I know it might be too late. And sure, this blog would only prove how up to date I am with the latest in the music industry, but what the heck - this song has been stuck in my head like the Sword of Gibraltar since the Great Siege has ended.
Rihanna has been releasing songs lately that have made it to the top charts in different countries since the first week of its release and some of it lasting as long as several weeks to months before another song of hers would take over. I've been a fan of hers since Pon de Replay, and boy has she come a long way. I know, I know, I do no justice claiming to be her fan, yet here I am about 4 months late in giving praise to one of her most successful and teeth-grinding creations.
Anyway, this song that she did with Mikky Ekko "Stay", which she released earlier January this year, has just captured my senses ever since I was able to sit still and just listen to it --or more like feel it. Painfully. Word by word. Every note, every pitch, every emotion was just dripping in the entirety of the music and her singing. Her falsettos representing past hurts, present doubts and a future that she desperately wished she could vividly paint but she could hardly see past through the tears that she's been denying...it about blew me up into pieces.
I must admit that I haven't seen the music video yet. But I plan to after this, really. I badly want to see it but at the same time... I honestly don't. Try putting on your mp3, ipod, or phone and try closing your eyes while listening to it. Trust me when I say this, when you do, you can't help but feel like you're the one singing it. Yes. That is exactly how I feel whenever I listen to Rihanna sing the female character's part of the song -like it was me all along, that I'm in her shoes and I'm inside an iPod singing through the earphones. It drives me to an edge of something I can never really put a point on except the unnerving sensation that I'm already the one feeling, hurting...that its more than just listening to the song; and it suffocates me; and its wonderful.
The piano, the chords and the simplicity of the composition was truly done in all its musical genius. It makes you want to listen to more than just the instruments playing or the words being uttered because the arrangement really is seducing. Beckoning the audiences to do more than just hear the words --but feel them. And that's how Rihanna did it. Without a doubt, she outdid herself in this one. Then, like she's not killing me slowly enough already, Mikky Ekko comes in. Writing a song and singing it are two different things. And boy did this artist do me good. His husky, and lazy way of dragging the words out his tongue as he sings just adds to the frustrated and confused feeling of the male character in the song as if he's telling me "I don't know how I'm supposed to go about this, too." or that "I'm not used to feeling this and its all foreign to me." ...I get goosebumps all the time. All the time.
I could go on and on but to top it off I would quote Wikipedia on this masterpiece of the 21st century, "The lyrical content regards the temptation and failure of resisting a true love.".
And isn't that what most of us are doing these days? Maybe that's why this song draws to me so much because I can somehow relate. Once I fell in love, but it was never meant to be. What about you? Have you ever resisted true love... for fear of falling apart? or for the fear of breaking your man/woman's heart?
Enjoy! :) I hope you get hooked! PS get some tissues ready.
"Stay" by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko - with lyrics on screen
xoxo
Singing from behind the fan,
Maria
♥ Bookworm.♥ Caffeine dependent. ♥ Chocolate kisses. ♥ Poetically dripping sarcasm.♥
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Monday, October 18, 2010
DSLR, the new iPod
DSLR (Digital single-lens reflex) camera, is a digital camera that uses a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single-lens_reflex_camera
These DSLR cams are one of the newest "hotshots" of the century, technology-wise. We all know how the improvements of technology has affected our everyday lives. From the oldie cassette tapes, walkman, discman, television sets, abacus, to the state of the art designs of the 21st cenutry like the LCD televisions, laptops, mp4s, iPod, and water-fueled cars. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to enumerate them all. So let's stick to more pressing matters.
Cameras, are weapons stronger than all the arsenal the US government and world-renowned terrorists could provide. They can shoot farther, with more impact and accuracy than any sniper ever can in this existense. They can capture secrets and expose them. They can also capture moments that are forever worth keeping. These genius and heaven-sent creations have contributed so much to us artists and to every living creature to ever graze the wonders of this complex world.
It is every photographer's dream to own a DSLR, isn't it?
Being an amateur photographer myself, I find the power of such an equipment amazing. Although I prefer to stick with the comforts my handy point and shoot Nikon 4200 could provide, I still feel giddy inside whenever my friends lend me theirs. The latest products released by Canon, Sony and Nikon (the top producing brands for DSLRs) have features that decades ago, no one have ever thought possible. But now, they have built-in features that is out of this world. It would do little to surprise me if one day someone would find a way for us to be able to surf the net with them. Ha! Now that's an idea. But what really ticks me off is how this magnificent creation has become a tool for people to intimidate others. Not emotionally. But like, you know how others look at you in a way that says: "My camera is way better than yours, move away and lemme take a shot"
I've felt that way before when I barely had a cam of my own to use. I thought that, "Hey, he has a DSLR, I bet he's a pro" . But when I joined this photography group 2 years ago, The Photographer's Club of Cebu, I started feeling otherwise. I realized that not everyone who can afford or who has a DSLR of their own can actually be a pro (Photography wise, like the composition,angles and lighting). Some of them just bought one to practice with, but most of them, well, most can "just afford". It's like giving a scholarship to someone just because she has nicer hair than the one who deserves it,you know?
I also hate it though that nowadays, DSLRs are now in demand just because society demands you to have it. A "must-have". Like a tumblr account or the new Steve Madden pumps (whichc I must say are to die for). It feels to me like, they think if they don't have it, they're out of style. Except, DSLRs could never go out of style and it will always be in fashion. Instead of using it for capturing memories and the beauty of our surroundings, people just want to have a DSLR for the sole purpose of having one. DSLRs have become the new iPod. Remember when the first iPod nano came? People went ballistic, and suddenly iStores are filled with googoo-eyed customers who couldn't wait to get their hands on an iPod nano.
It's the sad reality of life that some people have this urge to follow whatever is on-the-scene and new, no matter how much it costs them. But what can we do? It's either you save yourself some time and keep it to yourself or if you're crazy enough, then probably make a blog out of it.
Just always put in mind though that you should never be underestimated with the size and quality of your cam. What matters most is your passion for photography. No matter what cameras we use, may it be a DSLR or not, it doesn't matter. It's whatever that's in the heart does. Because the way to make a good composition of your shot is to know how to see the beauty within even for the simplest of things or even the most random of places. It's what makes the photo appealing to the audience, the message. The feeling of what the photographer felt during the taking of the photo is what is being emanated by the photo itself. That's what comes first before anything else. So let's all put our hearts out to what we photographers are set out to do and keep on shooting!
These DSLR cams are one of the newest "hotshots" of the century, technology-wise. We all know how the improvements of technology has affected our everyday lives. From the oldie cassette tapes, walkman, discman, television sets, abacus, to the state of the art designs of the 21st cenutry like the LCD televisions, laptops, mp4s, iPod, and water-fueled cars. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to enumerate them all. So let's stick to more pressing matters.
Cameras, are weapons stronger than all the arsenal the US government and world-renowned terrorists could provide. They can shoot farther, with more impact and accuracy than any sniper ever can in this existense. They can capture secrets and expose them. They can also capture moments that are forever worth keeping. These genius and heaven-sent creations have contributed so much to us artists and to every living creature to ever graze the wonders of this complex world.
It is every photographer's dream to own a DSLR, isn't it?
Being an amateur photographer myself, I find the power of such an equipment amazing. Although I prefer to stick with the comforts my handy point and shoot Nikon 4200 could provide, I still feel giddy inside whenever my friends lend me theirs. The latest products released by Canon, Sony and Nikon (the top producing brands for DSLRs) have features that decades ago, no one have ever thought possible. But now, they have built-in features that is out of this world. It would do little to surprise me if one day someone would find a way for us to be able to surf the net with them. Ha! Now that's an idea. But what really ticks me off is how this magnificent creation has become a tool for people to intimidate others. Not emotionally. But like, you know how others look at you in a way that says: "My camera is way better than yours, move away and lemme take a shot"
I've felt that way before when I barely had a cam of my own to use. I thought that, "Hey, he has a DSLR, I bet he's a pro" . But when I joined this photography group 2 years ago, The Photographer's Club of Cebu, I started feeling otherwise. I realized that not everyone who can afford or who has a DSLR of their own can actually be a pro (Photography wise, like the composition,angles and lighting). Some of them just bought one to practice with, but most of them, well, most can "just afford". It's like giving a scholarship to someone just because she has nicer hair than the one who deserves it,you know?
I also hate it though that nowadays, DSLRs are now in demand just because society demands you to have it. A "must-have". Like a tumblr account or the new Steve Madden pumps (whichc I must say are to die for). It feels to me like, they think if they don't have it, they're out of style. Except, DSLRs could never go out of style and it will always be in fashion. Instead of using it for capturing memories and the beauty of our surroundings, people just want to have a DSLR for the sole purpose of having one. DSLRs have become the new iPod. Remember when the first iPod nano came? People went ballistic, and suddenly iStores are filled with googoo-eyed customers who couldn't wait to get their hands on an iPod nano.
It's the sad reality of life that some people have this urge to follow whatever is on-the-scene and new, no matter how much it costs them. But what can we do? It's either you save yourself some time and keep it to yourself or if you're crazy enough, then probably make a blog out of it.
Just always put in mind though that you should never be underestimated with the size and quality of your cam. What matters most is your passion for photography. No matter what cameras we use, may it be a DSLR or not, it doesn't matter. It's whatever that's in the heart does. Because the way to make a good composition of your shot is to know how to see the beauty within even for the simplest of things or even the most random of places. It's what makes the photo appealing to the audience, the message. The feeling of what the photographer felt during the taking of the photo is what is being emanated by the photo itself. That's what comes first before anything else. So let's all put our hearts out to what we photographers are set out to do and keep on shooting!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Piano Lessons
When I was 6 yrs old my father had me enrolled into this expensive music school, Yamaha. Well I know it's the brand of musical instruments, and it's not really a "school" with the huge building and different classrooms like MSA or Juilliard. No, this establishment is only sectioned in the lower level of SM Megamall here in Cebu City where I am currently residing. It's not much of a big room too, only enough to have a display of the sets of instruments they sell and any other musical accessories, while the back portion of the store is where the "school" is situated or where the classes are going on.
There are at least 5 or 4 rooms there at that time, if I remember it right, at least 2 or 3 rooms with the standard piano in each one and enough room for the student and teacher to sit in.
Ahh, I can still remember the faint, musky odor of polished wood whenever I enter the room. The music drifting out of the closed doors from the other rooms where other students learn different instruments like drums, violin and guitar. I was scheduled to attend every tuesday,thursday and sunday on summers and sundays on the school days. I had at least 4 books? So far as I can remember them I had 4. Three of them are the Edna Mae Burnam's Step by Step , and the other one was a different book with lots of colors. Sadly, I never finished my piano lessons. I had a faint memory of the why's of it, but according to my parents and my aunt, it was because I wanted to stop and that I didn't want to go anymore. I remembered though that I didn't know my dad finally decided it was time for them to stop pushing me on taking those lessons, and then one sunday my teacher just told me that it would be my last day in her class. She was such a sweetie, I don't know if she was sad or relieved, my second teacher is though, the first one was a tiger...with very less patience and fondness of little girls who always go to the C.R. for an excuse to go out for awhile and breathe some air...for at least every 30minutes. My dad bought me a Clavinova too, to go with my lessons. But that was what....10 years ago?
(TO BE CONTINUED)
There are at least 5 or 4 rooms there at that time, if I remember it right, at least 2 or 3 rooms with the standard piano in each one and enough room for the student and teacher to sit in.
Ahh, I can still remember the faint, musky odor of polished wood whenever I enter the room. The music drifting out of the closed doors from the other rooms where other students learn different instruments like drums, violin and guitar. I was scheduled to attend every tuesday,thursday and sunday on summers and sundays on the school days. I had at least 4 books? So far as I can remember them I had 4. Three of them are the Edna Mae Burnam's Step by Step , and the other one was a different book with lots of colors. Sadly, I never finished my piano lessons. I had a faint memory of the why's of it, but according to my parents and my aunt, it was because I wanted to stop and that I didn't want to go anymore. I remembered though that I didn't know my dad finally decided it was time for them to stop pushing me on taking those lessons, and then one sunday my teacher just told me that it would be my last day in her class. She was such a sweetie, I don't know if she was sad or relieved, my second teacher is though, the first one was a tiger...with very less patience and fondness of little girls who always go to the C.R. for an excuse to go out for awhile and breathe some air...for at least every 30minutes. My dad bought me a Clavinova too, to go with my lessons. But that was what....10 years ago?
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Taylor Swift in Team Jacob!
PAPPARAZZIs all over TEAM JACOB on a DATE with country sweetie TAYLOR SWIFT. ugh!!! O_O
http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/delicious-dessert-date/3442#id=5
check out TAYLOR LAUTNER without his natural Jacob tan, he just looks like he's one with the coven doesnt he? :)
Nevertheless, nothing can make him any less hotter and attractive...unless he decides he needs more cloth to cover up that built-up bod that already has caused over thousands of girls,even guys--swoon! (Which would surely cause havoc--the more clothes part.)
Now wouldn't that be just a scene? As far as I'm concerned, being on Team Jacob doesn't just mean we like him, but we want him, as far as infatuation goes...for ourselves!
http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/delicious-dessert-date/3442#id=5
check out TAYLOR LAUTNER without his natural Jacob tan, he just looks like he's one with the coven doesnt he? :)
Nevertheless, nothing can make him any less hotter and attractive...unless he decides he needs more cloth to cover up that built-up bod that already has caused over thousands of girls,even guys--swoon! (Which would surely cause havoc--the more clothes part.)
Now wouldn't that be just a scene? As far as I'm concerned, being on Team Jacob doesn't just mean we like him, but we want him, as far as infatuation goes...for ourselves!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
It's my Coffee
“Oh my god! Liza! How’ve you been?”
Eliza swore the way Mia said it, it wouldn’t have been impossible for her to dig a hole through her eardrums miles away. Entering the coffee shop where Eliza was working, Mia as usual, looked pretty and attractive in a casual floral knee-length dress, paired up with a simple mocha-wedged sandal.Even before, she always thought of Mia being one of the most beautiful women she knew. Her height of 5”8 has always made men notice her. Besides her fair complexion, the way her graceful, pale, wavy locks fall around her face to her back, those pink, pouty lips which always seem to invite every male specie to want to get more than just look and drool and her curves that always made me remember of a Coke bottle, and those crystal blue eyes that whenever she looks at them it made Eliza shiver, it has always been her heart that made her more beautiful and glowing than she already is. While they were in college Mia never forgot to attend mass every Sunday and participate in every charity work their church has. They feed the poor, provide medical missions into the rural areas around their place and sometimes they even hold concerts and fund-raising programs to get more help from those who are more fortunate.
“I’m fine! But looking at you I can tell how you have been. I missed you!” It’s been 6 years since the two have seen each other. After graduating from highschool, Mia’s family decided to move out of Cebu and live in Manila where her parents have inherited their late aunt’s mansion. Though Mia didn’t want to go her parents believed that it would be an advantage for her to study there since she also got accepted in Ateneo de Manila, one of the prestigious college in Manila, as a scholar.
Mia laughed. Hugging her friend, Eliza rolled her eyes. She was never used to all these hugging and mushy stuff especially when it’s in public remembering all the pain the openness have brought her. Pulling away from her friend’s grasp she made that cute squinty-eyed smile of hers that always makes her friend smile back.
“You still haven’t changed. Still a smart-ass huh?”
“Once a smart-ass, always a smart-ass. And besides, you got anything better for me to do?”
“Nope. Not that I can think of right now, but I’ll let you know after your done here.” Eliza just raised her eyebrow leaving Mia with no other choice but to pinch Eliza on the belly. Hard. “Ow! You know I hate that!”
“Of course I do. Think I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t?”
She scoffed. “It’s not my fault you have a hard time catching up.”
Mia laughed again. Oh how she loves her friend’s humor. It never fails to amuse her.
“Ha! You say that like 6 years is easy to catch up?”
Looking all smug, she said “You know what I’m talking about Maria Antoinette Villega.”
“Of course I know Elizabeth Andrea Deveraux. Now hurry up and get me two Choco-Mocha Lattes, it’s almost lunch break.”
Writing down the order she asked, “You take your lunch break before lunch break?” who would’ve thought that’s possible? Maybe she could work her way through that trick too, if Mia would only teach her how. Working in a coffee shop, in a city towered with tall buildings mostly of huge companies, the employees here nearly get a chance to rest. Even their 30 minute lunch break is not enough and sometimes when it gets too busy they just spend at least half of it to eat and rest.
“No. I don’t even work anywhere near here. I’m here for a real break,” emphasizing the word just as much as how Eliza does it when she’s asking a rhetorical question “I filed for a leave just 3 weeks ago for a vacation. God knows what will happen to me if I don’t get to relax this precious brain of mine.”
“Oh so that’s what reeks. Wait let me go ahead and get a mop before it spills out of your head, it’ll be a great deal of a waste. Speaking about the new tiles, my boss would never forgive me if they get dirty.”
Clearly losing and unable to punch out a good retort Mia decided she’d go for the physical and punched Eliza. Literally. “Hey! That’s the second in 10 minutes. How do you do that?”
“At least now we’re even.” Sticking her tongue out, Eliza wasn’t able to hold back her laughter. Mia looks utterly cute and ridiculous with that look. It feels like they were ten-year olds again. Laughing to themselves Eliza handed out her order, while Mia placed out a ten-dollar bill on the counter and excused herself to use the powder room for awhile.
Eliza was counting the change as she clumsily dropped a few coins on the floor. She was pretty sure there were five pieces that fell. She thought she just heard the chime on the door ring, but didn’t mind it since she was too occupied with the issue she is currently facing. How hard could it be to just pick up a few couple of spare coins that fell on the floor? Besides the fact that she only found three just near from where she’s standing, another around the corner out of the counter and one that rolled out far enough to make it to the door. Hurriedly she stumbled her way to get the coin just in time when she touched it it didn’t quite feel right.
Coins are supposed to feel metal.
Cold.
But this coin was different, it was kind of warm, soft, and it smelled good too. More like sexy and fresh. She’s never felt anything like it. Just when she was holding up the coin, it was when she realized that she was holding a hand--holding the coin!
She flushed.
Slowly raising her head up, unable to let go of what she was holding, she saw a man.
Whoa.
_____________________________________
"Whoa." Blinking several times before she saw him actually smiling at her. Amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment." He winked.
Oh my god! He actually winked at me! Me!
Who would've thought anyone would actually think of doing that?! Slowly taking into account my dishieveled appearance, probably coffee powder all over my shirt and apron, and God knows what. But still...
I felt hot.
Hotter than a newly brewed coffee.
Talk about being a virgin for life! I know I said that I'd be a virgin forever-- on second thoughts...
Honestly what were you thinking? Claiming that you will be a virgin forever?!
Hey, I was young! And, a Catholic!
Not to mention, "Not even Chris Brown can take it away from me." And now some dude you don't know who just happened to walk in and is super sexy just winked at you and now you're falling and bowing down at his feet.
I'm not bowing!
Close enough.
Well that's different.
I started to sweat as I took every inch of him, his physically fit body, with broad shoulders fitting perfectly into his obviously expensive and tailored suit, his wide chest down to his narrow waist. It just made me want to run to church like crazy screaming “Praise the Lord!” and light as many candles as possible until I almost burn myself from what I’m feeling. I bet he'll make Hannah Montana scream "Yeee-Haa!" while doing that little jug-jug, or whatever it is she does.
But nothing else made me felt more idiotic than what I was doing. I felt wet around my mouth. Was I drooling? I hope not. I fought the urge to wipe the corners of my mouth just to check. After gaping at him I finally go to my senses, jerking my hand away I flushed again. “I-I’m sorry sir, I didn’t mean to stare. I mean hold your- ugh, thanks.”
Holding the coin up in my hand, I started backing away just when he reached out for me again and pulled me towards him. “Wait,”
Looking from his face to my hand, and his face again. I started to breathe fast. Like some panting dog waiting to be fed or for a ball to roll up sometime for him to chase it. He didn't need to lay his eyes on anything to light my fire. As long as their on me, it's definitely burning. So hot, it can cause a forest fire and at the same time poke another hole in our Ozone.
“Ugh- Yeah?” I looked around me, and was relieved that nobody seemed to notice our quiet exhange.
Flashing me a grin, those kind that men use to show us women what it means to be a definite charmer, and I was a hundred percent sure he’s one of those men, he pointed behind me saying “I believe you serve coffees here in a cup, and I think it’s not the kind you’re wearing.”
I stared at him mixed with amusement and horror. Nobody has ever flirted with me in over ten-thousand years already and how dare he?!—God, I love you. I mean, if it was considered flirting… I haven’t flirted with anyone for a long time I almost forgot what “flirting” itself was. I was definitely taken aback with what he just said. Who wouldn’t? A drop-dead gorgeous man, his hand on you and that damned smile, I don’t even want to think! But I had to. And it took me at least 5 seconds to understand what he meant. I turned around in time and saw my friend Sheila, and co-employee was actually bringing a pot of Black Coffee with her when I started backing-up. That’s why he pulled me. Pft.
What made you think he pulled you because he was interested in you? Hello? His hand on yours twice in 2 minutes doesn’t mean anything Elizabeth! Where’s that smart-ass brain of yours?! Wake up!
“Will!”
Our hands dropped at that familiar voice and at the same time I turned around to where he was looking behind me. Oops, the fire just went out. It was Mia.
She approached us with her most charming smile her mouth gleamed shining white, it almost felt like she just brushed her teeth. Did she?
As she reached him I noticed his smile grew wider that his eyes sparkled green. It was beautiful, shining like emerald floating against a cloud of white. I erased those observations and started walking away. She hugged him, and he hugged her back. Ouch. Why do I feel this weird , tingly feeling seeing them like this?
I checked again the clock above the door behind him, and realized it just struck 11:30am. Finally. I walked away and put back the change in the cashbox. I could still feel the heat and electricity flow through my arm numb from where he touched. Ugh. I shook away the feeling and fixed the counter. As she was about to check out to give the shift to the other cashier-in-charge Mia walked to her “Liza! I almost forgot I wanted you to meet a colleague.”
Seeing them walk up to where I was standing I wanted to run and hide under the coffee machine or something, even that couldn’t help. “Hey.” I smiled.
Gesturing towards him she began the introductions “Will, this is my long time highschool buddy Elizabeth Deveraux. And Liza, this is a colleague of mine from Ateneo, William Ethans.”
They shook hands as they exchanged greetings. He smiled that mind-bubbling grin again “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
Shoot! The guy’s British! What could get worse? “It’s nice to meet you too.” She can’t help but smile back at the thought, hiding the shaky feeling she began to feel. What else could get worse? Besides a sexy British in a suit in front of you might as well rain tons and tons of Hersheys Kisses. Ooh, I’d gradually accept if it was British kisses just in case. I bet it’s just as good as the chocolates. Hey! What was I thinking?!
This is crazy.
He’s smoking.
Cut it out.
Oh, stop whining and get a life!
Well, maybe I would if I wasn’t stuck here in front of …a crush? Okay Let me just call him that for awhile while I think of a more appropriate term to label him of what he is to me. Okay that’s too far now Elizabeth Andrea, you don’t even know the man yet!
Act your age please for once in your life.
Yeah right, and ruin my job and my studies?
2012 is only 3 years away you know.
“Okay that’s it!” Furious I bursted out like a cork popping out of a fresh bottle of wine. This time was more of a bottle of whine.
“Liza, honey are you okey?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah definitely. It’s all this coffee. Hehehe…”
“Okey, well we’ll just sit by here okey? And go take your lunch, I understand it’s already ten minutes past your break. I’ll wait till you finish here.”
(unsure)
*--Mia may be physically attractive and kind towards others but she never had half of Eliza’s smart mouth and fast retorts. Eliza’s father was a drunkard, and he always got them into trouble. In order to get her father and sister out of the danger of these people she always needed to think fast and move fast. Once they were chased around by huge men in suits while walking a neighbor’s dog in the park when she was fifteen. When she was seventeen she’s conned her way through a private party--on a yacht!-- just to get away from them. It hurts her deep inside remembering the past and all the wasted opportunities she had to sacrifice just to save and protect her sister. At that time she thought she was protecting them as a family, but she soon realized how little she felt of being Andrew’s daughter and instead claimed him as her uncle from a distant relative and was adopted after the loss of their true parents. She was already happy enough having Leaghn at hear side and considered her her only family left after the death of their mother due to influenza 7 months after giving birth to her baby sister.
Eliza swore the way Mia said it, it wouldn’t have been impossible for her to dig a hole through her eardrums miles away. Entering the coffee shop where Eliza was working, Mia as usual, looked pretty and attractive in a casual floral knee-length dress, paired up with a simple mocha-wedged sandal.Even before, she always thought of Mia being one of the most beautiful women she knew. Her height of 5”8 has always made men notice her. Besides her fair complexion, the way her graceful, pale, wavy locks fall around her face to her back, those pink, pouty lips which always seem to invite every male specie to want to get more than just look and drool and her curves that always made me remember of a Coke bottle, and those crystal blue eyes that whenever she looks at them it made Eliza shiver, it has always been her heart that made her more beautiful and glowing than she already is. While they were in college Mia never forgot to attend mass every Sunday and participate in every charity work their church has. They feed the poor, provide medical missions into the rural areas around their place and sometimes they even hold concerts and fund-raising programs to get more help from those who are more fortunate.
“I’m fine! But looking at you I can tell how you have been. I missed you!” It’s been 6 years since the two have seen each other. After graduating from highschool, Mia’s family decided to move out of Cebu and live in Manila where her parents have inherited their late aunt’s mansion. Though Mia didn’t want to go her parents believed that it would be an advantage for her to study there since she also got accepted in Ateneo de Manila, one of the prestigious college in Manila, as a scholar.
Mia laughed. Hugging her friend, Eliza rolled her eyes. She was never used to all these hugging and mushy stuff especially when it’s in public remembering all the pain the openness have brought her. Pulling away from her friend’s grasp she made that cute squinty-eyed smile of hers that always makes her friend smile back.
“You still haven’t changed. Still a smart-ass huh?”
“Once a smart-ass, always a smart-ass. And besides, you got anything better for me to do?”
“Nope. Not that I can think of right now, but I’ll let you know after your done here.” Eliza just raised her eyebrow leaving Mia with no other choice but to pinch Eliza on the belly. Hard. “Ow! You know I hate that!”
“Of course I do. Think I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t?”
She scoffed. “It’s not my fault you have a hard time catching up.”
Mia laughed again. Oh how she loves her friend’s humor. It never fails to amuse her.
“Ha! You say that like 6 years is easy to catch up?”
Looking all smug, she said “You know what I’m talking about Maria Antoinette Villega.”
“Of course I know Elizabeth Andrea Deveraux. Now hurry up and get me two Choco-Mocha Lattes, it’s almost lunch break.”
Writing down the order she asked, “You take your lunch break before lunch break?” who would’ve thought that’s possible? Maybe she could work her way through that trick too, if Mia would only teach her how. Working in a coffee shop, in a city towered with tall buildings mostly of huge companies, the employees here nearly get a chance to rest. Even their 30 minute lunch break is not enough and sometimes when it gets too busy they just spend at least half of it to eat and rest.
“No. I don’t even work anywhere near here. I’m here for a real break,” emphasizing the word just as much as how Eliza does it when she’s asking a rhetorical question “I filed for a leave just 3 weeks ago for a vacation. God knows what will happen to me if I don’t get to relax this precious brain of mine.”
“Oh so that’s what reeks. Wait let me go ahead and get a mop before it spills out of your head, it’ll be a great deal of a waste. Speaking about the new tiles, my boss would never forgive me if they get dirty.”
Clearly losing and unable to punch out a good retort Mia decided she’d go for the physical and punched Eliza. Literally. “Hey! That’s the second in 10 minutes. How do you do that?”
“At least now we’re even.” Sticking her tongue out, Eliza wasn’t able to hold back her laughter. Mia looks utterly cute and ridiculous with that look. It feels like they were ten-year olds again. Laughing to themselves Eliza handed out her order, while Mia placed out a ten-dollar bill on the counter and excused herself to use the powder room for awhile.
Eliza was counting the change as she clumsily dropped a few coins on the floor. She was pretty sure there were five pieces that fell. She thought she just heard the chime on the door ring, but didn’t mind it since she was too occupied with the issue she is currently facing. How hard could it be to just pick up a few couple of spare coins that fell on the floor? Besides the fact that she only found three just near from where she’s standing, another around the corner out of the counter and one that rolled out far enough to make it to the door. Hurriedly she stumbled her way to get the coin just in time when she touched it it didn’t quite feel right.
Coins are supposed to feel metal.
Cold.
But this coin was different, it was kind of warm, soft, and it smelled good too. More like sexy and fresh. She’s never felt anything like it. Just when she was holding up the coin, it was when she realized that she was holding a hand--holding the coin!
She flushed.
Slowly raising her head up, unable to let go of what she was holding, she saw a man.
Whoa.
_____________________________________
"Whoa." Blinking several times before she saw him actually smiling at her. Amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment." He winked.
Oh my god! He actually winked at me! Me!
Who would've thought anyone would actually think of doing that?! Slowly taking into account my dishieveled appearance, probably coffee powder all over my shirt and apron, and God knows what. But still...
I felt hot.
Hotter than a newly brewed coffee.
Talk about being a virgin for life! I know I said that I'd be a virgin forever-- on second thoughts...
Honestly what were you thinking? Claiming that you will be a virgin forever?!
Hey, I was young! And, a Catholic!
Not to mention, "Not even Chris Brown can take it away from me." And now some dude you don't know who just happened to walk in and is super sexy just winked at you and now you're falling and bowing down at his feet.
I'm not bowing!
Close enough.
Well that's different.
I started to sweat as I took every inch of him, his physically fit body, with broad shoulders fitting perfectly into his obviously expensive and tailored suit, his wide chest down to his narrow waist. It just made me want to run to church like crazy screaming “Praise the Lord!” and light as many candles as possible until I almost burn myself from what I’m feeling. I bet he'll make Hannah Montana scream "Yeee-Haa!" while doing that little jug-jug, or whatever it is she does.
But nothing else made me felt more idiotic than what I was doing. I felt wet around my mouth. Was I drooling? I hope not. I fought the urge to wipe the corners of my mouth just to check. After gaping at him I finally go to my senses, jerking my hand away I flushed again. “I-I’m sorry sir, I didn’t mean to stare. I mean hold your- ugh, thanks.”
Holding the coin up in my hand, I started backing away just when he reached out for me again and pulled me towards him. “Wait,”
Looking from his face to my hand, and his face again. I started to breathe fast. Like some panting dog waiting to be fed or for a ball to roll up sometime for him to chase it. He didn't need to lay his eyes on anything to light my fire. As long as their on me, it's definitely burning. So hot, it can cause a forest fire and at the same time poke another hole in our Ozone.
“Ugh- Yeah?” I looked around me, and was relieved that nobody seemed to notice our quiet exhange.
Flashing me a grin, those kind that men use to show us women what it means to be a definite charmer, and I was a hundred percent sure he’s one of those men, he pointed behind me saying “I believe you serve coffees here in a cup, and I think it’s not the kind you’re wearing.”
I stared at him mixed with amusement and horror. Nobody has ever flirted with me in over ten-thousand years already and how dare he?!—God, I love you. I mean, if it was considered flirting… I haven’t flirted with anyone for a long time I almost forgot what “flirting” itself was. I was definitely taken aback with what he just said. Who wouldn’t? A drop-dead gorgeous man, his hand on you and that damned smile, I don’t even want to think! But I had to. And it took me at least 5 seconds to understand what he meant. I turned around in time and saw my friend Sheila, and co-employee was actually bringing a pot of Black Coffee with her when I started backing-up. That’s why he pulled me. Pft.
What made you think he pulled you because he was interested in you? Hello? His hand on yours twice in 2 minutes doesn’t mean anything Elizabeth! Where’s that smart-ass brain of yours?! Wake up!
“Will!”
Our hands dropped at that familiar voice and at the same time I turned around to where he was looking behind me. Oops, the fire just went out. It was Mia.
She approached us with her most charming smile her mouth gleamed shining white, it almost felt like she just brushed her teeth. Did she?
As she reached him I noticed his smile grew wider that his eyes sparkled green. It was beautiful, shining like emerald floating against a cloud of white. I erased those observations and started walking away. She hugged him, and he hugged her back. Ouch. Why do I feel this weird , tingly feeling seeing them like this?
I checked again the clock above the door behind him, and realized it just struck 11:30am. Finally. I walked away and put back the change in the cashbox. I could still feel the heat and electricity flow through my arm numb from where he touched. Ugh. I shook away the feeling and fixed the counter. As she was about to check out to give the shift to the other cashier-in-charge Mia walked to her “Liza! I almost forgot I wanted you to meet a colleague.”
Seeing them walk up to where I was standing I wanted to run and hide under the coffee machine or something, even that couldn’t help. “Hey.” I smiled.
Gesturing towards him she began the introductions “Will, this is my long time highschool buddy Elizabeth Deveraux. And Liza, this is a colleague of mine from Ateneo, William Ethans.”
They shook hands as they exchanged greetings. He smiled that mind-bubbling grin again “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
Shoot! The guy’s British! What could get worse? “It’s nice to meet you too.” She can’t help but smile back at the thought, hiding the shaky feeling she began to feel. What else could get worse? Besides a sexy British in a suit in front of you might as well rain tons and tons of Hersheys Kisses. Ooh, I’d gradually accept if it was British kisses just in case. I bet it’s just as good as the chocolates. Hey! What was I thinking?!
This is crazy.
He’s smoking.
Cut it out.
Oh, stop whining and get a life!
Well, maybe I would if I wasn’t stuck here in front of …a crush? Okay Let me just call him that for awhile while I think of a more appropriate term to label him of what he is to me. Okay that’s too far now Elizabeth Andrea, you don’t even know the man yet!
Act your age please for once in your life.
Yeah right, and ruin my job and my studies?
2012 is only 3 years away you know.
“Okay that’s it!” Furious I bursted out like a cork popping out of a fresh bottle of wine. This time was more of a bottle of whine.
“Liza, honey are you okey?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah definitely. It’s all this coffee. Hehehe…”
“Okey, well we’ll just sit by here okey? And go take your lunch, I understand it’s already ten minutes past your break. I’ll wait till you finish here.”
(unsure)
*--Mia may be physically attractive and kind towards others but she never had half of Eliza’s smart mouth and fast retorts. Eliza’s father was a drunkard, and he always got them into trouble. In order to get her father and sister out of the danger of these people she always needed to think fast and move fast. Once they were chased around by huge men in suits while walking a neighbor’s dog in the park when she was fifteen. When she was seventeen she’s conned her way through a private party--on a yacht!-- just to get away from them. It hurts her deep inside remembering the past and all the wasted opportunities she had to sacrifice just to save and protect her sister. At that time she thought she was protecting them as a family, but she soon realized how little she felt of being Andrew’s daughter and instead claimed him as her uncle from a distant relative and was adopted after the loss of their true parents. She was already happy enough having Leaghn at hear side and considered her her only family left after the death of their mother due to influenza 7 months after giving birth to her baby sister.
Live a Night of Hell.
He just fell asleep, but it wasn't soon enough he figured out, that this was the kind of slumber that doesn't get him to wake up.
I'm dead. He thought.
Not because he just realized he was never gonna wake up, but it was because he realized he just did, and he's not where he was the last time he drifted off to dream land. Actually, not anywhere that he knows of.
"Oh hell no." He groaned. Taken aback by how raspy his voice sounded. Maybe it was due to the long sleep he's just had.
There was a chuckling sound somewhere from the far end of the room, but he couldn't quiet identify from which side it was, it was awfully dark and suddenly he felt...scared. Fear. Oh yes, freshly baked fear. Ha! One emotion he never thought he contained since he took hold of that iPhone on their teacher's table.
Actually, that's what he's feeling now. Like he's baked, alive. Like he's in some huge oven over 360 degrees and burning! And the very first place he felt the heat was his hand. His right hand. And it took him a moment to remember, just after the real pain struck in, that this was it.
This was the hand. The one that took over his senses and made him take what wasn't his, not that it was his first time. The hand made him steal, even a couple of times before. But why now? What did an iPhone actually do to bring him here? Where was he by the way?
"Oh hell YES." He felt his spine stiffened behind his back. "I have waited for your arrival for a long time now my dear brother. You are one of the most shameless people who has every walked the earth, Drei." The mysterious being chuckled in amusement and what almost seemed like...pride.
And that's when he saw. His face finally visible like some spotlight shone on him from somewhere. It was Roe. How did he get here?!
Roe raised his eyebrows. "Why do you look so surprise,brother? Didn't you miss me?"
Drei looked startled by the sudden sound of sarcasm and threat in his voice. Roe was never the kind to threat anyone, not even when he was at the verge of his patience. "Roe?"
He laughed. A sound so dark and musty...almost evil. "I have to say, that move with my iPhone was pretty smooth at that time,Drei. But, you can't just run and hide. Somehow, everyone must pay the price."
Then he gave Drei that look. A look of coldness and rage that what used to be golden and hazel gems for his eyes, turned red. Burning with fire as Roe's glare seemed to pin him down and burn him until he's ashes.
__________________________________________
I hope satan’s minions peel your skin off from every part of your body while your tied up on a bed, and while their at it...their poking your g live flesh out of your wits. You scream in pain. You wail in suffering begging them to stop...which they won't. And then they are pulling off each of your toes from your feet, and your fingers from your hands. Different minions, different tasks. One minion grabs a handful of your hair and pulls it soo hard it rips off your head. You make ear piercing screams that seem to fill out every non-existing corners of Satan's torture chamber. It's so painful its worse that NCAE. And now, while your literally bare and naked in front of all of them somebody from the crowd pinches out a piece of meat from your leg...its stretches out from your whole body...
Then it snaps! Oh yeah…
You think it’s pain? It’s hell? It’s worse.
And what’s worse?
There’s more.
After the mind shattering and excruciating pain you just felt from all this physical abomination and after listening to your own screams of horror, you slowly, tediously open your eyes…and could not believe what you saw. You couldn’t tell if it was the difference of the outer and physical pain or just the heartrending feeling you got when you’ve finally absorbed what you saw, and you realize…it wasn’t just what you saw.
It was who you saw.
Seeing them doing it to you themselves, pain or even death seems inferior. No words or feelings can explain the different sensations flowing through your mind right then, nothing that you thought might even exist. But maybe it did. Maybe not in our world, but in satan’s it does. Hell does taste sweet. Sweet enough for your own sins to dig up on your own bare flesh.
But she was smiling. How can she afford to smile like that like she was just complimented about how pretty her hair was??
Oh, Sally. Why? What are you doing here? And with mom and dad? Why do you have to do this to me? You thought.
But your oh so sweet Sally just smiled all the more, and it seems like she’s enjoying this. Your distress. Your pain. It was agonizing for you and yet--Oh what a loving sister she is, don’t you think? Maybe she’s just thinking positive, that perhaps spilling your favorite iced tea on your fresh wounds would help heal them despite the other sharp, stabbing feeling you get once that cold and sweet beverage touch your bare skin on your leg.
Your mother and father seems to be encouraging her guessing from the look on their faces, though you barely hear what their saying, or even understand them since it seems like they’re talking but you were sure it was a language other than English, Cebuano or anything you know of the sort.
Smiling silently to himself at the very end of the room, pleased, Roe stood up from the post that he was leaning on the whole time while he was watching them, Drei's family, torture Drei to the depths of his despair. "Enough."
And they stopped.
__________________________________
"Drei!" Knock. Knock. Knock.
The pain, the mind numbing pain. It's all over him. His arms, his legs, his neck, his head...his chest.
"NooooO!" He jerked out of bed so hard he suddenly fell back down with his hand on his head. He shut his eyes tight. And suddenly he thought of everything. He stood up quickly and off his bed enough to make him dizzy and he ended up stumbling over his sidebed lamp.
Thud. The lamp and some books fell on the floor beside his bed.
"Drei! Wake up! You're almost late for school!" The familiar voice from the other side of the door made him confused. He didn't know what to think. Should he be happy his mom's back to normal and is waking him up like she usually does? Or should he open his eyes to the possibilities that his mom...might not be his mom.
(to be continued...)
I'm dead. He thought.
Not because he just realized he was never gonna wake up, but it was because he realized he just did, and he's not where he was the last time he drifted off to dream land. Actually, not anywhere that he knows of.
"Oh hell no." He groaned. Taken aback by how raspy his voice sounded. Maybe it was due to the long sleep he's just had.
There was a chuckling sound somewhere from the far end of the room, but he couldn't quiet identify from which side it was, it was awfully dark and suddenly he felt...scared. Fear. Oh yes, freshly baked fear. Ha! One emotion he never thought he contained since he took hold of that iPhone on their teacher's table.
Actually, that's what he's feeling now. Like he's baked, alive. Like he's in some huge oven over 360 degrees and burning! And the very first place he felt the heat was his hand. His right hand. And it took him a moment to remember, just after the real pain struck in, that this was it.
This was the hand. The one that took over his senses and made him take what wasn't his, not that it was his first time. The hand made him steal, even a couple of times before. But why now? What did an iPhone actually do to bring him here? Where was he by the way?
"Oh hell YES." He felt his spine stiffened behind his back. "I have waited for your arrival for a long time now my dear brother. You are one of the most shameless people who has every walked the earth, Drei." The mysterious being chuckled in amusement and what almost seemed like...pride.
And that's when he saw. His face finally visible like some spotlight shone on him from somewhere. It was Roe. How did he get here?!
Roe raised his eyebrows. "Why do you look so surprise,brother? Didn't you miss me?"
Drei looked startled by the sudden sound of sarcasm and threat in his voice. Roe was never the kind to threat anyone, not even when he was at the verge of his patience. "Roe?"
He laughed. A sound so dark and musty...almost evil. "I have to say, that move with my iPhone was pretty smooth at that time,Drei. But, you can't just run and hide. Somehow, everyone must pay the price."
Then he gave Drei that look. A look of coldness and rage that what used to be golden and hazel gems for his eyes, turned red. Burning with fire as Roe's glare seemed to pin him down and burn him until he's ashes.
__________________________________________
I hope satan’s minions peel your skin off from every part of your body while your tied up on a bed, and while their at it...their poking your g live flesh out of your wits. You scream in pain. You wail in suffering begging them to stop...which they won't. And then they are pulling off each of your toes from your feet, and your fingers from your hands. Different minions, different tasks. One minion grabs a handful of your hair and pulls it soo hard it rips off your head. You make ear piercing screams that seem to fill out every non-existing corners of Satan's torture chamber. It's so painful its worse that NCAE. And now, while your literally bare and naked in front of all of them somebody from the crowd pinches out a piece of meat from your leg...its stretches out from your whole body...
Then it snaps! Oh yeah…
You think it’s pain? It’s hell? It’s worse.
And what’s worse?
There’s more.
After the mind shattering and excruciating pain you just felt from all this physical abomination and after listening to your own screams of horror, you slowly, tediously open your eyes…and could not believe what you saw. You couldn’t tell if it was the difference of the outer and physical pain or just the heartrending feeling you got when you’ve finally absorbed what you saw, and you realize…it wasn’t just what you saw.
It was who you saw.
Seeing them doing it to you themselves, pain or even death seems inferior. No words or feelings can explain the different sensations flowing through your mind right then, nothing that you thought might even exist. But maybe it did. Maybe not in our world, but in satan’s it does. Hell does taste sweet. Sweet enough for your own sins to dig up on your own bare flesh.
But she was smiling. How can she afford to smile like that like she was just complimented about how pretty her hair was??
Oh, Sally. Why? What are you doing here? And with mom and dad? Why do you have to do this to me? You thought.
But your oh so sweet Sally just smiled all the more, and it seems like she’s enjoying this. Your distress. Your pain. It was agonizing for you and yet--Oh what a loving sister she is, don’t you think? Maybe she’s just thinking positive, that perhaps spilling your favorite iced tea on your fresh wounds would help heal them despite the other sharp, stabbing feeling you get once that cold and sweet beverage touch your bare skin on your leg.
Your mother and father seems to be encouraging her guessing from the look on their faces, though you barely hear what their saying, or even understand them since it seems like they’re talking but you were sure it was a language other than English, Cebuano or anything you know of the sort.
Smiling silently to himself at the very end of the room, pleased, Roe stood up from the post that he was leaning on the whole time while he was watching them, Drei's family, torture Drei to the depths of his despair. "Enough."
And they stopped.
__________________________________
"Drei!" Knock. Knock. Knock.
The pain, the mind numbing pain. It's all over him. His arms, his legs, his neck, his head...his chest.
"NooooO!" He jerked out of bed so hard he suddenly fell back down with his hand on his head. He shut his eyes tight. And suddenly he thought of everything. He stood up quickly and off his bed enough to make him dizzy and he ended up stumbling over his sidebed lamp.
Thud. The lamp and some books fell on the floor beside his bed.
"Drei! Wake up! You're almost late for school!" The familiar voice from the other side of the door made him confused. He didn't know what to think. Should he be happy his mom's back to normal and is waking him up like she usually does? Or should he open his eyes to the possibilities that his mom...might not be his mom.
(to be continued...)
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