Afternoon in the nineteenth of September that was, I was sleeping serenely in the porch of our summer house in the vicinity of the beach with the whitest sand, clearest water and astonishing creatures. How indebted I am, yes to perceive this little paradise in a peaceful manner, having no nuisance with me. This was a great time for me and abruptly, an aurora borealis appeared in close proximity to my sight. Though it has been my trance for so long to see one, I find it bizarre because it only appears whenever a historical person will show to you. The next thing I knew, I was feeling my goose bumps and a vague person smiled at me- it was no other than Apolinario Mabini.

        His eyes were the brightest, his smile was as cheerful as ever and that mouth that would want to say remarkable words was all I witness. He reached out to my hand as he draws nearer to me. Spending the afternoon with me, that’s all I know about his intent. Well, why not? We walked across the beach and the next thing I know, we were sitting in a table with a cup of tea and some bread on a table. I cheerfully started the conversation with a hello, adding those words asking about him. I see in his smile that he was conceited of me for I feel interested in him instead of being anxious. His tears were expressed to say he was sorry for he didn’t get to brawl in the combat but all I said is that it was acceptable for he did his best and excreted all courage just to save the Filipinos. He thanked me for the complement and held my hand.

        I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I realized we were no longer on the beach. We were on a grey, lifeless place and I was clueless of where we are. I was about to mouth words but instead, he pointed to somewhere. There I saw my family, acquaintances, relatives and the persons I love suffering from the hands of those filthy Spaniards. My heart was frenzied with anger, eyes with burning rage and fisted hands ready to beat them up. But I recognized one cruel thing- I was disabled. I couldn’t do a thing to save them and felt so hopeless in life. I cried and screamed but those screams did zilch good to save them. But, why? Why them? 

        Mabini held my hand again and we were back at the beach. I was so glad it was not real. He felt sympathy for me and I guessed why he did that. He let me feel what it’s like when he wanted to save the persons he love but had nothing to do with those disabled feet. Now I know what it’s like but I comforted him for I said to him that he still did something good and became a hero. The aurora borealis came again and I knew Mabini would be leaving in seconds. For that short time we had, I see in his eyes and smile that he was impressed of me because he saw how optimistic and courageous my heart and soul is. The next thing I knew, his bright figure is now luring away and drawing near the aurora borealis.

        For that short time, I felt ecstasy and learned many things – things that not all people would know. In life, not all times we would be helpful and save the persons we love from misery. There goes those cruel times that we may be helpless though we could not do anything. But that helpless feeling is just what our mind tells us. Deep inside, we did our best and without knowing, we did something that others could not do. It’s just a matter of faith and trust in our self.