WHAT I SEE
I see the vitality of the former Earth that took humans in for billions of years. I see the life that I wish we could have again because we no longer possess the same vigor.
WHAT I FEEL
Looking at the image, I feel hopeful that the day will come when the contaminated bodies of water today will be pristine again in the years to come. That despite humans striving for development and survival, forests will become luscious again in the future.
STORY
This is the story that came up to me upon seeing the photo because of the trees, the body of water, and its message of regenerating hope amidst the chaotic present situation we are in. For me, it means HOPE is in our hands.
GIDEON: UNTIL THEN
I went back to the hospital the next day only to find ABE’s room empty. The nurse told me she went for a walk, so I waited until she came back. I sighed as my eyes scanned the place where she had been staying for several weeks now.
The room released a heavy, creepy vibe, and it was icy cold inside despite the humid temperature outside. I walked to the window and looked at the dense woody parts in the area.
‘Is this for real? A forest amidst concrete jungle? Since when did we have this?’ I asked myself.
“Why? Can’t tress grow anywhere they want?”
I jumped when ABE spoke from behind. She was in her hospital gown, holding a pot of bonsai in her hands. ‘How did she know what I was thinking?’
“How long have you been there?” I asked her, trying to hide the tremor in my voice caused by being startled.
“Just now.” She smiled and walked towards me, handing me her plant.
“Please put it there on my windowsill. Plants need sunlight to survive, right?”
“Yes,” I answered as I placed the pot on a spot where it could get sufficient sunlight.
“It’s ironic. Plants live because of sunlight, but my friend Gideon died because of it.”
She climbed on her bed; I pulled the bedside chair and asked, “Why?”
The first rays of orange and red lights burst on the mountains’ silhouette aligning the lake. It warmed the misty, frigid atmosphere as Aurora and Gideon watched the sun gradually take over the somber sky. Darkness departed peacefully, as calm as how undisturbed she was with him in her treehouse—her refuge.
“The more I know the different people, the more I hate being one,” Aurora settled her hazel brown head on Gideon’s shoulder. “Some of them are selfish. Others are slaves of wealth and money.” She paused. “And my parents are examples of them.”
Rough woody surface kissed the palm of Aurora’s hands as she caressed his cheeks. Her eyes scanned his perfectly chiseled body with fervor. She hugged him from behind as the crowned king of the morning flaunted his radiance outside.
Gideon’s cold, inanimate body brought her chills, but she warmed him. She was so enthralled with the moment that she didn’t hear the bamboo door creaked open.
“So, this is where you spent the night,” a sarcastic voice broke the intimacy. “Do you also make out with that piece of junk?”
She rolled her eyes before facing the bitter intruder. It was Devon, her fiancé. They were a soon-to-be couple because of arranged marriage.
She turned in his direction, only to ruin her great day. She scanned his slouching built and raised her left eyebrows. His belly hung on his pants like a balloon filled with water, ready to blow up any moment it was poked. His thick eyebrows, like black hairy caterpillars, made her skin crawl. His eyes and nose were the only parts of his face to be praised. His lips though... no, thanks.
‘Who would want to wake up seeing this hideous sight first thing in the morning?’ she muttered to herself.
“What do you want?” she stood firm, trying to look fierce despite the hammering heart in her chest.
“You,” he licked his lips as if a full course meal was served in front of him. His lustful eyes undressed Aurora. They were twinkling as if he could see her most pleasing features underneath her clothes. “This place is secluded, no one’s going to hear you scream with pleasure.”
This jerk sure is an unsightly pervert.
He lunged at Aurora, pinning her on the split bamboo floor. The branches shook the walls at the impact of his sudden attack. Leaves fell off against their will as she fought with her aggressor.
He kissed her violently, almost tearing her lips. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to avoid his filthy mouth. Good thing she was born a warrior. She kicked his treasured thing without thinking twice and got back on her feet.
Devon curled in pain with both hands, holding his beloved treasure. Aurora flipped and tied her hair up—it was her signature move when pumped up to wrestle. She positioned herself, one arm and foot forward, while her other arm was on her waist, securing the handle of her knife.
“Try to step forward, and I won’t hesitate to cut your throat,” she warned as he struggled to get up.
“We’re not done yet. You’ll pay for this!”
He scampered out of the treehouse, still holding his balls.
Once Aurora went back to the village, she was met with raging eyes and judging looks—she didn’t pay attention. They must’ve heard from Devon.
She walked with head up high, chest out.
She sighed at the sight of their house. Being the chief’s daughter made her frown. She pushed the door silently, careful not to stir her father’s attention. He was talking to Devon’s father. That sight added to her frustration.
“How dare you!” her mother’s palm flew on her cheek, leaving a burning sensation. “You ruined our reputation by mating with a wooden sculpture!”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, caressing her reddened cheek.
“Now, you’re pretending.” Aria’s eyes blazed with anger. Aurora didn’t answer back. She clenched her fist.
So, this is what that ugly frog spread to the village, huh? He’s playing dirty.
She took a deep breath and stomped her way to her room, ignoring her mother’s call. She packed some of her clothes and threw them out the window among the bushes so that no one would see them.
It was midday. She couldn’t leave while the sun was up; she needed to wait until the evening, but she couldn’t wait any longer. Impatiently, she crawled out the window, reached for the nearest branch of the mango tree, and swung her way to its trunk—down to the ground. There she tiptoed out of their garden, off to her treehouse.
Sweat kissed her face along with the gusty wind mixed with some dust, which met her halfway through the treehouse. Her breathing was ragged as she climbed the steps to the top.
Her eyes widened at the sight that welcomed her.
The door was left ajar. I remembered locking it.
Aurora readied for a surprise attack; her hand on her knife handle. She peeked and scanned the inside of her comfort zone. Everything was in place. Nothing seemed unusual, except that she couldn’t find Gideon in his usual place. She stepped into the tree house cautiously.
“Gideon?” she called. “Is anyone here?” She felt oddly fine, though.
As she walked to the center, someone hugged her from behind. Her packed clothes dropped as she struggled to be set free, but the person’s hug became even tighter.
“Let’s stay like this for a while. I miss your embrace.” The voice was honey-sweet. It was pleading but authoritative. The request came as a deep, seductive moan. Aurora settled in the man’s arms, lulled by his tempting tone.
She inhaled his scent of mint and freshly cut wood—sharp but without a sting. He smelled familiar, but she dismissed the idea since it was impossible. “Did you miss me? That’s why you came back early?” the man asked again.
Aurora turned to face him. Her eyes widen, with pupils dilated. She gasped for air upon seeing who the intruder was.
“Gideon? How did you…” she pointed at his appearance. He literally was a wooden sculpture, but breathing and alive. His skin was of fine timber tattooed with tree rings, as any wood carvings would look like.
Aurora touched his cheeks. They were as soft as human skin, not the usual roughness of the wood they were before.
“I don’t know,” he said and smiled. “Don’t you like me being more—human?”
Although appalled, she hugged him tight. “I like you more now.”
“Did it work?” Devon asked Helga, a sorceress practicing black magic.
She smiled with her reddish-brown stained teeth. “He’s alive. And your Aurora seemed to like him more. How stupid of you to want him to be human when he’s your rival?”
“I want Aurora to feel my wrath,” he simpered. “Did you add the powdered black heart of the northern wild boar?”
“I did. I even added some extra ingredient—your immeasurable hatred.”
“Let’s see how this would end.” Hell was reflected in his eyes. “Aurora carved him to escape the fact that I’m hideous, but looks can never equal wits. He’s still a piece of wood to me, a piece of a trunk that will wither away.”
“How about my genes? Did you add them to the spell?”
Helga remained silent and avoided his piercing gaze.
“Answer me!”
She still didn’t respond. Devon grabbed her ragged cloak by the neck.
“If this doesn’t work, you’re dead,” he hissed.
Aurora and Gideon’s days together seemed blissful, so far, but Aurora had a bad feeling about it. Neither Devon nor her parents even showed up to look for her, and that confused her.
“What’s wrong?” Gideon held her hand. They were lying on the dewy grass, enjoying the luminous night by the lake.
“I don’t know. Everything seems perfect, but it feels like something sinister is lurking around the corner.”
“Aren’t you happy that we’re together? I’m also becoming more like your kind.”
She stared at him. He was right. The more time they spend in each other’s arms and the more time they unite each night, the more he was becoming more human. His woody appearance was slowly replaced by a human feature. His bark peeled off, and, little by little, human skin replaced it.
“You know I hate being human. That’s why I made you. I preferred to be with the lifeless you than deal with my kind. I even want to be like you—the former you.”
“So, you mean you don’t like what I have become?” he asked in a voice that turned into a deep hollow one. It made her skin crawl. The sudden growl from him stung her heart. She wasn’t expecting it. It was the first time he snarled at her.
Then, the full moon peeked from the clouds, clearing the night. Its light illuminated Devon’s face, which made Aurora get up and break away from him.
“D- Devon,” she uttered.
“Well, hello my dear,” he said, smiling devilishly. “Did you miss me?”
Gideon has turned to Devon.
“Ahh…” He stretched his arms wide. “It feels good being inside this junk, especially at night time when we —” he winked at her. Stunned, she held a hand in her mouth, unable to speak.
“With your Gideon out of the way, you’re finally mine. The northern wild boar’s heart worked.” He stepped forward to reach for her. She stepped backward.
It was true. Her sculpture and beloved Gideon had Devon’s face.
She cried in her head. Where are you, Gideon?
“I am here in your heart, my love.” A familiar voice whispered in her ears. “Devon has cast a spell on my body to mate with you. It’s your chance to kill him because if you don’t do it by dawn, my seed inside you will be replaced by his. You will bear his child instead of mine.”
“Gideon—” she held her stomach, wanting to feel what had been left of him.
“Just do it for our baby’s sake,” he said.
She calmed herself and let her discovery sink into her mind. She gauged the treacherous man in front of her. He had fully taken over Gideon’s physique. Her furrowed brows and distraught face clearly depicted disgust about the idea of being intimate with a horrible person.
“Come here, by will, and I will spare this creation of yours.” Devon opened his arms to embrace Aurora, but she didn’t move.
In your face! She took a deep breath and aimed for a run near the lake’s shore. She had a better advantage there. It was open and she could freely maneuver. “I’d rather die than be with you.”
Devon ran after her, yelling with rage.
“Don’t you dare piss me off again!”
Aurora pulled her knife and aimed it at Devon, who was fast approaching. His maniacal laughter filled the air.
“Really? You’re aiming at me? Are you really going to kill this body?” As he approached her, his face changed to Gideon’s at a snail’s pace while the moon hid behind the fluffy pieces of cotton in the sky.
“I’m not that, my love, don’t be fooled by him,” Gideon’s voice echoed in her ears, but she didn’t seem to hear it.
“Aurora, it’s me.” Devon, having Gideon’s face, smiled and opened his arms for an embrace.
Aurora stepped forward to take a better look at the man in front of her. She was seeing Gideon again.
“Gideon,” she touched his face. “It’s indeed you.” Tears streamed her cheeks, seeing him again. She ignored the voice warning her.
“Yes, it’s me. Now, let’s go back home.” Devon held his hand out to her, which she willingly held. The moon played its part in the charm's manifestation. They walked hand in hand when a sudden tug stopped Aurora’s step. Her foot got stuck in a small tree stump.
“Wait, I’m stuck,” she said, kneeling as she tried to pull her leg. Devon released her hand to give her access to her foot for her to pull it out, but the clouds parted and the moon was out again.
The stump, as if it had a life of its own, released Aurora just in time as she looked at the man who she thought was Gideon. It was Devon’s face again.
“You fucking humbug!” she yelled at him as she pulled the stump buried on the ground in anger. She hit Devon in the face once and aimed for another shot. “What did you do to Gideon?!”
Devon wasn’t given a chance to fight back because of the fatal blow in his cranial nerves, particularly his vagus and vestibulocochlear nerves.
“Aurora, stop!” a familiar voice called. “Stop. Please. I don’t want you to kill someone. You have hurt him enough to immobilize him.”
Aurora searched where the voice was coming from, but she couldn’t see him, except for a silhouette forming in the nearby trees. She ran towards it. In time, Gideon’s full body in fog took its full form.
“No… no… no,” she said, trying to hug the figure, but it scattered at her touch. “Please, don’t go. Don’t leave me.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t stay with you, for now, my love.” He caressed her damp and smudgy cheeks. He looked at the piece of wood Aurora was still holding and smiled. “You still have a piece of me, and you have our child.”
Aurora felt her womb and cried even more.
“Shh… Don’t be somber for I shall be with you again if you plant that piece of me.”
Aurora held her grip on the stump and hugged it, as it was her beloved Gideon.
“Take care of that… take care of our baby. Once you gave birth, even before until then, I shall reunite with you.”
As he said those words, the fog rose in the air as the sun peeked from the horizon. He waved goodbye to his beloved Aurora and smiled.
“Please wait for me… I love you.”
"So? How was Gideon's story?" ABE asked me.
"Why are your love stories so tragic?"
She just shrugged her shoulders at my question and smile afterward.
"By the way, take that plant home," she said, pointing at the bonsai. "Take good care of it, okay?"