The Christmas Ring: Chapter 5: Olrac & Assirac

The large ship arrived in the port of Scallur from Dailmore after 2 days. It passed in several major ports. The ship is large enough to sustain the roughness of the sea and carry hundreds of passengers and cargoes.

It was almost three in the morning and the port of Scallur was awake, or matter-of-factly it never slept being an international port. A lot of activities were going on in the port area. People from different cities merged here: passengers, workers, businessmen, tourists, students, law enforcers, tax collectors, and many others.

Oemor was thankful that in both his trips the climate was so cooperative. Upon his arrival he had to wait until 5:00 AM for the connecting bus trip to the village he lived, a 1-hour trip from the port.

Oemor arrived in the port of Dailmore with a little worry in his mind. The excitement he felt was replaced with little concern on how he could explain to one of his children that he gave up his present just to accommodate other people’s request. If he would not tell them the truth and make alibis then he would violate the value of honesty he wanted to inculcate to his children. He was absolute to tell them the truth but how to comfort one of them was his main problem.

The Christmas Ring: Chapter 4: Assiram

Oemor had gathered his things consisting of a big leather bag containing his clothing and a single bag containing some of his personal things. He checked the boxes of the rings if it were okay inside the small bag. He went to the front desk and signed the check-out logbook. As he started to move out he suddenly heard a loud screeching from the brakes of the passing car. 

He rushed back to the side of the road and found a bloodied woman lying on the side of the road. It was the Scallurian lady he saw awhile ago. He rushed to help her.  

But he was scheduled to leave soonest, yet he remembered his promise to God just a few minutes ago so he thought this must be some situation God gave him to test his faith. He prayed silently for discernment.

The Christmas Ring: Chapter 3: Aina

Fortune was indeed on Oemor Pele’s side. He wasn’t rich that’s why he was lucky to have the fortune ring. And it was a little fortune and sacrifice that lead him to Dailmore. 

He was a married man with two children, Oiram, 8- year old boy, and Ainer his 6-year old girl, and a loving wife, Aina. 

He was in his late 30’s and worked as a goldsmith in a jewelry factory in the City of Scallur, a 1-hour ride by plane from Dailmore. Because Dailmore was popular as a jewelry capital of the world, jewelry companies from other cities send their designers and craftsmen to train in prestigious institutions of the city. Oemor was lucky to be selected by his employer to avail a scholarship from the government of Dailmore to train there. 

The Christmas Ring Chapter 2: Kimone

The first time Oemor heard of the legend of the Fortune Ring of Dailmore he thought it was just a myth. But as he came to Dailmore himself he begun to understand that the story is for real.

As he meet a mysterious man in downtown Dailmore who could recount the story, his interest grew deeper and deeper. Then he wanted to hear every detail.

"The story of the Fortune Ring begun hundred years back in Dailmore, a rich man named Kimone once lived and owned a city. The mighty Kimone had a son named Dailmore. 

The Christams Ring: Chapter 1. Oemor

The story of the Christmas Ring happened in a not so distant past in a Region in Southeast Asia. It was a time when technology is not yet so advanced when communication and travel is not yet as fast and convenient as in this generation.

The story goes like this...

Oemor was filled with joy as the saleslady of the jewelry shop packed three boxes containing the legendary Fortune Ring from the City of Dailmore. 

“These are good and precious presents, for very special persons, I guess,” the lady said as she delicately put an adhesive tape on the wrapper. 

“Indeed, everybody in Scallur is obsessed with this ring, including my wife,” he replied. 

“Really, she would be very glad then! " the lady smiled and continued "So, you are from the City of Scallur?" She glanced at him, turned back to the boxes and place them in a bag. She smiled and with curious face asked him again, "And what business do you have in Dailmore, sir?” 

Life Story, Life's Lessons Part2

(Link to part 1: Click Here)

Sabado ng umaga, naalala ko ang promise ko kay Manong na kakausapin ko ang mag-asawang kapitbahay. Umalis si Misis papuntang Cebu at sa Lunes pa ang balik niya kaya wala akong mapagsabihang iba o isasama man lang para moral support. So, nang mapansin kong dumating na sila ay agad-agad akong lumabas at nag doorbell ako sa gate. 

Medyo na-surprise si Lisa (hindi totong pangalan) ng makita ako sa gate. Kasunod naman niya si Mister (itago na natin sa pangalang Mario) na kumaway nang makita ako

Medyo sampung taon na kaming magkapitbahay pero dalawang taon pa lang kaming nagkakilala dahil nasa abroad ako habang itinayo ang bahay namin. Si misis ang nag asikaso sa bahay habang nagtatrabaho ako. Di rin kami masyadong nag-uusap nagkakilala lang kami dahil magkasbay kami palagi pag may homeowners meeting sa village namin. Hindi naman exclusive ang sub-division na tinitirhan namin pero mayroon kaming sariling homeowners association.

Hindi ko halos mailabas ang aking sadya dahil parang nahihiya ako. Pinangunahan ng paghuhusga sa pagkatao ni Lisa ang nasa kalooban ko. Inisip ko kung anong uring tao ang nagpapabaya ng isang magulang. Kung kaya niyang hindi bisitahin ang ama niya, baka kaya rin niya akong sumabatan at sabihang wala akong pakialam. 

Life Story, Life's Lesson Part1

Ang istoryang ito ay isang pribadong storya ng mga kinauukulan. Binahagi ng isang kaibigan sa akin. Hindi ko sinasabi ang mga pangalan para sa kapakan ng mga taong nasasangkot. Gusto kong ibahagi ito para kapulutan ng aral ng iba.

This is in several parts and here is part 1. 

Ang Matandang Kupas

Limang minuto ko nang pinanood mula sa bentana ng aking kwarto ang isang matandang lalaking pabalik-balik sa gate ng katapad na bahay na nasa kabilang side ng kalye. 

Mula sa kinalalagyan ko'y 'di ko masyadong makita ang kanyang histusara pero sa porma niya tiyak matanda na ito nasa lagpas 60 and edad. Maputi ang buhok niya, may kapayatanna halata sa soot niyang maluwag na maong an bughaw na t-shirt. May bitbit siyang sako-bag pero di ko matantiya kung ano ang laman.

Alam ko walang tao sa tapat dahil yong mga kapitbahay namin ay maagang umaalis sa trabaho at gabi na kung umuwi. Sa isip ko, 'kawawa naman ang matanda. Siguro kamag-anak ito ng kapitbahay namin'.

Hindi ko na pinansin baka pulubi lang o yong mga skwater sa kabilang baryo na nanghihingi ng ayuda. Aalis din yon pag wala talagang tao. Binalikan ko yong pinanood kong movie sa tablet.