For the moment of a Squirrel...

Just like that, like a wind passing the vast blue sky, like a squirrel running a thud after picking up a nut inside a tree hole, everything changed. Those scenes, they were not that long or momentous as far as I can remember. But they were memorable enough to make me smirk, something to ponder when I am bored. I can still think about those even until now. Of course, talking about the wind, anything is possible for the wind. It could bring immeasurable joy or perhaps the sound of irrevocable death. But mine has nothing to do with that element of nature. I was and am a sneaky animal and this 'emo' blog entry has something to do with my irregular-shaped vital organ located in the left portion of my chest.

I was and still am on the edge, but not really at the tip of the sword, of falling in love. But this feeling, for some reasons, I tried to contain because I think this is just another piece of crap. So, I played around. Have had asked her for a date several times but most of those nights were my remarkable absences. Had told her that will stroll around for a longer while after my class. Had told her that will eat together some time. Had told her that what we have is just plain, mutual understanding, and that we do not need to overdo it. We do not need to over-react. I played dumb. She had no choice but to join monopoly. But ours is closer to snake and ladders. Waley. Waley. Who gets to the top first wins. But what is on the top, really?

Should I just stop rolling the dice? or how about grab her in and stop fooling around? Which is which, well I do not know. I do not intend to know. But really, cupid had me hit. So what should I do next? Okay then, I will sleep. That would be good. But this thing would make me restless. What a puppy dog...I am such a kiddo inside...

The Universal Language

Finally, a young woman approached who was not dressed in black. She had a vessel on her shoulder, and her head was covered by a veil, but her face was uncovered. The boy approached her to ask about the alchemist.

At that moment, it seemed to him that time stood still, and the Soul of the World surged within him. When he looked into her dark eyes, and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke-the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart.

It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had theirs here at the well. She smiled, and that was certainly an omen-the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life. The omen he had sought to find with his sheep and in his books, in the crystals and in the silence of the desert.

It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world.

He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it's easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it's in the middle of the desert or in some great city. 

And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one's dreams would have no meaning.

Note: This is an excerpt of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, a New York Times bestseller , sold over millions worldwide and was translated into 65 languages.

Summer Days at McDonald’s

Sometimes, you just need to say what you want to say. Because in either way, the two of you won’t get elsewhere but only closer to the truth – That you feel the same way and you can’t live without the other — The Salamander

The glass window cracked open, and she came in. I watched her as she glided gracefully towards me, and at that moment, I thought she was the most attractive girl in the world. She walked nearer to me, maybe a few meters or so, and I found out that there was a gentle thrill in my heart that only happens every time we meet. It was a mixture of inner emotions that every man rarely experienced unless he is deeply in love, but I wasn’t sure. I don’t know if there is love or what I feel for her is just mere friendship.

“Hi,” she said, and I made sure that our eyes would meet. She grinned at me for a moment, and gradually it turned to a beautiful smile, the one that meets the corners of her ears. I nodded, not because it was the only thing I could do. It’s just that I’ve got no words to say. Then, I smiled back. I looked at her eyes again, and they sparkled like fine emeralds in the sand of time.

And again, since the first time we met, as she caught me looking at her like that, I wondered if she knew what I was thinking. I wondered if she knew that I think she was beautiful. I wondered if she knew that I think she had been always very feminine, and attractive to me. And I also wondered if she was even aware of her looks.

We were always like this last summer. Every other day, if I have a vacant period from my summer classes, we would meet at McDonald’s. It was our escape from boredom and our only way of enjoying what summer could offer.

“So how’s your day,” she asked me as she fished two sticks of thin-sized potato fries from a cartoon box. I said my day was fine and that I hate it when the sun is too hot. She nodded, too, because she prefers walking under the rain than staying outside under the heat of the sun.

For a while, she turned her head slowly from left to right, as if searching for someone. Eventually, she looked at me and drove her eyes to a girl at her left. “She’s beautiful,” she said. I nodded again, and glanced at the girl she was referring to. The truth was, I didn’t find the girl pretty because she was there in front of me. For me, she was the one who was beautiful. Then, I looked at her.

“What?” she asked.

I smiled, “Nothing.” Then, I pulled a set of hand-outs from my bag and started reading the important things I need to remember for my exam the next day.  With a surprising tone, she asked, “Is that really you?”

“What? I’m a goody-goody student now.” I continued reading the hand-outs with my hands. In a while, I heard her laughing. She didn’t believe my first statement. “You see, I want to pass my subjects. That’s why I’m studying.”

“I know. But that’s just so not you.”

“I’m hurt.” Then, she laughed again. Sometimes, I wondered why all the things I said to her that have sense was funny or was it just me that looked so funny every time I utter adult-like statements.

I turned the next page and have realized that none of the things I’ve read sunk into my brain. She’s a good distraction after all. “So, how’s your love life?” She seemed surprised with my question. Actually, it’s not the first time I asked her something like this.

“You asked me that the other day. Have you forgotten? I said I’m not into love. Anyways, you should get one. You’ve been single for one and half year already,” she shrugged.

“I know. I don’t want to get any. I’m enjoying this.”

“Enjoying what?”

“This. You and me. Here in Mcdonald’s every other day. I love this. I need no girlfriend.”

She did not respond. I held my bottle of coke that I ordered earlier and sipped some. It was not in a few minutes that we talked again after a couple of young so-in-love couples came in. “See that?”

“Gosh! Their teens. They don’t know what’s love. They’re just hopeless romantic,” she snapped.

“Of course they do. What’s wrong with you?” I said. Her smile turned into a frown. She shook her head and said it’s nothing. I nodded and signaled him to continue eating her potato fries.

I scanned my notes for the next chapter lessons. Yet again, I couldn’t focus. I sometimes wondered why she couldn’t get me. Why she couldn’t, at least, get the idea that I like her. Why she couldn’t define what I meant when I look at her.

It’s been so long a wait, I guess. I need to ask her now. “You free tonight?”

“Why? You’re asking me for a date?” she giggled.

“Yes, because I like you. Don’t you know that?”

She was silent. She fished another stick of fries and sipped her soda. I was nervous. I could feel my hands involuntarily shaking by what I have asked. I didn’t mean it but I like what I did. I tried to look up and find her eyes, but she just kept on looking down, as if thinking for something.

The chair cracked a sound and I could see her getting her bag, might getting ready for an exit. I knew it was a bad timing. I shouldn’t have done that. She stood up and shove the chair back to its proper place. This is goodbye, I thought for myself.

“See you at eight o’clock, then.” she smiled and walked away.

Note: This story is a general work of fiction. This story was published in The NORSUnian, the official weekly student publication of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). I purposely wrote this story to entertain and to give a good read the students of the said university.

A Narrow Walk

A bell is no bell 'till you ring it. A song is no song 'till you sing it. And love wasn't put there in your heart to stay. Love is not love until you give it away...

It was 5:30. My class has just ended and I have decided to go home right after. But of course, I did some checking to some of my friends's blogs first in our publication office. I just read them and rarely leave a comment.

Then, I started walking down the stairs and traced the university pathways. After exiting the main gate, I put my ID inside my backpack and walked again. This time, I played with my Lock and Lock Tumbler. I waved the tumbler by its sling using my index finger. I usually do this in elementary, while waiting for a tricycle along the highway.

Up above were clouds so dark. I knew it's gonna rain soon. But I still had to march the narrow sidewalks. I knew I had to walk fast but I saw someone unexpected. My past love. I had to walk slower, she, too, did the same. We started looking from afar yet were very aware by each other's presence.

I need to smile...Should I? I'll give her a smirk, maybe. I said to myself. But she's no longer the girl I fell inlove with. She would smile at me even from afar and made sure that our eyes would meet in an instant. But this time, she looked the other way around as soon as we exchanged smiles. I felt too plain, no spark. It was like a string was never attached between the two of us. It was like we never existed to each other's lives. It was like I never knew her at all, never even met.

She turned into a pig. She gained weight and everything about her beauty is gone. She looked so homely, nothing special, unlike before when she was still a head-turner. She's now kinda fat. No offense to her, really. I'm just saying it. It's all I can say. Hahaha.

But it's not about her really. It's about love itself. How many times do we have to kiss the wrong lips? How many times do we have to hold a hand that doesn't fit ours? How many times do we have to dream with someone but only to get disappointed in the end? Why do we have to fall inlove with the wrong ones at the wrong time?

But there is something good in waiting. YES. There is something good in waiting. HE is planning it all out for all of us. We all have our own share of love story. We just need to wait. I kissed dating goodbye two and a half years ago. I am waiting patiently. I'm waiting for someone and praying for it, too.

Lyrics and Metaphors

If I still think of her today

Why didn't I tell her long ago?

I could have saved all wondering

For I'd have peace if I did know.

If I had learned of metaphors

Before I wondered 'bout the stars

Would I have written verses then

And worshiped Venus instead of Mars?

If I had found my tongue could rhyme

Would I have shown a face sans mask,

A heart unsure? But woe is me--

I'll never know, I didn't ask.

This is a magnificent poem written by a Filipino Artist H.O. Santos. I think this is wonderful, and at the same time sad. Is this for real? Was he really regretting that he wasn't able to say the right words for the woman he loves? I think he is romantic, and the woman must have been so lucky if ever she knew about this.

Why did he not tell her? I can't sleep thinking of what could have been the probable reasons on why he became a martyr of love.

Wonderful Tonight

The title of this entry is the title of one of my favorite love songs. Well, it's classic by the way. I think it is romantic, passionate, and filled with love. Each time I hear this song from my music player, I always wonder how he deeply loves the woman. He watches her momentarily as she brushes her hair, as she chooses her dress, and as she walks beside him in the party. Perhaps, she's his wife. I just don't know what to say. He is just so deeply and irrevocably inlove with her. Here's the lyrics. :) You can play the video above, too. But, pause first the music player in the left bottom-most portion of this page.

It's late in the evening

She's wondering what clothes to wear

She puts on her make up

And brushes her long blonde hair

And then she asks me

Do I look alright

And I say yes, you look wonderful tonight

We go a party

And everyone turns to see

This beautiful lady

That's walking around with me

And then she asks me

Do you feel alright

And I say yes, I feel wonderful tonight

I feel wonderful

Because I see the love light in your eyes

And the wonder of it all

Is that you just don't realize

How much I love you

It's time to go home now

And I've got an aching head

So I give her the car keys

She helps me to bed

And then I tell her

As I turn out the light

I say my darling, you were wonderful tonight

Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight

I'm Thinking About You

I've got nothing to write about. So, let it be this way. These are all I want to say.

When Two Broken Hearts Talk

The rain just fell down quite a sudden yesterday afternoon. I could hear thuds of hurrying feet. And as each raindrop slaps the soil on the ground, I wondered how many drops of tears ran through her face, spilled to the ground when she was heartbroken.

Me: How's your heart?

She smiled, and told me to stop it.

Me: Really. How are you?

Her: I don't know. I still think about him sometimes. It hurts. Still.

Me: Hahaha. I know!

Her: Shut up!

Me: You don't need to lie about it.

Her: I always wanted to tell you about this. It's just that you are always not around.

Me: I'm getting popular. I'm hiding from the press.

Her: I want to move on. How will I do that?

Me: You want to move on? Then let's walk.

We were walking while the rain poured over us. Maybe an hour or so.

Her: I want to forget him.

Me: You can't do that. I mean, you can. But not now.

Her: What did you do when she left you?

Me: You know how it is. I was devastated.

Her: What did you do to get rid of the pain?

Me: I eat. All the time. You see that? That's tempura. I eat things like that all the time.

Her: I don't eat tempura. It makes me vomit.

Me: Then, eat ice cream. See that store over there? it gains profit because I buy ice cream every night.

Her: hmmm...Really?

Me: Sure. Let's eat then. My treat.

Then, it was my turn.

Her: Why still single up to now? I know you. You can get one whenever you feel like it.

Me: You know I'll marry someone at 27 or 28, don't you?

Her: Hahaha. I know. Just stop the cold and harsh social drama.

Me: I'm not hurting her, am I? I know I'm not. Besides, I'm tired of all the people there.

Her: She told me about it. The books and stuff. Hahaha.

Me: I hope she'll be fleshy when I turn 27.

Her: So, how about now. No plans of having a girlfriend?

Me: I'm tired. I'm looking for something. Something real.

Her: Hahaha.

Me: Really. I just don't want anyone getting involved with my life.

Her: Can you remember the days with your ex-gf? Come on! Weren't those days nice? You can stay in your room and be happy about it. That there's someone who loves you.

Me: Was it all about sex? I don't know. You know how she is and what she looks like. Her cleavage makes me weak, and all about her makes me think nothing but sex.

Her: You said you love her?

Me: I did. There was love and lust. But when we broke up, I come to realize that I was attracted to her looks, and later on, feel inlove. I loved her. You know that. And sex, too.

Her: You really did that?

Me: No. Just kidding!

Her: Come on. Just tell me. Did you two screwed up?

Me: What are you talking about? I'm clean. And Fresh. Haha.

And another conversation came up.

Her: You look good together.

Me: Who?

Her: ______

Me: She doesn't get me. She just don't get me! She's playing dumb.

Her: It was your fault.

Me: Mine? My fault!

Her: Yeah. You didn't tell her.

Me: I was obvious. She's just.....complicated.

Her: You're the one who is complicated. I often see you around walking with her and you just  can't say it.

Me: I'm tired. It was Joshua Harris' book. That jerk! That guy led me to singleness.

Her: hahaha.

Me: It's okay. I'm dating someone now.

Her: who?

Me: A Sillimanian chick.

Her: Another one?

Me: Yes. Another one.

Her: Stop that. Go back to her and talk her out. The other one.

Me: Geez. You're sick!