Name A Place Where You Often Whisper Novels & Stories

Ang tanging wala lang ganoon ay ang Black Library dahil doon ginaganap ang mga pagpupulong at kung anu-ano pa na hindi dapat marinig ng kahit na sino maliban sa mga taong nag-uusap. Ah. Mayroon pa palang isa na walang mga camera. The underground. The hidden dungeon. Iyon ang tawag naming magpipinsan sa lugar na iyon noong mga bata pa kami. It was the place where the Elders do the dirty works and where they keep the darkest of secrets.

she asked, nonchalant. “After picking up berries, My Grandpa and I would sit here on this very rock. He’d take out the sandwiches he made for the two us and then I’d listen to his stories—old but god stories. This place is called Iossif Hill, named after me and my great-great-grandfather. This is my most favorite place in the whole country, Tala. And I’m now, I’m sharing it with you.” She bit her lower lip as a sudden surge of joy filled her chest.

“Ano ang magpapabalik sa atin sa lugar na ito? I always feel like I’d die in this place.” She pursed her lips. “Yeah, me, too,” she whispered.

In the hallways, sa cafeteria, sa garden, I could hear scattered whispers, excited laughs, gasps. “Girl, can you believe it? May napili na agad?” “As in? Kahapon lang in-announce ah.” “Sobrang bilis naman…” “Siguro obvious na kasi.” “I mean… sino pa ba ‘di ba?” Rumors. Speculation. Confusion. And one particular name was floating everywhere—kasing gaan ng hangin pero kasing lakas ng kulog. “Sophie.” I didn’t even have to look around to know she was coming.

as I usually call her by her nickname. But the other line was deaf to hear me out. Wala akong ibang naririnig kung hindi ang malakas at lumalagubog na tugtugin. Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok ng isang bar pero nakikinita ko na ang sarili ko na hindi matatagalan ang ganoong lugar. I am sure I am gonna pass out with that smoky, congested, noisy and dark place.

So please, wag na wag mong sasabihin kay kuya…] “...Alright, saan tayo magkikita at anong oras?” [Ngayon na, sa coffee shop sa harap ng abandonadong hotel. I need to go now, see you later.] Sambit niya bago ibinaba ang tawag. Bakit doon kami magkikita? Kilala ang lugar na yun sa tawag na ghost street dahil malimit ka lang makakakita ng mga taong nagpupunta roon. Ano bang itinatago ng batang ito?

“May ginawa na naman ba ang aking Mama? May sinabi ba sa’yo ng masama?” Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti, bagama’t ramdam ko ang pagtulo ng luha na pilit kong pinipigilan. Hinila ko siya paloob sa aming bakuran, patungo sa paborito naming tagong pwesto sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga—ang lugar kung saan kami madalas mag-usap nang payapa, malayo sa ingay at mata ng iba. Ngayon naman, tila kahit sa lugar na ito ay naroon ang bigat ng sikretong pasan ko.

[Dion’s Point of View] "Why are we here?" asked Vida. I really like her mad expression while talking to me. Sometimes, it's fun to tease her. "Because I want to," I explained. We’re at Café Nipa right now. This is one of the most frequented by people here in our town. The view is very beautiful because the place is high and we can see the houses and some establishments in the low area. I went straight to the second hut, which was still vacant. Vida also followed me.

she whispered her last sentence seductively but I heard it clearly. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kutsara ko nang maramdaman kong mas lalong kumirot ang puso ko. Narinig ko naman ang kunwaring pagduwal ni Nanay Myrna sa tabi ko dahil mukhang maging siya narinig iyon. "Ang bastos talaga ng bibig ng babaeng 'to. Walang pinipiling lugar." Nanay Myrna whispered to herself.

Not to mention the peaceful ambiance of the place, kaya minabuti kong mag-stay na muna roon kahit kalahating oras lang bago ako pumunta sa next class ko. Dito ako pumupunta kapag gusto kong mapag-isa. Medyo malayo sa ingay. Para itong may noise reduction sa sobrang tahimik. Pwera na lang talaga kapag may mga sutil na kahit sinisita na ng librarian ay maiingay pa rin—tulad na lang namin ni Rex noong una.