The Woman, The Dreams and The Moon

Chapter 6

Dali-dali akong bumalik sa kinauupuan kong sofa at marahang tinitigan ang box na bigay ni Luna. I don't know if I am insane and hallucinating or totoo ang lahat ng naexperience ko. Gulong gulo pa rin ang utak ko. I can't believe in anything that's going on. I don't know if I should trust Luna, hindi ko nga sure kung nageexist siya or isang lang siyang illusion from my imagination. Nothing is special in the box. Medyo maliit ang size ng kahon, kamukha ng mga kahon ng relo. Walang bahid ng kahit anong kulay ang mala-nyebeng kulay nito, kumikinang sa kaputian. Sa ibabaw ng box, I saw again the same symbol na nakita ko sa seal ng envelope na natanggap ko kahapon sa office. Probably, it is Luna's signature. I tried to silence my raging thoughts. Nabibinggi na ako sa ingay ng mga tanong na nagkakagulo sa utak ko.

I looked intently to the box. I cannot count the times I am tempted to open it. Curiosity eats me. Gusto kong makita ang laman ng box because something in my heart ang naeexcite na medyo natatakot sa kung ano mang laman nito. Definitely, I wanted to remember my memories. This is the second time, I was reminded na hindi ko maalala yung memories na meron ako from my early life. The first time was during my father's burial. I tried to reminisce my memories with my dad, but I can't. Years passed, I forgot about those memories. I just leave them. Kung hindi ko maalala, edi hindi. Today, I am convinced, something is wrong sa memories ko. I feel like it is not accidental why I don't remember them.

My phone is ringing louldly. I immediately answer the call, it is my boss. "Hi, Sir John." bati ko sa boss ko. Probably, he is furious right now, he had been calling me for a long time I guess, nakatwenty missed calls na siya sa akin. Hindi ko napansin na nagriring ang phone ko, siguro dahil, I am drowned in the depths of my thoughts. "Where on earth are you?" he asked with a concern tone. I didn't expect that coming. I thought I will hear his sarcastic and arrogant voice but I am now hearing a concern tone. "Sorry Sir, I decided to take a leave today, I have to go sa bahay namin dito sa Ilocos. I am not feeling well." I said honestly. "Okay, leave granted. You should have texted me beforehand. I am worried. By the way, Rebecca called me. She said that she is willing to accompany us next week for the trip sa tribe na hinahanap natin for Angelo's inspiration. Ibalita mo na lang kila Angelo. I have to go. Take care." John said. Then, the conversation ended.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa sa news ni John. Magkahalong kaba at curiosity and nararamdaman ko. I don't know what I should expect sa pupuntahan namin next week but one thing is for sure, I must do it for Angelo's sake. Mahaba pa ang araw bago magdilim at magningning ang buwan sa kalangitan. I decided to clean the house. I cooked dinner ahead of time. Then, I took a nap.

I was startled by a loud noise. Malakas ang tunog, na tila ba isang gong, na marahas at paulit-ulit na hinahampas. Masakit sa tengga ang tunog na tipong mayayanig ang buo mong pagkatao. I saw the box vibrating wildly and it seems that the sound is coming from that tiny box. I swiftly grabbed it, then, the noise stopped. Gabi na pala. Maybe, Luna set that alarm for me. Siguro alam niyang matutulog ako. The effusion of the rays of the moon, softly lightens my room. Marahan ang pagpasok ng malapilak na kulay ng liwanag ng buwan, hudyat na malapit ng marating nito ang kanyang pinakamagandang estado. The moon is almost reaching her full beauty and splendor.

I immediately took the box with me and walked outside the house hanggang marating ko ang edge ng cliff, where you can see the moon shining brightly. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin, bilog ang buwan, at kumikinang sa ganda. I was mesmerized by her beauty na somehow I was reminded by Luna. Maingat kong binuksan ang box. Pagkabukas ko, tumambad sa akin ang isang insignia na yari sa mamahaling pilak. Ang hugis nito ay bilog na may mga nakaukit na letra sa paligid ng frame. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nakasulat. Sa gitna ng insignia, you can see a woman figure holding a star on her right hand while the moon on her left. May kakaiba sa babaeng nakahulma sa simbolo which makes me frightened because the woman in the insignia exactly looks like me.

Nanginginig kong hinawakan ang insignia at dahan-dahang tinapat sa liwanag ng buwan. When the light of the moon stricken its surface, kuminang ang insignia with a blinding light. Then, I found myself in my dreams. I saw again the dream which is the root of all this things, ang kaibahan nga lang, the dream progressed from the last scene I saw. All of the person surrounding me was turned into wolves, big wolves. I look around and as the elder wolf howl, they all dashed towards the mountain cliff. Mabilis ang takbo ng mga lobo. I found myself staring at them. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba ako tumakbo at sumunod sa kanila o hindi.

The moon shone radiantly, I was caught by its beauty. My eyes was captivated by her rays. Tinitigan ko ng mabuti ang buwan. Suddenly, I felt a burning sensation from my feet rushing into my hands then up to my head. My stomach is in anguish na tila ba marahas na umiikot ang lahat ng organs na meron ako sa aking belly. Napaluhod ako sa sakit. My vision was little by little overcome by darkness. I started to feel dizzy. Umiikot ang aking paninginin. I decided to close my eyes and calm down. My lungs is definitely breathing rapidly.

When I opened my eyes again, nahilo ako. My eyes are shifting quickly na tila ba isang microscope with many lenses. I can see detailedly, every single things, maliit man o malaki. Then, my hands are in excruciating pain. Ang sakit, dahan-dahang tumutubo ang aking mga kuko. Damang dama ko din ang sakit ng mga buto sa aking balikat na parang nadidislocate. Subsequently, my waist was twisted like a ferris wheel. My femur was definitely dislocating. I am crying because I cannot take the pain. I let out, countless loud painful cries. Hindi ko kinakaya ang sakit because my whole body is experiencing spontaneous and continuous hurting. If it was a dream, why I am in deep pain at bakit damang dama ko.

I cried for the very last time and gave up when I felt that the pain reached its climax. Maybe, Luna had given me death instead of memories. Dahan-dahang nawawala ang hangin sa aking mga baga. My vision is starting to lose. After a minute of immense pain, my body gave up. I lost my consciousness. Maybe I'm facing the end of the line.