Kring! Kring! The school bell rang at 12:00. It was already midday, and the throng of students at Sequijor National High School had begun to show up inside the campus. One of them was our protagonist, Ezekiel DaFullest, 6 feet tall, with short blonde hair and rare blue eyes. A kind of crazy boy who had a hundred percent chance to influence your way of thinking. Now, it's your turn to accompany him on his insane adventure.
Ezekiel
Pretending to be an exorcist is neither simple nor easy, especially when someone who needs my help is not serious. I can't stop them from laughing at me, even if I, myself, am not serious as well.
"I think I should take a break." I sighed while rubbing the dandruff from my head that fell like snow.
Scratching my head has become one of my mannerisms. From covering my face with my palms, even though I'm aware of it, to putting my hands inside my empty pocket. I'm not maintaining a low-key profile, I just don't really have money.
I always feel like I'm being too observant with myself. Every time I walk in the crowd, I can't stop myself from being too aware at the moment.
It feels like someone's watching over me. Or maybe it is just a spotlight effect like I'm drawing everyone's attention towards me even though I don't really want it. It's awkward, especially when I'm having a speech in front of my classmates or when I have a presentation. I've never been so comfortable in my life, and it feels like I'm going to burst into pieces.
"I think you've loss your mind, dude. Why won’t you just stop doing that delirious thing? Our classmates are always making fun of you when you talk about those ghosts," said Kiko.
Kiko is my friend, a neighbor, and a classmate. He believes that he has six pack abs, that's what he always brag about to everyone, although the truth is, it's just a big stomach because of eating too much food.
"I hope gluttony is not a sin," I mumbled.
"What did you say?" Sternly, he asked.
"Nothing," I replied and remained silent for a while. Then I added, "You already know why I have to do these, right? How can I stop if on both left and right there are many clients waiting for me?"
"You have a point, dude. There are many people needing your help, but all of them are delirious like you." Kiko shrugged, showing his indifference.
"Can you just stop spitting that damn word on my face? Don't forget that you're also delirious when it comes to Kate," said I.
"Huh? Of course not, but how did you know?" Asked he.
"How did I know?" I insinuated. "It came out of your own lips last time, when you got drunk and mistook my house as yours. You even vomited on me, remember?"
"Oh, man. I forgot that you don't want to turn off the lights because you're not afraid of ghosts," replied Kiko ironically.
"But isn't it worst when you got drunk?" I tried to change the topic. "I'm an exorcist, so why would I be afraid of ghosts? By the way, see who's coming, dude. It's Kate!"
"Where?" Kiko was stupefied. His face grew pale. He looked back and forth as if he was looking for something he couldn't find.
"Hahaha, you're not funny, but delirious." I grinned.
"I was asking you if where is a part of you that is an exorcist. You're funny," he interrupted. "You can't use that trick on me."
"You're full of jokes. I could never match you."
Did he really think I would believe him? It was shown on his face how he react to what I said. Kate is not a ghost, but she's his greatest fear aside from getting swallowed by an anaconda.
"How could you match me if you're so serious and your brain is loaded with telltales, myths, and illusions like ghosts, angels, monsters, and demons?" he asked.
"Is there anything else? Now I know the reason why you got an egg on our test about myths and stories according to our ancestors," I replied.
Kiko laughed out loud to his own stupidity. The throng of students slowly disappeared, so Kiko and I also went out of campus. The campus that was said to be where the ugliest ghost stayed, perhaps it really existed.
The tavern by the street is always open, especially in the middle of the day. I'm lucky that my house is not too far from school. I don't have to waste money on fares for those strict jeepney drivers. I can also spend time doing the other thing, especially ghost hunting.
"Dude, you have been silent there since we went outside the school? Is there something wrong?" Kiko asked when he noticed my silence.
"Nothing," I replied. "I'm just wondering why there's a crowd in front of our houses. Are you expecting a visitor from Luxembourg?"
"Huh?" Kiko asked as his sight traveled across the street in front of our houses. "I don't know. I'm not having a party though, and we're just three in the house. They might be your visitors, because you have a big family."
"Large family? We're just the two there, me and mom. You know, dad is not with us anymore. How could you say that they are my visitors if they are a police officer, ambulance, and neighbors?" I'm really curious.
"For goodness' sake, let's just go there to find out," Kiko suggested in his annoyed manner.
That day, I was hoping that my mother was fine, or else my world would experience an avalanche. She was the only family I had, and I didn't know what to do if something bad happened to her.
We immediately went towards our houses. While getting closer, my heart was throbbing so fast and loudly, like a machine at full speed. My curiosity grew stronger as many things began messing with my head. What were these people doing there? How about the ambulance and cops?
I was shocked to see that they were carrying someone out of my house. At first, I didn't realize who it was. Then, seeing her long, blonde hair sticking out from the covering, there was no one else I could think of. It was my mother.
I didn't really have any idea what happened. But I couldn't stop my tears from streaming down my face as I saw my mom being carried away by the ambulance.
"Mom!" was the only word I could scream.
I tried to chase after them to get her out of that stupid vehicle, but someone was heartless enough to lock up the door, and the throttle was applied to its full potential. The engine ran quickly, and I lost my beloved mom.
My world seemed to come to a halt, and I wished to be buried alongside the woman to whom I owed my life. It felt like bees were jangling and buzzing in my ears. They were stinging my heart as condolences that I didn't want to hear appeared.
Time passed by quickly. I wasn't aware that I had lamented for over a year already. I cry a bucket of tears every time I remember my mother.
One birthday had elapsed since I was not with my mom, and I am turning seventeen this August. I hope that she will show her face to me, even in my dream. I missed her so much.
"Hey! What's happening to you?" Kiko asked. "Are you thinking about your mother again?"
I remained silent. I didn't want to talk about what happened in the past. I am always trying to forget it, to ignore that topic. It had already happened, and I had no choice but to accept the truth that my mother had passed away.
But no matter what I'd do, I'm drowning in my own misery and sadness as I think about the moments I wasted when she was still alive. I regretted those moments that turned into memories as time went by.
"I'm sorry, dude; I just made you remember your miserable past," Kiko said apologetically. "I swear that I will do that again."
"You're really crazy! You're not being serious even if you wanted to apologize. That might be the reason why you're still single," I guessed.
"See? I just want to make you smile, because your seriousness seems to be drowning you. Actually, the true reason is that I don't want you to drown me too. You know, sadness is contagious," Kiko added.
"Seriously, I just want to say thank you," I replied. "Thank you for always being there when I need your help. I know you're busy with your own life, but you still find time to have fun with me."
Kiko tapped my shoulder and said, "Be strong, man. Life isn't full of happiness; it's a mixture of joy and sorrow. So let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
"That's the best words I ever heard from you," I replied, and we both laughed.
There are impressive houses ahead of us. Maybe I'm lucky that my house is one of them. But what's the purpose of a beautiful house if the people living inside are demons?
Kiko's house is also big, though there are only three people living there. Actually, my house is bigger than Kiko's, though we are only two people living there. Me and my mocking father
Kiko and I walked down the messy and riotous street where loud sounds, gossip, footsteps, shouts, laughter, and cries were scrambling. It was harsh at first, but then I got used to this kind of environment.
"The crowd in this place never disappears after a millennium; it's just becoming more crowded," I said while holding the straps of my backpack.
"You're wrong, dude. It will only take a single shout that there's a ghost, and these people will quickly disappear. They are just as chicken-hearted as you," Kiko replied.
"I will kick your ass if you won't stop making me feel inferior. You know that my father is a constable, don't you? I will tell him to jail you so that you can jangle there alone," I warned.
"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. Honestly, you're really a chicken. Your father will be the one to mock you if you tell him nonsense things," Kiko replied.
Absolutely. There's no doubt that I hate my father because he left us when I was just a kid for some unnecessary reasons. He didn't even show his face at my mother's funeral. Then he came back again, like a thief who would steal everything from me.
"Finally! See you after lunch, dude," Kiko said.
I stepped on the floor of the front porch. The silence made by the warm weather and the combination of many sounds was very head-aching.
As usual, my father wasn't here again. He might be flirting with his new girlfriend. Since the crowd disappeared, my dad and his girlfriend have also begun to stay with me in this house.
A new girlfriend? Actually, he has a new girlfriend named Messy Sippy. An amusing sobriquet that originated with me for a reason. I always saw her sipping something every time she went into this house. She also brings a bag full of messy things.
Messy Sippy is a gorgeous and kind woman. But not going further—nobody could replace my mother in my heart. I believe that having a good attitude is better than physical beauty. So, always be kind, because beauty isn't a long-term asset.
My mom wasn't that beautiful, but she was so humble, kind, and caring that I couldn't find any reason for my father to leave her behind. Perhaps he wasn't content with one woman, or maybe he didn't really love her in the first place.
However, I know I'm not in the position to question whether he loved her or not. I only know one thing: I'm not here if not because of them, so I would rather be grateful for their mistake.
My beloved silence had broken up with me when I saw the two people who were sitting on the upholstered couch. What the hell are they doing here? I think I have an idea based on what I see: they are flirting.
The television suddenly turned on at a high volume. It was a bit painful for my ears. As usual, no shows on television were fascinating; they were all monotonous, especially those commercials that wanted to promote their brands and products.
"Love, your son is here," Messy Sippy informed.
My dad turned himself around and looked at me. His eyes turned wide in devilish surprise. He might be thinking that I have a similar appearance to the ugly ghost in our school. I wasn't really sure if it was true or if it was just a rumor. In this modern world, I couldn't think that was possible.
He stood up and buttoned his white shirt. He did not say anything—he's always taciturn, not saying a single word if he doesn't want to, and I didn't know why. Whereas Messy Sippy is the only one who's a bit verbose in this house.
This woman is very different from my mother, who loved peace, silence, and art, while this woman loves music and fashion. I couldn't focus on my studies because of her.
"Son, have you eaten?" Edward asked.
I slightly shook my head from left to right. I didn't want to say anything more. He would only ask me if I had eaten, and that's all. He won't ask about how's school, if I'm okay, if I have a girlfriend, or something like that. He had a great defect in me, but I didn't care because I also owed him my life.
Since high school, I have been the one who supervised, cared for, and supported myself because no one else could even attend the school meeting. My father wasn't here at that time, and my mother became delirious about something inexplicable. That's still an enigma.
I don't want to think about the past anymore. Nobody could turn back the clock and fix the wrong things that they've done. I went inside the dining room and fed myself, because I was not a pig for them to feed.
While eating my lunch, something colored my mind. The thing that made me curious for over a year was the question, "Who killed my mother?" I haven't gotten any information until now.
I remembered that we would be having a test, so I hurriedly ate my food and threw everything but my dishes into the sink—I didn't care if my father would mock me again.
My black backpack was lost. I didn't know where I put it. What I only remembered was that it was with me. It sounded unimportant, but I asked my father if he saw my backpack when I arrived here, but he didn't know. Fortunately, Messy Sippy told me that it was just me. She saw that I had been carrying it all this time.
"Thank you, Magdalene." I smiled in gratitude, though I couldn't help myself from laughing at my own unconsciousness. It's something that frequently happens to me when I am rushing.
"Welcome, son!" she replied.