BUNGLED

1983 Hindu hermitage, Himalayas, Nepal. John Carlos Martin had long been wishing to learn Astral travel. This is a unique experience going back in time. Also, he wanted some personal questions answered by the masters of the unknown mystical world which he could not find in his city. So during his one-week vacation from work, he took the liberty to fly to India and visit one of the Ashrams. It was a long trip but he knew that what he was going to experience was worth the expense and the hassle.  Once there, he immediately had a session with a Raj guru. The place was like nothing he had visited before. He felt the deafening silence that echoed all over.  On the edge of the sacred river Ganges, he only heard the dribbling of the water. The sound of the flowing current could hold anyone under its spell, so much so that he swore he would be able to find inner peace and solace.  In its indo

Half a world away, spring was around the corner, trees were turning green, and colorful rosebuds were blossoming at the park near John Carlos' apartment building. In the early mornings, the air was fresh and cool. Now he was back from his trip to Nepal. Under the comforter, he stretched, moaned, and rolled to get out of bed. Dawn had broken, and daylight found its way through the tall drapes covering the Persian window in his room and landed on the floor. It gave form to the pair of pants, shirt, shoes, and socks worn the night before, scattered all over the place. Struggling with a hangover from a Saturday night out with friends, he half-heartedly stepped out still sleepy and groggy and then groped for his glasses. When he found them he toddled to the kitchen to look for something to drink. His mind was fixed on the fridge. He opened it and winced. The light from inside assaulted his unaccustomed eyes, making him grope for what he wanted to find.“Derr bra

It was a warm August Monday in New York. Nobody liked Mondays. JC was no exception. But whether it was a Monday or a Friday, or even if it was a rainy day, he would have to move his arse and go to work. At twenty-six, life was just okay, getting by with a job as an international correspondent for the Asia region. Okay because he had no responsibility of raising kids and building a home yet. He strolled to his office along Eighth Avenue, about twenty-eight blocks down south of Manhattan. He calculated that thirty minutes was enough to spare and be at the office on time. He crossed Columbus Circle toward the other side and took the left side of the road. Today he liked to walk. The excellent summer weather and the sight of some familiar big names along the way made it seem shorter, for it gave him the chance to admire their beauty and greatness.Under the competent management of people who made them move all over the world, he repeated their names one by one as he padded along:

The PP12 is a small group of twelve prominent men in the military and the business community. It was said that they controlled the economy and the government of the country under the supervision of the President. Normally they meet at Camp Crame, a military bulwark of the country. The military camp was a huge complex, situated about eight-thousand five hundred miles to the east of New York. It had a large mid-section with towering trees jutting up in acres and acres of land, flanked by buildings to the right and the left when you enter. This was the seat of the military top brass of the Philippines and PP12. A black sedan luxury car rolled past the sentry at the gate and then proceeded to the north wing building taking the right lane. It found its way in front of a large building where it stopped.  Total urgency pervaded at the camp. The uniformed chauffeur unlocked his door and snappily jumped out to open the back door. A tall muscled officer in brown f

He cogitated with total delight at his coffee corner flirtations with Kate at the office, and at how she could fall easily into his little play of words. Images past flashed in slow motion, at how his phone conversation with her went on, seconds before he left his flat. He smiled to himself with pleasure.'You missed something,' Kate said.'Did I?''You didn't bother to say goodbye.''Oh, I'm sorry, Katie. I will make it up to you on my return.''Hey, the boss said that you should call immediately on arrival. And that our man in our local office will be waiting for you at the airport. Don’t forget.''I won't. Don't worry.''And thanks for that lunch.''No problem. It was nice and besides, it gave me some insights into my stupidity with you.''Why do you say so? ' asked Kate, her voice soft and coquettish.'For a lot of things.''That leaves me to thinking if you could give me an example,' she asked, p