his girlfriend. And because he is my friend, I did not refuse to his request.

It was 3^rd day of January when Richard’s flight to Bukidnon. Me and July (his girlfriend), accompanied him to the airport. Richard kissed her and say goodbye. When Richard hugged her, there is a strange feeling I felt. I know it is not for Richard, it is for July. I can’t afford watching her crying it seems that my heart is also crying. I don’t know, but I think, this time, I already fell in love with her.  I know it is wrong but I can’t help myself falling in love with her.

As the day goes by, I and July is starting to become a friend, until such time I already gained enough strength and courage to court her. She was surprised. I thought she will not accept me but to my surprised she says yes to me even though we know it is wrong because she still have a boyfriend, but still, we continue. Until such time Richard went back. We kept our mouth shut. Richard was innocent about the things happened for the past 3 months. We decided to keep our relationship as a big secret and don’t want to tell it to Richard. At first, I think its o.k but when I saw them kissing, It makes me realize that I can’t go on with this kind of relationship. I find time to talk with her, and to ask about our relationship. She just told me that she can’t find any ways to break him up. I let her choose between the two of us, and then she chooses me. I did not expect it. That time, I wanted to give up on her but she forced me to hold on. But because I really loved her I choose to stay.

Another one month. But this time I can’t continue the kind of relationship we have. I asked her again. But still she chooses me. I asked her, why me?. Then she just replied me this statement “I don’t know, but for now, all I know is that, I love you”. After she says that, my tears began to fall. I turned my head and began to walk. She caught me and hugged me tight. She was crying and begging to wait but I already made up my mind and I told her “I want to be with you forever, but we both know, we entered a wrong relationship and I can’t afford hurting someone, most especially my friend. I love you and you know that but this time. I just want you and my friend to be happy. I’m sorry but I think I should set you free”. She let me go.

After that incident, I heard news coming from our neighbour. “There was a girl hanging in the big tree!” The news spread very fast. At first, I did not mind it, but when I heard the police that the name of the girl was July. I run quickly to the place where the big tree located. And when I reached there, my body seems to collapse and my knee becomes weak. It was her, July, the girl whom I truly loved. She was already gone. I hugged her tight and kissed her head, I began to cry. It seems that my world was gone. I want to go with her. I regret why I did not fight our relationship. But it is too late. She’s gone. My life was gone. I don’t want to see the world, I want her! I want her!

 At the burial, Richard gives me the letter that July gave to him before we talk, and she said to the letter “I’m sorry Richard; you know that I love you but I love John more than you. I’m sorry; I want you to set me free”. After I read it her mother came by and told me, “my daughter doesn’t want any except, you, she want to marry you and she really loves you”. Her mother hugged me tight and cry to my shoulder.

THE END. . .

THE HOPELESS FATHER

By: Orlan Doromal Tabuada Jr.

Before, we are a happy family

But it was all lost, because of the tsunami

I thought it was just a small tragedy

But I was wrong, because it almost killed half of the community

During the earthquake and tsunami

I tried my best to keep my family in safety

I even sacrifice my own life

Just to protect them to make them survive

I ran to the kitchen to get my wife’s medicine

But I make sure that they are secured where I put them

But when I was about to go out

Our ceiling was collapsed and totally breaks out

Fortunately, I survive from the tsunami event

But sad to say, my family didn’t

I scream just to call their names

But no one answered me except from my fellow friends

After two days, I decided to find them again

I never let my hope to be erased until the end

Eventhough, many people would say “they are gone”

But I don’t want to quit, maybe I could find even one.

Then suddenly I saw a child

It reminds me of my family, hoping them to be alive

But what will I do if I saw them died?

Maybe I just sit down and cry for their lost live.

LET’S HAVE SEX

Once there was a teen-ager whose life was, shall we say, different from the others. He wants to have a peaceful and wonderful life with God. He was actually a very conservative person with a very unique personality. He love to read bible than to read those pornographic magazines and comics, he love to watch inspiring and religious movies than to watch adventure and action movies and lastly, he prefer to stay in the church than to stay with his friends. His name was Allie. A 17 year old guy who don’t want to be associated with those very naughty and wicked boys, for him, he want to serve and praise God in his entire life. That’s why, his parents were not surprised when he tell them that he want to be a priest, and they were expecting that he will be going to the seminary than to go to any prestigious university.

After his graduation, Allie went to his uncle who was also priest, he convince his uncle to let him be enrolled in one of the theologian school in Manila. Allie was very happy when he knew that his uncle grants his request but unknowingly, instead of sending him in Manila, his uncle decided to send him in Europe because his uncle was assigned in that place. Even before Allie knew that he will be send in one of the theologian school in Europe he was so happy and excited to meet new people who have the same interest and personality as to him.

          The day when Allie and his uncle went to Europe has finally arrived. Allie was so excited. When they finally landed in one of the airport in Europe, because of the excitement, Allie forgot to bring his bag in the airport and the important papers where placed there that’s why Allie decided to go back to the airport and find his bag. When he was actually in the escalator, Allie was get disrupted because she saw a woman that was wearing a mini skirt and from his position, he can see the underwear of the woman and it was t-back. Allie immediately picks his bag and then goes. Allie was shocked and because he can’t easily recover from his experience, he asks his uncle why women in this place are not conservative as to the women in the Philippines. His uncle laughs and explains everything then Allie tries his best to digest the information that his uncle was actually tells to him.

          After a week his uncle already sent Allie in the theologian school. Allie tries to imagined the place as well as the people living in that seminary, he think that the students were all kind, religious and silent type just like him but he was get disappointed because his expectation was not meet. The people who he thinks we’re all kind, religious and silent are the opposite, people there was actually wicked, naughty and nasty.

          One morning, when Allie already finish his prayers, he heard his roommate talking with each other, one of his roommate says “are you ready?”, then the other boy says “yes I’m ready, so let’s have sex?”. Allie was surprised and got curious because his two roommates which are actually having the same organ will have a sexual intercourse. Allie follows his two roommates, and then suddenly they stop at the CR. Allie feels so nervous and uneasy. He wants to look at his roommates what they are actually doing but sad to say, Allie was caught by his superior and calls him to discuss few things at his office. After the discussion with his superior, Allie went to his room to take a rest, and then he saw his two roommates. They were actually whispering to each other. Allie thinks that these two boys have really an intimate relationship.

          In the following morning, Allie was observing his two roommates after they take their breakfast, the two boys went again to the CR to have a sex. Allie was wondering if they really doing these nasty things, until one evening before everybody are requires to take a sleep, his roommate whispers to him and then he says “let’s have a sex session tomorrow”, because he really wants to know what these two boys was doing, he replied yes to his roommate and then they sleep.

          In the morning right after they take their breakfast, the two boys together with Allie went to the CR to start their session. Allie feels so awkward and uneasy he was just following his two roommates. The two boys blindfolded Allie, and then they ask him, “Are you ready?” Allie did not reply because he was feels so nervous, Allie was waiting for his roommate to do something but when his roommate gets the blindfold he was surprised of what he saw. He saw 10 boxes of chocolate and 10 boxes of candies. Then they start to eat all of their chocolates and candies but unknowingly there was one of the seminarians who happen to hears their voices inside the CR and it seems they are doing something sexual. Then that seminarian told their superior and then he surprised the three boys in the CR. “what are you doing?” the superior shouted them, then Allie reply him by saying “nothing sir, were just having a sex session here, how about you sir? Do you want to have sex with us?”

NO CRY, NO MORE!!

At first, she slaps my face

And then, she kicks my knees

Then next, she drags my arm

And kiss me warm

I push her away

Because my eyes are starting to gray

I can’t breathe! I told her

But she did not listen and continue what she’s doing

After she makes me free

I feel good and starting to feel glee

I talk to her with a full of kindness

But she responded me with full of sexiness and full of aggressiveness

I help her to find her cottage

Because she told me that she has something to say

I waited for almost fifteen minutes

But she did not show to me even a glimpse

I started to walk away

But she shouted me and she said that I will stay

I ask her what she want to me

She just told me that she needs somebody

She cried and cried at my shoulder

Then only I discover

She told me that she has a cancer

And she can’t tell her family because she is the bread winner

That’s why she decided to take her vacation alone

To have a peace of mind and to have a solemn vacation

I understand why she was drunk

And I understand why she was acts like a crank

After that night

I told her that she has a very good fight

A fight that she must face

Not just to her family but also to her self

I told her to stop crying

And start to open her mind to the new beginning

I wipe away the tears in her eyes

Then she smiles at me and told me that she will be okay.  

The Monster Inside Me

“Hi my name is Hale, every time I wake up my hands were always full of blood, I can’t remember what are the things that I’ve done why you gave this to me, I know for somehow I’ve become bad but you know that I’ve tried my best to change it, you gave me something that is so hard to accept you let the monster to get inside of my body. And you know that I can’t control that monster. I want to get and killed him! But how will I do that if he’s always with me. I don’t know what will I do, please help me, I want to get this monster inside me”     

He’s name was Hale. He is a 25 year old man who loves to play video games. Every single day of his life, he wants to spend in just playing and playing. One day when he was at the video game shop, he saw a very beautiful lady, she was wearing red shirt with white shorts , of course, she have also a fair white skin, her hair were black and her lips were so kissable and her body, she was so hot.

            After Hale saw that beautiful woman he tried his best to get the number of that woman and to have a date with her. it was almost a month that Hale was courting that girl but when the day comes when that girl was actually answered him, Hale got disappointed, because when he saw the girl, she’s with other guy. Hale was so depressed because he was not expected that girl was nothing but a girl with no heart. Then Hale spent his time playing with video game.

            After a month, Hale got a bad news from his brother. He found out that their parents were crashed in a car accident. Hale was shocked about the news and he directly went to his brother’s house, to check if it is true. But when he arrived there, he found out that his brother was right. Hale’s parents were dead. Then after that, Hale decided to throw away his video games and concentrated to the business that his parents left to him.

            Since Hale have no any background about the business, it is not surprising if Hale can’t handle the business right. That’s why after 3 months, the business was bankrupt, the only thing that his parents left to him was already gone.

            Hale did not cope with the situation, he always get drunk and find for any trouble that makes his life more miserable. He did not want to go to his home because until now, he still feels the presents of his parents. Hale get worse everyday. All the people were already hate him and always box him. The only place that Hale gets relieved was in the river.  

            One day when he was getting drunk again, he find another trouble and accidentally, he hit one of the kids playing outside the bar. There are blood scattered in his face and his hands. Hale was panic and run to the river. After a while, Hale got asleep and when he wakes up one morning, he was surprised of what he saw. There was a woman sitting beside him. The woman was actually beautiful but one thing that Hale observed, that woman was looking at one direction only. Because of Hale’s curiosity he ask the woman then the woman admit that she was a blind person.

            Hale ask the girl why she was with him then the girl said “I never been feel and see beautiful place like this”, Hale was laughing. Then the girl asks him “why? Is there something wrong with my statement? Do i have no right to use the term see it’s because of my situation?” Hale stop laughing and become serious. Then after a while the woman ask him, “how about you Mr why you are here and what is your name?” at first, Hale did not answer him but because the woman will not stop on asking then Hale forced to tell him but before he tells everything to that woman, Hale remember his family, and then he cried. The woman was surprised and she ask Hale what happened then Hale tells her “my name is Hale; I’m a very bad guy with a nonsense life story. I love to see troubles and I also love to hurt somebody”, the woman asks him why but Hale did not utter any words again. Then the woman touches his face to wipe away his tears and touches his hands, then the woman said “I know that you are a good person, this hands, it already tired of holding things which it thinks it could be impossible to touch.” Then the woman hugs him.

            Then after a minute of chatting with each other they decided to return to their home but Hale decided to accompanied the woman first, before they reached to the woman’s house, Hale ask the woman’s name then he found out that her name was Miriam. They are comfortable with each other and they find themselves very happy. Their friendship lasted for one year but Hale can’t still get himself in drinking those alcoholic drinks.

            Miriam tried her best but she cannot do anything to stop Hale she’s been trying to understand Hale but this time she’s want to give up. Until such time, she told Hale that she don’t want to see him anymore because she don’t want to have a friend who is always drunk. But Hale begs her and tries to give him another chance. Then Miriam accepts his proposal so long that he will change. Hale really tried his best to get out with that drinks but often times he can’t control himself if he will do that he make sure that Miriam will not know it.

            After a month, Hale and Miriam became lovers they were happy with each other, Hale stops drinking alcoholic drinks. Their relationship lasted for 2 years but everything was change when they found out that Hale got a liver cancer. The doctor gave him one month to live. Each day of their lives they spent it wisely. Hale’s cancer became worse and worse everyday they tried to find solution. But it was all useless. Hale admits to himself that he will be lost one day but for Miriam she can’t admit it.  Hale said to Miriam “before I die, I want you to know that I never been tired of loving you, you change me and you’ll never leave me. I love you. Hope for the very last time, my wish will come true.” Miriam replied with a tears in her eyes “ what is that?”. Hale replied “before I die I want you to marry me” Miriam cried and she say yes. Hale put the ring in her finger everyone in that room was actually crying.

            When the day of their wedding has finally arrived, Hale was the happiest man that day eventhough he was in his wheelchair. When the ceremony starts Miriam also starts to cry although she can’t see the people around her, still she knows that everybody was crying. It only takes a minute when their wedding was finally comes to an end. Then Hale tried his best to stand just to kiss his beautiful bride.

            When they were in their honeymoon, Hale feels so warm and he want to smell the fresh air along  the sea that’s why they went to the seashore. They watch the sunset and they try to reminisce all of their past moment. Hale was just looking at the face of his wife then tears falls from his eyes. Then he told Miriam “I never thought that I will be your husband. I’m sorry, I want to stay with you but we know that it will be impossible. Though someday I will be lost, I promise that I will not stop loving you, hopefully when I’m gone you would find someone else that could replace me and love you more than the love that I’ve shown to you. It is really hard but what will I do if this monster inside me will not go.” Then Miriam told him “yes the monster, the monster that could get you to me, the monster that we can never defeat and the monster that I will always be hated forever.” Then Hale look at the sky and he whisper “Hi my name is Hale, you know what? every time I wake up my hands were always full of blood, I can’t remember what are the things that I’ve done why you gave this to me, I know for somehow I’ve become bad but you know that I’ve tried my best to change it, you gave me something that is so hard to accept you let the monster to get inside of my body. And you know that I can’t control that monster. I want to get and killed him! But how will I do that if he’s always with me. I don’t know what will I do, please help me, I want to get this monster inside me” then Miriam hug him and try to comfort him.

            Then before the sun went down Hale kiss Miriam’s forehead then Hale said “goodnight” and hug his wife. Miriam knows that it will be the last words that he can hear from Hale. Then Miriam told him “get sleep and take a rest don’t worry I will never leave beside you, I love you”.

A POEM FOR MY EX

Every time you look at me

You always showed that smile to me

I tried my best to respond to it

But I don’t know what happen why I can’t do it.

You always call my name when I’m away

Through calls and text or even to your simplest way

You always make me smile every day

And I did not notice I fallen for you every single day

One day I tell my feelings to you

And you told me that you love me too

I was so happy when I heard that word from you

But I ask myself if that is true?

I wonder why you said that word to me

Well, in fact, it was just a part of your cruelty

I admit that I was hurt

But what can I do if I really meant.

Now that we’re about to end

I want to tell you one important thing

I never regret what I’ve done

Because I believe that my experience has just begun.