The Magalonas

The Magalonas

⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆

"SUBMIT YOUR BOOK review assignments, and ask your questions before we officially end our class today," anunsyo ni Honolu sa huling klase niya sa araw na iyon, ang Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences Section 1.

Agad namang nagtaas ng kamay ang isang babaeng estudyante niya habang ang iba naman ay abala sa pagpasa ng mga book review nila para sa asignaturang Creative Writing. Honolu filled in as a substitute teacher for her neighbor, Mrs. Aguilar. Kasalukuyan kasi itong naka-maternity leave dahil malapit na rin ang kabuwanan nito.

"Kayo po ba talaga ang nagsulat ng Monsters Playbook? That's the novel I used as a reference for my book review kasi, and I saw your name po."

Hindi namang maiwasang mapangiti ni Honolu sa narinig. She was actually an author who drew inspiration from her real supernatural experiences as an exorcist. In fact, she preferred to work for a lifetime as an exorcist. While the job might not be suitable for everyone, it certainly was for Honolu. She considered the conventional weird to be especially wonderful. She also believed throughout her life that she was destined for extraordinary greatness, at iyon na 'yon.

Her mother, on the other hand, wished for a more ordinary life for her because she believed it to be more peaceful and safe. Honolu even secured the position of a substitute teacher because her mother consistently bribed their pregnant neighbor with items from their convenience store.

Regarding the Monsters Playbook, kuwento iyon ng kanyang ina at ng mga kapatid nito. Sinulat niya iyon bilang regalo rito at nang sa ganoon ay payagan na siya sa tunay niyang gusto.

"Yes, bakit?"

"May gusto lang po sana akong itanong. I like the book, and I was curious. Sino po ang naging Librarian after Levi Sagrado?"

"Si Tito Ki-I mean, si Kiho. Si Kiho ang naging Librarian," Honolu answered and proceeded to explain, "He had the natural ability and even the necessary character and attitude to run the Sagrado Library. Actually, he even extended it into a museum for his special artworks."

May isa pang nagtaas ng kamay mula sa klase niya. Ngayon ay isa namang lalaking estudyante. "Yes? May tanong ka rin ba?"

"Ma'am, totoo po bang sa haunted building kayo nakatira?"

Napakunot naman ang noo ni Honolu sa hindi inaasahang katanungan nito. "Paano mo nalam-este, paano mo naman nasabi?"

"May mga nakakakita raw po kasi ng pugot-ulo na nakatanaw sa bintana ng isa sa mga apartment unit ng building niyo. May ilan pang nagsasabing may manananggal daw na lumalabas din sa isa sa mga iyon tuwing gabi. Tapos iyong part-timer niyo raw po sa convenience store niyo ay tumatagos sa pader. Totoo po ba iyon?" paliwanag ng estudyante.

Lahat ng mga sinabi nito ay hindi maipagkakaila ni Honolu. Mamaya pag-uwi niya ay pagsasabihan niya ang mga tenant nilang supernatural beings para maging maingat lalo na at medyo napaghahalataan na sila.

"Hindi ibig sabahin na haunted ang isang lugar ay masasama na ang mga nandoon-"

"So, inaamin niyo pong totoong haunted nga ang lugar niyo?"

Honolu chuckled lightly before firmly saying, "No." Siyempre ay kailangan niyang protektahan ang mga tenant nila at negosyo.

She then proceeded to address the whole class to share a piece of information about the supernatural based on her adventure as an exorcist. "Monsters, ghosts, specters, or whatever you call them, they have no powers outside their haunting grounds. Yet, the guilt in one's heart follows wherever they may go."

Napansin ni Honolu na tahimik na naghihintay sa idurugtong niya ang mga estudyante niya. She smiled, recognizing that these things could grab anyone's interest, but they might also push people to blindly chase the supernatural, which isn't good. Isa iyon sa mga matitinding aral na natutuhan niya.

People often venture into the supernatural out of sheer curiosity and false courage, which mostly leads to serious consequences. You have to fear the supernatural as much as you love it to understand its wonders and perils fully.

"Nasaan ka na? Maghahapunan na tayo," pambungad ni Alohi nang tawagan niya ang anak kinagabihan.

When Griffin finally returned, he was already a mortal; stripped of his godly powers and immortality. He did not waste a single moment and proposed to Alohi, which she accepted in a heartbeat. He also used Holmes Magalona as his official mortal name.

On the other hand, Alohi, along with her sisters, transitioned into real humans when Levi Sagrado peacefully passed away in his sleep after succumbing to his terminal illness. He expressed to his precious daughters that he had completed his journey in life. He felt blessed and grateful for being their father and believed that it was now their turn to experience life in its truest form.

Kaya nang isilang ni Alohi ang panganay nila ni Griffin na si Honolu ay wala itong kahit na anumang espesyal na abilidad. However, during a visit from Tadhana, the goddess of disappearance and Griffin's sister, she prophesied that Honolu would have a very challenging yet interesting life. She decided to bestow upon her a gift: the unique ability to extract souls from entities and manipulate them, almost akin to exorcism.

And when Honolu's younger brother, Holland, was born, he inherited superhuman strength and rapid regeneration from their mother. Under Alohi's consistent reminders and supervision, the siblings led a normal life. This was a source of disappointment for Honolu, who was always captivated by the supernatural and their family's initial business: exorcism. She had experienced the early days of their family business when they lived inside an RV and traveled to different places.

The couple later chose to purchase the last haunted apartment building they had purified and exorcised after Honolu's elementary graduation. They transformed it into a residence that welcomed both humans and supernatural entities as tenants, who both sought opportunities for education and employment within Westwood City. Nagtayo rin sila ng convenience store bilang pandagdag kita ng pamilya.

"Mauna na po kayo, Ma. Nasa may subway station pa ako."

"Naghihintay ka na naman na humupa ang rush hours. Baka abutin ka na ng Bandila r'yan."

Napahagikhik na lamang si Honolu sa sinabi ng ina. Ayaw niya kasi talagang nakikidumog sa mga taong nagmamadaling umuwi tuwing rush hours. Apart from that, Honolu also loved the indescribable feeling of observing everyone from the sidelines. There was a certain aesthetic in commuting and a cinematic quality to the running trains that always fascinated her. Sa mga sandaling iyon kasi ay nararamdaman niyang gumagalaw ang mundo at may paroroonan at pinanggagalingan ang bawat tao.

Watching the transit felt so comforting, and it brought her a unique sense of nostalgia. She also realized that perhaps loneliness is akin to a train because, just like the train, life is transient. People come and go. They arrive, they depart, and the cycle goes on and on. People also often joined them on the train, but they always had their own schedules for disembarking because their destinations might differ, and the journey might not originally belong to them but to others.

"Ma, kapag bumalik na po si Mrs. Aguilar sa pagtuturo, babalik na rin po ako sa pagiging exorcist."

Binalot ng katahimikan ang mag-ina matapos ipahayag iyon ni Honolu. Mayamaya pa ay narinig na niya ang malalim na pagbuntong-hininga ng kanyang ina sa kabilang linya. Alohi kept in her mind Tadhana's prophecy about her eldest daughter. Natatakot lamang siya para sa kapakanan ng kanyang panganay. Ngayong magulang na rin siya ay lubos na niyang nauunawaan kung gaano kahirap para sa ama nilang si Levi noon ang isama sila sa pakikipaglaban sa mga Urban Legend.

"Anak, napag-usapan na natin 'to, 'di ba? Your father surrendered his godly powers to live a normal life with us, tapos ikaw naman..." Muling napabuntong-hininga si Alohi. Mahirap din para sa kanyang pigilan ang anak sa talagang kagustuhan nito pero kapakanan lang din naman nito ang iniisip niya.

"Honolu, bakit hindi mo na lang gayahin ang kapatid mo? Pinili niyang maging isang ordinaryong pulis at mamuhay nang normal. Kaya tingnan mo siya ngayon, may masayang pamilya na. Binigyan pa kami nang napaka-cute na apo. Thank You, Lord..."

"Ma, sinasabi niyo po bang dapat na rin akong mag-asawa?"

"Wala akong sinasabing gano'n, anak. You're single, and you will choose when to mingle. Kahit na gusto mong maging single habambuhay, aba'y okay lang! Ang akin lang naman ay mamuhay ka nang normal. Walang normal sa pagiging exorcist, anak. Masyado kang malapit sa disgrasya sa larangang 'yan. Bakit hindi ka na lang magpatuloy sa pagiging manunulat o subject teacher? Susuportahan kita nang bonggang-bongga r'yan, Hon!"

"Ma, imposible 'yang sinasabi mo kasi walang normal sa atin. We have supernatural entities as tenants, a hardworking ghost part-timer, and unique abilities that we could use to help others and earn money," Honolu reasoned out.

"Kahit n-"

"Love, nasaan na 'yong lana?" Rinig ni Honolu na biglang tanong ng Papa niya sa Mama niya sa kabilang linya.

"Aanhin mo ang lana? Sumasakit na naman ba ang likod mo? Kaka-cellphone mo 'yan! Kung saan ka tumanda saka ka naman nahilig sa cellphone!" ratatat ni Alohi sa asawa na rinig na rinig din ni Honolu dahil nasa tawag pa rin sila.

Napahalakhak na lang tuloy ang dalaga at maging ang Papa niya sa tindi ng machine gun na bibig ni Alohi.

"Ubos na 'yong binibenta natin. Baka mayro'n kang reserba? Kailangan no'ng albularyong tenant natin ngayon," paliwanag ni Griffin na mahihimigan pa rin sa boses ang bakas ng kanyang halakhak at pagkaaliw sa asawa kahit ilang taon na silang kasal.

"Oh, sige na, Ma. Tulungan mo muna si Papa na maghanap ng lana r'yan. Ibababa ko na 'to," paalam ni Alohi sa ina.

"Basta umuwi ka na, Honolu, ha. Hihintayin ka namin. Sabay na tayong maghapunan."

"Okay po. Bye." Pagkababa ni Honolu ng tawag ay napatingin siya sa lalaking pasalampak na umupo sa bench sa may tabi niya.

"Ah, damn this mediocre business..." pabulong na reklamo nito.

Tahimik na hinagod ni Honolu ng tingin ang kabuuan nito. The man donned a black suit and tie, but what grabbed her attention were the dark aviators covering his eyes.

Bakit naka-shades 'to gayung gabing-gabi na?

Pansin din ng dalaga na may dala itong flyers ng condominiums at mga mamahaling bahay. Niluwagan ng binata ang kurbatang suot nito bago binalingan si Honolu sa tabi niya. "What do you think of haunted houses?"

"Huh?" naguguluhang tanong naman niya pabalik.

"Anong tingin mo sa haunted houses?"

Napakunot ang noo ni Honolu habang mariing nakatitig sa lalaki. Anong klaseng tanong 'yan? Hindi tuloy maiwasan ng dalagang isipin na kasing weird nito ang biglaang tanong nito.

"Well, I find them cool." Because she obviously lived in one.

The man's lips curved up for an amused smirk before he scoffed. "Exactly! There's so much untapped potential in real estate for them! They could become the next big thing if today's businessmen weren't too scared to explore."

"Then, bakit hindi mo simulan? Mukha ka namang mayaman." Natigilan naman si Honolu nang may matanto. "Mukha lang pala... Hindi ka naman siguro makikisiksik dito sa subway kung may kotse ka."

"Don't worry, nandito lang ako para sa isang property survey kanina. Maganda iyong lugar for business opportunities kasi malapit sa subway at nasa commercial area, easy access to public. But then I realized that this could also be the right time to ask random people about their thoughts on haunted houses. I'm planning to upgrade my business. I want it to be unique. Iyong tipong ako ang pioneer at ako lang din ang makakagawa."

Honolu gazed at the man in awe. He truly possessed the qualities of a remarkable businessman-intuitive, inquisitive, and innovative. However, the challenge arose when it came to his plans involving the supernatural; he needed to be prepared. An aide capable of handling the supernatural was essential, and what he needed was an exorcist. Suddenly, a thought crossed Honolu's mind.

Napatikhim siya at itinago ang ilang hibla ng buhok sa likod ng kanyang tenga. She then suggested, "Well... kung talagang itutuloy mo 'yan, kailangan mo ng exorcist. At pwedeng-pwede ak-"

"No, what I need first is a manual for selling haunted houses. Kailangan ko ng writer na makatutulong sa aking gumawa ng manual at magsusulat para sa magazine na gagawin ko featuring those haunted-houses-turned-dream-homes. I need someone knowledgeable in dealing with the supernatural. By the way, thank you for the idea!"

Nagpanik naman si Honolu nang tumayo na ang lalaki, tuwang-tuwa at nagmamadali pa.

"Oy, teka, kailangan mo ng exorcist!" pahabol pa ng dalaga sa papalayo nang lalaki.

Huminto saglit ang binata at bahagyang binaba ang suot niyang itim na aviators. Honolu froze as she caught sight of his eyes. They were completely black filled with numerous sparkling specks. Staring at them felt like gazing into the vast universe adorned with twinkling stars. It was both alluring and mysterious.

"I can handle it. Thanks!" he assured her and smilingly gave her a wink before making his exit.

"Pero writer din ako..." pabulong na pahabol pa ni Honolu sa hangin habang tinatanaw pa rin ang direksyon na tinahak ng lalaking bigla na lamang naglaho. "I have a novel called the Monsters Playbook."

Napabuga na lamang nang malalim na buntong-hininga si Honolu. Anong klaseng nilalang kaya ang businessman na 'yon?

Tumayo na siya mula sa kinauupuan niya nang mapansing humuhupa na ang dami ng mga tao sa istasyon saka siya pumasok sa panibagong tren. Medyo marami-rami pa rin ang mga pasahero no'n na sa tantiya niya ay nasa mga isang daang katao.

Habang naghahanap ng pwesto ay binabasa rin ni Honolu ang mga mensaheng paulit-ulit na nagpa-flash sa LED display at LCD screen ng train cabin. Sa halip kasi na commercials at information system ay mga Bible verse ang nandoon na animo ay nananakot o... nagbibigay babala.

Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.

Isaiah 13:9

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Matthew 24:29

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:36

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

Nang makapili na sa wakas si Honolu ng pwesto ay naupo na siya agad at kinuhang muli ang cellphone niya mula sa kanyang tote bag saka binuksan iyon upang tingnan ang oras. Lagot talaga siya sa Mama niya kasi mukhang kanina pa naghihintay ang mga ito sa kanya para sabay na silang maghapunan.

07:00 P.M.
July 7

Agad na dinayal ni Honolu ang numero ng ina upang hikayatin ang mga itong huwag na siyang hintayin at mauna nang kumain.

07:07 P.M.
July 7

Ilalapit na sana niya iyon sa kanyang tenga nang sagutin ng ina ang kanyang tawag subalit binulabog nang sunod-sunod na malalakas na pagsabog ang buong tren at nilamon ng malalaking apoy ang lahat ng mga naroroon.

Pati na rin si Honolu Magalona...

As she blinked awake, she was back on the train, surrounded by thirteen other passengers. Some were still unconscious, while others were wide awake and anxious. They all felt like strangers, including herself, and none could recall their real identities. The only labels they had were codenames of the seven heavenly virtues and seven deadly sins randomly assigned to each of them and embroidered in their respective utility jumpsuits.

She shifted her focus to the LED screen, which displayed the words:




Welcome to the God Experiment



















𓆩◇𓆪꧁ 𓆩◇𓆪 ꧂ 𓆩◇𓆪

──✧❁ 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 ❁✧──

𓆩◇𓆪꧁ 𓆩◇𓆪 ꧂ 𓆩◇𓆪






✦ 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓪 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓸 ✦

See you at my next story: Manual for Selling Haunted Houses.

It's already posted here on Wattpad. Check it on my profile, especially if you want an update regarding Alohi and Holmes' family life after Monsters Playbook.

Susunod naman ang The God Experiment,

all will be starred by Sagrado-Magalona Fam.

Thank you so much for reading up until here! Please do vote and share your thoughts. 🥹🙏🏻♥

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