The Madman Diaries, Jr.

Divine Revelation

Panginoon, turuan mo akong maging bukas-palad…

I tried as hard as I could to follow the words popping out of the large LCD about 6 rows away, but for some reason, I just couldn't. My girlfriend nudged me – quite hard –, obviously annoyed, and continued on singing the Offertory song. I slapped her on the leg – not too hard – and she took no time in giving me the Evil Eye.

I know, I know. I'm in a church, and I should show respect. Unfortunately, it's just not my custom. Every Sunday, before I met my girlfriend, I would doze off the whole day. The Lord rested on the Sabbath day, it was said, so why shouldn't I?

Knowing I'd never be able to sing whatever song that the choir was singing, I fell to staring at the people around me. There was, of course, my girlfriend, who was now getting her wallet in order to place money in that basket they just love to pass around (I never really understood that – the wallet, I mean. It's just too pink for words!), the old woman beside me who was holding on to a one hundred peso bill while singing in a crooked voice (cliché, but true. She was even wearing a veil too…ack, old people), the family of five in the pew in front of me (four kids, one mom…I welcomed the little children's laughter…too bad nobody else did), and the rows and rows of brown-haired, black-haired people who were all facing forward, except for this girl in pigtails…

She was staring at me, amidst the turned heads of those beside her and behind her (she was in the first row). It was creepy. Well, no, actually, it wasn't. She had on a smile – a lovely one at that. She was wearing an orange shirt that had a huge "P" at the back (I think it was one of those activist shirts; I never knew), and she was staring at ME.

I turned away immediately, and looked at the priest in front as he started to get-and-give-to-the-sacristan-beside-him the gifts the people would bestow upon him. Truly, she was beautiful…cute, even. Her pearly white teeth made me think of Heaven's gates…not that there's a connection, really…but is there?

I blushed upon thinking these thoughts and stole a look toward her once again. She was STILL facing me…wait. Wait, wait, wait. Maybe she wasn't looking at me. Maybe she was looking at someone NEXT to me. Quite angered by this, I discreetly turned my head to get a good look at the people behind me. I didn't see anyone I'D be interested to look at; but then again, maybe SHE did. I faced front again, and glanced her way. Undoubtedly, she was staring at ME, with the same sparkle in her eye, with the same joy in her smile. There could be no one else. Only I.

Knowing this, my heart cried with pure joy. This lovely maiden, a maiden of the temple, who, each day stealing looks from a passing messenger, had finally gotten him whole. Perhaps she was a witch…but my heart screamed only Love for her…if she WAS a witch, then I shall serve her for all my days…

Just then, a gunshot was heard, and an eerie silence followed. I looked toward her way to see that my little bluebird had fallen…with blood on her nape, and gun in her hand.

Author's Note: The Filipino lines that start the story are a few words from a (Filipino ;D) Offertory song.