alternate ending for Jennifer's Secret...

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for the complete story of the episode, click the link below..

http://timelessmovieclassics.blogspot.com/2009/07/jennifers-secret-after-i-stepped-out-of.html

note: Sentences typed in red are part of the alternative ending

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At this point, I felt a draft of cold wind blowing on me and touching my hair softly..

"From where I am I saw the man take something out. The man was talking to Florante. Jenny looked very agitated. I stood up, rushed towards them. But it happened so fast!. I saw Jenny step between the man and Flor. In a split second, Iheard a gunshot. Jenny took the bullet intended for Flor. It entered her heart and she fell on the auditorium floor..Then there was another gunshot"

"There was screaming and the orchestra stopped the music.."
I felt tears rushing down my cheeks at this point. The images of the incident came vividly to my imagination..

"I knelt beside Jenny. She was whispering..' Dad, that was Marlon..I am sorry..He wanted to kill Flor. I did not know he would be coming here..' She started to cough blood.

I could hear several men shouting and footsteps were heard all over the place. I did not look behind me. Just focused my attention to Jenny. .But I think I heard the sound of a body fall to the cement floor and some shouts and sickening sounds.There was a brief scuffle. Then silence...My ears were listening to my daughter whispering over and over.." Dad, my soul won't rest until I will finish this dance with Flor.." She must have said this sentence three times, then she became very quiet..."

At this point, I felt dizzy, recollecting Jenny's countenance, her sweet smile after I ended the dance with her that night and we walked back to our seat.."I love you, Jenny, I am so sorry..!!!!" I said aloud. I remember the harsh hateful words I said about her. There was a soft sensation of a gentle cool air brushing by my ear, Then as sudden as it appeared, the smell of the perfume and the very cold draft vanished..

I brushed my eyes and cheeks with my hands.

"What happened to Marlon?.." I asked.

"The guy did not have any chance. Many of my relatives were at the Auditorium that night," he answered.. "Two were policemen. One of them told me not to worry, just look after Jenny.. They will take care of Marlon.. Florante died with a second bullet from the gunman..

It was 20 minutes to 12:00 noon.

"Who was the woman I danced with?.. Was it Jenny's spirit ?.."I asked

"That was her all right. Now, I have to tell you more secrets, not just her but about our family. In every generation since we heard and remember from our family lore, there is always a member gifted with life longevity and a skill for white magic..
"Did you hear that one of our great, great grand father had lived for almost 600 years? Similar to the people during the biblical times. Only an accident that would destroy some vital parts of our bodies would cut our life short. They say that long before the arrival of the Spaniards, there existed a village of people in Santa Ana whose life span was almost limitless. This community was burned by the conquistadores and some missionaries tried to brainwash them from believing in things which are not taught by the church.
“I am one of those gifted as such. During a drowning accident, my wife died after a few minutes but I was only in a coma after I was pulled out of the water for 15 minutes. The doctors were amazed how I survived that 15 minutes under water.. Only fishes could do that, but remember that man’s ancestors once upon a time lived in the ocean until one tried to walk out of the water into land..
“When I survived, I asked the doctors to keep my escape from death a secret. During my supposed to be ’ funeral’ with my wife, a cadaver from the morgue took my place inside a closed casket. I attended my wife’s funeral from a distance and protected by a disguise.
My brother from Sacramento arrived to attend my "funeral" He brought with him a large amount of money from Jenny's Life Insurance. Plus he endowed Jenny with a large sum of money, deposited in a Swiss bank and accessible with a number.. He would just phone in Jenny’s new name so she can access the money in the near future.
Jenny's heart was smashed by a bullet. But her very strong spirit survived and would not leave until she finishes her last wish.
I went back to this house as a caretaker, I kept the life insurance money safe somewhere here. It so easy to spread tales about the house being haunted, especially it is located in a very secluded area in Asingan. The reputation kept nosy people away. I was the caretaker looking after the house, the garden and the stash of money inside. Mine was not a very lonely existence. Jenny and her Mom too always visited and talked with me in my dreams …
" A few days before the town fiesta, Jenny asked from me a very BIG favour..I know she knows I can do that, but I was hesitant to give it to her.."
“What favour was that?”
“I will not tell you the actual name, only what happens if I use some incantations from a small book of oracles, incantations and spells we have upstairs. It is an old, handwritten book written on several pages of thin animal skin bound with leather thongs. I am gifted with this “white magic“, and I am the only one who could make the incantations work.. By saying the incantation at the right time of the day, I can exchange my soul with another bodiless soul or spirit...
“I exchanged my soul with Jenny's for the first time that day when you saw her at the resort. But the exchange was only good for 12 hours. Even for this brief of time, she agreed. She disappeared exactly midnight that time. My body changed its physical properties when Jenny entered it. And will change again when my soul returns to it…
“This kind of spirit exchange in a body has certain risks..
"What is the risk, sir?” I asked with a trembling voice.
“It is very possible that the evil souls lurking about in the invisible world around us would enter my body, instead of Jenny's.. Then both of us will be imprisoned in a nameless abyss in the other world as a sort of punishment…
“But you were able to do it that time !” I said.
"Yes..the best time to do it is when the clock strikes mid day because that is when, all the evil spirits nearby become powerless until the bell finishes its 12th toll. It is the time of the Angelus and the evil spirits have no power against the Mother of God..
“I must get out of my body and she must get in very precisely: no distraction, otherwise Jenny and I will both be thrown into that deep pit.....
“Jenny visited me last night She knows you are coming today. She wants us to do the exchange again, this time permanently..”
I glanced at my watch, it was already 5 minutes to 12 noon..
The old man took my hand..
"Goodbye, my son! You are now my son and I am happy to be a free spirit again for Jenny's sake because we have found you who will take care of Jenny in her second life...
“Promise me to love her deeply and strongly. And be brave enough to do something in case something goes wrong....After the exchanging of souls had taken place, and you find out it is not Jenny who took possession of my body, , take this long bolo and pierce it in its heart,,,"
He took out a very long and sharp bolo, together with a silver crucifix..
“The moment you see whoever comes down, even if it looks like Jenny, show this crucifix immediately. The creature will collapse in fear. Then you must bury this knife in its heart.. Promise me you will do this!”
The clock showed 11:58..
“I will, my Father..”
“Farewell my son, take care of my beloved Jenny!"
As he walked away towards a stair case, I heard a low murmuring sound upstairs..There seem to be many people whispering and mumbling in weird tones...
As the clock struck twelve, the voices stopped. There was an opening and closing of a door upstairs. I waited tensely for the clock to finish its 12th chime...On its 11th chime, a piercing cry echoed in the whole house..There came hideous noises. As the 12th chime tolled, there was a fluttering of wings like several bats. Then silence..
Then the door opened slowly, shut itself and I heard footsteps. The slow footsteps started to descend down the staircase...
The sound continued and then I saw a lady in white coming down...Reaching the bottom of the stair case, she walked towards me.It looked like Jenny, , but her face was very solemn, unsmiling.
IS IT REALLY JENNY?
I opened the drawer of the table before me..I gripped the cross with my left hand, the bolo with my right..
The figure stopped about four feet away. Still it did not talk or smile..
I took out the crucifix and flashed it towards her with outstretched arm.
After 2 seconds the figure smiled slowly. I did not put the cross down yet, waiting for the fangs to be bared if she opens her mouth...
Then she laughed in her characterstic fashion and shouted: "Fred, you idiot!! Couldn't you recognize me??" Then she laughed so loud that I really felt like an idiot..” I am sorry for this dirty trick.” she said apologizing sincerely…

His dad was able to make it and he is already a free spirit..
She rushed towards me and I hugged her very tight. Jenny said: "Hey what are you trying to do: kill me??"

We both laughed again without releasing each other.. Oh. I missed her and I thought I would never see her again…

I whispered: "Smile.. Show me your whole set of teeth! I want to check for fangs..”
She smiled, closed her eyes and I kissed her open mouth passionately.
First kiss, quite a long one.. Then she said, "There is a small room down there in the hall.."
　
***

Half an hour later, Jenny and I went out into the front yard which was bathed with an unbelievably bright light...Jenny was wearing a pair of big sunglasses, a light coloured summer dress and a wide brimmed summer hat. She was also carrying a purse full of US $ in big denominations. ..

She told me while we were still inside the house that she must get a new passport under a new name since Jenny Acierto is already officially dead. There are many people in the city who are good in producing these kinds of papers, she said..

“How do you know? I asked her..

“Did you forget that I was a free and invisible spirit for quite a while and I could travel like the wind?” she laughed again. “And I went all over the place. Could not stay in Asingan all the time. Sometimes the town gets boring..”
　

When Pastor saw us, he waved his hand and shouted: "Sir!! is everything okay?.."
"Yes,” I said. Pastor saw my lady companion. "Good afternoon, Madam.. I did not know there is a beautiful lady in that house.."
"Hello Pastor..I am a cousin of the late Jenny Acierto. I just arrived last night. I missed the town fiesta because I had to finish some papers in Manila yesterday.."

Pastor replied: "Wow! You look like her all right!. Your family must have lots of beauties.. “

I cut in saying: "Too bad, Pastor, you are already married. Besides you are a Pastor, remember? Setting a good example to your flock?.

“But I have good news for you, my man. I said. "Nelly here wants to hire you as a caretaker of this house. You can bring in your family and some relatives to live with you..And you can hold some Gospel meetings in the backyard. Maybe even build a chapel . We will pay you well so you won’t have to drive your motor bike again.“

Pastor broke into a grin and cried: "Oh thank you, thank you Madam?…”

"Dardanella Acierto..Just call me Nelly!"

"Thank you Madam Nelly.."

"We are going to Manila today, Pastor." I said. “But first, let us go to Crystal Glades for some Arroz Caldo con Corazon“…#
　
Copyright by VICTORIO COSTES, 2009..
　
　
　
　

a contribution from Icarus

Kalburo Nights
by icarus


Tatang, my grandfather whom I grow up with is not only an outstanding farmer but is also a fine fisherman. When he goes to the farm to tend to his ricefields, he always had with him, strapped on his waist, his “alat” a woven bamboo basket with a narrow neck plugged with a cleverly devised cone of flattened bamboo sticks that allows things to slide in but not out. The things he put in his “alat” includes “dalag”, “paltat”, ar-aro, “dakumo”, bisokol”, “leddeg”, “tukak” not necessarily at the same time or in any particular order. He does not intently spend his time looking for these but in the bygone days, these species were plentiful in the Masicampo and the Pagumpias, two large tracts of open rice land in Asingan that borders Dupac, respectively on the east and on the west. These rice lands are also rich fishing grounds. A puddle in the paddies always had some stranded dalag or paltat. An old footprint in the rice field teems with leddeg and bisukol. An opening in the tambak would indicate a burrowed dakumo or two. Underneath heaps of mown rice stalks are frogs seeking shelter. My Tatang, wise on the ways of farm survival, has an uncanny instinct for this things and they invariably end up inside his alat.

Sometimes on a rainy afternoon, he would send me to town to buy ‘kalburo” (Calcium Carbide). Astride that big old fashion bicycle, I sit on the bike’s frame rather than the saddle which is too high for a young boy. I would pedal my way to Lua’s Variety Store, my butt obscenely swaying from side to side, my torso rhythmically forming and reversing in S-shape, as I strain to reach the pedals. Wet and muddy from racing with chasing dogs, I would insert myself inside the crowd of buyers lining the counters. Not wanting to get in contact with my armor of mud, they would unwittingly part to allow me to buy ahead - half a kilo of those gray lumps from the old Chinese grocer. On the way home, the same dogs would be waiting in ambush, raring to get their revenge from being outraced earlier - but that’s for another story. Mixed with water, kalburo gives off acetylene, a combustible gas that fires my tatang’s olden bronze “lampa” giving off a bright yellow light that reflects brightly on its shiny parabolic reflector. Lampa is the local term for a carbide lamp consisting of two cylindrical bronze chambers and a flame nozzle centered on a reflecting dish. The lower chamber holds the carburo; the upper chamber holds water and had knobs to regulate the flame. That’s what the old folks use before there were any flashlights.

When the rain intensifies in the evening, Tatang would load his lampa, put on his “bistukol” and “annanga”, strap on his alat, grab his “tallakeb”and walk right into the dark rainy night. He would be preceded by an ellipse of illuminated ground courtesy of the kalburo-fired lampa. All over the wide expanse of the masicampo and the pagumpias one could see solitary spots of lights moving about, piercing the black darkness of the pouring monsoon. They are from the lampas of hardy fish seekers and frog hunters called “mannilaw” just like my tatang.

Fish and frogs and other fresh-water denizens are particularly friendly on rainy days, especially during heavy downpours. Their eyes shine like embers from the reflection of light. Caught in the focused brightness, they froze on their tracks like stones waiting to be picked up. Like clockwork, Tatang always comes back after an hour or so, his alat filled to the brim with tukak, pellat, dalag or whatever is in season. The catches are kept in separate “burnays”. What we cannot consume, my Inang would sell in the market the following market day.

But one night, my Tatang could not return within the expected time and my Inang was worried and concerned. His share of the evening snack – two ears of boiled corn – lay cold waiting for him. We can usually spot him approaching from 5o meters even in the heaviest monsoon. But passed an hour, two hours, three hours going four - still no sign of an approaching lampa. After supper that night he listened to the chorus of frogs croaking all around and determined that they’re more plentiful in the Pagumpias, so off he went to that direction. My Inang is about to go out and seek for help when Brownie our old dog barked. He barked incessantly, facing the direction of the Pagumpias yet I could see no Lampa coming. He kept barking until his bark turned into an excited whine and then I was relieved to see my Tatang emerge from the hedges of “saluyot” just after the bamboo thicket. “Tatang, tatang…”, I ran out to met him in the drizzle. He fondly shielded my head with his wide palm. Gone is his lampa and he has no alat. No tallakeb or bistokol, only the remnants of his tattered annanga. “What happened to you, you kept us all worried?” my Inang anxiously asked. “Oh, you wont believe me if I told you, Baket. Please hand me those dry clothes first. I’m freezing.” He dries up and changed clothes. “So, what actually happened?”, Inang persevered. “And where is your catch?” “I don’t know, my alat might have dropped somewhere, Im not sure…I got lost in the dark…“ , stammered my usually self-assured tatang. I can see from his face a trace of distress like he was stunned or had just come off a bad dream. And very tired.

“The catch is plentiful tonight”, he started. “I was just across the “kalungkong” about a hundred meters from here and already, my alat is half full. I was thinking to get back early when my lampa went off because of the strong wind. Not wanting to go home with half a basket, I tried to reignite the lampa with the few matchsticks that I brought. But each time the stick lighted it quickly gets snuffed out by the driving wind - until I ran out of matchsticks. I looked around. There were many lights from fellow mannilaw but they were too far off. But there, about a hundred meters to the southwest, I saw the light of another “mannilaw”.

Quickly, I grabbed my tallakeb and proceeded towards his direction. But I could not just walk in the middle of the newly planted rice paddies, I have to follow the “tambak”. By the time I got to where he stood just a few minutes back, he has gone somewhere else. I was not closing the gap at all so I groped and walked even faster in the dark, chasing after the fellow mannilaw. Sometimes it gets bright and sometimes it disappears from view. But there it is in the general direction of southwest. I half run and half stumbled. The hundred meters become eighty and then sixty, then forty…! At last I could light up my lampa and continue with the catch… Thirty meters, twenty, fifteen…”Can I have a light, my friend?”, I called his attention in between my pantings. Only ten meters now. It was so dark but I was coming so close! And then the light stopped moving as if waiting to light up my lampa. Ah, the fellow heard me, at last.

I hurriedly groped my way to the stationary light, and touch the flame with my lampa’s nozzle. It lighted with a zap. “Thank you my friend”, I mumbled. I was so grateful as my eyes adjust to the brightness only to realize that no one was holding the candle… Candle?!! I turned my lampa to my right and saw an arched window. I beamed my lampa around. More arched windows… and brick walls… and cornice and old stained glass panels. And then I realized! I was alone inside the Ermita, that old abandoned chapel in the middle of the “kamposanto” – the graveyard!”

My Tatang tried to scream but no sound came out. He just run and run and run! He’s been had by the “mangiyaw-awan”. He never tried to recover his missing lampa. And he never bought a new one either. It was a good excuse not to go night-fishing again. Ever!
.

Jennifer's Secret

After I stepped out of the Municipal building, I caught a tricycle who has just dropped off a fare."Where to, Sir?" he asked. I just repeated what the Municipio's Information Officer said.:"Take the road for Bantog, continue until you see the Crystal Glade. Then you turn left at thefirst dirt road. Continue driving about a kilometer until you see a concrete house with a red roof."I want you to wait for me outside, no matter how long it takes me to finish my business inside.Don't worry, I will pay you whatever you wish..""Just give me 500 pesos sir, and you can have me, I mean my ride for half a day.." the driversaid.
"Thanks! What's your name again?""I am called Pastor. But my real name is Mario. I am really a pastor of a small congregation herein Asingan. But the group is small, the collection is not enough to support me and my family so Idrive this thing for my daily expenses..But I always give a fiery sermon every Sunday."Then he started his mtorbike and I heard an audible beeping sound like that of a car alarm. Itseems he switches it on when he pulls out of a parking lot or when he is overtaking somepedestrians or another tricycle.After we passed by Bantog, we saw Crystal Glade from a distance. We came upon the barangayboundary and the dirt road which would finally bring us to our destination. As the tricycleslowed down because of the dirt and sand instead of the concrete that composes the main road,my heart started to beat faster than normal. After what seems to be an endless stretch of ticefields nordered with acacia trees and various shrubs, we finally sighted the house with the redroof...###I knocked on the newly varnished wooden door, and after a few seconds, it opened and a manabout 70 years old came out..He seemed happy when he saw me and he asked, "are you Albert?.." he asked peering through a pair of astigmatic eyes."Sorry sir, but my nane is Alfred, or Fred.He seemed to be mildly taken abck."Would you like to come in?""Thank you," I replied and I wiped my shoes before entering the living room.The living room was nicely decorated very much like a North American home.I took a seat on acomfortable leather chair. On a wall near me was a big framed photo of Jenny, similar to theone I saw in the Municipio, but this one is tinted with a few colours, the way they did in the olddays before colour printing was prevalent."Sir, are you the father of Jenny?." "Yes, he answered nodding his head."Is he at home?..Can I see her?""She's not here right now.""Where is she?. Did she go back to Sacramento?" My voice trembled a bit.He looked at me with inquiring eyes, but he hesitated to answer.I spoke again. " I have to see her. It is very important that I must talk with her.""When did you see her?" he asked with an expression that I can not describe."Yesterday, I met her at the MJV resort. Then last night she attended the Balikbayan Dance withme and we danced one time. "I noticed that his eyes widened a bit for a few seconds, then she glanced briefly at the her picturehanging on the wall..Then he fell again into a lapse of silence.I started to feel uncomfortable. After two or three minutes of his defeaning silence, I stood upand announced: "Sir, if you do not want me to see her, then I want to leave now. I am sorry forwhat ever inconvenience I have caused.." My voice was louder than usual..All of a sudden, he broke his silence and blank expression then said: "No, no, stay here!..I believeyou. I believe you are her friend. If you have come this far, then you are entitled to knoweverything about Jenny..."I sat down again."Jenny is our only child. She was born in a small house that stood in this same place years ago.We were very poor then, I am just a farmer and my wife sells vegetables in the market. Like anyparent, I wanted the best for Jenny because she was very intelligent, very sensible and she wasvery beautiful.."She attended the barrio high school here and she showed much promise in the classroom. Shehad also many friends because she was kind hearted and helpful. During her third year, she metAlbert, a classmate and the son of my good friend living in the same area here. But at that time,they were just good friends however I felt that someday, they might get married.."One day, I received a letter from my brother in California. He made good in his business and heoffered to adopt Jenny. Her Mother and I felt bad, but then I know my brother is a goodperson, so we agreed. Soon her papers came and we signed them. We felt broken hearted whenshe left us at the airport.."He paused a bit as if to regroup his mind and voice."But she made good there abroad. She finished nursing in Sacramento after which she foundwork in the same hospital where she did volunteer work as a candy striper. She helped thenurses and looked after some patients. She held the same position for several years. But sheremained faithful to Albert and they exchanged letters regularly. Hand written letters done inpink stationery and filled with love..Albert visited us also regularly, and we treated him as if hewere our own son. When I saw you, I was struck by your uncanny resemblance to him.."In 1995, she decided to come home for a visit. First time since her departure from Asingan. Ihave many relatives in the Municipal building and they decided to make her Ms. Balikbayan.Albert, of course automatically was the escort."In 1994, a year before her visit, she told Albert, and Albert told us, that a young man who lives in Southern California, a small town near San Diego, met her in a birthday party. He fell in lovewith her. She told him she is already engaged to someone here. But this guy, Marlon is his name,told her that he will not stop loving her until she is already married..She tells everything toAlbert and Albert tells everything to us..But she told us not to worry. The guy she said is goodhearted, very kind and she tells him very often that she can not love him back..A few months before her holiday, she told us Marlon started to e-mail her love notes, leavemessages in her voice mail...One day, he e-mailed her that he will kill her boy friend so he canmarry her. Jenny said if he won't stop his barrage of e-mails, she will go to the Police and ask fortheir protection. She threatened him and then she told us he finally stopped..He just e-mail heronce in a while but she never answered any of them. She said, she just deleted anything comingfrom him..He stopped talking again..He stood up and said, "Can I get you anything to drink, Cokeperhaps?.I need some water..""I am okay! I said"..He resumed his narration when he came back.."It was a joyful celebration when she arrived. At the beginning of 1994, she started sending usmoney for the construction of this house. It is not quite complete, as you can see. But it will soonbe..She arrived 2 days before her coronation night.." The auditorium was lavishly decorated by her friends and kinfolks, especially those from theMunicipio. One time Albert and her went to the municipio and a clerk asked: ' Are you going toapply for a marriage license?' The big crowd following her around laughed.."Then came the Coronation night.." At this point, I smelled a faint odor. It was Jenny's perfume.."She was a vision of delight and happiness, " continued her father.." She marched down towardsthe throne, then some dignitaries crowned her. She was smiling all the while..Then the emceeannounced the Royal Dance. The orchestra played TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA..Her perfume scent became stronger.." Albert took her down to dance, together with the otherreigning beauties..I stood up too, looking at her all the time. A few photographers and one videocameraman were aiming their cameras at her.."And then..I did not even notice it, a man approached Jenny and Albert"..At this point, I felt a draft of cold wind blowing on me and touching my hair softly.."From whereI am I saw the man took something out. The man was talking to Albert. Jenny looked veryagitated. I stood up, rushed towards them.But it happened so fast!. I saw Jenny step between the man and Albert. In a split second, Iheard a gunshot. Jenny took the bullet intended for Albert. It entered her heart and she fell onthe auditorium floor.."I felt tears rushing down my cheeks at this point. The images of the incident came vividly to myimagination.."I knelt beside Jenny. She was whispering..' Dad, that was Marlon..I am sorry..He wanted to killAlbert..I heard several men shouting and footsteps were heard all over the place. I did not lookbehind me. Just focused at Jenny..But I think I heard the sound of a body fall to the cement andsome shouts and sickening sounds....My ears wre listening to my daughter whispering over andover.." Dad, my soul won't rest until I will finish this dance with Albert.." She must have said thissentence three times, then she became very still..."At this point, I felt dizzy, recollecting Jenny's countenance, her sweet smile after I ended thedance and we walked back to our seat.."I love you, Jenny, I am so sorry..!!!!" I said aloud. Therewas a soft sensation of a gentle cool air brushing by my ear, Then as sudden as it appeared, thesmell of the perfume and the very cold draft dissapeared..I brushed my eyes and cheeks. "What happened to Marlon?..""Many of my relatives were at the Auditorium that night," he answered.."Two were policemen.One of them told me not to worry, just look after Jenny..They will take care of Marlon..AndAlbert, the shock was too much for him. He also collapsed a few minutes later. He went to acoma. He is still alive but he is immobile.He lives in a long term care hospital.His expenses aretaken cared of by Jenny, posthumously. She had lots of investment bonds and her life insurancewas quite a lot. We were the beneficiaries..."I looked at the time..It was quarter to 12:00 noon."Who was the woman I danced with?..Was it Jenny's spirit ?.."Jenny's dad answered.."My grandmother once told me, that if a person has left something urgent which is unfinished before she or he dies, then the spirit would come once a year, our earth year, until it is completed..My grandmother was a spiritualist. She said, it is possible for a soul to become a "quasi human being", but only for 24 hours..."I hope I was able to enlighten you about Jenny.Now I feel so tired...I think I will take a nap. Thanks for your visit, son...Just lock the door on your way out.." He stood up, walked into a stairway going up the second floor."Thank you.." I whispered softly.I looked at Jenny's photo. I expected it to smile, but it didn't. The perfume smell is gone. Thecold draft is gone. After I examined every photo of Jenny in the living room, I felt it was time for me to leave. I locked the door as I stepped my way out into a glaring mid day sun...###I saw Pastor outside. He was sitting inside his tricycle. He was reading a small bible.."How did it go, sir?""Oh it was okay," I said.."Say how about lunch?..Let us drop by Crystal Glade. I heard they havedelicious arroz caldo there..Arroz caldo de Corazon....Some of the ingredients are chicken liverand chicken hearts...""Sure..Only a sick person refuses any offered food.. I am as healthy as a carabao.."We sat down at the Crystal Glade beside the swimming pool. There were a couple of teen-agedgirls there swimming clad in bras and thongs.."Hey, Pastor" I said.."Is it bad to look at bikini clad women?" I asked with a smile.."No, he said. "I look at them myself..if my wife is not around..""Good man!" I said and we laughed."By the way, did you wait long?..I asked him.."No, he said..You were there only two minutes!..Don't worry you can give me just 300 pesos..500is for half a day.."Are you sure??"..I asked this question about the length of time not about the money. "I swear.."I knew I was there for two hours at least..It was 10:00 am when I entered the house. My watchand the grandfather clock in the living room showed 10:00 am.. When I went out of the door,the grandfather clock showed 10 minutes to 12 noon..."By the way" Pastor asked.."What did you do inside the house?.Are you planning to buy it? Eversince that beauty queen died 5 years ago, it has been up for sale. ""Oh, you know about her?..""Yes, I heard she was shot by a jealous boy friend..from America. There were investigators fromthe US Consulate. He was reported missing by the company he worked for. When theinvestigators visited the Municipal Police Department, they said they knew nothing about theguy..No Marlon de Vera came to Asingan, they said..""How about the parents of the Beauty Queen? Aren't they living in that house?..""Both the Father and the Mother died a month later after her death. They went to Urdaneta toget some money and the jeep they were in lost its brakes. The jeep went down into that deepditch before the bridge. The driver and the couple drowned because the river there was deep atthat time..Nobody lives in that house for years. Only a caretaker comes once a week to clean it""WHAT??..BUT..." I stopped what I was about to say. I looked at my watch, it was only 10:15 am."Shit" I told myself, " I can not tell this pastor I talked with the Beauty Queen's dad..He mightblab it in his sermon and people will call me crazy..""Sir, if you buy it, I will rent from you if you need someone to take care of it..Nobody likes to buyit because they say it is haunted.Now it is cheap...But I am not scared. I know some prayers ofexorcism. Will drive the spooks away..for you. No charge..! I can give you references as to mycharacter. ""Yeah, I can tell you are an honest person.."The two arroz caldos arrived. They smelled good!"Okay, I will think about it. In the meantime, let us eat before these chicken soup with hearts getcold.---#

FOR THE ALTERNATE ENDING CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK...

http://timelessmovieclassics.blogspot.com/2009/07/jennifers-secret-after-i-stepped-out-of.html

part 1 of last chapter..

part 3: DESPERATELY SEEKING JENNIFER

Upon reaching MJV, I went immediately to the night clerk and asked: "Has Jenny Acierto came back ?"

"Yes sir, she came back half an hour ago. Then she packed all her things and she checked out.."
"She, WHATT???"

The news fell down on me like a ton of bricks.
"Did she leave a letter for me or maybe a forwarding adress where I can reach her?"
"Nothing at all, sir.." the girl seemed scared at my expression and my loud voice..
I took a $5 bill from my wallet and spread it on the table. My mind started to go crazy.

"Can I see her room, please. It is very, very important to me.."

Okay sir, but please do not tell this to Madam Polly.." she slowly placed the money in the drawer.
　
She brought me to the luxury suite on the third floor of the newly erected annex building. This is the best floor in the house. It overlooks a whole view of Asingan ricefields from Carusucan to Domanpot and maybe Macalong.

As she opened the door, I smelled again her perfume, the one she used when I first saw her at the restaurant. She switched on the light. The bed appeared to be unused. I cursorily looked for a letter, or any kind of paper that could provide a clue to her next whereabouts. But there was nothing..

"I could not believe this," I said. My love for her is slowly changing into anger.

"Okay, dearie" I said. You can close it again. I am going back to my room.."

As I about to open the door, I wished ( although it was a fat chance ) that she would be inside, waiting for me. But as I switched on the light I saw the usual view and my bed which still unmade. I threw myself into it and tried to sleep.

Then came a knocking on the door.

"Jenny??" I asked.

"It's me sir". It was the clerk. "I am sorry for the bed, I thought you would be arriving much later. I had to do other chores and I reserved making the bed for much later..Want me to do it now?"

"No, its okay.." I said calmly.."You can go back to your desk. I will be fine.."

"Sir, I have a pitcher of ice water..You might need it .."

I stood up, opened the door, and took the pitcher. "Thank you, I said. And she answered, "welcome sir.."

I remember some valium tablets in my luggage. I took one with water then I covered my face with a pillow..10 minutes later, I was out like a light..

I woke up the next day at around 9:00 am from an entirely dreamless sleep. At first, I did not know where I was, since I was still on jet lag. Then my normal thinking settled down like pieces of mosaic and I again remembered my room, the resort and inevitably, Jenny.

How easily feelings change, I said to myself. My anger came back, throbbing like a painful wound. "Who is this girl?" I asked myself. "Is she an avenging angel for the other girls I dumped for no good reason? What is behind this trick she played on me..?" Then, wanting to express my ire, I shouted "Slut!! And what a big jerk I was!!"

To help me calm my senses I started packing my bags. Then I remember Rodrigo Esperon, a classmate from Grade 6 in Dupac. He said, if you are in Asingan on the last week of April, come to our house. My younger brother General Hermogenes will be there as the crowning for the Miss Asingan 2000. There will be tons of food and bottles of the best drink you can think of. You can drink until you could no longer recognize the floor from the ceiling.."

My luck has not run out yet, I said to myself.. His house is just a few doors away from the resort.

When I got there, Rudy was utterly delighted. "Almost 50 years passed he said and we are still alive and kicking.." he siad with merriment.

"And drinking!" I added..

We laughed then settled down for the business of the day, trying to cram the events of 50 years into 24 hours or less.

Soon, I was drunk..I was not really good at this kind of thing. Could not hold my liquor, inspite of the lechon, crispy pata, tinola, etc. What a smorgasboard that was but I was too drunk to enjoy or even remember them.. I just remember vaguely Rudy putting me on a tricycle then accompanying me to my room. Even if he dumped me in my bed like a sack of palay, I would never know..

When I woke up the next morning, I had the Mother of all hangovers..I took two extra strong advil tablets and lied on my back again..The sound of chirping sparrows outside my window sounded like shrieking banshees..

Then I remember I promised to visit another friend..Carlos Lopez Jr. The incumbent mayor of Asingan. "Oh God, I said..not in this condition,". I took another Advil to hasten the dissapearance of the headache.."What would humanity do without these great tablets.." I said after I noticed my hangover slowly dissipating.

Twenty minutes later, my headache was gone and my body bounced back to normal. For how long, I do not know. Not unless Caloy would offer me another round of Marka Demonyo..

Mayor Lopez was a good friend of mine before he went into Politics. He said he used to be a humble farmer before he joined the political bandwagon. From a councilor he became a vice mayor. With the sudden death of the incumbent mayor then, then he became Asingan's Chief Executive Officer.

He was vey happy to see me and when we shook hands, I could feel his missing two fingers. But he was not embarassed about it. In fact I heard lots of good stories about him and he was very proud about his humble beginnings. The way he talked never seemed to have changed at all..

After half an hour of exchanging pleasantries, he told me he has to go to Dagupan to attend a meeting of some sort. "Wanna come?" he invited. "Maybe you can write something about it.."
"No thanks," I said.."Thanks anyway, but I am going back to manila tommorow if possible. I want to visit Cebu and maybe Palawan..Besides you might not like what I will write about you..JUST JOKING!!"

He laughed also and he pat my shoulder. "Okay, Aring. Until we meet agiain.."

As I walked out of his door, he said in parting: "maybe you might like to visit the mini museum we have in here. We have the historical documents of our town, the photographs of FVR, her sister and the parents.."

Yes, I might.." I commented "I noticed that most of the schools in Asingan are already named after them.."

As I looked for the stairs going down to the exit, I saw the sign of the museum. "Ah, what the heck," I said..I had the rest of the afternoon off anyway..

I entered the door and there they are: the photographs of Don Narciso, Dona Angela, then ex president Fidel Ramos. her sister, Senadora Lety..His uncle Joe was a one time Mayor of Asingan, another uncle Felixberto was my teacher in Arithmetic when I was in Grade 5 at the Dupac Elementary School.

Then my eyes floated to another section..There was a whole slew of photographs of the former Miss Asingan Beauty Queens.."Aha, this is more like it.." I said..Their timeless beauty are now immortalized in this gallery to show that after all, our humble town was never short on beautiful sirens..I started waxing poetry mentally as I go from year to year. It was a butt breaking work completing the collection and I admired the person who broke his butt doing it.

When I reached 1995, my whole person froze. "Shit, I know this photo, " I whispered.

I looked down at the name. It was Jennifer Acierto!!!

Immediately, my feet took wings and my heart pounded high. I started trying to find someone in the Municipal Building who knows where her house is in Asingan..---#

conclusion on the next installment...

　

thanks to Polly for the use of her Resort's photograph...

TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA: part 2

the BALIKBAYAN BALL

During summer days, the Asingan auditorium is a place where farmers spread their palay to be dried by the summer sun. On the night of April 29, the same place transfprmed into a surealistic wonderland of music, swirling lights and an orchestra pumping out Glenn Miller type of music through powerful outdoor speakers.
When Jenny and I arrived, dancing is already in full swing. Dancers came in full regalia, donning thier best ballroom garbs. We walked slowly towards the Presidential table on the right side of the stage where all of the coronation participants were seated. I felt walking on cloud 9 because I was escorting a very beautiful lady. I felt several pairs of eyes were focused on us. Somebody met us and showed us our place on the table.

"How are you?" I asked Jenny.
"Great, just great!" she said. I noticed her eyes were beaming with an unfathomable fire. The happy expression on her face was just undescribable.."Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Fred. I really mean it.."

"Yeah?..When was the last time you were here?"
"Oh, about five years ago.."

After a few minutes, I asked her: "Do you want to dance now?"

"No, not yet..I want to watch the dancers while chatting with you.." She gave me another look with those sparkling eyes and she resumed watching the crowd and dancers as if she was looking for somebody. Then she started talking with me as if I was a very close friend whom she had never seen for such a long time.
We talked about common interests : music, movies, a bit on spirituality, literature. She also talked a bit about Sacramento. The Capitol building, the tourist spots there particularly the Old Sac where vintage buildings still existed and maintained for toursts.

"Visiting Old Sac is just like stepping back into the early frontier days of America. You should come and visit it one time.."
"Is this a formal invite?" I asked.
"Of course, it is..It is more than that..." Her radiant face was so close to me that I was tempted to kiss her mouth.

But we are in in public. And in Asingan at that where events happen even before they are planned..

Her shoulder touched mine. I did not budge. She did not budge either. It seems she enjoys this growing intimacy between us. I rested my right foot beside her left foot. She did not budge either.

So time flew unnoticeably until the announcer broke a message that after the next piece, the entrance of the new Mrs. Balikbayan will take place. Then the band played TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA.

The title is a misnomer: the piece in 3/4 time has a joyous lilting tune.."Let us dance to this one!," she said. I stood up and took her arm. Then we proceeded to the dancing area.

Her face seemed to exude more radiance. Her lips never lost that faint smile line and while we were dancing, our eyes would meet once in a while and they would exchange many, manywords. I felt like the scenery around us dissolving into one pulsating blur of lights and swaying bodies but I was only aware of her presence. When the music ended, the bubble burst. Reality came back. We went back to our chairs. I held her hand tightly until we were seated once more.

Then the Royal March commenced. The orchestra played the Filipino classic LOVELY BLOOM OF THE SAMPAGUITA. Jenny's eyes were fixed on the proceedings. She became silent, but the faint smile was still there.

"Oh the new Mrs. Balikbayan is beautiful!" she said, gushing like a teen ager.
Then a member of the program committee approached and told me I must go to the back of the auditorium to march with some others who would present the crown, the sash and bouquet to the Queen and her Court.

"I am sorry, Jen. " I said. I explained to her what I was about to do.

"Oh, it is okay.." she said. "Go and do what you are about to do..I will always be here.."
So I went to the back of the auditorium and when the last participant arrived, we all walked together under the swords of the Guards of Honor. The orchestra played ELGAR'S POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE MARCH.

As we approached the stage, I searched for her. I did not quite see her because of the
glaring video lights that fell on us as we approached the throne. Suddenly, I started to miss her with just the few minutes which I did not see her.

On top of the stage, somebody gave me a beautiful tiara to place on the head of the new Mrs. Balikbayan. I let my lady companion do the job because sometimes I get butter fingers. I might drop the tiara, breaking it and that would be a bummer. She did a good job. Flash bulbs went on and off. People were clapping. I shook the hands of the Queen and the Pricesses. Unending photo sessions. Then it was all over. I wanted to join Jen immediately.

But first, I escorted my partner to her box somewhere in the right side of the auditorium. Then I proceeded back to the Presidential table.

When I got there, I found two empty seats: mine and Jenny's.
"Did you see the lady in a dark dress sitting here?" I asked a man in barong Tagalog sitting beside Jenny's.

"No," he said. "When I got back here, that chair is already empty.."
She must have gone to the washroom, I said. I scanned the people dancing within the limits of my recognition. I waited for a bit more. I was expecting any minute a hand to tap my shoulder and say : " I am sorry to keep you waiting..."

When that never happened, I decided to leave my spot, go around the auditorium to find her. I did just that. I made three hasty rounds and soon sweat started to moisten my clothes. But there was no Jenny.

It was then I decided to go back to the resort.---#

( end of part 2. Conclusion will be on part 3 )

A Filipino short story

fiction

TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA
( Sadness of the soul )


part one: THE MEETING

The above title is a music piece popular in the Philippines during the late 50's and early 60s. I always heard it over the radio, in restaurant jukeboxes, in movie theatres before and in between screenings and also in formal ballroom dances.

In 1995, I heard this piece again with a winsome lady in my arms. We were doing a graceful waltz in the Asingan auditorium with several other couples.

I was yet a bachelor then. This single dance during that evening changed my life forever....



My family of 3 left the Philippines in 1975 after our parents died. My sister who has been in Toronto for a long time sponsored us. During that time, securing a Canadian Immigration visa was still easy, as long as the sponsor has a permanent job. And you do not even have to sign a paper that you should reside in the Yellowknife Territory ( or some other Siberia like places ) where it is winter for 10 months and only one plane comes and leaves once a week. And it is no 747 luxury flight either.


20 years after, around 1995, I finally decided to visit my hometown. Martial law was
over and I felt there were already less restrictions from the Marcos government. And no surprise coup d'tats which might strand visitors at the International airport indefinitely.

Besides I promised some high school buddies I am going to attend our class reunion
and to crown one of our classmates as Mrs. Balikbayan.

One reason why it took me a long time to come back to the old hometown is that we sold our house before we left for abroad. We divided the money equally. I used my share for the incurring expenses in securing a Philippine passport, undergoing Canadian medical examinations ( a requirement for the entrance visa ) airline fare and then some pocket money in case I could not get a job immediately.

All three of us took the same flight together on August 30, 1975.

Thanks God, at that time, jobs in Toronto were still abundant. A week after I secured my Social Insurance Number ( SIN ) , I found a job at a factory job but a few months later, I was able to get something more to my liking and professional skills.

Twenty years went by swiftly. I felt numbed when I saw Asingan for the first time after 2 decades. I checked into a resort called MJV managed by an Asinganian who made good in California and she used most of her resources in putting up a very decent and beautiful resort beside a river in barrio Sanchez.

I checked in after arrival in Asingan at around 12:00 noon, and while listening to
the hum of a room airconditioner, I fell asleep after that long voyage from Toronto
to the Philippines, then from the NAIA ( formerly called Manila International ) to Asingan.

I did not have the heart to take a look at our old house. It was like a part of my
childhood was taken away for a price. I just planned to spend a few days in Asingan, then back to Manila where I would spend the rest of my holiday maybe visiting some resorts in Cebu or Palawan.

I checked my time. It was 4:00 pm. Must have slept for almost 4 hours. I took a shower, my first real one after two days, then I went down to a small restaurant
where I met the owner, a friendly lady named Polly. After a brief chat, she asked
a young, pretty waitress to seat me at a table overlooking a ricefield. Sitting down,
I felt the gently zephyr caressing my travel worn face.

I checked my time again. It was already 4:30 pm. The dance would start 8:00 pm Asingan time ( which means any hour after the designated time ) so there was no hurry.

I gave the waitress my order when I saw a lady in black pass by. At first, I was attracted by her perfume. I remember reading somewhere that the female of the species would use a certain scent to lure an unwary member of the opposite species. When she sat down three tables away from her, I saw her face. It was pretty. Another pretty one, I said to myself.

I have been in and out of love at least 6 times when I was in Toronto. And I had several crushes when I was still studying in a private high school in Asingan.In a
sense of the word, I was already a "veteran" in the game, if you can call it such.
So I said " Just to play it cool with this one. But then that is what I always said..

" Hi, are you alone or are you expecting company tonight?" It is not an obtrusive
opening line. She was reading ( or pretending to be reading ) a pocket book . She raised her face, and I saw her eyes. They were quite intense, but they were not mad for my sudden intrusion. Then, she put dow her pocket book, flashed a quick smile.

I think she already know what I am thinking, and she seems to be quite prepared
for whatever she thinks I am thinking.

"My name is Alfredo Montilla." I dispensed away with the formality of shaking her
hands and she answered with a firm and very legible voice.." Mine is Jennifer Acierto..But you can call me Jenny."

As I sat down in an unhurried manner, I answered "You can call me Fred."

Thus an animated conversation started..It was a very careful but friendly question
and answer session while we ate the delicious repast.

Somehow, there is SOMETHING that seems to attract me to her although I tried not
to show it for fear of losing an advantage. I do not know what that mysterious
attraction is. At that early stage, I was still trying to make a very good first impression and I know she was trying to measure me with every little movement I make or a single word I uttered.

However, our chat was informal, and I learned that she is born in Asingan, but she
also left for abroad when she was young. She grew up and studied in Sacramento,
California. I also told her that I am from Toronto, Canada. She said she was still single, I said I was also single. I stopped short of asking her why she is still single. There will be lots of time to ask her more questions in a future time that is, if we have a future.

Anyway, after a couple of hours of finishing our wine ( the owner served us a bottle
of her best brand ), then I asked her if she is attending the dance. She said yes. Next I asked her if she has a partner, she said no. Finally came the $64,000 question:" Can you be my partner tonight.." After a few seconds, she said "yes, why not?.." My heart skipped a beat. Again, I kept my cool. I just said: "Thank you. I will arranged for our ride with Miss Polly. I heard she has a car and a driver ready for any couple for tonight's celebration.."-------#

end of part 1 of 3

About Miggie's Garden

thank you for your words of praises!
Here are some past photos, from my Spring 2008 Collection....

This is my escape from my sometimes hectic library work..At least the flowers do not complain at all...

Nothing like the color of tulips, our legacy from Holland!

As spring changes to summer then fall, the display of flowers in my garden also transform with the changing of seasons...

A sasquatch left his mark under my tree...

COMMENTS ON MIGGIE'S GARDEN

Mng. Miggie's garden is simply beautiful!! I can not believe that she did not hire a garden designer to do the layout and everything. She does not have only a green thumb but I guess her other nine fingers are of the same color as well. For me, gardening is very therapeutic a going back to Nature which calms one's spirit. Wish I will have my own garden someday...Rain


Vic,Very softscape of simplicity with character.I saw a butterfly hovering over your garden that seems to be captivated by it. Garden is a friend you can visit anytime.Loooking at it seeems like I visited it and gave me PEACE.

Thank you for the momentary PEACE.....VAN

MIGUELITA'S AWARD WINNING GARDEN

The two plaques ( stone markers ) she received for winning first prize in 2006 and 2008. Only the first prize winner gets the markers..




The plaques rest below the big stone mask, or the great stone face..



Below the markers is a patch of chicks and hens ( variety of a perennial plant )..I put in a couple of roosters to complete the chicken family...:)

Watch a video on the garden work Miggie had done so far..Last year, the judges told her that she has at least 6 varieties already of Black Eyed Susans in her garden. She started with one variety, then the bees did some pollination and now there are six kinds of replendent yellow flowers..

This is how Mother Nature works, maybe a simple example of EVOLUTION, right Zeus?..New species evolve from existing ones!

View the link in HD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gftr34kH68