WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES AT 12

BY: CHLOE T. CATALUÑA

I was walking alone at the hallway, well I am late na naman. Bakit pa

naman kasi eh.

“Ms. Madrigal, you’re late!” the proctor.

“ sorry, miss.”

The class ended very fast. Ni hindi ko nga namalayan. I was fixing my things
when someone come near me. Hays! Here we go again, kaya pala mahangin.

“ Hi Jasmine.” Daniel Remundo, My classmate. Ewan ko ba eh bago bago ko

sa section nila feeling close na. “ know what Jasmine, they said the more you
hate, the more you love.” He continued.

“so?” I replied.

“sungit” he murmured. Then he walked out.

Umalis na ako sa room namin. Pag dating ko sa labas, gumagabi na pala. I

looked at the stars. “ I wish I shine as brightly as the stars in the sky.” I heard
a group of girls laughing. not as far as my stance. They're all beautiful, how
can I be like them?

“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your

worth.” Daniel suddenly spoke up. Nagulat ako, grabe bigla lang naman
susulpot. But I remained on my cool position.

“ ano?” me

“wala, uwi kana babye.” then he immediately walked on the other way.

It was Saturday, so no classes. I decided to go to hospital near by us, where

my mom staying.

Nang papunta na ako sa room ni mama, when I saw familiar figure.

“Daniel?” He turned to me and i know he was shock. Hindi ko din inaasahan

makikita ko siya dito.

“ Oh? Jasmine? Ano ginagawa mo dito?” Daniel.

“ I visit my mom, ikaw?” me.
“ ah si Daddy, naka confine hehe.” Daniel.
“ ah ok.” me replying boringly.
“ well I think this is the longest conversation we had huh?”. Daniel looking at
me with a weird smile. Parang aso. I just ignored him and went to my mom’s
room at C23. I was about to reach the handle of the door, nang umingay na
naman siya.

“Room ng mommy mo? Wow kapitbahay lang tayo hahaahah.” Daniel.

Tinignan ko lang siya na parang walang pakealam well in fact, wala talaga
akong pakealam, then pumasok na.
“Hi mommy!” I smiled widely at her and give her a big hug. I miss my mommy
so much.

“I miss, you and I love, you anak.” I hold her hand. When can I hear those
words again? Hanggang imagine na lang ba?

“Ma gising na, it’s been 2 years, madami pa akong i kukwento sayo. Kaya
gising na.” Tears slowly flowing down my cheeks. Hanggang kailangan ako
ganito? Hays.

I stayed at mom’s room till 7pm, then I decided to went to Greenyard garden.
Ilalim ng hospital. Place where usually patients go para maka langhap ng
sariwang hangin o mag munimuni.

Nang nakarating na ako doon umupo ako sa pinaka dulo na puno ng

Lavender, Roses, Iris and some green plants. This place is so lovely. I was
sitting peacefully nang may naki upo din sa kabila. Presence palang alam ko
na kung sino.

“Dito din spot mo?” Daniel.

“oo”.
“bakit ang sungit mo?” Daniel.
“ Hindi naman.”
“masungit ka kaya.”
“okay.” ako. I don’t care kung ano iniisip niya. I don’t have have time for that.
Madami pa akong importanteng iisipin.

“Live your life freely. The way you want it, the way you dream it.” Daniel. I
looked at him weirdly. Ano na naman nangyari nito. I remain silent. I looked at
the sky.

“Daming stars.” sabi ko. Naramdaman kung tumingin siya skin. Then he
followed what I did. We both watch the stars. I suddenly felt relief on my heart,
parang gusto ko ulitin to, parang hindi ako magsasawa sa ganito.

“Jasmine, how about we come to an agreement? You are going to be mine. I

mean just for fun.” Daniel. Is he crazy?

“Hindi ako laruan, Daniel”. I replied then I looked at him na tila ba amaze siya
sa sinabi ko.
“hindi mo naman ako gusto diba? Wala kang interest sakin. Pero bakit
parang takot ka?” Daniel. We remained on eye contact. He has a hazel
colored eye that seems to fascinate you when you stare at it. Well, I think I've
been so preoccupied with my problems that I've forgotten to locate things that
make me happy. Is it worthwhile to have fun with this agreement? Perhaps
now is the moment to set aside other issues.

“ok.” I replied, seems like, I agreed. Tumayo kaagad ako para uuwi na.
Tinignan ko relo ko, 9:45 na pala need ko na umuwi. I returned to Mommy's
room to say goodbyes. After that, I went home to rest.

It is Monday and I’m thankful kasi hindi ako na late. When I was about to enter
the classroom. Daniel approached me.

“Good morning, Jasmine.” Daniel with a wide smile.

“Good morning.” then dumeretso na ako sa seat ko. Pero may nakita ako. A
piece of rose and a pink letter.

“If only I could lend you my eyes for you to see how beautiful you are in my
point view, I would.” - D

Small smile flash on my face. At least, he is sweet. I looked at him and

realized this is our day 1.

Our 5 days seems perfectly fine, we watched movie together, went to park,
went to Greenyard Garden. But still my attitude towards him didn’t change.
Bakit ko naman iibahin yon? This agreement is not that important. But of
course, nakarating sa mga kaklase namin ang balita. Mean girls keeps
making fun at me, the gossips. And of course hindi mawawala ang Daniel with
his quotes again.

“People are always going to judge or have something to say. So you might as
well just do what makes you happy.” Daniel.

Our 10 days still fine. We visit our parents at hospital together though hindi ko
pa nakikita papa niya. We went on circus, beaches and have picnic. Also my
attitude is now different from the way I treated him before.

“kailan ba to matatapos.” I asked him.

“kung kailan mo gusto.” I looked at him scrupulously. Shocked.

One day is really bad, ikaw ba naman sugurin ng mga babaeng nagkagusto
sa kanya. Plus, mga rumors na hindi naman totoo. May mga naka paskil pa
na mga litrato ko, ugly pics actually.

“hirap mo naman maging jowa.” while eating the sandwich he gave me.

“People will always have negative opinions towards anything because we are
all different. It’s best to do the things you want, your way, your choice. No
matter how good you are and how many acknowledges you there will always
be some.” I looked at him tapos tumawa.

“Ang werdo mo talaga.” I replied but he just smiled.

Days become great and greater, I forgot my problems, the sadness the
sorrowfulness was now changed into full of excitements and joy. He really
change my perspectives, my attitude and all.

Day 20, he is seems very busy now. Pabalik balik siya sa Hospital, ayaw
naman niya sabihin ano problema niya. He hiding secrets, pero ayaw kong
manghimasok.

Day 23, hindi na siya pumapasok sa school, hindi ko alam bahay niya, I don’t
exactly know where he lived!.

Day 28, I went to Hospital to visit my mommy. These past few days, hindi
nagpakita si Daniel, hindi nag paramdam. Nag alala ako, sobra. I was ready
to walk into Mommy's room when I noticed a familiar person. At first, I
believed hindi siya. But when come to him to confirm, I was shocked, truly
shocked. I'm unable to process it in my mind. There are no words to come out
of my mouth. Now I understand what is happening to him.

“Daniel?” almost whisper. “ Kaya ba hindi ka nagpakita dahil dito? Bakit hindi
mo sinabi? Akala ko good na tayong dalawa.” Para akong naiiyak. I cannot
believe this. Bakit ang payat niya. He looks sick, no, actually he is sick!

“Sorry Jasmine, hindi ko kayang sabihin sayo. Ayaw kong kaawaan moko,
lakas mo ako eh bakit ako manghihina. I was diagnosed Pancreatic cancer. I
don’t know paano nag simula. Wala, wala akong alam basta nandito natong
sakit nato.” He explained. Cancer that is not curable, the thought make my
heart ache.

“so ikaw naka confine diyan at hindi papa mo?”. I asked. He nodded.
“I’m sorry”. he said almost whisper. I went immediately to give him a hug.

Day 30, we spent his remaining days at beach, pumunta din kami sa bahay
ng papa niya. We spend our time chatting about our life, and this is my first
time sharing my concerns. As the hours, minutes, and seconds ticked past. I
know what the issue is, He’s getting weaker. Hindi niya napapansin yun, pero
pansin na pansin ko. Wala na yung sigla, his smiles also getting weak. I am
afraid.

“Ms. Madrigal, you must go to your mom’s room.” Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng
puso ko sa sinabi ng nurse.

“Daniel, teka”
“but-”
“please.” then immediately stood up. Hindi ako nagsayang ng oras.
“ma-.”
“anak ko.” I was shocked. Gising na si mommy. Bigla ko siyang niyakap.
“gising ka na, mommy.” Na iiyak kong sabi. “Teka po tatawagin ko lang yung
doctor.” Then she nodded.

When I go to my mother's room. People appear to be highly busy because

there is a patient in ICU. But when I saw the patient, my eyes widened.

“Daniel!!!”. Napasabay ako sa mga nurses and doctor sa paghatid sa kanya

sa ICU.
“Daniel, wag muna ngayon please. Remember when we saw a meteor,
hiniling ko Daniel, hiniling ko na hindi magtatapos itong larong ito.” Umiiyak na
ako. Hindi makapaniwala.

“Miss, hindi ka pwede pumasok sa loob, we promised, gagawin namin lahat.” I

just nodded then umupo sa sahig. Nanghihina ako, ayaw ko pa.

It’s already 11:50pm nang lumabas ang mga doctor.

“Ms. Madrigal, gumising siya. Hinahanap ka ng pasyente.” Pumasok ako agad

“Daniel, I-.” He cut me off

“Jasmine, Since pag transfer mo palang sa school crush na kita.” he chuckled
“you are really cute girl and I am relly falling for you, your secret smiles, your
cheerful sides,your problematic days, everything about you nafafall ako.”
Tinignan ko siya, hinang hina na. “ I hope you know how much you really
mean to me. Marami kang problema na nilabanan mo ng mag isa, but you’re
here today. You made it. I’m so proud of you. I love you.” those words made
me cry so much “Please take this letter. See you, my love, see you.” I huged
him for the last time. All I hear is the beep of electronic vital sign monitors, and
the doctor starts panicked and cursing, forcing me to leave. And all I can do is
sob and call his name.

The clock strikes at 12.

Daniel’s heart stop pumping.

“Jasmine,
I know you can be healing and still be afraid, triggered,
emotionally closed off, and unclear of which path to take next. Healing is
not perfection, it’s small steps towards becoming you again. Okay?.
Always calm your mind, you’re no one’s journey but your own. Pace
yourself and live you life the way you want to.
Always remember that you matter, you are valid and you are
loved. You deserve all the good things world has to offer. I hope life
treats you better, and I hope you get the comfort you need.
 My love, you be the sun, I’ll be the moon. Just let your light come
shining trough and when the time comes, just like the moon, I’ll shine
the light right back at you. I love you.

-Daniel.”
“ l love you, too. My love, see you”

-----THE END-----