Man from Manila - Episode 9 - Awakening

Previously…

Resgram was harked back to his past after feeling a strange but familiar aura from a boy who visited.  Harold was Kiko’s closest friend; he was like a big brother and for that he was worried on why he has not seen Kiko for a while. Upon entering the Laboratory; he checked on Kiko and the status of the procedure.

Episode 9 – Awakening

[You seem to be worried sir. You are not yourself and upon scanning; your vital signs you seem to be weakening.  Is there anything I can do sir?]

“I am impressed with you computer, your AI is most impressive.  You have proven to be more than just equipment to me.”

[May I ask sir, why this much interest in this boy? His mother? His welfare?]

“I have been here for quite a while computer; I have failed myself and everything I stand for.  I have lived my life in compromise, avoiding conflict and never stood up for what I believed in.  Nikka gave me a new start and make things better until she died; Kiko is all I have left.”

Resgram sat down in front of Kiko’s chamber and looked at him. “This boy will be my Legacy in this planet; he will be embodying everything I failed to do. Unlike the shadows where I hide, he will be exposed and embraced by this generation.”

[You have big plans for this boy]

“Have high hopes and dreams for this boy”

FIVE YEARS AFTER

Much has changed over the years; the backyard now has a vegetable garden and farm animals such as chickens and turkeys roaming around.  On the other side there are two pigs in a self made pen; other plant can also be found such as tomato, chili, okra, egg plants and many more.  This was Resgram’s recent project for since last year.  He was preparing for Kiko’s awakening in few weeks time.

Much has also changed in Kiko’s appearance over the years, he is now a young man.  There are now only five (5) tubes connected including the oxygen and the Alibata tattoo’s are finished and has adopted to his body; these markings on his body are not just tattoos but is the bio nano-tech installed to stabilize Resgram’s blood and Kiko.  These are special markings in a way that after he awakens and is removed from the chamber it will subside and are invisible; Resgram programmed it in such a way that the inks would adopt Kiko’s skin pigment.

Resgram was out in the nearby cliff, it was across the wide field where Kiko used to play, a big tree was holding the ground, looking down the cliff is the nearby river.  Water ran constantly due to the fact that water comes from the other side of the mountain and into the town across the valley.  Wind blowing in his face as he closed his eyes standing near the edge.  Vision like images visualized through dreaming was part of the chamber’s programming to teach basic things since he was not in school, the sense of playing and enjoying his childhood was simulated… suddenly he opened his eyes.  His comlinked beeped [We are ready sir for discharge] Resgram nodded looked down in the ground and almost smiled, turned around and looked at the sky. “Welcome back” softly spoken in the air and flew back to the house.

“Computer, are we ready?”

[100% sir, vitals are optimum]

“Ok, initiate release sequence.”

[Releasing]

The chamber, moved from vertical to horizontal, fluids are slowly drained from the cylinder. The cylinder top glass slides open then is concealed under the floor via opening panel. Tubes on the arms and legs are removed as it retracts down the floor; lastly the oxygen support is removed. You can see the excitement in Resgram’s eyes as everything unfolds.  The Alibata Tattoo slowly subsides as the ink matches color with Kiko’s skin tone.  Resgram covers Kiko’s body with a towel and prepared a robe when he wakes.  Resgram moved him from the lab into another room where he and his mom used to stay.  He was given clothes; everything was camouflage like before making everything looked normal. 

Resgram didn’t want Kiko startled with everything, he felt everything will be explained and revealed in due time. He had an alibi for everything, which he will initially explain to the boy.  He was shot and sadly her mother passed away and due to the shot he was in coma for 5 long years.  He will simply explain to the boy that all he needed to do was be patient and wait for him to wake up eventually which will be a miracle, and now this miracle is a reality in him waking-up.

Kiko after a few minutes starts to open his eyes, everything is blurred and everything is slowly getting clear, it was like waking up from a long deep sleep, a bit drowsy as he gets up?

What just happened? [Touching his head like he had a severe headache]

“A miracle happened, a miracle that brought you back.”

Nana! [Sudden outburst] My Nana was in trouble! Where is my Nana? [Worried, and then suddenly jumped out of the bed to run outside and falls]

“You are still weak, and needs a little more time to recuperate” [Helps Kiko stand-up and assists him to his bed to sit down]

How long was I in coma?

“Five years”

That long? How did I survive? You took care of me?

“I did. I did it for your Nana; I did because you mean a lot from me”

Thank you [Grabs Resgram and embraced him as tears flow down and he started to cry]

“There, there, calm down now, your Nana wouldn’t want to see you cry” [reluctantly gave in and embraced Kiko] “Do you know what your Nana would want you to do?”

What?

“Be the best person you can be and live your life happily and to the fullest.  The best thing you can be is a force for good, helping those in need”

[Looks at Resgram in the eye] Do you think I can do that?

“I know you can!”

Resgram then brought Kiko to his mother’s grave in front of their house, Kiko was crying while he was placing a rose on it. He promised that he will live up to her expectation and will do his best not to help others in need.  Resgram also showed the boy the new vegetable garden and the livestock’s he had, told him that he needs to eat nutritious meal to make him strong and healthy.  There is smile in Kiko’s face as he saw everything.  He couldn’t believe he has been a sleep for such a long time.

Kiko asked Resgram if he could accompany him to the fields where he used to fly kite and play.  He wanted to see the river by the cliff; he wanted to go back to familiar places.  Upon arriving in the fields, Kiko closed his eyes and felt the breeze of the wind pass his face.  He could feel it from the fresh air that he is alive and well with a future worth looking forward.  Resgram felt that Kiko can manage on his own and wanted to enjoy his re-emergence in the world to he told Kiko he was going back to the house and feed the pigs and the chickens.

‘Wow, not much has changed.’  Kiko said while he walks near the cliff besides the old tree. ‘Good thing you’re here’ as he taps the tree ‘You’re the only thing that’s holding the ground.’ He then jumped on the cliff testing the soils stability because of the tree ‘Wow, your awesome!’ then all of the sudden, the ground eroded, him jumping on it made the soil collapsed along with the tree.  Kiko then plummet down with the tree following after him. Kiko screams in fear as he falls down the running river below and at the mercy of a big tree hitting him.  Resgram heard the scream from the house and rushed back to the field to see what the trouble was.

Kiko suddenly glowed, his Alibata tattoos emerged from his skin and as soon as he almost hit the water, he stops and floated and by reflex waives his arms and dodges the tree. As the tree hits his arms, the tattoo was glowing and the tree was swiped and broken in half, he had sliced the tree with his bare hands and the part that hit him was broken into pieces.  Kiko was both surprised and in shock on how fast everything has happened. His reflexes and presence of mind was subliminal.  In the same instance as he hit the tree his legs kicked the air above the water and catapulted him up like a big leap and landed in the ground with the help of his hands safely.

To be continued…