Story 2. Alone With Her

I composed my self when I stepped into the building. I have twenty minutes left before my interview.

The building was very tall, standing proud along with others in the heart of Ortigas.

What happened to me in the MRT train was a total torture. It made me lost my focus. Still, I managed to pacify myself.

My interview was in the 8th floor. So I have to use the elevator. I took the lift along with two men. Both of them got out when we came to a stop in the 3rd floor- leaving me alone.

Conciously, I checked the room. As if anticipating another manifestations. It seemed normal. Then, the elevator took another halt in the 4th floor. A woman, dressed in an office attire, walked in. She was in her 30's.

I smiled at her as soon as we met eyes. I was abled to take a look outside the floor before the door closes. The floor was very quiet. There were no movements.

Having a beautiful woman all by myself in a small stead gave me a taste of revelry. Well, just that, nothing more. And I evenhad the guts to wish that the elevator would take forever to hit the 8th floor. I love the view.

Then, suddenly, I realized that the lift was taking longer than it should be. Dumbed, I snatched a glimpse of the buttons. I jolted on my feet when I saw that we weren't moving at all. I was sure that the elevator is going up.

Alarmed, I wanted to inform the woman that something was wrong. If we don't do anything, we could be in trouble. I turned to her. But it shocked me to see her leaning against the parapet- lifeless! Her head was gorged with blood drenching all over her dress.

I wanted to run but there no escape! I forced myself at the corner as if there was protection there.

The last thing I remembered before darkness enveloped my world was- her hands moved as if trying to reach the doors.

I woke up and found myself alone inside the lift. Then the elevator stopped at the 8th floor. I felt very dizzy. My head ached. When the door opened up, at least ten people greeted me in awe.

As if some of them knew what happened to me. They help me out but I declined.

I heard one say, "Malamang nakasabay niya si Mylene (Maybe Mylene has ride with him)."

Whoever that Mylene was, I don't want to know. And whatever her story, I took no concern about it. All I ever wanted was to get myself out of the place.

I never had that interview. And the job of course. My chance has slipped away.

Going home, I lied in my bed thinking about the encounters. The past resetted and it gave me an unpleasant feeling. A chill that I know would stay long if not forever. Maybe for the rest of my life.

It was a one hell of a day.

Story 1. A Ride To Forget

I rode the train. Like everyday, getting a good seat is a hard task to deal with. But I got one nonetheless.

As soon as I have sitted, I scanned my organizer to recollect my mind of the possible questions that the interviewer would probably throw at me. And memorize the answers that I had written the other night. So I would not blow my chances.

During my pondering, I noticed a young lady who was standing at the other side of the train, staring blankly right in my direction. Or so what it seemed to me.

I ignored her.

But the man I am, who could not let a beautiful face just slips away, turned to look at her again. There, the truth hurts. She wasn't really looking at me. The man, in his 20's, beside me was her apple of the eye. I got a little pissed off. Fate hates me, I guessed. But still I gazed at her for a moment, forgetting my questions. It was then that she took a stare to me, smiled at me and back to man again.

I told the man about her obvious fascination. The man obliged. Then he gave me an irritated expression.

"Putcha pare, wala ka bang magawa? (Damn you man, is there nothing you can do?)"

I was apalled.

"Kung gusto mo sa'yo na. Patulan mo! (If you want she's yours. Dig her!)" he continued.

I took another glance at the lady and saw an old woman, in her 50's, sitting just beside her. I thought what he saw was the old one and not the pretty gal. For such, I talked to him again.

"Pare, hindi 'yan ang tinutukoy ko. Yung nakatayo sa tabi ng matanda. Yung maganda. Yung pink ang suot. Yung may nunal sa lower lip. (Man, that's not what i'm talking about. The one who's standing beside that old woman. The pretty one. The one in a pink shirt. The girl with a mole on the lower lip.)" I told him.

What perplexed me was his reaction. The annoyance was gone. What's left was a total disturb.

"Is she wearing a necklace? Yung may heart? (The one with a heart?)" he asked.
I know he was confirming something.


I said yes.

He looked towards the girl's direction. I watched them exchanged smiles. He was a little bitter.

I was silent in bizarre.

The train stopped at the Ayala station. The man stood up wiping his eyes. It puzzled me. What the heck was he's crying for? Then I saw him waved at the girl. He got out. The lady followed him. The next thing that made me shivered was, instead of trailing the door she passed through the passengers and through the wall of the train.

I felt my hair at my nape stood up. Goosebumps burned my skin.

She was a ghost!

I followed her with my eyes. Standing outside, as the door was closing and the train began to move, she uttered a thank you smiling at me.

Whatever the man has got to do with her was still a mystery to me. But what I realized was, i'd just aided a lost soul finds her way home.

When I reached my destination, I hurriedly got out. I never wanted to stay a little longer in that train. Sure I was, that ride was the very first thing I must forget.

2 Encounters

These stories happened a year ago. It was October- monday. The MRT station was busy as usual. People come and go with faces no one could absorb- as if another hell was burning in their solitary lives.

I had an interview that day.

I got up early and made myself up. Ready and so eager to have that interview. I was positive that I would nail the job.

The building which I would have my interview is situated in the heart of Ortigas.

Then, my encounters begun.