Myth

P A R A D E I S O S

written by: O.P.Bautista

A S W A N G

It happened not too long ago, in a country where superstition and supernatural phenomena are just around every corner of the street. I was probably seven or eight at that time. I was at an age where I didn't believe anything that was said to me, except maybe when it came to playing games and getting toys. My grandmother, Ligaya, a strict and devout believer in Christ, taught me prayers of gratitude, forgiveness, patience, and more. This also included prayers to ward off demons, which I remembered using whenever I was playing with my friends and cousins at nighttime or when I was by myself. Whenever I was afraid, I would say this prayer and I would feel safe and unafraid again.

When my uncle Jerry went to Norway for a scholarship the government granted him, he decided to buy a house which was situated near Polo. Since my grandma already gave her house to one of my aunts, she decided to live with my uncle. When my uncle left, there was only my aunt, my grandma, Daisery, Maechelle, the housekeeper and myself living in that new house. At that time, my aunt was also pregnant with my cousin, Jade. During her pregnancy, she was advised by the old folks in the community to seek the help or support from the "albularyo" or "medicine man". This was because she was having complications in her pregnancy. So, she did.

I remember a man praying and putting an egg on my aunt's stomach. Then, he cracked open the tip of the egg and pointed to the embryo inside. He said that an "aswang", a supernatural being who flies around after midnight with only half of its body, was trying to "patapon" or infect my aunt and my cousin. The albularyo then instructed my aunt and lola (grandma) to keep the embryo inside a jar. He said that the "aswang" will try to get the embryo to protect itself. I didn't quite bother with all these things because I was too busy with gardening and fishing. Besides, the albularyo said not to worry because he gave us some protection from the demon. I didn't think of it at all until that dreadful night.

My cousin, Jill, a month older than I am, slept with us that night. After dinner, we went upstairs and played games and told stories. We grew weary of our stories and decided to sleep. In the middle of my sleep, I heard something scratching the walls and windows of our room. It was as if a gigantic bird with its giant claws was scratchng the entire house. I didn't pay attention at first because I thought I was just dreaming or was just hearing the wind hiss. It wasn't until my cousin took my hand and whispered "nabatian mo?" (did you hear that?) thatI realized I was not dreaming.

As we held each other's hand, we heard banging on the kitchen door. It was as if someone or something wanted to get in the house with no care in the world. This couldn't be a burglar, I thought. The banging, scratching, and the sound of something flying franticly outside the house lasted for about an hour. To me, it felt like forever. I was afraid and sweating, but I remembered the prayer that my lola taught me. I told my cousin to just pray and not to pay attention to it. My grandma was with my aunt at that time and I think she was screaming some sort of prayer the entire night. I don't remember what happened after that. I know that I just fell back to sleep reciting my prayers.

The following morning, the entire Pestano clan was talking about what happened that night. They called on the albularyo and asked for help once more. He said that it was indeed the aswang who visited us. He said it wanted to get the embryo from the jar. Because of his prayers and protection he gave us, the aswang couldn't get in. He also said something about pratecting and keeping an eye on my cousin Jade until he's fifteen years old because the supernatural beings will still try to take him away until he reach that age, but that's another story, a very long and scary story. Before this incident, I never felt hair running across my entire skin because of fright. Now, I know how it feels and even though I haven't seen an aswang before (I really don't want to), it made me a believer that maybe, just maybe, superstition and phenomena does exist. Does it?

The End.

Paradeisos is an enchanted forest guarded by the most beautiful being ever created, Nyah. She was the keeper of everything that is beautiful and living in Paradeisos. All the animals loved her for the love and care that she provides to all of them. Paradeisos was synonymous to perfect harmony in comparison to its neighboring forest. There are other guardians that loved Nyah and Paradeisos, but there's also some that hates her and what the enchanted forest stands for.

One day, a stranger appeared to Nyah and informed her that Traknya, her friend from Rakya, the red forest, was in trouble and in need of her help. Nyah, after hearing this and without realizing that the stranger was in fact a goblin pretending to be an amicable nymph, called on the other beings living in Paradeisos. All of them turned down her request except for Odin. Nyah needed someone trustworthy enough to guard Paradeisos while she was away. Odin, without hesitation, accepted her proposal. Nyah was grateful for she can finally travel to Rakya to help her friend.

Everyone was shocked when they heard the news about Odin's decision. When his father heard this, he almost cried in tears for his son. "Why did you accept such a proposal? Odin, haven't I told you enough about the rules of Paradeisos?". Odin to his father replied, "father, I know the consequences this will bring me, but what can I do? I love Nyah ever since I can remember. This is the only way for me to show her how much I truly care and love her. Maybe by doing this, she will realize just how much". Selwyn, Odin's father replied, "Oh my foolish son with a foolish heart. Do what your heart tells you , son".

The next day, Odin bid farewell to his family and friends and went to Nyah's place. She gave him instructions on how to take care of of the forest, the animals, and the people in Paradeisos. When everything was settled, Nyah thanked Odin for the favor he was willing to do. Before Nyah left, Odin told her how much he loves her. Unfortunately, she didn't pay attention for she considered Odin simply as a friend. So, she went to Rakya and Odin stayed in Paradeisos.

When Nyah came back to Paradeisos, it was as if she never left the place. Everything was in perfect harmony as before except for one thing. She could not find Odin. She asked around, but nobody knew where Odin was or nobody wants to say anything about him. Days, months, years passed until one day, Nyah came across a nymph by the name of Ptsamyah. They talked about lots of different things until Nyah asked if she knew anything about Odin. Ptsamyah couldn't believe that the guardian was asking this question. "Didn't you know the outcome of you leaving Paradeisos"? Ptsamyah didn't want to explain, but she felt sorry for Nyah.

:Long ago, the gods decided they would choose the keeper of Paradeisos. Everyone agreed in order to keep the harmony and peace in the forest. Every fifty years, the gods will choose Paradeisos guardian even before he/she is born. This guardian will only know one thing, to keep Paradeisos beautiful and peaceful for fifty years. Whoever takes the place of the guardian before that fifty years, he/she will be transformed into stone. They will be forever imprisoned inside the stone, alive. This is what happened to Odin. Do you see that white stone on the mountaintop? That's Odin Nyah. He can see and hear us, but he will be alone with his own thoughts and agony for eternity. He must have loved you dearly to choose this horrid fate".

Nyah cried in disbelief and she went running to where Odin was. She cried and hugged the statue that was as cold as ice. "Odin, I am so sorry. I should have believed you then".

Nyah lived on to be the guardian of Paradeisos . Everyday, she would visit Odin's statue and told him stories. Everyday, she would tell him how much she loves and misses him. Even though Odin couldn't do or say anything to Nyah, she was still happy because she knows that the love Odin has for her is eternal. Likewise, Odin is happy as he could ever be.

The End.

The stories here are from my journal and not from my high school or college papers, so don't expect anything.
Please don't expect this page to contain perfect, coherent, grammatically correct sentences.

m y t h

If you like stories that deals with the supernatural, click on the picture of the kapre below.

THIS IS A TRUE STORY ENCOUNTERED BY THE AUTHOR DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE EIGHTIES IN A TOWN IN AKLAN CALLED POLO.

THIS IS THE AUTHOR'S IMAGINATION. THE PLACE AND NAMES ARE FICTIONAL. HOWEVER,
SELWYN'S MOTIVE ARE QUITE REAL.