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We have our
field trip in Corregidor, since Cathy my best friend doesn’t want to go. I went
with Karen and Lyn instead.
“Guys, could you
wait for me for a while. My cap was blown away by the wind and it flew over there.”
I said as a pointed the direction
“Okay Vei. But hurry the tram is leaving.” Karen said
loudly
I had to run quickly and pick my cap and our first stop
is the Middle Barracks. As I going to pick my cap, somebody has picked it for
me.
“Here’s your cap.” he said
I looked at him and snatched my cap away from him with
quick “thank you”.
“Hey wait!” he said loudly
“Huh?”I said turning back to him
“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” he asked me
“Sorry, but I don’t talk to strangers.” I firmly said
“Oh, too bad. Anyway, my name is James.” he cheerfully
said
Me, feeling guilty the way I treated him. I finally
decided to introduce myself to him.
“My name is Vei. Sorry, if I’ve been cold to you a while
ago.” I said smiling
Looking at James. He seems to be kind and cute the way he
looks and the way he dressed.
“It’s okay.” he smiled
“Are you one of the tourists here visiting this island?”
I asked again
“ No I actually live here.” he replied
“Quit joking me, the way you dress you’re going into
retro. Forties I presumed.” I joked with his khaki pants and white plain shirt.
“No, it’s true.” he firmly said
“Okay, so you live here.” I said still I know his joking
Realizing that I was still talking to him. I heard Karen
and Lyn shouting at me. I turned quickly to them.
“I thought you’re only going for a while. Vei the tram is
already leaving.” Karen said signaling me to go now
“Okay, okay I’m coming.” I said irritatedly as I put back
my cap and turned again to James
“James---I’m----.” I said quickly
But James is no where to be seen.
* * *
“Vei, you’ve been long in the barracks. Have you wandered
away?” Lyn asked me while in the tram.
“No, I haven’t
been long. I’m talking to someone.” I said pointedly
“Talking to someone? We arrived and saw you with nobody.
You’re just standing and holding your cap.” Karen said pointedly
“But there is someone I’m talking with.” I said firmly
“Get on with it Vei, it’s only our batch is in here and
the guides, it’s probably your imagination. Mr. Cruz saying those ghost stories
like the white lady.” Lyn said with her exasperated voice
“Okay, okay.” It’s all that I can say
At last we
arrived at the entrance of the Malinta tunnel. We got off the tram and started
to group by pairs. Since we are the last three, Karen said that I should stay
behind them. I started to remove my sunglasses and wipe my face with a small
towellete since the sun is up and it’s past 1:30.
“Hi!” he said quickly over my back
I turned quickly and it’s James.
“How dare you to surprise me at my back. You almost
scared me to death.” I said with fright
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you’ll be
surprised.” he said laughing
“Well you did James.” I irritatedly said
“You’re going in?” he asked me as he pointed the tunnel
“Yes and you must have a pair.” I said in a low voice
“So, you don’t have a pair? Well, I’m available!” he said
bowing to me
“Quit it would you James.” I laughed
“Seriously.” he said straight to me
“Hey---wait a minute. Is this something that you want from
me while we’re in the dark?” I airily said to him
“What something? You said that you don’t have anyone to
go with the tunnel. I’m just asking if you want that I accompany you. If you
want when we go in I’ll stay a few feet away from you. Deal?” he said quickly
“Deal.” I shortly said
We were in the last line to go in the tunnel where it is
dark and cold. Soon the lights were turned on. But it was still dim.
“So this is the Malinta tunnel.” I said softly as I
looked at the surroundings
“Yes, this was built in 1939. I have been here.” he said
as he walked behind me
Inside of the tunnel is a diorama of events during the
World War II when the Corregidor is not yet surrendered to the Japanese.
“This is the time when the Americans received that Manila
is declared an open city.” James said as he points the diorama
Every each of the diorama, James explained them all as if
he lived in the time of the World War II.
“You really did great explaining to me all this World War
II history as if you lived during the war.” I said amazingly
“Yeah, I did lived during the war.” he finally said
“I was only joking. Please don’t take it personally.” I
said
Still, he continues to explain the events. Until we’re in
the middle of the tunnel. The sound system served as a tour guide. A loud
rambling noise is heard. The lights inside the tunnel flickered and shake.
“Take cover!” he said loudly as I slid to him.
He holds my shoulder and bent down. The group also
screamed.
“Whew that was close. I thought the Japanese are bombing
us,” he said as he stands up holding me closely in his arms
“No, it’s only the sound system. It’s only a sound
effects and it goes with the guided tour.” I said as I broke my hold to him,
feeling my face grew hot
Just as we stood up the National Anthem was played. We
stand up straight and sang with our hearts. The tour in the Malinta tunnel is
ended and I went outside with James.
“Vei!” Lyn called me
“What?” I asked
“Where have you been again?” Lyn asked me
“I was with the group.” I said quickly
“Group? You’re supposed to be with us.” she said
pointedly
“But I am. I am really with you guys.” I insisted
“Sorry, we didn’t notice you while in the tour. Perhaps I
am busy talking to Karen.” she said apologizing to me
“Sure, it’s okay. Now where’s the next stop?” I asked as
we went back to the tram.
* * *
The last stop of the trip is
the museum. I forgot James for a while and went back with Karen and Lyn as our
guide Mr. Cruz explains each of the artifacts and have our pictures taken.
“Let’s see that picture hanging on that wall. It’s a
picture of the soldiers who fought the war. Maybe Lyn you can find a cute guy!”
Karen joked
“Not so funny. They’re old now.” Lyn replied shortly
Just as I beginning to speak I saw again James at the
entrance of the museum.
“Guys I’m going outside for a while. I want to take a
look at those vintage cars.” I said as I went outside and take a look at those
vintage cars, while the two were busy looking on the pictures.
“Oh hi James, why don’t you go in and see some of the
photos during the World War II and some artifacts?” I asked
“I already seen them in my everyday life.” he said
shortly
“There you go again with your humor, just see it.” I
insisted holding his arm tugging him inside
“There’s no need to.” his short reply
“James, is there anything wrong?” I asked softly
He just said nothing and went outside. I followed him.
“James if it’s my remarks, I really don’t mean it
personally to you.” I said quickly
“No it’s not that. It’s you.” he said quietly as he stopped
walking
“Me?” I said in a surprised voice
He turned and smiled.
“I am already dead.” he said
I stared at him. Feeling my spine chilled.
“You’re dead? It can’t be. I was talking to you and you
talking to me. I even tugged your arm.” I said quickly
“You are the only one who sees me and your friends don’t.
Hold my hand and feel my pulse.” he said as he took my hand and held it
“Do you feel my pulse beating?” he asked me
It’s true that I felt no pulse and now I’m really scared
and went away from him a few feet away.
“Okay, you’re dead and now you want to eat me and you’ll
turn into a monster.” I said my voice trembling
“Oh, no, no. I’m not a monster and I’m not a cannibal.
I’m just a spirit.” he said as he walks closer
‘Then if you are a spirit, why did you come here?” I
asked him
“This is my home. I was here when the fall of Corregidor
when Gen. McArthur surrendered this place to the Japanese. I am the Second
Lieutenant of 4th Defense Battalion of the US Marines. I was the one
who is killed in the shelling of the Japanese plane while I was saving a child.
I roam this island since searching my peace.” he said as he turned his head to
the YMCA building that was bombarded by the Japanese shelling.
“I’m sorry but have you tried searching the light?” I
asked him
“Yes, I saw a bright light.” he muttered
“Then why didn’t you go there?” I asked again
“It’s so bright and I might burn. I’m afraid.” he said
fearfully
“There’s no use of being here in the world of the living.
You are now dead---a spirit.” I said to him straight into his eyes
“Yes, there’s still use of my staying here now that I had
found you Vei.” he said softly as he holds my hand
No it can’t be! He can’t possibly that he’s already fallen for me! Think Vei! Think Vei!
“It can’t be James. You’re a spirit. I am still living.
We can’t be together.” I said as I let snatched my hand away from him
Instead of letting it go. He held it firmly.
“Believe me Vei. When you came here. I saw you and I
really want you to know more so I introduce myself to you. You’ve been a
different girl among the others I knew. You mean special to me Vei. Please
don’t leave me.” he pleaded to me
“Yes, I believe you James but you and I don’t belong to
each other. We might, if I lived during your time. But you are a spirit and I’m
still alive.” I said softly to him
“Then why don’t you stay. When you say you believed me.”
he asked again
“James, the only way that you’ll be happy is to go to
that light. There you’ll find the peace you have been searching for the last
fifty years.” I said to him as he closed his eyes
“I saw a bright light and there I saw my parents reaching
their hands to me. To join them that I must go.” he said dreamily
“Go now James. They need you.” I said softly almost teary
eyed
He opened his eyes and looked at me.
“I’ll go now with them. This is the peace that I’m
longing to have for the last fifty years. I have been afraid to face the light
but now I am ready. I also feel sad for leaving you.” he said softly
“You don’t need to.” I said as I held his hand firmly
“I want you to have this.” he said as he took of a
sterling silver necklace with the insignia of the Marines with his name
engraved on it.
“No, I can’t have this. It means a lot to you.” I said
giving back to him
“I want this to give it to you. It would serve as a token. It is because you have helped me to realize that I must move on. To see the light to find my peace with my love ones. Now I’m at peace. Thanks to you.” he said softly as he stroked my hair and touched my cheek and whispered “good bye.”
He just vanished into thin air. As I look at the necklace
that was given to me.
“Hey Vei!” Karen called me loudly
“I’m coming!” I said as I put the necklace inside my
pocket
We rode again to the tram again and talked about how
great our field trip is especially inside the Malinta Tunnel. We arrived at the
docking area about 5:00 p.m. and went to the ship. I went to the railing of the
ship as I took out the necklace and holding it firmly observing the insignia.
“Excuse me young lady.” An elderly voice I heard behind
my back
“Yes?” I asked her politely
The elderly woman looked at me and then her eyes caught
the attention of the necklace.
“Where do you get that necklace?” she said in a surprise
as I gave it to her to see it more carefully
“It was given to me by a friend.” I said softly
She looked at the back of the insignia. To my amazement
she stared at me in surprise.
“The one who gave this to you is it James
Mitchells?” she asked me
“Yes, maam’.
That’s his name.” I said now starting to get confused
“Then it’s true. He came back and give this to you.” she
said as she handed me the necklace
“I don’t understand what you are talking about.” I
quickly said
“My dear, I am
Jane Mitchells-Cruz. I am the younger sister of James.” she said slowly
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it. This woman is his
sister that’s why they look much alike.
“Your brother James Mitchells have appeared to me and
gave this necklace. He said he was just a spirit roaming in the island for the
last fifty years, he died from the shelling and he didn’t find his peace.” I
said softly to her
“Yes I know since my brother died. I decided to stay here
in the island and helped developed it for all the heroes whom died defending
our country. I feel that I found my place here and pray for his soul.” she said
softly almost teary eyed
“I think Mrs. Cruz you should have this necklace.” I said
as I gave it to her
“Oh, no dear I cannot accept it. It is already yours.”
she said as she hands it back to me.
“Why? You’re his sister, you should have it.” I replied
back to her
“It is for you. Because you have helped him to see the
light….where he truly belongs with our family. You have given him peace that he
has been searching. He gave this necklace as a remembrance. It is a sign of
kindness and you became a part of his life.” she said as she holds my hand
“Thank you Mrs. Cruz.” I said softly to her
“I have to tell you something dear. My grandson is named
after him. He looked look exactly my brother.” she said smiling to me
Mr. Cruz, our guide called his wife.
“I’m coming dear.” Mrs. Cruz as she turned to him
“I better be going. It’s nice talking to you.” she said
finally to me
“Goodbye Mrs. Cruz.” I said as Mr. Cruz waved to me and I
waved back
I went back again to the railings of the ship and stared
to the sunset. As I stared I began to
think my plans with my friends for the coming weekend; maybe we can go to the
mall or watch a movie.
“Hi!” a voice came over my back
That voice is familiar. Can it be James? Instead going to
the light he followed me here. Maybe he’s going to get me! What am I going to
do? To my fright I turned and saw him!
“Did I scared you? You looked like you’ve seen a ghost?”
he said with a worried look in his face
I looked at him for awhile observing that he is not
James, but his facial features is not far from him. I let out my breath. That’s
been close!
“Yeah…. A ghost. Sorry, I thought you’re somebody else.”
I said relieved
“I saw you just a couple of minutes talking to my grandmother
and it seems a pretty engaging conversation. I rarely see her talking like that
to other persons.” he said as he leans at the railing
“Yes, she’s glad about it.” I said softly
“I forgot we hadn’t been introduced---My name is--.” he
started
“Wait--you’re name is James Mitchells-Cruz?” I quickly
said
“The second---I
was named after my great uncle.” he corrected me
I smiled and he smiled.
“Okay. Let’s put this way. You’re James Mitchells-Cruz
the second named after his great uncle who was a marine and a hero during the
World War II.” I said with a firm voice
“Not bad umm… your name I forgot to ask you.” he said
embarrassed
“Vei…Vei Mendez.” I said
“Vei… Actually it sounds good.” he smiled as we watched
the setting of the sun together.