Unstoppably running in the forest amidst all the obstacles... I know I need to reach someone in dire need of me.. upon reaching her.. she is in a cliff with a crowd of witness.. looking at the scene.. she is about to be pushed in the edge of a cliff with her hands tied.. I shout aloud.. "Stop it!! Release her now..!!!"
The young beautiful maiden looked at me.. as the executioner trying to pushed her off the Cliff.. I jump towards them to try to grab her.. "NO…!!!" I shouted.. "DON'T DO THIS!!!"
(Wait.. where am I..? Why I suddenly flew on another person's chair.. inside the bus.. and everyone inside is very mad.. it seems the breaks just took a shot..)
"Hey who's that shouting..!!??" That's very dangerous.."We almost had an accident!!" The Driver yelled.
Good thing my mother stood up and apologized to everyone..
"We are sorry.." "I'm very sorry.. my son usually has nightmares and he confuses it with the truth.. I'm very sorry to everyone"
I also looked at everyone and exclaimed my sorry as well. The bus tried to run again I almost fell.
"My son try your best to avoid this, see it's dangerous.." "Sorry.." I gasp..
My name is Charles, 18 years old.. the school year has ended, and we are about to go to Pampanga, our Province... finally.. after a long stress of busy lights and buzz of the City.. at last I can finally have my rest.. a week of vacation..
Just the happy sounds of my friends my cousins.. and the quiet breeze of the wind and how the trees and flowers delight you.. this is the simple life I really wanted..
When we arrived at our small barangay, most of my cousins were already waiting for me and their Auntie.. Everyone is happy.. and warm.. greeting us, it is actually the birthday celebration of our great grandmother.. so everyone is there.. we are all celebrating, feasting, singing, playing games.. I brought my guitar so we can all sing along..
I always feel home here.. everyone is excited to talk to you..
(totally the opposite of what the city is….)
And now the night has come and it's time to sleep.. and since this is our ancestral house and all my cousins came along.. we all need to sleep all together in the big Granma's room.. (I bet no one will be sleeping tonight).
Ok guys enough with the talking.. it's time to sleep, tomorrow we're going to "Bahama beach Resort", so better get a good night sleep now"..
"Ok Po Auntie.." everyone exclaimed.., as Auntie turned off the lights..
"Hey.. who turned it on again..!!??"
"Auntie.. can I ask my dear friend Mayumi to come along..? I really enjoy her company and I think all of us will enjoy it too.."
"Ah.. Ok, I know Mayumi, yes Ayesha.. it's great if you can invite her.. Ok Good night everyone.."
Everybody in the room are thrilled.. (specially the guys)
"Wow really you are a best friend of Mayumi..?", "Ooh.. she has tons of friends..!!"
"Woa.. are you sure you can invite her..?" "Am I already dreaming bro..!?"
"Wow this is exciting..!!" "I hope she can come.." "I need to look good tomorrow"
"Wow.. I have a lot of questions for her about my crush.."
I am surprised with my cousins reactions..
"Why are you all guys excited? Who is Mayumi bro..?"
"Charles.., Mayumi is very famous around here, she is a former SK Chairwoman.." She's so kind and …ehmm.. very beautiful.. that's why her suitors are countless.. hehee.."
"Ooh.. Ok.." (hmm.. I also felt a little excited about her..)
As everyone is asleep.. (but it took time as most of us cannot sleep through the talking)
I began dreaming again.. it's as if I am in a Pre-Colonial tribal dress.. with my long wide sword tied in my waist.. a spear and bow in my hands and back.. we are mourning some one.. I cannot remember.. and we are angry.., the five of us..
"It's time to fulfill our Bagani!! Datu Gat Banaag dreams..!! Now is the time to be brave and to fight..!!" one shouted.. We all shouted.. "To Death!!!"
"Bro.. enough already.. please everyone is asleep.." "Bro.. please we need sleep for tomorrow.. stop shouting.."
A NEW DAY HAS COME..
Everybody is excited packing their things, and preparing to ride in our family van.. when someone arrived and came along with Ayesha..
Everybody's looking.. then came a lady, she's the most beautiful creature my eyes has seen, her eyes big, sharp, lavender yet attractive, she greeted everyone.. and all are thrilled.
Her long hair's straight naturally colored lavender , blending on her white skin whose flawless, she is a little taller, she is indeed a head turner.. she is like a goddess of beauty..
"Charles.. that's Mayumi", I told you she's beautiful right? "Yeah.. Kinda ("
We started travelling, and since we are a big family.. we are a convoy of five vehicles.. and I am inside with my cousins.. along with Mayumi.. it's a big van and we are all happy singing along.. often times playing word games..
Mayumi also seems very happy with everyone.. but she is afar from me.. we are rows apart and I think she hasn't even recognize me yet..
"Hey it's joke time.." "Charles how about you.." you are a joker right?" "You have a lot of Jokes fresh from Manila.."
"Ooh sorry Guys.. I have nothing new" "Charles!! Charles!" (everyone still cheered)
"Ok" What Fish will never be alone..??" Halaa.. (everyone is quiet and curious)
"What..? What is it??" Of course "TWO..NA!" "TU! NA!"
Everyone laughed.. including Mayumi, Wow.. I think this is a good chance for me..
"Ok another one.." What do you call a fat Psychic?" (No one can guess)
"It's a Four-Chin Teller!!".. everyone laughed louder.. including Mayumi.. (wow have two points..)
We have finally reached the beach.. everyone ran excited.. carrying their things..
After setting things up.. we all run to the shore.. some swim.. some played the volleyball..
Me..? I joined any of them.. it was fun..
After enjoying our time.. it is almost dark.. our Uncle and Auntie's called us to start eat our dinner.. the food was too many.. it was a continuation of our Great Grand Mother's celebration.. even while eating.. everyone is happy.. the ladies are gathered together with Mayumi.. asking a lot of things to her.. and she is answering them politely.. all the boys also impressing her.. showing their muscles and punchlines at her..
"Hey' why haven't you pick anyone from hundreds of your suitors..?" "Is Richard among them?"
"Mayumi pick me instead.. look at my muscles I went to gym just for you".. everybody laughed.. also Mayumi is just laughing at their jokes..
After eating and cleaning all the dinner mess.. all my cousins wanted to run to the beach and play again… but I stayed.. as my mother asked me to carry some more things.. and also I am already tired playing.. I saw Mayumi also stayed.. as she said she is already tired.. and also wanted to help more in the clean up.. so they let her be..
"You're so nice Mayumi.. and very hardworking.. but please be our guest.. and let us finish this chores .."
"It's Ok ma'am.. but anyway.. I am embarrass, but.. is there a chance.., I can take home some leftover? If you would may.."
"Ah.. Yes my dear no problem.. and look there are still too much food we cannot finish this all"
"Thank you very much Ma'am.."
While I am fixing some stuff.. I overheard them.. and Mayumi starts packing some food in her container.. but when nobody is looking she puts extra more.. and too much on another bag.. a food enough for two families.. after that.. she put it on a big bag.. when the Uncle and Auntie is back.. she smiled naughtily at them.. as if nothing happened.. hiding the bag with extra food in her back, so I was curious.. (what is this? is she a food maniac..?)
I continued to gaze and check on her.. then my mother asked me another task.. when I finished she is already gone with her bag, so I tried to search and follow her.. to capture her.
Well.. it is very disappointing, I think I found a food thief.. a beautiful Angel looking thief..?
The beach resort was too big.. with many people.. it is hard to find her.. specially it is getting dark.. I am almost at the edge of the resort.. trying to catch a thief..
When suddenly.. I heard a beautiful voice signing and talking.. so I went through it.. and saw Mayumi feeding the cats.. I jumped right to her..
"Ahaa.. I caught you..!!" She was surprised..
"ahh.. wait.. I think I know you.. you are one of the cousins of Ayesha..? The one from Manila.. you're the Joker..!!"
"Ah.. Ahmm yeah.." "Wait.. are you spying on me..?"
"Yeah.. because I caught you stealing food in the table, I was just curious, but It's Ok.. now I know you just want to feed it to the cats."
"Ooh.. sorry for that, yes I am about to go back to the cottage.. sorry I think I took too much"
"Nah it's nothing.. No problem, I was just curious, see there are still too many leftovers there"
Suddenly a girl and his family rushed running to us..
"Miss Beautiful.. please take this with you.. I made it personally for you.. This is my THANK YOU I hope you like it and wear it always.." the girl exclaimed as she handover a simple hand made bracelet to Mayumi..
She and Her family is there happily crying.. (I am very confused what is happening..)
"We are very thankful for the food you gave us.. you're like a life saver.. the truth is.. we barely have something to eat for a couple of days already, so we are very very grateful, all the food you gave are very deliciuous and also too many, I hope that God bless you always Lady Beautiful"
Mayumi teary eyed bowed down to her level and hugged her..
"Thank you very much for this beautiful bracelet.. I will always try to wear this. I will also add in my prayers for your dad will be found and be back from fishing .."
The family left us happy and very grateful to Mayumi..
But we stayed at the beach.. sitting on a bench, together.. she is still crying softly..
I offered her my handkerchief.. (good thing I still have and it's clean and perfumed)
".. Miss Mayumi.. Sorry, actually I thought wrongly of you.. "but now I think you are much more remarkable…" as I hand over the handkerchief and she used in her tears..
(I was even more amazed not only on her beauty but with her Heart..)
"You should have taken more food" "Wait how did you know they need it?" Did you know them?"
"The truth Mr. Charles.." Hmm... and you are actually the first to hear and know this, since you caught me.." "I can sense someone's extreme emotions.. I cannot understand how it works, but just like now.. when we arrived at the beach.. I felt their agony.. their pain, the whispers from their hearts crying for help.. But I pity them too much.. I feel helpless I cannot do enough for them.. and it seems their father is already gone.."
"I can feel their great pain.. their extreme sadness is calling me, they are calling for help.."
But I thank God.. in my small little ways.. I can help others, please keep this a secret.. she placed her index finger on her lips to keep me quiet (she looks too cute)
Suddenly I realized why many people loved her, but still somehow I cannot fully believe or understand her..
…Oh.. Wow so you're like a psychic Miss Mayumi.. You're a SUPER HERO.. zoom zoom zoom..
Mayumi laughed.. "Never mind.. much better if you would't believe"
"Nevertheless Mayumi, I'm amazed at you.. I hope there be more people like you.." You are what the Earth needs.. Miss Mayumi.."
"Also you.. I feel that you are a good person. I think the Earth also needs you.. But anyhow.. I think I met you before.. you look familiar.."
"Yeah me too.. but as of now I want to know you more, is it possible miss Mayumi?
"I don't think so.. you live in Maynila right..?"
"Hmm.. I think I want to stay here.." I think I will transfer school here.. I like it here.."
"Oh.. Ok, So I will move to manila instead so I can get rid of you.." (we both laughed..)
Suddenly while we are both talking.. the fireworks started.. and we watched it together..
I can't believe this feeling.. this moment.. I want it to last more..
After a long walk.. we returned together in our cottage.. and everyone is there.. and seeing us together.. they all shouted..
"Ah wow Charles.. Sakalam..!", "Ay Wow we have a winner!!" "This is a new Headlines!!"
Mayumi is just smiling.. at everyone while everyone is looking at us..
"We just accidentally bumped at each other in the beach.." "Ah wow sana all.."
"everyone seems happy for us.." not knowing it all seems really nothing for Mayumi.. but everything for me..
…
Everybody packed up.. as we are heading home..
In the Van.. everyone is asleep.. except me.. looking at Mayumi.. beautifully sleeping.. (Geez.. why I can't let her out of my head..)
Mayumi is the first to come out of the Van.. as we reached her home first..
It just a simple house they got.. her mother came out after hearing the horns.. and greeting everybody.. also some bystanders were already there waiting for Mayumi.. (some scary guys)
Everybody said goodbye to Mayumi.. I also tried.. but we are too many of us..
But as the van is leaving.. I saw her from the window.. looked at me to say bye.. and put her index finger to her lips.. and said "keep our secret"..
My cousins saw it.. and started teasing me..
After going Home and packed our things.. I talked to my mom.. that I want to stay more on Pampanga.. but she just laughed.. and rejected it.. anyway.. I am serious Mom..
While everyone was asleep I am dreaming again.. this time.. I am fighting as a warrior.. clashing my sword and beating everyone on my way..
"We will rescue you..!!" I shouted.. and everyone awoke was annoyed.. (including me..)
The next morning.. before we have breakfast.. my cousins wanted to go jogging.. I volunteered to join them.. wanting to know if we can jog to Mayumi's place..
As we are jogging I continue forcing them to go there.. they were all teasing me..
When we reached Mayumi's place.. a big guy but same my age suddenly grabbed me..
"Hey.. is it you..? Ayesha said you are courting Mayumi..!"
"Wait let go of me.. who are you anyway..?"
"I'm Henry best friend and protector of Mayumi! All his suitors should pass to me first."
"Ahaa.. no wonder she is still single! Wait! Ayesha is her best friend not you!!"
We are still arguing when Mayumi went out of her house to greet my cousins..
I'm not even able to go near her because of this big guy annoying me..
(so that chance were wasted as she also quickly left due to her errands)
But I got to know more how to get to her house..
So when my uncle lend me his motorcycle.. I secretly went to the market to buy her some chocolates and will try to sneak to her house to talk to her a little ..
But there are a lot of people there.. surely I cannot get near without getting caught by that big guy and his gang.. hmm.. but I think the big guy is not here now..
(I am still busy spying surveying her place when somebody pinched me at my back)
"Hey.. what are you doing there..? Who are you peeping..?"
To my surprise it was Mayumi..
"Woah.. this time you caught me instead.. hehee.. actually I'm hiding from the people surrounding your house.. there's too many of them, and I just wanted to give you this chocolates I bought for you.."
"Oh.. thank you, but please don't bother giving me gifts.. I am also not a fan of unsolicited gifts, Oh but your Handkerchief, I haven't washed it yet, but I will return it to you once done, and regarding the people around our house, mostly they are my uncles and cousins, and their friends, you're welcome to join them."
"Yeah they look nice.." "Is it..? Why are you hiding? You look scared!"
We both laughed.. "I thought they are syndicate.." "hehee.. that's too much.."
"Oh.. I'm late.. I need to leave Charles, a friend is waiting for me.. bye.."
"Ah.. Ok take care.." (Mayumi turned her back on me and slowly left.. while I remained in my position looking straight at her..)
I wanted to look at her face again so I called her.. "Mayumi..!" (so she looked back at me)
As she was turning.. I looked straight on her eyes.. and there she looked back straight to my eyes as well.. in that very moment, while I was focusing very much on her.. and on that very seconds.. her eyes captured me.. but in a different level..
Suddenly I felt like being vacuumed to a tunnel.. a long tunnel.. and I chasing to the light to meet the end of it.. finally reached the exit of the tunnel only to find a whole village burning.. the village is getting consumed by fire but then the rain poured and calmed the fires, only then did I saw a big tree with a Nipa Hut atop, and below it I saw Mayumi but a strange guy slashed her with his sword.. I quickly ran towards them.. and held her very tight.. I cannot stop her bleeding.., "Mayumi.. hold on.. I will get help.."
"Please tell my friends.. thanks.." she slowly said.. as she was grasping her final breath.. and closed her eyes.. I then shouted aloud in agony.." "Mayumi…!!!"
Woah.. to my amaze.. I woke up in a Hospital ward.. with my mother besides me..
"Ma..? What happened..? Where are we? Where is Mayumi..?"
"My son! Thank God you're back.. you're awake.. Oh.. Mayumi..? The friend of Ayesha..? They are the once who brought you here.. They all brought you here in the hospital yesterday together with her friends. They said you passed out and thank God you're awake now.."
(what this is a very shocking event, first time this happened and in front of a lady.. wahH)
"Ma, I need to go to Mayumi.. she is in danger she needs help.."
I tried to stand up.. as I know.. and felt in my heart that she is in trouble..
And since I am already Ok, and there is really nothing wrong in my body.. the hospital discharged me.. and after neglecting my mothers words.. I hurriedly went to Mayumi's place..
I saw the big guy Henry, so I hastily talked to him..
"Oh bro How are you..? We are very worried about you yesterday.. How are you doing now..?"
"Bro.. where is Mayumi..? I think she is in danger..!"
"Dude.. she's not here.. I think she left since morning.. she went out to help a friend.."
"Call her bro.. she is in danger.." "Dude.. wait.. chill.. relax"
"You said it yourself you are her protector right? Now please call her because she is in danger"
All of them tried to call her.. but she is out of reach. Everyone started to get worried of her.. as maybe what Charles's saying is true.. her mother even went to them very anxious where could Mayumi be now.. she was supposed to be home by now..