The Premonition
The light shines immaculately as she walks down the aisle. Few petals from the decorative flowers on both sides are all around her as she trails the path towards the light. This is the day she has been waiting for. Finally, graduating from college is not just a dream and it is happening right in front of her eyes. Everything seems so surreal. In a fast paced rotation of her life, she ends up finishing her degree.
Life will be easier from now on.
Seeing her mom and dad happy and fulfilled says she has done better and with those bright eyes from her siblings, she can't be any happier than this. It means they can have a better life. A life wherein they can have a more edible set of meals to eat. It means they won't be short in paying bills and expenses. It means she can buy what she wants.
As she continues tracking the light, a round of applause reminds her of how glorious this day is, for her, for Winry, for Eric and for every classmate and schoolmate she has. It's been a long four years of journey, four years of failed and passed midterms and finals, four years of tears and laughter, four years of presentations and discussions with their cool and awesome professors; indeed it's a four years of hardships and success.
Calling each name of the graduates is the highlight of any commencement exercises. Nervous and fidgety, she feels the excitement as her turn draws near.
"Gajauco, Eric... Haron, Winry...Harwite, Cleo..."
Handshaking with every top ranking officials and professors on the stage brings tons of pressure on her. Tripping on the red carpet is the worst thing that can happen. Carefully and slowly, she passes every hand offered by the people on the stage. With her sweaty hand, she complies with what the occasion demands.
"Congrats!" A greeting from a familiar voice knocks some sense out of her. It is him.
What the heck is he doing here?
Surprised with the unexpected guest at this splendid ceremony, she's speechless. Seeing again the face of this man brings an unfathomable pain and sorrows. It rips her heart to see this man. She tries to shift her hand right away to the next one, but he won't allow her.
Pulling her hand from his hand cold as ice, he won't budge. Worse, he won't move. A smirk of insanity is stuck on his face, his jaw dropping face.
"Let me go." Whispering her demands isn't enough to provide liberty from his tight entrapment. "Please, let go." Granting emphasis on her every word doesn't make the situation any better, instead he opens his mouth for the second time and she hears the words she never expects coming from him.
"Please save me... Save us..."
Stunned by his incomprehensible words, she gazes at him. His once serene oceanic blue eyes turn to the familiar bloodbath she had seen. Blood flows from the edges of his eyes down to his pale colored cheeks. He's crying. His tears scream for blood.
Scared as hell, she pulls her hand with all her might. As frantic as she is, there's no trace of commotion all over the place. Everything is stagnant. People are motionless. She tries to call Winry who is still on stage and a few paces away from her; she's making sounds for some reasons. Calling her friend once again, Winry turns to her and pours the same color of tears. She's crying with blood. Her mouth utters the same words the man did. She wants something. Help. Be saved. Redemption. She pleads as her eyes scream of excruciating pain.
Betrayed by her voice, Cleo beseeches. She screams, but no one hears. She pleads, but no one responds to it. She cries, and feels the thick fluids flowing on her cheeks. With her free hand, she wipes her face and in her horror, she sees the same blood that is coming out from him. Bleeding brings the same excruciating pain she sees from her friend and from everyone around her.
Anyone. Someone. Please save me. Save us.
Trap in the bloodbath that surrounds her, she's helpless. Deserted and abandoned, she is in great need of redemption. A redemption that will save the whole human race.
"Fuck!" She gasps as she wakes up from the horrific dream she came across with in her sleep. She stumbles upon the floor uncontrollably. Her butt hits the concrete stone of the floor as she hisses shit.
That will not definitely happen, he's gone already. Dreams are just dreams.
Despite her attempts of denying the nightmare that continuously haunts her every now and then, summer vacation arrives blissfully and Cleo, being stuck in the heat, can't help, but feel surreal that another year of her college life is about to end. Currently at the end of her third year, and finally just one more to go she can probably finish the 14 year-curriculum of the Philippine educational system. Overcoming the thesis defense along with her classmates is a reason to celebrate. Some classmates have planned for a getaway and beach is without a doubt the best place for celebration during this time of the year. Heat bothers her, as well as her classmates. For many, it's a season to flaunt some skin, but for some it's just the perfect time to visit and just enjoy the breathtaking view of the best beaches in the world. Some are planning to visit Boracay, Batangas or Palawan, but why bother to travel miles away from your hometown if one can find a great scenery in one's own. Her province, Laguna, is proud of its magnificent and famous water falls, the famous Pagsanjan Falls. She has been wanting to visit the place ever since. Nature is one thing that never bores her. And as a complimentary for passing the thesis defense, her parents have allowed her to visit the falls along with her friends. It's the perfect gift for her. She doesn't need car or other expensive things as a gift, trusting her to travel along with her friends is more than enough. And she's well aware that her parents can't afford far destinations. This would be enough for her.
All giggly and excited, they take on the blazing sun as they get near to the majestic falls. Aside from the van they have rented to reach Pagsanjan, a boat ride by the river is a must to get a view of the falls. The river connects all the way to the falls. They all beam with excitement. Cleo along with her friends and groupmates, Winry and Eric, laugh as they experience the smooth and bumpy boat ride. It's a first for Cleo. This encounter with nature is a refreshing feeling for her.
Don't make it sound pitiable.
I am not.
Yes, you are. We're poor, but at least we're living a decent life.
Alright, alright. I won't argue.
