CHAPTER 9
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the whining of jericho
“You’ll rot in here!” The fuming voice of a sheriff echoed through Jericho’s ears as he leaned against the wall near the metallic bars.
Jericho watched himself in the orange suit and was subdued by this. He looked through the eyes of his fellow prisoners and cried in silence.
“What’s up, mate?” The man in countless tattoos poked him. “Why are you here?”
The way the man looked, Jericho already knew he’d spent too many years in prison. His behavior, his long goatee, and his manner of speaking—all gave him the hint.
“Hey, leave my man alone!” Vince, Jericho’s only fella inside the prison, defended him.
“Are you his homey?” The tattooed man then made fun of them, and the rest of the inmates homed in on them.
The cops heard the uproar within the bars and made a banging noise, then decided to isolate Jericho.
For hours, silence took over the jail.
Jericho lay down on his bed that night and watched the moon through the grilled small window. Bursting with mixed emotions, he sang some lines out of his boyhood gushes.
“Centuries had gone by.”
This is what my forlorn heart wept for.
Splendid it is for fate to be cruel.
I had witnessed nothing but tussles.
I miss you, Sophia, Jericho sobbed. Then, he drowned into the hallucination—of him and her, sitting on the green grasses in front of the lake house, just like the old days back when they were young—when they were almost inseparable.
Jericho gripped his hands to the utmost, wishing for a life with Sophia endlessly.
He wanted nothing but her. Only her.
The next day, a familiar voice stirred Jericho’s senses. Through the metallic bars, he could see Grandma Lucy talking to the police men.
It felt like a knot laced in his heart. He longed to know why Grandma Lucy was there, why she was signing papers and talking to the chief, and why an agreement was being conducted.
Shortly, Grandma Lucy came to him, with the look of an executioner. “I promised my granddaughter that I will free you but in return, she will go back to Orlando and forget all about you. Your relationship with my dearest Sophia is over.” Grandma Lucy stressed it hard on Jericho, and it felt like he would die at any moment. “Now, if you allow me, let go of her already! You just don’t belong to her world and she doesn’t belong to your own pathetic one!”
Jericho was brusquely submerged into a stream of blistering hate. What else was left of him? The only reason he was still holding on to life was… Sophia. And now, she was out of his life again!
Grandma Lucy spun away from him and left, with her endless warnings ringing in her ears.
Subdued by the tumult of emotions, Jericho struggled to breathe, to think, to hope for another chance. All he ever wanted was Sophia. He had dreamed countless dreams about her. He had planned countless plans for her—for their future together. He just refused to believe that it was all over, so soon.
The cops cleared Jericho, with some derisive look, but he didn’t mind it. All he ever thought of was… how he was going to take Sophia back, again. He would never give up on her. Never.
Jericho already exited the precinct, but he was completely drawn into this vision of Sophia, who was smiling at him, coming to him, coming back to his loving arms. Again.
CHAPTER 10
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francheska
Lilly downed a margarita from the minibar, with Francheska now on her side. “Why the hell did you leave us for so long?” She asked the latter, looking challengingly at her erstwhile sister. They were at the Zenith Hotel, where Francheska checked in after arriving from New York.
Francheska, in her thirties now and with a glass of martini on her hand, seemed five years younger, probably brought about by her job as an actress in Broadway. She had been there since she ran away. She looked utterly fresh and glamorous. But those years of fame and fortune hadn’t healed her of her wounds from the past.
“I was young and ambitious,” Francheska muttered under her breath.
Lilly swayed her head in protest. “A lot of things happened when you were gone, you know.” Lilly spoke like a young girl crying in front of her mother. “Dad almost had a heart attack. Mom suffered from depression… and Soph—” Thank God Lilly was watchful enough to hold her tongue. She knew her niece’s name was a curse to Francheska. She must never mention her, not in front of Francheska, or a catastrophe would happen.
Francheska’s face changed then, getting the hint that Lilly had almost said it—the name she considered the greatest misfortune in her life.
“Hate me forever, but she is still your… flesh and blood. And you can never change that, Cheska.” Lilly finally had the nerve to tell her younger sister, and that act caused the latter to walk away, into her hotel room, brusquely.
On Monday morning, Sophia arrived in school through a cab. Back in their house, earlier, she wondered why a coming visitor had to be anonymous. What was something in her that she had to be unnamed at the moment?
During Physics class, Mrs. Tina Roxas noticed Sophia’s inattentiveness and called her, “Ms. Vabueretti, you may be physically absent but you are obviously mentally absent. Eyes on the board!”
Red-faced, Sophia shrunk in shame and apologized. Then the lecture proceeded after having her as the centerpiece.
After the class, Zarah came to Sophia’s rescue and comforted her in the lady’s room.
“What were you thinking, back there?” Zarah elbowed Sophia and smiled.
Making fun of herself, too, Sophia shrugged her shoulders innocently and decided not to share any detail. After all, the reason was vague itself.
“I’d like to cut my classes today,” Sophia said.
It came to Zarah as a shock, obviously, because Sophia had never been into skipping classes ever since they turned best friends. There must be something really bothering her.
“I’ll call your mom if you do that.” Zarah messed around, winking.
Playing along, Sophia handed over her cell phone saying, “Call mom, now,” accompanying it with a silly laugh.
“No, seriously, is there something wrong?” Zarah’s look was now crumpled. “You know you can trust me.”
Thinking hard, Sophia bequeathed her an agreeing nod. “I’ll tell you everything tonight. It’s about Jericho… and Forest Green.” It seemed to Sophia now that there need not be any room for secrets any longer. Secrets about Jericho… about Abanir, but she was absolutely terrified. How could she ever find the right words to make Zarah believe about the strange creature? She might sound crazy. And this latter thought was somewhat pulling her back.
They went to their next class, Calculus, but Mr. Clay wasn’t the one sitting in front of the class. It was the principal, telling them that Mr. Clay couldn’t come to class and that his substitute couldn’t make it, too.
Of course, euphoria took over the place for a moment! It just rescued Sophia from the disinterest of learning, today.
“I guess today is your lucky day.” Zarah then poked Sophia and invited her to the cafeteria.
Sophia’s heartbeat raced as she saw Enzo in the cafeteria table. He was alone, with an apple pie and soda before him. He was looking at her through the corners of his eyes, as if he was trying to send her a message.
Ignoring her erratic pulse, she proceeded to the counter with Zarah and ordered their favorites, but Enzo was still watching her.
“Greek frappe for me and iced Cappuccino for my girlfriend here,” Zarah spoke to the seller and noticed Sophia’s stare at Enzo. It seemed to her that they were having an eye-to-eye.
“Wha
t are you doing?” Zarah asked, halfway between curiosity and displeasure. “You know he’s a prowler, right? And he’s not in good terms with Alex.” Zarah stressed it hard, arching her perfect eyebrows.
Wordless, Sophia shifted her look to the seller who was then preparing their orders. Her best friend was right, but knowing a little bit more about Enzo when he offered her a free ride home, the bad impression had finally waned. This time, she thought of him as a friend, who just happened to be mislabeled by everyone.
“Hey.” Zarah stirred Sophia again. “You’re not doing this,” she said, as though it was a warning.
They found a small table for two and sat down. “By the way, do you know your birthday is fast approaching?” Zarah spoke again.
It didn’t register immediately in Sophia’s mind. She was back to the thought of Enzo, who had just left the cafeteria for the library. She remembered her last moments with him back in her house. He was cool there. And hilarious. Now why was he acting differently in school?
“Hey!” Now Zarah began to feel irritated. “Stop it! Not with that guy, okay?”
Shaking her head, Sophia quickly apologized and began sipping her drink. “It’s not what you think.” She defended herself.
“Hey, do you even know your birthday’s coming?” Zarah poked her again.
“Yeah, mom spoke to me about it.”
“So any plans?”
Stirring her drink with a slim straw, Sophia replied under her voice. “I don’t know. All I know is I’m turning seventeen.”
This enthused Zarah to share the highlights of Sophia’s last birthday, that she had a grand party in a hotel (throughout the times when Sophia’s parents were trying to buy her love and acceptance) and that there were many who attended, mostly from the aristocratic families.
Hearing them all, Sophia’s bank of information expanded, then she asked her best friend if she still had to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. “I’m too old for a party,” Sophia admitted.
“You’re a Vabueretti. Everyone expects you to throw a party.” Zarah was shrugging as she chattered. “And don’t be too hyperbolic. You’re turning seventeen, not becoming some retiree.” She shot a smile and reminded Sophia of their next class.
CHAPTER 11
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abanir’s astonishment
Nadine ran to Sophia’s bed and cuddled her. She couldn’t go to sleep, and exchanging a few words with her sister might probably be a huge help.
To Sophia’s surprise, Nadine no longer asked for some bed time stories, but instead, asked for more mature stories like a boy liking a girl and vice versa.
“Is someone asking you for a date?” Sophia appeared to tease her eleven-year-old sister, playful and silly. “Is he cute?”
“What? No!” Nadine was too quick in denying.
Sophia stretched her lips mockingly and cupped Nadine’s chin, and shook it from side to side. “You know you can tell me,” she said, appearing sweet and playful. “And don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell mom and dad.”
“Eww!” Still, Nadine was in denial.
Sophia gathered Nadine in her arms and squeezed her tightly, now appearing to look serious. “I’m always here for you, Nad. I’m going to protect you from all the boys who’ll take you for granted.” Sophia truly meant her words as she ran her fingers through Nadine’s hair, dark as honey and soft as cotton.
“I know, Sophie.” Nadine felt all the love, and she sank into her sister’s chest, feeling grateful, and fell asleep like a tiny mouse.
At ten o’clock, Sophia was done with her late homework and decided to watch the crescent moon. She slid her curtains up and noticed a strange red car parked near their gate. She looked farther and disregarded the thought that it might be Jericho’s. The notion was there but she got scared and thought she must have been hallucinating.
Then her heart pulled in with enough longing for Jericho. How was he doing now? Could he still be in prison? Or he was now dating someone new…? Sophia tried so hard to understand the rumble inside of her. It was screaming for Jericho. It was more than the roll of big waves breaking on the seashore. And it was impossible to calm, yes, even the smallest upsurge.
*****
“Sophia!” Abanir yelled as Sophia’s face faded from the depths of his sleep.
Rabel, who was disturbed by the noise, opened his raha’s chamber and checked on him in a hurry.
“What happened, Raha?” he asked, panicking.
Abanir was unresponsive for a moment. He was still trapped in the nightmare and was catching his breath.
“Raha, are you all right?” Rabel asked again.
“I dreamed of her…” Now, Abanir’s breathing was returning to normal but sweat was all over his body. It was impossible to ignore the sting of those images before he opened his eyes.
“What did you dream of her?”
“She was…” Abanir was searching for the words as he reckoned the times he had dreamed of the same dream, for days now. “She was taken by our enemies.” He sat up, then stood up to wash his face in the adjoining room. Out of pining, he ascended into the air and visited the lake house anew.
He landed on the same spot where he left Sophia. As he stood there and thought of his beloved, the sound of a car, coming towards the lake house, sidetracked him. He sharpened his vision and saw a shaft of light moving into his direction. He hid himself hastily through the thick tall trees and wished it was Sophia.
The car went to a stop. Then, two pairs of drunk minors came out from it. They challenged each other to swim in the lake naked and tossed coins for who’d go first.
Abanir, to his dismay, discovered that Sophia was not one of them. He lingered observing them, and attempted to approach the mysterious car but his fear of exposure held him back.
“Who cares about the Vabuerittis? Tonight, this lake is mine!” The shorter guy mocked and dove into the pitch-black waters over the lunar moon, in his hand a bottle of Budweiser, and pitched his wet shirt to his girlfriend arrogantly. The other guy did the same, and the two girls joined in.
Their silly giggling gave Abanir the chance to examine the car. It was beyond bizarre to see a huge metallic object that could transport humans.
And when the youngsters were done, they returned to the car and drove back to the town proper.
Abanir followed them carefully and was surprised to see a place full of shimmering lights. Since his senses were very sharp, he could hear the different sounds of the town: talking voices, speedy cars, and even the radios. Again and again, he fell into a world filled with wonder. Everything seemed to be new and refreshing.
Then he decided to stop by the nearest house. It was a large one, located at the top of the hill. Cautiously, he examined the house. The floor downstairs was shed with lights while the upper floor was entirely dim.
He landed at the balcony but a scent seemed to be familiar. For a moment, he watched the little houses of the town that flickered with lights. Then he wondered: which house was Sophia’s?
In the fullness of time, his marveling was elevating. He thought of how humans could be. Were they really all bad, after all?
Then, he waited for the sunrise and as it came, he went back to Kravena, utterly astonished by the spectacles he had just discovered. It was as if a passage had just been opened into the world of humans. The world of his beloved. His Sophia.
CHAPTER 12
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relived
Coming home from school was difficult for Sophia. There was heavy traffic down the Supreme Court Avenue due to a massive protest by the LGBTQ community; because of this, Sophia decided to go for a walk. She paid the cab driver, initiated pacing, and got lost in a small alley. There, the buildings were very European, built in the nineteenth
century when the Spanish regime in the country was at its peak.
Then a boutique of vintage items caught Sophia’s eyes. There seemed to be plenty of artworks, and this interested her the most.
Inside were old paintings that appeared to be from the Renaissance era; urns that looked like they were made during the Ming Dynasty; and a golden compass that glinted like it was fresh from the American Civil War—among others.
A portrait of an Aristocrat lady swirled in her sight and drew her attention. She examined it carefully and noticed the dress she was wearing. It was pure white, and she was gazing through the setting sun by the lake.
Then, she felt a sudden resemblance. The lady in the painting was lonely, too. At this, she felt a deeper connection. She continued exploring when a guy behind her spoke to her.
“Hello, Sophia,” he said, and the voice was familiar. Very much familiar.
Sophia’s pulses quickened to the max. She was flushing hot and cold, refusing to believe the familiarity of the voice. Bit by bit, she turned around and to her massive surprise, it was… Jericho!
His Jericho. And she almost cried.
“Jericho,” she whispered, trembling. Her heart, almost falling to the ground.
There was a long eye-to-eye, with the urge to hold each other tight and never let go.
“Sophia…” Jericho finally whispered back. He could barely breathe, too.
Then, silence took over once again. It was a stinging silence, filled with too much longing and misery.
“Oh, Sophia…” Jericho finally stepped closer and nestled her. At last, she was back into his arms again.
His voice was the finest music to Sophia. His words were the greatest poetry. And as he tightened his hug, she found it impossible to move. She couldn’t think. Her nerve impulses merely refused to cooperate, and were powerfully dictating to hug him back. Tighter and tighter.