Thy “Ghost” That Hollows

On the brink of November, the scares and shivers are written everywhere. Frights can be completely heard every Halloween because of its known hair-rising reputation of occurrences. People around experience a cold sweat due to the windy atmosphere. A heart traveling in their throat, clueless of what they should do. Nerves that are frantically pumping as the scariest presence of an entity comes closer —— the "ghost." Yet, there is this distinctive ghost that doesn't dwell around its usual places. It cannot be seen around cemeteries nor any old and abandoned infrastructures. Unlike any other ghosts, this ghost haunts through the messages.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦: "𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝"

The unusual niche of this ghost is through its sleeping silence upon the notification list. Wherein, not any words nor remarks can be seen other than "message delivered." The petrifying act of this ghost is what they termed "ghosting."

The word “ghosting” as described by many, is the sudden experience of cutting off all communication with someone, typically a former romantic partner, without any explanation. It has become prevalent in the past few years particularly to the young generation, since they are the most predominant victims of this spine-chilling phenomena.

When people fall into the trenches of ghosting, the final words left unread will echo in their minds long after the silence has settled. The weight of these unspoken farewells and unanswered questions casts a shadow that would leave them daunted the most...

𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 — 𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭

As things stand today, social media is the paramount medium for people's communication and interaction, it also becomes a breeding ground for encountering various complications such as the phenomena of ghosting. It is so easy to meet someone online and feel an instant bond with them, leading to daily conversations filled with exuberance and eagerness. On the other hand, it can be deeply unsettling when out of the blue, one person suddenly withdraws from that connection.

This abrupt end can leave the other party to uncertainty, betrayal, sadness, traumas, and more exacerbating emotions embedded not only in their minds but also in their well-being.

Ghosting doesn't just dagger into the heart for a fleeting moment. It can gradually diminish one’s view of self-image and scuffle themselves with feelings of self-doubt and confusion.

Victims of ghosting often find themselves replaying past interactions, searching for clues or reasons behind the sudden silence. They may begin to avoid new relationships and develop a deep notion of mistrust towards the intentions of other people, considering the fear of being hurt again.

The immediate aftermath of ghosting can lead to a whirlwind of emotions and unresolved questions. Unlike the usual breakup of couples where feelings are processed and closure is achieved, ghosting leaves the pain of its victims hanging in limbo…

𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭

Bearing in mind the perspective of the perpetrators of ghosting — “ghosters”, many ghosters are paralyzed by their fear of confrontation, making it difficult for them to face the uncomfortable emotions and complex feelings that they find hard to articulate. For them, leaving without any words feels like an easier route than confronting the guilt, shame, or discomfort associated with being honest about their feelings.

In other cases, they may just simply lack the maturity or emotional skills to handle their social connections. Or they might not have taken the whole interaction seriously as the other expected it to be.

It is evident that this tactic serves as a seemingly convenient escape for them —— not the “sweet escape” one expects in a relationship.

While these “ghosters” might think that ghosting is the easiest way out of their situation, it will still not undermine its difficulty to the one being inflicted upon the messages they never sent.

𝐓𝐡𝐲 “𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭” 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

In the Philippines, it is excessively stressed by elders that “Huwag kang matakot sa patay, matakot ka sa buhay." As cliche as it may sound, that same old saying will always cling to the reality that we have. It is not those who have already departed that will hurt us; it is the ones who still draw out the breath of life.

In contrast with the guise of ghosting, people are not victimized by the mere presence of someone who passed away, it is induced by people who are still able to live and daunt them by leaving them out in the cold. Reminding us that it is often the living, not the departed, who leave us truly isolated.

The emblematic feeling of being a prey to ghosting is in semblance to how people always feel when Halloween is in striking distance. Having a cold sweat because of the sudden silence. A heart that traveled rapidly in the throat, since they were left clueless processing things out. Along with the nerves that are frantically pumping as they conceive that they have been pawned to the blitz of ghosting.

Ghosting isn’t just the act of disappearing; it’s a silent wound that the victims of it will always carry. It is important to consider the impact of our actions and to choose courage over convenience, and empathy over avoidance. Ghosting may feel like a quick escape, but for those left behind, the pain can haunt indefinitely.

The only way to break free from this haunting is to remind ourselves of our worth, regardless of anyone else’s silence. This ghost isn't just present every Halloween and it may even haunt us from time to time. However, at the core of our self’s worth, love, and acceptance, this ghost will remain nothing but a “hollow” one.