Of Unseen Creatures
If I were to be asked if I believed in ghosts, my response might offend those who believe they exist. The irony is - I dread a possible encounter with any of them.
Years ago, I was a shame to my siblings. I usually trespassed their space and privacy during the nocturnal hours. When the night was still young and everybody was up, I’d sneak to my bedroom right after supper, switch the light off and force myself to sleep even if Morpheus was wandering miles away from me. This was how I began to realize that the more effort you exert to make something happen, it has this nasty tendency to not happen at all. My fear would usually start the moment I hear my ate and kuya snore. Heart beating faster than normal, I’d try to face my fear by thinking happy moments - any moment, just like what Harry Potter does when he faces a dementor. But my dementor usually prevailed. It was always better to ignore my brother’s taunts than to not sleep the whole night.
It must be the room itself. A few meters away, a big Bangkal tree stood. Its old branches extending as if it would attack someone who might lure around its premises. Legend tells that it used to be a dwelling place of an old elf. (I wouldn’t care if it’s Dobby!) An aunt of mine told us once that she and her cousins actually saw the elf.
It could also be the menacing quiet that fills the still night. Anything could appear at the ungodly hour of the night. My imagination then was better than it is today. I couldn’t shake the idea that I’d be awakened from my slumber with the sound of kapre or a big hairy mane which has a head of a man. Or a manananggal peering at the window with its long, sticky tongue out ready to touch my skin. Or a white lady doing a catwalk just beside my bed.
I didn’t see any of those creatures. And now, I still dread the creatures I don’t see. But I don’t believe they exist. I must be a loco.
Fear of the unknown — that’s a basic human nature. The same way that small children are afraid of the dark, the same fear adults have of death. Terrified of something you already know is no longer “fear.” Rather, it’s refusal to accept their presence.
Comment by hahaziah — November 8, 2007 @ 5:25 am
Actually, ang gusto ko talagang i-comment ay…
Wahahahaha!!!! Si Macmac, takot sa mumu…
Booo!!!
Comment by hahaziah — November 8, 2007 @ 5:30 am