Jeproks

Chapter 10

In conjunction with the siblings reconciliation, the vines unwrap themselves from the populace they formerly ensnared and had spellbound. Arousing from a dream, the people saw themselves atop the peak of each of their designated mountain. Poblacion Sarao's residents in particular were on Mount Makiling. While some are still waking up and others sort out their confusion, Felimon and Marites climb down the sizeable hill in haste; with the likes of Mayor Eusebio right on their tails. The others left were greeted severely by a vista of bald peaks and eroded land.

Meantime, the roots and vines that ventured out are currently being heaved back into the Balete tree and gradually, culminating inside Makiling's realm. They'd restored themselves to their previous positions and regress to their inactive state. Comes thereafter are the halimaws re-occupying the garments they once inhabited. It was Berting's turn to reform and just beside the twins; once fully achieved, the tiyanak ran up to Jaime and his friend wholeheartedly. Beside this wholesome interaction, Honeyleth was still ashamed to what had done; bearing no malice, the halimaw hastily included her into the mix. As their celebration was ongoing, the mestiza dress was in the process of swirling around the air. It then floated over to face them. In the cusp of the three being stunned, the dress gets filled up with roseate petals, dried foliage and a set of butterflies. Collectively, they becomed Makiling herself; at which point, swirling around her were the elements of air, fire and water. Her soles gently lands as she revealed the entirety to being a test. Firsthand account, the diwata was betokened of the Power of Forgiveness despite such trauma. She too is now willing to do the same, with the humans and their maltreatment of nature. Also, Makiling bared the very motivation behind the taking of the Sorianos' beloved jeepney. The twins were flabbergasted to determine it was her. 'Twas only the second of her movement declaring war to the local industry. The first was the barangay's crops wilting away. These were her retaliation from the effects of smog, mining and deforestation to her forest. The latter of which could not keep up with the aforestated pollution being produced on the daily. Howbeit, on behalf of all humans, the Soriano kids apologized. Secondly, they guarantee a promise to her. After seeing the verdant lives within this realm, the friend shaped in the form of Berting and the stress allocated by the jeepneys to her forest, they would atone for man's wrongdoings. Humans, according to her, are the most disconnected with nature. Paved roads and the invention of shoes dissevered their linkage to the diwata, unlike the rest of the fauna and flora. Forbye, Makiling was pained by her most favored ilk for casting her aside. These souls that would eventually became the humans - neglecting their caretaker status and knowledge over nature. She beamed on the reasoning that everything was not lost but rather, regained; and the siblings are a testament to that. Shortly afterwards, the diwata escorts the twins back to the portal. Whilst, two kapres pull the cord linked to Jeproks. Fast approaching the enchanted gate, Honeyleth mildly tugs on Makiling's flowery sleeve. A clarification was to be made. Jaime's sister inquired why of all the discarded things here were bequethed life, yet their Jeproks wasn't one of them. The diwata elucidated that past life and love, conceive the beings in this realm. Makiling supplemented that it was never alive...nor was the jeepney truly loved. Then and there, the children were enlightened; that their father only displaces his love to the vehicle. A little while along the way, they were also compelled to dress their garments of opposite means. They were obedient like always and never dared question as to why. When marking their presence at the portal at last, her congratulations poured anew for the job of piecing back their treasured jeepney. However, the notable diwata notifies them of something they'd forsaken. Through an ascent of her hand, the battery arises from underground, with aid from the vines; they reinserted it to Jeproks' core. But Honeyleth is incapable of avoiding the opportunity. The girl implored Maria Makiling for another audience, despite her diffidence. The diwata obliged to her guest's request. She inquired if the enchanted lady have the power to render Jaime's legs as real and permanent. Makiling ponders for an answer. In her final analysis, she disclosed that there might be a way. The diwata relays that Jaime and Honeyleth forasmuch as are identical twins, they basically evolve from one seed. She could consign the latter's limbs to her sibling. Jaime simpered and found it inane. Honeyleth's spare hand clasps his and claimed that she's entertaining the notion. Further echoing that the accident was her liability; that only she...can repay the misery she awarded him. Jaime's reception to his sister's pleading was overt silence. Consecutively, Makiling instructed him what's needed to be done: hold his twin's palm and reflect about the barter. He nodded his head to confirm his participation. Before their eventual valedictory, they offered their goodbyes; most significantly, Berting. Jaime promised that fate may let them cross paths again. The tiyanak clutches his comrades, shedding a tear or two at the earliest. The halimaw down the line settles himself beside his mistress. The Kapres forward them the line to the fully assembled Jeproks. Once obtained, Honeyleth decisively proposes for them to ultimately depart. Jaime tentatively agrees. The dame of the mountain also consented as her wave reopened the exit. The twins lock hands upon leaping into the portal. Amidst the teleportation, Honeyleth readies herself for the exchange of motility with her brother. She caps her eyelids with delighted anticipation. The children emerge at the end of the enchanted barrier. A baffled Honeyleth nevertheless marked that she was upright and with her legs still intact. Anchored by her side, Jaime was again perched on his wheelchair. She kneeled and insisted why her brother neglected permitting her offer to trade positions. He conveyed to her that reformed bond was adequate of a consolation. The Soriano twins are endearingly enfolded in each other's arms again. Fastened each on their pinky, they received a ring crafted from balete vines. Maria Makiling's disembodied voice shortly chimed inside their ears. The humbled maiden declared that this ornament is a designation of their current status as her environmental warriors. Her concluding phrase underlined her utmost of hopes for them; up until, her remaining utterances faded away completely. Then, a voice sailed thru their vicinity. The siblings swiftly conjectured for it to be affiliated from one of their parents. They beckoned for their names only for Mayor Eusebio to appear opposite them. His eyes were illuminated with the same fire as that from the volcanoes. An axe was clenched tight by both his palms. His grip tightened, indicating that he'll accomplish what he came there no matter what. The twins soon distinguished his motive; thereby, they held firm and serve as barriers to the balete tree. The mayor comments that it's not burdensome and he had gotten away with more serious cases. In view of this, Eusebio charged towards the twins with the axe raised in hand. The juvenile but valiant Sorianos did not falter one bit. As the hit was on the verge of landing, all the siblings can do was cap their eyes of the inevitable. After a while, no such strike was felt. When the children peeped, they immediately sighted Eusebio on his knees and had his wrists grappled by their father, Felimon. Other Sarao residents were there third to behold the mayor's wrongdoing. The latter repeatedly exclaims nonsense; that lastly, Marites emerged before him. The mother of two vehemently declares her ire of him intending to harm her babies. Her punch made contact with the politician's face; as predictable outcome goes, Eusebio was lights out pronto. Jaime relegates the rope of their jeepney to his father. Predominant parts of Jeproks were still entwined with vines. Its driver examines the vehicle's condition. Subsequently, Felimon raucously dashed. But instead of reaping the line, he reached out for his children instead. The twins were so elated of their dad's response. Right after, their mother consolidated herself within this mini-reunion and cradled her little ones. Plus, both parents beseeched for forgiveness, namely most to Honeyleth. The twins just off the cuff absolve their parents of any guilt when they said sorry too. A group hug was then in order. The Soriano Family became a well fortified and fully recovered group that day.

Dominating local media in the past months, the Soriano's television set telecasts Mayor Eusebio getting the guilty verdict irrevocably. The newscaster continued spitting out facts that he was sanctioning false permits for illegal loggings, that stripped away most of Mount Makiling's verdancy. National headline was tackled next. The president in turn urged for an emergency State of the Nation Address to the Filipino people. Included and foremost in his speech was about what had just transpired. He declaimed that nature finally arrived at its melting point and humans are to blame. Duterte pledged to do better and have all dirty politicians see the railings on the other side. His audience showily cheered and applauded him. During this point in time, Marites had the television off. She requested for her daughter to descend the stairs. When Honeyleth surfaced, she was yet dressed in another Mestiza dress; at this juncture however, a more luxurious version of her previous one. Her mother honored her praises of how beautiful her daughter is presented. Adding to that, she indeed have merits to be Reyna Elena this year. Her cheeks blushes and is grateful of her mom's amassing compliments. Whereas she now hastens to be out in public, relaxing Manila Sounds lingers and is audible all over Sarao. Honeyleth finally arrives at the designated rendezvous point where people are accumulating. The girl then positions herself at the very rear end of the parade line. Not long after, the procession commences and she is lagging behind. Honeyleth ostensibly was expectant of something to unfold. Issuing forth his most handsome in a Barong, Jaime and his wheelchair roll beside his twin. He volunteered his forearm and she takes it reciprocally. The boy was her escort essentially. Flower blossoms afresh are highlighted that festooned the wooden arches; in turn, houses the twins above and their other counterparts. The Soriano twins march together in unison, accelerated and catch up with the rest of their peers.

In the months that sweep past, everyday life has vastly improved. Open communication is a lot more prevalent now within the Soriano household. They are able to resolve conflicts before they could sprout. In light of this, Felimon was able to relinquish his frustrations altogether. This father of two now applies his creativity to merchandising and also, to refurbishing Jaime's wheelchair. In return, he had saved a surplus amount of money unlike the time he was just contented being a jeepney driver. About a week or so, he'll be debuting his very first art gala. This extended for his young ones. Honeyleth nowadays illustrates how carefree she is again. Yet, being mindful more on her actions. Forging ahead and getting back on the avocations she has passion for, the girl truly forgave herself profoundly. And relative to the youngest Soriano, Jaime also embraced a new outlook in life. His world today doesn't navigate around the things he had lost, but in the things that provides him new meaning and purpose. One of the two chosen ambassadors of Maria Makiling, the boy is looking ahead. For the matriarch of this family tree?... Marites is just pleased to have helpers again around the house, whenever it's necessary. In closing, Jeproks has been rendered to be the new spokesvehicle for the environment. His latest design surely garnered recognition aplenty. Coupled with Jaime and Honeyleth's disseminated information, the rest of the residents became more aware of their situation. Eventually, the perseverance of the Soriano clan paid off. Other residents on their part gave up an excess quantity of their jeepneys and concentrated on having one for each family. But one giant leap for Makiling's chosen crusaders were driving out the remaining mining and logging companies that remained in hiding; giving their cause and members an exponential growth in numbers. These chronic positive actions also seeped into other endeavors. For one, the restored harvests were bestowed rehabilitation. Irrigating waters were constructed to spread throughout the entire crops; attributed from the natural spring waters atop the mountains and down the existing waterbed below. Meanwhile, Honeyleth with her girl scouts further their goal. Side by side with othee residents, they do yearly tree planting drives to replenish the diminishing forest covers. Such as the reason that the local government of Poblacion Sarao invested in a smoke-free exhaust. Consequently, they made agreements with the local inventors for the development of a device that transforms carbon monoxide into clean, reusable air. The model is near its completion. Exhibiting its contemporary looks, the Sorianos drive Jeproks to carry passengers along for frequent educational trips around Mount Makiling. All in all, tremors around the poblacion was none existent. With these adjustments, lung-related sickness are time a dozen as the air is cleaner and the residents enjoyed harvests that grew exponentially higher than anticipated. Their endeavors merit all success and ultimately, Jaime aims to become an environmentalist when he grows older.