Part 1
1
The lock clicked open as Rhose Jimenez pulled the key. She twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Her eyes can’t believe what they’re seeing.
The Mentor office is all mess. Chairs were down. Papers are scattered on the table. The cabinet drawers were open.Older issues were all over the floor. Curtains still down. Lights off, but the back windows were open.
The windows have never been opened. It’s stuck. And glasses are broken allowing roots to creep in. When it rains, water flows inside. Mosses grow on the wall. A situation Mentor staffs have to live with. But this situation is something else. It didn’t occur before. This is something man-made. As if a monster got lose and left every thing in his track devastated.
“What the…” she gasped looking at the scene. She never imagined someone would come up here.
Yesterday, she went here alone. She was going to edit some articles. Minutes later, she heard footsteps on the stairs. She peered out the window, and then the footsteps evaporated. She waited but no one came. Her body wriggled, and she went back to work.
Now, this is creepier. She has the key all day and there’s no duplicate key. The door was also locked when she entered, which means no one entered intentionally.
She tried to picture the puzzle. What could be here that someone would get interested with? Then, at a second, the image got clear. Money.
She inhaled. There’s nothing here. The managing editor always deposits. She took another breathe. But still, what happened here?
A white pigment occurred behind her eyes. She looked to her left. There’s no one. But she is definitely sure she saw something or someone. She shrugged. Her heart beating fast now. She turned around. “There’s no one here”, she calmed herself. “Bernadette is just a story.”
Bernadette is a ghost believed to lurk in the office. This is a story told by the old staffs and someone named her Bernadette. No one really believed in that, though. After all, they’re all writers full of imagination.
She went in and arranged the chairs. The room felt so empty. Silent. All she can hear is her heartbeat. She looked for her phone and played music. The sound made the atmosphere lighter. She continued to work. All papers are now settled.
She crossed the room towards the windows. She closed the windows, but it didn’t move a bit. It seemed glued in place. The sun is going down. The Climate Change Academy below is getting darker. She positioned herself and put her hands at the edge of the glass window. She pulled with all her might. Suddenly, a face appeared behind the glass pulling the window at the opposite direction.
She gasped in shock and let go of the window. As adrenaline rush braced her, she is standing by the door. She closed her eyes and breathed hard. “This is not happening. I’m just hallucinating. It’s all my imagination”, then she breathes again. “When I open my eyes, there’s nothing.”
A loud bang startled her. She opened her eyes and the windows are closed. She stood still and sucked all her courage. She took a step forward. Then another. She reached for her phone on the table, her eyes still fixed on the windows.
She extended her hand, and then she felt something cold. The cold is transferring to her skin like electricity flowing in her veins. Embracing her bones like glacial ice of Arctic, making her numb. Her circulation is freezing and she’s breathing hard. She can feel her heart pump faster, more blood. Slowly, she turned on the table.
Her mouth opened but no words came out. She’s touching a hand. Pale white skin as hard as stone. Her eyes widened in horror when she looked at the eyes staring at her. Peering out of the table.
The eyes are teary. Bloodshot. Directly staring at her. Not moving. Behind those dark eyes, she saw something. Sadness. Agony. The eyes are pleading now.
The door opened. A figure appeared. It was Joshua Santos. The associate editor of the publication. One of her trusted friends. Rhose stood still.
Fear was all in her eyes. A confused look painted in Joshua’s face.
“What’s wrong?” he walked towards her. Dropping his bag on a chair.
She glanced back on the table. The girl disappeared. “Are you okay?” he put his hands on her shoulder. He’s becoming uneasy now.
Rhose stood still, looking in her hands. Her whole body trembling. She wanted to run. She wanted to scream. But her body was frozen. Her system’s not functioning. She looked at Joshua. She opened her mouth to speak but she can’t articulate a word.
“What happened, Rhose?” he reached for a chair and motioned her to sit. She followed weakly putting all her weight on the chair. “Now, speak up?” his eyes are focused on her. “Your body’s trembling. You don’t definitely look okay. So there’s no point lying. What happened?”
She doesn’t know what to say. No, she doesn’t know how to say it. He might not believe. She gulped for air and looked at him. “I’m okay. I need to go down.”
2
Joshua was walking to gate 4 when he glanced at the office. The lights are on. There is someone there, he thought.
On the last four steps, he saw a silhouette on the window. He knew it was Rhose. But on the table, there’s someone else. He walked slowly quietly. He was planning to scare them.
When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Rhose alone in the room. Her body was trembling and she stiffly stood there. Her eyes full of fear.
He went in. Rhose didn’t answer his questions. He reached for a chair and motioned her to sit. Still, it seems Rhose is in a state of shock. She can articulate nothing.
Then, she looked at him. “I’m okay. I need to go down.” and went out.
He looked around. The room was neatly arranged. ‘Maybe she cleaned’, he thought. He knew something is wrong. He needs to make Rhose speak.
Joshua walked out of the office towards the metal railing. Down the building, he can see Rhose standing by the bushes. She’s looking uneasy. He held the railing and about shout her name.
3
Rhose ran out of the room. Down the stairs and into the entrance of the building. It’s not so long but she’s gasping for air.
She can still feel herself trembling. But her mind registers everything. What happened up there was all true. And that could be no one but Bernadette.
Bernadette is real. That’s a fact. She glanced in her surrounding. It’s getting darker. Students are already going out. And the rooms are all lights out. The only lights are in the façade of the building.
She hesitated first, but she looked up. She saw Joshua. And Bernadette!
Joshua is on the railing at the edge of the roof. Bernadette is just behind him. She must not be mistaken. She wanted to shout but her feet are already going its way up the third floor.
When she reached the top, Joshua is still standing on the edge. His right hand holding the railing. She walked towards him.
“Will you tell me now what the hell is going on here that’s making you act like that?” his voice sounded irritated now. Confused but concerned.
She filled her lungs with air, then let it out. Just then, she saw the face again. Behind Joshua. Her hands are on his shoulders. A second passed and she knew what Bernadette is up to. She will push him.
An instant later, Rhose span her arms towards Joshua’s shoulders. Pushing him on the safer side. Away from the railing. She didn’t realize her position then. She was leaning on the railing now. Her feet lost balance. It was too late when she knew what was about to happen.
Her weight is on her head. She’s looking downward and falling.
Part 2
4
For that second in her life, Rhose hadn’t imagined she’d feel the same intense of fear she is having right now. She is certain she’s going to die. She can see the concrete pavement below. The blue Toyota. Her sight is beginning to lose shape. The realization it was her end creeps in her like a swirling storm in a summer sky.
Rhose never imagined her life would end this way. This instantly. But she felt her weight change. She can see her feet before her. One hand up her head. Someone is holding her.
She looked up. Joshua was on the edge. One hand on her wrist, one on the railing. For the first time, she saw fear in her friend’s eyes.
“Hold on.” He is pulling her with all his strength. “Give me your hand!” he let go of the railing and extended his left hand.
It took five seconds before the words sink in her. “Come on!” Joshua was shouting now. The security guards are already sprinting up the stairs.
She looked down. For a moment she saw blood below. A body. Dead. Bathing in her own blood.
Again, a wave of fear summoned her. Rhose reached for his hand. Joshua, with the help of the security guards, pulled her up.
5
After few minutes arguing with the security guards, Rhose found herself on a jeepney. All the way home, her mind was filled with memories she tried to forget. She ignored at least.
Bernadette had always been around. When there was a meeting and the staff are already inside the office, and she went up only to see it close. At the same time, the staff inside the office didn’t see her. Like some portal build up between them.
There is also this time when she went up the office for she saw it open below. Then, she realized it was close. And the time when she saw three ladies going down the stairs in their uniform, then after turning around the stairs, there were only two of them.
This entire, she tried to ignore. She didn’t believe in. But now, after this afternoon, it’s all real.
6
Rhose was awakened by her mother. It’s already eight o’clock. She didn’t even remember what time she slept.
A couple of hours later, she was entering the school premises. She is too late for her class. She is not really ready for any lesson. Standing at the library, she glanced at their office.
It looks the same. Like nothing happened. She looked for her library card only to realize she didn’t even check her things before she left home. On the stack of her notebooks, there is a green book. Although almost all her things are green, she knows which is hers, and which is not.
She studied it. Electricity ran in her veins when she saw the encrypted name at the first page… BERNADETTE.
How or why it is in her bag, she has no idea. But somehow, she felt that her questions might be answered in that little book.
June 13, 1993
It is my first day in college. I never expect Bicol University would be like this. It’s a whole new world. I’m afraid that I won’t belong, but with Antoinette around, I’m just fine.
I met someone today. He’s my seatmate in our first class. His name is Kevin Mendoza. He is nice.
June 20, 1993
I found new friends. I like them. I hope they like me, too. Antoinette is changing. She seldom joins me. Since she got acquainted with few of our classmates, it seems like she’s walking away from me. I’m happy I had new a friend, Kevin. We always have lunch together.
“Who is Antoinette?” Rhose scanned the pages.
October 26, 1993
One semester is over. I think I will enjoy my semestral break.
This is the best day ever. I got my certificate of grades. I can’t believe I’ll get flat 1 in English 1. I’m really happy.
Antoinette also got almost the same grades. We only differ in points. I don’t know why it seems that she’s not so happy like me. I wonder what’s going on with her.
October 28, 1993
Kevin asked me to be his girlfriend! I know I like him too but I still need to wait. It’s not yet time.
November 7, 1993
It’s the first day of second semester. And this is going to be a great day.
I said yes to Kevin. He is my first boyfriend and I hope he’ll be the last.
Rhose kept reading Bernadette’s diary. It tells everything about her and Antoinette. But never did she mention her relationship with this girl.
“Hey!” a voice called out to her. She turned around. It’s Joshua.
“You missed class. What’s that? Another novel.” He grabbed the book from Rhose’s hand and was stunned to see Bernadette’s name on it. “Where did you find this?”
“I just.. It just appeared in my bag.” Rhose said in a hoarse voice.
“For a moment I didn’t believe your stories.”
7
Rhose was alone in her room now. She kept reading Bernadette’s diary.
December 7, 1993
Today is my first date with Kevin. I had a great day. However, when I got home, Antoinette doesn’t seem to be herself. I kept telling her about my day and she doesn’t seem to be interested.
Lately, she would skip classes. She goes home late and I never had lunch with her. She is always with her friends. Whenever I try to talk to her, she ignores me. At school, she doesn’t even want to be my seatmate. Whenever we pass at each other, she acts as if she doesn’t know me. I’m worried what’s going on with her.
January 23, 1994 I had a big fight with Antoinette tonight. She finally said what she feels.
* * *
“You want to know what’s wrong with me?” Antoinette was yelling. “You are my problem.”
“What do you mean?” Bernadette is confused. “I didn’t do anything wrong to you, did I? If I said something that offended you, I’m sorry.”
“I thought you’re smart.” She grinned. “Don’t you see it or you’re just playing blind? You took away everything from me. During our high school, you’re always on top. And I’m always next to you. Your substitute. Now, I chose education. You chose the same. And we’re classmates. Classmates. Which means we’ll be together for another four years.” She paused. “You are top in class. That was supposed to be mine. This was supposed to be my time to prove to mom and dad that I’m also their daughter whom they should be proud of. But you ruined it. And I hate you for that. I hate to be compared to you when you’ll always win. I hate you for making me feel that I’m not better than you.”
Antoinette headed to the door and shut it loud. Bernadette was left in their room. They used to share this since they are kids. But after tonight, Bernadette realized there will always be a wall between their beds.
Bernadette sat in her bed. She’s so confused. What Antoinette said earlier left her unguarded. Her eyes are becoming hot now. A second later, she’s crying. She never imagined that Antoinette was feeling that way.
She got her diary in the drawer. If she is depressed and has no one to talk with, writing is the thing she needed.
* * *
Am I bad? Evil? I only want to be a good daughter. And a good sister. I always have been there for her. But all this time, I never felt that she wronged it. But even if she cursed me today, I will always make her see that she is my best friend. My only twin sister.
Never love someone just because they love you back, instead, love them just because you had felt it. I will never stop loving her.
It was the last entry.
Rhose got up from her bed. Somehow it’s clear. Bernadette has a twin sister. And her sister doesn’t like her in some way. Now, why does her diary end this day?
Part 3
8
It is Saturday. Rhose was again awaked by her mother. The story of Bernadette bothered her again. After long hours of thinking, she looked at the diary once more. This time she is looking for something. Something that can give her a lead of who Bernadette really is. She flipped the pages. There are no papers inserted in it. She studied the cover. Still, she failed.
She’s getting frustrated now. Rhose has always this thirst for adventure. And now, Bernadette is an adventure yet she doesn’t know how it will be. She tossed the book in the wall. When it landed on the floor, she noticed at something. Something inserted on the crease.
Rhose retrieved the book. There is a paper inserted in it.
“ANTOINETTE DIAZ”
She’s been surfing the web for Antoinette Diaz. Several entries flashed on the screen. She specified her search. She must be someone 35 years old or something. A name popped up. Antoinette Diaz Mendoza. She clicked on the name. The profile flashed on the screen.
Antoinette Diaz Mendoza. Twin sister: Bernadette Diaz. Married to Kevin Mendoza.
Rhose froze. She finally found the person that can make things clear.
9
Inside the room lay a woman on the bed. The woman’s hands reflexed. Rhose walked near beside her bed. The woman’s eyes opened, like it noticed her arrival. Rhose smiled a little. The woman stared at her.
“Hi. I’m Rhose. And I believe you are Mrs. Antoinette Diaz Mendoza.” She didn’t smile but her eyes did it for her. “I am here because I found the diary of your twin sister, Bernadette.”
The woman’s eye widened and then calmed. Tears started to form in her eyes. “Bernadette?” the woman summoned all her strength just to say the name. “How?”
“I don’t know either.” Rhose reached for the chair.
“Bernadette is a good sister. She has always been.” the woman stared at the window. Drawing back all her memories. “One day, we had a fight. That day is the worst day of my life. I regret it ever happened.”. Rhose continued listening silently.
“She liked Kevin. The man I also loved. And for that, I hated her.” She paused. “She always had everything. She was always the best. And I am just a substitute for her. The better.”
“Our parents always compared us. That it came to a point I also hated being her twin sister.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “I’m so evil.”
Rhose cannot stand it anymore. Bernadette also thought of herself evil. They’re really twins, she thought. “Bernadette had always loved you.” She stared at Rhose. “How did she die?”
She hesitated.”You know, when I read her diary, I thought of you as a suspect. But Bernadette always describes you as a good person.”
The woman looked surprised with what Rhose said. Then, sadness followed. “No one knew about that night, except Kevin.”
“I’m sorry. I know you won’t do that.” Rhose put her hands in hers. Comforting it. The woman smiled.
“That night, when we had a fight I met with Kevin. He got so mad of Bernadette. And I knew he don’t really love Bernadette. At first I got mad of him. But he said I was really the one he loves. He mistook me of Bernadette. ”
“What happened then?” the picture’s getting clearer for Rhose.
“He said he’ll break up with Bernadette. I was mad of her more than I pity her for believing Kevin. Then, after that night, Rhose didn’t come home. And the next morning, we found her dead.” She’s sobbing again. Rhose held her hands tighter.
“She committed suicide? Why?”
The woman sniffed, “Some said she did because of depression or problems but I don’t believe it. Because if I do. I also admitted I was the one to blame. We had a fight and we’re not yet reconciled by that time. Some said it was murder but there’s no proof. Some said it was an accident and they believed it.”
“You didn’t believe it was an accident?”
“No. Bernadette is not like that. She will never commit suicide no matter and also she’s not stupid to accidentally fall off the railing.”
“If she was murdered, who could have done it and for what reason?”
Just then, a man came inside the room. With streaks of white in his hair. At the same age of the woman though, he looked younger. Wearing a black tie in white polo. He was startled to see Rhose but retained his bearing.
“Good afternoon. May I know you?” the man looked at Rhose, and then glanced at Antoinette with enthusiasm.
“I’m Rhose. I visit because I knew about her condition.” For that moment, Rhose didn’t felt certain with the guy.
“Ah, you’re one of her students.” Rhose nodded to conceal her real intentions.
Rhose looked at the woman with a goodbye. “I guess I better go, sir. I’ll try to drop by tomorrow.” She headed to the door.
“Oh, by the way, I’m Kevin Mendoza.”
10
Rhose went to the Mentor office even though it’s Sunday. She needs to fight her fear. She needs to tell Bernadette about Antoinette. Antoinette, she was suspicious with before, is blameless. Bernadette should know it. It will stop her.
She was walking the stairs. Her steps are becoming soundless and grave. As she stepped the last turn, her heart started racing. She clenched her fist and surveyed the adjacent room. The door was open, so was the window.
She heard a noise inside. Her body began trembling and sweat is forming in her forehead. She took a deep breath and marched inside.
A silhouette of a girl formed from her shadow. She stopped. The face she saw the other night became clearer.
“Bernadette…” a hand was holding her arms. It was Bernadette. And it was too tight. She can feel her blood slowing down. Unable to flow. “Bernadette..”
She tried to let go but it seems of no use. Nobody can outrun a ghost.
“Antoinette loves you.” She finally said. ”She regretted that night for all of her life. She never wanted you to die. She didn’t kill you, right?” Rhose’s heart seemed to pound faster.
“You don’t understand.” Bernadette suddenly pushed her. Rhose stumbled on the pile of papers. Bernadette screamed so loud it almost broke her eardrums. Bernadette disappeared.
Rhose went out of the room. She saw Bernadette down the stairs. Rhose stepped back. In that same second. Bernadette was now behind her. Rhose gasped.
Bernadette pulled her to the railing. “No.” Rhose started to sob. “Please don’t do this. I never did anything wrong to you.”
Bernadette held her arms tighter. Rhose closed her eyes. She’s paralyzed.
“Think.” Bernadette whispered in her ears. She disappeared again.
When she felt all alone, Rhose opened her eyes. She saw that blood again. The body. Bernadette’s corpse soaked in blood. This time it seems her eyes fear nothing. She stared at it. Then, she noticed it. Bernadette wrote ‘A’ with her own blood.
11
Rhose was walking the long corridor to Mrs. Mendoza’s room. What a story of sisters, she thought. She is still wondering what ‘A’ means. Is it Antoinette? Did she really kill her sister? Anyway, she’s here to find out.
When she entered the room, Mrs. Mendoza is not there. She raced to the nurse, “Where is she?”
“I’m sorry. She had a heart attack late night. She didn’t make it.” Rhose’s jaw dropped. She can’t believe it. She will never know the answer now. The Mentor office will forever be haunted.
Rhose was on her way to the entrance of the hospital. She saw Mr. Mendoza on one of the chairs. Looking so far, as if his mind is in another planet. Rhose knew why he’d look like that. Antoinette is dead.
“Mr. Mendoza, I’m sorry for what happened.” Mr. Mendoza nodded. His eyes are dark. “Uhm, I got this book in our office. I guess it is best to be in your hands.” She handed Bernadette’s diary.
Mr. Mendoza took it and put it on the nearby chair. Rhose said goodbye.
12
The Mentor is having a meeting Monday afternoon. Rhose didn’t say a word about Bernadette, so did Joshua.
It was getting dark. The other staffs are gone. Rhose is alone again in the office. After the meeting, she was surprised to see Mr. Mendoza.
“Good afternoon, sir.” Mr. Mendoza didn’t look at her. He scanned the place. As if making sure they’re alone.
“Where did you find the diary?” there is anger in his voice. He didn’t even mention Bernadette’s name. “Don’t make me ask again.”
Rhose stood frozen. “I found it here.” She is feeling nervous. She didn’t like this man from the first meeting.
“You read it?” Rhose nodded. “All of it?” she nodded again. “Who else read it?”
Joshua read it too. But not all. “It’s only me, sir.” If something goes wrong, she doesn’t want her friends to be involved.
“Then, you know what happened. You know who killed her.”
“No, sir. I thought it was her sister but I believe she didn’t.” Rhose was thinking being honest would save her.
“How could you think of that?” Rhose stepped back. “It was an accident!” his eyes furious. “It was an accident. But Antoinette blamed herself. She lived miserable. It’s my entire fault. ”
“You killed her?” Rhose couldn’t believe the truth. Antoinette is innocent. It was not the message Bernadette was giving her. She was warning her. She was warning her from Kevin.
“I was going to broke up with her. She didn’t listen. She became hysterics and lost balance. It was too late for me to grab her. It was an accident.”
“But you didn’t do anything. You abandoned her. You didn’t help her. She was still alive. You could have saved her.”
Mr. Mendoza’s face changed to a total stranger. “I lived for years that no one knew the truth. And not you could put me to jail.” He pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it to Rhose.
“The truth shall remain a secret. Bernadette died by an accident. And so do you.” He motioned Rhose to the railing.
Rhose was more fearful now than what she felt when she almost died. At least, that could have been an accident. Real accident.
She wanted Bernadette to show up. But it seems she’s not going to do it. What else do I don’t understand, she thought. ‘Tell me. Bernadette. Please, before it’s too late.‘
She was standing at the edge now. Mr. Mendoza held out his hands to push her. Rhose closed her eyes.
She heard a thud. She opened her eyes and saw Mr. Mendoza lying on the floor. Unconscious.
Joshua was holding a broken chair. He stroked Mr. Mendoza just in time.
Rhose fell to her knees and start sobbing. Joshua called for the security.
13
Rhose was alone again in the Mentor office. But she feels someone accompanies her. She’s not scared anymore.
It’s been a hell of a week for her. Mr. Mendoza was put in jail. Bernadette’s parents were thankful for her help.
Her phone rang. “Hey, ” it’s their editor in chief. “We still need one more story. Can you do it?”
She smiled. “Actually, I’m done.”
“Really? What is it?”
“The Script.”
The End
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