UNDER THE RAIN by Michael Blen

                        The rain is pouring heavily,  almost like a waterfall.  I’m wet all over,  and yet I’m standing here,  unmoving.  It’s like the time suddenly stopped,  and my drenched body froze in it’s tracks…

           

            This morning,  I woke up to see the sun gently imparting its first few rays. I got up unusually early. Then I remembered I cried my self to sleep last night. I saw my special friend with another guy, having lunch at the cafeteria yesterday. I know that the real man should never cry because of some girl who broke his heart. But I wept. Maybe I was hurt. Never mind. I rose up, washed my face and went down with my usual morning routine. When I was about to leave, My mom asked me if I cried last night. I said no, and hurriedly went outside.

            

       While I was riding a jeepney, I thought about what I am going to tell her, should I confront her, or should I wait until I have enough evidence? I stopped thinking about it when I finally arrived  at school.

           

         She was the first one I saw inside the room.  I waved at her to smile a bit. She waved back, and smiled. Ahhh, that smile. I was struck again by that fascinating grin, that same alluring smirk that made me fall for her in the first place. I was dumb founded.

                 

    Lunchtime. I was glad to see her alone. I swore I would punch the guy straight in the eye if I see him with her again. I quietly approached her. I wanted to surprise her, but she readily found me. I was about to asked her what she wanted to eat  when she abruptly told me if I could just drop by their house after classes she left me with a tap on the shoulder, and a problem in Physic. I asked myself again for the million time. Alas, Is this my Fate; a mere problem solver?

           

            While going through my afternoon classes,  I again thought what would I say to her in her place.  I baffled an assortment of thoughts that made my confused mind ache.  I was relieved when the final bell for the whole school day rung.  But I suddenly got nervous.  I looked at the dark gray clouds looming over the horizon.  It was about to rain.

                       

I slowly took the steps to their house,  my heart pounding furiously.  I didn’t know what to do.  My mind was clouded with anxiety.  Timidness suddenly struck me.  But I was determined.  I found the front door open so I barged in,  not knowing what to expect.

            There she is,  sitting comfortably on the lap of a guy who had lunch with her yesterday.  I was filled with resentment.  I went closer and punch him straight in the eye.  She tried to stop me but I already made my blow.  She pulled me outside,  telling the other guy to calm down.  She screamed at me,  swore at me,          

ask me such a thing.  I shot back at her,  told her that I love her,  and that I was jealous.  She bellowed,  telling me that she didn’t love me,  that she liked me only as a friend,  no more,  no less.  I was thunderstruck.

                       

Now I’m here,  standing still,  breathless.  I was stunned.  The rain is gushing heavily on my motionless frame,  the cold gust of wind slowly eating through my nonchalant form.  I don’t care.  I am heartbroken.

*Credit goes to my high school ally, Michael Anthony Blen, from Imus Institute.

SOULFUL RELATIONSHIP

SOULFUL RELATIONSHIP By Rev. Ronald McFadden

If you’re not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it. An African proverb states, “Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye.” Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don’t let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem, make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don’t fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren’t really important. Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain? You can’t take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can’t make someone love you or make someone stay. If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and “a life”, you won’t find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship! Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship. What keeps a relationship strong? Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note). Leave a nice message on the voicemail or send a nice email. Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can’t always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don’t try to control one another. Learn each other’s family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless. Don’t put pressure on each other for material goods. Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace the passion. The difference between ‘United’ and ‘Untied’ is where you put the i