Let The Music Play (Intermission 17)

 

We've Only Just Begun

We've only just begun to live

White lace and promises

A kiss for luck and we're on our way

We've only begun.

Before the rising sun we fly

So many roads to choose

We start out walking and learn to run

And yes, we've just begun.

Sharing horizons that are new to us

Watching the signs along the way

Talking it over just the two of us

Working together day to day

Together.

And when the evening comes we smile

So much of life ahead

We'll find a place where there's room to grow

And yes, we've just begun.

@thepen20/bbayonito20

Harvested 3

 

Round One   :    Harvested

Round Two   :    Harvested 2

Round Three       Harvested 3    

One day, a Chef called his assistants to give them a particular instruction.

"Come here everyone."

More than a thousand assistants attended the call of the Chef.

"As you see, we are having an experiment as to how each cup of equalled measures of water and meat would come out after giving each one its random additional ingredients."

Everyone nodded as all looked at the vast tables full of numerous cups on top, that were surrounding them and the Chef standing on a high platform.

The Chef continued talking.

"Now, down below this platform, where I am speaking to you, are buckets of different spices and other ingredients I want you all to add on those cups without any definite measures."

The eyes of everyone then turned their gazes to the buckets referred to by the Chef.

One of the assistants was curious to know why the additionals would be unmeasured.

The Chef gave a smile.

"You will find out later. Just do what I say."

The response gave curiosity and an inside excitement to the assistants. Some hurriedly went in to pick up the buckets, while others just joined slowly. But everyone has one aim: to do the will of the Chef and wait what happens next.

Looking at each bucket, they found some with sugar, some with salt, squeezed lemon juice having a cup hanging on its handle to use to throw to the table full of cups, and other ingredients in solid or liquid form.

Each one picked up a bucket and went back in front of the platform to listen for more instructions.

"There you go everyone. As you can see, each table is full of many cups in unequalled numbers. So you will have to grab from the bucket or use the cup for the liquid, and throw them as far as you can to cover all the cups. Some will receive less, some will receive more. Don't worry about it."

Everyone gave a look at each other then shrugged their shoulders as if saying, "as you say."

The Chef continued.

"Go ahead. Make sure each table receives all kinds of spices and other ingredients."

Then all the assistants went to do as instructed.

The assistants were all of different body build and heights. Some were men, others were women. So some would grab more spices to spread over the cups, some less. Some could reach farther, some closer. But the job was done.

Finally, all the buckets were emptied and everyone went back to put their last buckets back under the platform. The Chef was seated on a chair that looked like a throne in the middle of the platform.

The Chef stood up from his chair and called everyone to join him on top of the platform.

"Come here with me, all of you."

The writer, observing everything from the start of the story while standing from the corner, realized that while the assistants went up the stairs to join the Chef, the crystal glass floor of the platform increases its size automatically to provide space for everyone.

As soon as all the assistants got onto the floor, all heading their attention to the cups, a form started to rise up from each cup.

"Humans!"

The writer exclaimed. 

Looking back at the face of the Chef and all his assistants, he saw spirit forms like angels in white robes, except the Chef that has been turned into white clouds.

As he looked back at all the tables, he found himself faced with a big map of the earth.

"What is this?"

He asked himself. 

A voice he heard from behind him, whispering something.

"Check the buckets."

He turned around but no one. So he took the stairs to go down the platform.

He saw each bucket with a name written on it.

"Kindness, generosity, courage, faith, hope...etc."

As he moved more, he discovered other buckets with tags in contrast.

"Harshness, greed, cowardice, lies, disbelief, despair...etc."

He paused and tried to remember what they were before.

"They were ingredients like sugar as sweetness, lemon as sourness, pepper for spiceness, and more."

He went back to the platform and saw the Chef, as human and all his assistants too. He heard the Chef's order this time.

"Go everyone and harvest."

The writer turned his gaze to the surroundings of the platform and found grown crops and fruits. 

He shook his head and realized he was seated on a balcony of the vacation house he rented to continue his writing. In front of him, a vast land of trees and their fruits.

He turned to his pen and talked to it, laughing to himself.

"At least, this time, I did not wake up from a dream. Am I becoming normal?"

He tried to continue writing, but the pen stopped. Out of ink.

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Redemption

The Chessboard - The Redemption

The chessboard has changed. It used to be clean, orderly and with purpose. The players themselves have caused the changes from good to bad until the worst. All the contents like the pawns, towers, kings and queens have been ruined.

The anointed cleaners of the chessboard were sent to prepare it for the coming of its rightful owner, the Son.

"We are sent to prepare the way for the Son. We are here to help. The Son is coming back soon."

Those were the announcements by the cleaners to Adam and Eve. For whatever had happened to the chessboard was the result of the capital sin they have committed.

The chessboard was full of undesirable elements no one could count. The cleaners started to separate them, put them to order and clean to the best they can. 

Adam and Eve were still seated on their chairs, in a fight, not even giving a glimpse of what they were doing to the chessboard. Each one only cares about themselves.

The intruder came back and took a chair for himself. He was happy. He turned his look from Adam to Eve and vice versa.

He laughed a lot, enjoying what was going on between the two players.

Then he whispered more from one to the other, telling them lies, more confusion and contradictions to fight each other more. While he almost fell himself off from the chair as to the result of all his "works" done to each creation of the Father as given to the Son, the owner of the Chessboard.

Remembering the son, he shouted out loud.

"Where are you? Witness for yourself! This Chessboard is mine!"

After a second, the strongest wind that could ever happen, came and flew away both Adam and Eve, not all the Anointed Cleaners who had already completed the segregations of the elements on top the chessboard.

"Here I am!"

In front of the chair where the Intruder was seated, appeared the Son himself.

The Intruder's eyes got stuck to the Son's eyes full of fears and whole of him trembling. He wanted to close his eyes, run and disappear, but the power of the Son on him was too much for him to bear.

"I come to redeem what is mine!"

The Son made his arrival clear.

The writer witnessing the great moment, ran in his mind the description of the Son.

"His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters."

He looked at the paper of his story and witnessed the The Pen writing the scripture. Revelation 1: 14, 15. But it didn't end there. He continued hearing the scripture till verse 16.

"In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

Hearing the Son, the Intruder trembled to the most he could not handle anymore as the Son, one by one was fulfilling the scriptures from its beginning till all was done and finished.

The Holy Spirit passed on top of the chessboard and washed away all the dirt segregated by the annointees, His prophets, disciples, all servants, saints and heavenly angels. The segregated turned into dust and were carried away to the place prepared for them with the Intruder's dust. All of them to the pit, to the Garbage.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

The Son kept his stare on the chessboard as the scripture was fulfilled as He said those words in Luke 21:33.

The chessboard returned to its original state as it was when the son received it from his father. He picked it up in his arms, then went to the door to leave. But before he closed the door he looked back at all the spectators of The Biggest Chessboard Event of all time and generations leaving a message.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

One of his disciples (John 16:33) appeared beside Him to close the door. Facing the spectators of the game, he bowed and left with the strong wind that took him away.

The End. 

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Challenge

 

The Chessboard - The Challenge

The son, after receiving the gift from the Father, left for a while, and the caring of the chessboard was passed to Adam and Eve. It was also for them to enjoy it and on a condition not to challenge each other, but just play the game to preserve their happiness. 

Both made a promise not to challenge each other and to take care of the gift while the son is away.

The two chessboard players were playing the game in fairness and honesty. Each one respecting each other.

Suddenly, the fallen chair was back to its place. It was the chair in front of the son's chair.

At a blink of their eyes, a boy in his black clothes appeared seated between them on the pulled up chair. He has a naughty smile on his lips and a hypnotic look from his eyes.

"Hello strangers. I am your best friend right here to show and teach you what you have never learned from the son nor anyone, but would be excited to find out as you deepen yourselves with me to my unknown."

Then his horrific, roaring laughter of malevolent effect and sound filled up the air and surroundings.

Adam did not realize him around. As always he was busy. Busy with what he considered his responsibilities before the son and the work to learn and do on the chessboard.

It was Eve who was less preoccupied about the chessboard that saw the intruder's sudden appearance.

"You mean, there is more than this? More exciting and worth knowing?"

Eve asked the intruder a question that made Adam lift up his look at her with a question on his face. But Eve was not looking at him. Yet he saw no one else in the room.

Then the boy in black, the intruder himself, leaned to reach Eve's ear. He licked her face and ear. He murmured to her.

"Of course, my queen. There is power and strength I can give you to beat any opponents that come your way. Don't you know you are more powerful than any man like Adam?"

Eve's eyes twinkled at the thought of her power.

"Really? How can that be?"

She whispered back to him. Turned her attention afterward to Adam as he asked her a question.

"With whom are you talking to?"

Eve did not respond as the intruder disappeared from her sight. Without her knowing, he stayed right at her back murmuring to her mind. The intruder was speaking and working through her.

Then she bursted out of what was prohibited by the son.

"I challenge you to play a game and whoever wins will own the chessboard."

Adam's eyes got rounded with surprise.

"What are you talking about? This board game is not even ours, neither you nor I. Besides, we are prohibited to challenge each other. Where did you get what you are saying?"

Eve started to make faces as if hurt by Adam's response. Her expressions and attitudes were new to Adam.

"What is that kind of face?"

She then started to play below the table. She reached for Adam's feet then went up playing through his leg until reaching Adam's middle. 

Adam realized the movement of her feet below the table but did not feel nor understand anything, only strange new sensations coming from Eve's part. So he asked her.

"What are you doing?"

Still with eyes wide opened by the occurrences of the moment, Adam was wondering what Eve was up to. She giggled and responded to his question with a trick.

"I would tell you if you accept my challenge. We play fast so we will not be caught by the son. Anyway, he isn't even here. Come on! Don't be a bore! You are boring to me. I will play more with my feet till you realize the pleasure I can give you not just my feet. Promise."

Then she laughed out loud. Adam questioned her more.

"Pleasure?"

Eve responded with more excitement.

"Yes! Just say yes for us to play and take the challenge."

Adam was confused but finally gave in. Curiosity creeped in.

"Yes then. But we must hurry."

Then the horrific, malevolent laughter covered the air once more.

The players played with pleasures of lust, debauchery, lies and cheats between them to the point of losing everything they used to enjoy cleanly between them. They lost love.

The chessboard got dirty with everything: from their saliva out of cursing each other; from their hands out of grabbing and stabbing each other in physical assaults; from their minds came out every plans, strategies and cheats to win the other; and they lie, kill in any way they could to destroy an opponent. Each other. In all of these, the intruder was just enjoying their show.

Their kings, queens, thrones and pawns have risen and fallen. Some were still up, some were down, but one thing was clear, they were at war. Chaos on top of the chessboard. They kept playing and challenging each other to rule over the other.

Until "others" came in. They surrounded them and they had not even seen them enter and when.

"Who are you?"

Both Adam and Eve asked everyone, they could not count for they were so many. 

One responded for all.

"We are sent to prepare the way for the Son. We are here to help. The Son is coming back soon to claim what is His."

Adam and Eve kept going on anyway with their fights. The newcomers do their annointed job between them working to clean up the chessboard the most they could. 

They preached, they reached out to help, and some more just to do what they are meant to be doing to make a better world for everyone. 

From far away, the intruder was making himself the reason for the conflicts and working hard to steal everything that belongs to the Son. 

The writer stopped writing.

To end the short series of The Chessboard, the writer himself started to think about the ending of the series, hoping to wake up some idle minds as his imaginations made their ways to the paper through The Pen. 

"Wake Up! The Son is coming soon!"

The Pen shook the writer up. Again. 😄

Coming Next! The Redemption

(check it from The Chessboard)

@thepen20/bbayonito20

The Players

The Chessboard - The Players

The only son kept playing and working on every move on his chessboard. A gift from his Father. He was always working on plans, strategies and movements.

One day, another boy his age entered the room. He looked like him. He was human.

"Hello. I am Adam. Your father sent me, so you can show me the chessboard. Just show it. I was not allowed to play with you. You are sacred to him."

The son nodded.

"I understand. Have a seat."

The boy sat himself on the right side chair from the son.

Soon after the son started to explain how every element on top the chessboard works. They did not have any name, but Adam was given the privilege to name each one. 

Adam learned and was so amused by what he was shown and taught by the son.

Then the son let him study and  learn more by himself. He was just observing Adam. Later, he noticed that his guest was starting to get bored and sad on his own. He remembered that Adam was human after all.

So the son closed his eyes and thought about his father. Sort of talking to him. 

Soon another human came in. This time it was a girl. She came with a smile and beauty in herself.

"Hello. I am Eve. Your father has sent me to learn and accompany Adam."

The son nodded.

"Have a seat."

Adam was surprised, but gave her a welcome and happy smile.

The girl smiled back to both and took the left side chair from the son. Her arrival sparked enthusiasm and excitement to Adam that as soon as she was seated, he happily shared everything he learned from the son. 

The son sighed a relief of happiness watching Adam's face. So he stayed just observing them. 

After a while, in the son's heart he felt that the Father was calling him. He stood from his chair and left some words to Adam and Eve.

"I am leaving for a while. Teach, learn and enjoy each other's company. Play the chessboard game but never challenge each other. Love one another. Do not hurt each other. Enjoy what you have as brother and sister. I will trust the chessboard in your hands until I come back."

The son was looking at both, one to the other. Then Adam made a promise.

"Go in peace. I will take care of your chessboard."

Eve smiled and said more to assure the son.

"I will stay with Adam to take care of it. Go in peace."

The son smiled at what they said to him.

"I am Peace. I am the one that gives peace. My peace I leave you. Do not let any trouble come in between  you."

Then he left.

Adam and Eve were left on their own. They were treating each other kindly, nicely, learning together and enjoying each other. Both full of happiness and laughter. 

Until one day...

Coming Next:  The Challenge

@thepen20/bbayonito20 

A Father's Gift

The Chessboard  - A Father's Gift

The only son was given a chessboard to play with by his father.

"Here, my son. Learn this board game so you will know how to rule one day."

His father came to him while he was seated alone in a chair with some animal plastic toys he was playing with, in the company of friends in spirit.

"Thank you, father."

Then a beautiful woman came after the father left. She was his mother.

"Please, my son, take care of it as if it is your life. It was created by your father himself. It was specially done for you."

His mother told him so. He promised he would and his mother left him alone with the chessboard.

The son started to study the sets contained in the gift. Around him everywhere flies his friends. Spiritual friends guiding him about every move. Not too long, he mastered the games perfectly,

He started to play as if he actually was playing with someone on the other chair in front of him. He himself was seated behind a squared table with four chairs.

One day, his father came to play with him. As they play, he starts to absorb everything that his father knows, without him realizing that that was exactly the intention of his father. Finally, his father stopped.

"Well, my son, I believe you're ready to face your own challenge."

He smiled at him.

"I believe so, Father."

So his father left him again and got out of the room.

As soon as he left, someone else, another boy his age of twelve, in his black clothes came in. He has a fierce, challenging look in his eyes.

"Here I am to challenge you. I beat you, the chessboard is mine."

These words he said and seated himself on the chair opposite to the son.

"Be my guest."

The son responded.

Then they started to play. It was a real time play off between them. All on their own.

The boy in black started to play unfairly from the start. He was using tricks and cheats, deception, manipulations like an expert social engineer of a modern day, aggressiveness and more to destroy the self confidence, self esteem, beliefs in his knowledge of what his father has taught the son. He never stopped with his lies as he never stopped talking while he played with him.

The son was calm, patient, kind and confident inside him as to what he had learned from his father. His faith for his father has never been moved by any of the intentions from his opponent. He just kept playing with his guest.

He focused his attention on the game before them, thus he silently saw, realized and prompted all the cheats and bad intentions through movements done on the chess sets of pawn, thrones, queens and kings.

He looked straight to his opponent.

"This chessboard is my world. This is a gift. This was given to me by my father. Whatever is given to me by my father, you can bet I love so much as I love my father. I will give my life to make sure no one nor you could ever steal or take it away from me."

Then the son finished the game.

"Check mate! You lose!"

The boy in black realized from the beginning that he will never stand a chance, reason for his cheats, against the son. He went on playing, anyway, because of his pride. He would never be someone who would receive defeat nor accept that he's the loser.

He abruptly stood from his chair throwing it to the floor in rage and fury. He shouted all kinds of insults and swears before the son.

"I swear I will come back and everything that is yours will be mine! Will be mine! Remember that!"

Then like a wind, the boy passed away from the sight of the son. 

Around the son, his spirit friends were singing.

"Halleluyah! Halleluyah! Halleluuuyah!"

Followed by quiet, sweet and joyous giggles by his angels.

The son just smiled at them, clasped his hands before him and his thoughts talking to his Father.

Coming Next! The Players

(To read: TAP the link above)

@thepen20/bbayonito20

 

The Writer Stories Title Guide

 

THE WRITER STORIES TITLE GUIDE

                             (TAP Story title to read)

The Backpacker's Road

(Tap above to read)

Ika of My Heart

(Tap above to read)

The Deep Blue Sea

(Tap above to read)

The Little Ka

(Tap above to read)

The Six Candles

(Tap above to read)

The Chessboard

(Tap above to read)

 @thepen20/bbayonito20

Oldie

 

The Backpacker's Road - Oldie

"Hello, Ladies!"

From our table, our caretaker, the administrator herself of the Home for the Aged, came to greet us as my friends and I  joined together in the same table to chat and play cards.

There with me were my twin friends from a beautiful family story in Ika of My Heart.

(To read: Tap the Ika of My Heart link to the story).

Joining us too, our kidnap victim friend from her story in Survived.

(To read: Tap the Survived link to the story).

Our taxi daughter friend too was present, always happy and proud of her story about her father's story in Watched.

(To read: Tap the Watched link to the story).

And our journalist friend, another proud daughter of her father, from her story in Survived 2.

(To read: Tap the Survived 2 link to the story).

"Hello, daughter!"

We all greeted her at the same time then cracked ourselves into laughter. One by one we choked with our saliva and coughed, but we kept on laughing at our "oldie" status.

We were all in our seventy's of age. By God's mercy, we aged together and were still alive! One thing we were all thankful for.

All around us were other oldies in their groups of friends and at their own tables. We were all friends actually, but we just have a closer group of friends.

Some younger ones were dancing tango and others were listening to music in another room. Some were watching movies in the theater room. 

My friends and I always preferred to be in the game room. We liked to lose ourselves in the playing cards for adults to enhance our memories, if not to recover it. Others swim themselves between mahjong blocks. Yes, I have friends who like swimming! Ha! Ha!

We called our daughter, administrator and caretaker as we simply could not remember her name at all.

"Well Ladies, your bible preacher has just arrived."

Then we looked back at her and we saw first her younger brother who ran the Home with her. Another man came from behind him.

"Luke!"

Everyone shouted except me. I was shocked. How could they recognize him and I failed?

My friends saw my face and laughed with each other.

"This is our surprise to you."

Our friend, the taxi driver's daughter, told me.

"It has been a week since we were hearing from him in the other room when you got sick."

One of the twins added.

"He would not want you to know. He wanted to see your reaction himself. He has changed since he left the jail. He has already told us his story. Now it is your turn to hear it."

Our reporter friend added more.

Luke was very old but still looked strong. He came closer to our table and from across he looked straight at me. 

"How are you?"

I could not respond.

Then all my friends stood up and left the table for us. Luke seated himself on a chair facing me.

"How did you get here?"

Luke placed his bible book on top of the table, clasped his hand together and smiled at me.

Strange to me, I did not feel anything. Just dumbness. I could not believe to see him again after all the years.

"I was doing my preaching ministry on a stage one day and that woman administrator you appointed to handle your business and  you call daughter came to approach me."

I sighed as I came to understand.

"After hearing my story, she approached me and invited me to come over. She told me that she might have known the people I was mentioning in my ministry. And she was right."

Our attention was interrupted as one by one all the caretakers were calling the oldies to come to the Home's Chapel, our small church inside the Home.

"You were sick when I first came. I was afraid of what seeing me could mean to you, so I asked them not to say anything until you have recovered and I, myself, will tell you my story.

I started to feel better as I felt relaxed, feeling sure that nothing I should fear about him. But then, my adopted daughter and Home administrator came to us.

"Come on Mommy, let us start."

She came with her brother, my adopted son too.

"Let's go Mr. Luke."

Both of them came to help us to get up and walk our way to the chapel.

At the church, he preached and at the same time mentioned his life story. He talked about how he came to know Jesus through His words and how he was changed.

After he finished his preaching, I needed not ask for him to tell me his story. He was a witness himself of God's forgiveness, mercy and salvation.

He came to me.

"Do you need more to know?"

He asked.

"No."

I smiled and waved goodbye as his driver came to pick him up outside the Home.

Everyone went back to what they were doing before the preaching and mass by the church's priest.

I joined my children in bading farewell to both preacher and priest by the Home's main door.

We were actually outside the Home where in front lies a little garden with planted flowers of tulips and roses.

I was getting tired of standing there outside the Home though the beautiful sunny sky was giving me strength through its soft warmth on my skin.

Looking up at the sky again, I saw the same light blue sky and dancing white clouds I have always enjoyed. They gave me something I could not explain that made my whole being feel like wrapped by that same warm blanket again. I closed my eyes and felt like a Newborn baby again.

This time I did not see a dove. I saw the clouds, that same door formed white clouds again. It was not half opened, but wide opened. Then that bright shining star from the inside came near the door.

I smiled with happiness.

"I am ready."

I whispered to myself. Then I fainted.

I wondered what happened next. 

My reporter/journalist friend's face was the next thing I saw.

"Well then, backpacker,  I have your story completed."

Another face came in before my eyes. 

"But why do you call it Backpacker's Road?"

It was another friend who asked me.

I laughed before I gave my answer and am amused about my light feelings of myself. I felt myself as if I was a wind.

"Because each stage of my life story was written in a different notebook inside my bag, my backpack. Inside my bag was a bible which I used as my life's guide as soon as I got hold of it. It was since I was rescued from my stepfather's hand and every time I was rescued from the traps of hell. I believe in my Saviour. I just believe."

It was what I responded.

"Well then my friend, you'll get your story title."

Then someone from somewhere interrupted us as followed by two more.

"But how can you publish that story? We are all now but spirits roaming around the Home for the Aged's garden."

I realized it was true as I remembered being the last one to join my five long time friends in their Home for the Spirits Club in the Home's garden. 

We all laughed and our sound came like a refreshing strong wind that passed the garden of the Home. 

All we got? A smile from the closed eyes of all those who were left behind. 

End of story.

 

 

@thepen20/bbayonito20

Grown Up

 

The Backpacker's Road - Grown up

As always, the coffee shop, Starbucks, was full when I arrived. That was the reason why I made sure to myself earlier to our reunion. 

Fortunately, that little corner where my lifetime buddies and I have passed our update meetings was unoccupied. I went to it hurriedly and placed my two books on top of the six chairs table, as an indication to other customers that the table was taken. The table was just on the right hand side of the main counter where people ask for their orders, as the shop was a self-service business. So, I could order my coffee even before the arrival of my other friends.

I asked for my favorite coffee and seated myself on the chair against the wall so I could see whoever entered the shop. On my side, all the way to the main entrance door was a window glass. Outside the shop, there were also some chairs and tables for the customers who prefer to have their coffee and food by the street's wide sidewalk.

Getting myself comfortably seated while waiting, I smiled alone as I remembered the past.

It has been years since that tribute mass our friend who survived from human trafficking had left to live abroad. Every five years, she comes back to visit the country, relatives and friends.

"This is going to be the third time."

I commented to myself with happiness in my heart, anxious to see her again.

"What is going on inside that mind that makes those beautiful lips smile so sweetly?"

My sisters! The twins have just arrived and I did not realize it, as they seated themselves already with their coffees in their hands.

"I did not see you enter."

I replied without answering the question of one of them.

"You were looking outside the window when we entered. We saw you but did not call. We noticed you were deep in thought  while smiling."

Then the three of them laughed.

I hugged the twins lovingly. They have become my sisters as their parents have adopted me to become part of their family. Their parents Ika and Iko have sent me to school, just like the twins who later on became business women themselves, overtaking the successful family business. What their father loved to say aloud to us has been my favorite lines and left a memory in my brain. Ika of My Heart, was our father's favorite line.

(To read: Tap the Ika of My Heart link to the story)

While I was hugging my sisters, I saw two more friends entering the shop. They were the taxi driver's daughter and the reporter/journalist. I waved at them.

(To read: Tap the Watched link to the story series of the taxi driver's daughter)

(To read: Tap the Survived 2 link to the story of the reporter/journalist)

As both were going to the counter, the last friend who came from abroad just arrived.

"There she is!"

The three of us seated joined in chorus as we saw her. That made everyone in the shop turn their attention at the shop's entrance.

The protagonist of the Survived story, the survivor of human trafficking was stunned by surprise as to what her friends had done, who were then covering their mouth ending into laugher afterwards.

(To read: Tap Survived link to the story)

The other two friends on their way to the counter were the ones who recovered themselves first and went quickly to welcome and hug the friend who just arrived.

They brought her to our table to greet us then the three went together to ask for their coffee. 

Between laughs and excitement, we showed our happiness toward each other. Until each one managed to calm down and be seated.

"You look great as always. What have you been up to?"

Our friend, the taxi driver's daughter,  asked the first question as she looked at our friend. Our newly arrived friend was wearing a formal suit of women's attire in light grey.

"I just came from a meeting held at my mother's foundation for human trafficking survivors."

She answered our friend's question while smiling at her nice compliment.

"Do you still work as a financial consultant abroad?"

Our reporter friend asked.

"Yes! I work hard to finance the foundation. You all know what the foundation means to me."

All friends ascended to her in agreement as all sipped their coffees.

"How about you? What's your latest?"

She asked the rest. She was looking at me. I was seated in front of her. The  twins on her right and the other two were on her left.

"I run a Home for the Aged."

I responded.

"Great! We already have a place to go in our Oldies."

She exclaimed.

All of us laughed at the idea and started to joke with each other about what old life could be for us.

Then our reporter friend continued the story.

"The owner of that Home for the Aged was my father's friend."

She informed us.

"Yes, that's true. I have been lucky to have known all of you and have you all as my friends."

I continued.

"My husband, Peter, was a close friend of our reporter friend here. She and her father had helped with the story and case I got involved myself with, being a girlfriend of a drug lord's son. Thanks God it has been over."

I narrated as my reporter friend hugged me as she was seated closer.

"He gave me a new life after Luke was jailed along with the drug lords."

I paused. Then continued.

"I started to work in their family's Home for the Aged. I worked as a cleaner until I learned about the business and fell in love with him."

I said it with giggles that my friends laughed with me before continuing the story.

"His father, Jesus, was such a great father-in-law to me. He was a great man. He had helped many helpless old people, like that old man Jeremiah."

(To read: Tap the Believed 2 link to the story of Jeremiah)

"His first wife died of cancer. Then he married again. His wife's story was written too in my memory."

All my friends laughed at my last statement.

"Tell us how you titled that story?"

One of the twins asked me.

I paused for a while before giving them the answer.

"Yes. She was my mother-in-law. I titled it The Six Candles."

(To read: Tap the The Six Candles link to the story)

All of them clapped their hands to my title. As I paused, our taxi driver's daughter friend spoke for me.

"My father was still alone when your father-in-law died after Matthew, that's why I was convincing him to go for your mother-in-law."

Everyone laughed at her idea. Our friend was just showing how much she loves and is proud of her father.

(To read: Tap the Watched 3 link to the taxi driver's daughter story)

"It has been years since your son died."

One of the twins commented.

"Your son died?"

Our friend from abroad asked with sadness.

"A stepson, Matthew. He died in a car accident. Then my father-in-law followed. Now, my husband, Peter, is dying of cancer."

I responded to her.

(To read: Tap the  Believed link to the story of Matthew and Peter)

"Next!"

That was the reporter friend who broke the silence and drama in between us that shook everyone.

"What's next?"

One of the twins asked.

"Next story."

Our friend responded.

Then everyone laughed again, taking her comment as a joke.

The taxi driver's daughter cut it, though.

"No! Enough of stories for now. Let us talk about our men, our love story and our sexiest moments. Okay ladies?"

She raised her coffee cup in the middle of everyone to ask for a united cheer on her suggestion.

With giggles, excitement and laughter, we found a common agreement.

Then and there, the writer friend took her notes about everyone's till the next episode of their friend's Backpacker's Road story. 

Meanwhile, I was watching how a white dove was moving around on top of an empty  table outside the window, looking for pieces of food to pick on. Most of all, those clear blue skies with beautiful clouds have filled my heart, once again, with hope and happiness.

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