One Shot Stories ( A collection)

Lies

Prom night namin ngayon, napakagandang ngiti ang aking pinakawala habang naglalagay ng pampakinang sa aking labi.

The atmosphere became more and more sluggish as the cool breeze of 6:00 pm is approaching. Because I am pretty like my father always says; I radiates a sense of worth within me.

'Shane, yung white dress ang suotin mo ah. ang ganda mo don, anak." my father queried while smiling gently holding his arms which revealed some bruises.

"Pero ngayon lang to Pa ah", I replied smiling. And there, he smiles really angelic. I love my father so much.

I don't think I can do it--- to walk on the stage while walking and everyone's eyes are staring, knowing I am one of the boys. I grew up with my father and all I know is how should a boy act. Boyish, I must say. It's a product of my horrid home life without my mother, and the knowledge that I, has summoned things different from other girls. I kissed his forehead before bidding my goodbye.

I came merely starting. The lights were impressive, I can sense anything about the perfect ambiance of having this party. Namataan ko nalang ang mga matang nakatingin sakin. I smirked. Isa isang tinawag ang aming mga pangalan para sa entrance. There it goes, my name will soon be pronounced. When Teacher Che called my name, my heart beats came rioting. The aisle was mine but it really scares me to walked towards the crowd.

'Montezuma, Shane B.' ,bigkas ni teacher Che.

As I walked directing the stage, my heart becoming heavier and heavier. Isasampa ko na sana ang aking mga paa ng bigla kong naramdaman ang pagvibrate ng cellphone sa aking dala-dalang mini-bag.

"S-shane, y-yung p-papa m-moooo." ,sniffled by Aling Rosing, our neighborhood through the other line.

I was panicking in my mind and all I can hear is my heartbeat which seems that a seconds from now I will burst out crying. I'm panicking, not only the thought of this feeling that I am nearly crying in front of the crowd but the thought of how Aling Rosing cracked her voice as a sign of something came up with my father.

'Montezuma, Shane?' ,Teacher Che once called me holding the microphone which soon results of hearing those commotions from the people around lasering their eyes the hell out of me.

"Shane s-si P-papa mo, w-wala n-naaa", after hearing those words, my trembling soul and body combined as if they are really connected to each other.

The next time I knew is I'm boarding in a jeepney shouting the driver to hit the dangerous speed as he can.

The heels of my stelletos keep on making noises as they hit the ground. Just a few steps to go and I'm home. I cried so hard while running, broken heart and trembling knees. I halted when I finally see my father, with an open eyes surrounded with deep chaos as if he's waiting for someone he would like to embrace. I went straight in his bed, the bruises, pale skin and weak body are the signs which enable him to approach the sudden death.

My father, that I would always want to hug, kiss and even dance with. My father who became my greatest sanctuary. My father who became my bestfriend is now gone, already gone.

Warm drop of tears fell from my eyes, unending. The pain was unlimited. Nakikita ko kung ano ang mukha ang meron kay Papa ng araw na iyon, ay lalong nagdurugo ang puso ko. My weeping is silent. Parang may mga salamin na unti unting ibinabasag sa aking puso at lalamunan. Kay hirap tanggapin ang lahat. Wala na ang taong makakaintindi sakin sa lahat ng bagay. The tears were falling bead by bead; they fell straight to my lap without passing my cheeks. Habang umiiyak, ay nababasag ang aking puso.

Nakaramdam ako ng yakap. I knew who he is. Ang amoy ng isang pabangong palagi kong gustong amuyin ang humahalimuyak. Muli kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. Puno ng pag'aalala at bahid ng saya ang mga matang sumalubong sakin.

Panaginip lang pala ang lahat. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag, ngunit muli syang kumalas at sinabing, "Shane anak, hindi sa lahat ng oras ang mga nakikita mo'y totoo, wag kang masyadong magpadala sa iyong emosyon. At kung sana kung may malaman ka mang mas kapani'paniwala sa oras na ito, laksan mo ang iyong kalooban. Nak, napakaganda mo", and then, he smiles.

Muli, kasabay ng pagtunog ng telepono ang pagmulat ng aking mga mata. It is true all along. A story which started with an end is a story which really begins with an ending. Ang panaginip na alam ng lahat na sa simula palang ay magtatapos na ang muling nagsimula ng kwentong patuloy lang na matatapos. He died and smiled before leaving me, sinagot ko ang tawag na nagsasabing hindi na nga ako nakaabot sa huling hininga ni Ama.