E.O.

EXTRAORDINARILY ORDINARY

A Book Review on Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

This is the second book I’ve read this month and the first among the novels of Robyn. Robyn is a writer, actress and online personality and the author of another bestseller, The Beginning of Everything.

This is the story of teens namely Lane, Sadie, Nick , Marina and Charlie who were diagnosed with TDR-TB or Total Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. They were brought to Latham House, a TB sanatorium together with more than a hundred teens, without gadgets, away from the real word, held by medical sensors and tests and the constant inquiry of  “What is the rate of your pain from 1-10?”

Latham House is a school where the student/patients are educated, rehabilitated and cured. It is pretty cool since the teachers don’t give assignments because these might stress the students and worsen their condition. It is surrounded by lush trees and forests and students live in cottages, however given the present condition of the students, you better not dream to live here.

So the novel started with Lane, a goal-driven A+ student who was being driven by his parents to Latham because of the said disease. It is incurable and requires close medical assistance. He met Sadie whom he remembers as the girl who was always isolated in summer camps when they were young. Sadie also remembers him and hates him so much because she thought that Lane was that jerk who stood him up in a date during the camp but it turned out that the girls just pranked her. Eventually, they reconciled when Lane saved Sadie and her friends when they were stealing net from the library. Lane and Sadie became a couple, as well. Charlie , their composer friend died when the four celebrated a Toga Party in the woods. That event had incited depression especially with Sadie and also, like many love stories, the couple broke up. Here are some of the couple’s memorable lines:

Memorable lines

“I was just thinking how having an ex-girlfriend is one of those things that aren’t true until someone says it. Like we all had TB before we were diagnosed. We just didn’t know we did. But breaking up isn’t like that. Being single is something you’re aware of the moment it happens to you.”

“Being single is a chronic condition since birth.”

“I hated that I was in love and grieving, because I didn’t know how to be both. It was just too much. Too much potential pain for us to keep going.”

I understand Sadie so much. It’s impossible to be happy with your life knowing that somebody’s life has been taken away and knowing that it might be your turn soon. Struck with guilt and fear, her actions of locking herself is but normal.

“Being someone’s ex isn’t an existing condition you find out about later, it’s something you know about the moment it happens to you.”

I stood up and walked back inside from the one boy who made me feel like I wasn’t alone, because he was the one person I couldn’t stand to lose, or disappoint or watch fall out of love with me.

Cowardice, through and through.

Which do you choose? To walk away or watch him walk away? In the case of Sadie, the former. Sadie knew that they won’t have a happy ending. It’s so amazing that we can predict how our life would end. So did the story end that way? No for Marina gave Sadie a flash drive that contains Charlie’s farewell song and somehow, it eased their burden because Charlie was trying to say goodbye to them. After that, Sadie rushed to Lane’s room and apologized for saying what she did not mean.

After a few days, Sadie went to the woods unaccompanied to meet Michael, a worker in Starbucks but this guy punched her in her ribs because he said she was the reason for him to acquire TB. Sadie’s head was also cut and so, her medical censor alarmed the nurses and she was brought to the ICU of Latham House. Sadie then learned of her unfortunate fate when the doctor said that she has only less than three weeks to live.

She chose to undergo the EXTRAORDINARY MEANS. This was the medication that is available in France but has a 25% chance of survival. She was given the treatment, her parents came, Lane, Marina and Nick entertained her until one day, she had her last breath.

Here are some of her last lines:

Pain has to leave on its own. And I was not sure mine was the type of pain that wanted to go away.

If living and dying were really the same thing, then I’d been dying for seventeen years and I didn’t much have longer to go now. I accepted it a long time ago. My miracle wasn’t a cure. It was a second chance. But second chances are forever. And even miracles have an expiration date.

“Life is gathering the raw materials and when we die, we get to make patterns out of our lives and relive them in whatever order we want. That way I can spend forever repeating the days when  I was really happy and never have to experience any of the sad days. So that’s how you live a really great life. You make sure you have enough good days that you want to go back to.”

Reread the first line. There are all types of pain but which of these would stay and which would go away? Is physical pain more painful than emotional pain or the other way around?

Our lives are precious because these are bestowed by God. We should take care of it but why do some die before birth? Why do people die at an early age? Is this a result of their actions or is this God's will? If I eat healthy foods and sleep early, will I die later? Those who die of accidents and murder, is this part of the plan? Why does one live shorter than the rest when he deserves to live longer?

And what comes after death? 

In the end, all the students confined in Latham House were released because there was protocillin, a new drug that cures TDR-TB. Lane got his old life back but still remembers his one great love, Sadie. The story ended with Lane driving. I guess this is another ending that starts with the beginning. It manifests how Lane has outgrown his predictable life and now is ready to travel a new winding road.

I bought this book because based on the synopsis, I thought I would read something different. I was disappointed because the plot is typical , turn of events is slow and there was no element of surprise. Or maybe , I just expected too much.

You can predict everything since the POV is omniscient. Characters are kinda flat,I mean there were changes that happened but these were so minimal and abrupt. Dialogues are reflective but not that extraordinary. If you are reading inspirational and self-help books a lot, you would agree with me. I thought that it’s dystopian but it turned out to be very realistic that it became mundane. If I’m going to rate this, it would be 6 out of 10. Nevertheless, there are lessons that cannot be forgotten like teh value of life and friendship and how everything can crumble in one click, so I advice you my readers to go ahead and read this one. I'm excited to read the Beginning of Everything, tho!

Barakuda: A Love Untold (Chapter VI)

 “Red?”  I asked. I moved towards them.

 “Red…red…”

“He’s not coming back, come on, sit here. Good girl. That’s my girl.” I helped Bridget calm down her sister.

“Why does she keep on saying that?”

“He is the guy who broke my sister’s heart after breaking mine.”

---------------------------------------------

Who is this Red guy?

Siya kaya si Red na minahal ako pero sinaktan ko lang? Siya ba si Red na nagligtas sa akin? Siya ba si Red na nangulit at nagpatawa sa akin? Siya ba iyong Red na pinaiyak ko at iniwan na lang basta basta? Siya ba iyong Red na hanggang ngayon ay mahal ko pa?

“Do you mind telling me the complete name of Red?”

“Sure.”

 “He is Red Hiro Zaavedra.”

Is fate kidding me? Why does it have to be him this time? Red, what did you do with this woman? these women? Red, what happened to you?

“Doc, do you know him?”

“…..no.”

I lied. I chose to lie.

“ I bet you will never want to meet him, Doc. He’s the worst man anyone could ever meet.”

After our session, it felt like my soul was sucked. 

Sa tatlong taon na nakalipas, marami na ring palang nangyari sa buhay niya. Iyong hotel and restaurant niya sa Batangas ay nabankrupt daw dahil nagtanggal ng shares ang ibang stockholders. Dahil doon, napilitan siyang isara iyon. At the same time, naghiwalay ang parents niya na kapwa mga doctor. His mother found a new husband and went abroad to live anew. His father was left in their home still fixing his broken heart with bottles of liquor. Dahil na rin si Red lang ang walang trabaho sa kanilang limang magkakapatid, umuwi siya sa bahay nila para alagaan ang ama. His stay there was like hell because his father saw him as a failure. As the only son, his father always wanted him to be a surgeon like him. However, Red took the road less taken and pursued his dreams to be a businessman. He succeeded but with the recent turn of events, his father had never been so disappointed and mad. He regretted having a weak and stupid son.

When it rains, it pours. And one day, Red found his father swimming in blood. What’s worse? His own family blamed him for their father’s death. His mother did not come for the funeral and after that, his siblings went on to their own separate lives.

Red had nothing to lose. He had no friends, and drugs and women became his routine. And when he was about to jump off to a moving train, it was then that Kathe saved him. Kathe healed him. Kathe nursed him back to life. She then brought him abroad and when they came back, Red has become a new person. But nobody knows what happened to Kathe and their relationship. It’s just that when he came back, he was carrying the title ‘Most Eligible Bachelor’  and the owner of Memento Vivere, an empire of 5-star hotel restaurants in the country. He got his dreams back but along with these, women became his past time and Cheska and Bridget were just two of his many pleasures. Unfortunately, Cheska was not able to get through the heartbreak and now, she has to undergo psychotherapy sessions with me.

After our first meeting, I could no longer handle the revelations. I decided to drive to Nasugbu, Batangas where my memories with him are still pure and pristine.

-------------RED’S POV-------------

“I Miss you.”

Tuwing may nasasaktan akong babae, lagi na lang akong dinadala ng mg paa ko dito. It’s been three years pero bakit hindi ko pa rin siya kayang kalimutan? Lagi ko siyang sinusubaybayan sa mga appearances niya sa TV and I must say, she looks stunning. Napakaprofessional niya, too formal na para bang hindi na siya iyong nakilala kong baliw noon. Iyong babaeng kumakain ng dinuguan, mahilig maggym pero kain naman ng kain ng ice cream and cholesterol-rich foods. Siya iyong babaeng maganda pero walang arte, siya iyong kayang magsurvive ng mag-isa dahil napakaindependent at free-spirited. She’s the woman I wanted to marry.

I want to see her personally but I am too afraid. And what will we talk about? The past? Nakakahiya ang mga nangyari sa akin. Ayaw kong makita sa mga mata niya ang pagkamuhi at pagkarindi.

In the near distance, I saw a women walking along the shore. She’s walking against the backdrop of the sea being darkened by dusk, running her fingers through her wind-tossed hair . Could it be her?

I walked toward the sea, careful timid steps.

------------------ --------------

Naupo si Ata sa dalampasigan habang inaantay ang paglubog ng araw. Nagkulay pula ang langit habang namaalam ang Haring Araw. Abang nagmumuni-muni siya tungkol sa mga kwento ni Red nang may nanggambala sa kanyang katahimikan.

“Hello.”

Napatingin si Ata sa isang nakangiting binata na nakatayo sa tabi niya. May katangkaran ito at nakasuot ng blue shirt at cargo shorts. Medyo gwapo ang binata pero imbes na ngumiti ay pagkainis ang naramdaman ni Ata. Ayaw kasi niyang may istorbo pag nag-isp siya. Mas lalo siyang nainis nang walang pasabing umupo ang binata sa tabi niya.

“Alone?”

“Who told you to sit beside me?” pagkairita ni Ata.

“Suplada. Sa iyo ba?”

“Close ba tayo?”

“Ah hindi,” mahinang sagot ng lalaki. “Naghahanap kasi ako ng makakausap at napansin kita.”

“You approached the wrong person.” Agad na tumayo si Ata at lalakad nang palayo sa lalaki.

“Wait, teka lang.!”

She turned around.  “I don’t wanna talk with you.”

“Eto naman kahit samahan mo lang ako saglit. Kahit di tayo mag-usap basta panoorin na lang natin ang sunset,” hiling nito.

“No.”

“Please, mag-isa lang din kasi ako ditto. Kadarating ko lang”

“I have to go.”

“Please? I will shut up. Just watch the sunset with me.”

Ito naman talaga ang hinhintay ni Ata, ang mapanood ang sunset.

“You promise to shut up?”

“Yes boss!” the man answered and grinned like a kid.

Matagal silang namalagi sa may dalampasigan hanggang sa unti-unting nang nagdilim at nagpakita ang mga tala sa kalangitan. Ramdam ni Ata na paminsan-minsang nakatitig sa kanya ang kasama niyang binata pero hindi lang siya nagpahalata ditto. Sa katagalan ay nawalan na ng kaunti ang kanyang pagkainis sa binata. Nang ibaling niya ang tingin sa likod, parang may nagmamasid sa  kanila.

“May problema ba?” tanong ng binata.

“Ah wala.Tayo na.”

Muling tiningnan ulit ito ni Ata pero ang nakita niya na lang ay ang anino ng isang lalaking laglag ang mga balikat.

Barakuda: A Love Untold (Chapter V)

CHAPTER V

“I really like you Ata. Since the day we met, I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Don’t you feel the connection? I think the universe is conspiring for us to meet.” he murmured and moved closer and felt his hands on my waist.

“But what happened between you and Metis?”

“Do we have to talk about him now?”

“I want to know.”

He looked at me and said slowly. “It happened one night in a hotel. We were drinking hard. Then he confessed. He’s gay.”

-----------------------------------------

“Metis is gay? That’s not funny Red.” I started to free myself from his embrace. I walked towards the shore.

“ But it’s true.”

“So, you were in a relationship huh?”

“Of course not! How can you even think about that?”

“Liars!”

“Wow! We were just friends for God’s sake.” He followed me.

 “Why are you jumping into conclusions? Why don’t you listen to me?!” his voice is rising.

“Because you’re gay!” I insisted.

“If I am a gay, why did I kiss you? Why did I follow you all the way here? Why did I defend you from Metis? Why am I in love with you? Now, tell me if that’s being gay, then yes I am gay!”

“You’re not in love with me. You’re just using me to cover up your real identity! You and Metis are both using me!”

“You’re judgmental, Ata. Unbelievable.”

I zipped my mouth.

The wind blew hard.

 “Do you love me Ata?”

“I can’t be possibly be in love with you.” I turned my back

“Why did you kiss me back?” I could feel his breath. I could feel the goosebumps crawling on my nape.

“It’s just a kiss. Newton’s Third Law of Motion – Law of Interaction. Friction as well.” I answered confidently.

“I don’t care about those laws of motion because all I care is about us.” He moved closer , hugging me tight. 

He slowly said, “I am not gay, Ata. Trust me.”

In that moment, I could feel his honesty even his sincerity. Should I believe in him? What if he’s gay? What if he’s not going to stay?

I untangled his hands and faced him.

“Do you still communicate with him?” 

“Yes.”

“See?”

“But…it’s only for business. Remember,  we started as friends! You know what, this is not going anywhere!"

"Like us, we're not going anywhere Red."

"Don't do this to me. Please."

"Get off your hands."

"I love you. Look at me, you love me too. I can feel it. If you want space, I'll give it to you but please give me a chance to prove that I love you."

As tears were falling from his eyes, begging for me to stay, all I managed to say is

" You're the biggest regret in my life.”

He started to walk away until all I could see was darkness.

--------------------

After three years…

“Yes, Casey. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

For the past three years, wala akong ginawa kundi magtrabaho hanggang nakapagpatayo na rin ako ng sarili kong psychiatric clinic sa Manila. After that incident with Metis, I decided to quit, withdraw my partnership and end the friendship. May mga araw na bigla ko siyang naalala pero masakit pa noon kaya kailanman hindi ko sinagot mga tawag o text niya sa akin. Kapag pumupunta siya sa condo ko, hindi ko binubuksan ang pinto hanggang sa tuluyang lumipat na ako sa ibang condo at nagpasyang ipagpatuloy ang aking pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling clinic. Mahirap magsimula ulit ngunit sa tulong ng aking mga kaibigan at pamilya, nagtagumpay ako at isa na ako sa mga pinakakilalang doctor sa Pilipinas. Every Sunday, I am the resident psychologist of a TV Series in KRF, the no. 1 TV network in the country. They get to ask my opinions about the behavior of the housemates and explain its causes. Last month, I was ranked 8^th in the most influential women of the country. Dahil na rin siguro ito sa mga napublish ko na researches and books about the mind and seminars that I conducted around the world. I am also the new ambassadress of Women Empowerment and my advocacy is to educate and empower women, who are homeless, with the skills and confidence necessary to secure a job and create a healthy lifestyle.

But with all those years, I had no time to love. They say that you’ll only realize the worth of a person if he is gone and that’s exactly how I felt after Red walked away from my life. I tried to look for him and even went to his hotel restaurant a week after our fight but he did not show up. He changed his numbers and deactivated his social media accounts.  I guessed he was too upset. I deserved it.  I should have never stopped, I should have fought for us, I should have told him what I feel but I did not. There and then, I decided to forget him and move on. Now, I have forgotten how to love. But come to think of it, I still think about him. How is he?

-----RED’S POV-------------

“How dare you Red?! Sa dinami dami talaga ng ipagpapapalit mo sa akin, sa kapatid ko pa! Hayop ka! Go to hell!”

“Ate, sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya, I love him. Ate, patawarin mo ako. “I’m begging you.” Dali-daling habol ni Cheska ang kapatid niyang si Bridget habang hawak hawak ang blanket na nakatakip sa 

kanyang hubad na katawan.

“Hey Cheska. Come back here babe!”

“Ate, I really tried suppressing my feelings but the more I hide, the more I’ve fallen for him. We love each other and he said he’ll marry me. I’m really sorry…” Narinig kong sabi ni Cheska sabay hagulgol. Bakit ba ang dami daming drama ng mga babae? I’m sick of this drama bullshit.

“Talaga sinabi niyang pakakasalan ka niya? Ano pa, na gusto niyang magkaroon ng tatlong anak tapos titira kayo doon sa hometown niya sa Batangas? Sabay kayong manonood ng sunset at magtatampisaw sa dagat habang nakatunghay ang buwan? My God! Those are his favorite lines! Sinabi niya din iyan sa akin at sa mga iba pang babae niya Cheska!”

“ Totoong tao siya ate, he won’t lie to me!”

“Wake up! Hindi ka niya mahal. Gusto ka lang niyang maging laruan! Halika na, come with me dahil kung hindi , hindi talaga kita mapapatawad!”

“No, I’ll stay!”  

Drama you ask? Alright, let's add gas to the fire;

“Ang tanong Cheska, mahal ba kita?” sabay ngisi ko sa kanya.

Gulat na tumingin sa akin ang dalawa.

“I never loved you.”

“Ano’ng sinabi mo?”

“You heard me. I do not love you. You are just one of my toys. You and your sister, as a matter of fact. But your performance is way hotter than her so why not come back to my room and let’s do it again. Let’s make it 6 rounds tonight. ”

Bago ko pa mahawakan si Cheska, magkapatid na sampal ang dumapo sa aking mukha.

“Napakasama mo Red! Wala kang kwentang mahalin! Katawan ko lang pala ang habol mo…”

“Cheska, let’s go. Get up! And you asshole, you’ll pay for this.”

This is getting fun.

Mabilisang kinuha ni Bridget ang mga nagkalat na damit ni Cheska sa sofa.

“Her red panty is on my bed, FYI.” I laughed hard. It’s funny how things are turning out. Women are fools. Proven and tested.

“You’ll pay for this.” Nanginginig na turan ni Bridget at biglang umihip ang malakas na hangin.

"How much?" I teasingly replied. 

“Isinusumpa ko na sa susunod na magmamahal ka, may mamatay na isa sa inyo.”

They walked out and I’ve realized that I was not laughing anymore.

-----------------ATA’s POV-------------

“Yes, Doc. Nandoon na po sila sa loob ng office.”

“Thank you Casey.” Matagal ko ng secretary si Casey. Maaasahan talaga siya kahit na bata pa. May new clients pala ako ngayon and I’ve heard that they are related to the owner of KRF. I wonder.

“Good morning .”

“Good morning Doc. I’m Bridget and this is my younger sister, Cheska.”

“Nice to meet you. Have a sit please. What can I do for you?”

“See my sister here has been acting weird for the past few days. She does not want to eat. She does not go out from her room. She’s just lying on her bed and staring at her ceiling. We tried talking to her but she won’t speak. And lately, narinig ko siyang nagsasalita nang mag-isa. Kahapon, nakita ko siyang may hawak na gunting at ginugupitan ang kanyang buhok. Look at her, that’s her doing.”

Ang color golden blonde na buhok ni Cheska ay pakalbo na sa bandang kanan. Sa kaliwa, hindi pantay pantay ang pagkakagupit na para bang may galit siya sa kanyang buhok. She’s so young, probably in her early 20’s.

“Do you know why she’s doing this?”

“Yes. It’s because of love.”

“What do you mean?”

“Red…” Cheska suddenly jumped out from her seat. “Red………..red…………”

“Cheska, stop….Red is gone.”

“Red?”  I asked. I moved towards them.

 “Red…red…”

“He’s not coming back, come on, sit here. Good girl. That’s my girl.” I helped Bridget calm down her sister. 

“Why does she keep on saying that?”

“He is the guy who broke my sister’s heart after breaking mine.”

 ----------------end-------------------