Screech to Heaven ( BOOM)
Boom…Boom…Boom Those are not explosions. Those are my heartbeats. Boom…Boom…Boom
I have just come from the fiesta of Sampaloc. It should have been fun but unfortutunately it brough fear into my spine. I understand the word terrifying in a concrete sense. Boom…Boom…Boom
We had just come from Lloyd’s place. The food was palatable. Our host was entertainingly gracious. My company was exciting. At 4:30 p.m., we decided to ride a tricycle to ride a jeep to Lucban to come back to Lucena. We reached the jeepney station. We were such in a hurry that we get through the line like a street smart kids. We were succesful with our quest. We got the best seats. We were exchanging pleasantries and we had forgotten the people around us. We didn’t even notice that the jeep started to move. We have travelled a kilometer already when we heard a loud screech. Along with the irritating sound were shrill cries. I also shouted very loud. We were shaken by the force. Boom…boom…boom. Oh I heard my heartbeat. Boom..boom.
I know Carina, who was seated at my right, was sandwhiched by my body. I knew it hurt for I felt the pressure at my side. But, she said that she was alright. I check ed my other friends. They were okey except for a shock because of the jolt. All the while, we thought everyone was well when someone exclaimed that the woman beside her had wounded her head. Boom…boom…boom. I Heard my heartbeat. I looked at her and I saw her wound.
It was big. Blood oozed out. I quickly got back my sight. I couldn’t stand it. Boom…boom..boom Though I tried to divert my attention, I was shivering with fear. I was terrified as I heard remarks from other passenger. Then, I overhead someone that she should be brought to the hospital. I just realized that the jeep was turning back to the station. We decided to come down as soon as the jeep came into a halt. I saw the wounded lady ride a tricycle for the hospital. Boom..boom…boom. I heard my heartbeat.
We did not ride the first two jeepneys . We were thinking that jinx might be with the people with us in the first jeepney.(A weird conclusion huh.) We chose to ride the third jeepney because it has a sign, God is good. We were thinking that it was a good omen. (I do believe in omens. I got the idea from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist).
We were praying for a safe trip. We were traumatized by the prior experience. But it seemed that fate teased us. The jeepney driver of the jeep we were riding was the most reckless driver I have encountered ever. He literally let the vehicle fly along the winding road to Lucban. I prayed my Hail Marys a record time. Five hail Marys in a minute. Yes. I prayed so hard. In the first time of my life, I assertively ask the driver to slow down. In a record time, we were in Lucban. We rode the vehicle going to Lucena. Boom…boom…boom.
I was still afraid. So we took our place. I tried to entertain myself. I peeped when I saw a young couple kissed unshyingly. I recognized a former student. I talked to him. I teased people around me. I talked to them senseless thing. I marveled at a cute guy before me. I looked at the old lady.I tapped my feet. I crossed my legs . I touched my hair. I smiled t people. I did everything. I needed such to survive the trip.Thank God. We reached Lucena.
So you thought, I am already okey. Not yet. Here I am now writing my blog. I am appeasing myself. I hope I can get over this. I have to psychologize myself. A prayer will do.
Boom…boom…pfft. Hail Mary…
