Everlasting Love By: Mahaliahscent

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    Editor’s Note: Every series of the contents of this story are purely fictitious, from the characters, events and incidents is a product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance of these characters to actual persons, living or dead, or of author’s fictitious events to any events that may have occurred at that time, is purely coincidental .Mentioning also those previous poems and short stories posted by Mahaliahscent were only but all fictitious. Thank you for reading the poems and stories.  Enjoy reading and God Bless you all.

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                                                    Everlasting Love

                                                    By: Mahaliahscent

   “Zhaidec…” Noemi spoke in a near whisper. Why are you doing this to me? Why am so important to you? I must admit… without you there would be no life for me. With you I can bear anything that happens, but without you I am nothing.” Looking at him with her sweetest smile, he leaned down and kissed her cheeks. And whisper…”It’s the same for me,” he said softly. “I need you, Noemi.” His lips found the soft sweetness of her skin, and he began to move quickly, he wants the world stop for seconds, he wants to enjoy being with his woman.

        They missed each other so much, their body seemed to melt together naturally, and they need each other. “Noemi, my Noemi,” he whispered, again his lips moving against her mouth, drawing out her passion. “Are you afraid with me?” with his big eyes try to scared Noemi, “ha ha ha ha… Noemi,   my Noemi”. He touched her long black hair, breathing deeply, allowing himself to enjoy the moment fully, and never knowing what tomorrow might bring. He wanted her as much today as always, and he would love her forever….

                         He stood at the bus station, glance his wrist watch and look at the people comes from the bus. He walked towards the ticket window asking the in-charge what time the next bus will arrive. A glint from the afternoon sun accenting the hard lines rugged living had etched into the brown skin of his handsome face. His curled black hair was brushed up and held his arm to it. His qurtha … he uses to take it off and just wear shirt and jeans. He was in city which is not so familiar with him. He must not look too “Indian,” although that was almost impossible, for everything about him was Indian. He dearly loved to wear white and brown but he likes all colors. He spends much time in his computer, studying and surfing, system analysis, encoding, and a lot more. He wants to help his family and work for them let his brothers attend their family business and he will work for them. He was so afraid with his mom and always hides his interests. No one knows where he is now, no one knows he travel far from his place just to see and meet her girlfriend. Three hours he spent waiting for her woman… “Where are you now? Noemi, my Noemi”, he is beginning to get upset now. His face is getting red wants to clinch his fist… but he can’t do anything just to wait for her. He can’t call her because he left his mobile no where that he can’t remember where he drops his mobile. “If she won’t come then this is it… I have to go back and never see her anymore”. He sits on the long bench inside the passenger’s booth, the air-conditioned room is so cold but he is sweating and feels anxious. What he did is to hold his hands to his face offer prayers,” Please God let her come and see me”.

                 “What are you thinking?” The soft voice came from his right side. He turned to look at his woman, his Noemi girl, who had just arrived from the last trip. It had been a hard journey to Colorado from the place he came but he had to come for Noemi and it irritated him that she had to come at all very late.”Why just now... can’t you come on time? What did you do the whole day? Are you busy with others... maybe your job again? His eyes drifted from her lovely face back to the bus where she rides then to the rutted streets over which cars clattered amid the bustle of a growing city. “I’m thinking about if what would happen to me if you will not come to see me; maybe I will just sleep here in this terrain or catch up the next flight and won’t see you anymore.” The airport is 40 minutes travel to the bus terminal, so if Noemi won’t come Zhaidec will just go back to the airport and returns home.

                   “Look at me--- standing here in white man’s clothes because I don’t dare to come to city dressed as what they call me.” Noemi says, “As an Indian, but look at yourself you’re an Indian”. He met her eyes again. “I’m not I said, and you have to wear that tight uncomfortable ‘proper’ pink woman’s shirt and jeans instead of the tunics you like so well, and without scarf or nakab, just so you aren’t scorned in the streets.”

                    She lay on her side watching him, studying the lean, slim body that remained so tame but strong despite his younger age as 33 years. There was nothing hard or muscular body figure about Zhaidec Khan, except perhaps a few extra lines on his forehead and deep seated eyes. The pointed nose that I love to touch, the thin lips that I love to kiss, fine beard and mustache that tickles me because of that I miss him so much. Noemi was surprised when he call for a taxicab, now where we going to your place or my place? “I rent a pad in case you will not show up,” said Zhaidec. Noemie just smiled, “Now you sound like Swift Arrow”.

                 That was ten years ago to be exact, now they’re married and shares interest in raising their children to good school and work hard for their children’s future. Zhaidec never change still the same man when he meets before.

                    That was also the side of him she understood best, which was why she understood him, his family, lifestyles, living and belief. He was raise good by his family. He has a loving parents, brothers, sisters and relatives. A fine living that everybody wants in life. He never suffers pain and sorrow because his way of life. Everybody loves him because he is the youngest son. Then she met Noemi that changes his lifestyles, his interest and dreams. He wants to change Noemi’s life, be with her in times of needs but they are far from each other. Even if he wants he can’t afford to do that. He has to continue his studies and be professional. He is doing that not because of his family but because of Noemi too. He has only one direction to take this time to be with Noemi for a week, a month or maybe a year. “But not forever”, Noemi said. “Why not, time will come and God will make a way… just trust Him.

                      She can’t do anything but to follow for she know that Zhaidec will do his promise to her. This old dilapidated house owned by his uncle Noah maybe best for you,” Noemi guide him to the house. He sighed and staring up at the ceiling. “I know, but what else can we do? Your family won’t allow me to stay in your house, its fine for me at least I can see you and talk to you more often.” He still can’t accept why Noemi’s family want him to be separated with him, because she left Noemi and escape his responsibility as husband and father of their kids. Ten long years of waiting and only now he show up, for what? To disturb Noemi and make her life complicated again? “I don’t know if this time you’re for good, but what’s in my mind is you’re my husband and I should not hide you from our children. “She says.

               He sighed and ambled over to her and carries Noemi into his arms, his animal grace reminiscent of wild things and the outdoors. He begun unbuttoned his shirt and began to remove it, revealing a slim figure, firm chest and muscular arms. A young good looking man now on her front, she is no longer dreaming … this is reality. “He rolled to his side, resting on his elbow and looking down at her. She always felt dwarfed beneath his tall, slim frame. He had inherited his powerful body from his brown father, who has been a very big man. His hard-edged leanness came from his Indian side, as did his brown skin and the piercing blue eyes that sometimes could almost hypnotize her, even after all the years they had been together. He ran his fingers lightly over her throat and chin.

                       “Still the same Noemi I love so dearly, I do,” he told her, forcing a smile for her. Things had been hard enough on them the last four days waiting for him to come and the hours he spent in the bus terminal almost an agony for him. At least he could try to keep his mood even. “Every time you talk like that I think about the eighteen-year-old girl I meet on that love bus, and how she try to escape from me as I follow her impatiently to her auntie’s house in Green Meadows and how she took that bamboo and threw unto my face.

                        She smiled sadly at the memory. She’d lost her dad when she was still a baby that’s been her mother told her and never see him. She grows in a family of her mom’s brother and her mom married another man and raises her own family. How painstakingly her life was because his poster father was so very strict not even split of seconds she receives beat and punishments for every mistake she committed. She even hurdled herself to work then study and took scholarship for her free education in college. That’s the reason why I came to see her to end up her misery. She studied the provocative smile that had made her melt when she was eighteen that still made her melt, nineteen more years and four children maybe later if it is our destiny. I want too but how will I start if we will end up with nothing.”Imagine! After all the years you’ve been telling me everything will be all right, no one will interfere even my mom, my relatives, friends and your family too.” Now it was she who was getting upset, despite her intention to calm down Zhaidec.”So this is the end of everything we had shared together,” took her scarf and sit. She met his blue eyes and they were dancing as he studied her lovely face. Her skin was still soft, thanks to the cream she used, and her soft long black hair showed no sign of gray. Zhaidec Noemi girl was still firm in the right places.

                       “Why on earth are you smiling, Zhaidec Khan?” she asked with a frown. “Nothing, I enjoy seeing you get angry,” he answered.”You’re prettier when you’re angry.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “Besides, if we can’t see a little humor in this dammed life, we might as well end it here and now, Noemi.” His smile faded then. “Things are going to get worse, I’m afraid. The day is coming when it will be a lot harder to smile.”

                      Their eyes held, a million memories flashing through both their minds….. Years gone by…. those first years spent with Zhaidec was heaven for her, no worries, no problems, everything is but happiness and sweetness… the hardships of surviving in a wild dreams far away from him will just ended with nothing.

                      There had been so many challenges and sacrifices, so many nights of crying since she’d come west and had fallen in love and married the half-breed fellow from western coast. Fate and necessity had separated them far too many times, but always he’d come back. Always her Zhaidec had returned to hold her, protect her, and provide for her needs.

                       But their last separation had brought the most pain. The family of her and him had torn them apart, sending Zhaidec east and leaving Noemi vulnerable in a city of thieves. Zhaidec’s pain at not being there in her most dire time of need could be read in his blue, loving eyes, especially in their intimate moments. Over all their years together, he had always protected her. He’d risked his life for her more than once, and he’d always sworn he would not allow her to be hurt. Yet he had failed her that one time, and he will not forgive himself, never forget it. Noemi! His beautiful, faithful Noemie-girl,I will never forgive myself and all my life I will never forget this. So much! They had been through so much together…. and survived! Always it seemed that their pain and loss came through in their lovemaking, mingled with their joy and laughter. Each time they made love the experience was enhanced by the deep secrets they shared, the special things that only two people who had been through what they had and who had survived could appreciate. His sweet kisses smothered her, and within moments they were both in the midst of excitement. It was as though this was all, as though this was the only way they could prove that as long each had the other everything would be all right. This was something no one could take away. No one!

                      In these wonderful moments all sorrow and pain were left behind. The end of everything, the unpredictable future was not to be thought of now. For all those years at least they were still together. Here, in each other’s arms, lay their power, their determination to survive against all odds. This great love could endure. “Sometimes it hurts to think about our future,” Noemi said. But I have to accept the real you. He kissed her eyes. “I know, but that’s life, Noemi girl. Everybody needs to move on.

                     She ran her fingers lightly over his handsome mouth. “I don’t want to think about that…about us getting separated….the children getting older. But if that would be our fate I am willing to sacrifice. I am just here waiting for you and will never close the door for you. She smiled through her burgeoning tears. “Oh, I look forward to that!”

                      “You are to me. And you’re, by God, beautiful enough that I have to keep a close eye on you in these wild cities. If you can only go and stay with me but life for us is so unfair. I have to leave you not because I don’t want responsibilities but because of fate that hinders our relationship. This will not take for a long time, trust me.”He shook his head at how fast he deep breathes looking again to Noemi’s beautiful face.

                       Three hours had passed still no Noemi in the bus terminal; he has to go to catch up the last trip bringing him to the airport for his flight to Colorado. “She will never show up”, said Zhaidec. He kneels down to kiss his youngest son, hugs his children for the last time. “I have to go now, I’ll be back soon, please tell your mom how much I love her.” The children wave their hand, “come home soon daddy.”

                       “I will you take care of yourself and your mom, I love you.” Zhaidec close the window and one last glance but there is no Noemi. She is there hiding in the corner looking for the departure of his Zhaidec. This time she knew that he will not returned home. It will be forever leaving her alone again. Race and breeding that’s the reason why he need to leave them. What a mixture of sentiments she needs to be brave and accept because of her children. If she will give up what will happened to their children. “I trust you God; you will give the way for me.”Noemi held the hands of her children and leaves the bus terminal. This time she needs to be compassionate for her children future.

                        They walk towards their car when someone catches her attention, a familiar voice calling her name and the children.”Noemi, my Noemi…. My God I can’t leave you! I don’t care about fame, race and breeding. It’s you, only you and the children is my life.” Zhaidec hugs and kiss Noemi and embraces their children. “This time, I won’t leave you anymore. I am your protector, your family and your life.” We can live a simple life with us alone, for us nothing is impossible. I’ll be good husband to you and good father of your children.” He grinned and ran a hand over her smooth skin and kisses her lips. “All I see is my pretty little Noemi, and you‘re still like a young girl for me, never grow up, hmmmmm.” Zhaidec replied with flirting smile. “Oppps… there are minors around, can’t you wait until we gets home.” Children say.

             They leave the place with smile.From then, the family live happily ever after.-end

                                          

                                                         




                                                      

                                                                                                               

                                                                 

                   

                   

                      

                      

 

A Woman name Zheshkah, "Life Trail"

           The true of childhood and giving up is fascinating experiences and joyful moments that she treasures a lot, she works hard and was inspired with too much care and love of her father, though most of the time she was beaten up for any mistakes she committed.Always her uncle depend her most of the time do the tasks given to her and finished that on time.But, it didn't took too long for he died when he was 25 years old because of cancer.Yes, she used to remember  in her childhood, she must  get up as early as 3:00 o'clock in the morning to cook for breakfast and  at 4:00 o'clock , she had to go with her grandfather to harvest vegetables in the farm to be sold in the market and at 6:00 o'clock, before sun rises she had to bring the horse to the field and while riding on his back she is  singing  a lullaby song she learned from her mom. She needs to go  back to the house before 7:00 for her to get ready for school, a daily routine assigned to her with no complain. That would not end up to that... she had to bring some chocolates, biscuits, bread and candies not for her snacks but for sale.She only had to study and read her lecture notes while selling those items to her classmates and teachers.She had to sleep very late at night for she need to finished the chores and 20 minutes before bedtime she had to answer her school assignments, but that was almost 12 midnight.For every mistakes she got,   she always been punished, they do that  to discipline her. A training for her to be tough, to be a strong woman, but she will not enter in military for she is just a petite and weak person. But what is the world outside? She is only happy and feel comfortable if she is with her friends and classmates, she feel calm and secured if she is praying in the house of God. She feel the  importance and proud if she excels in school.There is only a piece of doubt that bothers in her mind, why only her was treated like that. All of her sisters are not doing anything , they enjoy their childhood, they wear new and nice clothes and they don't even washed clothes, cook and went with her father to the farm only her. She always wish her auntie would come again to visit her. It was a long time that she didn't see her,  after her marriage to his American boyfriend.She always  remember, she was treated" like  a little princess" when her aunt was still with her. What she recalls... when she was in grade school when her aunt bade goodbye and go with her husband in America. Always her aunt send money for her but, since they were too many so she didn't bother to  ask for more. Until she had the courage to apply for a scholarship and  study for free. She never complains even when she was in her college years she still don't stop the routine work for her.She gets matured in her early age. For all her painstaking work she graduated with honors. And for her that was the most important day in her life seeing her father smile and hug her saying with pride and confidence, "that's my daughter! I am so proud of you!"
                   With the rule of reason and repression, sacrifices to awaken the inner self, storm, they says, "it almost dreaded her, because she woke the being she was always hulling, and stirred up a craving cry in her childhood and grow as unsatisfied and craving for love and care of a father, of a family. That she needs  to be good, faithful and must excel in all aspects for her to be loved and be given attention and importance."This longing, and all of a similar kind," was necessary to knock on her head, which she did  it  figuratively, after the manner of pain, suffering and a big question that only now she realizes and understand why she is treated like that, and another why... she suffer much pain and struggle to live, to earn and crave for the love and care she didn't feel in most of her childhood, until a man came to her life, succumb..., but she saw the light, the hope, the care, happiness and willingness to understand what life is.
                     Although it is true that she is reticent and evasive about her past, it is not true she evade it entirely, nor it is true that the sources of her purest misery must remain a mystery to the reader.Although it was not describe specific events of her childhood and young womanhood, she does describes the pattern of them.Her marriage seems a repetition of the pain and struggle in her childhood , you see her happy outside but crying inside.
                    When you asked her a lot of her childhood... grief, trouble and sacrifices she weep... but seen in her beautiful face, she never feel regrets nor asking for more, for a new life, the family where she grows,still the family she will keep and choose in spite of the truth that she never felt happiness and  accepted by them. No respect was given to her even though she help her father to support them in their studies, that she has to set aside her priorities, her own life just to follow his father to help them. Still her sisters were so mean to her that gives her a  lot of pain, and ask herself again ..." why?... why they are like that? What have I done?", All her life, she help her father to send her sisters in good school and she never complains, never heard she is complaining of anything she does for the family.
                  Well, where was I? Not only in what spot of her suffering, but in what she is now! As she tells me, she will continue her struggle and overcome adversity without noticeable damage of whatever may come for her in the future. They are like clouds, that sometimes cloudy, windy and stormy , because for her past gives her completeness, "she loved the past". Her part and her obstacles in her part prevent them from fully inhabiting the present and confidently looking forward for her future. this is not possible for her, in where past too much has gone wrong.
                  "A sudden amazement at her own perverse proceeding stretch like a bow upon me". I saw her courage, her strong determination in spite of all her experiences, a trail she could have done better had I known herself better.
                Talking with her , spending much time listening to her, she leads a useful, independent life. She can take pride in knowing herself successful in the face of almost insurmountable odds.For it is the victory of solitary, and I know, because she told me, that this is not enough for her. She has always hoped for a happy marriage, of a complete happy family in which she can express and fulfill her hidden inner self. She is such so wonderful and lovable woman of courage and inspiration."The artist can cry, can laugh, can fight, can heal wounds of distress, as Zheshkah does, she shall not stop hoping!" for she believe in this world chaos and struggle is just a battle to fight for, to move on... just keep the faith and confidence, and think the most high who always keep us and guide us here in our hearts,... in this world... and... in paradise.-"To God be the glory!"
-mahaliah

                                                       

And I Hear the Silence

           
                 Life has meaning to leave and love
                       and love give meaning to life,
                  love that lead us to be true to one another!
                        but quest and circumstances breaks the silence,
                   silence for the world which seems went wrong.
          
                   To reach before us like a hand of dreams,
                        so wonderful, so beautiful, so true,
                        nor just but joy, nor love, nor hate, nor light,
                        nor gratitude, nor peace or help for pain,
                        the  undying truth of reality and life experience.

                   And I am here, open my arms, bowed with confused
                        confidence... struggling, fighting for woes and worries
                        that no ignorance nor innocence reach by my sight.
                                                                           -mahaliahemsncalicdan

Poverty

The Other Side of the City
(School Project)

          
                    In the eyes of the youth, reality is relative. The meaning of what we see is the true state of affairs, that is poverty.But whatever it is, we have to gradually accept the world of reality.There are projects to uplift the condition of the poor, some organizations to assists their needs. So far, an organization that tries to address itself to the present needs of the poor people.
                  We are caught up in "cleaning" the image of our country abroad but  we fail to see the filth and the needs of the people."One does not have to look as far out to find dying children. The child of the dump is dying minutes away from home. What we need is commitment and willingness to help our countrymen, the children of God, the children of the world.
        

The World Is An Apple

        By: Alberto S. Florentino                              

Characters:

Gloria - Mario - Pablo

                  ( An improvised home behind a portion of the Intramuros walls.Two wooden boxes flank the doorway. At left is an acacia tree with a wooden bench under it.)
                   (MARIO enters from the street at left. He is in his late twenties, shabbily dressed and with hair that seems to have been uncut for weeks. He puts his lunch bag on the bench, sits down, removes his shoes and puts them beside his lunch bag.)

Gloria (Calls from inside)-Mario! Is that you, Mario?
Mario- Yes...
Gloria (A small woman about Mario's age, with long hair, a scrawny body, comes out wiping her hands on her dress.)- I'm glad you're home early.
Mario- How is Tita?(Without waiting for an answer, he enters the dwelling).
 Gloria (Crosses to the bench)- Don't wake her up, Mario. She's tired.
She cried the whole day.
Mario (reappears and crosses to the bench and sits on one end)- Has she been eating well?
Gloria: She wouldn't eat even a mouthful of lugao. But I'll buy her some biscuits. Maybe she'll eat them. (She slips her fingers into his breast pocket) I'll take some of the money.
Mario: (Rises, annoyed)-Gloria! Can't you wait a minute?
Gloria:(Taken aback)- Hey, what's the matter? Why are you suddenly so touchy?
Mario: Who wouldn't be? I'm talking to you about the child and you bother me by ransacking my pockets I wish you'd think more of our daughter.
Gloria (Crosses at the Center) - My God! Wasn't I thinking of her? Why do you think I need some money?
To buy me a pretty dress? Or see a movie?
Mario- Tone down your voice. You'll wake the child up.
Gloria (Low but intense) - All I want is a little money to buy her something to eat!!She hasn't eaten anything all day! That was why I was "bothering" you!
Mario (Repentant)- I'm sorry, Gloria... (Grips her arm and turns away.)
Gloria- It's all right, Mario. Now, may I have some of the money?
Mario (Turns to her)-Money? I ... don't have any... not now.
Gloria- Today is payday, Mario.
Mario- Yes ... but...
Gloria- But what? Where's your pay for the week?
Mario- I don't ... have it.
Gloria - What? I waited for you the whole day and you tell me.
Mario (Angry)- that I have nothing! Nothing! What do you want me to do- steal?
Gloria- I'm not asking you to do a thing like that! All I want to know is what you did with your money.
Mario (Sits on the bench)-Nothing is left of it.
Gloria- Nothing? What happened?
Mario-Oh, I had a few drinks with my friends. Before I knew it, I had spent every centavo of it.
Gloria (Eyeing him intently)-Mario, do you think you can make a fool of me? Haven't I seen you drunk before: crawling home like a wounded snake and reeking of alcohol like a hospital? You don't smell or look drunk.
Mario- All right, so I didn't go drinking.
Gloria - But your pay- what happened to it?
Mario- It's better if you don't know, Gloria
Gloria- Look, Mario I'm your wife. I have the right to half of everything you get. If I can't have my share, I have the right to know at least where it went!
Mario- All right.(Rises.) I spent it all on another woman.
Gloria- Another woman? I don't believe it. I know you wouldn't do such thing.
Mario - I didn't know you had so much faith in me.
Gloria - No, Mario, what I mean  is- you wouldn't spend all your money when you know your daughter may need some of it. You love her too much to do that.
(Mario sits down and buries his head in his hands. Gloria crosses to him and lays a hand on his shoulder.)
Gloria- What's wrong, Mario?
Mario (Turns his face away)- Nothing, Gloria, nothing.
Gloria (Sits beside him) - I know something  is wrong, Mario. I can feel it. Tell me what it is.
Mario (Stares at the ground) - Gloria, I've lost my job.
Gloria (Rises, shocked)- Oh, no'
Mario (Looks up at her)- It's true, Gloria
Gloria- What about your pay for the whole week?
Mario - I lost my job aa week ago.
Gloria- And you never even told me!
Mario - I thought I could get another, without making you worry.
Gloria- Do you think you can get another in five months? It took you that long to get the last one.
Mario- It won't take me as long to get another.
Gloria- But how did you lose it?
Mario (Rises and truns away) - What's the use of talking about it? That won't bring it back.
Gloria (Suddenly, in an agonized voice)- Mario!
Mario (Turns around)-Yes?
Gloria- Have your sinful fingers brought you trouble again?
Mario- Now, now, Gloria! Don't try to accuse me, as they did!
Gloria- What did they accuse you of?
Mario - Just what you meant to say, Pilfering, they call it.
Gloria- What else would you call it? (Pause.) What , according to them, did you steal?
Mario (Low)- It was nothing much, really nothing at all.
Gloria- Wha was it?
Mario- It was an apple.
Gloria- An apple! You mean-
Mario - An apple! Don't you know what an apple is?
Gloria- You mean, you took one apple.
Mario- Yes, and they kicked me out for it: for taking one , single apple. Not a dozen, not a crate.
Gloria- That's what you get for not stopping to think before you do something.
Mario (Sits down ) -Could I have guessed they would do that for one apple? When there were millions of them?(Pause.) We were hauling them to the warehouse. I saw one roll out of a broken crate. It was that big (demonstrates). It looked so delicious. Suddenly, I found myself putting it in my lunch bag.
Gloria- That's the trouble with you; when you think of your own stomach, you think of nothing else!
Mario (Rise)- I was not thinking of myself!
Gloria- Whom were you thinking of- me? Did I ever ask for apples?
Mario- Yes, she did. (pause.) Do you remember that day I took her out for a walk? On our way home we passed a grocery store that sold "delicious" apples at seventy centavos each. She wanted me to buy one for her, but I did not have seventy centavos. What I did was buy her one of  those small green apples they sell on the sidewalk, but she just threw it away, saying it was not a real apple.Then she cried. (Pause.) So... when I saw this apple roll out of the broken crate, I thought that Tita would love to have it.
Gloria- You should have tried to bring home pan-de-sal, or rice, or milk- and not those "delicious" apples. We're not rich. We can live without apples.
Mario- Why? Did God create apple trees to bear fruit for rich alone? Didn't He create the whole world for everyone? That's why I tried to bring the apple home for Tita. When we brought her into this world we sort of promised her everything she had a right to have in life.
Gloria - So, for a measly apple, you lost a job you needed so much.
Mario- I wouldn't mind losing a thousand  jobs for an apple for my daughter!
Gloria- Where was this apple? Did you bring it home to Tita? (Crosses to the bench to get the lunch bag.)
Mario- No, they kept it-as evidence. (Sits down.)
Gloria - See? You lost your job trying to filch an apple and you even lost the apple for which you lost your job.
(Gloria puts away the shoes and the lunch bag. She sits on the steps and they remain silent for a time.)
Gloria (Rising)-Filching an apple that's too small a reason to kick a poor man out of work. You should ask them to give you a second chance , Mario.
Mario- They won't do that.
Gloria- Why not?
Mario (Rises)- Can.t you see they had been waiting for me to make a slip like that? They've wanted to throw me out for any reason, so that they may bring their own men in.
Gloria- You should complain.
Mario - Suppose I did? What would they do?| They would dig up my police record.
Gloria (Crosses to him)- But, Mario that was so long ago! Why would they try to dig that thing up?
Mario- They'll do anything to keep me out . (Holds her arm.) But don't worry, I'll find another job. It isn't really so hard to look for a job nowadays. (From this point he avoids her eyes). You know I've been job-hunting for a week now, and I think I have found a good job.
Gloria- There you go, lying again.
Mario- Believe me, I'm not lying this time.
Gloria (Crosses to the center)- -You're always lying- I can't tell when you're telling the truth or not.
Mario- In fact I'll see someone tonight who knows of a company that needs a night watchman.
Gloria (Holds his arm)- Aren't you only trying to make me feel better, Mario.
Mario- No, Gloria.
Gloria- Honest?
Mario (Avoids her eyes)- Honest! (Sits down.)
Gloria (Sighs happily, looks up)- I knew God wouldn't let us down. He never lets anybody down. I'll pray tonight and ask Him to let you have that job. (Looks at Mario) But, Mario would it mean that you'd have to stay out all night?
Mario- That would be all right. I can always sleep during the day.
Gloria (Brushes against him like a cat)- What I mean is, it will be different when you aren't by my side at night. (Walks away from him.) But, oh, I think I'll get used to it. (Crosses to the center and turns around.) Why don't you go and see this friend of yours right now? Anyway you don't have anything to do tonight. Don't you think it's wise to see him as early as you can?
Mario (After a pause)-Yes, I think I'll do that.
(Gloria crosses to the steps to get his shoes, followed by Mario.)
Gloria (Hands him the shoes.)- Here, Mario, put these on and go I'll step up and wait for you. (Sits on the steps and watches him.) Mario (Putting on the shoes)-No, Gloria, you must not wait for me. I may be back quite late.
Gloria- All right, But doubt if i can sleep a wink until you return.
(Gloria comes up to him after he finishes and tries to huh him, but he pushes her away. Suddenly confused, he sits on the steps. Gloria sits beside him and plays with his hands.)
Gloria- Mother was wrong. You know, before we got married, she used to tell me:"Gloria, you'll commit the greatest mistake of your life if you marry that good-for-nothing loafer! You can't make him any straighter than you could a crooked wire with your bare hands." Oh, I wish she were alive now, She would have seen how much you've changed. (She sees someone behind the tree: Pablo. He has been watching them for a time. He is older than Mario, sinister-looking, and well dressed.)
Pablo (Sarcastic)-Hmmmmmm How romantic!
Mario- Pablo!
(Suddenly unnerved, Mario starts to fidget. There is an uncomfortable silence as Gloria rises and walks to the center, her eyes burning with hate. Pablo lights a cigarette, never taking his eyes burning with hate. Pablo lights a cigarette, never taking his eyes off her.)
Pablo- You're not glad to see me, are you? (Puts a foot on the bench.)
Gloria (Angry)- What are you doing here? What do you want?
Pablo - Saaaay! Is that the right way to receive a friend who has come a visiting?
Gloria- We don't care for your visits!
Pablo- You haven't changed a bit, Gloria... not a bit.
Gloria - Neither have you, I can see!
Pablo- You're still that same woman who cursed me to hell because I happened to be Mario's friend long before you met him. Time has not made you any kinder to me. You still hate me, don't you?
Gloria- Yes! And I wish you'd stay away from us for the rest of our lives!
Pablo- Am I not staying away from you.
Gloria- Then why are you here?
Pablo- God! May I not even come to see you now and then, to see if life has been kind to you? How are you getting along?
Gloria (Scornfully)- We were doing well until you showed up!
Pablo - Your daughter- she was only that high when I saw her last-how is she?
Gloria (Curtly)- She 's all right!
Pablo- Oh! and I thought she had not been very well.
Gloria (Suspicious)-How did you know? (To Mario). Did you tell him?
Mario (Stammering)- I ... how could I? I haven't seen him in a long time ... (Sits down.) until now of course.
Pablo- What is she sick with?
Gloria- (Curtly)- We don't know!
Pablo- Don't you think you should take her to a doctor? (Puts his foot down and pulls out his wallet). Here, I'll loan you a few pesos. It may help your daughter to get well.
Gloria (Scornfully)- We need it all right-but  no, thank you!
Pablo-Why don't you take it!
Gloria - Paying you back will only only mean seeing your face again.
Pablo- Well, if you hate my face so much, you don't have to pay me back. Take it as a gift.
Gloria - The more reason I should refuse it!
Pablo- All right, if that's how you want it.- (Sits down and plays with the wallet.)
Gloria- Mario has stopped depending on you, since the day I took him away from your " clutches"!
Gloria- I have no regrets.
Pablo- How about Mario? Has he no regrets either?
Gloria- He has none.
Pablo- How can you be so sure? When he and I were pals we could go to first-class air-conditioned movie houses every other day. I'll bet all the money I have here now (brandishing his wallet) that he has not been to one since you "liberated" him from me. And that wa almost four years ago.
Gloria- One cannot expect too much from honest money- and we don't.
Pablo (Rises and walks about) - What is honest money? Does it look better than dishonest money? Does it buy more? Or honesty? What is it? Dressing like that? Staying in this dungeon you call a house? Is that what you so beautifully call "honesty"?
Mario (Rises)- Pablo!
Pablo (Derisively) See what happened to your daughter. That is what honesty has done to her. And how can honesty help her now? She's not sick and she needs no medicine. You know that. You know very well what she needs: food. Good food. She's undernourished, isn't she?
Mario- Pablo!
Gloria- I know you have come to lead him back to your dishonest ways, but you can't. He won't listen to you now now! We have gone this far and we can go on living without your help!
Pablo ( Sarcastic) - You call this living? This, Gloria is what you call dying-dying slowly-minute by minute.(Laughs.)
Mario (Crosses to him and shakes him)- Pablo, stop it! (Pablo stops). You shouldn't have come.
Pablo (Brushes him off)- I got tired waiting for you!
Gloria- So you have been seeing each other! I was afraid so!
Pablo- He came to the house yesterday.
Mario- Pablo, don't.
Pablo (Ignoring Mario) He said he would be back this noon. But he didn't show up. I came because I was afraid his conscience was bothering him.
Mario- Pablo, I told you she should not know!
Pablo- It's all right, Mario. You'd better tell her everything. She's bound to know later. Tell her what you told me: that you no longer believe in the way she wanted you to live. Tell her.
(Mario turns his back on them.)
Gloria (Crosses to Mario)-Mario... is this what you meant by another job? Oh Mario ... you promised me you were through with him. You said you'd go straight... and never go back to that kind of life...
Mario (turns around and holds her arms, stammering) - Gloria... you...you must try to understand... I tried... I tried long and hard... but I could not left us out of this kind of life...
Gloria (Crosses to center and shouts at Pablo)- You're to blame for this, you son-of-devil! You've come to him when you know his down.
Pablo- He came to me first-
Gloria - When you know he'll cling to anything and do anything! Even return to the life he hates! (Crosses to him and tries to strike him.) Get out our sight! Get out!
Pablo (Easily warding off her fists)- All right, all right, I'll leave-just as soon as Mario is ready to go.
Gloria- He's not going with you! (Crosses to center.)
Pablo- Is that so! Why don't you ask him?- (sits on the bench, grinning.)
Gloria (Shouts)- I said he's not going!
Pablo( Points to Mario) -Go on, ask him.
Gloria (Turns to Mario)-You're not going with him, are you, Mario? Tell that crook you're not going with him, anywhere! Tell him to leave us and never come back! Tell him to go, please, Mario, please...
Mario( Holds her arm) - Gloria, I ...
Gloria - Mario... I know he has talked to you and tried to poison your mind again... but don't go with him. This is still the better way of life. If things have not been turning out well, you must know that God is not letting us down. He is only trying us.
Mario (Holds her) - Gloria, I...
Gloria (Pulls away from him)- You're going! I can see that you want to go with him. Ohhhhhh... (Cries). You'll leave me here again, wondering whether you'll be shot in the head or sent to jail!
Pablo (Behind the tree) -Don't worry about him, Gloria. He's safe with me. He won't come anywhere near jail. I've got connections.
Gloria (Like a beast gone berserk, she rushes at him and claws his face)- You hideous beast! You... you... Get out! Get out!
Mario ( Pulls her away)- You stay there, Pablo, I'll be with you in a minute. (Leads her to the steps.)
(Pablo fixez his clothes, cursing.)
Mario (Firmly) -Gloria, I'm going with him.
Gloria - Don't Mario, don't...
Mario - You can't make me stop now, I've thought about this since last week.
Gloria- No, no Mario, no ... (Holds fast to him.)
Mario ( loosens her hold)- You take good care of yourself and our child. I'll take good care of myself. Don't wait up for me. I'll come home very late.
(Mario walks away with Pablo. Gloria stares dumbly at them, too spent to run after them. Then she shouts.)
Gloria- MARIOOOOOOOOOO!
(She covers her face with her dress and cries into it. The daughter, from inside, joins her crying as the curtain closes.)
                                     
                                                                END

LESSON  FOR READING LITERATURE
level: FIRST YEAR HIGH SCHOOL
REFERENCE:GEMS 3 in English and American Literature pages337-344
( good material for mobile theater)

Where Morning Comes

        The gates were thrown open and numerous bad guys  swarmed in and ran in all directions. Their all sweat and handed with guns and sword. Hands were raised high brandishing with the rifle and shouting for fear and vengeance.Some men were arm with bows. It seemed as if all were all yelling and shouting a sound that made the blood run cold and the spirit awake."We declare war!, sounds from the rest of the attackers.Sounds of innocent victims, children were crying out loud! "What we have done?Why we have been neglected? Where is justice? Is there any justice for us"?
        Some of the armies were armed with high powered gun and armor cars for protection and wore bullet proof jacket. Faces were painted with gray lines,dots,and slashes in red , black and white paints.Each officer appeared to have his own colors and design for none looked like the other, those are the sniffers who even put some green and hay leaves to cover themselves.
       Armies captured guns, several militants, supplies and a few people to whom they believe were also a militant.As the battle continued, they slew and maimed with deadly accuracy and speed.The armies were vastly outnumbered and even worse, they were out skilled in warfare, for the militants they fought with a gruesome vengeance and hatred.
       They want to win in the battle no matter what happened, they know where to hide that is there place, they are not afraid of whatever the result of this war. It take many hours and many days run and hide from the place of the war zone.You can see the chaos in the place, the innocent victims, the children run from one place to another, women crying for peace , for justice. "For how long we will be like this?, For how long we will running for our lives"?,shouted by an old woman.
        The shooting and fighting slowly diminished and finally stopped. The only sounds heard now were women crying and screaming and the anguished moans from the still surviving wounded. No one shouts for victorious! No one claimed they won in the battle.Fires burn here and there, destroying months of hard, back-breaking world , new houses and school buildings, market, amusement parks and offices, everywhere what you see is nothing... it's all gone, the effort made by the people who is trying to make their live simple and peaceful. But, because of self interests, power and belief will result and end like this.
         Persia Ashier-ah had never felt such soul-shaking , heart-rending terror, What could be happening?, the shooting, the bombing, had ceased and all she could hear were Militants yells, cries of pain, screams, and speech of an unknown tongue. This can't be happening, she thought again and again. It's all a nightmare and I'll wake up soon. But she knew that it was not and that all were either dead or prisoners.What had happened to her family? She knew that she must remain quiet and still to avoid discovery. She is trembled with nervous and almost shout, to scream to ease her frightened spirit.
          Thoughts of her family, her parents, brothers and sisters had brought tears to her eyes. She trembled in fear and uncertainty. What can I do now? she fretted. What if they burn the house? I smell smoke already! The cupboard where she hides was only a little more than body size and allowed to almost no movement.What if they find me? What would they do to me? Army or militant who ever is coming , I am so frightened.She heard a crash outside the cupboard where she is and chairs and table were flung across the floor. Someone was in the kitchen! Her heart pounded do loud and hard that she feared they would hear it.
           Suddenly, her eyes went wild in panic and she could not suppress the scream in her throat as boards were picked up and thrown aside. Before she could gather her wits as to what is happening, she was roughly yanked up and thrown aside.She turned to fight her attacker, scratching , biting and kicking.She was immediately tied with rope like an animal that was been captured.The smell of fire, sweat and blood filled with her nostrils, terror ruled her senses. She was white-faced and quacking with fear.She stared in believing that this will be the end.Looking for some faces, she wants to see her family, where are they? Still no sign from anyone of them.

            War is over and Persia returned home from five years in prison , accusing her by being a militant. Her education in college was turn into nothing. She stop because of that, her parents wants to help her but even her parents were also one of the suspects. Some of the related stories may fictitious or not but the effect is deteriorating. How can we make our life prosperous if we destroying the essence of it. Why not peace, love and understanding should prevail in this chaos world. If we believe in ourselves then we must believe to our creator. To our God , for only God the powerful who can unite us and bind us as one.As Martin Luther King says, ":Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at the goal". And " to feel the intimacy of brothers is a marvelous thing in  life. To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life . But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know, from those unknown to us-that is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being, and unites us all", words from Pablo Neruda an author of so many writings.Reminds us to always look forward for peace and harmony.There is no problem that we can't solve no matter how big it is, how difficult we suffer from poverty and sickness of the world. There is always tomorrow and that is if we will be united and understand each other regardless of tradition,customs, race, breeding and belief.-mahaliahscent
       


      

A lady Crime Buster

                                                 Cover photograph is Jasmin Gallardo Gallano, 26 years of age from Bicol Region Sorsogon City. She graduated at Philippine College of Criminology where she took up Bachelor of Science in Criminology and now in College of Law at Philippine Law School, Pasay Taft.She is assigned at Eastern Police District under District Safety Batallion. With her kind permission, she allow the author to use her photograph as a cover photo.With join force and salute to our Police Officers."They Strive...They Learn...They Lead!!!"-mahaliahscent
                                 

A Lady Crime Buster

by: Emily N. Calicdan(Mahaliahscent)

                                                   Paranaque NationalHigh School (Main),PNHS

Edited by: Christopher Collins, Bedford College

Professor, Khatoum, Sudan

Note from the Author: All Characters in this story have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are just invention.

About a part of the novel: "A Lady Crime Buster" is a story consists  of 27 chapters 336 pages with an introduction and Epilogue Unpublished by the author for her collections and passion in writing.Thanks for reading. God is love.

                  

                  Alyssa opened the door to her small, two-room, studio apartment and stepped outside to throw out the garbage. She took the opportunity to take in a few breaths of the marginally fresher air out in the street. She could taste the fetid air of the apartment in the back of her throat. Alyssa gave a jump as a large, grey rat scurried through her legs and out into the street. She aimed a kick at it and almost screamed in her frustration and despair. It was late in the morning ... she had woken up late after a 24 hour shift at work. To be precise: at the three different jobs she was holding down at present. Alyssa was working all the hours God gave her simply to survive and to make ends meet. Still, she reflected bitterly on the state of her home and the run-down neighbourhood in which she lived.

          It was the noise of the garbage truck outside that woke her. The whole area was too noisy but she’d gotten used to it. She could probably sleep through a raging hurricane with the practice she’d had. Despite her inner grumblings the people in the neighbourhood were good to her. They’d made her feel welcome in the area and were willing to offer their help and support in whatever way they could.

            Alyssa turned to go back into her squalid little home. As she did so, she heard a commotion – something was flaring up further down the street. At that moment, shots rang out and Alyssa instinctively crouched down and cowered in the door-frame. Stones, thrown from nowhere, rattled against the pavement and the side of her building, almost hitting her in the face.

More gang trouble, Alyssa thought to herself. Yet what do we expect in a place like this? Her mind added by way of explanation.

           Alyssa scurried inside and hurriedly closed the door, securing the double locks and the security bar. She then rushed to the windows and secured them also. Tell-tale signs of the sort of neighbourhood in which she was forced to eke out her sorry existence. Alyssa then got down on the floor – a position she often adopted at times like these – to avoid stray bullets that might burst through the thin walls of her apartment.

        Alyssa’s solitary occupation of her squalid little home comes as no surprise – such an environment of poverty and violence was no place for decent folk. Her parents and other family members had long since moved to villages outside the sprawling metropolis to avoid the risks. It was almost as if some people in the community were not happy unless there was some sort of feud going on, with violence and injury, even death, frequent consequences of such disagreements.

“Aren’t you afraid? Don’t you fear for your own life?” we asked Alyssa on one visit -  a visit which brought us much closer to the real dangers of the neighbourhood than we wished as Police pursued a group of burglars. The tension was too much to bear and I found myself wondering if I was going to die here. Yet I looked at Alyssa as she sat calmly drinking her morning coffee and reading the newspaper.

“Sit down.  Relax. Let the Police and the military handle it.”

After 3 hours of hiding in that cramped little studio, fearing that the trouble might suddenly burst through the door, we heard only the sirens of Police cars and ambulances. As we raised our heads to peep through the windows, we saw only groups of curious bystanders looking on as the Police and emergency personnel went about their duties. Many of the public were taking up positions and posing for the cameras of the numerous media who had gathered to report on the incident and witness the arrest of the criminals.

           I look again at Alyssa…  “How can you stay here?” I ask. “It’s not safe”

“Where else can I find a rent-free place to stay?” She replies. “I can’t afford to move somewhere else”

“But how can you move on in your life if you stay here?” I press, hoping to convince her to move away…

“Maybe if I got a good job and a good salary, I could move out…” Alyssa said, somewhat sardonically, knowing that that was the end of the discussion.

              That was five years ago. Since that day, I had never returned to see Alyssa.

As I turned to leave my house and attend to my morning schedule, my attention was caught by an item on the local news programme on the television. There had been another Police raid in that very same neighbourhood where Alyssa lived. The face on the screen was suddenly so familiar to me… is that Alyssa? How, when did she become this person I am seeing? She used to be this meek, innocent, passive person. Couldn’t fight, could only hide on the floor in times of trouble. Brave, yes – but only because she could live in that slum for so long.

“Sgt Alyssa M. Mohad – the assault team leader…” the report continued.

So. She never gave up on her studies. Finished her degree in Business Management and now she is a Police Officer, assault team leader, a crime-buster.

“Hmmmm… I hope she’ll tell us how she became a Police Officer and how she changed her character when we all meet up for our grand 25^th anniversary High School reunion”.

I need to get a move on and get to my office as it’s a busy day ahead. But at least I can go, confident that I need no longer worry about my best friend who I’d not seen for so long…