*Note this story is in Cebuano

Niabot siya sa gabie.

Kataw-anan, karon na akong gihuna-huna, siguro ang bintana na wa gisirad-an ang timailhan para siya musulod.

Nakahinumdom ko na guba akong aircon ug gusto nako musulod ang kabugnaw, ang init na ginalabas sa electric fan nagpabilin ug ang hinay na tingog niini, nagtulak sa ako na matulog nga malipayon.

Nakamata ko tungod sa iyang tingog nga nidakop ug balud sa akong panimuot padulong kaniya. Matag-paglihok ug pagdagayday nga pitik paadto sa halos dili mabati na tingog.

Kung unsa man ang naa didto, dili jud masabtan. Usa ka bangka na kaparehas kadako sa akong katri ang naglutaw sa taas nako. Sakay ato ang usa ka babae, bisan ako makaingon nga dili siya ordinaryo. Bugnaw iyang kamot sa akong paghikap. Gisinyasan ko niya nga muduol.

Ug dinha na nagsugod.

Among gisuroy ang kalibutan atong gabhiuna, gikan sa tin-aw na mga dagat hantod sa dagkong mga kabukiran sa usa lamang ka pagpamilok. Naay bahin sa akong huna-huna na nag-ingon nga mitabok mi sa tubuok kalibutan.Siguro tama ko.

Di nako makalimtan akong mga nakit-an. Niadto mi sa disyerto na gikalimtan na sa mga tao ug gihapuhap ang mga balas na nagpugong sa oras, ug ang mga busay! Ang mahalangdong kaputli niini nga gipasundayag sa bulan. Mahuna-hunaan pa gihapon nko tanan kung akong ipiyong akong mga mata.

Ako siyang gisulayan ug tan-aw latas aning tanan. Gusto sa akong hunahuna mahibal-an kung kinsa siya ug giunsiya niya pagbuhat aning mga butanga.

Mura ba ug nasabtan niya akong gihunahuna, iyang gipahimutang ang bangka sa usa ka lin-aw ug iya kong gitug-anan sa iyang mga sekreto.

Giplastar niya sa akong atubangan ang usa ka libro, nga mas dako pa sa biskan unsang libro nga akong nakita sauna ug giingnan ko niya sa gahom ato. Ana ang babae na ang libro gitawag ug libro de la combania ug ana siya nga dalaon ko ato miskan asa ko gusto. Ang himuon lang nako kay huna-hunaon ang lugar ug maabot nko didto og pinakalit.

Pagpangutana nako ngaanong iya kong giingnan ato, nikatawa ra siya. Ana siya nga nay usa ka butang sa ako na nagpainteresar kaniya, ug gipangutana ko niya unsay buhaton nako sa libro.

Wala dayon ko nakatubag sa iya,napuno akong utok ug mga ideya na nagsangka. Gamiton ba nako kini para makaadto sa banko ug manguha ug daghang kwarta nga gusto nako? Mas mayo ba na tan-awon ang kalibutan gikan sa ibabaw sa bukid? Maghunahuna ba ko sa akong pamilya ug mupauli na og balay?

Ang kahinam midagan sa akong hunahuna, apan usa ka bahin sa akong sarili ang mipugong kanako.

Mitan-aw ko sa iyang mga mata ug nay kuryente na midagayday sa akong taludtod.

Wala ko kabalo nganong hadllok kayo ko sa babae. Basin guro tungod sa gahum na iyang gihatag sa ako, apan sa akong pagduha-duha, nakamatikod siya.

Nangutana siya kong di ba ko mudawat sa iyang regalo.

Wala ko ni tubag.

Naglatay nga tunglo ang nikalap sa hangin, ang mga pulong na dapat dili iuban kay gitahi ug gilabay padulong kanako.

Gitawag ko niya og buang ug dili mapasalamaton.

Siguro tama siya, pero di jud ko mudawat sa mga regalo na iyang gihatag sa ako. Dili jud labi na pagkahuman nako nakita iyang mga mata.

Iya kong gipahawa sa banka ug akong nabati ang hangin na kusog padung kanako samtang nahulog ko sa langit. Giandam nako ang akong sarili nga mabati ang kabugnaw sa tubig gikan sa lin-aw sa baba.

Imbis na matagak sa tin-aw’ng tubig, nahulog ko sa akong higdaanan, sa akong kwarto nga murag walay nahitabo.

Nakaubo ko ug akong nalantaw na naa kini dugo, pasiuna sa akong umaabot na problema.

Ug ania ko nagpabilin, sa akong higdaanan nga naghunahuna sa kagahapon ug sa mga kadaot na nahimo ato sa ako.

Ang mga doktor wala kabalo unsay akong problema ug dili sad ko makasulti bahin sa babae. Akong gihangyo nga ibalik nalang ko sa balay para sa palliative care. Kay kung ang tanang dagom ug pagtusok kay dili makasulbad niini, dili ko gusto mamatay sa higdaanan sa ospital.

Ana akong lola nga mutawag siya ug faith healer. Nagpasalamat ko sa iyang gihimo pero murag ulahi na ang tanan para sa ako.

Akong gipiyong akong mga mata ug gihinumduman.

Ang iyang bangis na mga mata ug ang busay.

Ug unsa ang pamati kung mulupad.

==——————————-==
English Version

She came in the night.

It’s funny, looking back I think it was the window I left open that might have been a sign for her to enter.

I remember my aircon was broken and I wanted to let the cold in, the hot air being kept at bay by the electric fan and its gentle sound, nudging me to blissful sleep.

I woke up to the sound of her voice catching waves of my consciousness towards her. Each ebb and flow pulsing towards a barely audible sound.

What was there defied explanation. A boat as large as my bed floated above me. On it was a woman, though I could tell she wasn’t ordinary. Her hand felt cold to my touch. She beckoned I come closer.

And that’s when it began.

We traveled the world that night, going from crystal clear beaches to gigantic mountains in the blink of an eye. Part of me thought that we crossed the whole globe then. Maybe I was right.

I will never forget what I saw then. We went to deserts forgotten by man and fondled the sands that kept time at bay, and the waterfalls! Such pristine majesty amplified by the moonlight. I still think of them when I close my eyes.

I tried to look at her throughout all of this. My mind wanted to know who she was and how she did these things.

As if she sensed my thoughts, she set the flying ship down by a lagoon and told me her secrets.

She set before me a book, larger than any book I had seen before and told me of its power. The woman said it was called the libro de la combania and she said that it could take me anywhere I wished. All I needed to do was think of a location and I would be there in an instant.

When I asked why she was telling me this, she laughed. She said there was something in me that interested her and she asked me what I would do with the book.

I didn’t answer her right away, my mind was filled with ideas clashing to the forefront. Would I use it to go in a bank and take as much money as I’d like? Would it be better to see the world from atop mountains? Would I think of my family and return home?

Excitement raced through my thoughts, but a part of me held back.

I looked into her eyes and electricity raced through my spine.

I didn’t know why the woman scared me so much. It might have been because she was offering me so much power, but I hesitated just long enough that she noticed.

She asked me if I would reject her gift.

I didn’t reply.

A string of profanities filled the air, words that should never be put together were strung as curses directed my way.

She called me a fool and an ingrate.

Maybe I was, but I would not accept the gifts she was giving me. Not after I saw her eyes.

She kicked me out of the boat and I could feel the wind rushing past me as I fell from the sky. I prepared myself to feel the cold water from the lagoon below.

Instead of the plunging into the clear waters, I fell on my bed, in my room as if nothing had happened.

I coughed then and I noticed there was blood, a prelude to my future troubles.

And here I stay, in my bed thinking of the past and the damage that it had dealt to me.

The doctors don’t know what’s wrong with me and I won’t tell them about the woman. I asked to be returned home for palliative care. If all the needles and prodding couldn’t solve it, I didn’t want to die in a hospital bed.

My lola said she would call a faith healer. I thanked her for the gesture but I think it’s too late for me.

I close my eyes and I remember.

Her cruel eyes and the waterfalls.

And what it was like to fly.

=——————————–=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Cristine Jane Orias
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Cristine Jane Orias

Inspired by The Sangkabagi description in El folklore Filipino . Isabelo delos Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript printed 1889)

Sangkabagi Illustration by Florence Alcantara

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Ania na usa si Jazer.

Nahitabo kini samtang nagdula kami sa sapa. Giingnan ko niya nga wala akoy ginikanan ug nga nasuko ang akong mga tinuod nga ginikanan kanako nga mas gustuhon pa nila nga mamatay nalang ko.

Iya akong gitukmod sa bato, mibangon ako samtang iya akong gikataw-an.

Ug sa nasiguro nga nihawa na siya, gihikap ko ang samad sa akong lawas.

Gibuhat sa akong ginikanan ang tanan aron lamang magasa ako, apan wala nako gisugid kanila ang gisulti ni Jazer nga ampon ako.

Dili ko gusto nga makita ang ilang mga eskspresyon.

Wala nila gisulti kanako ang tinuod kung diin ako gikan, ang akong mga asul nga mata ug ang puti ko nga pamanit ang maong pamatuod nga dili ako sama kanila.

Nagdanguyngoy ako sa akong kwarta human nga nadungog ko sila.

Ang mga lagutob.

Ang tanang tawo sa Baryo Clindagan nahibaw mahitungod sa Lindag-lindag, ang esipiritu nga nagsakay sa kabayo.

Hilom ang palibot samtang anaa sila.

Nakita ko na sila samtang naggapadagan sa ilang mga kabayo sa lugar apan ginabati ako sa kahadlok nga muduol kanila.

Apan dili na karung gabhiuna.

Gitrapuhan ko ang akong mga luha samtang gihulat nga mahinanok sa pagtulog ang akong mga ginikanan.

Nadungog gihapon nako ang mga lagutob sa gawas ug gikuha nako ang higayon, migawas ako.

Layo sa akong pagtuo, mas gagmay sila. Ginagiyahan sa maong mga Espiritu ang mga kabayo nga mura ba ug usa ka gubot inabanan sa mga kalag.

Nihunong sila sa ilang pagdalagan ug mitan-aw kanako diretso sa akong mga mata, ang mga kabayo hinuon.

Ug nahibalo ug unsa ang akong tumong.

Adunay mga tsismis sa among lugar ug unsaon sa pagpangayo ug gasa gikan sa mga Espiritu pero ang bayad mao ang titip.

Kinahanglan mahimo ka nilang walay katapusang sakay.

Wala na akoy pakialam pa, wala man gihapo’y mangita kanako.

Ug ang kabayo misenyas sa pagtando nga mura ba’g gipangutana ako nganong ania ako diri.

Ug gisulti ko kanila ang tanan, mahitungod kang Jazer, mahitungod kanako nga usa ako ka ampon ug sa akong gustong pagpanimalos. Labaw niana, si Jazer ang pinauna ko nga pakay.

Human niana, miyukod ang kabayo ug gipasay ako sa iyang likod.

Ug niana, gihuna-huna ko na ang mga possible nga agihan.

Nadungog ko ang mga nauna nga Espiritu nga padulong sa Lindag-Linag.

Anaa usab ang Reyna, nga gikulata sa iyang asawa. Dungog sa mga kabayo ang iyang pagdanguyngoy human nga napunitan.

Wala gani mahibalo si Felipe sa iyang pangutana, gusto lamang niya nga makita ang iyang nawala nga asawahonon.

Gidala siya sa mga mga kabayo ngadto sa patayng lawas sa iyang asawhonon, nga nahulog sa pangpang.

Sa akong pagkasayod, puno siya sa mga pagduda,o kundi man gani siya ra ang nahuna-huna niana.

Naminaw siya sa mga sulti sa tawo ug nagtuo nga siya lamang ang paagi sa paglimpyo sa kasalanan sa iyang mga kaubanan pinaagi sa pag-undang sa iyang termino.

Ug ang anak sa Ginoo mipahulay tapad sa kabayo.

Wala kini kalabutan kanako ang mga istorya. Nahibalo ako ug unsa ang akong gusto.

Ang akong espiritu bug-os nga nahiusa sa sunod nga sakay sa mga kabayo.

Nakabantay sila nga dili ako susama, nga mas makagagahum ako sa ilang mga espiritu kaysa sa ubang mga tawo nga ilang gikataw-an.

Ang mga kabayo mitinaghid samtang padulong kami sa balay ni Jazer.

Kini mao ang unang sakay sa akong pagbayad.

Ang akong kalag mahimo nga kabayaran.

=——————-=

English Version

It was Jazer again.

This time it was while we were playing by the river. He told me I was an orphan and that my real parents hated me and I was better off dead.

He pushed me down the rocks and laughed as I tried to get up.

I took my bruised body after I was sure he left.

My parents tried to comfort me as best they could but I left out the part where he called me an orphan.

I didn’t want to see that look on their faces.

The one where they knew.

They never told me where I came from,  but my blue eyes and light skin were testaments to how

different I was.

I was crying in my room when I heard them.

The hoofbeats.

Every person in Barrio Calindagan knows about the Lindag-lindag, the spirits that ride on white horses.

They were why the whole barangay was quiet.

I have seen them when they do their gallop around the area but I was too scared to go close.

But not this night.

I dried my tears and waited until my parents fell asleep.

I could still hear the hoofbeats outside and I took my chance.

They were smaller than I expected. The spirits guiding the horse pouring out like a mish mashed

amalgamation of souls.

They stopped their trotting and looked me straight in the yes, the horses did at least.

I knew what I wanted.

There were rumors around town said by the Marites how you could ask a boon from the spirits but the

price was steep.

You would have to be their eternal rider.

I didn’t care, no one would miss me.

The horse nodded at me, as if asking why I was there.

And everything spilled out.

I told them about Jazer, about being adopted, about revenge.

Jazer would be the first but definitely not the last.

The horses bowed to me and beckoned me to ride.

It was then I felt my very soul pulled in all imaginable directions.

I could hear the previous souls bound to the Lindag-lindag.

There was Reyna, beaten by her husband. After the miscarriage her cries to the horses were heard.

Felipe did not realize what he was asking. He just wanted to find his missing fiancé.

The horses lead him to her broken body, having fallen down a cliff.

What surprised me the most was the priest.

From what I could glean he was full of righteous fury.

Or at least he thought so.

He would listen to people’s confessions and he believed the only way to cleanse his flock from sin was to

Hand out retribution on his terms.

The man of God now rested silently on the side of the horse.

These stories meant nothing to me. I knew what I wanted.

My spirit fully coalesced into the next rider of the horses.

They could feel I was different, that I could direct their spirits stronger than other mortals they

bargained with.

The horses neighed as we rode to Jazer’s house.

It was the first step of my reckoning.

My soul be damned.

=——————-=

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Ti Babai a Nakamangisit

“Saanmo a pulos a maala dagitoy agingga a dika agsimbeng,” kinuna ni Mimi kabayatan ti panangalana iti tulbekko.

Kanayonko nga ibaga kaniada nga nasayaatakon; nagbyaheak metten  iti nakarkaro pay a kasasaad; ket ti balayko sangapulo a minutos laeng ti kaadayona; kaskarina met a madisgrasyaak. Saanda a dumngeg ket adda bassit a parte ti bagik  ti agyaman gapu iti kaadda ti gagayyemko a kas kaniada, ngem dakdakkel ti parte ti bagik ti masuron gapu ta masapul a magnaak  nga agawid iti katengngaan ti rabii.

Indiaya da Jherick ken Deng ti panangkuyogda  kaniak sumagmamano a bloke agingga iti balayko, ngem ti nabartek a pasetko ti mangibaga nga umatrasda laengen, nupay iti nalawlawag a wagas. Diak ammo no apay a kastoyak, diak koma idurduron nga umadayo dagiti pagayamko nangnangruna ita.

Manipud idi nagsinakami kenni  Grace, kanayonnakon nga umin-inom ken maysaak a napeklan a langgong  iti sinuman nga aggandat a makisarita kaniak. Kayatdak a tulungan  ngem saan a maikari ti lalaki a kas kaniak a laplapdanna ti pannakipagayamda.

Nangnangruna kenni Mimi, ti nasam-it, napintas a Mimi.

Manipud iti suli ti matak, nakitak manen isuna. Siguro nabartekak la ngamin. Ti babai a nakamangisit ket mangbuybuya iti amin a kinadaksanggasatko, kasla koma naindaniwan ngem makapasuron unay.

“Naragsak ka kadi itan? Maragsakanka a mangbuybuya ti panagsagsagabak?”

Ti al-alia ket nakamattider iti sirok ti poste ti silaw, saan nga aggargaraw. Awanen ti sabali pay a namnamaek. Manipud idi nakisinaak, kadarato a makitak isuna iti  naladaw a rabii, iti batog ti maysa a poste ti silaw.

Iti daytoy a kanito, nabartekak unayen tapno  mangikankanoak pay, timmaraynak iti ayanna a makalulua.

“Apay nga pinanawannak isuna?”

Ginammatak ti nangisit a badona ket nagsanod. Daytoy ti umuna a reaksion a naalak kaniana. Pagammuan ta agtakder ti atiddog a buokna. Napasanudak ket dagus a namunawanak.

Ania ti pampanunotek? No aniaman daytoy ket saan a mannakigayyem. Inurnongko amin a riknak saak impan ti amin a kabaelak a tumaray iti adayo. Nabaelak ti makaadayo a dagus idi madlawko nga awan sumursurot kaniak.

Adda laeng a nakatakder a mangmatmatmat kaniak.

No aniaman isuna ket awan kaipapananna.  Ad-adu ti importante a panunotek. Nagawidak ket nakaturog a mangtagtagainep kadagiti babbai iti biagko.

Mimi. Grace. Ti Babai a nakamangisit

Nagbalinda a maymaysa a ladawan a kayatko a gaw-aten ngem adayo unay.

Nagkuringring ti alarm ko ken nariknak a kasla bumtak ti ulok. Napanak iti banyo tapno agdiram-os ket nalagipko nga adda gayam kenni Mimi ti tulbek ko.

Uray ta adda rason tapno makasaritak isuna.

Rimmuarak iti balayko ket uraynak la nakariaw. Nasikkarodko ti sintas ti sapatosko ket naidaramudomak iti daga.

Adda pay laeng ti babai a nakamangisit.

Kasla saan nga aggargaraw, ket manipud idi rabii, diak gagaran ti makiringgor kaniana iti mabiit. Linissiak ti mangmatmat kaniana ket nagluganak iti dyip a mapan iti balay ni Mimi.

Pinagunik ti doorbell ni Mimi saak kimmita iti arubayan. Adda ti babai a nakamangisit a mangsursurot kaniak. Adda isuna iti bangir a kalsada a mangkitkita kaniak. Diak ammo no ania ti kayatna ngem ad-adu ti banag a pakaseknak.

Kasapulan a maammuan ni Mimi ti kaririknak.

Inlukatna ti ridaw, dagiti naalumanay nga imana ken ti  naragsak nga isemna ti nangkablaaw kaniak.

Ney, adda met gayam nakapanunot a bumangon,” kinunana. Isalakannak ti Dios iti dayta nga isem.

“Mimi, mabalinta ti agsarita?

“No maipanggep iti tulbek, intedko kenni Jherick. Umayna koma idagas didiay balaymo inton pangngaldaw.

“Saan a dayta ti gapuna. Mabalinak a sumrek?” Nangrugi nga agling-et ti dakulapko ken umirteng ti panagangesko, ngem naladawen nga agsanudak pay.

Sige, ania kadi dayta? Inturongnakami iti naulimek a parte ti balayda ket imbagakon ti amin.

No kasano a saanak pay a nakaam-ammo ti maysa a balasang a kas katan-ok na. No kasano nga uray no addaak iti denna ni Grace , isuna ti pampanunotek ket pagpagarupen dagiti ania koma. No kasano nga ita ta agpadakamin a single ket mabalin nga ikkan ti bagimi ti gundaway.

Kasla nakigtot ngem saan a nasdaaw.

“Ron, addan  kasarsarakko.”

Iti dayta a kanito, narba ti lubongko.  Imbagak kaniana nga nasyaatak, ken no mabalin ket saanen a madakdakamat pay daydiay.

“Sapay koma ta naragsak kayo a dua,” nabaelak nga imbaga iti baet dagiti luak.

“Ni Jherick.”

Kasla naipana ti saem a nangsarut iti pusok. Saan pay kadi nga umanay a ti babai nga ay-ayatek ket saan a mabalin a makadennak, ngem isuna ket kaddua ti nasinged a pagayamko? Kasla nadagsen unayen.

Dinarasko ti rimmuar iti balay nga saan a timmaltaliaw. Nakakitaak ti naulimek nga eskinita nga nangipennekak ti nagsangit ngem nakitak manen isuna.

Ti babai a nakamangisit.

Siguro ket nagbuybuya lattan. Sige, no pagragsakanna ti mabuyana. Daytoy ti biagko itan, nasugatan a puso nga aggandat nga agpakalalaki.

Saan. Saan koma a kastoy ti pagpatinggaan ti amin.

Nagtakderak ket inummongko ti amin a tured. Agsubliak ket kasaritak ni Mimi.Siguro, makaibalikasak iti makapagbalbaliw iti kapanunutanna. Masapul nga adda wagas tapno dakami ti agkatuluyan.

Dinarasko ti nanglasat iti kalsada a mapan iti balayna.

Nalabit,  no naan-annadak, napakadaak koma ti kotse a sumabet kaniak.

Ti maudi a nakitak ket ti babai a nakamangisit, umis -isem.

=——————————-=

English Version

Jherick and Deng offer to walk me a few blocks to my house but the drunk in me tells them to back off, though in a more explicit way. I don’t know why I’m like this, I shouldn’t be pushing my friends away especially now.

Ever since Grace and I broke up all I’ve been doing is drinking and being a complete ass to anyone that tried to talk to me. Everyone’s been so supportive and they don’t deserve a guy like me fighting off their friendship.

Especially Mimi, sweet, beautiful Mimi.

Out of the corner of my eye I see her again. I guess I’m just that drunk. The lady in black watching over all my misfortune, it would be poetic if it wasn’t so damn annoying.

“Are you happy now?! Do you enjoy watching me suffer?!”
The apparition stands still under the light post, unmoving. I didn’t expect anything more. Ever since my breakup I’ve been seeing her late at night, always under some sort of lamp post.
This time I’m too drunk to care, I run up to her with tears in my eyes.

“Why did she have to leave me?!”

I grab her black dress and she steps back. The first reaction I’ve ever gotten from her. Suddenly her long hair stands on end. I instinctively back away and in that moment I sober up.
What was I thinking? Whatever this is can’t be friendly. I gather my senses and run as far away as I possibly can. I manage to get a running start before I notice that I’m not being followed.

She’s just standing there looking at me.

Whatever she is it doesn’t matter. I have more important things to think about. I head home and fall asleep dreaming of the women in my life.

Mimi. Grace. The Woman in Black.

All of them form into one figure that I try to reach, but she’s so far away.

My alarm rings and my head is splitting from the hangover. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and remember that Mimi still has my keys.

At least I’ll have a reason to talk to her.

I walk outside my house and almost shout. I trip on my own shoelaces and fall to the ground.

The woman in black is still there.

She doesn’t seem to be moving and after last night I don’t think I’ll be confronting her anytime soon. I avoid looking at her and make my way to the jeep to go to Mimi’s house.

I ring Mimi’s doorbell and look around. The lady in black is following me. She’s a street away and staring in my direction. I don’t know what she wants but right now there are more pressing matters.

Mimi needs to know how I feel about her.

She opens the door, her gentle hands and radiant smile greeting me.

“Well it looks like someone finally got up,” she says. God save me from that smile.

“Mimi, can we talk?”

“If it’s about your keys I gave them to Jherick. He’s supposed to drop them by your house at lunch time.”

“No it’s not about that. Can I go in?” My palms start to sweat and it gets hard to breathe, but it’s too late to go back now.
“Of course, what is it?” She leads us to a quiet place in their house and I tell her everything.

How I’ve never met any girl as amazing as her. How even when I was with Grace I would think about her and wonder what if. How now that we’re both single maybe we could give it a chance.

She looks shocked but not surprised.

“Ron, I’m seeing someone.”

And in that moment my universe collapsed. I tell her it’s fine, to just not mention it anymore.

“I hope you two are happy,” I manage to say in between my tears.

“It’s Jherick.”

A shooting pain goes through my heart. It wasn’t enough that the girl I loved couldn’t be with me, but her together with my best friend? It was almost too much.

I rush out of the house without looking back. I find a quiet alleyway to let my tears loose and I see her.

The lady in black.

She was probably watching the whole time. Well she can enjoy the show. This is my life now, a broken heart trying to be a man.

No. This can’t be how it ends.

I stand and muster all the courage I have to go back and talk to Mimi. Maybe I can say something that would change her mind. There has to be a way we could be together.
I rush through the streets to her house.

Maybe if I was more careful I would have seen the car coming towards me.

The last thing I see is the lady in black, smiling.

————————–————————–————————-

*Ilocano is the third most-spoken local language of the Philippines.An Austronesian language, it is related to such languages as Malay (Indonesian and Malaysian), Tetum, Chamorro, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Paiwan and Malagasy. It is closely related to some of the other Austronesian languages of Northern Luzon, and has slight mutual intelligibility with the Balangao language and the eastern dialects of the Bontoc language.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Maria Jesusa Villaruz
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Maria Jesusa Villaruz

Inspired by a story told by Harold Juab

Illustration by likhatsining

Deviant Art: https://likhatsining.deviantart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likhatsining/

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Ginuyod ni Bella dagiti magatgatang nga immuli iti agdan sa nagsennaay. Sabali manen nga aldaw ti pannakawayawaya.

Saan a daydiay dina kayat ti agbiag nga agmaymaysa, dina la ngamin ninamnama a kastoy ti kaadu ti matrabaho.

Trabaho. Dayta ti maysa a makagapu kenkuana no apay a saan a makawaywayas. Ti yuulina iti agdan, namintallo a daras a nagkiriring ti cellphone-na. Agkarasangpeten dagiti awan patinggana nga email kada text. Imbagana iti bagina a no malpas daytoy a lawas, usarennanto dagiti vacation leave-na a mapan iti adayo a disso a makaited bang-ar. Mabalin a Thailand? Wenno Bali. Napan sadiay ni Rosa idi kallabes a bulan ket awanen sarday a panpanunotennan dayta a lugar.

Tinaliawna ti ridaw ti apartment-na. Natinnag ti krus a nakabitin iti welcome mat ket nagsennaay manen. Kayatna nga alaen ti gundaway a mangsimpa inton bigat ngem napanunotna a mabalin a kiddawenna ti kabsatna a lalaki a mangaramid iti dayta. Uray ket kalgaw pay laeng, utangna dayta a pabor kenkuana.

Naidagunson dagiti magatgatang idiay kosina, inlukat ni Bella ti bentilador sa nagdiretso iti sopana. Mangngegna ti panagtaul ni Pogi manipud iti banger a kuarto, ngem dina inkankano. Ammona a pinakanna itayen ket mangrugi pay metten a lumukmeg. Adu pay ti agur-uray a tinultulagdan nga aggagayyem a panagpasiar.

Maysa pay a banag dayta a mainayon iti listaanna.

Nangrugin a dumagsen dagiti akkub ti matana ket inpalubosnan nga agkidem dagitoy. Lima laeng ti kasapulanna – saan, sangapulo a minuto tapno bay-anna ti bagina a makainana ket kalpasanna, aramidennanto manen ti inaldaw-aldaw nga obrana.

Saan pay ketdi a pabus-oyan ti law-ang a maaddaan isuna ti kasta a gundaway.

Idi kellaat nga adda tallo a napipigsa a panagtuktok iti ridawna ket timmangad iti bobeda. Siasino ngata dayta a tao iti kastoy nga oras? Mabalin a maysa manen kadagiti kaarrubana nga umay agreklamo. Itay napalabas, naireklamo ngamin ti panagtaul-taul ni Pogi ken sakbayna dayta, inkeddeng ti ‘asosasion’ dagiti masapul a pagannurotan para kadagiti bisita.

Kagura a kanayon ni Bella dayta a sao. No saan a gapu ti apartment-na, saan koma pulos a nakipulapol kadagitoy a tattao idi damo pay laeng. Nagsennaay ket timmakder manipud iti pagliwliwaanna a puesto ket simmirip iti peephole ti ridawna tapno ammoenna no siasino dayta a tao iti kasta nga oras.

Tallo a pigura ti mamirana, wenno panangipagarupna la a tallo dayta. Napundi ngamin ti silaw iti pasilio, maysa pay dayta a masapul a tamingen ti ‘asosasion.’ Kasla nakaabungotda.

Ammo ni Bella a pagaangawan laeng dayta, idi tinaliawna ti maysa kadakuada ket kinunana, “Diak ammo no siasinokayo, ngem saan a nakakatkatawa dayta. Mangbirokkayo ti sabali a singaenyo.”

Nakatakder laeng dagiti pigura, saanda a naggaraw.

Nalabit dagiti ubbing manipud kadagiti tallo a ridaw dita baba. Nga iti kabubuyada kadagiti tablet-da, isu metten ti tuladenda a panangipakat ti kinapilyoda, ngem ita nga aldaw ket saan nga umiso a pagaangawanda ni Bella. Iti panunotna, nakasaganan nga agunget, linuktanna ti ridaw, idi kuan —

Awan.

Awan ti tao iti pasilio. Linidlid ni Bella dagiti matana sa nagtalatalangkiaw iti aglawlaw. Sigurado a nakitana ti tallo a pigura babaen iti peephole.

Nalabit bannogna laeng dayta. No makakitkita isuna kadagiti bambanag a di rumbeng a makita, sigurado a panawenen nga agaliwaksay.

Inkabil ni Bella ti cellphone-na iti silent mode, inyadayona dagiti magatgatang sa nagtugaw a sisasango iti laptop-na.

Ti Bali ti kangrunaan a lugar iti listaanna, ngem mangrugin a maalukoy ti riknana ti Korea. Saannan a sinango dagiti rumbeng nga obraenna iti dayta nga aldaw. Mabalin nga agpaimpierno ti trabaho, panawenen tapno magun-od ni Bella ti kalkalikagumanna a bakasion. Panangpasingked daytan a nasken a bumirok isuna ti paggatangan ti tiket, no man pay masapul a lumuas inton bigat.

Naimbag laengen ta nagpambar a masakit. Maysa dayta a banag nga ammona a masapul nga aramidenna.

Nagpa-book ni Bella iti flight ket insagananan dagiti masapsapulna. Kasla rimanniag ti masakbayanna.

No laeng dimngeg idi, impangpangagna koma ti pannakatuktok ti ridawna, ngem nalabit saanna koma manen nga inkankano.

Bareng nasaysayaatton no bigat.

Masiguradona dayta.

Nagtultuloy ti panagtuktok agingga iti agsapa ket magagaran unay ni Bella a dina payen nadnadlaw. Nakariing a napnek iti turog, innalana ti pasaportena ket tinurongnan ti eropuerto.

Dina ammo a nalipatan ti inheniero nga aramiden ti nasken a panangsukimat ti makina ti eroplano sakbay a mapalubosan daytoy a mapatayab.

Nailibayna bayat ti panagtayab ti eroplano. Ngem kagiddan ti uni ti eroplano, apagapaman a nangegna dagiti babassit a pannakatuktok ti tawa ti batog ti nagtugawanna.

Ket isu daytan ti naudi a nangegna.

=————————=

English Version

Bella dragged the groceries up the stairs and sighed. Another day of independence.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like living alone, she just didn’t expect it to be this much work.

Work. Another thing that wouldn’t leave her alone. Since she went up the stairs her phone rang 3 times. The endless emails and texts were starting to get to her. She told herself that after this week she was going to use her leaves and go somewhere nice. Maybe Thailand? Or Bali. Rosa went there last month and wouldn’t stop raving about it.

She looked at her apartment door. The cross that hung there fell on the welcome mat and she sighed again. She’d find time to fix it tomorrow or maybe she could ask her brother to do it. It was summer anyway and he owed her a favor.

The groceries were unceremoniously dumped on the kitchen counter and Bella turned on the fan and went straight for her couch. She could hear Pogi’s barks coming from the other room, but she ignored them. She knew she had already fed him today and he was gaining too much weight. More walks were in order for her spoiled friend.

Another thing to add to the list.

Her eyelids started to feel heavy and she let them close. She just needed five—no, ten minutes to let the day wash over her and then she could get back to her routine.

The universe wouldn’t even let her have that.

Three loud raps came from her door and she looked at the ceiling. Who was it this time? Probably one of her neighbors complaining again. Last time it was about Pogi barking and the time before that the ‘association’ needed to decide on rules for visitors.

Bella always hated that word. If it wasn’t for her apartment she’d never associate with these people in the first place. She sighed and left her palace of comfort and looked through the peephole to see who it was this time.

She could see three figures, or at least she thought it was three. The hallway light was out, another thing that the ‘association’ would have to deal with. They all seemed to be wearing hoods.

Bella knew a prank when she saw one and said, “I don’t know who you are, but it’s not funny. Bother someone else.”
The figures just stood there, unwavering.

It was probably the kids from three doors down. They finally looked up from their tablets to cause mischief, but today was the wrong day to mess with Bella. She mentally prepared a sermon and opened the door and then—

Nothing.

There was no one in the hallway. Bella rubbed her eyes and looked around. She was sure she saw three figures in the peephole.

Maybe the stress was really getting to her. If she was seeing things then it was definitely time for a vacation.

Bella set her phone on silent, put the groceries away and sat in front of her laptop.

Bali was definitely at the top of her list, but Korea was starting to speak to her. She brushed off the day’s events. Work could go to hell, it was time for Bella to have what she needed. It was definitely a sign when she found a sale for tickets, even though the catch was she had to leave tomorrow.

It was fine, she’d call in sick. This was something she knew she had to do.

Bella booked the flight and packed her bags. The future was looking bright.

If she listened, she would have heard the knocking coming from her front door, but she’d probably brush it off as hearing things again.

Tomorrow would be better.

She’d make sure of it.

The knocking continued until morning and Bella was too excited to notice it. She woke up fully refreshed, got her passport and made her way to the airport.

Unknown to her, and engineer forgot to do his due diligence and let the plane fly without checking its engine.

She fell asleep as the plane took off. Over the sound of the airplane she could make out small raps by her window seat.

It was the last thing she would ever hear.

*The Kumakatok warn of misfortune and death. They knock on your door signaling that someone will die the next day.

*Ilocano is the third most-spoken local language of the Philippines.An Austronesian language, it is related to such languages as Malay (Indonesian and Malaysian), Tetum, Chamorro, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Paiwan and Malagasy. It is closely related to some of the other Austronesian languages of Northern Luzon, and has slight mutual intelligibility with the Balangao language and the eastern dialects of the Bontoc language.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Deo M. Ramos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Deo M. Ramos

Inspired by the Kumakatok legends from Luzon and Visayas.

Kumakatok Illustration by Aiyan Von Einzbern

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Hindi mo ‘to makukuha hangga’t ‘di ka bumabalik sa katinuan,” iyan ang sinabi ni Mimi nang kunin niya ang susi ko.

Pilit kong sinasabi sa kanila na ayos lang ako at kaya kong magmaneho kahit pa nakainom. Isa pa, sampung minuto lang din ang layo ng bahay ko kaya hindi ako maaaksidente. Pero ayaw nilang makinig. May parte sa akin na nagpapasalamat dahil may mga kaibigan akong gaya nila, pero mas naiinis ako ngayon dahil kailangan kong maglakad pauwi sa kalaliman ng gabi.

Nagpresenta sina Jherick at Deng na samahan akong maglakad ilang kanto ang layo sa bahay ko, pero dahil sa kalasingan ay sinabi kong layuan nila ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ako, hindi ko dapat itinataboy ang mga kaibigan ko lalo na ngayon.

Mula nang maghiwalay kami ni Grace, puro paglalasing na ang inaatupag ko at pinagtatabuyan ang sino mang magtatangkang kausapin ako. Hindi nawala ang suporta sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko pero heto ako at sinisira ang pagkakaibigan namin. Hindi ako karapat-dapat sa kanila.

Lalo na kay Mimi, ang pinakamamahal kong si Mimi.

Sa gilid ng mata ko ay nakita ko ulit siya, mukhang hindi ganoon kalakas ang tama ko. Pinagmamasdan ng babaeng nakaitim ang lahat ng kamalasan ko, kakatwang karanasan na sana kung hindi lang sobrang nakakaasar.

“Masaya ka na ba? Natutuwa ka bang makita na miserable ako ngayon?”

Ang multo ay nakatayo lang sa ilalim ng poste ng ilaw, hindi gumagalaw. Hindi na ako umaasang gagalaw siya. Mula nang maghiwalay kami ni Grace ay lagi ko na siyang nakikita tuwing hatinggabi, nakatayo lang sa ilalim ng poste ng ilaw.

Dahil sa kalasingan ay basta-basta na lang akong tumakbo sa kaniya habang umiiyak.

“Bakit kailangan niya akong iwan?”

Hinablot ko ang itim niyang bestida kaya napaatras siya. Iyon ang unang reaksyon na nakita ko sa kaniya. Bigla rin akong napaatras at tila nawala ang kalasingan nang makitang umangat ang dulo ng mahaba niyang buhok.

Ano bang iniisip ko? Kahit anong nilalang pa ito ay siguradong mapanganib ito. Napabalik ako sa katinuan at tumakbo nang mabilis. Malayo-layo na rin ang tinakbo ko nang mapansin kong hindi niya ako sinusundan.

Nakatayo lang siya roon at nakatingin sa akin.

Hindi na mahalaga kung ano pa siya, may mas importanteng bagay akong kailangang isipin. Nakauwi ako at mabilis na nakatulog. Napaginipan ko ang mga babae sa buhay ko.

Si Mimi. Si Grace. Ang babaeng nakaitim.

Lahat sila ay pinipilit kong abutin pero sobrang layo nila.

Ginising ako ng alarm ko at naramdaman kong parang binibiyak ang ulo ko dahil sa hangover. Nagpunta ako sa banyo para maghilamos at biglang naalalang na kay Mimi pa rin ang susi ko.

Ayos na rin, may dahilan ako para kausapin siya.

Lumabas ako ng bahay at halos mapasigaw ako. Napatid ako sa sintas ng sapatos ko kaya bumagsak ako sa lupa.

Nandoon pa rin ang babaeng nakaitim.

Mukhang hindi siya umalis sa puwesto niya. Pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi, wala na akong balak lapitan siya ulit. Iniwasan ko siyang tignan at sumakay na sa dyip papunta sa bahay ni Mimi.

Pinindot ko ang doorbell ng bahay ni Mimi at nagpalinga-linga. Sinusundan ako ng babaeng nakaitim. Isang kalye ang layo niya sa akin at nakatingin lang sa direksyon ko. Wala akong pakialam kung ano ang gusto niya, may mas mahalagang bagay na kailangan kong harapin.

Kailangang malaman ni Mimi ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya.

Bumukas ang pinto at sinalubong ako ng malambot na kamay at matamis na ngiti ni Mimi.

“Mukhang may hindi na lasing, a,” sabi niya. Iligtas ako nawa ng diyos sa mga ngiti niya.

“Mimi, puwede ba tayong mag-usap?”

“Kung tungkol sa susi mo, binigay ko kay Jherick. Pupuntahan ka niya sa bahay mo mamayang tanghali.”

“Hindi iyon. Puwede ba akong pumasok?” Nagsimula nang magpawis ang mga palad ko at nahihirapan akong huminga, pero wala nang atrasan ‘to.

“Oo naman, ano ba ‘yon?” Dinala niya ako sa tahimik na parte ng bahay nila. Doon ay sinabi ko sa kaniya ang lahat.

Kung paanong wala pa akong nakikilalang babae na gaya niya. Kung paanong kahit kami pa noon ni Grace ay hindi ko maiwasang isipin na baka sakaling puwedeng maging kami. At ngayon na pareho kaming single ay baka puwede naming subukan.

Nabigla siya pero mukhang hindi nagulat.

“May boyfriend na ako, Ron.”

Sa sandali ring iyon ay tila gumuho ang mundo ko. Sinabi ko sa kaniya na ayos lang at kalimutan na lang niya ang sinabi ko.

“Sana maging masaya kayong dalawa,” sabi ko sa pagitan ng pag-iyak.

“Si Jherick.”

Parang sinaksak ang puso ko. Hindi pa ba sapat na hindi magiging kami ang babaeng mahal ko, at kailangang best friend ko pa ang mahalin niya? Sobra naman yata ‘yon.

Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng bahay nang hindi lumilingon. Nakarating ako sa isang tahimik na eskinita at hinayaan ang sarili ko na umiyak. Nakita ko ulit siya.

Ang babaeng nakaitim.

Siguro ay napanood niya ang lahat. Sige lang, maglibang lang siya sa panonood. Ito na ang buhay ko ngayon, isa akong wasak na pusong sinusubukang maging tao.

Hindi. Hindi dapat ganito ang kahinatnan ng lahat.

Tumayo ako at inipon ang natitirang lakas ng loob para bumalik at kausapin si Mimi. Baka may puwede akong sabihin para magbago ang isip niya. Baka may paraan para magsama kami.

Nagmamadali akong tumawid sa kalsada papunta sa bahay nila Mimi.

Kung naging mas maingat lang ako ay baka napansin ko ang kotse na papalapit sa akin.

Ang huli kong nakita ay ang babaeng nakaitim, nakangiti ito sa akin.

=———————————-=

English Version

“You’re not going to get these back until you’re sober,” that’s what Mimi said as she took my keys.

I keep telling them I’m okay, I’ve driven under worse conditions anyway, besides my house is just 10 minutes away, there’s no way I could get into an accident. They don’t listen and a small part of me is thankful I have friends like those, but a bigger part of me is annoyed that he has to walk home in the middle of the night.

Jherick and Deng offer to walk me a few blocks to my house but the drunk in me tells them to back off, though in a more explicit way. I don’t know why I’m like this, I shouldn’t be pushing my friends away especially now.

Ever since Grace and I broke up all I’ve been doing is drinking and being a complete ass to anyone that tried to talk to me. Everyone’s been so supportive and they don’t deserve a guy like me fighting off their friendship.

Especially Mimi, sweet, beautiful Mimi.

Out of the corner of my eye I see her again. I guess I’m just that drunk. The lady in black watching over all my misfortune, it would be poetic if it wasn’t so damn annoying.

“Are you happy now?! Do you enjoy watching me suffer?!”
The apparition stands still under the light post, unmoving. I didn’t expect anything more. Ever since my breakup I’ve been seeing her late at night, always under some sort of lamp post.
This time I’m too drunk to care, I run up to her with tears in my eyes.

“Why did she have to leave me?!”

I grab her black dress and she steps back. The first reaction I’ve ever gotten from her. Suddenly her long hair stands on end. I instinctively back away and in that moment I sober up.
What was I thinking? Whatever this is can’t be friendly. I gather my senses and run as far away as I possibly can. I manage to get a running start before I notice that I’m not being followed.

She’s just standing there looking at me.

Whatever she is it doesn’t matter. I have more important things to think about. I head home and fall asleep dreaming of the women in my life.

Mimi. Grace. The Woman in Black.

All of them form into one figure that I try to reach, but she’s so far away.

My alarm rings and my head is splitting from the hangover. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and remember that Mimi still has my keys.

At least I’ll have a reason to talk to her.

I walk outside my house and almost shout. I trip on my own shoelaces and fall to the ground.

The woman in black is still there.

She doesn’t seem to be moving and after last night I don’t think I’ll be confronting her anytime soon. I avoid looking at her and make my way to the jeep to go to Mimi’s house.

I ring Mimi’s doorbell and look around. The lady in black is following me. She’s a street away and staring in my direction. I don’t know what she wants but right now there are more pressing matters.

Mimi needs to know how I feel about her.

She opens the door, her gentle hands and radiant smile greeting me.

“Well it looks like someone finally got up,” she says. God save me from that smile.

“Mimi, can we talk?”

“If it’s about your keys I gave them to Jherick. He’s supposed to drop them by your house at lunch time.”

“No it’s not about that. Can I go in?” My palms start to sweat and it gets hard to breathe, but it’s too late to go back now.
“Of course, what is it?” She leads us to a quiet place in their house and I tell her everything.

How I’ve never met any girl as amazing as her. How even when I was with Grace I would think about her and wonder what if. How now that we’re both single maybe we could give it a chance.

She looks shocked but not surprised.

“Ron, I’m seeing someone.”

And in that moment my universe collapsed. I tell her it’s fine, to just not mention it anymore.

“I hope you two are happy,” I manage to say in between my tears.

“It’s Jherick.”

A shooting pain goes through my heart. It wasn’t enough that the girl I loved couldn’t be with me, but her together with my best friend? It was almost too much.

I rush out of the house without looking back. I find a quiet alleyway to let my tears loose and I see her.

The lady in black.

She was probably watching the whole time. Well she can enjoy the show. This is my life now, a broken heart trying to be a man.

No. This can’t be how it ends.

I stand and muster all the courage I have to go back and talk to Mimi. Maybe I can say something that would change her mind. There has to be a way we could be together.
I rush through the streets to her house.

Maybe if I was more careful I would have seen the car coming towards me.

The last thing I see is the lady in black, smiling.

————————–————————–————————-

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Raquel Jacinto Pombo
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Raquel Jacinto Pombo

Inspired by a story told by Harold Juab

Illustration by likhatsining

Deviant Art: https://likhatsining.deviantart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likhatsining/

*Note this story is in Chabacano/ Chavacano Caviteño

El futuro guarda mucho caminos contodo ta busca, pero tiene ta existe seres capaces de vislumbrar el flujo eterno de la existencia. En su mirada baila lo infinito, las innumerables el mana posibilidad si cosa el puede, si cosa de pude, y si cosa el debe.

Uno no pudi evita pregunta si el futuro es niso prisión. La verdadera y precisa comprensió del futuro implica que existe un existencia asegurada de un futuro. Si este el caso, entonces todo las almas está atadas baila sin sentido de la vida. Si cosa de pasa, de pasa. El destino es el verdadero amo del universo.

Tiene naman otro que ta habla el futuro como un río ramificado. El cada acción ta abre un sinfín de nuevo posibilidad na ta multiplica hasta el infinito. El mana opciones esti, ta crea futuros incontables, un arroyo serpenteante de futuros podría ser y solo llega existe si justo opciones que ya saca, posibilidad infinito que ta extiende hacia lo desconocido.

El más miedo futuro de todos es aquel que no ta existe. El pasado, el presente y el futuro pudi realmente para con niso, pero depende únicamente na punto de vista de niso. La realidad ordena a través de un infinito, un en el grupos de tiempo, espacio y espacio-tiempo ya buta na caos tridimensional.

Si cosa el futuro ta guarda, el uno que ta mira ilos todos nuway opción si no juga su papel. Pudi ser guías haci un eternidad dichosa o simples títeres en el juego cruel de un universo. Pero de cualquier manera, bebe su vino y toca su música.

Ta mira ilo el pasado velo de la eternidad. Solo los necios no de oi el pito del mana ponu.

=————————=

English Version

The future holds many paths to those that seek them, yet there are beings that can see into the ebb and flow of eternity. In their gaze dances the infinite, the scores upon scores of possibilities of what can, what will, and what must.

One cannot help but wonder if the future is our prison. True, accurate knowledge of the future implies that there is an assured existence of a future. If this is the case then all souls are bound to the meaningless dance of life. What will happen, will happen. Fate is the true master of the universe.

Then there are those that say the future is a branching river. Each action opens up a host of new possibilities that multiply into infinity. It is through these choices that uncountable futures are made, a winding stream of futures that may be, and will only come into existence if the right choices are made, infinite possibilities stretching into the unknown.

The most frightening future of all is one that doesn’t exist. The past, present and future may be real to us, but that is only dependent on our point of view. Reality is ordered through an infinite, one where clumps of time, space and space-time are thrown into four-dimensional chaos.

Whatever the future holds, those that see have no choice but to play their part. They may be the guide to a blissful eternity, or mere puppets in a cruel universe’s game. But either way they will drink their wine and play their music.

They see past the veil of eternity. Only the foolish would not listen to the whistles in the trees.

=———————————————————–

*Chavacano or Chabacano is a group of Spanish-based creole language varieties spoken in the Philippines. The variety spoken in Zamboanga City, located in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao, has the highest concentration of speakers.  Currently existing varieties are found in Cavite City and Ternate, located in the Cavite province on the island of Luzon. Chavacano is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Arlene Cortes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Arlene Cortes

Inspired by the Palasekan description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Palasekan Illustration by Fam Telmo

FB: https://www.facebook.com/famskaartyhan/
Instagram: @famskaartyhan

*Note this story is in Bicol-Legazpi

“Dai mo ini makukua sagkod bako ka ubat.” iyo ini an pigsabi sako ni Mimi kan kinua niya an liyabi ko.

Nakapirang beses na akong nagtaram sa inda na okay lang ako, naka-maneho ngani ako sa mas maraut pang kondisyon saka para diyes minutos ang harayo kan sakong harong, kaniguan man na madisgrasya pa ako. Pero dai sinda nagdangog, sadit na parte kan sadiri ko an nagpapasalamat na may mga amigo akong arog ninda, pero an mas dakulang parte iyo an nauuyam ta kaipuhan kong maglakaw sa katahawan nin banggi.

Nagpresentar si Jherick asin Deng na ihatod ako pauli, pero an buyong na ako tinaraman sinda na dai na sa malain na paagi. Dai ko aram kun nata arog ako kaini, dai ko dapat tinutuklang paharayo an sakong mga amigo lalo na ngonyan.

Poon kan nagbulagan kami ni Grace, sige ko na sana an inom asin aburido sa maski sisay man na muya maki-istorya sako. Gabos sinda tigsusuportahan ako pero tigkokontra ko sinda, bako ako dapat sa saindang pagmakulog.

Lalo na kay Mimi, an malanyag asin magayon na si Mimi.

Sa gilid kan sakong mata, nahiling ko na naman siya. Talagang buyong gayod ako. An babaying nakaitom na pigmamasdan ang sakong mga kadimalasan, puwede na kutang pantula kun bako sana makauyam.

“Ano, maugma ka na?! Nauugma ka na nahihiling mo akong nagsasakit?!”

An aparisyon dai lamang naghiro sa irarom kan poste nin ilaw. Dai naman ako nagpinsar nin ano pa man. Poon kan pagsuwayan mi, nahihiling ko na ini lalo na pag hararom na ang banggi, pirming  nasa irarom nin maski anong poste nin ilaw.

Sa kabuyongan ko, wara na akong pakiaram sa mga oras ini. Nagdalagan ako pasiring sa iya na may luha sa sakong mga mata

“Nata kaipuhan niya akong bayaan?!”

Hinakbot ko ang saiyang itom na bado, uminatras ini. Iyo ang inot na reaksyon na nakua ko hali digdi. Biglang nag-tirindog ang saiyang halabang buhok. Tulos na napaatras man ako asin an sakong kabuyongan nawara.

Ano man daw ang naglaog sa payo ko? Kun ano man ini, bako ini marhay. Pinirit kong magbalik sa huwisyo asin magdalagan paharayo digdi. Nakakaharayo na ako sa pagdalagan kan mamalisyahan kong  dai man ki nagsusunod sako.

Siya nakatindog man giraray duman, pighihiling sana ako.

Kun ano man siya, bako na ito importante. May mga  bagay na mas dapat kong inoton na isipon. Nag-uli na ako, nagkaturog asin nangiturogan kan mga babayi sa buhay ko.

Si Mimi. Si Grace. Ang babaying nakaitom.

Gabos sinda nagbiyo sa sarong pigura na pigbalo kong abuton pero harayuon na siya sako.

An sakong alarm nag-ribok, an payo ko garu mabuhang unong kan hangover. Nagsa-banyo  ako para maglabar. Narumduman ko na niyaon pa palan kay Mimi an sakong  liyabe.

May rason na ako na kaistoryahon siya.

Naglalakaw na ako sa luwas kan sakong harong kan diit pa akong makasuriyaw. Nasingkog pa ako kan sadiri kong sintas asin nadasmag sa daga.

Ang babaying nakaitom ituon pa nanggad!

Dai ini naghihiro pero pagkatapos kan mga nangyari kasubanggi,wara akong kusog nin boot na komprontahun ini. Dai ko ini hiniling asin nagdiretsong magsakay sa jeep paduman sa harong nira Mimi.

Tigpindot ko ang doorbell nira Mimi asin pighiling ko ang palibot. Pigsusunod ako kan babaying nakaitom. Sarong tinampo na sana ini asin nakahiling sa direksyon ko. Dai ko aram kung anong kaipuhan kaini pero sa ngonyan mas may importanteng bagay na dapat inoton.

Kaipuhan ni Mimi na maaraman kun ano namamatian ko para saiya.

Binukasan niya ang pinto, an saiyang magayang-gayang ulok iyo an nagsabat sako.

“Nom? Garu ubat na ah.” sabi niya. Dios ko, isalbar Nindo ako sa ulok  niya.

“Mimi, puwede ba kitang magistoryahan?”

“Kung unong duman sa liyabe mo, tinao ko ito kay Jherick. Ihapit niya daa duman sa indo diyan na udto.”

“Bako ini unong duman. Puwede maglaog?” ang sakong palad nagpoon ng pagdaplosun asin naging mapagal an paghangos ko, pero dai na ako puwedeng umatras pa.

“Dagos na, ano ito?” Dinara niya ako sa silensyong parte kan saindang harong asin duman nagtuga ako saiya kan gabos.

Kun panong dai pa ako nakamidbid nin babaying arug niya. Kung panong maski kaiba ko si Grace, siya ang nasa utak ko, pig-iisip an mga posibilidad na puwedeng mangyari samo. Kun panong pareho kaming warang ka-trato sa ngonyan na baka puwede ming tawan nin panahon ang kada saro

Medyo nabigla ini pero dai man nakigkig.

“Ron, igwa na ako.”

Kan mga oras na ito, garo ako binagsakan nin mundo. Sinabi ko saiya na okay lang, na dai mina lang ini pagistoryahan maski nuarin.

“Sana maging maogma kamong duwa.” nasabi ko sa tahaw kan mga luha ko.

“Si Jherick ito.”

Garu ginurumos sa kulog ang sakong puso. Dai ko na ngani makakaibahan su babaying namomotan ko, tapos ngonyan sinda pa kan sakong pinakaamigo? Grabe. Grabeng kulog ang namatian ko

Ruminabas ako paluwas sa harong, ni dai na ako naghiling-balik. Nakahanap ako nin sadit na iskinita kun sain digdi ko pinabulos an sakong mga luha kan nahiling ko siya.

An babaying nakaitom.

Siguro sa bilog na oras, pighihiling niya an gabos na pangyayari. Mag-ugma na siya kun ano man ang nahiling niya. Iyo na ini ang buhay ko ngonyan, sarong pasang puso na nagpapakatawo na sana.

Dai. Dai ini puwedeng matapos lang nin arog kaini.

Nagbuhat ako asin nagtipon nin kusog ki boot, kaipohan kong magbalik asin kaistoryahon giraray si Mimi. Baka may maitaram ako na makapabago kan saiyang isip.  Dapat magkaigwa nin paagi na kami an magkaibahan.

Nagdalagan ako sa tinampo pabalik sa harong niya.

Siguro kun mas naging maingat ako, nahiling ko kuta an sakayan na padangadang sako.

An babaying nakaitom, nakaulok. Ini iyo an hudyan na nahiling kan sakong mga mata.

=——————————————————-=

“You’re not going to get these back until you’re sober,” that’s what Mimi said as she took my keys.

I keep telling them I’m okay, I’ve driven under worse conditions anyway, besides my house is just 10 minutes away, there’s no way I could get into an accident. They don’t listen and a small part of me is thankful I have friends like those, but a bigger part of me is annoyed that he has to walk home in the middle of the night.

Jherick and Deng offer to walk me a few blocks to my house but the drunk in me tells them to back off, though in a more explicit way. I don’t know why I’m like this, I shouldn’t be pushing my friends away especially now.

Ever since Grace and I broke up all I’ve been doing is drinking and being a complete ass to anyone that tried to talk to me. Everyone’s been so supportive and they don’t deserve a guy like me fighting off their friendship.

Especially Mimi, sweet, beautiful Mimi.

Out of the corner of my eye I see her again. I guess I’m just that drunk. The lady in black watching over all my misfortune, it would be poetic if it wasn’t so damn annoying.

“Are you happy now?! Do you enjoy watching me suffer?!”
The apparition stands still under the light post, unmoving. I didn’t expect anything more. Ever since my breakup I’ve been seeing her late at night, always under some sort of lamp post.
This time I’m too drunk to care, I run up to her with tears in my eyes.

“Why did she have to leave me?!”

I grab her black dress and she steps back. The first reaction I’ve ever gotten from her. Suddenly her long hair stands on end. I instinctively back away and in that moment I sober up.
What was I thinking? Whatever this is can’t be friendly. I gather my senses and run as far away as I possibly can. I manage to get a running start before I notice that I’m not being followed.

She’s just standing there looking at me.

Whatever she is it doesn’t matter. I have more important things to think about. I head home and fall asleep dreaming of the women in my life.

Mimi. Grace. The Woman in Black.

All of them form into one figure that I try to reach, but she’s so far away.

My alarm rings and my head is splitting from the hangover. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and remember that Mimi still has my keys.

At least I’ll have a reason to talk to her.

I walk outside my house and almost shout. I trip on my own shoelaces and fall to the ground.

The woman in black is still there.

She doesn’t seem to be moving and after last night I don’t think I’ll be confronting her anytime soon. I avoid looking at her and make my way to the jeep to go to Mimi’s house.

I ring Mimi’s doorbell and look around. The lady in black is following me. She’s a street away and staring in my direction. I don’t know what she wants but right now there are more pressing matters.

Mimi needs to know how I feel about her.

She opens the door, her gentle hands and radiant smile greeting me.

“Well it looks like someone finally got up,” she says. God save me from that smile.

“Mimi, can we talk?”

“If it’s about your keys I gave them to Jherick. He’s supposed to drop them by your house at lunch time.”

“No it’s not about that. Can I go in?” My palms start to sweat and it gets hard to breathe, but it’s too late to go back now.
“Of course, what is it?” She leads us to a quiet place in their house and I tell her everything.

How I’ve never met any girl as amazing as her. How even when I was with Grace I would think about her and wonder what if. How now that we’re both single maybe we could give it a chance.

She looks shocked but not surprised.

“Ron, I’m seeing someone.”

And in that moment my universe collapsed. I tell her it’s fine, to just not mention it anymore.

“I hope you two are happy,” I manage to say in between my tears.

“It’s Jherick.”

A shooting pain goes through my heart. It wasn’t enough that the girl I loved couldn’t be with me, but her together with my best friend? It was almost too much.

I rush out of the house without looking back. I find a quiet alleyway to let my tears loose and I see her.

The lady in black.

She was probably watching the whole time. Well she can enjoy the show. This is my life now, a broken heart trying to be a man.

No. This can’t be how it ends.

I stand and muster all the courage I have to go back and talk to Mimi. Maybe I can say something that would change her mind. There has to be a way we could be together.
I rush through the streets to her house.

Maybe if I was more careful I would have seen the car coming towards me.

The last thing I see is the lady in black, smiling.

=———————————————-=

*The Bikol languages or Bicolano languages are a group of Central Philippine languages spoken mostly in the Bicol Peninsula in the island of Luzon, the neighboring island province of Catanduanes and the island of Burias in Masbate. There is a dialect continuum between the Visayan languages and the Bikol languages; the two together are called the Bisakol languages.

The Tabaco-Legazpi-Sorsogon (TLS) dialect is spoken in the eastern coast of Albay and the northeastern part of Sorsogon. TLS is the dialect that has been most influenced by the Inland Bikol languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Wella Guianan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Wella Guianan

Inspired by a story told by Harold Juab

Illustration by likhatsining

Deviant Art: https://likhatsining.deviantart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likhatsining/

“You’re not going to get these back until you’re sober,” that’s what Mimi said as she took my keys.

I keep telling them I’m okay, I’ve driven under worse conditions anyway, besides my house is just 10 minutes away, there’s no way I could get into an accident. They don’t listen and a small part of me is thankful I have friends like those, but a bigger part of me is annoyed that he has to walk home in the middle of the night.

Jherick and Deng offer to walk me a few blocks to my house but the drunk in me tells them to back off, though in a more explicit way. I don’t know why I’m like this, I shouldn’t be pushing my friends away especially now.

Ever since Grace and I broke up all I’ve been doing is drinking and being a complete ass to anyone that tried to talk to me. Everyone’s been so supportive and they don’t deserve a guy like me fighting off their friendship.

Especially Mimi, sweet, beautiful Mimi.

Out of the corner of my eye I see her again. I guess I’m just that drunk. The lady in black watching over all my misfortune, it would be poetic if it wasn’t so damn annoying.

“Are you happy now?! Do you enjoy watching me suffer?!”
The apparition stands still under the light post, unmoving. I didn’t expect anything more. Ever since my breakup I’ve been seeing her late at night, always under some sort of lamp post.
This time I’m too drunk to care, I run up to her with tears in my eyes.

“Why did she have to leave me?!”

I grab her black dress and she steps back. The first reaction I’ve ever gotten from her. Suddenly her long hair stands on end. I instinctively back away and in that moment I sober up.
What was I thinking? Whatever this is can’t be friendly. I gather my senses and run as far away as I possibly can. I manage to get a running start before I notice that I’m not being followed.

She’s just standing there looking at me.

Whatever she is it doesn’t matter. I have more important things to think about. I head home and fall asleep dreaming of the women in my life.

Mimi. Grace. The Woman in Black.

All of them form into one figure that I try to reach, but she’s so far away.

My alarm rings and my head is splitting from the hangover. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and remember that Mimi still has my keys.

At least I’ll have a reason to talk to her.

I walk outside my house and almost shout. I trip on my own shoelaces and fall to the ground.

The woman in black is still there.

She doesn’t seem to be moving and after last night I don’t think I’ll be confronting her anytime soon. I avoid looking at her and make my way to the jeep to go to Mimi’s house.

I ring Mimi’s doorbell and look around. The lady in black is following me. She’s a street away and staring in my direction. I don’t know what she wants but right now there are more pressing matters.

Mimi needs to know how I feel about her.

She opens the door, her gentle hands and radiant smile greeting me.

“Well it looks like someone finally got up,” she says. God save me from that smile.

“Mimi, can we talk?”

“If it’s about your keys I gave them to Jherick. He’s supposed to drop them by your house at lunch time.”

“No it’s not about that. Can I go in?” My palms start to sweat and it gets hard to breathe, but it’s too late to go back now.
“Of course, what is it?” She leads us to a quiet place in their house and I tell her everything.

How I’ve never met any girl as amazing as her. How even when I was with Grace I would think about her and wonder what if. How now that we’re both single maybe we could give it a chance.

She looks shocked but not surprised.

“Ron, I’m seeing someone.”

And in that moment my universe collapsed. I tell her it’s fine, to just not mention it anymore.

“I hope you two are happy,” I manage to say in between my tears.

“It’s Jherick.”

A shooting pain goes through my heart. It wasn’t enough that the girl I loved couldn’t be with me, but her together with my best friend? It was almost too much.

I rush out of the house without looking back. I find a quiet alleyway to let my tears loose and I see her.

The lady in black.

She was probably watching the whole time. Well she can enjoy the show. This is my life now, a broken heart trying to be a man.

No. This can’t be how it ends.

I stand and muster all the courage I have to go back and talk to Mimi. Maybe I can say something that would change her mind. There has to be a way we could be together.
I rush through the streets to her house.

Maybe if I was more careful I would have seen the car coming towards me.

The last thing I see is the lady in black, smiling.

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by a story told by Harold Juab

Illustration by likhatsining

Deviant Art: https://likhatsining.deviantart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likhatsining/

Bella dragged the groceries up the stairs and sighed. Another day of independence.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like living alone, she just didn’t expect it to be this much work.

Work. Another thing that wouldn’t leave her alone. Since she went up the stairs her phone rang 3 times. The endless emails and texts were starting to get to her. She told herself that after this week she was going to use her leaves and go somewhere nice. Maybe Thailand? Or Bali. Rosa went there last month and wouldn’t stop raving about it.

She looked at her apartment door. The cross that hung there fell on the welcome mat and she sighed again. She’d find time to fix it tomorrow or maybe she could ask her brother to do it. It was summer anyway and he owed her a favor.

The groceries were unceremoniously dumped on the kitchen counter and Bella turned on the fan and went straight for her couch. She could hear Pogi’s barks coming from the other room, but she ignored them. She knew she had already fed him today and he was gaining too much weight. More walks were in order for her spoiled friend.

Another thing to add to the list.

Her eyelids started to feel heavy and she let them close. She just needed five—no, ten minutes to let the day wash over her and then she could get back to her routine.

The universe wouldn’t even let her have that.

Three loud raps came from her door and she looked at the ceiling. Who was it this time? Probably one of her neighbors complaining again. Last time it was about Pogi barking and the time before that the ‘association’ needed to decide on rules for visitors.

Bella always hated that word. If it wasn’t for her apartment she’d never associate with these people in the first place. She sighed and left her palace of comfort and looked through the peephole to see who it was this time.

She could see three figures, or at least she thought it was three. The hallway light was out, another thing that the ‘association’ would have to deal with. They all seemed to be wearing hoods.

Bella knew a prank when she saw one and said, “I don’t know who you are, but it’s not funny. Bother someone else.”
The figures just stood there, unwavering.

It was probably the kids from three doors down. They finally looked up from their tablets to cause mischief, but today was the wrong day to mess with Bella. She mentally prepared a sermon and opened the door and then—

Nothing.

There was no one in the hallway. Bella rubbed her eyes and looked around. She was sure she saw three figures in the peephole.

Maybe the stress was really getting to her. If she was seeing things then it was definitely time for a vacation.

Bella set her phone on silent, put the groceries away and sat in front of her laptop.

Bali was definitely at the top of her list, but Korea was starting to speak to her. She brushed off the day’s events. Work could go to hell, it was time for Bella to have what she needed. It was definitely a sign when she found a sale for tickets, even though the catch was she had to leave tomorrow.

It was fine, she’d call in sick. This was something she knew she had to do.

Bella booked the flight and packed her bags. The future was looking bright.

If she listened, she would have heard the knocking coming from her front door, but she’d probably brush it off as hearing things again.

Tomorrow would be better.

She’d make sure of it.

The knocking continued until morning and Bella was too excited to notice it. She woke up fully refreshed, got her passport and made her way to the airport.

Unknown to her, and engineer forgot to do his due diligence and let the plane fly without checking its engine.

She fell asleep as the plane took off. Over the sound of the airplane she could make out small raps by her window seat.

It was the last thing she would ever hear.

*The Kumakatok warn of misfortune and death. They knock on your door signaling that someone will die the next day.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Kumakatok legends from Luzon and Visayas.

Kumakatok Illustration by Aiyan Von Einzbern