Moaning et.al.

image source: Elben Wald

Is there really a difference between moaning, groaning or howling? I consulted each word in the dictionary and each somehow provides similar meaning. But when faced with a question like “Anong klaseng ungol?” Dito na ako talaga napapaisip.

I guess one type is a moan of pain. When we get slice our selves with a blade we would utter sounds like “Arggghhh.” “Arayyyyyy.” Sounds would vary mostly according to our language or dialect and our perceived social status. So kung sosyal ka, “Ouchhhhhh” ang sasabihin mo.

Second type is the moan of grief or sorrow. When we lost something or someone, we moan. Dito maipapasok ang mga paghikbi kung umiiyak ang tao. “Huhuhu.” Ito ang madalas na marinig kaalinsabay ang ibat-ibang klase ng mura at pagsisisi sa mga pangyayari o tao na di naman kelangan sabihin.

Third type is the moan of ecstasy or joy. Ito yata ang pinakamagandang uri ng “moan” o ungol. Dito natin maririnig ang “Yesssssss”, “Shitttttt” at iba pang salitang pinapahaba hanggat sa kaduluhan ng hininga. Minsan di na kelangan ang mga salitang may kahulugan. Ok na iyung “Ahhhhhhh” “Ohhhhhh”.

There is another type that I would like to focus on. This is the moan of fear.

Ok lang sana na marinig ang ibang “moans” na nabanggit ko lalo na iyung pangatlo kasi kahit papaano mapapangiti ka habang naririnig mo. Pero iyung pang-apat, mababahala ka.

The first time I heard Archie moan, I kind of ignore it because I thought it was just an “involuntary response” to a dream. I even thought it could be a moan of ecstasy. However, when I heard another long moan and followed by another and another, I thought I should make my move. If it is a moan of ecstasy I would just tell him, “Akala ko binabangungot ka. Sorry, concern lang ako.” However, I feel differently.

I rose from my bed and realized that I am right. I observed him at first. His eyes were still closed. Then he made the moaning again. I immediately held his arm and shook it. Archie opened his eyes and stared at me with a blank look. “You’re dreaming.” I told him. He replied “Yes”.

I asked him what the dream is all about. It was just a simple dream as I took it. There were no ghouls, vampires, zombies or aliens. It was just a large stuffed black cat. I could make a joke about it but I know that it is real fear inside his subconscious, his dream. It is best just to listen.

I told him to shift his sleeping position. If he was sleeping on his right side, he should sleep facing left. I don’t have any particular scientific law to back it up, but realistically speaking, why would you continue doing a thing on a scenario where you were given a negative reinforcement? Call that superstition.

After listening to his account I told him to drink a glass of water.

Sleeping alone is a little bit freaky. Sometimes I asked myself who would wake me up in case I will have a nightmare.

With Archie’s case, he told me he used to wake himself up when he has nightmares, except for this one. “Siguro dahil di ako nag-iisa at meron akong taga-gising.” He commented.

I pondered on his statement. It could indeed be true. Sometimes our mind, subconscious that is, makes its own decision as to how to adapt in situations where our conscious mind is unable to function normally. “Huh? That sounds freakier.”

The point is Archie made use of “moaning” as a language to communicate with me. He has conveyed the right moan and was responded correctly. If it was a moan of ecstasy which I am very familiar with, I would just ignore him and I let him do his thing.

I guess the moral of the story is, don’t sleep alone. And if you are alone, don’t eat to the full. Well, that would be another story.