The Wrong Envelope Reopened

(A Short Story)

        The sun was now setting,  gloriously red,  proclaiming the close of another day.  The fragrant afternoon breeze dominated the atmosphere and the birds began to take themselves to shelter.   Linda picked up her green coat,  thrust both letter and envelope into its pocket,  and walked out of the room.

        That afternoon of some two years ago was one afternoon she had tried so hard to forget.   But well, at the moment, she just got in her red Ferrari and  was on her way to the dry cleaner's to pick up that same green coat.   Not having worn it for some time now, she decided on it for the Cocktails  later this afternoon where the staff was to welcome the new Junior Vice-President of the Company.   Before joining the party, however,  she had wanted to drop by the bank to have rectified a couple of transactions gone haywire. Then would she
proceed to the dry cleaner's.  A short glance at the clock assured her she had a good hour before the affair.   "A lot of time,"  she muttered under her breath,  so she pushed a button  for some soft music and  kind of leisurely, she  drove on.

        As the impressive facade of the bank came into view,  Linda started to maneuver her car toward  the parking lot.  She was one of the Company's Department Heads but this was one office mess she couldn't delegate to her secretary.   She had  contacted  the Bank Officer with whom to take the matter up and thus she hurriedly went on her way to meet the appointment.  And as it turned out, just a couple of minutes later,  time was on her side.  "Thank heavens things went on smoothly,"  Linda half-whispered as shortly afterwards she  found herself walking back to her car.

        Now, to the dry cleaner's, she thought, as she turned on the ignition.   To the dry cleaner's for her coat.   Ah yes, the green coat!   And her mind carried her away to that last afternoon she had worn that green coat..... that very afternoon she had tried to forget.  

        Earlier during that afternoon,  she remembered having received a letter from Fred  -a young man she had met at another office party then.   The days after had  found them discovering they had  so much in common and so much to talk about...so much to enjoy together and so much to look forward to.  She had found him intelligent and unselfish, among other things.... a wonderful guy she could have loved.  But it was just that - a close friendship between them.  There were times, though, specially when they'd be seated at the park relishing ice cream like kids,  or by the seashore watching the sunset like lovers,  - that she would wonder if he loved her.  She would wonder through all the sweet, open thoughtfulness he had for her if he loved her.  But there were no answers at all.   As it apparently was, they were definitely friends.  Just that.

        Strangely to Linda,  therefore,  after she had carefully opened the envelope, Fred was here addressing her,  Sweetheart!  She was confused at first - naturally!  But as she read through the letter, it dawned on her that the letter was meant for his sweetheart and not her.  Here was Fred professing his loyalty to this sweetheart by telling her about Linda and the many things he liked about her.  Here was Fred writing to his sweetheart that he could have loved Linda but she, his sweetheart was first, and that nothing would change that.... and that they were going to start with their wedding plans the moment he got back home to her.  Here was Fred letting his sweetheart know that he would just send Linda a note thanking her for being a wonderful girl.   But little did he know that he had switched the two letters and placed each in the wrong envelope! 

        Linda's reminiscing was cut short as she skidded toward the red lights.  She took in a deep breath as she tried to let go that same listless feeling she had after reading Fred's letter,  but she could not.  She silently scolded  herself for her inability to forget.  She loved to think that she was indeed good in a lot of things but darn... she simply was no good in forgetting!  Now, there went on the green lights.  So on to the dry cleaner's she drove.  After paying for the service, she hanged her coat inside her car and  again,  turned on the ignition.

        In her beige outfit, Linda had now on her green coat  and was entering the reception hall at the office building.  She barely caught up with the welcoming ceremonies for the new Vice-President of the company because the President was now introducing him.   She inched her way towards the platform for a closer look at the new important person who was acknowledging the applause with a beaming smile, yet with eyes seemingly raking the crowd in search for somebody..... - till they finally found her own in a locked moment.  Linda froze.  She held her breath in disbelief, ... in an unexplainable disembodying sensation... -  because  right there just a few heartbeats away was Fred!

        In what seemed like forever,  she stood there not knowing what to do  - until a hand gently took her arm and  carefully led her out into the open air.   It was Fred's.  He managed to cut himself away from the rest to get to Linda,  his left hand clutching  two glasses of champagne.   A couple of meters away from the noisy but festive group and standing under the moonlight,  Fred wordlessly offered an equally speechless Linda one of the wine glasses.   As frenzied emotions held time in much the same way  their eyes held each other,  one of them had to break the spell.   For want of some movement, thus, Linda kind of mechanically reached into her coat pocket just as Fred deliberately started with,  "Something you must know, Linda... -that very day I left two years ago, remember?  That was the very day I began to work my way back to you, believe me!"

        Linda then felt something in her pocket but she replied trying to divert the topic, "But nobody knew the new VP  would be you!"

        "Part of the arrangement with management!",   was that a wink or just a twinkle in his eyes?

        Now curious as to what it was she touched in her pocket,  she brought out a letter envelope.  "The letter!", she exclaimed in her mind.  And Fred seeing the bewildered look of Linda reached out to hold one end of it.  She had forgotten that it had been in her pocket all this time.  At the dry cleaner's, they had smoothed out the crumpled letter, inserted it back in the envelope and put it back inside the pocket.  And as Fred slowly recognized his penmanship on it, Linda too so slowly asked, "So how did the wedding go?"

       Fred's turn to look bewildered... "What?.... How?...."  Then and there did he realize that he indeed had switched the letters.   But  he went on as his eyes once again held hers,  the envelope now crushed again - but now in both their hands ..... "I couldn't get married to one who had gone off with another even before I got back, could I?

        Linda couldn't decide which of two feelings was dominant in her now -joy for herself or sympathetic sadness for Fred.  But to her pleasant  surprise, Fred's countenance brightened instead.  The wrong envelope reopened had confirmed where on the true loyalties were actually anchored.... and where to the true love reciprocation really  belonged.

                                             
                                                     ----------------------------------

Dear Linda....

(A Short Story)

        It is dusk,   my favorite part of the day.   I am in that mesmerizing moment where it isn't quite day anymore but neither is it already night......an unspeakably fascinating  reality where I seem to be caught in a time dimension that ironically detaches me from actual reality.  Strange?   But that is exactly how strange I am feeling at the moment.

        As I go on writing this letter,  I also see images superimposed on my stationery.   Right, - I am not typing this away on my computer for now as I had been wont to.   Specifically when it was one meant for you.   And right now, I see you as that next-door-14-year-old kid in pig-tails whom I'd watch from my window  getting down from the school bus....running towards her doorsteps to fling her school bag and go run to join the neighborhood school friends that usually got together for a while at the corner candy store.  This place was where you all would spend a little time together talking and  laughing all at the same time over some cocoa or some soda before you dispersed and did then go home..... as if school time was not enough for you at all!

        Those times when I'd watch you from my window, I was finishing college then and you were finishing middle school.  That meant  I would leave town in time to join a company in the city for that job that was waiting for me.  And I did leave town to spend the rest of my life going places as my job demanded,  getting married in between time and having a  lovely family of my own.   Remember I had lost mine when my parents figured in that cruise disaster that happened on the Atlantic?   Happening just barely a month before my graduation from college?  And your family lovingly took me in as their own.... your Uncle Ramon,  in particular.  So I had been a brother to you all the while.

        But deep in my heart, I had something special for you.... something I couldn't quite fight considering I had become family to you.  I'd raise hell in the confines of my  solitude crying out,   so what!   So what if I was supposed to be your brother?  So what if this was as good as cradle-snatching!  So, let it stay nurtured, I decided.

        I'd have chances to come home during holidays and I loved how you'd meet me by the door to collect your favorite orchids and then give me a tight hug.  Which is why I never missed to bring you a branch of those pretty purple ones.   Or at least one single flower.... just one orchid was always good enough for you.  Which is why, further and much later,  I'd always see  your half-smiling face in every orchid I gaze at.   Those so short hours, however,  that simply turned nights into the following days that would carry me away again to my work killed me each time as much as they would give me renewed life because I was seeing you again.  Seeing you smile and laugh and sulk and pout....seeing you in the many ways that made every moment in life a touch of heaven on earth.  But just seeing you so close and yet so distant.  Seeing you slowly blossom into the person I would have wanted to spend the rest of my life with. That was all there was to it.

        So I met my wife whom I had learned to love and care for but you never knew that.   I love my family, no question to that;  they have my total loyalty.  But please explain to me why notwithstanding this, I couldn't let  go this profound warmth I had for you that I maintained correspondence with you even if only on the platonic level.  Despite my happy family,  there were times I would miss you like my heart would skip a beat. There were times even when just to think of you gave me a feeling so like elation over a forbidden pleasure.  And yet,  I'd contend the sanctitude of my intentions.  Even when one time I had invited you to join me at one of my business trips at an exotic island.

        I had lost touch with you for some time and the idea simply came floating to my mind as I sat there enjoying a glass of red wine....wine that reminded me all the time - of that particular smile of yours..... while I waited  for my associate at a lunch meeting.  At the spur of the moment,  I decided to send you  round-trip plane tickets so I could somehow quench this undefinable longing I had for you.  Just to see you.  Just to have dinner with you.  I was so sure you'd have wanted to come.  You could have come, that's for certain.  But for whatever reason, you didn't.   And yet, I didn't understand  myself  because somehow,  I thanked heaven you didn't make it then.  In the recesses of my mind, I still wonder even now what might have been had you made it.  But now, I'm not sure if it is right for me to wish events actually did a turn-about.  Just why?  Because, God,  it can never happen again!  No, never again!

           Most definitely,  a part of my existence closed a door when your mom left me a message about your being at the hospital ICU.  You did have this heart condition as a kid but you were one who was always so full of life not even the nine hundred devils in Dante's inferno could have snatched you.  But well, life itself just had to let you go.  Just like that!  And twilight now has gotten the better of dusk.  I have to fold my letter, dear Linda, - slip it into this envelope which,  in turn.  I now slip into your coffin..... this envelope which forever leaves with me fond memories of

My special love,
Fred

    

        

One Magic Airport Hour

(A Short Story)

        Fred cut his way through the crowd toward a vacant seat just a few steps now away from him .  Boy,  is this a teeming airport  today,  he muttered under his breath.   He just flew in from Frankfurt and was on his way to Manila -  only a couple of hours away after this layover in Bangkok!    Just a couple of hours more,  - or so he thought.   But that was before he checked on the airport monitors that altered his expectations.

        Apparently,  his connecting flight was going to be delayed and passengers were asked to stand by for further announcements.   He wanted to swear vehemently because he knew this wasn't usual.   But he was already in front of the seat he wanted for himself as he noticed a young woman seated to the left of it.  She obviously was one of those passengers made to wait but at least, she seemed lost to her laptop.   He glanced at his watch with some irritation - and then curiously,  he just couldn't help enjoying a second glance at the lady in front of him.  Hmmm,  not bad to look at,  he said in his mind while pleasant feelings started to creep into his being.

        As  Language Department Head  at the German Cultural Center in Frankfurt,  Fred was asked to fly to Manila.  He was  to coordinate with his counterpart regarding the planned changes in  their language program.      As it was,  there were certain items that turned out to be sensitive and immediately had to be discussed face to face with him... or was it a her?    He couldn't wait to know more of the other details of the matter as he had to catch his  flight.   But he also had to get back to Frankfurt as soon as he could.   So now,   he had to hope to heaven that this layover wasn't going to last forever.

       He tried to settle down on his seat as quietly as he could.  Good thing the seats were comfortably wide enough for him to place his own computer bag on the right side of him.  He was going to take in as much as he could of his environment but first, he reached for that bar of Snickers inside the left pocket of his jacket.  He felt famished.  And as he looked up front to make sure that  he was indeed at Gate 26,  he discovered he had a couple of those bars!   Kind of automatically,  he turned to the lady on his left  who at the precise moment turned to him and met his eyes.   Care for some Snickers?,  he offered.

                                                            ------------------

        Linda was on her way to Frankfurt.  The German Cultural Center there had requested her to please fly over to meet up with her counterpart to discuss certain sensitive items regarding certain proposed changes to their Language Program.   She was told that it was he who was supposed to be in Manila to see her but he had to attend an emergency Board Meeting;  thus, with much regret, she was asked to go out of her way and take the flight  instead.   Well,  she didn't mind this at all.    For personal reasons,  she had  already flown to Frankfurt once or twice before  and she enjoyed herself a lot.    She thought it was time she went there again  even if only  for work purposes  -for a change of experience, why not!

       Now,  she was at this Bangkok airport,  ready to enjoy an hour's layover before she boarded her connecting flight to Frankfurt.  Curiously, she enjoyed airports for whatever reason.   She enjoyed layovers!   Well,  -for as long as they didn't take hours and hours.   She was to board at Gate 25 but seeing how crowded it was at the moment, she had decided to simply sit it out at  Gate 26 where there were less people .  She was kind of hungry, wanting to enjoy a cup of coffee, at least, but she put it off.    I'll get me one later, she thought.   She just wanted to take a seat and relax a while.   And she opened up her computer.

       She was reviewing the documents that she was to go over with this counterpart of hers at the Cultural Center when she noticed a tall man making his way towards where she was seated.   He's coming for this vacant seat beside me, she realized.   She also couldn't help noticing the look of exasperation on his face.   But he is good-looking,  she thought.   She was surprised at herself.   Did I think that?,  she chided herself.    But he was right in front of her already and her eyes promptly  returned to her laptop.   Moments after she deduced the guy had settled down,  she couldn't help turning to look at him  - and found out he was looking at her.   He  then offered her a bar of Snickers.... her favorite!  Oh wow!  For some seconds,  she tried to deliberate on  whether or not it was proper to accept it.    But why not?   So she extended her hand to receive the chocolate bar as she managed,  Why, thanks!

                                                             ----------------------

        The  moments that followed turned out to be most cordial for both Fred and Linda .   It was as if they had long known each other.   In between time,  they got to know that he was on his way to Manila as she was to Frankfurt.   Then after a few minutes into the conversation,  an announcement was finally being displayed on the gate monitor:  Flight LU 386 departing  for Manila at 4:45 pm.    That's an hour  from now!, Fred said, after glancing at his watch....but I really should've been there by now!    Well, my flight departs in a quarter less than an hour,....which is not so bad at all for me!,  Linda countered with a smile.   And as Fred gazed into her eyes,  that smile -  he was declaring in his mind,  - that smile is taking my breath away!  Momentarily, he stood up.  Why don't we go have some coffee before we go on our ways,  he offered his hand to Linda who took it as she got herself up from her seat.   He led her to the nearby Starbucks coffee shop,  each slinging his own computer bag on his shoulder.

        There had been a lot to talk about over the cup of coffee: .... unrest in the Middle East...same sex marriage... social networking....cars!   But to both,  the talk seemed peripheral.   Rather than the content of the interchange, the anticipation for the pleasure of the other's voice was the priority.   The world simply  seemed to have vanished,  -giving in to the existence of just the coffee and the two of them!   So that time simply stood still..... until the announcement from Gate 25 came breaking up the magic of the hour.  Passengers for Flight LU 42 departing for Frankfurt had to board now.   Slowly,  Linda picked up her computer bag,  turned to Fred,  extending her hand for the farewell shake.   It was a pleasure meeting you, she smiled her goodbye.   No, no,  Fred quickly rejoined,  the pleasure was all mine - as he stood to take her hand with a hint of a squeeze.

        As if somehow  a part of his heart was being torn away,  Fred watched Linda make her way towards Gate 25.   Then he noticed that she stopped for a little while  to answer her cell phone .....kinda  looked back to his direction as if to savor a last vision of him ....but later she continued walking toward the line that was forming.   After he finally lost  sight of Linda,  he decided in a matter of fact manner to take a last look at his computer.     He wondered if there might have been any development from his office before he joined his own crowd at Gate 26.

        There was indeed a  message from a frantic-sounding Daniel right there on his screen.  Daniel was the office staff temp  who took care of personnel travel.   It read:  Hey Fred,  sorry for this mix up but bear with me and please take in the present situation.  The CEO had forgotten  about my coming in as  temp.....  and he missed copying me  his postponing  the Board Emergency Meeting till you came back from the Philippines, ....which explains why I went on booking your flight to Manila....and also thus neglecting to inform you.    Problem now is  that  the Manila office had been informed of this Board Meeting that supposedly kept you here in Frankfurt and  consequently have sent your counterpart over here as requested.    Apparently, she has just been informed of the communication error and her office is waiting for word from her.    Meantime,  we need to fix this  real quick so won't you please acknowledge this message asap?

        Fred couldn't immediately make out what was on his hands right then and there but he had a strange and strong speculative feeling about Linda as he stayed glued to his seat.    Then  he decided that Frankfurt and Manila  just had  to wait till there was clarity in these thoughts that now raced through his mind.   Gate 26 was presently giving the announcement that Flight LU 386 departing for Manila was now ready to board its passengers.   That was  his connecting flight.   But Fred remained in his seat.    Frankfurt and Manila will have to wait,  he repeated in his mind,  as  slowly but surely came clearly to his eyes the sight of Linda in her measured steps coming back towards the Starbucks Cafe.  Taking the seat she had left and looking back at   those eyes of Fred that were intently  probing her own,  she took in quite a deep breath.  Then the next moment had  them both urgently and simultaneously asking: -Were you on your way to the German Cultural-?...  only to stop short in pleasant realization ...and break into a soft laughter!

                                                              ------------------------

Bali Hai Calls Me

(A Short Story)

        The strains of 'Bali Hai' come floating from my car radio as I drive home, and I am seeing you again as you were that last night - seeing you as you whistled that very same tune - seeing you as you sat moodily studying the patterns on the door while the smoke from your cigarette circled upward over your slightly bowed head.   My right hand seeks the pendant hanging from the chain you placed around my neck.  "Whenever you wear this, think of me."

        It was my Uncle Ray who brought you home with him one summer afternoon - on one of his yearly visits from the South.   My first sight of you was when you were coming up the house, an insinuation of a smile playing on the right corner of your mouth.    I barely heard your name when Uncle made the introductions because then, my heart was strangely beating so.  The ghost of a smile which really began in your grayish-black eyes had now taken real form.  All in that moment, I tried to size you up from your slightly wavy hair, sparkling eyes, smile-curved mouth, down to the tips of your dark brown shoes.  And then Uncle was speaking again over the din that was now inside of me.  "You would hardly think he is an honest -to-goodness lawyer, no?  But Fred is all of 27, though - my good-looking associate"!  And your smile continued to weave its spell over me and I experienced a sensation which prompted me to hold on to something lest I fell.

        I could never reconstruct those minutes you spent at home that first evening.   To say that I lost my head would be a hopeless understatement.   All too suddenly, I was seized by that undefinable emotion characteristic only of persons bitten by some kind of unearthly bug.   It was something beyond analysis - beyond explanation- something to which I had never been subject before.  And I asked myself, why him?

        And then that night, you did not allow me to sleep.   Always when I tried closing my eyes, your image would be spotlighted in my mind - the slow easy grin coming from the right corner of your mouth - your watchful eyes, taking note of my every move, my every gesture, every titling of my head sideways before I speak.   Not even a sad shadow of my peace of mind I had always prided myself in having remained now.

        The next day during lunch, I couldn't help looking anxiously towards you every time I sensed you might need something and precisely at those moments I caught you looking at me in a meditative way, almost as if you were trying to ask yourself questions about me - questions which I am now sure you couldn't have gotten the right answers of.

        But it was after dinner that same day when you came over to where I sat.   As you stood in front of me, your left hand fumbling with something in your shirt pocket and your right hand holding the characteristic cigarette,  I held my breath.  You asked me about school, my interests, the friends I keep, my preferences, and so on and so forth.  You talked about yourself too, about the places you had gone to, the people you met.   And then you told me you like my eyes and that you'd give anything to be able to study them and find out the secrets they hold.  When I jokingly asked what thing you would give for example, you fervently answered,  "My heart, and if that doesn't suffice, my soul."   I told you you would be getting the shorter end of the bargain but you said you didn't think so.  You flicked your cigarette butt away .  Then you brought out from your pocket a chain with a pendant engraved on it one of the lovely sights of Bali.   I'm sure you knew that my family were not locals of the island.  "Let me give this to you," you half-whispered as your eyes intently searched mine .... and your hands ever so gentle on my neck.

        That morning you were leaving, you asked me if I would think of you now and then after you leave.  Your gray-black eyes were really boring through my soul now as I stood in front of you fidgeting.  You repeated your question urgently  but I couldn't answer you anymore because Uncle had come to check on you if you had all your luggage in the car.   Then did my heart  furiously answer you, "How could you have asked such a question?   You know fully well every moment of life from here on shall be spent in thinking of you - the way you smile,  the way you hold your cigarette, the way you always looked at me from the corners of your eyes - the thousand and one different things about you!"   And then I felt your hand clasp mine - tightly, almost desperately, and your low whisper meant for my ears alone,   " This must not be good-bye."  You turned to the rest of the family and shook hands with all of them while I just stood there where you left me,  devoid of sensation now,  almost as if I were looking at the whole thing from a seat in a crowded theater.

        But that was 13 years ago.... when I was only 14.   I don't live in the island anymore.  And neither do you.  But somehow through the years as I continued to treasure those time-constrained memories of you, we managed to stay in touch.   If only to say Hi! during the holidays, and for you to greet me consistently on my birthday, we managed to stay in touch.   But it was just that.  We never asked anything about each other - nothing!    It was just plain and simple staying in touch.  I only got to know of the places around the world where your work takes you from the postcards you sent.   So that today, as you  take possession of my sensibilities just like that,  I haven't the slightest idea of how you look like now or if you're already married and with a family or if whatever else! I don't even have the slightest idea of why I am thinking of you now!  Out of time and space,  you're just suddenly there again.   And again I ask myself, why now?

       Now I have reached home.  And as I check mail before I get in, I single out an envelope for me post marked from Bali.  Now I stare at this old familiar handwriting.  You have returned to the island?!  My hands shake as I open it up to find a round-trip plane ticket to Bali  -and an invitation from you to a dinner for two at the Ku De Ta!   Once again you make me hold my breath.  Once again you leave me devoid of sensation.  Once again you  hold my heart and my mind on a delicate balance and I as myself, why me?

                                                     ----------------------------------------

Christmas in - WHERE? !!!

(A Short Story)

        You log on to your computer and the profile photo of Linda smiling coyly at you comes floating in on chat.  She types in 'Hi Fred, What's up?'   And you reply 'What do you mean What's up?.... you were supposed to let me know your place choice for dinner Christmas evening...it's just a couple of days away now,  in case you forgot!'  'Right!', she says, 'Sorry, Honey! Have been quite busy in here lately.  Fact is, there are a couple of transcripts waiting for me just now.  Hang in there, won't you?  Be right back ... oh, better still, why don't you do the choosing and then we talk!'  And she's off

      'My girl!',  you tell yourself as you give in to a feeling of giving in......and, - as you stare blankly at your screen.   And you are brought back to the time you first met her.  Your sister had asked you to help get her son's transcript of records from his university.   'Anyway, it's just a block away from your bank,  Little Brother',  she had sweetly entreated you.  'Your bank' was where you were one of the officers... and still are.  'What you do for family!', that's what you said then.  But you dutifully walked out of the bank during one of your coffee breaks - toward the university and on to the registrar's office.  There is where you saw Linda.   Because she was the Registrar. She had clerical staff to do your nephew's transcript so that all she had to do was affix her signature to have it released.  But in between some of the time, as you curiously looked at her going through the sheets of paper at her desk,  she had casually glanced at your direction,  probably sensing your scrutiny of her.  But that was just it!  A fleeting glance.  A magic moment that started it all.  Because back at your office,  you had called her up and this was followed by a  friendship.  You liked her simple ways...her childlike candor as it was sometimes, -provincial, you might have even thought...but you also liked the intelligence in her conversation, her sense of humor.   And then you began to love her.

        Suddenly a blinding flash of light from nowhere makes you stare incredulously into your computer screen. You're looking at yourself driving through some kind of a highway.  'What's this?', you ask yourself as you try to make sense out of  what was going on.  But now, as you notice the 1's and the 0's lining up the highway and as you speed through, you realize you're on the - the internet highway?  'What insanity is this!', you exclaim under your breath,   But even as you apparently don't  believe it, you seem to know that you are heading to a  particular night spot which happens to be Linda's favorite.  It's Christmas evening and you mean to give the place a last minute check out before you go fetch her for dinner. So you actually are speeding through.

         Now comes a vehicle also in speed from behind  wanting to catch up with you.  You try to find out who it is through a look at your back mirror and you're surprised to recognize it is Linda - scarf and hair flying off with the wind as she tries to bring her red convertible alongside yours,  signalling you to the side. 'What has become of my provincial Linda?' you ask yourself.   So you do park to the side, casually leave your car and you approach her as she too parks behind you    Nonchalantly,  you greet her with a 'What's up, Officer?'

        She smiles sheepishly at you as she responds,  'Hey now, corny people not allowed! Just hop in, won't you?'  You do and you try to settle down in the seat beside her.  'So what's going on?', you manage to say,   'You know  I  was just going to check out the place before I came to fetch you and here you come storming after me.  What's on your mind,  Little One?'   You  always loved to tease her about her size but this was also your term of endearment for her.  And as your eyes continue to search hers, you couldn't miss how they sparkled with excitement as she asserts, 'Change of plans, Mister, we're going elsewhere!'   'What?', you blurt out,  'This was your choice - a place away from reality  as you call it.  And you got it!  What's wrong with it now?'  She counters in a matter-of-fact way,  'Cyberspace? Not anymore.... it has become too crowded here.  Let's go out to real space - out to the galaxy!'   And again, you exclaim, 'What?'

       Before you can utter another unbelieving remark, Linda drives back into the highway and literally zooms out of it into the vast, dark, space like it was just one of those  normal things.  While you say over and over again, 'I don't believe this, I don't believe this!', you remember good old bedtime stories of Peter Pan who with a sprinkle of pixie dust and a call for happy thoughts made the ship of Captain Hook sail the skies from Neverland to London.  Really and truly,  Linda was actually driving her car through space toward Saturn!  'There's my favorite planet,  dear Fred!',  she tells you. 'There's a table for two waiting for us on the biggest ring... guys to wait on us...well, not exactly guys the way you know them but guys... food, lights, music, the works!'  And she turns her eyes to you affectionately, her right hand reaching for your face.  You gently catch this hand and as gently, you return the hand on the wheel.

        And sure enough, as Linda lands her car on Saturn's chosen ring, you could see in a near distance an uncontested special place.  You're both out of the car now, approaching the place and you are silently ushered to your seats by non-human looking gentle people and now you decide  you might as well go along.  The moon came closer to lend its silvery light and a number of stars came closer as well,  giving out sounds of tinkling crystals to the melody of - 'what's this song again?',  you ask Linda.... -and she answers tentatively, 'Winter Wonderland?'  'Right', you say, 'I don't know about the winter thing, but it sure is a wonderland here. How'd you find it?'  Her answer: 'I googled it!' To which you both burst to laughter!

        The gentle people hurry to set your table with the food, the flowers, the wine. - as you sit there across Linda, adoring her,  lovely  in her dress and in her simply being her.  The music so out of your world,....sweet, soft, slow, makes you stand up to take her to dance to it.  And as you dance whispering Merry Christmas! to each other's ear,  you are lost to this incredible  momentary warp in time.  But  then you also have to eat,  thus  you go back to your seats.  Now you both raise your wine glasses to a toast,  and the clink sound they make gives you a jolt back to your computer screen  - and to Linda who is typing: 'Hey, Honey, am back!  Have you thought of something?'

        For some lingering seconds, you stare at her question and then ....and then....'Yes!', you reply,  'It was actually still your choice!'.... to which she types back,  'What are you talking about?'  You continue:  'You just brought me there, you know!  Why don't we go have dinner up that ring of Saturn!'    She types back:  'What?'  And you answer,  'I said why don't we go spend Christmas in space!'   Incredulously  she repeats, 'Christmas in - WHERE?'

Long-Distance Call

(A Short Story)

        "Fred?...this is Fred, right?"

        "Sweetheart, yes! ... thank heaven for your voice!  Tell me, how are you?  Where are you?  Are the quintuplets with you now?  Where - "

        "Hey, slow down please, Mister, one question at a time, goodness! What do you think I am, an intelligence machine?"

        "Oh I'm sorry but after all these months, I just couldn't help that!  But you understand, don't you?"

        "Well, of course, I do.  In fact, I could have done the 'rattle-questioning' myself hadn't you beat me to  it!"

        "Like old times?" (laughs softly)

        "Like old times!  Only this time, you won. sir.  Congratulations!"

        "Now. wait! ...if you'll  just  hold it a minute!  Look, if there is anything I should be congratulated for, it's having you for my wife, will you remember that?

        "Hmmmm, let me think! (laughs)... just kidding!...  okay... I will!"

        "Really and truly?"

        "Sweetheart, really and truly!   But I was wondering why you should be calling from Cairo right now.  In your last mail, you mentioned that your infantry division was being shipped to Benghazi.  Why, what happened?

        Well okay,  things kinda happen as always..  We were ready for Benghazi then but there was a sudden change of orders from General Headquarters, you know...  'Proceed to Cairo.'  Now we have to put up the front there instead."

        "So you're in Cairo?"

        "Well - um, yes! And you're at home?

        "Not at home.  When the operator rang for me saying I had a long distance call from Egypt, I doubted it because I was sure there wasn't a single Egyptian soul who knew me."

        "So?"

        "So when she told me it was from you, I dashed to the Telecom Office because you'd sound clearer here.  I left the quints home  with my sister and a neighbor because anyway, they had just dozed off to a nap after that bath and god, what a morning it was again!."

        "They've  turned hard to manage now, haven't they? But they're just growing!"

        "I know, but Lieutenant, you left me with five boys to discipline for the army you love so well, remember? Five!  A single boy at half their age would easily make a mother rack her brains out and you sound detached  using that term for five!"

        "Linda, please don't say that. I am aware of how you carry on each day, I really do... but I go on hoping you'd  find someone soon  to help you and your sister with them .. at least while I'm away.  Honey, hold on a little longer please, won't you?  After all they're ours, and I - "

        "Darling, no- I didn't mean it that way.  I'm sorry if I sounded like I was complaining but I wasn't, believe me.  It was all in my excitement. Why nothing could ever replace their very shadows in my heart!!  I love them and I love you!"

        "That's my girl!  I should actually be the one to apologize! I do- very sincerely! . Insensitive me?  Cut my throat, please.   But that's done and over with, okay?  Now, tell me more.  Everything."

        "Well, we all miss you, that's one thing sure.  Only last night, the boys argued among themselves on who was first going to be a general someday.  Then when they all fought each other, I left them alone like you always told me to."

        "And they ended alright, didn't they?"

        "They sure did.  Their peace talk was sensible too.  'Daddy will decide- he's the best soldier!'"

        "Oh yeah?" (laughs heartily)

        "Yup!.  If you only knew how eagerly they await your coming home.  And of course, there's someone else who longs for you twice as much."

        "I can guess, dear, but if you ask me, there's still one other who misses you more - much more than you can ever think."

        "Sweet,  Honey!... But the phone - I think we've been at it too long now... what time do you have?:

        "Twelve noon."

        "Twelve noon? Why, I have that in my watch too.  Shouldn't it be afternoon or early evening in Cairo right now?  Are you sure your watch is correct?"

        "Uhm - Linda - there's something I should have told you be...."

        "Fred, where are you?"

        Linda, you've got to listen to me first, I ..."

        "Tell me Fred, where are you?"

        "Darling, I'll tell you if you promise me not to...., .. not to -whatever! - just hold that receiver tight, okay?"

        "I will,  I will.  Now, tell me.  Tell me!!!"

        "We are both going home to our boys to decide who is to be general first."

        "Wh-what do you mean?"

        "Our plane for Cairo doesn't leave  in six hours yet so I asked Command for that time to be home -..and be back in time...! -However...- I also decided to call you up first."

        "What?"

        You see, earlier, I made arrangements with the operator to tell you that this was a long-distance call... an overseas one. (laughs uneasily) And she told me you were coming over. Well, you know what we can do in a small town like this!

        "Fred!"

         Honey, forgive me for doing this, okay?  but, but - plain stupidity, this, for sure,....call me demented but I wanted a foretaste of the feeling - the real thing when I'd be talking to you with oceans in between us! ...  So actually we haven't left country yet.  and...and...um,  I'm really in the phone booth across the corridor from where you are.   Now let me come to you..  You're not angry are you? ... Linda?... Hello?..... Hello?"

        post script:  Linda has dropped the receiver.  Fred did too now.  From opposite ends of the Telecom Office corridor, there they go.....!

                                             ___________________________

But Everything Seemed So Right!

(A Short Story)

        You open up your eyes to dawn's warm and golden sun rays against your window  and you feel a pleasant sting down your spine so you think, oh wow, this is going to be an incredible day. Now that stretch to make you feel energized - not to forget that whisper of a prayer - then you jump into the shower! Feels oh so good!  The coffee comes next, got to be boiling hot! You always want it boiling hot for some strange reason but okay, you take it boiling hot!

        Today's your sked for driving practice and contrary to ordinary days, all goes well. You smoothly go through traffic, your instructor is happy with your parking... she even takes you to the highway and tells you you're awesome.  Worth a smile! Middle of the day's for Toastmasters... you're Toastmaster of the day and since there are guests (one of them tells the group he is celebrating his birthday!),  you do a double job in terms of extra information to have them feel at home right away and they appreciate this. Aside from telling you that you did a great job, that you were simply fantastic, they invite you for lunch, for coffee, -call it a birthday treat, they tell you.... a raincheck they would even take.

         Then you come home to someone mowing the lawn.  The smell of freshly cut grass reminds you of twilight in the countryside. The smell of simple pleasure. It makes you wonder if such a smell came even close to that of falling snow or to that of drifting clouds, or to that of a cool breeze wafted against your face.... if  what these had could at all be called smell. But up the stairs now into the living room, the couch is so inviting  you throw yourself on it. The marvelous sensation of your muscles relaxing is at hand. That great feeling of falling asleep makes you aware of your thoughts floating around your brain, of the radio music at the background fading into white noise.  Somewhere in the middle of all these, however, the breeze from the window gives you a mild chill.  You could go grab your blankets from your bed but don't want to get up now and leave that blissful moment of just about entering sleep!  But somebody notices your dilemma and quietly takes a blanket from the closet to gently spread over you and you feel the warmth radiating all over you as you fall into a deep relaxing rest.

        After the short nap, to your work space in your room you go with a cup of hot coffee to relish.  The foot-thick pile of library books have to be returned today and you push them a little away from the laptop on your desk to give space to your coffee.  You had earlier printed out the reports you have to hand over a little later at this part-time job you hold.  With no more space on the desk you drop the sheets of paper on the floor beside you. Now to your computer to check on the term paper required by that online course you enrolled in. Four months of hard labor on this paper and tomorrow, you expect  no less than an A for the excellent work  and for submitting it on time. Midway reading the second page of the manuscript,  your cell phone rings. You try to reach out for it on the open shelf right in front of you but nope, you can't reach it. You have to stand.  As you do, your right elbow brushes kind of abruptly against the pile of books, making the top three slide off and push the coffee cup down to the floor on your reports, -and scalding a part of your left arm. As you jerk this arm in pain,  you push the rest of the books into the keyboard of your computer and you watch the screen go blank.

        As you stare at the mess feeling petrified, you ask yourself in horror, my entire research gone?  And as your eyes shift to the report under coffee on the floor, your inner self  implodes as you cry out  in frustration, - But everything seemed so right!!!
                                      
                                                       ____________________________

Going Up?

(A Short Story)
                                                                           I

         'Goodbye Sweetheart', Fred half-whispered over the phone, gently replaced the receiver, then stood from his chair and walked toward the glass panel.  Surely, George Clooney can't be more handsome than this general manager, he smiled to himself, not a bit caring whether or not this was pride or just innocent musing. .  All too suddenly, though, he rushed out of his office to the elevator across the corridor.... only for him to flash a look of irritation.  The elevator had gone up!  As if someone turned the moon up-side-down, he frantically dashed down the corridor toward the staircase.  He had to be on the second floor before the elevator reached it.  He barely caught his breath when next, he raced up the winding stairs to the second floor of the building.  God, make that elevator wait for me, he almost shouted in his mind.  Should anyone have wondered if this was the highly respected businessman he saw running this wild.......!!!  But up the stairs ...as he now desperately slid his way to the elevator,  heaven turned the lights red!  It was going up the third floor again!!!   Oh shucks, he had to give up.  Missed again!  and surely, she was up there already.  He couldn't stop himself from punching the air.  Just then, an attractive young lady casually walked from the other end of the corridor riffling through a set of papers in her hands.  She wasn't in green so she couldn't be Linda.  'But she's charming',  he silently commented.  It was a consolation, too, that someone else was going to be around while he waited for that heck of an elevator to come down again.   He was going to get even with it if it was the last thing he had to do on earth.

                                                                           II

        Linda looked at her blue outfit.  On the phone just moments ago, she gave in to the temptation to say  'I'm in a green dress today.  Why?'   And then she smiled,  probably at the answer from the other end of the line.  A couple of seconds after, she spoke again. 'Well, I'll have to deliver a bunch of contracts to be signed at Rm 314 right away so I'm going to have to hang up now, okay?'.  Once again, a smile beamed on her lips and she put down the receiver.  Simultaneously as the line was perhaps being severed, a long crashing noise filled the office.  But just as instantly as she was startled, she heaved a sigh of relief when she saw it was only a pile of books that caused it.  The  telephone wire got caught at the eastern book end sending all the things down the floor.  And Linda had to arrange them back on her desk  before she could leave the room, - papers in her hands.  Down the corridor, she saw the elevator had gone up already.  'Twas that phone wire',  she reproached  herself.  'Otherwise, I should be up there by now'!.  And she remembered how she jokingly lied to Fred about the color of her dress that she couldn't help feeling being punished for it and well.  But it was done.  Now she was aware of the man obviously waiting for the elevator too but she was more intent on the contracts she had just made.
                                                                         III

        Paramount Building was a 7-storey business-commercial edifice. Things within its walls spelled Punch-in at-nine, Break-at-twelve, Punch-out-at-five, day in and day out.  That is, of course, except when the sales charts sky-rocketed to the ceiling or when they zoomed down to the floor.  Nothing just seemed to happen.  Until one day when the calendar read October 20 and Fred's phone rang.  This was one of the days when he thought it rude to matter-of-formly answer 'Sorry-wrong-number!'  and so he politely entertained the voice from the end;  -tactfully told her that she was calling the wrong number.  He also found out  that she was Linda, secretary in Rm 207, and she in turned learned that he was Fred, general manager in Rm 107.  Consequently, this acquaintance eventually developed into mutual fondness for each other until a short call was added to their daily schedules.   Somehow it ended there.  They were only a floor apart but neither bothered to know how either of them looked like.  Neither of them was that curious nor interested for that matter.  But they did look forward to hearing each other's voices.  Just that.  And this came about several months ago.   Strange however that today Fred suddenly became interested in how Linda looked like.  Didn't she say she was in green?  Going up to the third floor right now?  And he had to admire the looks of him first and second to race with time like mad!
                                                                          IV

        So the elevator had gone up.  To Fred, chances were Linda had reached the third floor.  Little did he know of how things had actually gone.  Anyway he thought, when it brings her down again, she'll walk out and finally, I'll see her.  He waited.  He fidgeted.  And the cigarette between his fingers seemed to burn out a little faster than usual.  On the other hand, Linda was taking her time reviewing the papers she held.... and taking her punishment - her share of the waiting.  At last the elevator opened, once again demanding the attention of the two.  Fred especially.  Eagerly he tried to single out Linda from the handful of people that walked out but there was no lady in green.  She's still up there, he supposed, and he went in after the lady in blue. Turns out  they were the only ones going up.  As the elevator started to ascend, Linda suddenly discovered a typographical error in one of the contracts.  She frowned.  Instinctively and loudly she complained, 'This  should have been nine, not seven, stupid!'.  At about the same time, Fred noticed her frown and offered her, 'May I help you, Miss?'  And both of them stopped short!  They stared at each other.  To both minds, a very familiar voice was ringing.  But they weren't by the phone!  'It must be him,' she thought......"It is she!', he suspected.  Their eyes continued to linger but gradually on a level of tentative but positive conclusion.  Fred wanted her to talk just once more.  As naturally as he could, he reached for his back but actually pressed a button to make the elevator stop in between floors.  This, however, didn't escape Linda.  Of course she also wanted to hear his voice again  so she didn't mind it.  Her left hand held her pen but she slowly slid it into one of her pockets,  got hold of the papers from her right  and with this right hand, started going through her pockets for one.  'I've got to correct this first', she muttered, at which Fred gave her his pen.  'You can have this, Linda', he said smilingly.  She didn't try to suppress her smile anymore.  She took the pen, carefully managed to rectify the error then returned it with a  'Thanks, Fred!  Now you can press the button again.'  And she joined him in soft laughter.  The sudden upward motion of the elevator threw her off balance into his arms -arms that readily caught her.  The next instant, however, had to make her force herself out of his embrace but gently.  They had already reached the third floor and the elevator door was opening.

High Noon

(A Short Story)

        You defied the parching heat of the sun against your back as you enjoyed yourself among the cool waves of the sea.  The summer class in English 10 took time out in a picnic and you had joined the group because of a younger sister that belonged to the class.  You listened to the ringing laughter of the girls and their happy shouts.  You also watched the games the boys played.  They even called out to you:  Hey Fred, come on over- join us! But, No thanks, you called back.  I'd rather swim.

        There was this kind of impulse from within that made you want to do something you never did before.  Just about anything, you muttered, and you swam in measured strokes.  Nearer and nearer to nowhere you wanted to go.  Stroke came after stroke.  Waves splashed against your face one after the other.  The sounds came in rhythm;  even your heartbeats joined the rhythm..  And you thought it was beautiful.

        For some moments, it went on this way until suddenly you realized the sounds you created weren't the same anymore.  Now,  there came two splashing sounds for each one stroke that you made and it made you wonder.  You kept a moment's stillness.  And a distant swim-splashing prevailed, naturally demanding your eyes.  You looked to your left and sure enough, someone else was swimming.  Perhaps in your eagerness to be alone, you believed you were really alone but you were not.  So you decided to might as well meet him and you swam toward his direction.

        Only a few yards from him a little much later, you took in a deep breath and then shouted your lungs out, Hey kid, come on and beat me to shore!  But almost instantly, you thought you could have burned from embarassment if only you weren't in water. You just realized he turned out to be a 'she'.  It was only then that you noticed the long black hair flowing with the water.  And you could have easily given her a first impression of being fresh and very well deserved a look of swords in return, - but his one sweetly smiled a smile you couldn't understand.  Could she have meant to be polite?  To act a good sport?  Or to insult in a very nice way.  At any rate, your heart argued to heaven that you honestly thought she was just a boy.  She didn't say a word though but started swimming to shore.  Good naturedly, she had accepted your challenge and you were silently thankful as you swam alongside with her.

        Back on dry sand, you gently helped her against a big rock and waited for her to catch her breath.  Too, without a word, you took your place in a position near her where you could watch her closely without her eyes meeting yours.  She's not bad to look at, you thought. With those delicate features, why she could very well stand out in a beauty contest!  Eventually she moved.  With both hands, she swept her hair from her face and then started to stand up but you quickly clasped her hand down to the sand and said in almost a stammer, Before you you go, can't we first be friends?  You probably pleaded with eyes that penetrated into her very soul because at this, and without the slightest hint of hesitation, she made herself comfortable once again. Was that a lightning flash of a gladness that surged into your being?

        See, I'd like to apologize for sounding so rude a while back, you managed to begin, but believe me, I was just trying to be friendly.  Did you resent it?  She put on view an interested look but she didn't say a word so you went on.  I'm not really a member of the class but I have a younger sister who is.  Do you know her?  The name is Tina.  Tina Cruz.  Still, there was the painful silence from her that you began to feel rather uneasy under her wordless gaze.  Then it came to you.  She probably didn't understand a thing you said. Yikes!  And you whistled a long slow one.  That means I'll have to employ some vernaculars I know.  So you first ventured with Ilokano and asked for her name.  Ania't nagan mo Ading? 


         She let out a hard-suppressed giggle which made you look blankly at her.  She was obviously amused but you couldn't understand why.  Suddenly mermaid tales filled your thoughts.  You wouldn't admit it but fear creeped into your bones.  You met in the water, didn't you?  She smiles but she doesn't talk although she probably sings.  Before you readied to quietly leave her, you still wanted to ask her just one more stupid question, Are you a mermaid?

        This time, she broke into a musical laughter that brought you up to your feet.  Of course not, crazy, she stood up too.  Can't you see I've got a pair of legs?  She continued with a smile that was kind of pixie-ish. My turn to apologize, though, for playing this nasty joke.  Friends?  She let out her right hand which you readily took into your own.  Friends, you answered, very much relieved.

        Hand in hand as you walked towards the group, she went on talking.  I'm actually called Linda.  I'm president of the class and certainly know Tina.  She's a nice girl.  No wonder you're nice too, and she raised her admiring eyes to you.  You could have said some more but you deemed them better left unsaid.  At least for the moment.  You had to make faster steps;  the sand was hot - very hot.  You were walking right over your shadows because then,  it was already  HIGH NOON!

Ebb Tide

(A Short Story)

        The Editor of the Satellite - the first paper that hired Fred was giving him his initial assignment.

        "We need features, man", he said vaguely but hurriedly riffling through a set of papers on his desk.  The telephone rang  and he lifted it.  "Try for human interest - get anything you can.... ..  - yes?"

        Fred was young and alone in town.  As a matter of fact, he always had felt alone ever since he lost his family during the war.  Somehow he managed to get through a course in Journalism but not without years of hard work and perseverance. He would often remember with gratitude Monsignor Aquitania- the kindly pastor who sent him to college- fiftyish and tall, who looked through rimless spectacles with deep-set eyes and with the type of mouth that if they ever had to do a film of his life, they would have to get Rossano Brazzi.

        Now Fred was on probation with the paper.  And he felt awkward about it.  But as he walked through the cheerless November dusk toward the park,  the dreams- the thing young people have plenty of - helped him forget.  He found a place in one of the benches.  He had to think.  He fished out a cigarette and lighted it.  

        The blue of the sky was already darkening,  the cold deepening,  but he still sat there with a blurred vision of the Editor pointing to the door.  He knew he wouldn't make it.  Not while he felt that way... thoughts scattered,  restless and for no reason at all!    "This is ridiculous!", he muttered under his breath. Just then he caught a tinker of laughter and looked up to three youngsters, bats over their shoulders  and balls in their hands,  racing probably homeward.  This brought back reality.  So he stood up,  hands in his pockets and started for home.

        Back in his apartment,he lay on his bed trying to steady his nerves.  Through his half-closed window, he could gaze into the star-studded moonless night while the radio softly played.  This, however, didn't even create an appeal to him.  Abruptly he got up.  On his table was his typewriter.  "Maybe if I tried",  he said to himself,  "maybe at least if I began -"

        He rolled a bond paper into the machine.  But when he tried to strike the keys, his finger rather stiffened, making the typing sounds give the impression of an amateur typist which simply was not him.  He didn't give up though.  After some fleeting moments, he paused to read what he typed.  But, Trash! - he blurted out desperately.  Angrily pulling the sheet from out of the machine, he crumpled it and flung it into the waste can beside the table.  He rolled another sheet in but time and again, after a few lines would be written, it'd only end up in the trash.  He finally got up from his chair, - very cross- once more picturing the Editor with the odd sinister look on his eyes.  He had to give in his article first thing in the morning if it was to realize an ardent aspiration.  And there he was, twelve-forty-five in the morning without a sensible thing in mind.

        He opened his locker and reached for his jacket.  He was going to walk the streets.... aimlessly,  for that matter.  Never mind the biting cold of the night.  Maybe he'd be able to get something out of it... perhaps a fleeting glance at Dracula's shadow?  An envelope fell out from his jacket's pocket.  He remembered receiving it that morning but his restlessness since then made him forget all about it - even all about trying to guess from whom it came.  Now the childish handwriting was familiar and the spell-weaving smile of Linda came floating into his mind.  How well could she be doing right now?

        Linda and he were friends ever since they were in grade school.  Just after the war, her parents -distant relatives - were so kind as to let him live with them.  Linda had no brother.  And she wanted one so much... one who would go with her to school.... one who would fight the boys that would tease her after school until it was Monsignor Aquitania who took over sending him to the university.  Through the years, they had written to each other now and then, each telling the other how he was getting along.  And every time Linda turned on a new year,  Fred would send her orchids.  Could she be wanting them now?  But it's only November and her birthday won't come until after the holidays!  He opened the letter to read - "and don't send the orchids this time.  Mom and Dad have finally consented to letting  your little sister enter the convent.  Please bring the orchids with you on my birthday?"

        Fred heaved a long deep sigh.  The jacket and the letter slipped off from his hands as he slowly but firmly held on to the chair and then sat down.  Out into the darkness of the night, through the half-closed window,   he tried to create images.  In the first place, why did he want that job so badly?  Ambition, maybe?  Perhaps a dream to show the kindly Monsignor his gratitude?  Or was it for Linda - the young woman who to him had always been beautiful.... beautiful the way only a woman who could love much  and was much loved could be beautiful? The last thought caught him in a solid moment's standstill as it resolutely sank deep, deep into the essence of his very existence.

        Suddenly now he felt like writing.  Once more he slipped a bond paper into the typewriter.  At first, his fingers struck the keys with uncertainty.  A little later, he did it faster,  faster,  until the rhythmic sound of his typing sounded like a mockery to the early hours of the evening.  It was already two quarter in the morning when he stopped.  "That'll give me more or less six hours before I face that heck of an editor",  he muttered, glancing over his finished article with expressionless eyes.  He heaved another deep sigh then began to read it:

       "The Editor of the Satellite - the first paper that hired........"

        

And He Had to Follow It

(A Short Story)

                                                                               I 

        Fred walked up the long flight of steps he had been wont to ascend during his childhood years.  It led him up to a  residence  that could have been easily and unmistakeably regarded as home to an affluent family. 

At the top of the stairs he reached for the doorknob, let his hand stay there for a while - motionless, as though the mere touch gave an inexplicable sensation..  Then he turned it and stepped into the house he once knew to be his home.  It was so quiet inside.  He could even hear the faint rustling of the leaves outside... hear his light footsteps resound... almost hear his own heart beat.  Slowly he walked in while his eyes roamed through the spacious living room.  The furniture was still arranged the way it used to be - the table lamp, the radio, the newspaper rack, the book shelves.... everything!  The room was complete; only it was so empty of anything animate save some fresh flowers nicely placed in a vase on top of the old black wine cabinet .  The old woman took care of the house for us after all, he muttered.  And he went near the cabinet.  On the wall a little above it hang a big picture frame.  His eyes brightened with an expression both of joy and affection at the sight of it.  And it always stayed where it used to be, he whispered... where father always wanted it to be.  For a while Fred was lost in his thoughts.  His mother passed away while he was yet in the grades but his father never married again. This wedding picture of theirs was apparently enough company for his old man through his remaining years.

        Towards his right was a door to a room.  In measured steps, he went to it  -the room he had  had all to himself  because he never had a brother to share it with.  Nor a sister.  In the corner between the two big windows was a three-decked shelf that was painted blue, his favorite color.  And on top of it still stood the old framed picture of him as a three-year old kid.  As he let his fingers run over the edge, his thoughts continued to race in his mind.

        Every time he celebrated his birthday or brought home a one-hundred -per-cent marked test paper, or just when he could memorize a poem, his father would buy him a story-book.  Eventually the shelf was filled. The big chair beside his bed was also still there... the chair on which evenings, his father used to sit with his face buried in a newspaper.  Those nights were spent so quietly but to him, these had been enough to compensate for the lonely moments of the day.  He would only be able to sleep when he saw his father sitting there... his father to whom he looked up with so great respect and love, reasons perhaps for which he never was spoiled, unlike other only-sons who usually are expected to be so.  He never even tried to demand things he wanted to own... like books.  But he never asked for them anyway.  He knew better ways of getting them.

        Now he was a man.... a full-grown man.  Much more, a doctor.  It was in the city where his father sent him to study.  And it was in his second year when his father passed away.  It was then that he realized how lonely a man his father must have been, seeking only the company of his own son, making him happy in all ways he could.  For this, Fred felt grateful and his love for his father grew intense. But then, as suddenly as he seemed to walked out of the trance he was in, he walked out of the room. He muttered  vehemently under his breath, No, no.- not me.  I'm never going to let this happen to me.  I'm going to fill this house with children.... my children..... dozens of them....dozens of them....

                            
                                                           II

        Linda was the sweet and lovely young girl Fred met in college.  The dorm she stayed in was next door to his.  In each school activity, they'd be in the same group enjoying every work and play the academe demanded of them.   After classes, they'd find themselves going home together that in each day that followed, they realized they had so many things in common.  Soon their acquaintanceship bloomed into a close friendship.... and a fascination for each other..... which eventually turned into love.

                                                          III 

        Big candles steadily burned at the main altar of the church.  Linda, lovely in her gown and a veil of immaculate white, was marching up the aisle that was lined up with  chains of flowers.  With the half smile she wore on her lips, she was easily the most beautiful even among her pretty purple-dressed bridesmaids.

  She was already beside Fred with whom she stood in front of the officiating priest.  And the ceremonies began.  A soft melodious voice from the choir loft filled the air with soothing strains of the Ave Maria as the priest,  by the words of matrimony, asked Fred,  "Do you take this woman as your lawful wife........"  So suddenly a feeling of uncertainty swept over him.  He simply stared when he was supposed to answer.  So the question was repeated, "Do you......?"  This time, his eyes gave an expression of helplessness and he fidgeted under the level gaze of the priest.  He couldn't meet the searching eyes of Linda , pained and surprised.  Now the other eyes turned to him in askance.  For the third time, the priest patiently worded the question.  But this time, Fred's lips were firmly set.  Slowly but still silently, he turned his back to the priest.  Linda passed out.  But he didn't mind.  He didn't even try to look back at her.  In measured strides, he found his way down the very same aisle on which Linda had tread only a while ago.  As though wanting to retrace her steps,  he walked on,  the steady gaze on his expressive eyes thrown high above the heads of the people who could only stare cautiously.....high above to a strange unseen power that seemed to invite him to a far more sacred task as a man - a powerful force that was beckoning him towards the wide open doors of the church.  And he had to follow it.

       

Transition

(A Short Story)

        Linda was young....very young.  She was only five - not responsible yet,  just carefree.  She knew only happiness and contentment.  She had a favorite toy - a doll, and she called it Crimson because it had a crimson dress on.

Afternoons she would take Crimson to the beach, aimlessly walking on the sand while the gentle winds caressingly played on her long ebony tresses - black as the night matching her brilliant pair of lovely eyes.  She did this again and again until she felt she could no longer let a day pass without spending some time at the beach - just her and Crimson and the breeze the the friendly murmur of the waves.  Later on she named the beach after Crimson.  The sand looked crimson to her and the sky had a crimson glow.  She had cloistered herself in a small world of her own - in a world she called Crimson.

        Years passed.  Linda had grown out of her crimson world.  She began to learn of a wider world...began to search for that world...wanted to know what it had in store for her.  But that too was when her mother passed away.  And her dream world exploded.  Suddenly she had to get things the hard way. This was a new life she had to begin wherein loneliness started to creep in.  She began to know what it was like to crave for love - for the special love of a mother.  There was no more babying, no more caressing, no more affection  - no more of the beautiful things only a mother could graciously give. And she was sinking in a kind of helpless death.

        To Linda,  life was now meaningless.  After all the years that she had lived on love alone, life was a barren desert.  She felt like full of life but with not a thing to live for...found herself drifting in acres of dry sand...sand thirsty for the refreshing and soothing tenderness of June rain...not knowing when that rain would come or if ever it would come at all. She plodded on, however, just because she had to. No cause, no goal - nothing. But somehow, she did continue rather mechanically to mature.

        Then something happened to her.  Or rather was it an emotion that simply seized her being?  To her it was an unexplainable feeling she couldn't hide and neither could she suppress.  She only knew it was there: -intense, constant, lingering....it was as if it meant to stay forever as her mind proved incapable to fathom its depth.  And she knew there was a saying that went: the flame of love when extinguished can only be rekindled by love itself.  Because for her, life had meaning once again. There came goals she wanted to achieve.  The spark that had become her life was fanned to a blaze which wanted to soar above barriers, yearning for eternity itself.

        For Linda, this was no longer her imaginary Crimson world.  This time, things were a reality, - as real as bright daylight came after the fearful darkness of the night. This was another world - a world of deeper love which began on a rainy September afternoon when Fred walked across the room to take her into his arms.  Gently had he raised her chin until she was forced to meet his eyes.  Sweetheart, look, he then said, you can't doubt that I do love you so badly, can you?