CHAPTER 5

"Synecdoche, wake up. Wake up, hey." I heard a voice. 

"What happened to you? Wake up," he added. He patted my back and my eyes opened. I saw him, his very pleasant face. 

"What happened, Vani?" I asked, checking around to see where I was.

"What? I don't know? I just saw you here being stunned as if you're thrown for a loop. Where did you go? You look so skanky with your grimy clothes, and shabby hair. I've been looking for you for a while." I looked at his hands that are resting on my shoulders and I looked at my clothes. He's telling the truth. As if I was chased by a hippopotamus or a bull or any other wild animal here in the forest.

I suddenly thought about what had happened to me. I look to the side and there's a well.

The well.

I immediately stood up and I looked inside the well. It is so dark below and I can see nothing but a fading brick. I think I fell here earlier and then the Manjies chased me. I can still hear their eerie steps in my mind. Why would they chase me? Was it about the hologram? Or something else? Did I break the rules? No one can tell me because I'm all alone. 

"Vani, am I really just lying there on the ground?" I asked as I set up myself. My eyes went back and forth to him and the well. I am so bothered. I am really bothered by the way Vani gave his concern to me. He's concerned. A stranger like him. I just met him this morning.

"Yes, what happened?" he replied, immediately frowning at me in astonishment.

No way! I am so preoccupied with everything!

I know I fell here, but I can't feel any pain in my body now. I have no fractures. My head and spinal system may be injured, and suffer from trauma scores related to mortality. My aorta might disconnect. Or worst, it could lead me to subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma.

My heart may stop beating.

If I fall, I don't want to die with my dreams but rather die with memories. 

But why did I come out of the well? Did someone help me? Am I dreaming? Is it true that the Manjies chased me? Did I really fell? I can not remember. I mean, I am not sure of my thoughts.

I need an answer but no one can.

Vani looked at me for long seconds, as if he was waiting for something. "Oh, before I forgot. Sorry, Vani but no one bought from your heart."

"My banana heart," he interjected, "Not my heart. It's not fo sale. This is not for sale." Vani drew a heart shape on his chest using his two index fingers.

"Whatever. But why are you selling? It's not allowed here in our district, the Manjies might see it. Wait, I'll just take it from my bag, wait for a second." I rummaged inside my bag and I was shocked because I only saw the hologram. There was no banana heart.

"Vani, it's not inside my bag! I just put it here wrapped by my bra."

"Wtf, what did you just— "

"Hey, I'm not kidding. It's gone!" I exclaimed and he was stunned like a frozen baby wing man.

"Oh my god! Your G-string brassiere is gone!"

"Hey, don't mind that, I have my extra here. Mind your banana heart. You moron!" I knelt on the ground so I could search inside my bag but I failed. It seemed like the fruit was transformed by this projector that has some sort of lens.

"Why do you have an electronic device? It seems like forbidden rules became forgotten rules for you. Or you must have hyperthymesia for not forgetting it but why do you have that? Where did you get that ?! Hide it or we might be seen here," he commanded me and I stopped before speaking.

"Hey, scammer, are you frantically suspecting that I'm a thief? I don't know why does it summon here inside my bag! I'm sure that woman beside me at the quadrangle early this morning is the one who put it here," I defended myself. "Besides, do not distract yourself, Vani. You are the issue here! We are still jaded by your banana heart." I stepped closer to him and he was like a criminal who was caught up in broad daylight. He raised his two hands.

But who took that banana heart?

The second time, I searched my entire bag again, but I found nothing but coins.

"Two twenty pesos? Why is there money in my bag? I don't have any money!"

"By the way, maybe someone bought my heart and you just don't remember." He had a point but as far as I can remember, I never talked to anyone to approach and sell it.

"Are you sure, Synecdoche? Maybe someone bought and you just forgot?" He says. But I am messed up. I have no hints.

"Whatever. Just get it. I know you need it." I handed him the money. "Better hide that and the Manjies might see you." I looked side to side and then above. There, I saw the surveillance in the trees. Fortunately, we were in a relatively secluded place.

"Act like we're playing hide and seek," I whispered when the camera got its first sight on us. He nodded. I know the camera is focusing on us and some people are already looking at us from wherever their facility of all the surveillance cameras here in our districts are stationed. Those trolls really made those toys to control and know our whereabouts.

"Thank you, Synecdoche," Vani whispered to me as he simply put the bills in his pocket.

"I thought there is no scammer who is grateful" I anticipated. He thought I forgot what he did to me this morning!

"I'm sorry, I just need—"

"What is this?" I cut while pointing at Vani's right arm.

"Ah, this? T-this is an art," he stammered and covered his arm.

"Is that a tattoo?" I asked.

"This is an art," Vani repeated.

“Tattoo is an art,” I explained.

"I didn't say it's a tattoo."

I laughed, "'Don't say it's—"

"It's not a Schmutz that can be rubbed off my skin," he said, being defensive.

"I didn't say it's a Schmutz," I retorted.

I'm about to protest but he suddenly coughed. "Oh, sorry, I bet you have a serious cough. Come on, let's go home. It's getting late, the Padre is looking for me and your parents are looking for you even more," I suggested.

We changed directions and I was able to return home safely.

I entered and found Father kneeling in front of the altar, with large candles, in front of the statue of the Goddess of agriculture, Our Mother Ceres.

"Dare libertatem Ad Grass

A Pulchram Civitatem

Dare libertatem Ad Grass

A Pulchram Civitatem," I heard Father Oriel say. It was six o'clock in the evening and he was saying those words again.

I know those Latin words. He doesn't have to teach me that anymore because I already know that. I always hear it every twilight.

When he noticed that I was here, he immediately stood up.

"Oh my love, you're home. Why are you so dirty? Better dress up so we can have our dinner. I cooked vegetables for us." He gave ma a sweet smile. The candle was lit again.

"All right," I replied shortly. I went straight to my room and put down my bag. I immediately got dressed and went back to the dining room table.

I was about to sit down but I was surprised and suddenly picked up the wooden plate. "Father, you know it's forbidden, why do you cook rice?" I was surprised to see rice on the table, unlike what I usually see.

"Shh, it's not a grain," he said calmly, hands on his reddened lips, making me feel It was no harm for us.

"So what's this?" I asked while smelling the rice. It has a distinctive smell.

“That’s a Quinoa,” Padre told me, wanting me to sit down.

"Qui..quinoa?" I looked at the plate and I suddenly closed my eyes. Jumbled letters begin to flow like specks of pixie dust. I was looking for something in the dark and for a few seconds, I spoke again, “Q-U-I-N O-A. Quinoa is..is a flowering plant in the Amaranth Family. It is classified as ... ” I stopped, and spoke again, “it is classified as pseudocereal and not… not a grain.” I just sat down on the chair and put the plate back on the table.

"Let's eat, don't spell and say its definition because I know my dearest child's stomach is hungry." I smiled at what Father said. We immediately take our dinner together. He also cooked some soup so it was a great combination. It was a leafy kind of soup.

"Did you know, Padre, that Quinoa is rich in B vitamins, protein, and dietary minerals in amounts greater than in many grains?" I added because I know I read it.

"And do you know where I got that?" Padre queried.

The two of us looked at each other before he finally spoke.

"In the heart of your crush, ayi."

And I was really surprised. Who wouldn't be surprised? It wasn't expected because it came from the mouth of a Priest like him.

"Oh, violent. Just kidding, Padre." We both laughed and he hugged me tightly. The hug I had never felt before.

The flame that is waving on the candle served as our light. The cold air that traveled into our house served as a fan. I know it's better than electronic devices. Then tonight, I was with one of the most important people in my life.

Suddenly, I break the silence. "Father," he looked at me. His blue eyes seem to be swallowing me, "it's about the Spelling bee competition. It will take place next week. I want to join," I told him nervously, making my knees turn into jellies.

He looked in the other direction and suddenly drank a glass of water. "And then?"

"If I win, I will be the representative in district G and will be sent to the Word arena to compete for our district," I explained.

"You're not going to join. You don't know what kind of place that word arena is. When I say no, you're not going to join! Focus on your education, Synecdoche. Do you understand? "

"But father," I pleaded.

"You're not good at spelling. You have a paltry vocabulary. You won't win, you'll just waste your time joining in," he explained to me. His expression is different now.

"But father, you said I'm smart, I can do it. I will handle it, and I can handle it. Don't you trust me? What's wrong with joining the spelling bee?" I asked.

"That's inconsequential. It's too bad for a kid like you. It's not just a competition. You know nothing, Synecdoche. You know nothing!" It was as if quinoa had pierced my consciousness because of what he said. As if I was slapped by the truth.

What does the father know that I do not know? Does he know anything?

Tell me, Father.

I didn't just speak, instead, I hurriedly finished my food immediately. I left Padre at the dining table and went straight to the bedroom. I want to be alone. I was disgusted because Father will not allow me. Many things are forbidden to me. I'm matured enough. I'm 23 who turned 18, but my consciousness is still 23. I should be able to do the things I want to do. May it be through rationalism or empiricism.

The reason is the primary source of knowledge. But how about experience? I can spell long and hard words based on my experience by just closing my eyes and I can imagine letters. But if needs to be rational, give me a specific page in the dictionary with thousand pages and I can recite all those words on that page, one by one, forward and backward. I will let the letters let me. 

Like I said, my room is full of books. Algebra, geography, 21st-century Literature, and even dictionaries. I've read almost everything, and my life sucks. Sucks not to the point I have nothing to do, but I am a sucker. A sucker of all forms of knowledge. I just sit here and scan and sleep. But I don't find it boring or a run-on-the-mill. Maybe I am conspired to be like this, to do like this. Nothing is unprecedented.

I went near the window and from here, I can see the grainfield and other parts of district G.

Torches are everywhere.

They are like eyes on fire. There is really no electricity here with us. We abandoned ourselves and plunged into the fact that paraffin lamp is our only source of light when the night comes. The only device we have that is not powered by electricity but by the use of kerosene as fuel. A wick or mantle as a light source, protected by a glass chimney or globe. 

We wish for the gleaming moon to be embellished with stars as fluctuating golden embroideries at the night sky. And when the celestial bodies hide, we wish to have that blasted lightning off the field.

A guilty conscience never feels secure. I hope the Embassy feels it. That we are suffering, trying to endure the fact that we're under their power. When will our district be given a light?

I suddenly thought about what happened today and why was there a coin in my bag. I didn't bring or receive any money. Or maybe I was just imagining that people were chasing me. The Manjies were chasing me.

I took the Holo out of my bag and the map of Maharlika flashed again. And It lighted my dim room. I looked at each district again and checked where they were stationed, their location.

I wonder if these 26 districts including Mahar, were all connected before. Yes, I presume.

There are also remote islands near District F which look like a dot.

I stared at the long road, a train track. It is connected to all districts, owned by District T, obviously, Transportation is their industry. Their seal is an image of a train with wings. They make the transportation. Are they the ones who made the big flying ship of the embassy?

District F, on the other hand, their seal has an emphasis on a trident with three fish stuck in three sharp portions of the trident.

Oh, I remember Poseidon. Obviously, the location of District F is at the seashore. Probably their only livelihood here is fishing. Their industry is fishing. How I wish I can eat fish.

The bottom part of the map is terrifying. District W. As I see their seal, I can say that W means War.

I was suddenly in awe because I thought the sound of a gun startled my ears, it's the loud melancholic sound of the thunder that is getting into my nerves. Drizzles turned into rain. And the torches outside were off. It was as if the wide-awake eyes that had been on fire earlier were gradually closing down.

Father suddenly knocked but I did not open it. "My Love, Are you okay there? Turn on your lamp so you have a light there. Go to sleep later because you still have a class tomorrow." Instead, I knocked on the door as a response. A signal that I heard what he said.

Ten seconds have passed before he spoke again. "Ah, My Love, if you are upset about my decision, I just want you to know that my decision is not for your harm but it's all for your good. The Lord knows my desire for you. I just want to protect you because I love you I'm just here for you. Think about what you're thinking." Moments later, the voice from outside disappeared.

What’s so bad about me joining a Spelling Bee? I'll just step on the stage and spell the words. Is there anything else to do besides that? 

I just sighed. The wind was strong so the curtain near the terrace of my room seemed to be very cold because it wanted to enter my room. I was about to go to close the terrace door but I stopped.

I slowly stepped back because a silhouette emerged behind the curtain.

It slowly enters my room. I didn't know that I was carrying a pair of wooden clogged slippers and was ready to hit it on whoever tried to enter my room.

The person pulled back the curtain and entered. I was going to hit the person with varnished wooden footwear carved with floral, geometric, and landscape designs but the person avoided it, and there, I threw my clog slippers outside.

Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were soaked and wet. And now I realized that I am facing a feminine body.

… And she is familiar.

"Hi expert," she said to me.