The Garden (Part 3)

THE GARDEN

I was aware that every part of my exposed skin would rip apart, that the thorns would cut deep to my flesh, that I would bleed to death.
But that was the price I was willing to pay to be on your side of the garden.
But ultimately, you saw right through me.
You read mt mind. You understood my plan.
You urged me to stay exactly where I was.
You promised you'd stay where you were.
But you were on the wrong side.
You said I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Where you can see me. Where you can watch over me.
"We should wait," you said softly.
"It was a test," I replied. "The final test that I was willing to pass whether by my life or death."
"But you don't have die for love," you answered.
"Love isn't about fighting and winning, or passing the test. Love doesn't have to be rushed. Love must endure time, hurdles, pain, suffering...
Love isn't always sweet, neither torturous."

The Garden (part 2)

THE GARDEN (part 2)

Your reply was a vague smile. No words, just a smile.

Your lack of words did not deter my courage, though.

Between you and I, I was the aggressive and you were the passive.

It was typical of you to reply with just a smile.

I arrived in the garden at the exact moment I told you I would.

For some reason, I prepared myself to wait for eternity.

For another lifetime.

See, I had my doubts too.

I had my what-ifs.

But you were already there. Wearing that smile.

You were there, waiting for me.

I walked tentatively towards you... knees shaking.

Finally, our own place... our own world.

Until I realized you were on the wrong side of the garden.

The treacherous part.

Once again, there was a hurdle between us.

Thick thorny bushed that would cut deep in our flesh.

I didn't search that hard for this garden to let anything stop us when we finally had our own little world.

I was about to brave the obstacle.

Cross the thick thorny bushes... find a way under...

I would do anything just to be on your side of the garden.

The Garden

THE GARDEN 

(Part I)

"There is a garden between right and wrong, I will meet you there." Rumi

We were victims of our circumstances.

Our love story wasn't tragic, but there was no promise of happy-ever after either.

We were both living in the real world.

A place where every decision has a consequence.

A place where every little thing we do affect our lives and the lives of the people we loved and and cared about.

Why couldn't love ever be simple for us?

Why was it always being tested?

Why couldn't we have the same love story most people do?

Happy, not complicated.

I knew I had to do something if I wanted this relationship to endure the never ending obstacles true love had in store for us.

 I was tired of thinking about what's right and what's wrong.

Finding this garden had become my quest. I searched so long, so hard to find it. But eventually, I did.

The garden... it was beautiful beyond compare.

But it was also mysterious, treacherous even.

Like you. Like me. Like you and me together.

Like our love. 

I told you I found the garden, and I would wait for you there, where for once we would be blissfully happy.

No consequences, no worries, no right and wrong.

Just you, me, our love and the garden.

UNTITLED #1

Someday... somehow

Virtual Tour: Pinto Art Museum

   "Pinto Art Museum, what?" That was my reaction when my three teenage nieces first mentioned this certain art gallery in Antipolo. I was utterly clueless.

     I'm not an art enthusiast, in fact, I hardly know a thing about visual arts. Obviously, I know how to appreciate them. Well, at least I know how to appreciate 'realism', but come to think of it, who does not?

     I guess I'm not that refined. That was probably why I got completely flustered when my girls pestered me, okay, "encouraged" me into going to this apparently uber-cool art museum that everyone they know had been raving about. I was Like, since when did art museums became uber-cool ? Curious! As far as I know, art museums stimulate creativity. They invoke overwhelming passion and they represent the depth of the artists' souls. But, uber-cool? Honestly? Or was it just me who found museums uninteresting as a teen?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER

Your heart is scarred all over, little girl.

Some are raw, some are old.

Some will heal...

But the resrt are permanent reminders of the batlles you had overcome.

You have to soldier on.

The battle for forever has just begun.

The war still rages on.

You are a warrior.

A soldier of love.

Ou are bruised, bent... vulnerable.

But hold on tight to that sword.

Stand up and hold your ground.

Be strong, take charge.

Do not back down.

For someday, somehow, victory is yours to take.

But until then, you have to keep on fighting.

Intramuros: The Walled City

     In my previous blog, I mentioned some of the interesting sights you can see inside Intramuros. I deliberately restrained myself from thoroughly discussing the must-sees in this  Walled City  owing to the fact that I do not want the said post to become one-novel-long. Hence, this article is dedicated to the most compelling district in Manila, which houses several of the most captivating Spanish colonial structures and riveting historic sights this city has to offer.