The last book I read was Para kay B by the acclaimed writer Ricky Lee. Normally, it would take me several hours to finish a book but this one took me weeks.
It tells five stories of love, anger, passion, loss, betrayal and hope in an otherwise out-of-this world setting. Ricky used the most poignant English and Filipino words reading it keeps you awake better than caffeine! This is the reason why Audrey Hepburn lent me the book. She bought it because she was intrigued by its subtitle : ‘O kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig and 4 out 5 sa atin’. This also got my attention.
Surprisingly, I was only able to read one story in one sitting. Being the sensitive me, I could not go on reading the rest. Every story haunts me. Every story brings out the worst fears in me. Some characters, in some wicked ways, mirror me in some parts of my life.
The characters fell in love in the most unique ways. And fell out of it, or was pushed out of it, in the weirdest sense. Reading it was like hearing Ate Guy, Ate Vi, Ate Shawi and Maria throw lines at each other.
The one I like most is Irene’s character. She has photographic memory, so strong she still feels the love for someone she lost contact with for so many years. They were still children when they parted ways. When they met, they had the chance to make love. After the passion subsided and while the man was in the bathroom, she dressed, took back the calling card she gave the man she loved for so many years, and left. She no longer feels the love. She no longer remembers its sweetness. She no longer recognizes the boy.
The book says over and over again na may quota raw ang pag-ibig. This statement haunts me. If it’s true, how many lives are ruined because of love when, due to fate, they fail to reach quota?
Good thing, I was smart enough to reach the quota grade I needed to get in the college I want. But am I lucky enough when it comes to love? Working very hard all the time to keep that lucky streak with me, always.
Special thanks to http://superstarstruck.weebly.com for the book cover picture.
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