*Note this story is in Tagalog
No’ng una, pagod s’ya.
Sobrang nakakapagod yung araw n’ya. Masyadong maraming alaala ng sigawan at pag-aaway, masyadong maraming deadline na ‘di nya pwedeng itabi na lang. Purong kasiyahan at tuwa nang nasilayan n’ya na ang kanyang higaan. Iniimbita s’ya ng kanyang mga unan na sumama maglakbay papunta sa mga lugar na hindi s’ya matatawagan ng boss n’ya, kung sa’n mapapayapa na s’ya. Ang huli n’yang nasilayan ay ang dahan-dahang pagdidilim ng ilaw sa cellphone n’ya.
No’ng pangalawa, may tugtog.
No’ng pangalawa, may tugtog.
Natatakot s’ya sa bangungot, pero nadala pa rin s’ya ng pagod. Pakiramdam n’ya ay dinadaganan s’ya ng lahat ng pinagdadaanan n’ya at humuhukay ng libingan para sa kanya. Maiiba ‘tong gabing ‘to, ika n’ya sa kanyang unan. Makakapagpahinga na s’ya. Nang makakatulog na s’ya, nagtaka s’ya kung bakit nagpapatugtog ang kapitbahay ng napakalakas. Nakikita n’ya na sa isipan niyang nagrereklamo s’ya kinabukasan.
No’ng pangatlo, may mga anino.
Tatlong araw na at ‘di pa rin s’ya natutulog. Hindi n’ya madala ang sarili n’ya sa lugar kung saan n’ya pinikit ang kanyang mga mata. Do’n sa lugar na hindi s’ya makagalaw. Do’n sa lugar na wala s’yang kontrol. Tumingin s’ya sa tabi ng higaan n’ya, sa sahig na mantsado ng kape at sa mga kinulumpot na pack ng asukal, at sinabi n’ya sa sarili n’ya na magiging ayos lang s’ya. Ipinagdasal n’ya na maging okay lang s’ya.
No’ng pangapat, tumawa s’ya.
Napangiti ang matandang babae sa kanyang kagagawan, isa na namang kaluluwang aanihin. Lagi silang magigising at iisipin nilang tapos na ang bangungot, pero kapag pumikit na ulit sila, nando’n s’ya para harangan ang pinto. Binitbit ang kanyang matabang katawan, at nilagpasan ang iba pang nilalang na nasa mundo ng panaginip. May dumaang daligmata na muntikan nang bumangga sa kanya, at minura n’ya ang lahat ng mata dito. Napahaba na masyado ang gabi, kailangan n’ya na ng pahinga.
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English Version
The first time, she was tired.
The day had been too long. Too many memories of shouting and fights, too many deadlines she couldn’t ignore. It had been pure joy when she finally saw her bed. The pillows invited her to journey with them to places where her boss couldn’t call her, somewhere she could finally be at peace. The last thing she saw was the light from her phone gently going dark.
The second time, she heard music.
She was afraid of the nightmare, but exhaustion overtook her senses. The weight of the world felt like it was pushing her down and digging a grave for her. Tonight would be different, she told her pillow. She would finally be able to rest. As she drifted off, she wondered why her neighbors were playing such loud music. In her head, she imagined complaining the next day.
The third time, there were shadows.
It was three days and still she did not sleep. She could not bring herself to go to the place she had been when her eyes were closed. It was a place where she couldn’t move her body. It was a place where she had no control. She looked at her bedside, at the coffee stained floor and the crumpled packets of sugar and she told herself she would be okay. She prayed she would be okay.
The fourth time, she laughed.
The old woman smiled at her handiwork, another soul for her to claim. They would always wake up and think that the nightmare has passed, but once they close their eyes, she would be there to block the door. She hauled her corpulent frame, and passed the other spirits roaming through the dream world. A daligmata rushed through, nearly ran into her and she cursed each eye on the beast. This night had gone on for too long, she needed some rest.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Ghost Kendrick
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ghost Kendrick
Inspired by the Batibat myths from Ilocos
Batibat Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB page: That Guy With A Pen
Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us