One Shot Stories

Pandora's Box

"Eudora Shaw. 19 yrs. old and the 1,118th heir of Pandora. You are hereby sentenced by the Council of Prometheus to death by hanging. This is for the charges of mass murder and instigation of hellish events here on Earth. So ordered" the judge proclaimed.

Binasag ng malalakas na pagtunog ng maso ang katahimikan sa loob ng kwartong iyon. Hudyat na tapos na ang paglilitis sa akin. I was pronounced guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Inilibot ko ang aking tingin sa mga taong naroroon ng mga oras na iyon. Lahat ay nakatingin sa akin na puno ng galit at pagka-inis. I don't blame them for it. They have all the rights to be furious at me.

I heaved a sigh first before giving my mocking smile to all of them. From behind, I felt strong hands violently pushed me away to leave the court room. My hands were chained. My clothes are dirty and tattered and my face is full of bruises. I was escorted back to my jail.

Bukas na ako bibitayin.

I am about to die but I don't care. I did what I think was right. Kung bibigyan man ako ng pagkakataon na ireset ang lahat, I will do it again without a second thought.

                                     ***

(3 weeks ago)

"Who among you here knows the story of Pandora's Box?" tanong ni Prof. Gomez. She was sitting on her chair facing the whole class.

She was waiting for someone to answer but unfortunately, no one did. Dahil wala pa ring sumasagot, umalis siya sa kaniyang kinauupuan at tumayo. Straightening her already straight blouse, she eyed us one by one.

"Anyone who can answer my question?" muli nitong pagtatanong. Tahimik ang lahat. Some of them lowered their heads evading the gaze of our professor.

Feeling irritated, she once again sat on her chair before speaking again. "Hindi ba't sinabi ko sa inyo na mag-advance reading na kayo about Greek mythology? Oh bat parang wala atang may alam sa-"

Naputol ang dapat sanang mahaba niyang sermon sa amin nang itaas ko ang aking kamay. Our professor beamed a slight smile as she called my name.

"Yes Ms. Shaw, stand up please" utos nito sa akin.

Agad naman akong tumayo. Marahan akong tumikhim bago nagsimulang magsalita.

"Pandora was the first woman who lived on Earth according to Greek Mythology. She was created by Zeus to be a vessel of punishment for mankind because of their disobedience to the Gods. Pandora was given gifts by every deities, one of which was a box which she was told to never ever, open. But a weak human as herself, curiosity overcomed her so Pandora unlocked the box. Unleashing all the evils and sufferings contained within it. She wept because of the grave mistake she has done but another entity came out of the box. It was named Hope. A hope for humanity amidst all pain and sufferings".

Matapos akong makapagpaliwanag ng aking sagot ay tiningnan ko ang aking professor. Amazement was evidently shown in her face.

"What a detailed explanation you have said! Good job Eudora" the professor said as she rewarded my gaze with a smile. "You can take your seat now."

"Fucking weirdo," rinig kong sambit ng classmate kong babae sa likod. Hindi ko ito pinansin at umupo na lamang. Ngunit napasalampak ako sa sahig ng biglang hilahin ng babaeng iyon ang aking upuan.

Laughter errupted inside our room because of what happened. Prof. Gomez repeatedly strucked her stick on the table to silence the class. 

"Silence all of you!" she ordered, na siya namang ikinatahimik ng lahat. "Ms. Alcantara, come with me to the Guidance Office" she firmly said, pertaining to the girl who pulled my chair. Tumayo ito at matalim na tumitig sa akin na nakaupo pa rin sa sahig. Sadya nitong tinapakan ang paa ko bago lumabas.