Fiction # 2
*written sometime last January 2004
MARLA’S PRIDE
Of all the people who have paved their way across the road I’m taking, Marla is probably the hardest to deal with. I find it difficult to meet her standards because she doesn’t know how to accept people the way they are. Although I hate to say this, I have to accept the fact that she’s just one of those plenty leaves that fall along my way, which I have to sweep in order to get through a more vivid direction.
I find it vague how our relationship as two people who share camaraderie in a significant span of time came to this point wherein we began sailing through a turbid sea without any warning. I am totally clueless about what this unpredictable girl has about me in these past days. For sure, there are reasons why she suddenly poured her fury on me by treating me as if I were Casper, the way she has been treating a blood relative of hers for years.
Now, I sit in reverie wondering what those reasons could be—thinking whether those are deep enough to be considered or are just shallow enough like a stream which depends on another body of water to keep it going.
She probably hates me because I talk too much about my life. To tell you, I’m the type of person who is very open to friends who I think would listen and care about my life. But, sharing her tales about my experiences and the things I am made up of, made me realize that she’s not a listener. There was this time when I enthusiastically told her something about my crush, how inspired I am, and all those mushy stuff. Guess what reaction I got? Instead of receiving eagerness to lend me her ears just as what real friends do, all I got was something that thwarted my high-spirited emotions. She shooed me away and suggested to let another friend listen to me.
Another reason is probably because she finds me unapproachable especially when it comes to school work. Even though we sit near each other, she makes it appoint to avoid asking for help from me. It’s not a con for me if she doesn’t like the way I teach her since I can attend to the other classmates who ask for help.
Marla is the type of girl who is possessive; selfish, selosa in other words. She’s very strict about her boyfriend. In fact, she regularly checks his Friendster account. That makes me think that she doesn’t like it whenever I greet his boyfriend. That reason may suck but who knows how true it could be? Still, a lot of reason to my query revolves around my mind. I don’t want to mention them all because I’m already fed up, and also I am sure, both of us—you, the reader and me, the writer—would be spared if ever I did.
I made attempts of apologizing to her. Actually, those were not just attempts. I really apologized for whatever trespasses I have done but it seems like her heart has no room for humility, mercy and acceptance to the way people are made. If I wasn’t able to meet her standards of a friend, then it’s not my dilemma anymore.
When I was in the bondage of being with her, I felt like I was a cat on a hot tin roof. But now, the uneasy feeling is gone. I don’t care if she considers me an enemy. I don’t even know if she minds how plenty her foes are already. If ever that’s really how she looks at me now, it would be an added burden for her, not mine.
Creative Writing by Eleiza | Comment (0)Bye Bibby…
I feel: Upset, Fuming, Feeble
May 21, 2005 (Biby’s flight to heaven)
Why the heck should helpless, innocent creatures have to suffer?
I can’t help myself from grieving over the death of the dog of my dad’s friend—the mini pinscher that was once part of our family; the carefree and jolly dog who runs around our lawn and house, and who never fails to paint smiles on our faces by the mere act of playing with us.
Her name is Biby—or La Ruby, as it is in the PCCI papers. She is the pup of our pet, Lady and the sibling of Kaka and Laxalt. The radiance of her joyful soft brunette coat glow resides with us until my dad’s friend bought her.
Biby’s new owner takes good care of her and loves her very much. Her new master treats her as if she is a baby. With that, none is left for us to fret about.
Months walked by without us entertaining any thought of possible danger that may happen to any of our pets—especially our dogs. And in fact, just recently, the first batch of Lady’s pups had a reunion. Because Biby was in heat/menstruation, she stayed with us for a while so that Billy could stud/mate her. For quite sometime, my attention was diverted to her; I was happy to see how bibo she had become. Once again, her joyfulness filled the house and the home where she was conceived and whelped. After sometime, her owners fetched her. We were back to our normal lives and businesses again.
A while ago, I was writing a blog entry when Daddy called. I answered the phone and gave it to Mommy. I went back writing my reflection until a something-bad-and-so-saddening-happened voice from Mommy toned me to listen. Curious about any mishap that might have happened; I wasted no time asking Mommy even when she’s in the midst of a conversation with Daddy.
Si Biby, namatay, inatake ng Bullmastiff.
Hearing those dreaded words made me shocked. I felt as if my heart was shot by a 16 mm bullet speeding at 160 mph. At first, I refused to believe but later on. I realized that there’s no way I could escape from reality. Knowing I can’t do anything to recover Biby or to prevent the big barmy monster from hurting our dear dog, I left the tears flowing through my eyes.
Never had it occurred to me pondering that our pets would be in a situation like that (perhaps, that’s when the cliché expect the unexpected finds its legitimacy). Pets are so helpless and innocent. They are unworthy of any petrifying fate like that. Even if pets are to be punished, they don’t deserve any physical harm at all.
How could that dog mercilessly attack and kill little Biby?! By pushing Biby through the holes of death zone, innocent and helpless fetuses nurtured peacefully in Biby’s womb were ruthlessly lost.
I’m not alone brokenhearted over the fragile little dog’s fatal encounter with the hostile Bullmastiff criminal. By the arrogance of the demonic creature, not only Biby and the babies inside her womb suffered but also her owner—whose way of relieving the pain her heart holds is through endless sobs and sniffs—and of course, us.
But while it may be true that tears, sobs and sniffs are a gradual way of an otherwise emotional outburst and are good forms of pouring one’s feelings, they are pointless, useless. They couldn’t bring back time to dodge Biby from the thorn-like fangs of that mad mastiff!!!
That leaves me blaming nothing. Instead of crying and pointing fingers, all I could and must do is to turn to God—to thank him for Biby’s life; to thank Him for the joy that Biby has shared with us; to thank God for allowing Biby to play the role of a true-blue man’s bestfriend. Lord, thank you for the short yet meaningful and precious life you allowed Biby to share with us.
Don’t worry Lei, Biby is now safe in God’s hands.
I hope so…
I believe she is..
Easy Essays | Comment (1)the Take-Off
Mood: Enthusiastic
May 12, 2005 (bookmark: Orientation in UP School of Economics)
My hopes and dreams are gradually turned into reality.
Once, I was just an innocent lass, who upon knowing the essence of education, dreamt of graduating from any respectable school.
Here came my parents who encouraged me to set foot in the University of the Philippines—a highly reputable academic institution being the premier state university of the country.
So, here I was. Knowing I have but a slim chance of entering the university, neither did I review exhaustingly nor did I attend review classes for the entrance test. But anyway, I reviewed and crammed pop sheets and reviewers on my own and took the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) last August 7, 2004 for the sake of exposure. And yes, I was among the 65,000 aspirants who took the risk of taking such competitive exam.
When the test was over, doubts and uncertainties suddenly sprouted. The test made me feel like I should have studied more strenuously especially in the science area (I’m a weakling on that part). The test made me realize that, hey, I do like to study in UP pala. But everything is too late considering that the test was over and I believed my performance was not the best I could have done.
Despite my lack of spirit and enthusiasm prior to taking the exam, I prayed wholeheartedly to the Lord that I may earn my passport to my dream school. Dream school in a sense that UP students are known to be mga Iskolar ng Bayan. Being among the top one percent of the entire student population of the country, the government subsidizes a huge chunk of money for every student studying in UP—money amounting to a gleaming Php50,000 per semester—leaving the parents paying only around Php 7,000 per semester for an education of the highest quality in the country. That is the reason why most people look up to UP students. And UP graduates need not sweat excessively when looking for jobs. It is a fact that employers chase UP graduates instead of the latter running after the former. Indeed, UP graduates bear an indelible mark of greatness.
Days passed. Weeks lapsed. Months went by; only to find out sometime on February some scent of good news. You guessed it right! I was able to enter my dream school. And what’s even better is that I qualified in Diliman, the flagship campus—a privilege not just granted to anybody [with Pluto, BS Economics and Bea, BS Chemistry]
Here I am now, enrolled in the school of my dreams. Now that I already have my passport, I’m looking forward to start and survive in my academic odyssey in the whirl winding, zigzag, smooth and rocky roads toward becoming a full-fledged Maroon. So help me God. {Eleiza}
Easy Essays | Comments (2)