Creative Writing

[Cassiphone]

AN UNKNOWN PERSON’S PERSPECTIVE
8:50 pm; Tuesday, 24th of December 2009
Imperial Gardens Residences, Unit 702
Shizuoka, Japan

“Was that all?” My voice resonated back to me like a harpy’s shrill dirge.

“Yes,” her voice was hushed and impatient. “Look at the time; it is… five minutes to nine. Do you think you could arrive here on time? The programme starts at exactly half-past nine, and I don’t think you would get a good ride here if you wouldn’t be willing to pay a little bit extra.”

“I’ll just walk then,” I glanced at my watch – it was nine o’clock sharp.

“Walk? Walk? Are you out of your mind? Do you want to end up like a friend of mine who carelessly gone astray at around this time of night and ended up being found sprawled behind a dumpster with a stabbed at her throat the following morning?”

I shuddered as I pictured the imagery in my mind.

“Again with those examples-”

“That’s not the point here,” her tone softened a little. “Look, you’re my best friend. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Aside from that, you are my responsibility. I dragged you down to this so definitely, I must be able to get you out of this safe and sound.”

I chuckled out softly as I made my way out of my flat.

“Oh you, you make it sound so dangerous! Remember that I also wanted this, so don’t press it all down on you. Besides, I am a very capable woman. You know that sweetie…”

“Yes, yes, bother all that but I pray to you: Be careful.”

“I will Natsumi, see you there.”

KAGAYUME NATSUMI’S PERSPECTIVE
9:02 pm; Tuesday, 24th of December 2009
Blue Waves Bar, Interior
Shizuoka, Japan

With a sudden click, the phone line went dead.

It rapidly filled me with a spiteful, permeating wave of anxiety: That girl! So naïve! She just wouldn’t listen to what I tell her. She treats the world too leniently, as though nobody would even hurt a fly! Such a bother I have to admit, but whenever she is up to something, she is like a full speed car without the breaks. How bothersome I say, bothersome!

I shoved the minute cellular phone back to my purse and settled down comfortably back in my cubicle. The dimly lit ambience gave an overall impression of privacy that I found extremely to my liking. It was such a relief to get out of the estate occasionally! With all the needless attention – all those eyes watching you at every given opportunity, monitored like a prisoner within the walls of your own home – It was truly tantalizing. It was pleasant to spend some time with the common folk: how remarkable is the way they seem to lead vibrant lives! Battling through the struggles of everyday life and the dangers of modern society seemed to be a feat I just can’t seem to attain. Not because of my incapability of doing so for I could say, with complete assurance, that I am a very capable person. Rather, it is because of the fact I never come across them in the first place. Never had I encountered a real burglary; I just read about them in the newspapers. Never had I encountered a real uprising; I just watched such incident from the television. Never had I encountered a real sexual assault; I just had been passed down with some tittle-tattle from friends and such. How confounding, I don’t get it at all. Once again, I say – how bothersome!

“Contrasting life down here from your life way up there, I suppose?” A familiar voice roused me from my brooding reverie. “Mind if I sit here?”

I looked up: it was a good friend of mine, Asugawa Rin.

“Good evening to you too Rin,” I creased a placid smile. “What can I say? Of course, you’re right. I’m just wondering how a lot of things happen around me yet I don’t even notice them.”

“That is because you wouldn’t recognize it if you see one,” she stood still at her spot, as though waiting for a particular statement.

“And yes, you may sit,” the girl sat down promptly. “I don’t own this place anyway. Really, you don’t have to embarrass me.”

“It’s just a habit of mine Natsumi,” she grinned with perceivable innocence. However, knowing her for such a long time, I saw past her illusory façade. She doesn’t, in any given occasion, fall within the definition of innocent: Rin was always the conniving one, with those sharp eyes and poker-faced disposition. Such an attractive person though, I have to confess.

“I see Rie hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Congratulations for now noticing the obvious,” I clapped derisively.

“And I see that we are missing someone in particular too. Rather, several other people.”

Her eyes had a strange felinity in them: the sharpness on those lovely purple pupils! Alluring!

“The boys are coming later Rin, whether you like it or not.”

“Don’t worry, boys – as you say it, not me – are just a bunch of scalawags.”

“Ah! So you share my passion for feminism as well after all?”

“Oh dear no! I would never fall in your line of reasoning,” she smiled. “Unlike you, I would never reserve any prejudice to whomever or whatsoever, whenever.”

“Suit yourself my dear friend! Prejudice, is a lovely element of human nature. It creates partiality, and with it, decisions; and with decisions, revelations; and with revelations, drama! Ah, the drama! Imagine life without color and twist!”

“I don’t have to. Your life is one.”

“True… Hmm? Hold on for a moment. I received some mail…” Annoyed by the sudden interruption of our discourse, I hastily pulled out my mobile phone and read the screen: I had received a message from Hikao Rozaitsuka. Without any further ado, I opened it:

Natsumi-chan? Where is Blue Waves Bar? Please help me. It is rather chilly out here and I think I’m... lost. (._.)

A chill ran up and down on my spine: I knew it!

“I knew it! She should’ve taken a cab!” I nearly threw my handset at the wall. “That girl! Oh!”

“Who, Rie?”

“No, Hikao.”

“She’s coming?”

“Yes she is, but at the rate things are going she won’t make it,” I crossed my arms. “She’s got herself lost again. The poor fellow has a terrible sense of direction, I tell you. Asked me once where the bathroom was when I took the fancy of spending the night at her place. It irks me a great deal, how she seems not to mind it. That girl, really…”

“She does not need it anyway; she’s satisfied with her own little world: her house, school, local supermarket – one doesn’t have to risk herself to go to places where she need not come to.”

“I suppose,” I began arduously typing a reply to the message. “Let me see if she could follow simple directions.”

“She can – don’t worry,” Rin leaned over the table to read the contents of my message. “Ask her where she is.”

“I just did. I hope that she hadn’t strayed too far. If she tells me that she’s in Osaka, I will definitely snap off my wits here and there! Look at the time: it is ten minutes past nine!”

“Walking here won’t take twenty minutes. Relax.”

“I have all my reasons why I should not relax right now. See Rin, I had a bad feeling when I was talking to her a little while earlier. I had a feeling that something bad would happen to her. You know how that feels right. I was the one who persuaded her to attend the trivial gathering of ours and if anything befalls to her, it would be my responsibility. Not that I am afraid to pay the casualties, but I am deeply concerned because she is my friend. She is our friend, rather.”

Rin didn’t seem to be moved by my exasperation.

“You know Natsumi; you are like an unstable concoction on the verge of blowing up. I say once again, relax. Nothing bad would happen to Hikao.”

Despite her words, I still could not find any respite. The peculiar feeling was virtually impossible to wipe away. What will happen if something indeed happens to her? Then it would be my fault then? I can’t bare the fact that I would cause mayhem rather than amusement. If anything happens to her, it would be outright unforgivable on my part!

“I know that well Rin… I’m just a bit paranoid-”

“Really paranoid.”

“Well, yes. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Silence sung for a few good moments. The discord was extremely unnerving. Thankfully, it was purged by the melodious chiming of my cellular phone. Without further ado, I engaged the call:

“Hello Hikao-san? Where in earth are-”

“N-Natsumi-chan?” Her voice was hushed and terribly disconcerted. “I need hel-”

Then all of a sudden, the line went silent.

LUIS MAGSARILI’S PERSPECTIVE
9:04 pm; Tuesday, 24th of December 2009
An Unnamed Avenue
Shizuoka, Japan

Outside, the weather was far from being friendly. A cold breeze blew steadily along the snow-covered streets, stirring up an overwhelming chill steadily creeping up the spines of then unsuspecting passers-by. Winter had entered the midst once again and the coolness of the climate had been a welcome sight to the boiling and hot-tempered pace of urban life. It too had found its place in my predilection, having been much unacquainted to the conditions until a few weeks before, when the snowy hail had begun its gentle descent, painting the surroundings with a delicate and tranquil white. From where I had come from, the Philippines, it would be a endeavor of divine intervention to ever have the chilly wisps of ice dancing from your mouth as you speak during this time of year, and I have to admit that having such happening right now was very amusing.

Fairly unaccounted for, my thoughts then boiled down to why I had been sent here in the first place. It was still exceptionally fresh to me, to tell the truth. Not that I would actually forget such astonishing incident, but rather because it casted an impression that I undoubtedly knew I won’t ever encounter once again in my life.

Justin Valdez, a good friend of mine, and I had been brought from our humble country to the land of the rising sun for an extraordinary academic syllabus called S.T.E.P. (Student Transitory Education Programme), wherein they choose a handful of students from different countries to study at selected esteemed schools at other countries. Considering the mediocre status we had in society, it was indeed a blessing in disguise. Although the program had many benefits in store for us and for our families, human nature will always surface from whatever sea of emotion they had plunged in. It was inescapable for us to feel homesick, especially at this time with the season of Christmas slowly making its presence felt.

Attesting the fact, the two of us were heading towards an intricate acquaintance party now. A trifling notion to wipe away the longing of one’s family, but adequate to instill an inconsequential amount of happiness at the least. I do look forward to it saving me from painful reminiscing: like wondering the conditions of my siblings and parents, or the stark happiness lingering back at home for having a Christmas without me. How lonely is it to be far away from the ones you love.

I heaved a particularly deep sigh for reasons I myself was uncertain about; either it was because of the ominous disquiet scourging me obstinately, or the juvenile desire to glimpse upon my frosty breath like a little child eager to see Santa Clause sliding down from the chimney. My gesture nonetheless caught the insatiable interest of my companion who had been busy in marveling the falling snow and gathering it on his outstretched hands. He paused for a moment and looked at me with bafflement, before resuming his little ordeal once again.

“Something in your head Luis?” He asked me with a tone of concern in his voice. “Come on now, speak up.”

“No,” I replied dully. “Nothing in particular. I was just thinking on how we came here a few months earlier. Even now Justin, I could still hardly believe it. Of all of the millions of people back there, we had been chosen to have our lives drastically changed – talk about a mad stroke of luck.”

“Luck you say? Hmmm… Figures, I had a different reason in my head.”

“That is?”

“Serendipity dear friend. Accidental sagacity; the faculty of making fortunate discoveries or participating in auspicious situations one was not looking for.”

“Serendipity? It’s hard to believe the chances of that-”

“Why yes, the chances! There is a chance even for the impossible to be possible no matter how discrete it is. Law of probabilities, if there was one, would supplement that fact.”

I shrugged at his remark.

“I still have my doubts.”

“Of course you will have them. You always doubt.”

“That’s me I guess.”

“Really? I doubt that,” he narrowed his eyes apprehensively. “Do you remember the letter we received back then?”

I paused for a moment in thought. That letter, of course I remember it. If my life had been a work of fiction, then that would be its much-anticipated climax – the pinnacle of this dreary existence of mine! The frenetic thrill and exhilaration gushing within me during that fateful instance had left its mark in my mind and heart – never to be forgotten! In fact, the vision of it was still incredibly vivid in my eyes:

Greeting and Salutations!

It is our greatest honor to inform you that you: MIGUEL LUIS F. MAGSARILI of STA. CLARA PARISH SCHOOL, PASAY CITY had been chosen by the Republic of the Philippines to represent the grand aperture of the 1st Student Transitory Education Programme (S.T.E.P.) to be held at Tokyo, Japan this April 23rd of 2009. This gathering of the world’s hope of the future will bring renewed enlightenment and resilience amidst the international crises that plague humanity, and you have been given the honor to share your part at the dawning of a new history. A history wherein the prowess of the new generation would stand as a foundation on which the whole world would weigh its balance.

You will be escorted this 22nd of April to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and reside at your own private villa (pre-designed and fully furnished) in the lush rural life of Shizuoka City, with all expenses and documents being arranged without any expense at the very moment you are reading this letter. Countless benefits and services will also be given to you, namely:

Allowances and Financial Faculties: Monthly household allowance (inclusive of food, and other basic necessities), Monthly school allowance (inclusive of extra-curricular expenditures), Weekly personal allowance

Benefits and Other Amenities: Student’s Discount Card (entitles the holder with a wide range of discounts), Personal Savings Account (to be opened on the consent of the owner), Insurances (fire, health, et. al.).

Furthermore, enclosed in this letter are papers on opening a government based savings account that will initially contain a non-refundable balance of Php 5, 000, 000 (Five Million Pesos) – a small gift in exchange of the honor you have bestowed to your country.

May there be more like you Mr. Magsarili.

God bless you and our beloved homeland.

With much respect,

Shichisei Corporation

Ah, yes, it was downright impossible for me to forget it. The stanch stench of money was like a magnet to metal shillings.

“Yes of course, why do you ask?”

“It is concrete evidence that the two of us were chosen among the thousands of youth more accomplished than us in every perceivable way. What’s more to that is among the infinite amalgamations possible to either one of us, we still ended up with each other. Do you get my point? It was though it was predetermined by some indefinite force!”

“Precisely, the chances were slimmer than zero,” I told him somewhat elatedly.

“I never said the determining factor was chance. I said serendipity. Fate, my dear friend.”

“I see your point,” the upsurge of triumph died away in an instant and plunged me back into the nadirs of my desolation. “I guess fate had also dictated the way I was to be alone this Christmas Eve…”

He was greatly taken aback by my statement. I guess that’s the reason of my restiveness – I was to be alone this Christmas Eve. It casted an overall feeling of gloom around me. Something I know, my friend won’t readily comprehend. Despite what it seems; Justin has an extraordinary ability to adapt into any circumstance he is in and be at complete ease with it. Mainly because he was a smooth speaker – yes, talks a great deal if you ask me – but it suits him too well that it becomes an aspect of attraction from the perspectives of other people. He also has a delicate air of cleverness around him and would unquestionably make his presence felt now matter what he does. It’s enviable, I must admit.

Unquestionably, he has someone to spend with this Christmas. Someone to share some warmth with despite the cold.

“You’re being emotional again,” he nudged me at my side. “What about me?”

“You already have yours Justin.”

“Oh,” evidently, he wasn’t expecting to hear that. “I see… You shouldn’t bother yourself with that Lu’. The sadness of being far away from home pains me too but let me tell you: dwelling in the dark isn’t the wisest thing to do at this situation. Be optimistic!”

“Hah!” I laughed, wiping all my preceding anxieties away all of a sudden. “Such words from an eternal pessimist? You’re too much Justin!”

“I’m not a pessimist, I’m a realist,” his words stuck to me like darts on a dartboard. “Besides, at least I eased up your apprehension. I did, didn’t I? Therefore, I tell you, keep away from all that fretful worry. You’d die early I tell you.”

I couldn’t help but smile to his simple yet effective method of cheering me up. He is indeed a blessing to me, this dear friend of mine. He is the guardian of my sanity, the arsenal of my hopes – a true friend indeed.

“Yeah, yeah,” I waved a hand in agreement. “I guess this is how the way things should be.”

“You can’t be so sure of that,” he shoved a snowball of moderate size to his face. “What you can be sure of is that you would meet somebody good enough to hold your heart and keep it warm at this very night. That is why we were headed to that party right? Oh this snow, so cold!”

With that, I averted my gaze up to the heavens above and pondered about the veracity of his words.

**Author's Note: I'll post three more chapters when somebody reads this. Just give me a go signal okay? Thanks!
 

[Aryeec]

Seraphic Innocence

Part 1: check
Part 2: ..
Part 3: ...
Part 4: ....

3nodding  

[Aryeec]

Here's an untitled piece I wrote a few years ago when I first started to really get into poetry. Short and sweet, it tells what is behind and beneath everything I write.


There are things I'd love to say,
for not love's sake,
but petty conversation;
From the truth we'd go astray,
as if the heart were not awake.
The truth? Love is my inspiration.
______________________
© 2009, All rights reserved  

[Aryeec]

Seraphic Innocence

I appreciate your kind words!

I'll be reading your other chapters periodically this week as breaks from assigned readings I have to do. The final section in your first chapter is a pleasure to read. The language and style you use is much more mature than most works I read on Gaia and it really shows here. 3nodding  

[Aryeec]

The_Mistress_Of_Music

Misty, old slums loudly love a rainy, big hood.
Where is the dry truck?
The dark job quietly hustles the flower.
The dead street roughly hustles the cigarette.
The door walks like a rainy corner.

This feels very cold and mysterious! 3nodding

jcl007149

A gentle breeze on summer seas to wash the gloom away
A simple song, a happy song to see you through your day
How can it be, so simple, see?
To create a little tune
And lift you high, into the sky
Just like the Sun and Moon.

This makes me feel what I can only describe as 'bouncy'! smile  

[Aryeec]

The Burning

In my heart a forest grows,
Where hope lies bare.
Here, love longs to flow
Toward one for whom I care.

A single pure breeze,
Beautiful and tender,
Flies 'neath brittle leaves.
Her presence kindled lure.

I see in her dark eyes
A deep-lit fiery passion.
High flames are on the rise
In endless dream-filled oceans.

Of this I am greatly fond
And at her beauty I gaze.
My heart reaches far beyond,
Through this autumn blaze.

"God, is this desire divine?
Which rustled trail shall I heed?
Stop this fire or could she be mine?"
Either way, my limbs will bleed.

...I wait

The joys, in my fall, remain.
My soul continues to yearn
For this, sweet fluttering pain.
"Please God, help me burn."
______________________
© 2011, All rights reserved