001 Door


Her words,

    I’m still alone. I want to change this, but how?

Doorplate,

    There were two people has been wanting to expose their real selves to others, but their shyness and fear are driving them to hide. Let’s go and find out, how their worlds revolve.

Introduction,

    It’s been few years since a young man had made lots of local stories. Most in the universities love the contents yet some damn students did scattered his works around the wide island. Many feedbacks and critiques he heard around from the students who managed to read everything. He felt ashamed and decided to stop attending school to spend a wide vacation.

    There was a young maiden, having a peculiar life. She was hidden by her parents, and neither other people nor her relatives know her existent. She was alone from younger years until now her age is becoming nineteen and only her pet is making her happy. She want to find someone who could understand and accept herself, but fright is a weakness obstructing her intention.

    Their story begins when the young man decided to spent his vacation into Mountain Resort of Buda.

 

2: 002 Buda
002 Buda


    By the improved speed of the new bus while crawling-ascending at the crucial winding slope of curving highroad, it’s now much easier than before.
    Since it was regular type, unlike those deluxe that windows are shut, here you can freely see the beautiful city and the ocean (started from the bay is bluish green and continue to the far wide is beautiful blue sea) from above.

    After further unthinkable hours traveling, now he can see the beautiful farmland of Quezon. Even thought his destination still faraway, enjoying the scenery is the best killing time for such journey.
    
    So once again the bus is going to climb allowing him to witness the wonderful of the irrigated plains from above, until the view is unable to be seen anymore.
    The bus will once again climb to Buda, mean “Boundary of Bukidnon and Davao" or “Bukidnon exit and the entrance of Davao.”

    
    It’s noon time when the young man Ellimetiro Sirusi arrived the place. He steps down from the bus and feels the silent surrounding. Very few vehicles are passing on the highroad though, and the sounds always standout to anybodies attention.
    By the incrementing speed, the bus is running again and it continues to its destination.
Feel free to look around and see some houses so far in distance. Very few people are on the place though, not more than four or may decrease if they obey their angry parent.

    He did cross the highroad and enters the eatery empty of customer. Spending a little rest, later on he ate his launch.
    When his belly was full, he went to the cashier to give the cash, and asks some direction about the place to where he is headed.
    The cashier drew his destination with words and arms sign, and the young man replies, “Thanks.” And he begins to move.

    After several hours walking across on this dull yet awesome place where only trees, small dried branches, and grasses on the environment.
    The day starts to twilight and the deafening silent is roaring the surroundings.
    The bats are now flying everywhere.
    Birds and insects either other animals engender a sounds shivering for a body, or making thoughtful mind preconceive to superstitious and uneasiness.

    He musters bravery to cross along the high and long hanging bridge with ease. Then, he continues to walk down the path of mangoes farm.
    His uneasy feelings make him worried and doubtful to everywhere. He always glances behind, looking around, and eying to each corner of the path, doubting somebody’s presence beside him. He moves a little fast, nervous feeling beating coldly on his chest. He was afraid, until...

 


    He bumped to someone and they stumble to the ground. He apologizes quickly and when he gains a sight…

 


    He feels ease and good grief. The young man is very quite while staring at the person whose beauty appealing to the eye. He saw that pinkish white skin. Ignoring the feeling of friction for he continue gazing.
    She has long black hair - length until below her knees. She’s wearing black shaded sunglasses that the eye couldn’t be seen, dressed in a green t-shirt under her open unzipped green strife jacket, and wearing a green strife miniskirt.
    She has a body that young man always and most dreamed of.

    He gives her a hand, and the girl accepts and smiles back at him in a strict way. They both stood and Ellimetiro apologizes.
    She goes to his side and lays her hand to his shoulder momentarily — she’s strict even her voice when she speaks, “It’s no big deal for me but you must better watch your way. You’re not alone using the path, so do care next time.” Then she walks heading opposite to his destination.
    The eyes of the young man are can’t be averted, staring at her going far. Amazed by her beauty, until…

 


    His heart is throbbing fast. The fright is all over him. And his body is shivering seeing...

 


    In the blinked of his eye the young maiden disappeared like a pop of bubble.

    He thought of returning but he had walked kilometers far. Also that girl is headed that direction so he continues moving forward, afraid.

    The dim slowly approaches and the silent is becoming more deafening. The sky starts to darken and the fright that the young man had felt is becoming more even infecting.
 
    He prepares the flashlight and fetches some snacks on his bag. He continues to walk while the dark is ruling the night. He spotted the street until he reaches the double pathway.
    The path heading left had no signboard and it’s going down. The place he was going is — much like mountain viewing place, so he chooses the second path to the right with the sign written “RALPONSO” with an arrow above.
    He glances to his watch, it’s almost seven and thirteen pm and his stomach starts complaining. He fetches some snack on his bag again, chewing while heading.

    So far walking, he exits and enters to a wide rough road and notices that the path is continue somewhere to the left. He looks to the right and saw a wide black gate made of grills.
    He goes to peek to only realized that the rough road inside continued far even more.
    His eye glances to everywhere and to only found out, no house around nor even a guardhouse rather than those trees and the wide grassland.
    Momentarily at peace, the gate suddenly opens that made him draws back. It’s open very wide without anyone around the gate. He thinks that the door used new technology, somehow with have a sensor. He was amazed and surprised until…

 


    He bumps to someone. This time it made him trembles because the hands crawls slowly to his waist, until…

 


    It hugs him. Then someone whispers near to his ear.

 


    He familiarized the voice…

 

3: 003 Buda
003 Buda

    He was frightened, yet he was against the deception of the eye and mind, so he assumed to be calm.
    “I really hate you too much. Very incognizant onto the surroundings, keep bumping on me… What have I done with you?” she asked. She frees him.

    Ellimetiro distances and turns, and found her still wearing the black shaded sunglasses. No other response… just an Adams Apple of him that shook up and down.

    “By the way, why were you here? Is there anything you want?” she asked again.
    “No, nothing… I’m just… looking for Overview Mountain Resort, and I thought this place was the right one. Could it be?”.
    “I’m sorry but you’ve went into the wrong place. It’s more far here. If you had walk into the path down the left, it was just about fifteen kilometers. But you’ve crossed here instead and extended it to twenty-four kilometers more maybe. If you’ll decide to walk back, you’ll walk even more around… twenty-nine kilometer. So, I feel sorry for you, this is not the right one.”

    He lifts his head and the sky feels sorry for him, followed by the growls of his stomach making him embarrassed to this beauty. He gives his thanks and started to walk onto the rough road heading away from the gate.


    She just stared at him, started to fade again slowly until she disappears.


    Moment passes, while the young man was walking, he arrives at the stony side by the river and saw a giant stone. He sat there a bit while eating the last piece of his snack.

    From that wide open black gate made of grills, a big animal — covered by the shadow and have four feet, seems like a dog — sneezing outside the gate. If follows the road where the young man had tracked.


    He felt a bit rested, and faded away some of his tiredness, don’t mind the feet.
    He continues to walk and saw some slope or grassy hill on the wide open of course grassland. He goes near and lay there in a supine position. Then, his stomach complains again that made him sit. He caresses his belly and yet felt the hunger more. Emit another sound again, but wonders it was not a growl however it was a hiss.
    He spotted the place and a cobra appears suddenly jumped at him. It’s too late to make a dodge but he managed to cover himself with arms crossed, hoping maybe not.

    A wind came passed from the left side from someone who had leaped.
    He felt nothing hit him from guarding himself beside, he hears a noise from the right; the mix cries by an angry dog, and a snake in pain.
    He spotted the area and a big frightening face of dog appears whereas the cobra was hanged on its fang struggling in pain. The young man can’t move by being frustrated that can’t even mobilize his body from shaken from fright staring at the beast, wild beast, or monster angry facing, gazing at him in a mean look.
    The dog walks nearing and drops the snake that was now dead, perhaps just phase out. The young man feels becoming dizzy because of the fright he gotten, and his body more shiver and shaken, until…

 

    His fear fades, the pitiful face of him gone, his body got mobilize and turn to calm.

    His feelings changed, and the scared face of him becomes smile when the scary angry and frightening dog licked his face. Lick, lick, lick until the young man feeling turns delight and happy caressing the tamed pet.
    “Wow, you’re a good dog. That was frightening, you scare me... But it is alright. I’m not angry at you. You save me. Will you have my thanks? By the way, where is your master? Where do you live? I wish I have a good time playing with you… But, I got stuck here.”
    The dog caresses his big head to the young man’s face a lot even more although his stomach in a growl.
    The young man wanted to resist, however it was too strong enough to caress its head at him continuously, giving a much joy.
    After that, the dog walks away while the young man’s eyes follow, he saw the young maiden with all white dress whispered on its ear, and then it continues to walk away.
    "Hey, I familiarized you. You’re that girl that I bumped before, in a couple of times?" he asked of curiosity.
    "Yes, I am. Come and join me in a dinner."

    Wow, how beautiful she is. Now that I fully seen her face. Huh, she’s walking heading to me...
    He wondered.
    "I ask once again, join me in a dinner?"
    "But I’m a stranger, and you don't know what I am either. Beside…"
    "You’re hungry."
    The young man’s stomach complains again that made him more embarrassed in front of this beauty. Yet, the young maiden goes near to him and hold both side of his shoulder with her hands, and in the most tremendous shock of him, he felt terrified and don't know what to do.
    The place suddenly changes with a shinning floor made of tiles inside this wealthy house maybe looks like a mansion. He saw many expensive items around and a wide stair with a long and wide red carpet overlaying the path.

4: 004 Buda
004 Buda


    It’s so shocking for him, witnessing the place suddenly change beside he should be sitting on that hilly grassland not on this cold yet mirroring set of tiles. He stood shivering yet his head shaking dubious about this happening.
    The beauty peeks at his body secretly while the young man inverting his t-shirt. After that, Ellimetiro murmurs because there was nothing happen. He did it because hearsay reminds him; if someone got lost into the forest or any other places where the environment suddenly changed; just invert the t-shirt to dispel the illusion.
    But this seems doesn't work. He becomes more flustered and shaken from fright. He looks to his side and saw a vase above its stand. To confirmed reality he dropped it and when it falls to the floor, it got banged and broken to pieces and some of it hit his leg.
    The young maiden got worried and forced him to sit. He sudden lost his strength when the girl pushes him down without of using much force. They appeared into the bath room with the girl searching the stuff for first aid. She fetches some kits, rubbing alcohol, and other stuffs, and then she starts easing his pain.
    He was amazed, totally attracted instead of being afraid. He blushes beside this girl do care for him.
    He forgets the feeling of fright, and he thought of wanting to know her or maybe wanting to friend her.
    When the young maiden finish, they appeared into the dining room and she asked the young man to sit. The girl entered the kitchen and comebacks with a tray of foods. She places all into the table and she led the prayer making this young man more confused.
    The young man is always glancing at her, curious with her smile while she is staring back at him seems anticipating something. He can't calm in eating. It’s too much hunger and the food is even tastier, with that state…        his eyes in tears. He thought this girl might be a fairy, or maybe other kind of species that are never been just a fable.

    After they’ve finished their meal, the girl asked him to fetch the pieces of broken vase, the one he’d broken before. He cannot ignore it nor denied because she asked him in a strict way. She take care the dishes and the young man responded accurately.
    When the young man finished fetching the broken pieces of the vase, he goes to the living room and lies onto the wide chair made of cushion. He was thinking, gathering and contrasting every evidences of the occurring event and to only conclude everything was real and no tracked of being befallen into illusion.
    The young maiden entered the room and asks him about the stuff she asked. Then she carried the broken pieces of the vase and left leaving the young man alone.
    She entered to her room in the second floor and put the stuff above the mini table made of pure glass. The door isn't close beside she intentionally leave a little distance open that even the vision of this sneaky eye of this young man can peek inside.
    He saw this young maiden, wore-offing her contact lenses. The atmosphere surround by red. The young man’s heart beating fast and his body felt cold, shaken, and can't be order to run.
    He wonders what kind of human she is, while staring at those scary glowing red eyes of this beauty. He saw her focusing hands against the broken vase and that stuff comebacks to its former form without tracks of being broken.
    The unwanted event happens. He even did not notice that he was inside that room carrying her body when she approximately fallen. His fear mixed by his body heat, and he himself don't know what to do, what must do and why he got there.
    "Hey, why did you run inside, you even carried me with your arms?” she asked while still maintaining her attitude, smiling strictly yet mischievous in secret way. “You’re sneaking on me? Now that I can’t hide anymore you won’t escape from me. You damn, sneaking others, you a stalker. I won’t allow you to get away, never. Why won’t you talk, or reply? You even ignore to face me, you seem scared? Or you seem... worried about yourself or…"
    "I don't know! Even I don’t re-recognizing why I’m here in-in-inside, why I am he-here. I, I don't kn-know, I don't… Even wanting to carry you, and catch you in my arms. It wasn’t in my intention. It-it just I only notice that I am here, here inside..."
    "Are you telling the truth?"
    "The truth is… when, when, WHEN you’re curing my bleed. I-I have… the-the guts wanting to know you. That's why I'm sneaking. I thinking maybe you’re a fairy or something…"
    "Well, then, I‘ll let you know about me tomorrow…” she said with a smile satisfied about something. “But not right now. I felt a little dizzy, beside when you know my real me. I won’t let you get away forever."
    The young man overwhelmed with horrific as he felt her climbing to his shoulder, kissing his neck and feels something buried on it. His vision blurs and the surrounding became dark. The presence of his mind seems disappears...

 

5: 005 So, is this Farewell?
005 So, is this Farewell?


    As the evening falls to midnight and cool winds blowing rustles around the tree branches.
    Nocturnal animals such as bat took reins in the sky.
    Screaking of insect anywhere are providing entertainments to anyone ears whereas resulting to different outcome depending of the listener’s desires or beliefs.
    Some owl hoots and it's flapping its wings, disturbing some rooster’s sleep making that rooster howls into this deafening midnight.
    The wind blows continue passing through the body of this young maiden ambient with red seems visible to the naked eye. She was standing solely on the rooftop of the grand house of her. Her arm stretches for she wanted to reach the stars above the clear sky by her hand, thinking and wondering.  
        What have I done,
            did I scared him too much?
            I just wanted to have a friend.
            Looks like I failed.
        Maybe, tomorrow when he wakeup,
            he will think that I’m evil.
        I don't want to be alone anymore,
            I 'm sick living on this imprisonment of my own loneliness.
        I wanted somebody to frees me from this,
            to be valued by someone,
            and to be love even though I posses this kind of life.
        Or even just friend is much better.
        I remember…
            when I hug him a second time he bumped on me.
            I kind of like it.
            I felt wanting more.
        When he carried me on his arm, knowing he is worried
            I felt like I’m ascending to the sky and
            make me afloat onto the clouds, lying there.
        When I kiss him, my first kiss to a man,
            even it was a… no….
        Above the clouds please…
            help me, I don't want to be alone anymore,
            I like him.
            But, I don't know what on his mind.
        I don't know what to do.
        Now that he saw my eyes…
        I don't know... anymore….
        I wanted to felt this feeling occurring in my heart even
            more much longer, but I’m afraid of losing... hmn…
        Please above the clouds, grant me this favor.
        Tomorrow morning maybe the last time and
            goodbye to him yet these feelings may carve to my…
        The sky was empty of cloud, the full moon is very bright and
            the stars are twinkling.
        I wish, he well not mad on me tomorrow when he woke up.
        I wish…

    Morning comes and the bright ray of sunrise enters inside this bedroom and the beautiful song from different kind of birds is hailing this good new day.
    The young man wake up and feels the air coming from the outside. The open wide window welcomes the day light. He thought the nightmare occurring last night was just a strange dream of him.
    He suddenly remembers everything that happened and convinced it was not a nightmare. He glances to the window and swallowed his saliva. He's looking around examining everything and can’t believe what he just saw making him trembles. He held his hand on his neck but there was nothing there. He was confused, so he lied back and head in the pillow closing his eyes.
    From the bath room, a girl is bathing using the shower. When she's finished, she winding her hair with the smooth towel and subsequently covers her body with another towel. She goes to the kitchen and carries the food's tray.
    Then, she appears to her bedroom, and surprised! Seeing the young man was not on the bed. She put down the tray in the mini table and she walks to the cabin in a little angry. She draws the drawer to fetch some of the dresses to wear…
    Afterwards she disappears…

 

6: 006, So, This is Farewell?
006, So, This is Farewell?


    Run as fast, panting — pant, pant, pant — until the gate could be seen.  Undecidedly stop at the Alubihid — a lonely tree into this wide grassland, far from its neighbors — for a little rest.
    So exhausted, trying to gain a fresh air.   
    Hands are above his knees a propped for his tired upper-body.
    Gazing at the gate, the image are wavering — just little more, just little more, maybe not — he falls to sit, and hands to the ground supporting his upper body.
    Knees are numb, had lost it strength caused by a rash without warming up.
    The tree covered him against the nearing-to-no-good nutritious solar rays for the skin. Eyes were shut, head was lift, and mouth aids his nose for breathing air.
    “I’m thirsty,” he mumbled.
    A drop of cold water fell on his faces. His eyes lift, a bottle of water is being held at the view, he took it, bottoms up and drinks, and he was not alone.

    ‘Aah…’ for the refreshing feelings, eyes were shuttering, head face down, his hand runs above his forehead until behind the head as its being lift.
    “Thank you. I wish I had a towel,” he mumbled, again.
    When his eyes lifted, a pale pink and white strife-handkerchief is being held at the view. He took and wipes it to his forehead and it runs down the cheek until all over in his face.

    He suddenly idle, eyes blinking as his cornea is trying to swing to the left corner — in repetition. His lips cold and numb for some reason, and chest felt the chill, as he really took a look and really…
    
    The young maiden was there, standing, smiling, being please — wearing a pink t-shirt and long pants made by silk.
    He was terrified, feet trying hard on pushing his entire body, hands supporting behind each time a thrust of motion, away to this terrifying yet, a beauty.  
    She follows, walking, chasing however her eyes are somehow sad. Her figure, her strict yet beautiful appearance are so deceiving, a disguise for her prey felt by Ellimitero’s body.
    Shocking him the most, this beauty disappears, hugging him from behind. Her chin leaning on his shoulder.
    His fear prevents him from gazing on her face, so he just stares at the sky. "Please, do not prolong my life anymore. Just do what you must…" he request.
    "Huh? No… you can leave. You’re heading to mountain resort right. Take your breakfast first before you continue, or after taking a bath, your hair still scramble, see."
    "But…  Why? You told me I can't get away from you. You’re angry that time. I’m your prey right."
    "Ah... Just forget it and acts like nothing happen, you must have your breakfast first so you have strength for walking to your destination."
    They both stood up as they appeared inside the dining room. All of the dishes are being place already there in the table and she let the young man to take a sit.
    A While after the girl finished leading the prayer, the young man is thinking about what kind of girl she is. He notices the girl is newly bathed, she can go outside at day time, and can even pray a prayer. So he decides to ask the girl with double-minded that maybe she would get angry. The girl answers him beside she doesn't give any other info aside that she is a human. The young man hasn’t satisfied about that answer.
    His mind scrambled by thoughts and not even refreshed besides he finished bathing already.
    In the gate the young man is standing there while, the young maiden staring at him having a sad gaze that clearly visible on her face.
    The wind blows and some birds fly. The giant big dog is laying there aside the young maiden, seems like the pet feel sorry for its owner.

    ‘Why I cannot walk? Why does her face look sad? Look like, she want to say something. Could it be she's begging me not to leave? But why?’ question all over his thoughts.

    "Hey, you had already step outside, why did you come back? You- you can go now."

    "I see your yard is a mile wide, and from here I feel it's good to explore it. I am a writer so maybe I can fetch some good ideas around here."

    "Who are you talking to?"

    "You — of course!"

    "Then why you’re looking that side."

    "I-I'm still afraid in your eyes. But-but it's different from the first time I saw you."

    "So what do you mean about the first thing you said?"

    "Could I-I-I"

    "What?"

    "I want to spend my vacation here even in three day only, could I?"

    The young maiden turn back, and her face flush, she whisper her thanks to the clouds and quite on awhile while taking a deep breath, then the atmosphere cover by red. She asked the young man to follow. She feels odd on herself that she likes it the most.
    The young man is almost confuse about he did. He felt this scary girl is harmless, that’s why he doesn’t think the girl would do bad things to him. The young maiden accompanied him to his current room where it is looks like a guest room.

 

7: 007, So, This is Farewell?
007, So, This is Farewell?

        Ellimetiro is swirling around the yard and lay on the spot where he can feel the smooth wave of the wind and the nutritious wave of the sun passes and hits his body. This young maiden appeared to his side carrying snacks. She sits aside at the young man who also sat.
        "You know what, your strict the way you look and speak. Is that you really are.    ...She’s gone? Where did she go...    Hey! Wait!"    
        "Now, who is strict on us?"
        "It's, it is not like that. But don't, don't hug me, it's too embarrassing. Somebody might see us."
        "And who could that be?"
        "Ah, yeah. There is no one around, but, but people in a different gender hugs only if they love each other."
        "Pretend that we are.     Just let me satisfy this moment please. Even only on this few days."
        'Oh my, what does it mean. She-she, no! I must not think about it, that's impossible.' Ellimetiro thought. "By the way, what is your name?"
        "I'm Rebuda Ralponso. yours?"
        "I am Ellimetiro Sirusi, are you a vampire? Sorry if I asked this kind of question. It came up to my mind because I feel something buried on my neck last night."
        "I only make you asleep last night, and... I'm a human, a human burn to be a special child, different to others, unlike you. So, you still have question?"
        Silent as Ellimetiro lays. However, this beauty is hugging him feeling secured. He's thinking about the replied that he received, but won't satisfied neither fit to his question. Afraid, to make the lady fall mad at him.
        Night come, on his current room, he looked out in the window and feels the cold air from the outside. The howl of owls could be here and the sound of cricket is wonderful. He's thinking again about the young maiden, Rebuda, the girl who admit herself as special child.
        But for the young man, she is a normal girl, blessed, possessing, gifted with some power, given by above the clouds. He thought also if someone would see about her scary red eyes, would mistake her as monster or any other kind of supernatural. Seems like, he feels worried about the girl if that will happens. He begin making poetry about the place, and about the fearless dog that save him in danger. Doing this kind of hobby until he's a bit sleepy and fall asleep in the bed.

8: 008, Inspired...
008, Inspired...

        The fog entered the room and the young man woke up, it's still midnight when he saw the window shaded by dark. He walks outside the door and go down the stair. He enters the kitchen and open the freezer to fetches some cold water.
        The door suddenly shut close, and the young man is now confuse and astonish. He whisper Rebuda’s name but no answer. His heart is throbbing fast and his body felt itsy-bitsy chills.
         He draws the door but it was shut firmly even though the door knob locker is inside. He twists and twists but the knob won't roll. He whispers Rebuda again asking her to stop playing frank but still no answer.
        He become frightful and scared. He panics and continue twisting the knob.
        A tremendous roar induce chills and tingles his nerves creepily. It's coming from behind. He turn to look slowly, and made his eyes swell big. Shock, and shackled by his trembling knees, staring at the bloody skin, meaty, and bony body of somebody who's afloat slowly nearing. He stare, enduring to not pass-out, but praying, begging for mercy, thinking this is just a frank. As the cold body went near and the stinky smelled meaty face with dislocated eyes scan on him.
        "Get away from me! Get away! Get away from me!"
        "Hey, Ellimetiro wake up! Hey! Hey! Wake up!" Someone’s voice.
        "Get away!"
        "Ah, could he awake... Oh, he slowly opens his eye now."
        "Get away from me! ..."
       The young maiden frozen, she move far and turn to look to the young man with a frozen face. She exit the room and shut the door, then run away. The young man recognizes that he was dreaming so... Leaning his head to his palm, "Shit, I messed up."

 

9: 009, Inspired
009, Inspired

        Ellimetiro searches all over the place that he could went inside the wide mansion, but he can't find Rebuda. The outside rings to his mind but still the cold air surrounded the atmosphere. He forced himself to walk just to seek Rebuda for apologize.
        The dawn approaches and the birds chirps for the raising sun. Every rooster near or far started to flaps their wings and howl. Never did stop walking, tracking down the path, and finally he saw the young maiden crying — just her eyes in red — on the giant rock. The girl notice him on the way.
        "You had tailed me... What you are-"
        "About, my rudeness."
        "I know it's not on purposed.... It just, it just... My heart is painful... I don’t, I don't know it sting."
        "That's why I’m here, I hope you can forgive me."
        "Are you still scared of me right?"
        "A little, but my wanting to know you, having you as a friend are evidence that I'm still here."
        "You really want to be my friend!"
        'Your reaction didn't match your face,' Ellimetiro thought. "I stick that promise to that rock."
        The young maiden hug him in the please of her heart, it so light she felt after she heard those words. Ellimetiro can't resist beside he embraces the girl, cuddling himself, caressing her long shine hair to refrain her from crying. He lift his head to the sky and thinks, why did he got that damn horrifying dream.
        
        Daylights came, the young maiden teach the young man on riding this giant dog. At first the young man stumbled to the ground and the young maiden smiles at him. In the second try, he manage to mount! And then, begin his exploration. The dog runs as fast, they've across eight parts of the same river and reach some mountain range. They went down the plain to take a look at different kind of flower, birds, feet-long lizards, and many kind of snakes and insects.
        They walked to the marsh near the river and they stop near the water falls. In a moment later, they move again and discover a wide pond home by many animals enjoying the place. The young man was attract.
        After unmounting, he walks near the pond. He was surprise and unable to quickly believe. "Sometimes wonder can only be found in a small place like this," he stated.
 
        THE LITTLE LAKE
 
        Oh this beautiful and lovely little lake.
        How could you not, if you are their hives.

        You carry them all, and feed them all.
        You caress them all, and wash them all.
 
        I'm the dragon, the fastest chopper in the wind,
        the tiger of the wind that hunt down evil mosquitoes in the air.

        I'm the musician, and lilies is my boat,
        I sang, a song that they ever been heard.
 
        We are the vessels that never been sunk,
        and where the submarines that jump out and back on the water.

        They are the spider that walks on the water surface,
        than these beetle that dive underwater.
 
        I am the fairy that shinning for you all,
        with this wonderful little lake is only a pond.
 
        A voice shakes the place engenders tremble to the young man. He looked around and the dog wasn't there. He looks back at the pond, every animal was gone. The wind starts to cold, and the young man felt somebody's presence. He yells asking for a reply but no one answered. The place started to deform onto his vision, his feeling becoming weak. The since stopped! — And things comeback to normal and saw the young maiden standing on his front, inviting him to take a launch. He thought maybe the young maiden did, and decide to forget everything. They appeared on the dinning room and pray before taking launch.

        The young man still thinking that phenomenon. He remember those words, from a very deep voice, "YOU HAVE MY THANKS."
        He went outside the mansion, the dog is lying in the garden's grass. He caresses its head and asked for a mount. Somehow this pet is quite bright. He ride this unique breed, with speed faster than before. When he reached the pond, he step the ground and walks nearby. He yell many times for a reply and disturbed the peace of the animals dwelling the place. His words echoes but never receive a reply.
        He did continue and everyone around gone, even the environment disappeared. A violet dark color of ashes and fog embodies the surroundings, as the setting in shadows by red atmosphere. His Adam’s apple shook up when he saw a black shadow of man standing on his front. The young man can't speak well but he try to ask these person if who is he/she.
 
        "I AM THE SPIRIT OF THIS WHOLE POND. FOR PLEASING MY TERRITORY, FINALLY SOMEONE AROUND HERE DID APPRECIATED THE BEAUTY OF LIFE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID, BUT CONTINUE TO DO SO. WITHOUT THIS YOUR EXISTENCE WILL NEVER BE THIS DAY."
 
        The voice gone and things come back to normal. The dog is there lying on the ground feel sleepy and even the young maiden is there staring at him for the whole time. He asked this beauty if she saw anything and the young maiden replies that he was sleeping there for the whole time, standing on the front of the pond dreaming for something.
        They head back to the mansion. He was astonished standing, equilibrizing. This beauty was confuse and worried, she asked, secretly interrogating. He didn’t tell the truth, beside he teased her, and praised her for being attractive yet strict. This young maiden somehow flustered.

10: 010, Inspired
010, Inspired

        Lying onto the sofa, on the guest room, he thought, scrutinising until he understand that, maybe things he saw was only causes by his own delusion of his own emotions, to never surrender in his own dreams, to show and  deliver that every tin point of this world, a wonder exist.
        Everything of him changed that day. The decided wide vacation officially ends that day. He wanted to continue his dream, to finish his collage even in new course. His heart blaze with delight, have the guts to face the critics and wanted to continue his hobby in writing songs, poem, poetry, parables and even novels, short and long story.
        The sky is wide-open for him to dreams. To walk on his destiny, to struggle the storm, and to bury the undying flame to the middle of the ocean. He recovered from being daze and now wanted to face and accept critiques. Things he has been roughly thought until the night comes and he falls to sleep.
 
        The last day of his vacation was all picture taking, with the young maiden on his side. The beauty accompanied him on the high road with her eyes cover by black-shaded eyeglasses.
 
        "You kissed my lips, is this a farewell?" Ellimetiro asked.
        "No, is not," Rebuda replied.
        "But! why?"
        "Do you remember what I say in that evening when you first saw my eyes?"
        "Ah... I guess."
        "I won't let you get away from me, mark my word. Put this ring into your hand."
        "For what, a remembrance? Wow nice..."
        "Nope..."
        "Eh! What's with that smile?"
        "It's a proposal."
        "Hah... hah, hah, hah, hah... you're kidding?"
        "Yes I’m not. Just carry it onto your hands. Go know the bus can't wait to run!"
        "Wait! Don't push me!        Alright, thanks a lot, thanks very much about everything's you've done to me. I won't forget you. Never."

        The bus runs and left the young maiden alone the road. She started to fade, and appears on the top of a tree staring at the bus running down the mountain.
        Wind passes through, and her hair dances behind softly, and nostalgic feelings are making her lonely, too early.

        The young man gaze at the ring on his finger thinking about the beauty. He smiles and remember the time that he spent with the young maiden. He look to the picturesque farmland outside the bus window and breathes some fresh air.
 
        Six PM when he reach his born, home city. He rides a vehicle until he reached his barrio. Knocking the door, and a woman open for him. She was surprised and tears flow onto her eyes, she grabbed and hugs Ellimetiro tightly, missing him so much.
        A girl came down rushing and hugs him too. Seems like he make his family worried even though he acquired permission from them. He was allowed to rest and tells his journey, even it doesn't seem believable.

        Two years past, the young man reaches second year collage and a lot of student in that university most are his classmates know him well. A lot of them like his writings, and some request him to write jokes, porns, and essays. Even professors and school stuffs read his portfolios; gaining some vulgar laugh, he received a constructive critiques, advices, and praises. He's to humble and friendly that's why everyone like him a lot.
        Inside on his room, as the keyboard casually being pressed, a lady entered an intrusion and held her hand to Ellimetiro's shoulder. She is beautiful and her body is perfectly 'okay' fine, her straight hair level on his shoulder and she had a blooming face, but the breast isn't much his taste. The young man turns to look. "Hey, what's up Pres(A student class president), why you’re here?" Ellimetiro asked.
        "Forgive me for my intrusion but I already asked your mother of permission," she replied, a sweet voice.
        "That's awesome. But why we're you here, anyway?"
        "I'm dead tired to this boredom, always Standby in my house. So, I came here to ask you for a date."
        
        Standby here means, people who don't have anything to do, or just a lazy.

        "A date! Alright, let me dress up first."
        "Wow, who's this girl in your side in this picture? Her look is scary. Did you edit it?"
        "Where?"
 
        "Here in the frame, hanging in the wall near the comp."
        "Ah, you don't believe it, but if you saw here personally, you will tremble in fear."
        'Oh, dressing while I'm here... jezz... His body isn't appealing at all,' thought by the Pres. "Duh, it was just some delusion of your fantasy. You just edit it, I know, you’re a photo expert."
        "If what you believe... But, she the type of girl I'm dreaming of. The problem is the different of life we live on. Different, totally different... She's so miles away from me, she is wealthy and I’m just a poor."
        "I guess you're a delusional pervert...and where did you meet her? Hmm?"
        "I'll tell you later, come on let’s go, I finished dressing already. The plaza would be fill of people and no chair will spare for us if we're retarding to go."
        "But it still afternoon."
        "You don't remember? It's Tuesday! There are many bargain seller constructing their stall now, it would be pack of people there, so let’s go."
        The two headed there quickly and settles to a chair away from the mass of people. Many different kind of person is walking around. They found out that there was a vacant chess table. They acquired it and they start playing. In seven games without clock. All went stalemate, and every people watching didn't inspect that every turn has possibilities.
        They seek for another chair, and the young man tells his story. The beautiful Pres feel jealous about  him having a freedom to do what he want, even though she didn't believe him. After that, the Pres pretend that someone is calling her, so she apologize to Ellimetiro and had to go.
        They separated but the Pres gaze at him secretly from a far, thinking about of his ideal girl.

        In the barrio, the wind blow, and dry leaves float on, its wave. A beauty under her parasol, with all white dressed, making her blooming, attracts every people, who took glanced. People appreciates her beauty. Even the Standbys who's drinking on a yard stare at her, and chatters about her beauty, vulgarly. A handsome man on that villages accommodate her.
        "Ahem, hello young and beautiful lady, you seem to be blooming may I know your name."
        "Sure! Why not, yours first."
        'Wow she's strict,' thought by the handsome man. "Anyway I'm Alendro de Guzman, how about yours."
        "Alendro de guzman, where is Ellimetiro Sirusi house?"
        "Yes, that house to the right."
        "Thanks."
        "Hey! Hey! You haven't give me your name yet."
        The people drinking in a yard laugh at him, mockingly. The beauty headed to the house and knocks the door in a precise manner.
        Waiting, within a moment, Ellimetiro's mom open door and found a beautiful lady identical to the picture of Ellimetiro's frame. The beauty still look strict even if she smiles as a greet. The woman was stunned after hearing this words, "Hello mother it's nice to meet you." It's repeated to her mind until the young man appeared from the other path.
        "Rebuda, you're here..." he mumbles in a quite surprise, seeing the young maiden.
        The umbrella was dropped to the ground, and continuing steps are could be heard in the sudden silent. Unbelievable, thought by the people around, including the ignored handsome. All the people witness as the two embrace each other... kisses... while tears runs down from their eyes...
        "I miss you, friend."
        "Me too, Rebuda..."


[The End]

Author's note: I hope you enjoy.