Memento Mori
PRIMO checks his motorcycle. He starts the engine and off. He took a deep breath and sigh of relief then glances at his wristwatch. He once again checked the message he received earlier from Gail to confirm their time of rendezvous
"Hello, Primo. Our dance practice ends at 5 pm.
I'll wait nalang sa entrance ng university.
See you! :)"
-Gail
He looked at his wristwatch and sees it's 4:55 pm. Primo types on his phone with a blank face.
"You can take your time - "
He was unsure and conscious about the message he was about to send and started to delete the message. He zones out and starts to type again.
"Sure. See you later. ❤ "
He deleted the heart emoji and sent the message.
He sees Gail waving goodbye to her friends. He stops his motorcycle and Gail sees him. Gail is surprised to see him and Primo stares at her in awe .
"Primo, nandyan ka na pala! saan pala tayo pupunta?" Asked Gail
Primo teases Gail and tries to act like he doesn't remember.
" Kain tayo?" Primo then invited her
"Saktong-sakto! Gutom na ko" Gail excitedly responded
Primo started laughing at Gail's expression and handed over the helmet.
"Isuot mo muna 'to" He said.
GAIL put on the helmet and gets on the motorcycle. PRIMO glanced through the side mirror. He reaches GAIL's hands and puts them on his waist. GAIL seemed surprised by the sudden action. PRIMO drove their way.
PRIMO is still driving and GAIL held him on the waist. He glances at the side mirror and sees no one. His face was in complete horror for a few seconds and regained his conscious mind after seeing GAIL through the side mirror.
Later, someone suddenly in the middle of the road and a bright flash of light consumes his sight.
-----------
The alarm echoed throughout the room, and someone is knocking.
"Primo... Primo..." a familiar voice called
"Primo, bumangon ka na dyan. Umaga na" it then added.
PRIMO slowly opens his eyes scanning the room.
...[His eyes land on a clock placed on the bedside, and he reaches for his phone to turn the alarm off. He got out of his room.]
PRIMO lands his sight on their family picture. His train of thought is cut off when he hears his mom and a utensil sound that was dropped from the kitchen.
"Aray!" Lea, her mother, exclaimed as she was cut with knife while slicing a lime
Primo with a face of worry written all over his face rushed towards his mom.
"Ma. . ."
"Okay lang ako. Daplis lang to. Maupo ka na dun" Lea reassured his son.
PRIMO walks toward the dining table and sits on the chair. He looks intently at his mom while preparing the food.
Lea sat down and stares at her food.
"Primo. . . sana makauwi ka ng maaga mamaya" Lea said.
PRIMO worriedly looks at her
"Ma, okay lang po ba talaga kayo?" Primo asked.
(Mahinahong tumango si Lea) "Basta yung bilin ko"
"Okay, Promise"
"San pala sila Percy at Ate Pheobe parang wala sila?" Primo the asked.
"Maagang umalis ate mo, opening daw siya sa trabaho. Si Percy naman may shooting daw para sa school project " Lea answered.
Primo just nodded in response.
*Phone Notification
"Guys 10 am ang kitaan hindi aalis ng bahay ah" a chat from his friend.
He then prepared himself. He wore a black shirt and a jacket to top it to avoid being burned by the summer heat while driving his motorcycle, and left the house.
As he walked out their gates, too focused on his phone, Primo bumped into someone.
He then felt and eery feeling and got confused for a moment as that someone seemed familiar. But he just bowed his sorry as she also in a hurry.
*Phone rings
"Primo asan ka na?" A voice over the phone said. It was Emman, one of his highschool friend. They set up an eat out just to stay in touch with each other despite their busy schedule as university students studying from different colleges.
"On the way na ko tol, kumpleto na ba kayo?" Primo said and asked Emman.
"Hindi pa, kami pa lang nila Lester at Val dito. Bilisan mo nauumay na ko kaka-thirdwheel dito" Emman complaied.
Primo saw that he's ride is low on gasoline.
"Oo sige na sige na papunta na ko, pa gas lang ako saglit" Natatawang sagot ni Primo.
-------------
Primo arrived at the pic-nic place and he was greeted by Emman.
"Primo! Dumating ka rin!" - Eman
Yanna and Missy then arrives as well
"Wow, sobrang tagal na rin nung huli tayong kumpletong nagkita-kita. Grabe na talaga ang college." Yana said
"Sinabi mo pa! Parang kumurap lang ako, tapos nagkahiwa-hiwalay na tayo ng colleges." Missy responded
"Sobrang loaded ng mga klase wtf, buti na lang naisipan niyo tong eat out" Emman added
"Same, minsan nakaka miss din maging highschool parang gusto ko na lang maging highschool ulit" Val says in awe as she reminisces their high school days
"Decided na ba kayo sa mga major niyo?haha ako di pa rin talaga kahit isa't kalahating taon na lang graduate na tayo" Missy
"I'm leaning towards psychology." Yana
"I'm all in for environmental science." Emman
"Still undecided, pero pinagiisipan ko mag business." Val
"Undecided din kung literature ba o journalism. Ikaw Primo?" -Lester
"Computer science saken. Di ko inexpect yon nung highschool pero eto haha" Primo
The group reflects on their choices, exchanging stories about new experiences, college challenges, and the surprises life had thrown their way. The conversation flows, and the camaraderie from high school starts to rekindle in their college lives.
*Phone notification
Primo checked his phone as the group continues their chatter
"Hello, Primo. Our dance practice ends at 5 pm.
I'll wait nalang sa entrance ng university.
See you! :)"
-Gail
Its still 11 am in the morning, plenty more time to spend with his friends.
"You can take your time - "
He was unsure and conscious about the message he was about to send and started to delete the message. He zones out and starts to type again.
"Sure. See you later. ❤ "
Lester then notices Primo smiling on his phone. "Ngiting ngiti tayo ah... Sino yan?" Lester then teases Primo. Primo immediately retrieved his phone and hid it through his pocket
"Naku po may tinatago, iba na yan" Emman added.
"Tigilan niyo nga ko, wala nanaman kayong mapagtripan" Primo reprimanded.
"Ibig sabihin ba niyan naka move on ka na kay Mimia? Diba patay na patay ka don nung highschool?" - Yana added fuel to the fire
"Si Mia yung maganda at petite nung first year tayo tas biglang lumobo nung third year?" Missy asked
"Oo sis, kaya pala lumobo, ayon 5 years old na ang anak" Yana answered
"Talaga ba?" Emman asked.
"Truthfully! At alam niyo sino ang ama? Si Jacob yung maasim nating classmate, tinakbuhan din siya"
"Kung sino pa talaga mga panget no?"
"Kayo talaga tama na nga yan, hayaan niyo na ang buhay ng ibang tao. kumain na lang kayo" Primo then stopped his friends before the topic goes elsewhere
"Primo..." A distant voice called but it's none of the friends he's with
*Finger clicks
"Yow Primow. Natutulala ka? Naalala mo si Mia?" Pang aasar ni Emman
"Gago hindi" binatukan ni Primo si Emman.
The group then laughed
____________
"Bye guys see you ulit after 5 years"
"Hoy grabe yung 5 years..mga ano lang 2 and a half hahaha"
"Byyeeee.."
The group then bed their farewells again, unsure of when they'll be able to me again as a whole.
As Primo approaches his motorcycle, his peripheral vision seemed to catch someone familiar. (The same figure he bumped into this morning, he didn't realise it though)
He just shook it off and rode his motorcycle to Gail's college.
___________
Ext. Parking Lot
PRIMO checks his motorcycle. He started the engine on. He took a deep breath and sigh of relief then glances at his wristwatch. He once again checked the message he received earlier from Gail to confirm their time of rendezvous
"Hello, Primo. Our dance practice ends at 5 pm.
I'll wait nalang sa entrance ng university.
See you! :)"
-Gail
He looks at his wristwatch and sees it's 4:55 pm. Primo types on his phone with a blank face.
"You can take your time - "
He was unsure and conscious about the message he was about to send and started to delete the message. He zones out and starts to type again.
"I'll be outside waiting ♥️"
He deleted the heart emoji and sent the message.
Sooner, he sees Gail waving goodbye to her friends. He stops his motorcycle and Gail sees him. Gail is surprised to see him and Primo stares at her in awe .
"Primo, nandyan ka na pala! saan pala tayo pupunta?" Asked Gail
Primo teases Gail and tries to act like he doesn't remember.
" Kain tayo?" Primo then invited her
"Saktong-sakto! Gutom na ko" Gail excitedly responded
Primo started laughing at Gail's expression and handed over the helmet.
"Isuot mo muna 'to" He said.
GAIL put on the helmet and gets on the motorcycle. PRIMO glances through the side mirror. He reaches GAIL's hands and puts them on his waist. GAIL seems surprised by the sudden action. PRIMO drives their way.
PRIMO is still driving and GAIL holds him on the waist. He glances at the side mirror and sees no one. His face was completely in horror for a few seconds and regained his conscious mind after seeing GAIL through the side mirror.
Later, someone suddenly appeared in the middle of the road and a bright flash of light consumes his sight....again?
_____________
The alarm echoes throughout the room, and someone is knocking.
"Primo... Primo..." Lea calls
"Primo, bumangon ka na dyan. Umaga na" She reiterated
PRIMO slowly opens his eyes scanning the room confused. He doesn't seem to remember what happened in his dream but he felt something is wrong.
He got out of bed and went straight to the kitchen. He see's his mother grabbing a piece of lime with a knife on the other hand.
"Ma, ako na jan. Baka mahiwa ka pa" He offered to do it instead
"Ginawa mo pa akong bata, ako na dito, maupo ka na jan" Lea insisted.
*Radio news started playing
"Isang accidente ang naganap sa kalsada ng norther road sa st. Dominic. Isa ang nasawi at~
"Aray!" Primo's thoughts was cut off when he heard his mother.
Primo rushedbto his mom. Along with concern, there is confusion carved into his face.
"Okay ka lang ma? Sabi kasi sayo ako na e" Primo asked
"Okay lang ako. Daplis lang to. Maupo ka na dun" Lea reassures his son.
Primo then sat on the dining table while her mother prepares the food.
*Phone Notification
"Guys 10 am ang kitaan hindi aalis ng bahay ah" a chat from his friend.
Primo's face was once again covered in confusion as he felt a strong sense of deja vu.
"Primo. . . sana makauwi ka ng maaga mamaya" Lea said.
"O-okay ma..." He responded as he doesn't know howelse to response.
He then prepared himself. He's about to pick up a black t-shirt but he decided to go with the other one which is blue, and topped it with a jacket.
He went out of their household gates. Upon turning around, a woman seemed to have popped out of nowhere and they bumped into each other. He then felt quite a headache. The woman bowed as sorry and went off her way.
*Phone rings
Still groggy from the headache, Primo picked up the phone
"Hello?" He opened.
"Primo asan ka na?" Emman asked over the phone
"Papunta na ko tol, deretso na ko aga~" he then glanced at the gas meter and seem to remember he's low on gasoline.
"Hello Primo? Bilisan mo nauumay na ko kaka-thirdwheel dito" Emman complaied.
"Sige sige,Pa gas lang ako" then Primo dropped the call.
"Primo....Primo...." there goes the familiar voice again but he just ignored it.
___________
Primo arrived at the pic-nic place and he was greeted by Emman.
"Primo! Dumating ka rin!" - Eman
Yanna and Missy then arrives as well
"Wow, sobrang tagal na rin nung huli tayong kumpletong nagkita-kita. Grabe na talaga ang college." Yana said
"Sinabi mo pa! Parang kumurap lang ako, tapos nagkahiwa-hiwalay na tayo ng colleges." Missy responded
"Sobrang loaded ng mga klase wtf, buti na lang naisipan niyo tong eat out" Emman added
"Same, minsan nakaka miss din maging highschool parang gusto ko na lang kaging highschool ulit" Val says in awe as she reminisces their high school days
"Decided na ba kayo sa mga major niyo?haha ako di pa rin talaga kahiult isa't kalahating taon na lang graduate na tayo" Missy
"I'm leaning towards psychology." Yana
"I'm all in for environmental science." Emman
"Still undecided, pero pinagiisipan ko mag business." Val
"Undecided din kung literature ba o journalism. Ikaw Primo?" -Lester
"Computer science saken. Di ko ine~" Primo
"Primo...."
"Primo?" Yanna called "Okay ka lang? Bigla kang natulala?" She added
*Phone notification
Primo checked his phone
"Hello, Primo. Our dance practice ends at 5 pm.
I'll wait nalang sa entrance ng university.
See you! :)"
-Gail
Lester then noticed Primo is staring intently on his phone. "Seryoso tayo ah... Sino yan?" Lester then teases Primo. Primo raised his head
"Naku po may tinatago, iba na yan" Emman added.
"Naku po may tinatago, iba na yan" Primo mumbled as Emman is speaking.
"Ibig sabihin ba niyan naka move on ka na kay Mimia? Diba patay na patay ka don nung highschool?" - Yana added fuel to the fire
"Ibig sabihin ba niyan naka move on ka na kay Mimia? Diba patay na patay ka don nung highschool?" Primo once again said along with Yana
Primo is now in deep thoughts as the strong feeling of familiarity to this scene envelopes him.
"Si Mia yung maganda at petite nung first year tayo tas biglang lumobo nung third year?" Missy asked
"Oo sis, kaya pala lumobo, ayon 5 years old na ang anak" Yana answered
"Talaga ba?" Emman asked.
"Truthfully! At alam niyo sino ang ama? Si Jacob yung maasim nating classmate, tinakbuhan din siya"
"Kung sino pa talaga mga panget no?"
Primo seemed to be lost in thought
"Primo..." A distant voice called but it's none of the friends he's with. Then the headache attacked again.
*Finger clicks
"Yow Primow. Natutulala ka? Naalala mo si Mia?" Pang aasar ni Emman
"Naririnig niyo ba yon? Parang kanina pa may natawag saken" Primo asked
"Ha? Wala naman... Sinasabi ko sayo par tigil tigilan mo na kaka shabu" Lester teased
The group then laughed and Primo laughed along with them awkwardly.
_____________
"Bye guys see you ulit after 5 years"
"Hoy grabe yung 5 years..mga ano lang 2 and a half hahaha"
"Byyeeee.."
The group then bed their farewells again, unsure of when they'll be able to me again.
As Primo approaches his motorcycle, his peripheral vision seemed to catch someone familiar. He tried to follow that silhouette but he seem to have lost her. Filled with bewilderment, he went back to his motorcycle and wore the helmet.
He just shook it off and rode his motorcycle to Gail's college.
______________
Primo looked at his wristwatch and sees it's 4:55 pm. He once again checked the message he received earlier from Gail to confirm their time of rendezvous. Still filled with bafflement, he decided not to pursue with their plan to eat out and texted Gail about it.
"Gail, sorry may nangyari lang sa bahay, can we postpone our date tomorrow?" -Primo
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Few moments later, he dicided to leave not waiting for Gails response
Ext. Sidewalk
Primo traces the pavements thoughtlessly, suddenly he noticed that everything is quiet. Even the sounds of the birds are absent. Only the rustling sound of tall grasses fills the air.
He then saw a familiar figure from afar. It is his younger brother, Percy, in school uniform.
"Percy!" He called out. But Percy seem to ignore him just staring into nothingness. Primo approached Percy as the young sibling cant seem to hear him.
"Percy, anong ginagawa mo dito?" Primo asked
Percy turned to him neck first, eye next.
"Kuya.... Bumalik ka na" Percy suddenly said without looking into Primo. As if Percy cannot see him.
Primo's confusion worsened. Then the headache suddenly kicked in again. It was more severe that the previous attacks. Then he saw glimpse of images, someone suddenly appeearing in the middle of the road, then someone lying on the ground. Then it all went white
"Primo... Primo....PRIMO!.."
*Alarm rings
Its 8 am again.
Primo woke up with a sharp ringing in his ear. He still seem to have the headache he had on his dream.
*Someone knocks
"
Primo, bumangon ka na dyan. Umaga na" it was her mother.
Still confused about what his brother had said to him, Primo can't seem to move a single muscle on his body. The flashes of images he saw before he woke up bugs him. And his brothers face as if the young man cannot see him. All these thoughts coming to him at once. Then he suddenly remembered something. He rushed out of his room and saw Lea cut herself with a knife while slicing a lime.
"Aray!" She said.
Then his phone beeped as it received a notification, it was the message from Emman.
Then suddenly the radio news started playing
"Isang accidente ang naganap sa kalsada ng norther road sa st. Dominic. Isa ang nasawi at isa naman ang naisugod agad sa ospital~"
The headache he's been enduring earlier worsend. Then he heard the voices calling for him again.
"Primo...."
He closed his eyes.
"Primo!"
He covered his ears. Everything seemed loud to him. The beeping of his phone, the utensil falling down, the radio news playing and he suddenly hear a crash
"PRIMO!"
One final loud call and everything seemed to have been silent.
He opened his eyes and he seemed to be somewhere unfamiliar. It was dark. Then his vision caught a glimpse of figures running left and right.
One....two....three....
Three figure running left and right. The he saw Gail, lying on the street, face covered in blood and eyes looking at him. His face is filled with horror with the scene in front of him. He was about to rush in to Gails direction when someone else already did. It was him. Primo see's himself rushing to Gails frail body and shouting for help.
Then it hit him. He remembered everything.
~Memory Flash~
Primo checks his motorcycle. He starts the engine and off. He took a deep breath and sigh of relief then glances at his wristwatch. He once again checked the message he received earlier from Gail to confirm their time of rendezvous
"Hello, Primo. Our dance practice ends at 5 pm.
I'll wait nalang sa entrance ng university.
See you! :)"
-Gail
He looked at his wristwatch and sees it's 4:55 pm. Primo types on his phone with a blank face.
"You can take your time - "
He was unsure and conscious about the message he was about to send and started to delete the message. He zones out and starts to type again.
"Sure. See you later. ❤ "
He deleted the heart emoji and sent the message.
He sees Gail waving goodbye to her friends. He stops his motorcycle and Gail sees him. Gail is surprised to see him and Primo stares at her in awe .
"Primo, nandyan ka na pala! saan pala tayo pupunta?" Asked Gail
Primo teases Gail and tries to act like he doesn't remember.
" Kain tayo?" Primo then invited her
"Saktong-sakto! Gutom na ko" Gail excitedly responded
Primo started laughing at Gail's expression and handed over the helmet.
"Isuot mo muna 'to" He said.
Gail put on the helmet and gets on the motorcycle. Primo glanced through the side mirror. He reaches GAIL's hands and puts them on his waist. Gail seemed surprised by the sudden action. Primo drove their way.
On the way to the food park, Gail seemed to have been uncomfortable and is having a hard time breathing. She tapped Primo's shoulder and Primo stopped the motorcycle. Gail took off the helmet.
"Di ako makahinga ng maayos sa helmet, hindi ko alam bakit" Gail said
"Ganon ba? Baka masikip yung buckle sa leeg mo" Primo then checked it but it was not the case.
"Wala naman masyadong tao dito, wag ko na lang muna suotin. Sa highway na lang" Gail suggested.
"Sigurado ka? Alam ko magaling ako mag motor pero safety pa rin" Primo asked.
"Eh hindi nga ako makahinga, sige na. Saka ang sarap din ng hangin dito ang daming lawak ng grassy field " Gail insisted.
"Ikaw bahala" Primo didn't wear a helmet as helmet and continued driving
Enjoying the breeze Gail spread out her arms.
"Wag ka malikot baka ma-out of balance ako" Primo said.
"Hahaha akala ko ba magaling ka mag motor" Gail asked.
Gail then put her hands again on Primo's waist. Primo took a quick glance on it when someone suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. He tried to avoid it and turned right that caused them to lose their balance. And they crashed. Primo's is still groggy, head is bleeding but he immediately turned to Gail who's in a different direction.
Gail is also covered in blood but the woman is not moving an inch.
"Gail! Gail!" Primo calls out but is not touching Gails body as he might cause more injury.
"Tulong!" Vision brlurring, he shouted but he is almost out of energy as well.
"Omg sorry teka tatawag ako ng ambulansya" The woman that they almost hit said.
"Hello~"
Primo's consciousness then faded.
~End of Memory~
Still in the dark place, Primo took a step back as the happenings are too much for him to process. but another step back and he tripped.
Eyes shut, he fell but instead of a hard solid ground, his back felt a soft bed. He opened his eyes but he see's nothing. He curled himself up to bed and then cried. He remembers everything. After the accident Gail died and He lost his vision. Technically it was the accident that took his eyesight but it was none from the injury he suffered. The trauma of Gails death took a big blow to him and his brain that he lost his eyesight and due to all this stress, he begun hallucinating and keeps repeating the very same day before their accident.