Jo's Pen

Her pen!!! Her pen!!!

     Your story, in exchange of my pen! Email to [email protected]!


          "Oh my gooooosh! Jo Liwanag will give her pen!!!" Trina happily announced to herself after reading an advertisement in the website of her favorite writer, Jo Liwanag. Trina really likes her works despite of these being written in Filipino. Youths today are obsessed with foreign writings, but Trina is not one. Jo Liwanag books always have this 'effect' on Trina, that is why her room is drowning in books and memorabilias of Jo Liwanag herself; that is why her heart jumped when she saw the advertisement that says Jo Liwanag will gladly give her very own pen to the lucky one who will be sending the winning life story to her email address.

          But Trina suddenly fell silent. She pondered over her life, what is her life story then? Who does she think she is to send her story to a well-known writer? Trinidad Diaz, an ordinary teenager who hates her name. Why not? "Trinidad" is even older than her grandmother. Oh, her mom doesn't have 'taste' in choosing names. Why not? Her mom is a Filipino teacher, her mom who has no time for her, her mom who always sleeps and locks herself in her bedroom when classes are out, her mom who scolds her whenever they meet, and most of all, her mom who is old-fashioned. So what will she expect? Trinidad.

          "Trina! Your Mommy's here. Go down now!" called her Lola Brenda, her paternal grandmother, downstairs. Oh there's still one thing, she is fatherless. She went down with an unhappy heart to kiss her mom, Josefina Diaz.
          "How are you, my dear?" Josefina asked.
          "I'm okay. Accustomed without your company," replied Trina.

          The mother did not just pay attention to the hurtful words of the daughter. Oh jeez! This will be a long discussion if she commented or so. After that, Trina went up to her bedroom to continue working on the story that she will be sending to Jo Liwanag. 

          "Ma, there's only 2 months left, I went to the doctor. Take care of Trinidad for me," after saying this Josefina cried.
         "I will take care of her, don't worry. Now rest," Lola Brenda replied gently. 

          Meanwhile, Trina started to type the story of her life. That she is pessimistic, hates the world, hates her name, fatherless, nearly motherless so her grandmother is the one who's been keeping an eye on her and been serving as her guardian. She wants attention and, of course, the pen of Jo Liwanag. "Oh, whatever," she said. If a thing is meant for you, it will be given to you after all. And she clicked the 'Submit button'.

          Two months later, Trina just arrived from school seeing a package placed above her desk.

           A book, a book authored by Jo Liwanag was the thing inside the package! But there's more, a pen... pen... pen of Jo Liwanag? How...? Trina read the letter attached to the package:

          To [email protected]

               Trina dear, congratulations! You are the winner of Jo Liwanag's pen. I'm sorry if I can't find time for you, if I always do work, if I can't tell this to you personally. I have no confidence in myself at all, my dear, I'm so sorry. I envy Jo Liwanag for you adore her, you always like and follow her. My decision for not telling you the truth is really right, so that I will be a part of your life, even if it wasn't my own identity. And your name, it's "Trinidad" because you're three, you are three in my life: my daughter, my angel, and my strength. I also want to say goodbye, Trina dear. Always take care and study hard. And I wish that if you will have a child of your own, give the right discipline and attention. I love you! 

                                                                             From [email protected]
                                                                                  signed: Josefina Diaz


          Trina's cellphone rang, she answered it, and there she heard the voice of Lola Brenda from the hospital telling her that her Mommy was gone.

Author's Note

This story is, I could say, a very Filipino type. I hope you'll all enjoy this. I welcome rates and reviews! :)

Reviews

[Katherine Enma Pineappl..]

I feel like this story is the type people usually pass around, like anecdotes. The plot is nice and the way you presented it pretty clearly and nicely that though there was no description of the characters, they still feel so alive.

It flows nicely as well, you can continue reading on without pausing or feeling confused, you just simply understand it.

I agree with what you say that is story is 'very Filipino type' since, for me, it gives off a familiar atmosphere. Familiarity perhaps?

A nice piece you have here

[Coyote Poetry]

It is a sad story. Hard to learn news of losing someone close when we are away. I like the set-up of the story. Made the reader feel like visitor into a private conversation. I like the flow of the story. Thank you for sharing the excellent story.
Coyote

[Lunette Lariz]

Thank you so much for your review! :)

[patricia]

An excellent story, with surprises and great insights. I realy enjoyed reading this. Thanks.

[Lunette Lariz]

Thank you also! :)