Book Review on "She's Dating The Gangster by Bianca Bernardino"

She's Dating the Gangster by Bianca Bernardino


"love is seeing an imperfect person perfectly."
-Athena Dizon, STDG by Bianca B.


Every teenagers should read this.
A story that would make you realize the importance of love, sacrifice, friendship, family and self.

-Fragile333

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Book Review on "Lumayo ka nga sa akin by Bob Ong"

Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin by Bob Ong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hindi pa rin talaga ako binigo ng mga likha ni Bob Ong. Bwahahaha.

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A brunette and a blonde (Book 2 of "The girl with a black balloon") by Mawi Cataran

© A brunette and a blonde 2011. All rights reserved.

Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Maestrel G. Cataran. This is purely a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are used fictitiously,

and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments,

events or locales is entirely coincidental.

This is the book two of a short story entitled “The girl with a black balloon”.

15 years...

15 years of waiting...

15 years of hoping she’ll return...

15 years of thinking what will happen...

Thinking.

Yes, thinking of her.

Thinking that we’re together.

Thinking about us, getting married someday.

Thinking of having a child with her.

I am at the age of eight when I first laid my eyes on her. As clearly as I remember, she was sitting under an apple tree. A weird, white-dull-skin, and blonde little girl wearing a black dress. She seems to be sad. To my curiosity I talk to her. As I can see, she’s a miserable, loner, and cursed little girl. She came running through the woods. I followed her and the next thing I knew, I was at a weird looking place. Black and white bricks. Weird clouds. Weird trees. Everything’s weird.

I remember that day when I enjoyed stepping on the black bricks because each time I step on it the sky keeps turning white.

She yelled at me and threatened that I will die if I keep on stepping the black bricks.

That prettily little rascal took me to meadow and watched the sunset.

I saw her cry and laugh at the same time that day, such a lunatic little creature.

But then again, the next thing I knew, I’m in love.

I can believe that at the age of eight I will feel this kind of emotion.

And the weird part is I fell in love with a weird-pale-skinned-blonde little girl that happens to be cursed.

I don’t want to loose her.

I don’t want her to go.

I don’t want to leave her.

But I have to...

It’s either I leave my mother and stay with her or I leave her and take care of my mother.

I love her...

...but I love my mother more than I love her.

And besides, she don’t want me to go with her even if I want to. She knew that I can’t afford to leave my mother.

She said, “Just remember what I’ve told you.”

“everything you think comes alive. Yeah, yeah, I remember.” I said to her.

“yes, everything you think comes alive.” She repeated.

“I love you Jimmy.” She said as she walks away from me.

And then the girl with a black balloon was gone.

Years had pass.

I am now at the age of twenty-three. I continued my life with the memories I made with her even if without her physical appearance.

A painter and a photographer, that’s what I am right now. I have a normal life. I eat, drink and sleep. Every twenty-fifth of the month I go to the park and tie a black balloon to that very same tree where I first saw her.

“I miss you so much Blondie.” I said as I’m sitting under that tree.

Yes, today is the twenty-fifth day of the month and later this evening is my very first art and photo exhibit.

The exact date that I first saw her.

I’m still hoping you’ll come back Blondie.

The color of sweet tangerine fills the sky as the sun was about to set.

She’s here.

I can feel her presence.

She’s watching the sunset with me.

The dim indigo clouds scatter everywhere.

I packed my things and leave. At last, I have finished my masterpiece, the center piece for my exhibit. I went straight to my apartment to get ready for the big event. I took a bath and then fix my tuxedo.

Just kidding, I don’t want to wear that kind of clothes unless I’m going to get married. I hate tux, it’s so itchy.

I just wore my same old faded jeans, my favorite t-shirt and a pair of Converse shoes, now I’m ready to go.

While I’m in the car, I can’t help but to look at my masterpiece.

I feel...

...anxious.

I have no clue what will happen later.

What if she wont come?

What if she’s with somebody else?

“What if she’s really gone?” I said out loud.

What were you thinking Jimmy?! You’re talking non-sense.

During the exhibit, many artist and art lovers came but still, my eyes were still searching for her.

Hours had pass still there’s no sign of Blondie.

Now, I’m standing in front of my masterpiece.

A boy and a blonde girl wearing a black dress and holding a black balloon while sitting under an apple tree and staring at the beautiful meadow.

“Everything you think comes alive.” Someone read the title.

I know that voice. After so many years, fifth teen years to be exact, at last I heard her voice again.

That sweet voice…

My heart…

…it keeps on pounding and pounding…

…faster and louder as her voice re-sound on my head.

This is the same feeling that I’ve felt the moment she hugged me.

I know this sounds gay but I really missed her.

I turned around to see her, but to my surprise…

“Blondie…” I said.

But there’s no Blondie around.

It’s just a normal fair-skinned brunette lady wearing a white dress. She’s totally different from Blondie.

“Such weird painting.” She said.

“Excuse me?” did she just criticized my masterpiece?

“That girl…”

“What is it about the girl?”

Does she know her?

“She’s always in my dream, specially that boy.” She said while staring at the painting.

I don’t know, but I had a feeling that she’s connected with Blondie.

“I started dreaming about her when I was eight. Umm…” she stopped and looked at me.

“Can I talk to you in private?” she asked.

“Sure. We can have coffee after the exhibit.” I answered.

She smiled and introduced herself.

“That’s great! By the way I’m Suzie.” She introduce her self.

I was about to say my name when…

“Jimmy! Come here!” my co-artist called me.

I looked at Suzie.

“I’m fine, don’t worry, and go. I’ll just look round.” She said and smile.

“Okay.” I said then went away.

There’s really something weird about her.

“Jimmy!”

“Yes Suzie?” I faced her.

“Please don’t sell the painting. Ummm… no, I’m going to buy that painting.” She said.

“Don’t worry… It’s not for sale.” I said.

After the exhibit, Suzie and I went to the nearest coffee shop.

“So, Suzie… what is it about your dream?” I asked.

“When I was at the age of seven, my mom said I was hit by a car and lost my memory due to traumatic experience.” She started telling her story.

I just looked at her and listen.

“Ever since that happened, I started dreaming about a boy, a girl and a weird place.”

“Black and white bricks?” I asked.

“Yes! Exactly! Why do you know that?”

There’s really something wrong about this lady.

Many days had pass. Me and Suzie were friends now. She’s different from Blondie. Every time I’m with her, it’s as if I’m with another person. There were times when she suddenly wants to go to the park and just sit there. Sometimes she’s so energetic. Very loud and happy.

Split personality I guess.

Day after day, I began to know her.

“Don’t leave me Jimmy.” Suzie says.

We’re still here at the park waiting for the sun to set.

I began to care for her.

And it came to the point that I don’t want to loose her.

“This is bad.” I said to myself.

I’m betraying Blondie.

But she’s not here. She left me. Suzie’s here. She care for me.

I’m cheating?

I love Blondie but she’s gone.

I waited too much for her.

Fifth teen years for Pete’s sake!

I think this is the time to move on.

One day, I decided to visit her at her apartment.

“Suzie?” I said as I am knocking at the door.

“Hey Suzie are you there?”

I twisted the door knob.

It’s open.

“hey Suzie,”

“Jimmy...” a sweet voice.

The same voice I heard fifth teen years ago.

“Blondie.” I said to my self.

And there I saw a Brunette and a Blonde standing at the balcony.

A fair-skinned brunette wearing a pearly white dress and a pale-skinned blonde wearing a jet black dress.

They’re facing each other, just staring at each other’s eyes. They were like facing a mirror. They didn’t even notice my presence.

“Suzie...”

They didn’t even seem to hear me.

“...Blonde.”

The next I knew I’m at the same weird place.

No brunette nor blonde, just a tree and a beautiful meadow.

“where the heck are you?!”

Why did you bring me here if I’m not going to see you?

I miss you Blondie.

“I missed you too Jimmy.”

I look around but there’s no sign of her.

“It’s been fifth teen years.” She said.

I close my eyes...

“yeah fifth teen years... where have you been?” I asked her.

“Ummm... let’s just say I fixed something.” She said.

Silence...

She hug me.

“I love you Jimmy...”

I hug her back.

“Do you love me too Jimmy?”

I opened my eyes and to my surprise.

I saw a brunette wearing a jet black dress.

She smiled at me.

I know that smile.

“You’re not blonde anymore...” I said.

“Don’t you like it? She lifted the curse.”

I hug her and give a kiss on her forehead.

“I will always love you even if you’re a brunette or a blonde.”

The girl with a black balloon by Mawi Cataran

© The girl with a black balloon 2011. All rights reserved.

Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Maestrel G. Cataran. This is purely a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are used fictitiously,

and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments,

events or locales is entirely coincidental.

The girl with a black balloon by Mawi Cataran

“…but I did saw a girl.”

It was a very sunny morning. My mom and I decided to go to the park and some time together. While we were on the bus, I sat beside the window and looked outside. I saw a black cloud heading towards our way; maybe it’s a rain cloud.

“Mom, I think it’s going to rain.” I said to my mom. She looked outside the window and said “how come you said that Jimmy? Look, it’s very sunny outside.”

I looked again and to my surprise it is sunny but I did saw a rain cloud.

“But I did saw a rain cloud mom.” I said while looking outside the window.

After we got off the bus, we went straight to the park. My mom sat down on the bench and started reading her book then I went to the playground and play with some kids there.

Everyone’s having fun, some boys playing yoyo and girls playing dolls. But one thing caught my attention; it was a girl sitting under a tree.

A blonde little girl, who’s been sitting there, not moving, she’s too pretty to be lonely. Her black dress made her skin too pale. She’s too weird. She’s been staring there blankly through thin air. She’s not even blinking!

To my curiosity, I went near her and said “hi there, what’s your name?” I waited for her response but I got nothing. She didn’t even look at me.

I tried to talk to her again; maybe she didn’t hear me, “Hi there.” I said as I tapped her shoulder. “Leave me alone.” She said. Again she did not look at me.

I sat beside her and by that time she looked at me straight to my eyes. I can see that she’s angry and lonely at the same time.

“I-TOLD-YOU-TO-LEAVE-ME-ALONE!!!” she said and then she ran-off to the woods.

“Wait for me Blondie!” I said as I ran after her. But she ran-off to the woods… I can’t go there. Mom told me not to go there because there are monsters in there. I took one step forward and then looked back at the playground.

“I’m sorry mom but I have to go look for her.” I said.

Tall pine trees, green leafy bushes and rocks the heck is she?” I said told myself.

“Leave me alone! Freak!!!” I heard her shout.

I followed where the voice as coming from. I walked for about 10 minutes and then I saw a path way. A weird and long path way made of white and black bricks.

“Hey, little boy. Where do you think you’re going?”

Who’s there?

I looked around but no one’s there. All I can see are trees and this weird pathway. I ignored it and walked again and followed the pathway. I noticed that every time I step on the black brick the sky turns white and every time I step on the white brick the sky turns black. I decided to step only on the black bricks.

I was about to step on the black brick until…

“DON’T-YOU-DARE-STEP-ON-THAT-EFFIN-BRICK.”

My foot was about 5 inches above the black brick. “Why?” I asked her. I know it’s her, I know it’s her voice.

“If you want to survive this stupid world, then don’t you dare step on that brick” She said. What?! One step and I’m dead?!

“w-what do y-you want me to do then?” I asked her.

“Come with me.” She said, so I decided to face her.

“Where the heck are you?” I asked. She’s gone.

“Walk away, step on the grass.” Grass. What grass? There’s no grass here. All I can see are black cloud, black trees, white floor and this pathway.

“There’s no grass here.” I said.

“Just think of grass, meadows.” She said.

“Why?” I asked her again. Why would I do that? “Just think of it or I will kill you.” She said. What?! Kill me?! Is that a threat? Maybe she’s a zombie? No… she’s a WITCH!

“Silly little boy! I’m not a witch!” whoa she can read minds too?! Can witches read minds?

“I cannot read minds; it’s just that you speak your thoughts out too loud.” She explained.

“Where are you?”

“…everything you think comes alive…” she said.

“What?” what will I do now? I’m lost. I’m confused. And I’m hungry.

She said that everything I think comes alive. I closed my eyes and think of a beautiful meadow and a girl wearing a black dress.

I opened my eyes and smiled. As I expected, a beautiful meadow, I saw Blondie sitting under an apple tree.

“Blondie!” I called her. It’s so funny, a blond, pale skin, wearing a black dress, sitting under a beautiful apple tree.

“Thank you.” She said.

“For what?” I’m confused.

“For listening to me and now I have one last thing to find.” She said.

“And what is it?”

“A pure heart so I can have a reason to stay here.” She said then looked away.

“Stay?” I asked Blondie.

“An old lady cursed me because I blew up her black balloon. Screw her! It’s not even my fault! I even said sorry to her.” She explained.

“Can I hug you?”

“What?! Are you nuts or something?!” she panicked.

“My mom told me if you hug someone it helps less someone’s burden.” I explained.

“But if you really don’t want… it’s—” she cut me off and hugged me.

“I really need a hug right now.” She whispered.

Is she crying? Good thing I can’t see her face. I don’t like to see girls that are crying. It’s annoying.

“Cry. Just let it out.” I said as I’m patting her back.

She just cries and cries and cries…

…then suddenly she stops.

“Blondie?”

“Hayst.”

“are you okay?”

She let go and look down I can’t see her face because of her long blonde hair.

“Blondie are you okay?” answer me—” I said while shaking her shoulders.

Why won’t she look at me?

“ha… hahahahaha”

Huh? Last time I check she’s crying and no she’s laughing?! Is this some kind of a joke?

“If I really don’t know you right now, I might think that you’re a lunatic or something.”

She just stops and looks at me like a fool.

“I should be going now.” She said while she stands up.

“Where are you going?”

“Now I have a reason to stay.”

“I can’t understand you. Why do you have to go? Can I come with you?”

“No, you should go back to your mom. She is waiting for you. She needs you.” Then she starts walking.

“Would you come back?” please come back.

She turns and said “don’t worry, we’ll meet again someday Jimmy.” Then she smiles. “Oh, and one thing, can you think of a black balloon? I want a black balloon.”

“sure.” I close my eyes and think of a blonde girl wearing a black dress and holding a black balloon.

“Until we meet again Jimmy.” She said then I open my eyes and she’s gone.

“~…everything you think comes alive…~”

I close again eyes and think of her.

“Jimmy… Jimmy wake up. We’re going home…”

Then I open my eyes I saw my mom. I’m on the park again, under a tree where I first saw Blondie.

“Mom, where is she?” I asked my mom.

“Who?”

“A blonde wearing a black dress and holding a black balloon.” I said.

“There’s no girl here Jimmy. Maybe you’re dreaming.”

Dreaming? No. It can’t be. She’s real. I know she is.

“…but I did saw a girl.”

15 years later

Years had pass. Every night I dream of her, every day I draw her. I have tons and tons of sketches of her, only her.

Now I am here at my art exhibit staring at my painting:

A boy and a blonde girl wearing a black dress and holding a black balloon while sitting under an apple tree and staring at the beautiful meadow.

“Everything you think comes alive.” Someone read the title.

I know that voice. After 15 years, at last I heard her voice again.

“Blondie…”