Category: Fiction

Nelson Dino

Under the canopy of a star-filled sky, where the ocean whispered secrets to the moon, on the Sanga-Sanga Island where I live, I thought of our tradition of traversing the Sulu Sea from Tawi-Tawi to Sandakan. For generations, my family had traversed the azure expanse, our home a sturdy boat swaying with the rhythm of the waves. But fate, like the tides, is unpredictable. My decision to step onto solid ground was not born out of necessity but out of curiosity. The allure of the land, with its promises of steady work and new experiences, called to me like a siren’s song. One fateful morning, I bid farewell by waving my left hand with a green handkerchief to the endless horizon and setting foot on the sandy shores of a village called Tubig Sallang.

In my subconscious mind, I thought of looking for a job in Bongao town. In this unfamiliar world of concrete and hustle, my heart still yearned for the gentle sway of the sea. As I walked through the market in Bongao town, I met an old woman. She brought me home to work at her house. As I always heard, it pays a lot, enough for me to buy what I like, compared to just waiting for the fish captured from the sea for me to sell, as I used to do. The old lady introduced herself as Bu Titti, who owns a stall selling vegetables in the Bongao market.

“You can work with me.”
“Is the food free?”
“Yes. You only wash clothes.”
“How much do I get to be paid?”
“Stay in. 800 pesos. It is usually 500 pesos.”
“Magsukul, Bu.”
“What’s your name?”
“Lina Raki. Just call me Lin.
“Bring this cellophane, Lin. Let’s go home.”

As days turned into weeks of work, I found solace in the rhythm of my new routine, with a meager fee but enough for me to keep for my needs, as the food was free. From dawn till dusk, I toiled tirelessly, weaving threads of cloth and scrubbing away stains, my hands becoming an extension of my determination. Amid the busyness of Bongao town, I discovered moments of quiet beauty. I learn new faces and stories daily, weaving stories of human connection and transcending language boundaries.

Amid this joyous laughter and warm companionship with Bu Titti, my heart still yearned for the beckoning call of the vast and ever-changing sea. During the tranquil hours of the night, I would quietly sneak away to the shore, feeling the salt-laden breeze gently caressing my tired soul. I would whisper my innermost secrets to the waves, my dreams and aspirations carried away by the ocean currents. Even though I had left the boat behind, the sea would forever course through my veins, an ever-present reminder of my true self and roots. My spirit remained as boundless as the ocean, flowing with the tides of change.

I thought the hearts of every woman in my community beat to the rhythm of the ocean, a timeless melody that has stood the test of time. As I spent more time in the lively town, I struggled with a decision torn between the familiarity of the sea and the excitement of a new home. Every morning, I woke up feeling longing, my heart pulling in two directions like a boat caught in a tempest. However, I discovered an inner strength amid my inner conflict.

“Home was more than just a physical space but a place defined by the bonds of love and resilience she carried,” I thought before getting up from bed. As time passed, I learned to embrace the duality of my existence, finding beauty in the ebb and flow of life’s currents. Ultimately, I discovered that home was not just a fixed destination but a voyage of the soul, where true treasures lived within myself, in the strength of my spirit and the depth of my heart.

As I continued my journey doing my work in the house of Bu Titti, I encountered new horizons and unfamiliar stories, each offering lessons and revelations. Along the way, I met my fellow tribes seeking the same direction, wanting to work in the town, and others simply seeking companionship. With each passing day, I learned to embrace the uncertainty of the voyage working in other people’s houses, knowing that I would always find my way within the ebb and flow of life. I saw the destination I sought and discovered the profound truth that the most incredible adventures led me back to myself. I reminisced about the scent of salt in the air as I sat at the bow of our boat, basking in the warmth of the setting sun.

I thought of returning to Tubig Sallang, living again underneath the canvas of the night sky, where I could share moments of quiet intimacy with my parents, where words became unnecessary, and only the language of touch and shared glances spoke volumes. Here, I can find the soft glow of moonlight. I found a sanctuary where the boundary between my thoughts blurred and time stood still. I thought my footsteps left imprints in the sand, marking the path of my journey from land back to the sea. With each gentle breeze, I laughed like the waves, carrying whispers of promises yet to unfold, like the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the clouds with vibrant hues of peach. At that moment, amid the serenade of the ocean’s lullaby, I knew Bu Titti’s love was not merely a destination but a timeless voyage bound by the magic of our intertwined souls.

 

Almayrah A. Tiburon

Kung paano ako na-excite sa una, ikalawa, at ikatlo kong anak ay ganun din sayo. Ilang beses ka naming pinag-usapan ng tatay mo kung anong ipapangalan namin sayo. Hindi ako nangialam sa ibinigay niyang pangalan kung lalaki ka pero sa pangalang babae ay dapat ding ipagkatiwala niya sa akin.Ngunit dalawang linggo na akong dinudugo habang ipinagbubuntis ka at nakaapat na ring pumunta sa doktor upang i-monitor ang kalagayan mo. Dalawang buwan ka pa lang sa sinapupunan ko pero mahal na mahal na kita. Pumunta na kami ng tatay mo sa doktor at iniinom ang mga gamot na ibinigay sa akin.

Sa ngayon ay hindi ako komportable dahil tila may menstruation ako pero ito ang pinakamatagal na menstruation sa buhay ko simula noong unang datnan nang dalaga pa ako. Hindi ako komportable dahil medyo kumikirot ang baba ng puson ko. Hindi ako komportable dahil ramdam kong ang daming dugo na naimbak sa loob, na magiging okey siguro ang pakiramdam ko kung mailalabas lahat pero nangangamba akong baka sumama ka. At hindi ako komportable kung nakahiga lamang sa kama dahil may tatlo kang kapatid na kailangan din ako.

Umalis ang katulong natin at ang naging set up ay Linggo ng gabi’y pupunta ng Wato sa lugar ng tatay mo. Lunes, alas kwatro ng madaling araw ay uuwi ng MSU at maiiwan sina King at Precious, si Cozy ay kasama namin dahil nag-aaral. Hihintayin namin ni Cozy sa gabi ang tatay mo galing trabaho mula Iligan para muling umuwi ng Wato. Alas kwatro kinaumagahan ay uuwi na naman ng MSU at darating ng Wato na tulog na ang dalawang bata. Marahil ay napagod din sila sa kahihintay sa amin. Yan ang araw-araw namin na talagang nakakapagod sa utak kaya nagkasakit ang mga kapatid mo at nakaapat kaming napunta sa hospital. Marahil ay napagod din ang katawan ko at kulang sa tulog habang nasa hospital dahil sa pag-aalala.

Ngayon nama’y kailangan kong alagaan ang sarili ko para sayo dahil gusto kitang makita at makasama habang nabubuhay ako. Gusto kitang ipaghele gabi-gabi kahit pa sa mga panahong may iniinda, ibig kong alagaan ka kahit maubusan man ng lakas. Sa tuwing iisipin ang ating kalagaya’y tunay na ang bawat gabi’y nagkukumot ng lungkot, nagiging maingay ang pintig ng puso tuwing tinitingnan ang napkin na puno ng dugo at biglang lumakas ang pintig ng dibdib  nang makitang may buo na dugo sa bowl nang ako’y umihi. “Lailahailallah, kapit ka lang anak ko, kumapit ka lang,” ang nausal ko.

Kinabukasa’y agad na nagpacheck-up sa doktor at laking pasalamat namin ng tatay mo na nasa sinapupunan pa rin kita, marahil ay dahil sa ayaw kong bumitaw sa paniniwalang magkikita tayo at tatanda akong kasama ka.

Iniisip ko na nga ang araw na isisilang kita, na sa paligid ko’y ang putimputing silid, ramdam ang ilang oras na pananakit ng tiyan, na palakad-lakad bilang ehersisyo dahil alam kong makatutulong yun sa mabilis mong paglabas, na sa mga oras na yan ay walang anumang namamahay na kaba at takot sa isip, batid kong muling mararanasan ang kirot at pamimilipit sa sakit at sa kalagitnaan ng pag-ere ay naaaninag sa tuwi-tuwina sa mga nars ang pag-aalala nila pero matatag ang doktor na ipapanganak kita, na kahit na nanghihina na ako nang lumabas ka mula sa aking sinapupunan ay ibig kong marinig sa pagkatagal-tagal na paghihintay ang maliit na tinig ng iyong pag-uha. Gusto ko rin ang marahang pagpihit ng pinto, papasok ang tatay mo’t sabik na makita tayong dalawa habang pinagmamasdam ko rin ang iyong payapang mukha na bumabagay sa dalisay na pagkaputi ng kama at kumot na iyong kinahihimlayan. Paumanhin kung sosobra ako sa kung anuman ang dapat gampanan ko sa inyo bilang isang ina.

Alam mo, gaya ng mga kuya mo at ate, nais kong maranasan na mabuhat ka, kalungin, patawanin, at yapusin upang maging komportable at mapanatag ka’t makatulog nang mahimbing. Gusto kong sabihin sayo tuwing umiiyak ka sa gabi na nandito lamang ako lalo na sa mga panahon ng kapanglawan, magbibigay ako palagi ng lakas sa pagkakataong nanghihina kayo dahil sa mga pagsubok ng pagkakataon, magbibigay ng liwanag kapag pusikit ang mundo ninyo.

Hindi ko alam ngunit tunay ang aking pananabik sa iyo at kapag nandito ka na sa mundo ay yayakapin kita ng aking mga salita at ipaghehele ng aking mga kataga. At marami pa akong gustong maranasan sayo bilang nanay mo. Ipagpaumanhin ninyo lamang kung lumabis man ang pagiging nanay ko sa inyo.

Kanina lang, ikalabing-apat na araw na bleeding at ikaapat na punta na rin sa doktor. Walang lumalabas na salita sa akin nang marinig kong wala ka na, na hindi ko mapigilan ang mga luha habang nagpapaliwanag ang doktor at nakikita ko ang monitor sa ultrasound.  Bago kami lumabas ng clinic ay binigyan niya ako ng gamot at ang sabi’y bukas o sa susunod na araw marahil ay kikirot ang tiyan ko na parang ang sakit ay yaong manganganak, phamalilit ika nga. Ang kaibahan nga lang ay makakaramdam ako ng sakit gaya ng panganganak pero hindi kita makakapiling at hindi rin maipaghehele.

Ayessah Nesreen Pasagi

“Hala! Talaga? Nasaan na ngayon ang mga magulang niya?”, tanong ni Amer sa kung sino mang kausap niya.

Kararating ko lang sa bahay galing eskwelahan sa oras na iyon. Mga alas kwatro na ng hapon. Nag-uusap-usap sina Omi, Amer, at ng kaibigan ni Amer na mahilig magdala ng balita sa buong barangay, si Orakmama.

“Oo, bumalik na naman doon ang mga magulang niya para i-check ulit. Nagbabakasakali sila na may pag-asa pa”, rinig ko ang boses ni Orakmama habang umaakyat ako papuntang kwarto. Tila ba may nangyayari na namang hindi kanais-nais. Bihira lang kasi pumasok sa bahay si Orakmama tuwing naghahatid ng balita, nakasanayan nang nasa labas lang siya ng gate kapag nagbabalita. Ngunit ngayon ay nasa sala siya at seryoso ang mukha.

Hindi na ako nakisali sa usapan nila dahil kararating ko lang kaya dumiretso na ako sa banyo para maligo. Inaasahan kong aalis din si Orakmama kapag maghahapunan na kami at ang isyu na pinag-uusapan nila ay matatapos din.

Naghanda na kami ni ate ng kakainin namin sa hapunan. Wala sa bahay si Papa kaya binawasan ko ng isa ang mga platong nilagay ni ate sa mesa.

“Sana okay lang ang bata. Mabait pa naman iyon”, wika ni Omi habang kami ay kumakain. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinutukoy niya at wala akong balak alamin kung sino. Halos linggo-linggo na kasing may nangyayari sa barangay namin kaya nakakapagod nang alamin ang lahat.

“Hindi ba’t kasama niyong pumunta sa eskwelahan si Sara?” tanong ni Omi sa akin.

“Ha? Opo, kasama namin kaninang umaga. Napano pala siya?”, nagtataka kong tanong. Si Sara ay kaklase ko noong nasa elementarya pa lang ako at kami ang laging magkasamang pumupunta noon sa paaralan, magkatabi lang kasi ang bahay namin. Sabay din kaming lumaki at kilala na namin ang isa’t isa simula pagkabata. Ngayong high school lang kami nagkahiwalay ng pinapasukang paaralan, pero sabay pa rin kaming pumupunta dahil medyo malapit lang ang school niya sa school namin.

“Pero ngayong hapon, hindi niyo siya kasamang umuwi?”

“Hindi… nakasanayan na naming hindi siya nakasasabay sa aming umuwi minsan eh”

“Balita ni Orakmama kanina may nangyari raw sa kaniya. Noong lunch time ay hindi raw siya nananghalian sa classroom nila at nakitang sumama sa mga kaibigan niya”

“Siguro nag-explore lang sila sa tabi-tabi at uuwi rin mamayang malapit nang mag-alas sais”

*

Pumatak na nga ang alas sais pero mas dumami ang mga tao sa labas ng bahay nina Aling Normi, ang nanay ni Sara. Nakaramdam na ako ng kaba dahil sa dinami-rami ng nangyari sa barangay namin, ito lang ang may sangkot na kaibigan ko.

“Ano palang puno’t dulo ng ganap?”, tanong ko kay Amer.

“Ganito kasi ‘yon. Si Sara, ang kasama niyong pumunta sa school, ay hindi raw nag-lunch sa classroom nila at sumama na lang sa mga kaibigan niya. Isa sa mga kaibigan niyang ‘yon ay ang anak ni Ustadh Salman na si Sittienor. Si Sittienor ay nasa bahay na nila kanina pa, nakauwi nang ligtas at wala raw alam sa kung nasaan si Sara. Sabi sa tsismis parang lutang daw si Sittienor noong tinatanong nila, ang daming sinasabi at tumatawa’t umiiyak pa. Tapos, noong tapos na nilang kausapin siya, narinig nila siyang humihingi ng tawad sa tatay niya. Sabi raw niya, ‘Aydaw, Abi, miyasokar ako o manga ama tano a datu ago manga ina tano a bai. Phamangni ako rekano sa rila’, tapos bigla na naman daw tatawa.” Naku, itay, lagot ako sa mga ninuno natin. Humihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa inyo.

“Ahh… nasobrahan yata sila sa pag-explore”

Mahigit alas siyete na ng gabi nang dumating ang motor na sinakyan ng mga magulang ni Sara sa paghahanap sa kaniya. Dali-dali akong sumilip sa may bintana. Kitang-kita ko ang mga tao na ang iba pa ay may hawak na flashlight. Pumasok sa loob ng bahay nila si Aling Normi at hindi ko na nakita ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya. Pinalibutan pa siya ng mga tao at sabay-sabay nagtanong ng kung ano-ano. Hindi talaga mawawala sa mga pangyayari si Orakmama, naroon na naman siya at pumasok din sa bahay nina Aling Normi, kasabay ng iba.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at dumating si Orakmama sa bahay na parang may dalang pasalubong.

“Tonaa kon i miyasowa?”, tanong sa kanya ni Amer. Ano raw ang nangyari?

“May nagsabi raw sa kanila na sina Sara at mga kaibigan niya ay pumunta sa may ilog sa Malaig noong tanghali. May dala raw na maraming C2 ang mga kaibigan niya at doon daw sila kumain at nag-inom. Pagkatapos nun ay naglangoy-langoy sila… Ayan na! Ayan na!” Tumakbo na naman si Orakmama sa kabilang bahay dahil may dumating doon na puting multicab.

“Hoy, hoy! Matulog na kayo. May pasok pa kayo bukas. Ikaw rin Orakmama, lagot ka sa nanay mo”, sabi sa amin ni Omi pero kumaripas na ng takbo si Orakmama.

Pumasok na ako sa kwarto kahit ayaw ko pang matulog. Ano kayang posibleng nangyari kina Sara? Sana hindi totoo ang kutob ko.

Lumakas ang ingay sa kabilang bahay at nakarinig ako ng biglang humagulgol.

“Subhanallah! Miyatoon iran so wata” sigaw ng isa. Subhanallah! Nahanap din nila ang bata.

Ilang minuto pa, may nag-uusap na naman sa sala at ang narinig ko lang ay “Ang lamig na niya. Hindi na siya makilala. Yakap-yakap pa siya ng kaibigan niyang si Hata habang sila ay nasa tubig. Nakaipit daw ang isang paa niya sa may bato nang mahanap sila”.

At umiyak na nang umiyak si Aling Normi buong gabi.

Amirol A. Mohammad

Sumabog ang isang transformer na gumising sa akin habang nahihimbing ako sa pagtulog. Malakas pa naman ang ulan ngayon at ang sarap pang itulog ang buong araw na ito.

Kailangan na ngang gumising at nag-iingay na ang mga busina ng mga magagarang sasakyan. Ang iba naman ay naka-payong para hindi mabasa sa malakas na buhos ng ulan.

Maliligo na nga at mahuhuli na sa klase, magagalit na naman sa akin sina Maam at Sir pag liliban ako. Mag aalmusal na din at naghanda na si Ina ng paborito kong sunny side up.

May bagong gatas palang binili sa akin si Ina. Pinagluto niya pa akong “sindag”. May pa-hotdog pa nga eh. Pero mas paborito ko parin ang dabest “palapa” niya.

“Pakagan ingka man kuman, khalate ka d’n, ilayangka man so oras.”

Nako, sinermonan na naman ako ni Ina, araw-araw na lang ito. Pero syempre nasanay narin ako, eh mahal ko yan eh.

“Anda ka sung orak?” tanong ni Kuyang Driver sa akin na may nginunguya pang pulang kendi, tapos bigla niyang idudura. Ewan ko ba anong kendi yun, hindi naman nabibili sa tindahan yun.

“Sa eskwelaan kaka,” sagot ko naman sa kanya habang nakatitig sa nginunguya niya. At umalis na nga kami, hinatid niya ako sa school ko. Nandon yung mga kaibigan ko hinihintay ako sa may gate.

“Tuna p’man e plano?” tanong ko agad sa mga kaibigan ko. Alam ko magyayaya na naman ito ng iskapo. Pero hindi ako pumayag kasi mapapagalitan ako ni Maam at Sir.

“Nako, late ka naman orak, saan ka na naman nagpupunta?” Ito yung bumungad sa akin sa classroom. Ang gulo kasi nitong mga kaibigan ko eh. Kinukulit akong mag iskapo.

At buong araw na nga akong nasa paaralan para mag aral. Sinundo pa ako ni Ina noong pauwi na ako. Sabi pa nga niya, “Tunaaya orak? Kyaburing ginan a susuluten ngka.” Sabay hawak sa aking kamay. Tumawid at umuwi kaming sabay.

“Pangunab ka na gu ka sambi sa bangala,” sabi sa akin ni Ina. Pero hindi niya ako natiis kaya pinaliguan niya ako at binihisan.

Gabi na noon, habang naglalaro ako sa may tablet na binili ni Ina sa akin noong birthday ko. Biglang tinawag ako ni Ina, nagmamadali at natatakot.

“Pakaganing ka san kuman, sung ta pn sa ingud, sa ki bapa aka.”

“Ngaynoto ina?” tanong ko sa kanya. Sinagot niya lang ako ng “basta pakaganing ka san badn” habang naiiyak na siya at nanginginig sa takot.

Nag-iimpake siya ng mga gamit, isinara niya lahat ng mga bintana at pinto. Bigla siyang napaupo at binukas ang kanyang mga palad. Nagdasal habang umiiyak siya.

“Wasaya dn ka lumyo tano,” sabi niya noong matapos agad ako sa aking kinakain. Hinawakan niya ako sa kamay at sabay kaming lumabas ng bahay. Naiwan ko ang tablet ko, babalikan ko sana pero hahayaan nalang daw sabi ni Ina.

Paglabas namin ng pinto ng bahay, nabigla ako at nakasara na ang mga bahay ng aming mga kapitbahay. Nakapatay ang mga ilaw at wala akong marinig na mga ingay.

“Pagda kano, pakagani niyo,” sigaw ng isang driver ng kotse sa aming dalawa ni Ina. Tumakbo kami agad ni Ina papuntang kotse. May dalawang mag-inang tumakbo din at sumakay agad.

Umiiyak na si Ina habang hawak hawak niya ako. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang nangyayari. Noong dumating kami sa sasakyan nagmakaawa si Ina. At isinakay ako bigla, ipinatong sa isang babaeng nakaupo.

Hinalikan ako ni Ina sa noo, niyakap, at hinagkan ako habang umiiyak siya. “Tumunog ako bu ow, pyapya ka ruu taman sa dako ro pn,” habilin pa niya. Biglang umalis ang sasakyan nang hindi nakasakay si Ina.

“Ina akn!” Sumigaw ako ng malakas. Bigla akong naiyak. May nakita akong mga flag na itinataas ng mga hindi ko makilalang mga tao.

At biglang may malakas na sumabog sa aming likuran. Nakita kong tumakbo si Ina paalis sa kinatatayuan niya. Natakot ako, umiyak ako. “Ina!” sigaw ko sa loob ng sasakyan, habang umiiyak lahat ng nasa loob ng sasakyan.

Nagsunod sunod ang mga malalakas na pagsabog. Nagsisigawan ang mga tao. Nagkakagulo at nagtatakbuhan sa takot ang bawat isa.

At hindi ko aakalaing iyon ang huling halik at yakap ni Ina sa akin. Hindi ko inasahan na iyon ang huling araw na masisilayan ko siya.

At sumabog ulit ng malakas.

Anim na taon na rin pala ang nakalipas. Nagising ako mula sa mahimbing na pagkatulog. At ginigising ako ng kaibigan ko. Ang sarap pa namang itulog ang araw na ito.

Kailangan na ngang gumising at nag iingay na ang mga busina ng mga magagarang sasakyan. Ang iba naman ay nakapayong para hindi mabasa sa malakas na buhos ng ulan.

“Pagnaw ka san dn, sisaya dn so kikir’k sa tinda, ph’l’l’ka siran dn,” sabi ng kaibigan kong ginigising ako. Tumakbo agad kami ng mabilis papunta sa kabilang kanto.

“Ru ka sa sabala kanto ow, mamagilaya tano saya bu maalib’t tano aya,” sabi ko sa kaibigan ko.

Ang unang kinita kong sampung piso pinambili ko agad ng juice na tig-lilima ang baso at isang kalahati ng kwek-kwek na pupunuin ko lang ng sawsawan para mabusog ako.

Lalapit agad ako sa isang ate at isang kuya. Bubuksan ko ang aking mga palad at baka may iaabot sila. Kahit piso lang yan, makakabuo ako ng pera diyan.

Tatabi ako minsan sa mga kumakain at baka bibigyan ako ng makakain. Kahit tira-tira yan, papatusin ko yan. Kesa naman sa magutom.

Minsan hindi mamimigay, papaalisin ako, at pandidirian. Nasanay na rin ako. Minsan aapakan po ang paa ko, at itutulak palayo. Nasanay na rin ako.

Sino ba namang hindi mandidiri sa isang batang lansangan na natutulog sa kalye, minsan sa harap ng tindahan pag sinwerte na walang magbabantay, para lang makasilong.

Sinong hindi tutulak sa batang lansangan na ‘di kayang magbihis, makakaligo lang pag uulan, papatuyuin ulit ang damit at susuotin kahit basa pa.

Sinong hindi magpapaalis sa batang lansangan na mangangalabit, manghihingi, at manunuyo. Nasanay na rin ako.

Nasanay na rin akong makita ang ibang batang pumapasok sa paaralan at inihahatid ng mga magulang. Natatawa nalang ako.

Nasanay na rin akong magutom sa buong araw, makakain pag may nagbigay ng kalahati ng burger o kaya’y mga piso na hindi na kailangan.

Nasanay na rin ako na sa araw araw na buhay ko kailangan kong maging matatag, kailangang lumaban, kailangang mabuhay mag isa.

Nasanay na rin akong sambitin sa araw araw ang mga salitang bibigkasin pag manghihingi ka ng piso.

“Mayto, Mala” na minsan ay ginagawa pang biro ng mga swerteng mga bata na ‘di pinagkaitan ng mundo.

“Mayto, Mala”. Minsan ito, minsan wala.

 

 

 

Jannah Reeham M. Macaumbos

The smell of death permeated the small dimly lighted room. Two elderly women sat still and quietly near the large bed. Their eyes were swollen, ringed with dark circles. Laid on the bed was a young woman covered in white. A group of men entered the room carrying a wooden casket on their shoulders. They placed it near the bed and worked carefully together to place the lifeless body inside.

Quiet whispers began to fill the house immediately after the men left the room in silence. People began to swarm at Babu Aina’s. Their relatives in distant places also arrived on that day and expressed their sincere condolences on the abrupt death of Babu Aina’s daughter – Amina.

Amina was the brightest girl in our town. An exceptionally smart and talented young woman with an innocent and angelic smile. However, one day, she lost all the colors in life and began to act like a madman. No one, not even a single soul, knew the reason behind her sudden change.

I remember that day when a scream echoed all throughout our neighborhood – a scream of torment coming from a frail body of a helpless young woman.

I was preparing my morning coffee that day when I suddenly heard a faint voice coming from Babu Aina’s house. Strange, I thought. I stood quietly for over a minute hoping to hear it once again.

“Tabang! Ina, help me!” There it was again. I held my cup and hurriedly paced into our living room, trying to make sense on what I was hearing. The words were clear when I heard it once again. “Oh! I beg you, please help me. Tabangi ako niyo.”  Series of weeping sounds followed the chilling sound. I sat down near the window trying to listen intently to the muffled voices outside, hoping to grasp some details that would enlighten my curious mind of what transpires in our neighbor’s house.

I was flooded with questions when I heard a woman’s voice saying “Allahu Akbar! Poor child.” Her voice was masked with utter disbelief. “She totally lost it! Miyabethang so wata.” she added.

In a hushed tone, a man with hoarse voice said in incredulous manner “I saw her! They tied her wrists in the bedpost. There were bruises all over her body.” Resolute, he added “Jinn! A Jinn took over her body.”

As the chatters grew, a man’s voice erupted in midst of the small crowd caused an uproar “I told you! She is possessed by a Jinn.” I gasped upon hearing the news. “I agree. Have you seen the look in her eyes? She is definitely possessed. Astughfirullah!  It was red! It was bulging as if the blood was coming out of her eyes,” a man’s voice loudly responded, affirming the claim.

I shuddered upon hearing the words of the people outside. I felt a series of cold sensation slowly creeping inside my body and my hands began to freeze “Audhubillah. May Allah protect us against all forms of evil.” I whispered quietly as I awfully sought comfort and warmth from my morning coffee.

“Ahhhhh, NO! Don’t touch me! Ina! Help! Help me, please!” I jerked upon hearing the deafening scream. I tried desperately to balance the cup I was holding in my hand to avoid spilling the coffee. I managed to place the cup on the table when the sound of a slamming door caused me to jump to my feet. My heart was racing uncontrollably. I look at the direction where the sound came from. I tried to calm my nerves when I saw my mother walking inside the kitchen.

“Oh! There you are. I was looking for you.” she said as she tried to catch her breath. “Where were you? I went to your room, and you were not there.” Her face was filled with worry as she marched towards me. “I was calling you and you did not even respo – ”

“Aydo! Tabangi ako niyo. Help me!” a loud scream resonated within the walls of our home.

I looked at my mother and muttered in almost inaudible voice, “Omie, something is happening at Babu Aina’s.” She replied with the same pitch and horrified look that mirrors mine. “Astughfirullah! Audhubillah!  Their daughter is said to have been possessed by a powerful Jinn. Miyakasapher so wata sa marata.”

“You mean Amina?” My mother nodded in response to my query. “Audhubillah. Are you sure? She was fine when I last saw her with Aisha,” I added as I was clearly in doubt of the news I heard.

“There are things that reason alone cannot explain.” My mother replied as she placed her hand to mine. “Be careful, there are people out there that will do anything, even resort on doing something so evil just to ruin you.” Deep inside, I know exactly what my mother was trying to tell me. Amina was nothing but a perfect daughter. It was inevitable that people grew envious of her beauty and character. That might have been the reason behind her dreadful predicament. Her good nature tempted an evil soul to perform vile ritual to let the Jinn own her body.

That day had passed, but not as quietly as it used to. I thought it would end after the countless visits of a pamomolong. But I was utterly wrong. Days have turned into weeks. Sooner, it turned into months. Babu Aina did not give up on her daughter. She did everything in her power just to fix her daughter. She prayed day after day and gave charities to those in need, hoping that a miracle will happen, and her daughter will return to her usual self.

Due to the recommendations of her relatives, she invited known local healers from different towns and paid hefty amount of money only to expel the powerful Jinn that was said to have possessed Amina. However, not even one of them were able to explain the peculiar ordeal befallen in our small, secluded street.

One day, as I silently walked out from our house to catch a ride to school, I passed by a group of old folks, including Babu Halima, in front of Babu Zainab’s store. I heard them talking about Babu Aina’s daughter.

“Ehh she had it coming,” said nonchalantly by the old man. He was sitting on the wooden bench with his legs crossed and a cigarette in his hand.

“What makes say so?” asked Babu Halima.

“Have you seen how she present herself? Astughfirullah,” Babu Zainab replied.

“Yes! Oh God! Her dress was not appropriate at all,” said by the woman who stood next to Babu Halima. “She even laughs so loud. With men, if I may add.”

“With men?!” Babu Halima exclaimed. Clearly taken aback from what she had heard.

“Yes. She laughs as if those strange guys were her mahram,” replied by the woman with incriminating tone as she continued to say, “She doesn’t have any modesty left at all.”

“Sii rekaniyan bo tiyaman o Allah.”  Babu Halima muttered.

“I warn you, Halima. You better talk to your daughter. That girl is her friend after all.”

“Astughfirullah! God forbid! Such hysterics have no place in our house.”

I didn’t pay much attention in their conversation. I continued my way to class as I was running late. My day went as usual. I saw Aisha, Babu Halima’s daughter, sitting weirdly and out of place at the student’s lounge. She looked lost and pale like a ghost. I sat near her.

“Hey, are you okay?” I looked at her worriedly. She lost weight excessively. Her cheeks were sunken, and her eyes were lost in complete oblivion.

I stood from my seat and decided to leave. Clearly, she needs her time alone to cope with what was happening in our neighborhood, especially to her friend, I thought. I left her alone and went straight home. I never would have expected what will happen a week after our encounter.

There was a huge commotion outside our home. Our neighbors were screaming for help and frantically saying that Aisha attempted to end her life. Fortunately, she survived.

It was difficult for our entire town to understand what was running in the minds of these two girls. The madness that corrupted their souls. Most people from our town were claiming that something evil was behind this string of tragic events, and that someone was trying to harm these poor souls.

Naturally, due to the recent occurrences concerning Aisha, her mother decided that for the time being, she will drop out at school. Since then, I never heard from her again… not until the death of Amina.

Babu Halima went to the diaga of Amina along with Aisha. I felt relieved upon seeing her despite the traces of loneliness that were evident in her eyes. She was sitting alone on the chair placed at the corner of the room trying to avoid any attention. I went to her to ask if she was doing well.

“Hey, Aisha. Is everything okay?” She was reluctant at first to answer. She tried to dodge my peering look but later sighed in resignation and replied, “Alhamdulillah. I’m okay.” I didn’t pry any further, afraid that she might feel uncomfortable. We sat quietly beside each other.

“You know, Amina was hearing voices… voices that she can’t explain.” I was puzzled by her words.

“She tried to fight it. Believe me, she tried so hard to fight it – to silence those voices in her head.”

“What do you mean?” I asked her curiously.

“Amina, that poor girl, was having episodes.” She looked at the distance trying to hold the tears that was about to fall from her eyes.

I tried to make sense of her words and asked, “What episodes are you talking about?”

“Schizophrenia!” She said trying to catch her breath.

“In her mind, voices murder her repeatedly, hunting her even in her sleep.” She cried.

“No one listened to her plea. For God’s sake! She was begging for help!” She said loudly as she stood from her seat. She looked at me with sadness in the depths of her eyes. Her voice began to crack.

“She screamed for help” she continued to say. “She was screaming for help… from her mother! From anyone… from me.” She was panting uncontrollably as she slowly lowered her gaze.

“Now, she is lying there, in her grave, because no one even dared to listen to her.” She was in tears. “I – ” she uttered with conviction and longingness “ – didn’t listen to her.”

Under the dark and gloomy clouds… it was quiet.

The screams of agony and madness were slowly forgotten, buried along with the memory of the girl with brightest smile. The whispers were finally silenced as I sat still, listening to the quiet sound of the girl who mourns the passing of her only friend.