Enlightened burst into his office at full speed. Huddled around a table in the middle of the room, Freedom and four other members were attentively listening to the radio. It blared with hope and inspiration. After some commercials and waiting, the weakening voice of the strongman came finally on the air. He started with a brief introduction then moved forward with his announcement. This was what they were waiting for. Then he finally said it. Opening with all the intricacies of the law, he announced the holding of an election. The message echoed on the walls of the university. Their whooping outburst overshadowed the remaining flicker of the broadcast. Then they contained themselves gradually to absorb the implications of an election. Christmas was around the corner and that news was so far the best gift for the people who had been waiting for a long time.      “Do you think a presidential election was the solution?” asked one mem

     The chief editor’s door was closed. Outside, the other workers were wondering about what was going on inside the office. Through the glass window, they could only guess what the fracas was about. JC jumped to his feet, paced then sat down again. He was firm in his stand. What they saw was his hand jabbing in the air to explain something. Even Kate couldn’t make out what it was all about.      “It’s me who should go, Mr. McMillan,” he said, insisting.      Mr. McMillan remained seated, calm, and cradling a pipe in his hand. “Look JC. There’s a group there who’s after you. And I don’t want you to be harmed.”      “I assure you nothing will happen to me, besides the reason has already disappeared. More than two years had passed. Despite the evidence, all those responsible got an acquittal. What is there for them now to go after me?”      He blew smoke

     At the hospital, they were all huddled around the bed, JC, Tommy, Carlo, Enlightened, Freedom, and Eloisa´s husband. They congratulated her for having a successful delivery. JC brought a bunch of roses, Carlo some chocolates, and Tommy a box of pizza. Then the nurse came in holding the baby in her hand.      “She´s a baby girl,” exclaimed Carlo.     “Then, what are we going to name her?” asked Tommy.      “How about Voice?” retorted Freedom.      “Let´s just make it simple and common, like Maria,” smiled Eloisa´s husband.     All of them agreed to simplicity. They said that the child would probably have difficulties in writing it down. And her friends might have some difficulties in remembering it.      Then, after a while another nurse came in, she announced, “Doctor Lopez gave this to me. It´s for Mr.

     JC was triumphant when Tessa agreed to go out with him again. They had dinner and a little stroll. Without fear of any ramifications or punishments from the palace, now she was more confident that nobody would stand in their way when the reason for her rejection existed no more. After dinner, they promenaded along the bay freely.     It was a beautiful evening; The sky was cloudless and the full moon shone brightly. The beach was calm and they were walking hand in hand as if they alone existed in the world. The bay was uniquely enchanting. “I used to come here with my dad and mom. We used to have picnics and they'd tell me stories. They called this place the 'Riviera of Broken Dreams'. They had secret names for every place we used to go.     “Why the 'Riviera of Broken Dreams'?” he asked.     “They said many disappointments in love are poured out here.

         Himalayas, Nepal.  Having the civil wedding in the States was practically out of the question due to the paperwork involved and the visa processing which would have extended it longer. So, they went back to Makati to do it there in one of the courts, in a simple civil ceremony, witnessed by only two required relatives or friends.     Then the religious imbroglio came to the scene. There was so much fuss over which religion they should celebrate their wedding ceremony in. Finding a common ground was contentious if not difficult. Tessa Lopez was Roman Catholic and JC's family went to the Evangelical church. To top it all, JC was agnostic. It was tough trying to meet in the middle. After several discussions and deliberations, they ended up having it on neutral ground. And that was to celebrate it in a simple rite in the Himalayas, Nepal. Tessa's parents had eventually given in to