#GeniusAndGifted

"The genius accepts fucked up emotions; the gifted pretends nothing's wrong."

-x-

One of her biggest insecurities after purpose in life is her importance. A lot made her feel worthless. No one should follow.

And Jhing was sure the word stupid would never describe her.

Puzzle pieces clicked; Bee was the girl at the signing. Jhing wasn't good with memorizing faces but she was sure Bee Gonzaga was the one who gave her the box, and asked about that dreaded question: where do broken hearts go?

MJ, of love and karma, JhingBlanco. She wrote that on Bee's book dedication. Melchizedek Jesus. . .Crux.

She felt stupid.

Hindi kasi niya naisip na kakausapin pa siya ni Miko, o magkikita pa sila. Alam kasi niyang wala na. She ended it with a FB block, FB deactivation, new sim card and apartment. Alam niyang tangina siya, kabobohan – pero putangina naman ­– kaya nga lumalayo para hindi sila magkasakitan pa.

Alam niyang hindi anak ni Miko 'yon.

The memories were too fresh for her to forget; their chats, the ex, her tears, the baby, his explanations . . . pero kahit anong pigil sa sarili at paglayo – masakit pa rin talaga. Parang sinaksak siya ng isang malaking hindi ka importante sa puso. Ito na ba ang of love and karma niya? Why the heck did she write it that way, anyway?

She was striving to move the fuck on.

Pero ayun. Love plus karma? Back to negativity. . .and beyond.

Maybe her move was a big mistake.

Maybe she needed another plan.

Maybe Jhing should stop trying.

But stop trying what? Move on? Fall again? Breathe?

The last seemed tempting.

Jhing was tired of running, so she decided to stop and acted normal. Balewala rin kasi. Tumakbo man, lumayo man – masasaktan pa rin siya, makakasakit pa siya.

Ayaw niyang galawin ang kahit anong muscle sa katawan niya but she had no choice.

She had to get up even if she felt like shit.

Kailangan pa rin niyang harapin ang lahat; pumasok sa office, mag-edit, magsulat dahil matagal na siyang hindi nakakapag-update, matapos ang deadline, magtrabaho para magkapera para sa pamilya, prove her worth . . . and face Miko.

Which didn't happen eventually due to Miko's 3-day absence.

"Work from home siya ngayon," said Miss Stels when Yayo asked where Miko was. "May inaasikaso daw sa business."

Bad news para sa mga bagong babaeng naghanap kay Miko sa mga araw na 'yon. Luhaan silang umalis.

When Friday morning came, Jhing saw Miko. He was at the pantry, sitting at the corner – laptop on the table, and a cup of coffee. He was wearing his eye glasses again, bags under his eyes, a serious face.

Jhing's heart pounded when he looked up at her. Mas kinabahan si Jhing nang ngumiti ito. But Miko was taken aback, when Jhing tried to return the smile.

Na naging ngiwi dahil sa kaba.

Kung hindi na siya tatakbo, might as well be civil. . .ish.

They got busy with their work and deadlines. After finishing the last manuscript, Jhing started a new manuscript and almost vomited the words after reading the opening line and paragraph.

RING RING. Nagising ako sa ingay. Pagtingin ko sa oras – KYAAAAAAHHH! Late na ako sa first day of school ko! Ang tanga-tanga mo talaga Patrixziah!

Bago pa mabasa ang mga susunod na sentences at mabadtrip, Jhing commented: This opening paragraph should be forbidden in the writing world. This was written too many times in different languages that once you read it again, you'll die a sudden death.

Opening line [or paragraph, at that matter] should be:

1. Unique [I watched a video of booktubers and it was amazing how they knew the book by the opening / first line with blindfolds. Aim for your opening line to be uniquely remembered by readers.

See attached file for the video of booktubers.]

2. Catchy [but this is subjective! Write a sentence, paragraph (a book!) that can make readers be attracted & attached]

3. Important to the story [if you wrote a green box in the opening, that green box should be of use next time.]

4. Vague or vivid, it must raise interesting questions like 'Who? What? Why? How?'

[Not questions like: "Huh? I re-read it 23 times but I still can't understand the first line" or "huh? And so?" Sadly, the last question was on my head when I read the story's opening paragraph. Ilang story na ba ang nabasa kong nagising sa alarm at late sa first day of school? Tapos ano, tatakbo siya at makakabunggo ang ka-love team niya?

There are clichés that are bearable, pero may mga gasgas na nakakabaliw na in the worst way [example: waking up late for first day's school. I cannot stress it enough.]

Here's a sample of generic opening line [not sure if it's really an opening of any book. Sorry!]: "Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived far, far away."

Think fast. What story's in your mind? Now!

***

I think of Brave (Merida, anyone?) but some might think of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Frog and the Princess. It's too generic. Here are my renditions of less common opening line that will own the story. Guess which story is which and try to write your version of first lines.

"She swept the floor, cooked dinner, and sighed when her stepmother's voice kept calling her to make tea for the guests."

"Ang prinsesa, the Fairest of Them all, ay may kutis na kasing puti ng pangalan niya: Snow White."

"Tulog siya nang ilang daang taon."

""I wish I have human feet," Ariel said, wiggling her tail of a fish, and sighed."

"The Beauty must be dreaming that fiction books she read were real when she first saw the Beast."

"No one might believe me or knew I exist, but my golden hair was as long as the tower I was locked up, and I'm not even joking that from the window, I can touch the clouds and they were not as fluffy as cottons like I imagined them."

"There are girls whose desire is to be match-made to a young, handsome gentleman, soldier or general, all-mighty and strong, while some yearn to be a lady soldier, bring honor to her family's name with her hair in a Chinese flower clip, skirt around her hips, a wife and mother in a household and become a heroine on her own."

Disclaimer: Not final. Remember; brainstorm and re-write until you bleed the best for the story.

Make people remember your story by your strong opening line / paragraph, not the story of someone else.

Surprisingly, the story got interested after the palyado first chapter that Jhing didn't hear the heavy rain when night came. Nakatitig tuloy siya sa kawalan, naghihintay ng himala sa pagtila ng ulan para makauwi.

Minutes passed, she decided to run for her life.

Paghakbang patungo sa outside raining world, hindi siya gaanong nabasa dahil may nagpayong sa kanya. Another heartbeat fast, like it was sure who was beside her. And the traitor heart was right; Pinayungan siya ni Miko.

"Baka mabasa ka," he said with a smile.

Nanikip sandali ang dibdib niya. She walked faster but Miko was persistent. Nakaabala na sila sa mga dumadaan dahil paikot-ikot sila sa sidewalk.

Fed up, she gave up. Nakapayong pa rin si Miko sa kanya. Then as if her hand had a brain on its own, she held the umbrella – her pinky touched Miko's index finger. A static – like electricity decided to go through her vein. She saw Miko's grip tightened on the handle.

Did he feel it, too?

Then she pushed Miko out of the umbrella's premise, her lips in a thin line – trying not to smile.

"What the?" Nagulat si Miko. "Ba't ka nanunulak?"

Jhing shrugged and walked faster, his umbrella on her hand. Nabasa na agad si Miko ng ulan nang habulin siya nito. She felt another static, more electrifying than last time, when Miko grabbed the handle and almost touched her hand. Tinanggal niya kaagad ang hawak.

Then Miko pushed her out.

Putek. Nabasa na rin siya!

Miko laughed his ass off, but ran towards Jhing to get her in the shade. Naghabulan na naman sila when a taxi slowed down in front of Jhing. Without thinking, or maybe she thought bahala na kung instant noodles muna kainin ko basta makaalis, pumasok siya sa loob ng taxi. Ugh, ubos sweldo nito.

Bago isara ang pinto, Miko went inside with her. She was stunned. Si Miko pa ang nagsabi sa driver kung saan sila pupunta! And it wasn't her place.

"A-Anong—bakit ka sumakay dito?"

Miko smiled. "May pupuntahan lang ako."

They both shivered. Basa pa sila, ang lamig pa. She wanted out but the rain was heavy. Hassle ng ulan! She sighed. Miko smiled, mukhang nang-aasar habang nagpipindot sa phone.

"Saan ka ba pupunta?" Jhing asked. "Nag-taxi ako para umuwi, hindi puntahan yung pupuntahan mo."

Miko didn't answer. He was texting.

Eavesdropping wasn't Jhing's hobby pero sumilip siya sa phone nito, baka malaman niya kung anong mayroon. Mas lumapit pa siya, trying to read his text.

Her eyes widened when she read Miko's text: Bakit kaya curious yung isa dyan sa tinetext ko?

Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Her cheeks flushed when Miko laughed.

"Saan ba kasi tayo pupunta?" Jhing asked, annoyed.

Binulsa ni Miko ang phone. "May dadaanan lang saglit, tapos diretso na sa'yo."

"Bababa na lang ako."

Kumunot ang noo ni Miko. "Wag na. Umuulan oh, tapos delikado pa."

Jhing's eyebrow rose. "Delikado saan? Sa labas o sa loob?"

The driver smirked, so did Miko.

"Sandali lang talaga yung pupuntahan ko. Ako na magbabayad."

Good news, hindi na niya kailangan magtiis sa instant noodles!

Jhing's nod ended the conversation.

Tumitig siya sa bintana. Tumaas ang balahibo niya dahil sa lamig at pagkabasa. After a few minutes of silence, Miko shifted in his seat and poked her arm.

Bago pa siya magreklamo, kinausap ni Miko ang driver.

"Manong, pahinaan naman 'yung aircon oh, baka magyelo na tong kasama ko sa lamig, eh," he said. Jhing was surprised. Wow. Pagkahina ng aircon, Miko whispered, "ayan, malulusaw na 'yung lamig niya."

Her heart felt like it burned.

"Sorry pala nung Sunday," Miko said after a few minutes. Nakatitig lang sa bintana si Jhing. "Hindi ako nakapunta kasi—"

"Okay lang."

"May emergency—"

"Oo nga, okay lang. Gets ko," Jhing said.

Miko stared at her, his face nearer by the second. She scowled and pushed his face away. He laughed and asked, "Sigurado ka bang okay lang?"

"Dapat bang hindi?"

"Depende sa'yo. Baka tinatago mo lang?"

"I don't. Don't put words in my mouth," Jhing said. "Tinamad din ako nun. I'll email you instructions about the illustrations."

When Miko didn't respond, binalik niya ang tingin sa bintana. Tahimik ang buong byahe hanggang sa destinasyon. Dapat hindi na siya bababa, but Miko pulled her out after paying. Tumila na rin ang ulan.

Pagtawid, Jhing looked up at the grandest restaurant entrance she saw in person. There were mirrors, lights and a hanging chandelier! She looked at Miko who was talking on the phone, her eyes wide. Shit. Was he planning on doing something? Will they eat here? Ito ba ang way nito pag-sorry?!

No. this was too extravagant. Naka-shirt at jeans lang siya, and so was Miko! They couldn't eat here, could they? Ito yung mga klase ng restaurant na kailangan mag-gown pa para makapasok!

Miko talked to the receptionist, pati yung guard at waiter ang gaganda ng damit. She needed to go. ASAP. Pero bago pa makaalis, sinamahan sila ng waitress sa loob ng restaurant.

"This way Ma'am."

Pagpasok, she felt like a tiny insect. Alien and isolated.

Everyone's beautiful, and the place shouted glamour with crystals and diamonds. Some looked at them with weirded expression; others didn't bother as they eat with class. They were led to a table for four.

Pucha, mukha siyang medyo basang basahan ng table.

But Miko looked like he didn't mind they're like poop.

Nanginig ang kamay ni Jhing, hindi sa lamig kung hindi sa panliliit. Parang pinanglampaso sa sosyal ng mga tao. Helpless, she looked at Miko. Before she could catch his attention, a guy in suit walked towards them with a girl holding his arm.

"Ayan na ang Cinderello!"

Halos pasigaw na sabi ni Miko. Mas lalong nahiya si Jhing dahil napatingin ang ilan sa kanila. Tanging ang violin at organ lang kasi ang naririnig sa resto. The guy pulled a chair for his date. The other girl in dress was smiling, but Jhing felt she was also uncomfortable like her.

The guy looked at him, and smiled at her.

"Who's this pretty lady you're with?"

Ay shit, ang gwapo naman nun.

"Pare, si Jhing," Miko said. "Katrabaho ko."

"Nice meeting you, Jhing. I'm Ulysses."

Jhing was taken aback when Ulysses held her hand, was about to kiss the back of it when Miko pushed Ulysses' face away from her. Natawa ang babaeng kasama ni Ulysses.

"May ka-date ka di ba?" Miko said, shifted his gaze to the girl. "Ikaw si Raf? O si Sef?"

Gustong mahiya ni Jhing sa pinaggagagawa ni Miko.

"Uh—"

Ulysses cut her off and looked at Miko. Nakatayo pa rin silang dalawa. "What do you want now?"

"Nung una si Ligaya," said Miko. "Tapos ngayon mga babae sa Tinder?"

Ulysses smirked. Ang gwapo¸ Jhing thought. Naupo ito sa tabi ng babaeng kasama, Miko sat next to Jhing.

Miko's forehead wrinkled, and addressed his concern to the girl. "Nagtatagalog ka naman, di ba?" he asked. The girl said yes. "Buti naman. Ikaw girlfriend ng tropa ko?" Jhing saw the uneasiness in the girl's eyes. Parang nanghaharrass si Miko ng prinsesa at prinsipe! "Alam mo bang nag-ti-Tinder 'tong boyfriend mo—"

"Hey—" Ulysses cut Miko off, but Miko looked at him.

"Hey ka rin, buset marunong ka naman magtagalog, eh," Miko said. Napangiti 'yung babae, while Jhing was confused why the hell was she there. "Pre, alam kong mas gwapo ako sayo—" A LIE! "—tantanan mo na ang Tinder gamit mukha ko. Huwag mo silang papuntahin sa café."

Jhing felt cold when Ulysses looked at her with a smile.

"Lalo na sa office. Nakng, pinag-uusapan ako ng mga katrabaho ko. Binigyan pa ako ng condom nung guard tapos sinabi pang 'keep it up!'"

WHAT THE FUCK?

The girl laughed while Jhing stared in shock. Ulysses made a manly chuckle. She felt uncomfortable under his stare.

"Then why is she here? She's from Tinder, right?" Ulysses asked.

Hello? Mukha ba siyang nag-ti-Tinder? Parang kasasabi lang na katrabaho nga siya and wait—oo nga. Bakit nga ba?

Miko pointed at her. "Nagseselos na kasi siya."

"What?" her initial reaction.

Miko frowned and whispered, "Makisama ka naman, oh."

Pinanlakihan niya ng mata si Miko when Ulysses laughed. "Fine. I'll stop harassing you with girls from that app," Ulysses said. "A gentleman doesn't want a lady getting jealous." He looked at the girl beside him. "They're like monsters."

Pero hindi siya nagseselo—ugh.

"Get lost," Ulysses said after a while. "Stop harassing my date."

May sinabi pa si Miko sa babae, "titigan mong mabuti tong boyfriend mo baka bakla pala tapos may hidden feelings para sa akin, ah" at sa kaibigan na, "tantanan mo 'yang Tinder at mukha ko. Isa pang babae—" na hindi rin pinansin ni Ulysses.

They went out of the restaurant as if it was a dream. But it wasn't.

"Putek, kakagutom pala sumugod," Miko said caressing his stomach. He looked at Jhing. "Kain?"

Her stomach answered the question. Mula sa fancy restaurant, sa karinderya sila nauwi at kumain. She ate in silence while Miko kept on talking about Ulysses, at ang prank nito sa Tinder. Nalaman niya dahil Englishero yung nakakachat ng mga babae.

"Kainis pa kasi hindi nila alam pronunciation ng pangalan ko," Miko said. "Mel Cheese tawag sa akin nung isang nagpunta ng café! Kailan pa ako naging keso?! Mga adik na babae." He shook his head with disappointment.

Jhing wanted to ask, 'so, hindi mo babae yung mga nagpupuntang office?' but was afraid Miko will think she's interested to know the real deal. Tsaka hindi naman siya tanga para hindi ma-gets lahat.

They fell silent after. Hindi kasi nagsasalita si Jhing. Miko sighed, brought out his phone and texted. Hindi na tumingin pa si Jhing baka sabihin curious siya. Although, she was clueless why Miko gave her his phone.

"Tawag."

"Ha?"

"Sagutin mo na lang."

Unsure, she held Miko's phone near her ear. May narinig siyang iyak ng baby sa kabilang linya. "Baby—shhh, huwag maingay. Hello? Jhing?"

Parang tumalon ang puso ni Jhing sa boses ng babae. She looked at Miko who was busy mixing pepper and soy sauce on his empty plate.

"Uh—"

"Si Bee ito! Yung ex ni MJ?—Baby shh—I mean Miko? Sorry nasanay kasi ako sa MJ. Baby! Tama na iyak—ate, pahawak si baby may kausap lang ako sa phone." A few noises. Silence. A sigh. "Hello, Jhing? Sorry ang gulo dito. Anyway, I'm Bee."

Still, no words.

"Okay lang kahit you won't talk. Nakwento na ni Miko na hindi ka masyadong kumportable sa usapan? Anyway, sorry kung kinuha ko si Miko nung Sunday. Nag-panic kasi ako nung hindi makahinga si baby so I called him and I didn't know you two have appointment and I'm sorry for it, really. We're exes but we're friends na lang, tapos na ako sa pagiging clingy and I really am sorry—"

Jhing felt like someone squeezed her heart.

"Bee," Jhing's voice foreign calling that name. "Okay lang."

"Sure ka?" Another explanation. Bee's voice was jolly. "Sabog lang talaga si Miko but he's really kind, nasobrahan lang but please. . ." then Bee said some things. "Let's meet without Miko knowing tapos i-sabotage natin yung buhay niya." Bee laughed. Tapos nagpaalam na ito dahil sa iyak ng baby.

Jhing took a minute to absorb everything from the phone call, to the fancy hotel, the hurt, the KapeLibro and the girls. Pagbalik ng phone kay Miko, the idiot smiled as he put ketchup on the pepper and soy sauce and god knows kung anong ginagawang kadiri.

"Nung bata ako," he started. "Lagi kong pinaghahalo mga bagay-bagay sa plato ko kunwari nagluluto ako."

Jhing found her voice saying, "Oh? Nung bata ka? Kailan, a minute ago?"

Miko smirked and looked at her, hand mixing the thing o kung ano mang tawag doon. "Ha!" he shouted; a smile on his face. "Ha. Ha. RIP Jhing's humor."

Jhing rolled her eyes as if her life depended on it.

They walked in silence after eating papuntang sakayan.

"Jhing," he called, then whispered, "Nagselos ka ba?"

Her reply was as fast as her heart beat. "Asa ka pa."

"Awtsu, ang bilis nun ah." He laughed. "Hindi ka man lang magsinungaling para naman ma-feel ko kagwapuhan ko."

Pinatong ni Miko ang braso sa balikat ni Jhing. She wiggled her shoulder, pero hindi inaalis ni Miko kaya hinayaan na niya.

"Hindi ka man lang nagselos?" Miko asked.

Jhing bit her lip, stared in front as they walked.

Miko smiled. "Wala ka namang dapat ikaselos. Wala lang yun."

For some reason, his voice, words or maybe the quiet night, calmed her heart's wild beating. Everything was feeling light. And it felt quite nice.

_____

Sorry, got caught up with the writing tip kaya napahaba huhu. 

Writing (opening lines) activity:

Fairy tales opening line. Yung samples above, ako mismo ang nag-isip (not the best, I know huhu). And if you want to change the opening lines of the sample fairy tales on the writing tip above, you can IN LINE COMMENT your version sa samples. Use any language. Make it catchy, unique and important. Can be dialogue, action, feelings, monologue or description.

Parang maliit na online workshop ito para paganahin natin ang creativity natin. What if ikaw ang nagsulat ng fairytales, paano mo sila sisimulan?

Salamat sa mag i-inline comment doon sa samples ng version nila! I will really appreciate it.

And yes, sinusulong kong tantanan na natin ang pagsulat ng gigising si character na late sa first day of class. GASGAS NA YUN. TAMA NA! (seryoso. As in. AS IN.) Pakikalat ang message na ito para tayo ay maging better than before yehey!

About the booktubers opening sentence video: dalawa 'yung nilagay kong sample. Watch the video above, and click external link for the other one. I want to share it to you kasi nakakaamaze kapag ikaw ang author nung mga books na alam nila ang story by first sentence. . .or paragraph . . ish. :)

Ang saya ng interactions! Thank you sa mga gumawa ng 11 goals sa group. :) ♥