When Full Moon Comes
(DEA – Dec. 5, 2006)
“Please make it fast, we should be in the meeting place that our hosts have set before the sun sets down,” I instructed my wife Ching who was very deliberate with her acts making herself presentable for tonight’s celebrated party celebration that we were expecting hosted by our new found friend. “This is the specific place that our friend has described,” I told the tricycle driver that we have settled earlier to transport us, as he began to maneuver appropriately for us to be able to alight properly.
Fresh and cold air greeted us, as I and my wife positioned ourselves in the corner of the National road going to BusoBuso and the rural road that will go on to the mountainous region of Sitio Cabading, where the rest house of our host was located. “It is fine, we arrived timely while the sun has yet to rest in the Western hemisphere.” “We can have a better familiarity of the place before the night falls and while the other prospected guests they have invited would have yet to get there,” I told my wife whom I consider has concurred of my point of views. “What a pleasant sight this place was,” my wife heaves a sigh of approval to the pleasant panoramic view of the surroundings.
Because we were occupied with ourselves witnessing the beauty of the nature that is very pleasant to behold, we became oblivious of the time that has passed including the arrival of our hosts. “Oh! It is good that you arrived early.” “Thank you for coming,” Ciano declared after he had alighted from his late model car. “Thanks that you’ve found no difficulty in getting here.” “Welcome to our place!” Dorie pronounced with warm hospitality. “Okay, let’s get in. We will proceed to our house, which is a few kilometers from here before the sun came down in the western hemisphere, and while the sky is still bright and clear.”
I was contemplating something as we traveled along if there were other guests that they have invited aside from us; however, my extreme respect to the couple has kept me from asking the suspicions that hanged up inside my anxious mind. Instead, I tried to appease myself by extending appreciations to their extra ordinary domain. “Oh! What wonderful place you have.” “The serenity is satisfying, a perfect place for people that loved to enjoy calm and peaceful living.” “Ahh! We bought this a couple of year’s back, from a couple whom we happened to meet in a special occasion and became a close family friend later,” declared Ciano. “The parcel we procured includes this old two storey Spanish brick house,” he further pronounced after we arrived in the vicinity of their mansion.
“Okay! Here we are in our place, exclaimed Dorie.” “Let’s get in, and feel like at home.” After Ciano had properly parked the car, we cautiously alighted. Mixed feelings greeted me as I began to examine the environment. First, I could not contain to keep appreciating the splendid sights that surrounds this beautiful place. Their dwelling was located in the flat terrain at the peak of the mountain. In the balcony at the side of their private house, I catch sight of the lush vegetation that stood proudly in the steep cliff where I could clearly see the red crimson sky developed by the fading heat rays of the sun in the West as it blends well with the golden ray of lights coming from the grandiose full moon that is gradually rising above the peak of the tall, big and mighty Buso-Buso mountains in the far eastern horizon, opposite the place where we stood in great amazement. The scenery is a pleasure to see, that occurred only in my wild and vivid imaginations. Today, it was a reality to behold that pleases us with intense satisfaction.
…But extreme apprehensions surrounded my soul by the deafening silence that shrouded the whole area, where the quietness were often broken by the faint howling of dogs from afar, that caused my body hair to trickle in fright. The howling though pale and weak, but it echoed and reverberated into the deepest chamber of my body. “Did you not notice something different?” I secretly told my wife. She remained silent, but she holds my hands tightly that enable me to sense her very cold hands, as we proceeded to their house.
Despite the budding darkness now in the surrounding I tried to examine the house structure and its configuration and get familiarized with its neighboring structures. With the benefits of the golden ray of lights from the big full moon that slipped through the shadows of the huge and tall trees that cover the perimeter of their residence, I catch sight of the edifice old red bricks in its wall and in its roof, typifying the old medieval house in the olden era where the Kings and the Lords dominates the world. The building design and its antiquity further enhanced my growing anxieties.
“Welcome to our old house, we hope you may have a pleasant evening tonight.” “Feel as if at home,” Dorie warmly invited us after we stepped inside their old concrete terrace. “Thank you very much for having us, as one of your guest in this eventful day of your lives,” I quickly answered to the couple despite the frightening situation that we had. I immediately noticed the big, black cat that was sitting firmly in their porch’s wooden cabinet with his striking golden eyes that seemed to have been furiously looking at us. A faint uncharacteristic sound I heard from the animal after we entered their spacious living room that further increased the mounting nervousness that completely covered my whole body. The restlessness that was slowly creeping inside my mind further intensified as we began to take position in their old wooden Spanish sala set. The lights coming from old kerosene lamps that were fixed in opposite corners of their living room, gives away only dim lights inside the room that darkness was extremely experienced.
Remarkable silence enveloped the room that were broken up only by the continuous faint howling of dogs from a distant far, after the couple went inside their kitchen. “I was expecting a lively party this evening that was full of guests.” “Are you aware that we were the only couple invited?” my wife whispered to me. “Let us just wait; probably, a couple of minutes after, other guests will start arriving.” I tried to appease my wife whom I recognized her growing nervousness has started to sink in as she continues to hold tightly in my hands.
“We have prepared a special red wine that is perfect for our celebration this evening.” Ciano happily informed us while he was still holding a glass tray with four dark glasses that was half filled with wine. Dorie handed to us immediately the glass of wine. I tried to quickly investigate its contents; however, the remarkable darkness in the room has made its contents indistinguishable. The couple then sat down opposite the seat that I and my wife have occupied.
“Thank you very much for your due recognitions to our invitations.” “I and Dorie would like to start our celebration this evening with a toast of our glass of wine as a gesture of our true and lasting friendship.” Ciano started to speak gently after the couples have positioned in their wooden sala sets. Ciano was very elegant with his white Barong Tagalog and white pair of pants, while Dorie looks very neat with her white gown terno. But, despite the dimly lighted room, I could picture sometimes of their very somber and solemn looks; and in contrasting gestures, every now and then I catch sight of their piercing eyes that seems to have hypnotized me. After I have recovered from a few seconds of hallucinations, I silently elbowed my wife to heed for their request. We immediately picked up our glasses of wine and in succession we greeted them “H…Happy 40th wedding anniversary to you Bro. Ciano and Sister Dorie.” In a slow and faded voice my wife continued, “We wish you had more healthy and happy years in your life.” Then we all raised our glass of wine and made a memorable toast of glasses as a sign of acceptance to their call for camaraderie that has just started a couple of months ago.
I tried to savor the flavor that made the red wine the popular drinks of the famous and illustrious people, but other strange taste and unpleasant smell I have sniffed instead, as I tried to make another sip of the wine. “Today marks the 40th day of our marriage.” “We were rewarded with two children who are presently living now in the Metropolis.” explain Ciano. “It was very unfortunate that they cannot be with us this evening due to their very important commitment today with their works.” he added. The couple talked about their early marriage, their ancestors, their traditions, and their triumphs and accomplishments and the event that brought them to this countryside place. Extreme silence followed after they have narrated the story of their brief but intimate friendship with the original owner of the house that lead for them to get hold of this desirable estate.
The steady ticking of their old clock that was hanged securely in their wooden wall seems to be getting louder. The long silence in the room was broken only by the piercing sounds of the kitchen utensils in their long dining table while their old household couple made preparations for our dinner. But…the hair rising faint howling of dogs from a far still continue to reverberate inside the quite and peaceful room, bringing suspensions of something terrifying will happen this evening, in the face of the big and bright full moon.
The prolonged silence inside the living room was broken by their old household aide’s invitation, “Sir Ciano and Madame Dorie, the dining table is ready.” the old lady in her bizarre hoarse voice informed her masters. “Ahh… Okay! Let us proceed now to the dining table.” Ciano broke our long silence. My wife was terrified, she secretly whispered to me as the couple proceeded ahead of us to the dining table, “Is there anybody else they have invited aside from us?” I secretly grip her hands strongly to refrain her from talking further.
We started our dinner with strange ceremonial rites that I have not experienced in my entire life. Ciano personally handed to me afterwards, a strange kind of food that I myself could not determine what kind of meat and menu it was. Dorie in the same manner personally handed to my wife various kinds of dishes placed in an old ceramic platter, “Sister, I cooked this food for this very special evening, taste it and try to savor my specialty.” “Ahh… Thanks sister, don’t bother me much, I will just serve myself.” “You know, I eat only very little foods, especially in the evening.” My wife tried to explicate herself.
I tried to savor the taste of almost all of the kinds of foodstuffs that they have served, to make well of my hungry intestine that has experienced severe pain awhile ago while we were still in their living room. And foremost, I wanted to illustrate my profound respect to their cordial invitations, and extend satisfactions to the great efforts that they exerted to make this evening memorable. That was to the delight of the couple whom I sometimes caught giving victorious gestures to each other.
I noticed that most of the foods that they have served to us this evening was unusually cold, and the meat was very strange that I could not exactly determined what kind of meat it was; however, it did not deter me to mow everything that was placed in my plate that even the steady prodding of my wife to refrain from taking in the foodstuffs that were served, were ignored. I did not even get bothered even after I ate something bizarre from out of the foods that the couple has served.
Several strange things bothered our attention during our sojourn. The big, black cat followed us inside their house and even in the dining table. The cat silently observed us in the dining room with his usual glaring golden eyes sternly looking at us. Their old couple household aide also looks weird and seems to have something odd in their face they are trying to hide from our sight. Ciano and Dorie in the same manner cannot look straight at our eyes. However, we tried to remain silent all along, though we became very observant of the odd things that happened.
Our dinner ended with another toast of glass of red wine. This time, I found extra time to examine the peculiar mixtures that gave exotic taste in my perception. My wife in silence extended a sign for us to play them only, as a sign of respect and in submission only to the couple’s wishes.
We proceeded back to the living room after our dinner and go on with our casual get to know better conversations. They showed to us some personal memorabilia of their personal and professional triumph and achievements in the past, until such time that my wife Ching found time for us to ask for our honorable exit. “Sister Dorie, I feel that it is getting late in the evening and we feel we have to leave now.” my wife persuaded. “Ohh! Sorry I was oblivious of the time. Okay, I have to prepare my car.” “Just wait here for a moment; I will call you when the car is getting ready.”
Minutes later Bro. Ciano came back, “I’m very sorry Bro. Chao and Sister Conching, it was very unfortunate, my car has gone kaput.” “I am not certain what the problem was and I could not fix it at this moment of time.” Sister Dorie immediately assuaged us not to worry about our situation. “Don’t worry we have room for you to sleep.” “I’ll ask Julia to prepare the room for you.” “Don’t worry, just leave early in the morning tomorrow.” Dorie went immediately to their aide’s room near the kitchen. “The road going out of our place is very difficult during night time.” “I suggest you just stay with us in our house this evening” “Anyway, we have good place for you to spend the night.” “Okay, let us continue with our celebrations,” Ciano tried to sooth the growing apprehension that was evident now in our faces. There was nothing I and my wife could do at the very moment, except to face the unexpected turn of events.
Dorie immediately served us once more with another set of red wine. “Sister Dorie, I am not used to drink alcoholic beverage, I declined to drink again”, my wife beg off. Despite the peculiar taste that I have tasted, I tried to swallow the glass contents every time the couple offered a toast. Various kinds of foodstuffs were served also in the table, but my wife was deliberate with her acts. Then we talked about the various events that we have encountered in our lives.
We were oblivious of the time that passed when in a sudden the couple informed us in a haste that it is time to call off for the night. I made a quick look at the wall clock, and it reads 15 minutes before 12:00 midnight. They seem they feared something when the clock strikes 12 that they herded us in hurry to get inside their guest room. Restlessness was evident in their action as they brought us to their spacious guest room. “I… I… hope you may have a good night sleep”. “Good night.” the couple parted off. I recognized the sudden change of the tone of his voice. But before I could turn to their direction, the couple immediately went out of the room in haste.
With the help of the faint light coming from old kerosene lamp placed in their makeshift altar, I recognized the two separate spacious beds that were neatly prepared. Big and old wooden dresser with big mirror was present in the head end, which made my body hair rise, probably in concurrence of the fearsome moment. The historic portrait of some medieval persons that hanged firmly around the walls, which resembles prominent European personality added horror to our already frightening situations. The stern looking eye of these men in the portrait seems looking at us wherever we positioned ourselves in the room.
I suffered the greatest scare of my life that caused my heart to thump abnormally faster when in a sudden an extremely intense flash coming from the eyes of the same big, black cat glitters after it was hit by the ray of the sun as I slightly open up the window curtain to observe the building perimeter. The faint irregular sound coming from the animal before became more evident and audacious now. My wife without a word immediately lied down in the other bed and covered her whole body with the thin linen blanket that was provided in each of the bed. Then in a sudden the long silence of the night was broken by the loud repeated gong of the antique clock, which indicates it was 12:00 midnight.
I wanted to sleep beside my wife to do away the fears that has enveloped the innermost chamber of my soul, but I noticed that she was no longer moving. I realized now that I possessed a flimsy and feeble heart. I look outside from the big window glasses that were slightly opened after I tried to pull down the window curtain earlier. I found out the golden ray of the moon outside that lighted the surrounding vividly in this cold and lonely night, as its rays flickered through the open spaces between the thick vegetation around the perimeter of their dwelling. But in a sudden, I was shocked when I heard an unexpected bizarre sound of people that seems to have experiencing great pain of their body. The sound was coming from the room where their household aide entered after our dinner and the other coming from the room of Ciano and Dorie. The rooms were adjacent to the room where I and my wife were placed. The noise sounded like a long Aaaah…Aaaaah…. Ohhhhhh. The sound keeps on and getting stiff and intense, which were ensued by the continuous faint howling of dogs outside that seems getting more daring and bold. I could no longer think of what safe acts I am supposed to do. With no other recourse, I lied down in the bed and covered myself fully with the blanket that were provided to us, leaving behind the glass window and curtain that I earlier made half open.
Deep silence ensued. I tried to glimpse the vicinity of the house from inside the blanket, which was still visible due to the ray of lights coming from the moon. The quietness outside has further intensified the growing nervousness of my soul. I personally feel some evil eyes looking at us trying to seize the opportunity the moment we commit mistakes. I tried to hold on to the Holy Rosary that has saved me in numerous dangers that I have encountered before. I let myself get ready of whatever adversities that would befall to us this evening. I wanted to advise my wife, but she was too far for me to reach out in the other bed and also she remained not moving anymore; I presumed she was already fallen into deep sleep. I stayed calm and desist moving as if I had fallen asleep already, to deceive anybody around inside the room who had an evil intention for the two of us.
I remained covered by the thin linen blanket for a period of time with my eyes wide open inside and get ready of whatever might happen to us this evening. After the long silence a strange sound followed, the noise made was similar to the sound made by big feathered animals when it is going to flutter. Sudden bizarre sounds of vampire bats associated the ecstatic sounds of the people around. The flapping continued for a couple of minutes, asserting my personal impression that the creatures have not used its knack for along period of time. The continuous flapping now was simultaneous with the faint hysteric laughing coming from more than one person, probably inspired by the big, bright full moon above the sky that was shining brilliantly at its midpoint journey.
I was shocked when all of a sudden I heard a successive loud thud from an object that I believed had hit the deck at the side of the house, near the window of the room where we were billeted. The deck was overlooking the thick forest and the huge valley below where you can catch site of the majestic landscape of the Buso Buso and Veterans Valleys. Despite the shadow cast by the thick vegetations that surrounds the vicinity, I visibly saw from inside of my thin blanket, the shade of people wearing black long vest. They made some peculiar noise and budging that were very apparent in spite of the continuous howling of dogs and bats in the vicinity. I close my eyes for a moment to take it easy of my already exhausted and sleepy eyes. But after I opened up my eyes again, I lost sight of the people that I consider was standing at the edge of the viewing deck earlier. What were apparent to me were the simultaneous strong flapping sounds that were fading, right after they disappeared from my sight.
Long chilly silence in the vicinity ensued. I tried to fight off my sleepy eyes and stayed vigilant inside the thin linen blanket. The scary and anxious time waiting for the sun to rise in the eastern hemisphere seems eternity for me. But, I was contemplating that this was their gambit that once I tumbled and fall asleep, they will launch a quick and conceited attack. I strongly fought off the long agonizing minutes of uncertainty and insecurity when as swiftly as when they left was the landing of the same peculiar animal that has left a couple of hours ago. This time, darkness has already covered the vicinity after the moon has passed more than half of its journey in the sky that its shining ray was partially covered now by the building. However, the peculiar sound of different kinds of animals gathered around and seems very ecstatic of the arrival of their master. Their weird sounds were getting apparent that they seem were celebrating sumptuous festivities for the good catch of their master. I heard them guzzle and gulp for foods and drinks, like it would never ever happened again in their lives.
I never have the good opportunity to witness them in person; not just because of the extreme darkness that covered the area… but, because I was trembling with great fear if ever they found me still awake and mindful of their activities. Their revelry lasted for a couple of minutes until such time that their sounds faded gradually. The next few hours were a long and lingering moment of my life that the continued ticking of the clock seems eternity. I was hoping for the premature appearance of the mighty sun. The faint but continuous sound coming from my wife whom I consider was vividly drawn to the wonderland of make believe the whole evening was alluring; however, my strong determination to stay awake prevailed.
The emergence of the gentle and soothing ray of light from the sun as he slowly rises in the mountains of Buso Buso has quickly erased the enigma that has shrouded my entire evening in this devil’s paradise in the mountain. I saw my wife starting to move and stretching her arms and feet. Before she made another turn, I quickly stand up and greeted her, “Hello! Good morning.” “Thanks God you had a good sleep last night.” I immediately went up for her and I embraced her and quickly planted a kiss in her lips while she started to wipe away with her bare hands, the sticky leftover in her eyes and in her lips. She slowly sat in her bed, after having obtained enough momentum; she then proceeded to the half open windows and pull wide open the linen curtain that cover conspicuously half of the window. “Wow! What a pleasant sight to behold”, she sighed in concurrence to the wonderful scenery. “I wished to live my whole life in a place such as this,” she added… But inside of my mind I have other perception that I will probably keep secret to her forever, “If you only know of what I have experienced last night my beloved wife, you’ll probably hate to stay even a single minute of your life in this place.”
My wife and I made ourselves prepared very early for our trip back home. I tried myself to be formidable despite the exhausting hours that I have battled the night before. We went outside to refresh ourselves and savor the fresh early morning cold air from the nearby mountains that are still covered with thick haze that are gently rising up now to the atmosphere. We both took the advantage that we rarely come to get in the Metropolis, until such time that the vapor had disappeared in the sky and the mighty sun has slowly risen above the mountains in the eastern horizon bringing in his brilliant ray of lights. I tried to sneak a look at the rooms of Ciano and Dorie and their household aide, but I observed extreme silence.
The ray of lights coming from the sun was by now biting our skin when we noticed the arrival of Dorie and Ciano. “Good morning!” the couple greeted us in succession. “We trust you had a pleasant evening in our place.” Dorie added. “Thank you very much for the opportunity.” my wife Ching politely replied. “It’s getting late in the morning now, I consider we have to go home now,” I explained.
The couple wanted us to take breakfast first in their house, but we were very persistent to depart at the moment citing the already getting late in the morning. The couple was very polite in accommodating our sincere appeal. We extended once more our kind appreciation for taking us, as their special guest in their 40th wedding anniversary celebration, “Thank you very much Bro. Ciano and Sister Dorie.” “Again, we wish you have more celebrations to come.”
We noticed the couple’s extreme tiredness as they drove us back to the National highway, where we could take a jeepney ride back to our place. “We hope you enjoyed the celebrations.” Thank you very much for coming, take good care,” the couple’s parting words as they maneuvered back to their home.
We remained silent during our trip back home and even after we arrived home. The occasion was planted in our brains just like any other significant events that we have participated in the past. The pleasure and the memories will probably be reminisced only once in awhile; most likely, every time only when we experienced another similar occasions and similar wonderful place. I returned to the normal daily activities that I used too, so with my wife whom I consider was oblivious of the odd experience that I have gone through.
I put out of my mind the event until such time; I recall, exactly one month after the event happened, while the moon also was at its fullest when I experienced extra ordinary strength in my body. I felt some extra rigor that I expended extra activities that I am not used too especially during the evening, until I fall into deep sleep. However, I was awakened in the midnight feeling some extraordinary pain in my body. It seems I was hallucinating, but I was mindful of the happening. A strange spirit was making an effort to come out of my body that it leaves an excruciating pain that was almost unbearable. The course was very lengthy that leaves an agonizing pain that I was wailing hard with great pain. I perceived I was crying Ahhhh…..! Ahhhh….! Ohhhhh….! The sounds I made attracted dogs in the neighborhood to weep, until the weeping of dogs outside became incessant. The pain still persisted until such time that I passed out of sense.
I woke up the following day very late already in the morning, which was very unusual of my behavior. I felt extra pain felt all over my body that I preferred to remain in my bed instead. I tried to touch the parts of my body that were hurting when I came to touch some sticky substance in my lips. I was surprised when I discovered it was dried up traces of blood, including some traces in some parts of my body and shirts. I immediately went to the bathroom and cleansed myself from the unthinkable blood that stuck in my body.
The incident became a mystery in my own opinion. I continuously keep it secret to anybody including my wife; however, it cannot be denied that I was greatly bothered. The days that passed was agonizing, contemplating of several consequences that may have caused. Until one day I realized about the most recent occasion that I have encountered in the night of the 40th wedding anniversary of Ciano and Dorie. Taking into account that occasion and the fairy-tale that I often heard from my ancestors, and from the fairy books that I have read during my childhood days, I understand now that I may have received unwittingly the special powers that most people is afraid to inherit..
Today, while the moon was expected to be at its fullest, I started to sense again the similar sensations that I have experienced a month ago. I remained silent, skeptical of the correlations of events I read and that of what I have gone through. Still, I keep the account secret to my wife, but I get myself prepared of the possible spirit transition that may occur in my body tonight. As the time is approaching midnight, I began to hold on firmly to the Holy Rosary that has saved me in the numerous dangers that I have encountered. I tied also, the Cross and the statue of the Black Nazarene in my hands and at the same time hold on tightly to the Holy Bible in my right hand. Then I slowly went inside our guest room, waiting when the moon comes at its fullest tonight at 12:00 midnight; getting ready and prepared to battle alone, personally, this wicked curse.
The End.
To be continued in Part II.
(DEA – Dec. 5, 2006)
“Please make it fast, we should be in the meeting place that our hosts have set before the sun sets down,” I instructed my wife Ching who was very deliberate with her acts making herself presentable for tonight’s celebrated party celebration that we were expecting hosted by our new found friend. “This is the specific place that our friend has described,” I told the tricycle driver that we have settled earlier to transport us, as he began to maneuver appropriately for us to be able to alight properly.
Fresh and cold air greeted us, as I and my wife positioned ourselves in the corner of the National road going to BusoBuso and the rural road that will go on to the mountainous region of Sitio Cabading, where the rest house of our host was located. “It is fine, we arrived timely while the sun has yet to rest in the Western hemisphere.” “We can have a better familiarity of the place before the night falls and while the other prospected guests they have invited would have yet to get there,” I told my wife whom I consider has concurred of my point of views. “What a pleasant sight this place was,” my wife heaves a sigh of approval to the pleasant panoramic view of the surroundings.
Because we were occupied with ourselves witnessing the beauty of the nature that is very pleasant to behold, we became oblivious of the time that has passed including the arrival of our hosts. “Oh! It is good that you arrived early.” “Thank you for coming,” Ciano declared after he had alighted from his late model car. “Thanks that you’ve found no difficulty in getting here.” “Welcome to our place!” Dorie pronounced with warm hospitality. “Okay, let’s get in. We will proceed to our house, which is a few kilometers from here before the sun came down in the western hemisphere, and while the sky is still bright and clear.”
I was contemplating something as we traveled along if there were other guests that they have invited aside from us; however, my extreme respect to the couple has kept me from asking the suspicions that hanged up inside my anxious mind. Instead, I tried to appease myself by extending appreciations to their extra ordinary domain. “Oh! What wonderful place you have.” “The serenity is satisfying, a perfect place for people that loved to enjoy calm and peaceful living.” “Ahh! We bought this a couple of year’s back, from a couple whom we happened to meet in a special occasion and became a close family friend later,” declared Ciano. “The parcel we procured includes this old two storey Spanish brick house,” he further pronounced after we arrived in the vicinity of their mansion.
“Okay! Here we are in our place, exclaimed Dorie.” “Let’s get in, and feel like at home.” After Ciano had properly parked the car, we cautiously alighted. Mixed feelings greeted me as I began to examine the environment. First, I could not contain to keep appreciating the splendid sights that surrounds this beautiful place. Their dwelling was located in the flat terrain at the peak of the mountain. In the balcony at the side of their private house, I catch sight of the lush vegetation that stood proudly in the steep cliff where I could clearly see the red crimson sky developed by the fading heat rays of the sun in the West as it blends well with the golden ray of lights coming from the grandiose full moon that is gradually rising above the peak of the tall, big and mighty Buso-Buso mountains in the far eastern horizon, opposite the place where we stood in great amazement. The scenery is a pleasure to see, that occurred only in my wild and vivid imaginations. Today, it was a reality to behold that pleases us with intense satisfaction.
…But extreme apprehensions surrounded my soul by the deafening silence that shrouded the whole area, where the quietness were often broken by the faint howling of dogs from afar, that caused my body hair to trickle in fright. The howling though pale and weak, but it echoed and reverberated into the deepest chamber of my body. “Did you not notice something different?” I secretly told my wife. She remained silent, but she holds my hands tightly that enable me to sense her very cold hands, as we proceeded to their house.
Despite the budding darkness now in the surrounding I tried to examine the house structure and its configuration and get familiarized with its neighboring structures. With the benefits of the golden ray of lights from the big full moon that slipped through the shadows of the huge and tall trees that cover the perimeter of their residence, I catch sight of the edifice old red bricks in its wall and in its roof, typifying the old medieval house in the olden era where the Kings and the Lords dominates the world. The building design and its antiquity further enhanced my growing anxieties.
“Welcome to our old house, we hope you may have a pleasant evening tonight.” “Feel as if at home,” Dorie warmly invited us after we stepped inside their old concrete terrace. “Thank you very much for having us, as one of your guest in this eventful day of your lives,” I quickly answered to the couple despite the frightening situation that we had. I immediately noticed the big, black cat that was sitting firmly in their porch’s wooden cabinet with his striking golden eyes that seemed to have been furiously looking at us. A faint uncharacteristic sound I heard from the animal after we entered their spacious living room that further increased the mounting nervousness that completely covered my whole body. The restlessness that was slowly creeping inside my mind further intensified as we began to take position in their old wooden Spanish sala set. The lights coming from old kerosene lamps that were fixed in opposite corners of their living room, gives away only dim lights inside the room that darkness was extremely experienced.
Remarkable silence enveloped the room that were broken up only by the continuous faint howling of dogs from a distant far, after the couple went inside their kitchen. “I was expecting a lively party this evening that was full of guests.” “Are you aware that we were the only couple invited?” my wife whispered to me. “Let us just wait; probably, a couple of minutes after, other guests will start arriving.” I tried to appease my wife whom I recognized her growing nervousness has started to sink in as she continues to hold tightly in my hands.
“We have prepared a special red wine that is perfect for our celebration this evening.” Ciano happily informed us while he was still holding a glass tray with four dark glasses that was half filled with wine. Dorie handed to us immediately the glass of wine. I tried to quickly investigate its contents; however, the remarkable darkness in the room has made its contents indistinguishable. The couple then sat down opposite the seat that I and my wife have occupied.
“Thank you very much for your due recognitions to our invitations.” “I and Dorie would like to start our celebration this evening with a toast of our glass of wine as a gesture of our true and lasting friendship.” Ciano started to speak gently after the couples have positioned in their wooden sala sets. Ciano was very elegant with his white Barong Tagalog and white pair of pants, while Dorie looks very neat with her white gown terno. But, despite the dimly lighted room, I could picture sometimes of their very somber and solemn looks; and in contrasting gestures, every now and then I catch sight of their piercing eyes that seems to have hypnotized me. After I have recovered from a few seconds of hallucinations, I silently elbowed my wife to heed for their request. We immediately picked up our glasses of wine and in succession we greeted them “H…Happy 40th wedding anniversary to you Bro. Ciano and Sister Dorie.” In a slow and faded voice my wife continued, “We wish you had more healthy and happy years in your life.” Then we all raised our glass of wine and made a memorable toast of glasses as a sign of acceptance to their call for camaraderie that has just started a couple of months ago.
I tried to savor the flavor that made the red wine the popular drinks of the famous and illustrious people, but other strange taste and unpleasant smell I have sniffed instead, as I tried to make another sip of the wine. “Today marks the 40th day of our marriage.” “We were rewarded with two children who are presently living now in the Metropolis.” explain Ciano. “It was very unfortunate that they cannot be with us this evening due to their very important commitment today with their works.” he added. The couple talked about their early marriage, their ancestors, their traditions, and their triumphs and accomplishments and the event that brought them to this countryside place. Extreme silence followed after they have narrated the story of their brief but intimate friendship with the original owner of the house that lead for them to get hold of this desirable estate.
The steady ticking of their old clock that was hanged securely in their wooden wall seems to be getting louder. The long silence in the room was broken only by the piercing sounds of the kitchen utensils in their long dining table while their old household couple made preparations for our dinner. But…the hair rising faint howling of dogs from a far still continue to reverberate inside the quite and peaceful room, bringing suspensions of something terrifying will happen this evening, in the face of the big and bright full moon.
The prolonged silence inside the living room was broken by their old household aide’s invitation, “Sir Ciano and Madame Dorie, the dining table is ready.” the old lady in her bizarre hoarse voice informed her masters. “Ahh… Okay! Let us proceed now to the dining table.” Ciano broke our long silence. My wife was terrified, she secretly whispered to me as the couple proceeded ahead of us to the dining table, “Is there anybody else they have invited aside from us?” I secretly grip her hands strongly to refrain her from talking further.
We started our dinner with strange ceremonial rites that I have not experienced in my entire life. Ciano personally handed to me afterwards, a strange kind of food that I myself could not determine what kind of meat and menu it was. Dorie in the same manner personally handed to my wife various kinds of dishes placed in an old ceramic platter, “Sister, I cooked this food for this very special evening, taste it and try to savor my specialty.” “Ahh… Thanks sister, don’t bother me much, I will just serve myself.” “You know, I eat only very little foods, especially in the evening.” My wife tried to explicate herself.
I tried to savor the taste of almost all of the kinds of foodstuffs that they have served, to make well of my hungry intestine that has experienced severe pain awhile ago while we were still in their living room. And foremost, I wanted to illustrate my profound respect to their cordial invitations, and extend satisfactions to the great efforts that they exerted to make this evening memorable. That was to the delight of the couple whom I sometimes caught giving victorious gestures to each other.
I noticed that most of the foods that they have served to us this evening was unusually cold, and the meat was very strange that I could not exactly determined what kind of meat it was; however, it did not deter me to mow everything that was placed in my plate that even the steady prodding of my wife to refrain from taking in the foodstuffs that were served, were ignored. I did not even get bothered even after I ate something bizarre from out of the foods that the couple has served.
Several strange things bothered our attention during our sojourn. The big, black cat followed us inside their house and even in the dining table. The cat silently observed us in the dining room with his usual glaring golden eyes sternly looking at us. Their old couple household aide also looks weird and seems to have something odd in their face they are trying to hide from our sight. Ciano and Dorie in the same manner cannot look straight at our eyes. However, we tried to remain silent all along, though we became very observant of the odd things that happened.
Our dinner ended with another toast of glass of red wine. This time, I found extra time to examine the peculiar mixtures that gave exotic taste in my perception. My wife in silence extended a sign for us to play them only, as a sign of respect and in submission only to the couple’s wishes.
We proceeded back to the living room after our dinner and go on with our casual get to know better conversations. They showed to us some personal memorabilia of their personal and professional triumph and achievements in the past, until such time that my wife Ching found time for us to ask for our honorable exit. “Sister Dorie, I feel that it is getting late in the evening and we feel we have to leave now.” my wife persuaded. “Ohh! Sorry I was oblivious of the time. Okay, I have to prepare my car.” “Just wait here for a moment; I will call you when the car is getting ready.”
Minutes later Bro. Ciano came back, “I’m very sorry Bro. Chao and Sister Conching, it was very unfortunate, my car has gone kaput.” “I am not certain what the problem was and I could not fix it at this moment of time.” Sister Dorie immediately assuaged us not to worry about our situation. “Don’t worry we have room for you to sleep.” “I’ll ask Julia to prepare the room for you.” “Don’t worry, just leave early in the morning tomorrow.” Dorie went immediately to their aide’s room near the kitchen. “The road going out of our place is very difficult during night time.” “I suggest you just stay with us in our house this evening” “Anyway, we have good place for you to spend the night.” “Okay, let us continue with our celebrations,” Ciano tried to sooth the growing apprehension that was evident now in our faces. There was nothing I and my wife could do at the very moment, except to face the unexpected turn of events.
Dorie immediately served us once more with another set of red wine. “Sister Dorie, I am not used to drink alcoholic beverage, I declined to drink again”, my wife beg off. Despite the peculiar taste that I have tasted, I tried to swallow the glass contents every time the couple offered a toast. Various kinds of foodstuffs were served also in the table, but my wife was deliberate with her acts. Then we talked about the various events that we have encountered in our lives.
We were oblivious of the time that passed when in a sudden the couple informed us in a haste that it is time to call off for the night. I made a quick look at the wall clock, and it reads 15 minutes before 12:00 midnight. They seem they feared something when the clock strikes 12 that they herded us in hurry to get inside their guest room. Restlessness was evident in their action as they brought us to their spacious guest room. “I… I… hope you may have a good night sleep”. “Good night.” the couple parted off. I recognized the sudden change of the tone of his voice. But before I could turn to their direction, the couple immediately went out of the room in haste.
With the help of the faint light coming from old kerosene lamp placed in their makeshift altar, I recognized the two separate spacious beds that were neatly prepared. Big and old wooden dresser with big mirror was present in the head end, which made my body hair rise, probably in concurrence of the fearsome moment. The historic portrait of some medieval persons that hanged firmly around the walls, which resembles prominent European personality added horror to our already frightening situations. The stern looking eye of these men in the portrait seems looking at us wherever we positioned ourselves in the room.
I suffered the greatest scare of my life that caused my heart to thump abnormally faster when in a sudden an extremely intense flash coming from the eyes of the same big, black cat glitters after it was hit by the ray of the sun as I slightly open up the window curtain to observe the building perimeter. The faint irregular sound coming from the animal before became more evident and audacious now. My wife without a word immediately lied down in the other bed and covered her whole body with the thin linen blanket that was provided in each of the bed. Then in a sudden the long silence of the night was broken by the loud repeated gong of the antique clock, which indicates it was 12:00 midnight.
I wanted to sleep beside my wife to do away the fears that has enveloped the innermost chamber of my soul, but I noticed that she was no longer moving. I realized now that I possessed a flimsy and feeble heart. I look outside from the big window glasses that were slightly opened after I tried to pull down the window curtain earlier. I found out the golden ray of the moon outside that lighted the surrounding vividly in this cold and lonely night, as its rays flickered through the open spaces between the thick vegetation around the perimeter of their dwelling. But in a sudden, I was shocked when I heard an unexpected bizarre sound of people that seems to have experiencing great pain of their body. The sound was coming from the room where their household aide entered after our dinner and the other coming from the room of Ciano and Dorie. The rooms were adjacent to the room where I and my wife were placed. The noise sounded like a long Aaaah…Aaaaah…. Ohhhhhh. The sound keeps on and getting stiff and intense, which were ensued by the continuous faint howling of dogs outside that seems getting more daring and bold. I could no longer think of what safe acts I am supposed to do. With no other recourse, I lied down in the bed and covered myself fully with the blanket that were provided to us, leaving behind the glass window and curtain that I earlier made half open.
Deep silence ensued. I tried to glimpse the vicinity of the house from inside the blanket, which was still visible due to the ray of lights coming from the moon. The quietness outside has further intensified the growing nervousness of my soul. I personally feel some evil eyes looking at us trying to seize the opportunity the moment we commit mistakes. I tried to hold on to the Holy Rosary that has saved me in numerous dangers that I have encountered before. I let myself get ready of whatever adversities that would befall to us this evening. I wanted to advise my wife, but she was too far for me to reach out in the other bed and also she remained not moving anymore; I presumed she was already fallen into deep sleep. I stayed calm and desist moving as if I had fallen asleep already, to deceive anybody around inside the room who had an evil intention for the two of us.
I remained covered by the thin linen blanket for a period of time with my eyes wide open inside and get ready of whatever might happen to us this evening. After the long silence a strange sound followed, the noise made was similar to the sound made by big feathered animals when it is going to flutter. Sudden bizarre sounds of vampire bats associated the ecstatic sounds of the people around. The flapping continued for a couple of minutes, asserting my personal impression that the creatures have not used its knack for along period of time. The continuous flapping now was simultaneous with the faint hysteric laughing coming from more than one person, probably inspired by the big, bright full moon above the sky that was shining brilliantly at its midpoint journey.
I was shocked when all of a sudden I heard a successive loud thud from an object that I believed had hit the deck at the side of the house, near the window of the room where we were billeted. The deck was overlooking the thick forest and the huge valley below where you can catch site of the majestic landscape of the Buso Buso and Veterans Valleys. Despite the shadow cast by the thick vegetations that surrounds the vicinity, I visibly saw from inside of my thin blanket, the shade of people wearing black long vest. They made some peculiar noise and budging that were very apparent in spite of the continuous howling of dogs and bats in the vicinity. I close my eyes for a moment to take it easy of my already exhausted and sleepy eyes. But after I opened up my eyes again, I lost sight of the people that I consider was standing at the edge of the viewing deck earlier. What were apparent to me were the simultaneous strong flapping sounds that were fading, right after they disappeared from my sight.
Long chilly silence in the vicinity ensued. I tried to fight off my sleepy eyes and stayed vigilant inside the thin linen blanket. The scary and anxious time waiting for the sun to rise in the eastern hemisphere seems eternity for me. But, I was contemplating that this was their gambit that once I tumbled and fall asleep, they will launch a quick and conceited attack. I strongly fought off the long agonizing minutes of uncertainty and insecurity when as swiftly as when they left was the landing of the same peculiar animal that has left a couple of hours ago. This time, darkness has already covered the vicinity after the moon has passed more than half of its journey in the sky that its shining ray was partially covered now by the building. However, the peculiar sound of different kinds of animals gathered around and seems very ecstatic of the arrival of their master. Their weird sounds were getting apparent that they seem were celebrating sumptuous festivities for the good catch of their master. I heard them guzzle and gulp for foods and drinks, like it would never ever happened again in their lives.
I never have the good opportunity to witness them in person; not just because of the extreme darkness that covered the area… but, because I was trembling with great fear if ever they found me still awake and mindful of their activities. Their revelry lasted for a couple of minutes until such time that their sounds faded gradually. The next few hours were a long and lingering moment of my life that the continued ticking of the clock seems eternity. I was hoping for the premature appearance of the mighty sun. The faint but continuous sound coming from my wife whom I consider was vividly drawn to the wonderland of make believe the whole evening was alluring; however, my strong determination to stay awake prevailed.
The emergence of the gentle and soothing ray of light from the sun as he slowly rises in the mountains of Buso Buso has quickly erased the enigma that has shrouded my entire evening in this devil’s paradise in the mountain. I saw my wife starting to move and stretching her arms and feet. Before she made another turn, I quickly stand up and greeted her, “Hello! Good morning.” “Thanks God you had a good sleep last night.” I immediately went up for her and I embraced her and quickly planted a kiss in her lips while she started to wipe away with her bare hands, the sticky leftover in her eyes and in her lips. She slowly sat in her bed, after having obtained enough momentum; she then proceeded to the half open windows and pull wide open the linen curtain that cover conspicuously half of the window. “Wow! What a pleasant sight to behold”, she sighed in concurrence to the wonderful scenery. “I wished to live my whole life in a place such as this,” she added… But inside of my mind I have other perception that I will probably keep secret to her forever, “If you only know of what I have experienced last night my beloved wife, you’ll probably hate to stay even a single minute of your life in this place.”
My wife and I made ourselves prepared very early for our trip back home. I tried myself to be formidable despite the exhausting hours that I have battled the night before. We went outside to refresh ourselves and savor the fresh early morning cold air from the nearby mountains that are still covered with thick haze that are gently rising up now to the atmosphere. We both took the advantage that we rarely come to get in the Metropolis, until such time that the vapor had disappeared in the sky and the mighty sun has slowly risen above the mountains in the eastern horizon bringing in his brilliant ray of lights. I tried to sneak a look at the rooms of Ciano and Dorie and their household aide, but I observed extreme silence.
The ray of lights coming from the sun was by now biting our skin when we noticed the arrival of Dorie and Ciano. “Good morning!” the couple greeted us in succession. “We trust you had a pleasant evening in our place.” Dorie added. “Thank you very much for the opportunity.” my wife Ching politely replied. “It’s getting late in the morning now, I consider we have to go home now,” I explained.
The couple wanted us to take breakfast first in their house, but we were very persistent to depart at the moment citing the already getting late in the morning. The couple was very polite in accommodating our sincere appeal. We extended once more our kind appreciation for taking us, as their special guest in their 40th wedding anniversary celebration, “Thank you very much Bro. Ciano and Sister Dorie.” “Again, we wish you have more celebrations to come.”
We noticed the couple’s extreme tiredness as they drove us back to the National highway, where we could take a jeepney ride back to our place. “We hope you enjoyed the celebrations.” Thank you very much for coming, take good care,” the couple’s parting words as they maneuvered back to their home.
We remained silent during our trip back home and even after we arrived home. The occasion was planted in our brains just like any other significant events that we have participated in the past. The pleasure and the memories will probably be reminisced only once in awhile; most likely, every time only when we experienced another similar occasions and similar wonderful place. I returned to the normal daily activities that I used too, so with my wife whom I consider was oblivious of the odd experience that I have gone through.
I put out of my mind the event until such time; I recall, exactly one month after the event happened, while the moon also was at its fullest when I experienced extra ordinary strength in my body. I felt some extra rigor that I expended extra activities that I am not used too especially during the evening, until I fall into deep sleep. However, I was awakened in the midnight feeling some extraordinary pain in my body. It seems I was hallucinating, but I was mindful of the happening. A strange spirit was making an effort to come out of my body that it leaves an excruciating pain that was almost unbearable. The course was very lengthy that leaves an agonizing pain that I was wailing hard with great pain. I perceived I was crying Ahhhh…..! Ahhhh….! Ohhhhh….! The sounds I made attracted dogs in the neighborhood to weep, until the weeping of dogs outside became incessant. The pain still persisted until such time that I passed out of sense.
I woke up the following day very late already in the morning, which was very unusual of my behavior. I felt extra pain felt all over my body that I preferred to remain in my bed instead. I tried to touch the parts of my body that were hurting when I came to touch some sticky substance in my lips. I was surprised when I discovered it was dried up traces of blood, including some traces in some parts of my body and shirts. I immediately went to the bathroom and cleansed myself from the unthinkable blood that stuck in my body.
The incident became a mystery in my own opinion. I continuously keep it secret to anybody including my wife; however, it cannot be denied that I was greatly bothered. The days that passed was agonizing, contemplating of several consequences that may have caused. Until one day I realized about the most recent occasion that I have encountered in the night of the 40th wedding anniversary of Ciano and Dorie. Taking into account that occasion and the fairy-tale that I often heard from my ancestors, and from the fairy books that I have read during my childhood days, I understand now that I may have received unwittingly the special powers that most people is afraid to inherit..
Today, while the moon was expected to be at its fullest, I started to sense again the similar sensations that I have experienced a month ago. I remained silent, skeptical of the correlations of events I read and that of what I have gone through. Still, I keep the account secret to my wife, but I get myself prepared of the possible spirit transition that may occur in my body tonight. As the time is approaching midnight, I began to hold on firmly to the Holy Rosary that has saved me in the numerous dangers that I have encountered. I tied also, the Cross and the statue of the Black Nazarene in my hands and at the same time hold on tightly to the Holy Bible in my right hand. Then I slowly went inside our guest room, waiting when the moon comes at its fullest tonight at 12:00 midnight; getting ready and prepared to battle alone, personally, this wicked curse.
The End.
To be continued in Part II.
1 comment:
I enjoy your writing very much. You seem to be a true lover of nature. I thought I'd share a program I made - it let's you create music by mixing nature sounds. Check it out here:
www.soundsleeping.com
I hope you like it.
Post a Comment