-------------------------------------
TERRACE I: The Darkness
“Mom…? Dad…?” a little voice cried shakily in the midst of the darkness followed by quiet continuous sobs “Sister? Brother…? Are you there? Please don’t leave me alone here…” the little voice cried in a way that her words were suffocating her and that she was choking them out and, at the same time, asking to no one in particular for in the sea of darkness, there was no way to tell whether or not somebody was there.
“I’m sorry” she cried, sobbing more “I won’t cry anymore… I’ll be stronger… please help me… somebody…” and yet there was still no answer.
The little girl felt lonely so she curled up and hugged her knees tightly and continued to sob. She couldn’t even tell where she is because the darkness was so overwhelming, she couldn’t see, feel, taste, hear or even speak properly. She cried, more quietly this time, and kept on whispering words like “I’m alone…” and “They hate me…” or “I don’t deserve to live…”
“What are you saying?” a voice that sounded like a beautiful song asked quietly.
“Leave me alone” was her reply and continued whispering words to herself. She was no longer crying but rather, she was contemplating all the negative events in her life.
“Why are you mad?” the voice asked with the same singsong voice.
“Why do you care?” the girl angrily asked “Leave me alone”
“I can’t” the voice replied.
“Why is that?” she asked in irritation.
“…because you called me” the voice replied.
“When did I call you?” she asked. “Are you dad? Brother?”
“You forgot when you called me?” he asked in a surprised tone and seemed sad “I’m neither your dad nor your brother”
“Then you got the wrong person…” the girl replied and was about to curl up again when she felt a warm hand over her shoulder. For the first time, the girl felt something. It was warm and comforting, his hand over her shoulder reminded her of someone… someone she used to go with all the time, but forgot somewhere along the way.
“I don’t think I’m mistaken” he said with a small chuckle “I know that you’re the one who called me… I am sure it is you”
“Then when did I call you?” the little girl asked. Somehow, her irritation was gone and she felt a little more relaxed now that this person was with her.
“All the time… you always did” he laughed again. Every time he laughs, the girl felt more alive, stronger and livelier. Without realizing it, she was already following the stranger’s energy that made her stand up.
When she successfully stood up, she once again realized her surrounding – the darkness and even though she was holding his hand, she wasn’t sure whether or not it was real or not. She immediately fell on her knees and started crying.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked in despair.
“What?” he asked.
“Why do you have that wonderful voice and that warm touch that lifts my hopes up?” she asked angrily “You make me feel like I can escape from this eternal darkness but how can I? How can we? What can you do when you yourself can’t see anything in here?”
“Little one” he said as he placed his hand on the girl’s head “Do not rely on what you see because that is what makes you afraid, close your eyes and trust me”
“How can I trust you?” she asked quietly, as fat tears swelled up in her eyes “I don’t even know you at all!”
“It is up to you to decide. You called me so here I am” he said in a patient voice “No matter how long your decision will take I will remain here, waiting. If you want to go with me then we shall leave but if you want me to go… then I will do so”
The little girl stared at the darkness around her. She felt the loneliness, the despair that the place posses. She placed both her hands in her heart and closed her eyes and whispered something quietly.
“I believe you have made your decision” he said quietly and he took her hand.
“Can I ask for your name?” the girl asked quietly.
“I don’t have to tell you because you know it” he replied as they continued walking in the darkness.
TERRACE II: The Sounds
For who knows how long, the man and the young girl walked and walked into the endless darkness without any assurance of finding any sign of light.
“Ummm…” the little girl asked quietly “Do you think I’ll be able to see my family again?”
“What makes you think that way? Of course you will” he said. He halted from walking and kneeled to face the girl, he touched her face with both his hands and said “We are almost there. I will never lead you astray because I don’t want to lose your trust”
The girl nodded quietly with her eyes still closed. She suddenly tightened her grip when she heard a desperate scream.
“What is that?” she asked in panic but the man did not answered. “Mister… I’m scared”
“Do not open your eyes” he instructed but as they continued to walk, the screams were becoming more and more distracting that the little girl was actually shaking as they walk on. She couldn’t help imagine a lot of things and the more she hears the desperate screams, the more afraid she felt.
“Mi…Mister” her voice stuttered “I… I…” she was surprised when they suddenly stopped and a very frightful scream of a familiar voice can be heard. Tears started falling from her closed eyes.
“What is wrong?” he asked quietly.
She didn’t reply but continued crying. She fell on her knees and continued crying yet she kept her eyes closed. The man kneeled towards her and waited for her to speak.
“I’m scared…” she quietly said and continued crying “I… I… that scream” she continued crying but whenever she can, she tried to choke out the words that she wants to say “…my mom’s… and my dad’s!”
The man remained quiet and let her cry as much as she wants.
“What is it about your mom and dad that makes you sad?” he asked when she seemed to have calmed down.
“I… I’m not sure” she said truthfully “The voice I heard reminded me of them… Mister, are they hurt?”
“Why don’t you see for yourself?” he asked quietly.
“I… I don’t want to” she replied quietly.
“Why?”
“Because… if I see them, I might not want to get out of this place…” she said quietly as if trying to find the words.
“Speak of the truth” he said.
“I’m scared to know” she quietly replied and clung on to him tightly “I’m not sure if what I’m hearing is true and… I don’t really know” and she buried her face into his chest “I’m scared…”
“My little one” he said with a calm voice that seemed to have assured the little girl “Don’t worry, everything will be alright” he then carried her and whispered “Trust me, everything will be alright”
The girl nodded in response and fell asleep after all her crying.
TERRACE III: The Stranger
“Little one… wake up” the beautiful voice whispered sweetly towards the young girl in his arms. The little one quietly moved and opened her eyes. She was surprised to see the light that surrounds the whole area. As if for the first time in her life, she saw the beauty of the trees, the land, the sky, the leaves… everything was a work of art and its beauty was so overwhelming she started dancing.
“Such beauty! Isn’t this place wonderful? Oh mister, thank you! Thank you!” she cried happily as she stretched her arms up to the sky and happily cheered in a loud voice “Thank you, thank you!”
“I’m glad you’re happy now” he replied not leaving the darkness of the cave.
“Mister” she said reaching out towards him “Please come out to the light! It is so beautiful! Thank you for guiding me!”
“Little one, do you remember me now?” he asked quietly.
The girl’s eyes widened as she slowly let go of his hand. It made her think of who he really was. “I…” she said quietly said “I’m not sure”. She stared at her feet and felt a bit down “I’m not sure”
She felt ashamed not to remember him at all.
He placed his hand on her head and said “That is okay young one, there will come a time wherein you will no longer be as young as you are but you will be lost again in the darkness but don’t forget to always call for me because I will always come to your side”
“Mister… can I ask for your name so I will never forget?” she asked quietly.
He smiled as his face slowly came out from the darkness and was illuminated by the bright light and mouthed his name. The little girl smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek and said “Thank you very much. You are no longer a stranger now”
“I have never been one” he said with a wink and went back inside the darkness.
“Please help the others” the little girl cheered happily as she watched him walk away. “See you soon, Jesus Christ”
No comments:
Post a Comment