Dyan, shocked by the guy's exposition, replied, “But I'm not requiring you to take care of me, my custody or what. I'm not your responsibility either. I mean...what I really want is...I'm just reaching out for help..can you...accompany me to a house or somewhere where I could stay in for a while? Perhaps you have some friends here who can help me - “
“Why on earth are you traveling alone, without a company, stranded in a place, no place to go and call for help...?!” replied the agitated guy.
“Hey, mister?!” Dyan, who cannot stand the frantic guy, defended herself raising her tone,”I came here for an important reason and not just hanging out like what you think. I'm supposed to arrive at the right destination to where i should be but that train suddenly got wrecked and I'm one of those unfortunate people who got stranded in this place, got it?!”
The guy was stunned and stared Dyan for a moment. Dyan too, was shocked by her words.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," Dyan realizing her outburst, bowed her head.
The guy too, felt silent. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have judged you in the first place. Sorry for being disrespectful. I know I should be the one to blame," said the guy apologetically.
A few seconds of silence passed. Dyan was the first to break it. "Uh-hum...so..what now? Can I uhm..ask for a favor?"she said.
The guy smiled sheepishly, "Well, uh...yeah, sure. I think," he said. "By the way...I'm Luke." the guy reached out his hand to Dyan.
Dyan too, shook hands with him. "Just call me Dyan." And they both smiled.
Luke told Dyan that he has a friend who lives near the place. He has just got something important to do in the city and went home then. Dyan also related why and how did she got there. She told him that she's up to a certain project and that she's going to stay at the village for a couple of days for she has decided to spend her time there and document her project.
Luke agreed to let Dyan stay there with their friend's inn for the duration of time she will have to stay and make her project. Dyan was so thankful then, to Luke and to his friend, Pete. While in her stay at the Bostonville, she readily felt at home with nature. The place was so beautiful and relaxing, and it really made a good venue for her to make her project because of the nice sceneries and a nice place for contemplation.
While in the garden near the grassy plains where Dyan was capturing photographs and documenting videos for her project, and Luke was with her, Dyan couldn't help but express her fascination about the place. "Wow, this is really amazing. Such a nice spot in the world!" said Dyan, closing her eyes and extending her arms, feeling the cool air that seem to wash away the pains and heartaches in her. Luke was just intently looking at her who seems like a child free as a bird, feeling like it was just the first time she saw the world.
"I'm not even aware a kind of world like this exists." Dyan softly said.
Luke, sensing a tone of sorrow in Dyan's words, asked, "Why? Was there a problem outside? Are you just turning your back for some heartfelt pain? Escaping from the real world of complications and heartaches?"
Dyan, paused for a while, thinking of the past incident. "I'm used to giving out my best. All that I got, in all that I do. I really loved my work. And I value it so much. I'm not used to accept my failures for I feel I don't deserve it."Dyan sighed, then continued. "My life revolved around my family, friends, my studies. I value my education as much as I value my family. I grew up to be an achiever."
Luke, who got carried away by her story, listened intently. "That project was a big deal. Very big deal. Tsk. I felt it was my stepping stone for my bright future. I've always wanted a slot in the finals. It's not just all about the grade, the prize, or the fame. It's something more." Dyan looked at Luke. "Unfortunately, I was not able to make it. I don't know why. Well, maybe I've expected much." Dyan felt her tears building up. "I told myself that I won't have a failure. I won't have an INC mark. I've always wanted my family to feel proud of me. Even if there are times when we find it hard to go to school because of some financial problems, they really try to send us to school no matter what. If I'm going to lose this, what is there to look forward to in my life? Is there a reason for me to face my family? My self? This is my reason why I keep on fighting. I don't want to fail."
Luke, able to relate her worries, patted Dyan on her back. "Actually, there are just more to live than just what you think."
Dyan, suddenly got intrigued by Luke's tone, asked "W-Why?" She was kinda stupid to ask that but it was the only thing she managed to utter.
Luke sat beside Dyan and began to assure her not to worry. "You know what? There are some people who are in need, those who live in impoverished villages, do not have something to eat or drink, do not have clothes to wear." he said.
"Yeah, I got your point. But mine is a different thing - " Dyan told Luke.
"Dyan,"interrupted Luke. "I know. We have dissimilar problems for we don't exactly have the same trials in life that we experience. But what I want you to know is, you're not alone. And you don't have to feel like one."
Dyan stared at Luke, wondering what could be the real thing that he wanted to express. Luke continued, "We, people here in this village just live a different yet simple life compared to yours in the city. Some don't have proper education like what you have, don't even know their direction in life. But they still live like nothing's bothering them even if there are things they need to heed and pay attention to." he said.
"I don't have much proper education like what you have right now. I don't have the freedom like you have. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve to be born into this dry, empty world. I don't know my worth. For what I am borne to? I don't see my future. You're lucky you have plans for yourself.." said Luke emotionally.
Dyan, though, somewhat had a realization by what Luke have told her. She realized that, yes, she's lucky, still damned lucky. She has a good family, proper education, has goals to be achieved in life. It was stupid of her to think that she has in a worse situation. Yes, Luke had a point. There are still a hundred reasons not to quit.
* * *
Days passed and Dyan was on her way to finishing her project. Luke was always there to assist her. At last, it was for her to leave.
While packing her stuffs, Dyan and Luke couldn't help feeling lonely. A few hours will go and the train will arrive. Dyan would be going back to the city. This would mean that she will be leaving the Bostonville and, probably will not be returning again to this secluded area.
"Will this be the end?" Luke asked.
Dyan remained silent, staring at the hills in a distance. "I don't know." she replied. "But even if this would be the last time we'll see each other, I won't forget how you were able to help me, how you touched my life, and changed my view about life," Dyan said, with a smile trying to be cheerful.
"Thanks for giving me advice. For the short time I've stayed with here, I've learned something from you, "she added.
"I hope time would come that our roads will meet again." replied Luke smiling. But his sad smile didn't escape Dyan's eyes. "C'mon, the train would be leaving soon." And so, they started off for the rail.
As Dyan climbed off the train, she turned back to see Luke even for the last time. Also to the place who provided her the shelter she had wanted to, and to the people there who welcomed her with all their heart. At last it was time for the train to leave. Dyan bid goodbye to her friends, especially to Luke who made a great impact to her life. While the train is traveling, Dyan admired the lovely sceneries of nature. Everything now is of vibrant shine to her – beauteous and appealing, colorful and lively. Now she felt she has something worth fighting for, she now understood the value of every pain and heartache. And she felt she now have the ability to turn her every weakness into strength. She now felt the overwhelming feeling of being revived. Now is a new life. She smiled.
* * *
"Great job, Miss Villa! You got the top slot in the finals. You will now have the opportunity to be one of our school's candidates for scholarship at St. Nicholas' School of Arts, the world-famous school of film and photography. Aside from that, you have the chance to carry advance loads in your course, and some other scholastic benefits!" the professor announced enthusiastically to Dyan as she went to the faculty office for she was being called by their instructor. Dyan couldn't believe what she heard. She? Got the top rank in the finals? Wow, i-it's amazing... her mind couldn't resist the good news.
"I'm proud of you as my student, Dyan. I guess I was not wrong to give you an INC mark," her professor said, laughingly. Dyan’s eyebrows met, a little confused. "I was just testing your skills, though, on how far can you go. And you proved me right. You really are a talented young woman," added her professor.
"T-Thank you, sir. I can't believe I made it this far." Dyan managed to say, still overwhelmed by the results. She was so happy and thanked God for the really good news. She was very glad and excited to tell her family and friends about it. Especially Luke.
* * *
Dyan was on her way riding a train to the Bostonville. She planned to stay there for a short vacation and of course, to tell Luke the outcome of her project and to thank him personally.
Pete and his folks happily met Dyan on the road. They were surprised to see her back yet glad for she remembered to visit them back there. Dyan too, felt the same joy for seeing them again.
"By the way, where's Luke?" Dyan asked.
Pete and his sister Nina paused and exchanged glances with each other, a look of bewilderment in their faces. Dyan's eyebrows met. "W-Why?" she asked.
"Uhm..Dyan...Luke's not here. He's gone." he uttered.
Dyan couldn't get what Pete really mean spoke, "What..do you..mean?"
Pete gave a meaningful look at Nina who, excused herself and urged the others to go outside and unpack Dyan’s packages. Pete continued to explain to Dyan the situation. "Luke has left the Bostonville – for good. He just told us one day that he just realized what he is and for what he is living for. He decided to go out and explore what it is to live in the world which he thinks is secluded from him…" Dyan felt utterly silent by what she learned.
Dyan was strolling by at the grassy plains overlooking the hills at the side. She recalled the memories of the past when she was capturing videos with the area for her project. This place has changed, but its original beauty remains, she said to herself.
A call of someone from behind made Dyan glance her way away from the calm scene of nature. Surprised by what she saw, she was stunned by the glow of what it seems like a very familiar face – Luke. He has come back to see her!
"Hi!" greeted Luke.
Dyan couldn't say a word. The Luke she've known was not the same Luke she is with right now. He became more impressively handsome and his features reveal those of a good-looking guy next door.
"Hey! Why the jaw dropping?" he said grinning.
Dyan became conscious. "Luke? Is that you?" she asked. "My, I was surprised to see you. You are... you've changed."
"Handsome?" replied Luke smiling.
"Well, yeah. I must admit." Dyan said, smiling too, felt her cheeks turn red. Suddenly she remembered something.
"Oh, yeah. I... I came here to visit back the village," Dyan began to talk, obviously not meeting the eyes of Luke. "I also..want to inform you that my project was...a success. And I came here to thank you personally."
"Yeah, Pete told me that," Luke said, and walked nearer to Dyan. "Well, I have something to tell you." he added.
"What is it?" Dyan felt weird emotions running through her. Stop it, just be calm, okay? What's happening with you? her mind kept composing herself.
"I have something to confess. It's a truth that that I've been keeping for myself and from you." Luke began to talk.
When Dyan didn't react, he continued, "I really did not tell you the true story about mtself. Of who I am, where I'm from, what I'm doing here, and the like. It's not the real me you've known for so long."
Dyan became puzzled. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Luke sighed, looked at her then continued, "I'm not living here, Dyan. My life really doesn’t belong here. I'm just a stranger, like you, when you first set your foot in this place. I live in the city. My father is a corporate manager, and mom is an accountant. We live a nice life, until everything seems to fall in disorder. The company where dad's working got bankrupt, my mom encountered a problem with their management, my studies became worse, my parents scolded me, and the like. I can't take life seriously that time. I feel there is a need for me to find myself – of what I really want to do with my life. I want to discover it in a far-away place like this. Far from the people who know me, from my real world."
Dyan was listening intently to Luke. He continued, "..until I met you. I've heard your story, your life, your views. I've listened to your woes, your worries, your fears. I got to know you – the real you. Then I realized...I don't know how or why...but I think God made me realized that. Because of what you said to me, I've known other people's story, of how they deal about life. And the people in this village, they live a simple life. I've learned that only humans do complicate their life by making decisions." he looked at Dyan, smiling. "Thanks for everything."
Dyan too, though surprised by Luke's confessions, managed to smile. She had not thought of it. But now she readily understood Luke. She also took the time a moment to express her gratitude to Luke. "You've made a great impact to my life." she told.
"You too." Luke said. "You're my angel in disguise." he grinned.
Dyan laughed by what he said. "Really, huh?" she chuckled.
"Yah, of course." Luke too, laughed with her. "C'mon, let's go back to Pete's house."
"Yah, I think they're waiting impatiently for us." And they both smiled, walked hand in hand to the house.
Everything looked different. The flowers bloom their blossomest way. The birds chirped the merriest. The air blowed its softest and coolest breeze. The trees swayed their branches gracefully. The clouds move freely in the blue sky. Nature celebrated all. And it was from a different point of view now. Life as what it should be.
-papel-
"Remain fresh and original"
-eniamrahc_rehpargillac-
