VINTAGE BOOKS

ESCAPING THE REAL WORLD

"You have to rest, Ms. Lopez" The room was filled with the Echoes of Mr. Herrera's dark and deep voice.
He's my uncle, s'ya nalang ang meron ako mula nang mamatay ang mga magulang ko during their business trip.

This past few days, Pabalik balik ako sa ospital due to severe depression. Lagi kong sinasaktan ang sarili at napapagaan nito ang pakiramdam ko, pero lagi akong dinadala sa ospital at paulit ulit itong nangyayari. I badly want to go back to school and live normally.

"Can I just go back to school Mr. Herrera?, I have several friends there, and I think they can help me to feel better than resting here alone and no one to talk with". I said as I kneeled on the floor trying to convince him.

"I have much better idea, I'm your psychologist and I can't bare to see you suffering, so I won't let you decide like that, Shannen". Ang mga katagang sinabi nito ay nagpalalim sa gatla ng noo ko.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" I asked in curiosity.

"Are you familiar with the lucid dream?" Tanong niya atsaka tinulungan akong tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod. "That will help to decrease the level of your depression, hija". He added.

"Ha? Hindi ba't delikado ang bagay na'yon?" takang tanong ko ngunit ngumiti lang ito.

"Again, I'm your psychologist and I've been lucid dreaming for years--- with the proper procedure, I'll help you to travel within your imaginations, Ms. Lopez". His words brought an excitement along my veins. Can't wait to do such.

"Remember, all you have to do is to think about the place that you've been longing for. Lagi mong isiping imahinasyon lang ang lahat" pahabol na sabi nito.

"Pumikit ka at humiga ng tuwid, make your body feel comfortable, I'll set an alarm".

I closed my eyes

I felt pressure in my chest. I'm scared to whatever may appear in front.

"Gising pa rin ako?" tanong ko sa sarili dahil halos mag-iisang oras akong nakahiga ngunit wala paring nangyayari. I'm about to stand when the room begins to dim. Nawala na din ang higaan ko at naiwan akong nakalutang sa ere.

"S-shannen A-anak.." a cracked voice uttered my name. Kilalang kilala ko ang boses na 'yon.

"Ma!, Pa!" Bulalas ko nang makita ang mga magulang kong nakatayo sa di-kalayuan at paulit ulit na binabanggit ang pangalan ko.

"Lagi mong isiping imahinasyon lang ang lahat". That voice.. it's my uncle's

Am I dreaming?

My parents began to vanish out of my sight. Sinubukan kong tumakbo para maabot sila ngunit patuloy ang kanilang paglayo kasabay ang unti unting paglalaho ng mga ito.

"Ma! 'wag nyo'kong iwan dito!" I shouted. Ang mga luhang kanina ko pang pinipigilan ay tuluyan nang nag-unahan sa pagbagsak.

I woke up in tears, panaginip lang ang lahat ngunit nagdala ito ng mabigat na pakiramdam.

"Akala ko ba mababawasan ang pagkadepressed ko dito?" Tanong ko kay tito na ngayon ay nakatalikod.

"It takes time, Shannen" The sweet but deep voice starts to rang on my ears repeatedly. He's not my uncle.

"S-sino ka?" I asked and slightly pulled his shoulders.

"I'm Clark, assistant ako ng tito mo" saad nito atsaka pinaikot ang swivel chair para harapin ako.

"Nasa'n ba si tito? Bakit ikaw ang nand--"

He hugged me.

I closed my eyes and hug him even tighter. It's been a longtime n'ong may huling yumakap sa'kin ng ganito.