Case 23: Signify

If what makes an utterly useless object valuable is the emotion it bottles, the memory it conjures, or the idea it represents, what does throwing it away signify?
***
My dorm shelves and cabinets are cluttered with old magazines, long tests, handouts, lab reports, and even scratch paper. Look inside my bag and you will see receipts, bus tickets, directories, print ads, and more scratch paper. And this were collected only during college. Back in our house, I have drawers, boxes, and drums of old stuff from elementary and high school. I have thrown away a lot of it already, but my room and my life still look like a messy pile of old papers.
***
An object with a steady inflation rate probably has sentimental value. However, it may heavily depreciate depending on one's moods.
***
When giving a gift, is it true that it is the thought that really counts? Then, I just hope the price compensates for the thought. It is not that the gift is completely thoughtless (even though I bought it out of a whim), but it is just what it is, a gift. I give gifts depending on how my present budget allows me, and because of that, I hardly give one. So, yours was really a rare case. Usually, I give cheaper gifts with a lot of thought put into it.
***
One day, I may have the reason to throw away that object, and finally grasp what is truly valuable, the person whose emotion, memory, and idea, it tries to signify.

Read the whole thing.

Case 22: Eyes

If by looking at my eyes, you will know I am lying, then I will simply lie through my eyes.
***
I have destroyed my second pair of eyeglasses and ruined its recently replaced (Php 1000) lenses with super glue. Since I do not pluck money from trees, I have been enduring this blurred vision for two weeks, and I am not planning to buy a new pair yet. The astigmatism of my left eye and myopia of my right eye prevent me from copying notes and distinguishing faces two meters away from me. At least, the condition gave me an excuse to become lazy and snobbish.
***
A gaze, a leer, a roll, a sparkle. Sometimes, our eyes can express more than what we say.
***
My ophthalmologist has the knack of scaring me of going blind. He urges me to undergo perimetry (Php 2000) to check if my eyesight still covers the right amount of area. It just so happens that my intraocular pressure is at the upper limit. There is a high risk that my eyes' drainage canals become clogged over time and the correct amount of fluid cannot drain out of the eye. And this will lead to glaucoma. So next time you see me crying, I may just be preventing blindness.
***
There is no use in looking because aside from lies, the truth can be seen through these eyes.

Read the whole thing.

Falling-Bamboo-Leaves

[base time, base location]
I was not sure if I was okay when I fell flat on my back while walking towards the building. This proved that taking big steps on an inclined floor wearing a backpack full of oversized books was a mistake. The fall knocked the wind out of me. You helped me get up and that was how, according to you, we became friends.
[4 years later, 75 meters SW]
We were about to pick up the Dentist and watch the Bamboo concert--I was hoping--for free. I was nervous because you were behind the wheels. The lucky person that got to wear a seatbelt was the Marketing Manager. Sharing my misfortune were the Chef, the Talyer Boy, and the Exorcist. I got in for free, I think, and even got some free iced tea. It was fun being with you guys again. Nice codenames by the way, Transporter.
[4 years earlier, 75 meters NE]
It was an odd sight, leaves of notebook paper blown away from windows and held by string. It seemed that the sixth graders were flying paper kites. What a stupid thing to do, I thought. I went up to see who started it. Apparently, you were the supplier of the string. I asked for some and walked away with the box of dental floss.

Read the whole thing.

Case 21: Gibberish

Last night you called I played that game. Last night you called I felt the same. Last night you called I went insane.
I heard when lightning strikes twice on the exact same spot, that spot may be the tip of a lightning rod. And so laugh all you want, I will get the doctor. How are you? I am fine. Please, worry about yourself. There may be a third time.
I heard that worms have more than one heart, but if you slice one lengthwise, both halves may not survive. Who is that? Your voice changed. I need a glass of water. Really? Yes, I am eating right now. Do you mind?
I heard it is easier to sleep when bored. My foot fell asleep. It got bored. Sorry. Goodbye. On an ordinary day I will tell you that you are an oasis. And that day you will tell me I am arid sand. Thanks, but no thanks.
I heard saying what comes to mind tends to say something about the subconscious. I will try to find meaning in the way you whispered. It is a mess. With hard work you will get it. However sublime you may think of it, it is still gibberish. Just kidding.
7-4-8-4-3-8-5. Hello? Your number is incorrect. Good night.

Read the whole thing.