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Huwag Kang Lilingon ~ Chapter 6B
Chapter 6B
“Sa Gitna Ng Libingan”
Kasunod nito ang mga alulong at ungol—ang mga sigaw ng mga Sutsot ay nagiging mga boses ng mga taong kilala at malapit sa amin: ang aming mga ina, ama, kapatid… kaybigan. Kopyang-kopya ng mga Sutsot ang boses ng mga mahal namin sa buhay. Lubos man ang pananabik namin sa kanila ay hindi kami puwedeng lumingon.
Habang naglalakad kami, ang mga Sutsot ay sumusunod—nakadapo sa mga sanga, tumatawid sa mga tulay na baging. Nasusulyapan ko sila kapag bahagya kong itinitagilid ang aking mata sa kaliwa’t kanan. Isang bagay ang napansin ko. Ang madalas gayahin ng mga Sutsot ay ang boses ni Adam.
“Sa awa ng Diyos, makikita ko uli ang kapatid ko,” deklara ni Tomas.
Tomas, naniniwala ka ba talaga na may Diyos?—boses iyong ng tatay ni Tomas.
Hindi na sumagot si Tomas. Tanging ang tunog ng nagngangalit niyang ngipin ang aking narinig.
Talaga lang ha. Hindi ka sumasagot. Kunwari cool na cool ka lang. Pero ramdam ko ang galit at panggigil mo. Sige Tomas. Kailan mo naramdaman na ang Diyos ay tunay na gumagabay at nagmamahal sa’yo?
Napaisip ako, ganoon din maraghil ang mga kasama ko. Ang tanong na iyon ay hindi lang para kay Tomas. Ito’y tanong para sa aming lahat.Sinusubok ang aming pananampalataya.
Naniniwala pa ba kami sa Diyos?
Sasabihin ko ito sa inyo, mga tao ulol… Sa tingin niyo ba ay maililigtas kayo ng inyong Diyos? Wala Siyang pakialam sa inyo. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit ang bawat taong tumapak sa islang ito ay hindi na nakabalik, sa loob ng daan-daang taon. Kahit isa. Tingnan ninyo… pinabayaan na kayo ng inyong Diyos. Hinayaan Niya kayong maging pagkain namin. Thank you, Lord… Thank you, Lord.
Ang boses na iyon mula sa isang Sutsot ay iba. Ito’y kakaiba. Hindi boses ng isang tao. Boses iyong ng nilalang na galing sa impyerno.
AMMMEEENNNN… AMMEEENNNN
Parang tinutuya ng mga demonyo ang pananampalataya ng mg Kristyano. Sinundan iyong ng mga tawang at hiyawan. Tinakpan ko ang aking mga tenga, pero tumatagos ang kabastatusang ginagawa ng mga halimaw..
Ang Diyos ninyo ay nandoon at kampanteng nakaupo sa kanyang trono, kasama ang Anak at ang Espiritu Santo, nanonood sa inyong pagdurusa. Wala silang pakialam. Naniniwala ba kayo na tutulungan nila kayo?
YES JESUS… YES JESUS…
Kumakapit kayo sa walang kwentang pag-asa. Walang kapangyarihan ang inyong Diyos, nakabahag ang buntot.
Ang huling boses na iyon—kay Adam.
“Nakakatawa kang demonyo ka. Walang kapangyarihan ang Diyos? Eh kaya nga kayo naitapon dito sa lupa dahil hindi kayo nagtagumpay labas sa kanya.” Wika ni Jasmine.
Wow, ipanagtatangol mo ang Diyos… nakaka-touch naman. Mas kinakampihan mo ang Diyos kaysa akin na kapatind mo… ha..
Hinigpitan ni Jasmine ang hawak sa kanyang rosaryo. Pumikit siya. Taimtim ang ginagawang panalangin
Sige, magdasal ka pa, ang sigaw ng isang pang Sutsot, ginagaya ang boses ng ina ni Daniel. Sa tingin mo ba ay maililigtas ka ng mga dasal mo? Bingi ang Diyos mo. Nag-aaksaya ka lang ng oras.
Sumama ako sa pagdarasal ni Jasmine.
Tingnan niyo si Willy, nagdadasal, patuloy nito, ang pinanggagalingan ng boses ay napakalapit lang sa akin. Sabihin mo sa akin, Willy—ilang dasal na ba ang sinagot ng Diyos mo? Nagkabati ba ang mga magulang mo matapos ang lahat ng gabing nakiusap ka para sa kapayapaan sa bahay niyo?
YES JESUS… YES JESUS
Pinigilan ba ng mga dasal mo ang pagkamatay ng kapatid mo sa liver cancer? At paano naman si Eve? Ipinagdasal mo rin ang pag-ibig niya, ‘di ba? Sabihin mo sa akin—nakikinig ba ang Langit noon?
Ang tawa ng Sutsot ay naging isang paos na hiyaw.
Bingi ang Diyos mo. At sino ka ba, Willy, para pagbigyan Niya?
AMMMEEENNNN… AMMEEENNNN
“Pati ba naman ang mga iyon eh alam din ng mga demonyong iyan ha Jasmine?” Ang tanong ko.
“Natatandaan mo pa ba ang sinabi ko kagabi?” Ang tanong ni Jasmine. “Dating anghel ang mga iyan bago sila naging demonyo. Taglay nila ang ilang kapangyarihan na taglay ng mga anghel. Kapag nakita na nila ang tao ay nalalaman nila ang mga kinikimkim mong sama ng loob, ang mga kabiguan mo sa buhay, at ang mga itinatago mong kasalanan.”
Tumigil sandali si Jasmine. Tumingin sa akin. “Sa isang tingin lang ay parang isang aklat na nababasa nila ang nakaraan ng isang tao. Pero nang itapon sila mula sa langit, nawala sa kanila ang isang kakayahan makita ang darating pa lang.”
Biglang muling nag-ingay ang mga Sutsot.. Pakiramdam ko ay nasa mismong itaas lang ng nilalalakaran namin.
“HAYOP KAYO!”
Sumigaw si Daniel at iwinasiwas ang hawak niyang pamalo sa mga tulay na baging nang buong lakas.
Napatingala si Daniel sa pinaghagisan ng hawak niyang pamala.
Naganap ang lahat sa isang iglap. Isang guhit ng itim na usok ang bumulusok pababa, diretso sa kanyang mata.
Pagkatapos ay bumagsak si Daniel. Ang kanyang katawan ay nangingisay; ang kanyang mga paa’t kamay ay pumipitlag sa lupa. Tumirik ang kanyang mga mata, at isang paos na ungol ang kumawala sa kanyang lalamunan—isang tunog na hindi nagmula sa tao.
Hindi namin malaman kung ano ang gagawin. Nalito kami sa bilis ng mga pangyayari.
“Laban, Daniel! Huwag mong hayaang maagaw ang katawan mo!” sigaw ni Jasmine, puno ng desperasyon.
Sinubukan ni Tomas na hawakan ang mga binti ni Daniel, pero kalaunan ay ay nasipa siya at gumulong sa tabi ko. Biglang tumayo si Daniel, ang mga mata ay dilat at ligaw. Sinasabunutan niya ang kanyang sarili, sinasampal ang kanyang mukha, at hinahampas ang hangin.
“Lumabas ka sa katawan ko! Lumabas ka!” sigaw ni Daniel, hirap na hirap.
Umiikot siya nang mabilis, ang kanyang katawan ay naging isang ipo-ipo.
Lumabas ka—akin na ang katawang ito! Boses iyon ng nanay ni Daniel. Ang katawang ito ay galing sa aking sinapupunan. Ibalik mo ito sa akin!
Bumagsak si Daniel, nangingisay sa lupa. Sa itaas namin, ang mga demonyo ay tumitili at tumatawa. Tuwang-tuwa silang pagmasdan ang paghihirap ni Daniel.
Pinilit ni Daniel na tumayo. “Tomas… patayin mo na ako. Please… tapusin mo na.”
Lalong lumakas ang tili ng mga Sutsot. Nakakarinding pakinggan ang ingay na likha nila.
“Sorry…” hingal ni Daniel. “Hinayaan kong kainin ako ng galit ko… nawalan ako ng kontrol.”
Pagkatapos ay naging tahimik siya. Sobrang tahimik.
Isang sandali pa, nakita ko ang isang malaking usok—parang usok ng sigarilyo—na lumabas sa kanyang mga mata. Iyon marahil ang kaluluwa niya.
Isang ngisi ang gumuhit sa mukha ni Daniel—hungkag, hindi natural. Umagos ang dugo mula sa kanyang mga mata. Dahan-dahan, ang laman sa paligid nito ay nagsimulang lumubog at matunaw, tila ba may kumakain sa mga ito mula sa loob.
Nakakasuka ang naririnig kong ingay mula sa katawan ni Daniel. Parang may napupunit na laman, parang may ginigiling na karne. Ang hungkag na mga hukay ng mata ay nakatitig sa akin. Ang katawan ni Daniel ay nanginginig, ang mga labi ay gumagalaw sa isang piping sigaw, habang ang bagay sa loob niya ay nagpapakasasa nang walang awa.
“Wala na si Daniel. Nakuha na ang katawan niya,” bulong ni Jasmine, garalgal ang boses.
Kaibigan ko siya. Sa isang iglap, nakita ko ang totoong Daniel sa likod ng mga nagdurugong matang iyon—nagsusumamo na palayain siya.
Nang walang kamukat-mukat , si Daniel—o ang bagay sa loob niya—ay sumugod sa akin. Ayaw gumalaw ng mga binti ko. Maging ang paghinga ay parang nakalimutan ko. Hindi halimaw ang nakita kong pasugod sa akin—kundi isang kaibigan na humihiling ng yakap.
Isang putok ng baril ang umalingawngaw. Bumagsak ang katawan ni Daniel, berdeng likido , hindi dugo, ang lumalabas sa sugat sa kanyang sentido. Agad siyang nilapitan ni Jasmine, itinusok ang kanyang kutsilyo sa dibdib nito.
Isa pang putok pa ang umalingawngaw. Si Tomas, habang nakapikit ang mga mata, ay nagpaputok pataas sa direksyon ng mga Suksok. Naghiyawan ang mga Sutsot. Isang bagay ang bumagsak sa mga sanga at umatras sa likuran ng mga puno.
Muling naghari ang katahimikan. Lumuhod si Tomas sa harap ng wala nang buhay na katawan ni Daniel. Patuloy ang pag-agos ng berdeng likido mula sa mga sugat. Sa sandaling iyon, naging malinaw: wala na si Daniel, at wala na rin ang Sitsit na kumuha sa kanyang katawan.
“Sorry, bro… sorry, bro,” paulit-ulit na sinsabi ni Tomas, umaagos ang luha sa kanyang mukha.
Ipinatong ko ang aking kamay sa balikat ni Tomas. “Bro, wala na tayong magagawa. Tapos na.”
Sandaling walang kumilos sa amin. Ang mundo ay tila lumiit sa bahagi ng lupang kumandong sa bangkay ni Daniel. Ang kanyang pagkawala ay tila isang bigat na hindi namin kayang buhatin. Ang isiping kasama pa namin siya ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas—tumatawa, nakikipagtalo, buhay—ay mas masakit pa sa anumang sugat. Ang pighati ay nanuot sa aming mga buto, habang ang isla mismo ay tila nagluluksa kasama namin.
At sa dulo ng isip ko, isang boses ang narinig—malalim, malayo, hindi maiiwasan.
Ang babala ni Kharon.
“Isa sa inyo ang mabubuhay para ibahagi ang kuwentong ito. Ang iba’y magiging plamuti sa kuwento.”
Naramdaman ko iyon—hindi bilang isang hula, kundi bilang isang katotohanang nagsisimula nang mabuo.
*****
Nanginginig na nagsimulang maghukay si Tomas gamit ang kanyang mga kamay. Alam ko ang ginagawa niya. Humahagulgol siya, at lumuhod kami sa tabi niya para tumulong. Huling beses ko siyang nakitang umiyak nang ganoon ay noong namatay ang tatay niya.
“Kasalanan ko ang lahat ng ‘to. Hindi ko sana kayo hinayaang sumama. Anong sasabihin ko sa nanay ni Daniel? Paano ko ipapaliwanag ‘to sa kanya?”
“Hindi na bata si Daniel. Isang matanda na siya na gumawa ng sariling desisyon,” sabi ni Jasmine.
“Kahit na. Idinamay ko ang mga kaibigan ko sa kamalasan ko. Isa sa kanila ang namatay dahil dito.”
“Kusang loob ang pagsama namin sa iyo. Hindi na kami mga bata. At kahit ayaw mo pa, magpupumilit kaming sasama. Hindi ka namin puwedent pabayaan.”
Sandaling hindi kami gumalaw. Tatlong taong pinagbuklod ng pagkawala, dumi sa ilalim ng kuko, dugo sa mga kamay, at pighating hindi kayang sukatin.
Pero hindi hinintay ng isla na matapos ang aming pagdadalamhati. Muling gumalaw ang gubat, ipinapaalala sa amin na ang kamatayan ni Daniel ay simula pa lamang.
Mababaw lang ang hukay pero malalim ang pighating nararamdaman namin sa pagkawala ng am ing kaybigan. Inangat ni Jasmine ang kanyang kutsilyo, nag-atubili lang ng isang saglit bago pinutol ang ulo ni Daniel.
“Sorry,” bulong niya. “Kailangang gawin ‘to.”
Naintindihan naming dalawa ni Tomas. Tumalikod siya, at ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata. Nang matapos si Jasmine, tinabunan namin ang katawan ni Daniel ng lupa at bato. Iyon ang ikalawang libingang hinukay namin sa araw na iyon.
Namayani ang katahimikan. Ang hamog ay parang balumbon ng kalungkutan na bumalot sa amin.
Inilibing namin si Daniel, pero pakiramdam ko ay naghuhukay din kami ng libingan para sa aming sarili. Ngunit sa gitna ng aming pagdadalamhati ay hindi namin puwedeng kalomutan na si Eve ang nasa isla at nahaharap sa matinding panganib. Hindi kami pwedeng huminto. At alam kong hindi rin titigil si Jasmine hangga’t hindi niya nahanap ang kanyang kapatid.
Hinawakan ko sa balikat si Tomas. “Kailangan nating hanapin si Eve habang may oras pa. Hinihintay niya tayo.”
Hindi na ako nag-atubiling malaman pa ni Tomas na katulad niya, gusto-gusto ko ring mahanap at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ni Eve. Mahalaga sa akin si Eve. Handa akong suungin ang ano mang panganib para sa kanya.
Sa gitna ng mga pagsubok at panganib na aming pinagdaanan at ang nakakalungkot na pagkawala ni Daniel, nalusaw na ang ano mang takot ko at pagaalinlangan. Tila ang mga ito’y sumama sa hukay ng aming kaybigan
At dito, kung saan ang kamatayan ay nasa likod lang namin, wala talagang puwang ang takot at pag-aalinlangan. .
Bago kami nagpatuloy, kinuha ko ang backpack ni Daniel. Tinignan ko ang laman nito. Nandoon ang kanyang lighter at ang inipon niyang gaas at mga mitsa ng mga gasera.
Ipinagpatuloy namin ang paglalakad sa gubat. Tatlo na lamang kami. Sa paglalakad namin ay aming tiniyak na hindi kami mabubulaga kapag biglaang sumalakay ng mga Sutsot. .
Criminal ka, Tomas. Pinatay mo ang sarili mong kaibigan, panunukso ng isang boses, perpektong ginagaya ang boses ni Adam.
Wala kang puso, Tomas. Kinuha mo ang buhay ng anak ko. Pagbabayaran mo ‘to, sabat ng isa pang boses—boses ngy nanay ni Daniel, puno ng galit at pighati.
Itinaas ni Tomas ang kanyang baril sa mga anino.
“Mga ulol!” sigaw niya. “Kapwa ninyo halimaw ang pinatay ko, hindi ang kaibigan namin! Kayo ang kumuha sa buhay ni Daniel. Magpakita kayo! Harapin niyo ako!”
Matapang ka lang dahil may baril ka. Pero tandaan mo, darating ang oras na mauubusan ka ng bala. At kapag nangyari ‘yun, humanda ka—dahil tayo na lang dalawa ang maghaharap.
Iba ang tono sa pagkakataong ito—hindi panggagaya. Iyon ang boses ng demonyong nagsalita noon. Maaaring si Berith nga iyon.
“Malakas ang loob mo dahil tao lang ako!” sigaw ni Tomas. “Pero ikaw—isinumpang anghel—kaya mo bang lumaban nang walang kapangyarihan? Nang hindi nagnanakaw ng katawan ng tao? Kaya mo bang lumaban nang patas?”
Isang nakakabinging atungal nanaman ang tumagos at dumurog sa mga puno, yumayanig sa lupa. Isa pa ang sumunod—mas matindi. Napakalapit lang nila sa amin.
At inihanda ko ang sarili ko sa koro ng mga tili at hiyaw na siguradong susunod.
At, dumating nga ito. Mas malakas. Mas nakakabingi.
Mag-ingat ka sa mga hinihiling mo, babala ng boses na kinopya is Adam.
Kung ang mga demonyong ito ay may pinuno nga, siguradong ang nanggagaya sa boses ni Adam iyon.
“Tatlo na lang ang silver bullets ko,” bulong ni Tomas.
“Kunin mo ang patalim ko kung kailangan.” sabi ni Jasmine.
Pero tumanggi si Tomas. “Huwag. Kailangan mo ‘yan. May mga bala pa naman ako.”
“Apat na sa mga kasama ni Eve ang nakita nating patay. Isa na lang, maliban kay Eve, ang posibleng buhay pa,” paalala ko sa grupo.
“Buhay o sinaniban!” balik ni Jasmine, nagngangalit ang mga ngipin sa panggigil habang hinihigpitan ang hawak sa kanyan patalim.
Muling pumasok si Eve sa isip ko—ang kanyang mukha, boses, ang paraan ng kanyang pagtawa. Paano kung nakuha na ng mga demonyo ang katawan niya?
Pilit kong iwinaksi ang isiping iyon. Hindi ko hinayaang kainin ako ng inisip kong iyon. Kaylangang manalig akong buhay at ligtas si Eve.
“At huwag mong kalilimutan ang kapatid mo,” mahina kong dagdag. “Tatlo pa sila. Maliban na lang kung ang bangkay na nilalapa ng mga lobo kanina ay isa sa mga kaibigan ni Eve… kung wala nang ibang nakarating dito sa isla bago sila.”
Ang mga demonyo ay patuloy na sinusubukang patingalain kami, umaasang mawala ang aming atensyon sa panganib.
Ang mga puno sa paligid namin ay nagsimulang kumaunti. Ang mga tulay na baging sa itaas ay naglaho na rin. Ang damo sa paanan namin ay napalitan ng baku-bakong batuhan.
Pagkatapos, sa isang hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, ang mga Sutsot ay tila umatras na, hindi na kami hinahabol. Bakit hindi nila kami sinundan sa bahaging ito ng gubat ay isang palaisipan. Para bang off-limits ito sa kanila. Pero imposible.
Pero bakit nga kaya? Marahil gusto lang nilang maging kampante kami nang sa gayon mas madali nila kaming talunin.
Ano man ang dahilan nila ay mahirap hulaan. Basta handa kami kung ano man ang susunod nilang gawin.
Chapter 7
“Sa Muling Pagtatagpo”
(Scheduled posting: 01 -17 -26)
Huwag Kang Lilingon
(Maikling Nobela – Horror)
“Fear is a predator that lives inside us.”
– MAD Ligaya –
**********
Kapag naglalakad kang mag-isa sa gubat, sa isang madilim na eskinita, o sa likod ng bahay ninyo at may pumaswit sa iyo eh huwag kang lilingon. Baka kasi ang nasa likuran mo’y isang uri ng halimaw na kung tawagin ay SUTSOT. Ano man ang mangyari eh magpatuloy ka lang maglakad at huwag na huwag kang lilingon. Mas makakabuti sa iyo kung tatakbo ka… mabilis na mabilis. Kung naniniwala ka sa Diyos eh magdasal ka na rin. Ano man ang sabihin nila eh huwag na huwag kang lilingon. Gagayahin nila ang boses ng nanay, tatay, o sino man sa mga mahal mo sa buhay. Kaya rin nilang gayahin ang kahol ng iyong aso o ngiyaw ng iyong pusa . Ano man ang gawin nilang pambubuyo eh huwag na huwag kang lilingon. Hindi ka nila gagalawin… sasaktan… kakainin… kung hindi mo ibabaling sa likuran ang iyong tingin.
Chapter 1 – Sa Pinagmulang Dalampasigan
Chapter 2 – Kung Saan Nananahan Ang Takot
Chapter 3 – Sa Balumbon Ng Kawalang-katiyakan
Chapter 4 – Ang Paglusong Sa Kadiliman
Chapter 5 – Bulong Mula Sa Kawalang
Chapter 6 – Sa Gitna Ng Libingan
Chapter 7 – Sa Muling Pagtatagpo
Chapter 8 – Sa Ningas Ng Paghihiganti
Chapter 9 – Ang Pagbubunyag
Chapter 10 – Ang Tungalian
Chapter 11 – Kabuntot Na Anino
**********
This short novel has been translated into English and published through Amazon.
What Matters (6)
(A Short Story – Last of 6 Parts)
My wife knew we were meeting up and had cooked dinner, inviting us to eat at our place.
“Wow, that’s fantastic!” Jay exclaimed when I shared the news. “This is a perfect opportunity to meet your family as well!”
“Okay,” I said. “Jay, Chris, you shouldn’t drive. You’re pretty drunk. Just join me in my Jeep instead.” Chris protested but eventually agreed. As for Mario, he seemed fine to drive himself, so I allowed him to take his car. This way, I wouldn’t have to worry about moving their cars back after dinner. When I returned the case of beer to the store, I entrusted Chris and Jay’s cars to the owner, and they just needed to pick them up before closing time that evening.
The drive to my house was smooth, with Mario trailing behind us. I noticed that Chris and Jay were nodding off as we drove. Less than 20 minutes later, we arrived home to find our gate already open.
Once we parked, Jay and Chris hopped out of the Jeep. As soon as Mario arrived, we moved deeper into our yard. It felt like the perfect evening was just beginning.
Our front yard features a neatly tended garden where my partner and our children cultivate various kinds of flowers and soft green shrubs that add life and brightness to the space. Our house is partially hidden behind the trees of chico and mango.
“Is that a Toyota Hi-Ace van yours?” Chris asked, eyeing the vehicle parked in a separate garage on the left side of our front yard.”
It is. We bought it two years ago. My wife relies on it for her business, and it’s our go-to for family trips,” I replied.
“Have you ever considered turning it into a rent-a-van business?” Jay suggested.
“Actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing! It’s become a valuable source of income for me, and I receive inquiries at least twice a week,” I explained with enthusiasm.
“Wow, your house is impressive,” Jay observed.
“It’s a big house, and you have a spacious yard. I thought this was still the old house we visited when we were in high school,” Mario added.
“This is nothing compared to Jay’s house. I had the old one demolished, and with every good harvest of rice and vegetables, my wife and I built this new one gradually,” I shared proudly.
At that moment, the door to our house opened.
“Come on in!
Maxene opened the door. She greeted me and kissed me on the cheek.
“Brothers, this is Maxene, our youngest.”
She greeted all three of my friends and kissed their hands as a sign of respect.
“How old is she, bro?” Mario asked.
“She’s in Grade 12. Next year, she’ll be in college. Where’s your mom, sweetheart?”
“They’re in the hut at the back. They’re preparing the food.”
“Let’s go to the back, guys.”
“Your house’s interior is nice, Mon,” Chris commented.
“My sister designed it. She graduated in Fine Arts.”
“And Mon,” Mario whispered to me, “You have everything here.”
“Your TV is bigger than mine. This is what you call a fully-furnished house.” Jay mused.
“My wife invested in all of this, bro. She does well with her small grocery in the market.”
“You have a desktop computer here, Mon. And a laptop and a tablet. Why don’t you try using them?” Chris asked.
“My kids and my wife use those. I never get a chance to use them. Besides, I am not a techie.”
We exited our house through the back door.
“Front yard, flowers and trees… backyard vegetables. You’re not wasting any space Mon.” Mario quipped.
“I am a farmer. I think planting is my life.”
By the time we reached the hut behind our house, the food was ready. It was already late afternoon, and darkness was beginning to settle in, so the lights were on.
“Wow, is it your birthday, Mon? There’s so much food—adobo, fried bangus, salted eggs, chop suey,” Jay remarked.
“By the way, everyone, this is my one and only, Eliza,” I said.
My wife kissed me on the cheek as she greeted my friends. Marco, my son, did the same.
“Wow, your wife is absolutely stunning, bro,” Mario exclaimed.
“Definitely, she’s gorgeous,” both Chris and Jay chimed in.
“I don’t see it that way, but oh, Mon… your friends know how to flatter,” my wife joked, a playful smile on her face.
“Madame, we’re just telling the truth. And please accept our apologies if we’ve caused any trouble,” Mario said with genuine respect.
“Oh, it’s nothing at all! You don’t need to worry,” she replied warmly.
“By the way, Mommy, let me introduce you to my amazing classmates: Jay, Chris, and Mario. They are all successful and well-known.”
“Well-known? Are we celebrities? Mario said.
“Successful… and maybe a touch arrogant,” Jay quipped with a smirk.
“This is my eldest son, Marco. He’s set to graduate next year.”
“What are you majoring in, Marco?” Mario inquired.
“Chemical Engineering, sir.”
“Please, don’t call me, or any of us, sir. We are your uncles. So call us tito, okay.”
My son nodded in agreement.
“And, Mon, when Marco graduates, please reach out. I can easily connect him with great job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.”
“Wow, I truly appreciate that, bro,” I said, excitement bubbling within me.”
Before we started eating, my wife invited us to say grace. My friends seemed surprised and hesitated before bowing their heads to pray.
That’s just how my wife is. She has taught me and our children the importance of prayer and faith in the Lord, and we go to church every Sunday.
After the prayer, Maxene served the rice, and a quiet calm fell over the hut. I noticed that my friends took turns glancing at my family.
“Well, there goes an angel,” I said, breaking the silence.
“Okay, since I’m the shyest in the group, I’ll take the first bite,” Chris suggested.
“Eliza, kids, come join us,” Jay invited.
“Sure… we’ll join you in a bit,” both my children replied.
Eliza sat beside me, and my kids sat behind us. As I ate, Maxene gently massaged my back.
“Dad, doesn’t your back hurt?” Maxene asked.
“No, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
I noticed how my friends kept staring at our family as they ate. I didn’t know what they were thinking, but I could tell from the subtle smiles on their faces and their gentle nods that they were happy with what they saw. It reminded me of how my teachers used to look at me when I’d answer questions correctly in class.
We finished our dinner, and my family helped with the cleanup while my friends remained alone in the hut.
“Maxene, could you please make your uncles some coffee and me some green tea?” I asked.
“Oh, hija, please make mine green tea also.” That was Mario.
My friends were quiet after the meal. Even when we started drinking our coffee and tea, the silence lingered. I wasn’t sure why—perhaps the drinks had an effect, or maybe they were just tired after spending nearly six hours together. Eventually, they all turned to look at me at the same time.
“Hey, guys. What’s up? Do I have something on my face?” I asked.
Jay smiled and replied, “I’m so happy for you.”
“Why is that?” I wondered.
“Just keep it up, bro,” he said.
I understood what Jay meant.
“Do you remember back in high school when we discussed our dreams and goals in life?” Chris asked. “While we all talked about cars, houses, money, jobs, and whatnot, I remember Mon saying he just wanted to be happy and live a good life.”
A brief silence followed.
“Chris… am I right? You scoffed at Mon when he said those things,” Jay asked.
Chris vehemently denied it.
“I just happened to marry a good woman. She has strong faith in God. And, ah…”
“…and she just happened to marry a good man,” Jay cut in.
“That’s Mon for you. He never brags. He’s always the quiet one, just listening to everything we say,” Mario added.
“Why is it that all the women I meet are rejects? They’re only good in bed. Does your wife have a sister, bro? Introduce me to her,” Chris said.
“Come on, Chris. She does… but I don’t want their lives to go astray.”
“You’re something else, bro,” Chris laughed.
“I envy you, Mon,” Mario said. “If I hadn’t gone abroad, maybe my family would still be intact.”
“You wouldn’t have gotten rich if you only worked here in the Philippines.”
We fell silent for a moment.
“What is the price of my wealth? What good is my money?” I looked at Mario, who suddenly seemed serious.
“I don’t know either. I don’t want to think about it,” Chris replied.
Jay added, “What is the actual value of wealth and success? I have been thinking lately, with what I have been going through, what does matter in life?
“Come on, Jay. We’re tough dudes. You’ll be fine. You’ll get past that and live long. The four of us will live long. Together we’ll celebrate our 100th birthday.” Chris replied.
The hut fell silent after Chris made that statement. I broke the silence again.
“Wait… wait… enough with the serious talk. The important thing, guys, is that we’re still alive. We still have time to fix what needs fixing. As long as we’re alive, we can still pursue our dreams and create new ones.”
Jay nodded while Chris bowed his head. Mario went outside for some fresh air.
“Mon, find me some land for sale around here,” Mario said. “There’s something about this place that feels different. It feels like my chest is lighter. I don’t know why.”
“Sure, bro. I know of some farmers who want to sell their land nearby.”
“Okay, I want to have a farm. I am interested in organic farming. It is what I want to do after my stint in Saudi. I hope you can help me develop it if it happens.”
“Why not?” I replied.
As the evening came to a close, my friends finished their coffee and prepared to leave. The warmth of the gathering lingered, but it was time for them to head home. We promised to meet again the next time Mario was in town. Jay joked about ensuring he’d still be alive when Mario returned, while Chris eagerly mentioned introducing us to the woman he hoped to marry.
From our terrace, I watched as my friends climbed into Mario’s car. The light from the post near our gate bathed them in a soft glow, casting long shadows across the yard. Jay pulled out a cigarette, but instead of lighting it, he tossed both the cigarette and the lighter into the night.
In that moment, I felt a sense of peace. I looked over at my family, gathered in their favorite nook on the terrace. I realized how much my life and that of my friends had changed. From the dreams we shared in high school to the lives we’re living now, we’ve come full circle. And though our paths had diverged, there was still time—time to grow, to repair what needed fixing, and to continue chasing the dreams that kept us going.
Life, I thought, is about the moments we share, the people we love, and the time we still have.
>END<
What Matters (5)
(A Short Story – Fifth of 6 Parts)
“Why are you talking like that, bro? You’ve been acting strange all day,” I said to Jay.
Jay lowered his head and sighed deeply. We all waited anxiously for him to respond. It felt like an eternity before he finally spoke again.
“Guys, I have prostate cancer. Stage 1.”
Chris shook his head in disbelief while Mario placed an arm around Jay’s shoulders. I wasn’t too surprised by this revelation; I had a feeling Jay was struggling with something like this because he had hinted at health issues before.
“That’s why, Mario, when I saw your Facebook post about your vacation and we just happened to run into each other, I asked if we could all get together. I thought… I thought maybe…”
Jay’s voice trailed off, tears brimming in his eyes, raw and vulnerable.
“Well, it turns out Mario’s not the most dramatic among us… It’s you, Jay. But it’s not the end of the world. There’s a cure for that.”
Chris expressed his thoughts bluntly, and while I almost wanted to chastise him for it, he did have a valid point. Hearing about Jay’s struggles was disheartening, but he had no choice but to confront the situation head-on.
“I’m terrified because my dad lost his battle with prostate cancer. I fear I might have inherited it,” Jay confessed.
We fell silent, absorbing Jay’s vulnerable admission. Mario and Chris chimed in, revealing their own health challenges. Both struggled with high blood pressure and kidney issues that required significant medication. Chris even shared that if his treatment didn’t clear his kidney stone, surgery could be on the horizon.
One thing I am grateful for is that I don’t have any health problems that require doctor visits or medication. Since I’ve been driving for a living, I’ve been following a health program on the radio and adhering to all the advice I hear. The only issues I face are occasional knee and back pain after working on the farm.
“Don’t worry, bro. I’ll take you to a great urologist I know at St. Luke’s. We’ll find a way to fix this. I’ll help you,” Mario assured Jay.
“Thanks, Mario. Thanks, guys. I feel a little better now that I’ve shared this with you. You’re the only ones who know about my condition.”
“Wait, your wife and kids aren’t aware of this yet?” Chris asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
“Mon… Jay’s still single,” Mario chimed in, a hint of concern in his voice.
It struck me how little I really knew about my friends. If I were more connected on social media, perhaps I’d be more in tune with their lives.
“Jay, you can do this. I know you’re strong. You’ll be better by the time we meet again on Mario’s next trip home,” Chris said as he opened more bottles of beer and offered me one.
“I’ll pass, Chris. I still have some left in mine,” I replied.
“Oh, come on, Mon, don’t cheat again,” he teased.
Their laughter filled the room, but they respected my limits when it came to drinking. They understood that while they could down three beers in the time it took me to finish one, I didn’t handle hard liquor well.
“Next week, we’re going to address your issue, Jay,” Mario declared, his tone a blend of seriousness and support. “But right now, I need to concentrate on something else…” He suddenly hesitated, as if grappling with whether to share more. I could sense that he was carrying an emotional weight. Could it be time for Mario to reveal his own struggles?
“Sorry… I need to focus on wrapping up the case I filed against my wife.” Just as I anticipated.
“Yes, I filed for adultery against her three years ago, and the judgment is coming next week. That woman and her lover are about to face the consequences,” Mario explained with palpable intensity.
He recounted the entire saga: the man who betrayed him was their business partner, and his wife had been unfaithful for nearly a decade before he uncovered the truth. A mutual friend had stepped up, alerting him to the betrayal through a Facebook message.
“Do you have kids? What did they say about it?” Jay asked.
“They’re furious with their mother. They couldn’t care less if she goes to jail. We have two sons, both college graduates and engineers. They work alongside me in Saudi Arabia, and my employers have recognized their talents as well.”
The conversation shifted into deeper territory as we focused on the topic of family. I wasn’t surprised by the struggles Mario and his wife faced; it’s a reality many couples encounter when one partner works abroad. While the opportunity for a better future exists through such arrangements, they can also lead to complications if the spouse left at home cannot resist temptation.
“By the way, Mon… Chris… do either of you have families?” Mario inquired, genuinely curious.
I nodded in response, eager to share about my family, but Chris jumped in before I could.
“I have two kids… but no wife.”
Chris seemed to be beaming in confidence when he said that. He stopped abruptly and looked at us.
“Why? Did you guys not even react? I said I have two kids… but no wife.”
“Come on, Chris, we’re not surprised by that anymore. I was even thinking that you have more than 5 children from different women.” Jay retorted. “We know you chase women for a living.”
“Actually, I’m in hot water again. Another woman is demanding child support from me. She says she’s going to sue if I don’t step up. I told her it’s time for a DNA test; she needs to prove I’m the father,” Chris replied, a hint of annoyance coloring his voice.
“Suit yourself, bro. Just be careful—you might end up with more than you bargained for, like HIV, hopping from one ‘hole’ to another,” Jay cautioned, his tone tinged with genuine concern.
“Mario, I’m a wise guy. I always use protection when I’m not sure of the ‘owner’ of the hole I’m entering,” Chris shot back, grinning cheekily.
“What about the two kids you’ve already recognized as yours?” Jay asked.
“They’re with me. Their mothers don’t want to take care of them, so my live-in partner is helping me raise them.”
Chris didn’t seem fazed by the complexity of his life. It seemed as though he was okay with the messiness of things. I didn’t want to judge him, but I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life his two kids would have with two different mothers. And now, there was a possibility that it might be three kids. What if his live-in partner got pregnant? If Chris were my brother, I’d probably have slapped him back to his senses.
I didn’t get a chance to talk about my family because the conversation shifted to Chris’s chaotic love life. We advised him to straighten up, especially for the sake of his kids.
The drinking continued, and conversations flowed easily. By around six in the evening, we were surrounded by empty beer bottles, and Mario’s Chivas was nearly finished too. Jay and Chris seemed a bit tipsy, while Chris eventually grew quiet and appeared close to nodding off. Every time he started to snore, Jay would nudge him to wake him up. Surprisingly, Mario seemed unaffected; he was clearly used to drinking. I had only managed to finish three bottles of beer, with half a bottle still remaining, so I was doing fine. Eventually, it was just Mario and me left talking.
Jay and Chris got out of the jeep. While Jay went to a nearby tree to relieve himself, Chris ended up throwing up. I went over to rub Chris’s back to help him. At that moment, my phone rang—it was my wife calling.
“Excuse me, guys. My wife’s calling,” I said.
“Uh-oh, trouble’s coming. The commander’s on a roll call,” Chris joked.
To be continued…
What Matters (4)
(A Short Story – Fourth of 6 Parts)
Mario got out of his car, carrying a plastic bag. He was also wearing a long-sleeve shirt, just like Jay, but without a tie.
“Bro, finally, we’re all together again,” Mario said, his voice a little choked up as he hugged each of us one by one.
“Damn, bro, you’re still so dramatic,” Chris said.
“No, he’s just missed us,” Jay replied.
“Wait, let’s sit first. Wow, I think these are the same rocks we used to sit on when we used to hang out here,” Mario said.
Mario opened the plastic bag he was carrying.
“This is for you, Jay. It’s a perfume. I know how much you love fragrances. And Mon, I got you a new phone—it’s a Galaxy S25 Ultra, the latest from Samsung.”
“Wow, bro, this is too much. This is expensive,” I said.
“It’s fine, Mon. Don’t worry about it. Jay told me yesterday when I called him that your phone looks old,” Mario replied.
Jay and I both hugged Mario and thanked him sincerely.
“Perfect timing! I should make a Facebook account for you, bro,” Chris said. “And what’s this? What’s in here?”
“It’s Viagra.”
We all laughed at what Mario had said.
“Hey, just so you know, I don’t need Viagra. Mine is always standing at attention whenever I command it. It tends to get excited whenever I see pretty women.”
“Is that so?” Jay challenged, raising an eyebrow. “What I learned in psychology is that guys who boast about their prowess are the ones suffering from ED.”
“ED? As in Echo Delta? What does that mean?” Chris asked.
“Erectile dysfunction,” I clarified, keeping the mood light.
Another round of laughter ensued
“As if you don’t know me, boys.”
“Come on, Chris, we know you too well,” Jay teased.
“It’s not Viagra; it’s a watch. A G-Shock,” Mario interjected.
What Jay and Chris said about Mario was true. He must have a good job in Saudi Arabia. I was happy for my friends; they had achieved their dreams. It’s tough to predict what will happen in a person’s future. You can never be sure what will become of your classmates and friends when you all go your separate ways after high school or college. It’s not necessarily true that only those who top the class—the valedictorians and honorees—will have the best future. No one can say for sure if the best students from the past will be the ones who succeed and prosper, as seen in the cases of Chris and Mario.
Truth be told, they were lazy students and considered the class slackers, often absent from school. Jay was the smartest of our group, while Mario was the weakest academically; however, out of the three of us, he was the wealthiest. He had the nicest car and treated the gifts he brought for us as if they were nothing special.
“Hey, Mon, I think I’m going to melt from your gaze. Stop staring at me like that,” Mario said.
“Sorry bro. You’re just truly impressive.” I responded, admiring his enthusiasm.
“Wait, wait… now that we’re all here, let’s take some pictures. It’s groupie time, guys!” Chris exclaimed.
The three of them took turns snapping pictures of the group. We acted like kids, scrambling to get into position.
“Great news! The pictures are live on Facebook,” Jay announced with a grin. “Don’t worry, Mon, I’ll get your account set up soon, and you can check them out. By the way, check out my profile pic! Still looking sharp, right?”
“Hold on, though. I’m getting pretty hungry. Can we grab a snack first?” Mario chimed in.
“Aren’t we supposed to hit the basketball court?” Chris teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Let’s do that next time. I didn’t bring my jerseys.” Jay suggested.
“Hey, Mon, I think I’m going to melt from your gaze. Stop staring at me!”
“Yeah, I’m hungry too,” Chris agreed. “Hey, Mon, where’s a good restaurant around here? You probably know a lot since you drive here every day.”
“Actually, I want LTB, Chris. Why venture far when Mang Isko’s lugawan is just a stone’s throw away?” Mario pointed to the familiar lugawan we used to frequent.”Wow, how cheap… lugaw, tokwa, baboy.”
“Alright, Chris, if you have your heart set on a restaurant, go ahead. But I’m all for Mang Isko’s lugawan, Mario. Mon, let’s indulge in some delicious LTB!”
Jay started walking toward the lugawan, and Mario and I followed.
“Hey, wait, I’m coming too! LTB sounds great,” Chris said.
We had the lugawan to ourselves, and it was sad to find out that Nanay Mameng and Mang Isko had passed away. Their children were now running the store and lugawan.
As the three of them sat down, I waited for our LTB order. I watched my friends happily chatting. Among the three, Jay looked the oldest, with a lot of gray hair. He was probably stressed from all the work and studying he did, which made his hair turn gray quickly. I checked the mirror hanging by the door of the lugawan to see if I had any gray hairs yet. Thankfully, I didn’t. Mario and Chris each had a few gray hairs, but Mario’s forehead had also become wider, possibly due to the heat in Saudi Arabia that caused his hair to fall out.
Chris stood up and took a selfie, showing his playful side. He even got one with me. He is taller than all of us. He always played center whenever our section formed teams in high school. Although Jay was the shortest of the four of us, he was also the most handsome, with a mestizo appearance. Mario and I were about the same height.
With the lugawan’s self-service setup, I stepped up to fetch our orders when they were finally ready, eager to enjoy and strengthen our bond over good food and great company.
“Wow, it’s been ages since I last had LTB,” Mario exclaimed. “But wait, Mon… are you just having lugaw with egg?”I nodded in response.
“Are you on a diet?” Chris inquired. “That’s probably the reason your belly isn’t bulging like mine, which makes me look like I’m pregnant.”
“Yeah, right,” Jay interjected. “And have you noticed, Chris? Mon’s chest and arms are getting bigger.”
“I’m just buff from driving and working in the fields, brothers,” I replied with a smile.
“What about you, Jay? Why do you look like you’ve lost weight?” Mario asked.
“Well… I think it’s probably due to lack of sleep. I’ve been buried in paperwork. The life of a school administrator is tough,” Jay admitted.
Though we had simple food, our spirits were high. They even ordered another round of LTB, but I was fine with just one. While we ate, we reminisced about all the crazy things we did back in high school. It was a fun conversation filled with laughter and teasing.
After we finished eating, Chris and Mario suggested going out for a drink.
“I know a karaoke bar in the next town that’s open from 3:00 PM until dawn. Let’s make it a night to remember—come on, we’ve got cars!” Chris said, his excitement infectious.
“Let’s not go there, bro. The trip is long, and it would be a waste of time. It would be better if we just bought some beer at the store and drank inside Mon’s jeep. It’s more refreshing, and the experience will be unique,” Jay suggested.
“Yeah, you’re right, Jay. Let’s not go far so we can keep chatting,” Mario agreed.
“Okay, okay, of course, the majority wins. Here’s Mon. He won’t vote; he’s always neutral. Alright, I’ll go buy the beer so we can start right away.”
So, as Jay suggested, we ended up drinking inside my jeep. He was right; it was indeed a unique experience—drinking inside a jeep. Chris bought the beer, and I picked up some peanuts and chicharrón to go with it. Thankfully, I had cleaned the jeep after my last trip. We were delighted when Mario also took out his Chivas Regal and imported cheddar from his car. He even had a shot glass! Chris grabbed a case of beer.
“Well, just like before, no one leaves until this is finished… and Mario’s Chivas too. I also bought plastic cups and ice cubes in case you want it cold,” Chris said as he passed us the open beer.
“To our reunion of handsome guys… CHEERS!” Jay said.
That’s how our drinking started, and our never-ending conversation continued.
“Why did we only think about meeting up now?” Mario asked. “Let’s make this a regular thing. Otherwise, it’ll probably take another 25 years before we do it again. How should we do it? What about every two years, whenever I’m on vacation? Or maybe every four years?”
“Not every four years… I might not make it!” Jay said.
We suddenly went quiet.
To be continued…
What Matters (3)
(A Short Story – Third of 6 Parts)
Chris stood up and stretched. Jay lit another cigarette. He offered one to Chris.
“Oh no, Doc Jay,” Chris said, taking the cigarette. “Don’t you know that smoking is harmful to your health? You should quit smoking.”
“It’s too late,” Jay replied.
Chris and I exchanged a glance after hearing that.
“Too late for what bro?” Chris asked.
“Come on… just kidding. What I mean is, it’s too hard for me to quit now,” Jay said.
I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about whether Jay was joking or being serious with his comment. Chris pocketed the cigarette Jay had handed him, choosing not to light it.
I observed Jay closely and noticed how thin and pale he looked.
“Are you really okay, bro?” I asked, genuinely concerned.
Jay simply nodded, but his reluctance to discuss his health spoke volumes.
“Speaking of health, have you heard about Mario? He’s now an engineer and has been working in Saudi Arabia. I saw it on his Facebook,” Chris mentioned.
“Absolutely, Chris,” Jay confirmed. “Mario is doing incredibly well. It seems he hit the jackpot in Saudi Arabia, working at an oil refinery. He’s back in the Philippines now, and when I met up with Mon, I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for all of us to get together. He only has about a month for his vacation.”
I thought that this was the perfect chance for us to reconnect and celebrate his success!
Chris turned to me. “How about you, Mon? Why couldn’t I find you on Facebook? You’re probably using an alias, huh?!”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Mon isn’t really into social media, Chris,” Jay remarked. “Unlike you, who’s completely hooked on Facebook.”
“Hooked, really? You’re the one who updates your profile picture almost every couple of days!”
“Wow… sounds like someone’s stalking me?” Jay teased playfully.
“Absolutely! I want to stay in the loop with my friends. Speaking of which, Mon, have you ever thought about getting a Facebook account? I’d be happy to help you set it up.”
“No, thanks. We have an Internet connection at home, but I can’t see any reason why I should do it.”
“Can you make us the reason? From now on, we should stay in touch from time to time. We have to catch up on a lot of things. You’re missing Jay’s educational content. I promise, you’ll learn a lot from those. You could also subscribe to my YouTube channel.”
“Come on, Chris, let Mon be. If he doesn’t want to do social media, that’s his choice.”
“Just give me your cell phone number, Chris, so we can stay connected. I’ve already got Jay’s.”
“Here you go.” Chris handed me his business card. “Just give me a missed call so I can save your number. But don’t worry, I’m still going to help you set up a Facebook account. I’ll even send you the password once it’s ready. By the way, do you have an email?”
“I don’t have an email. I don’t have a Google account.”
“Wow, Mon, you’re really living in the past! But don’t worry, I’ll handle everything for you. All give you all the details later, then decide whether you want to live in the 21st century or stay in the Jurassic Age.”
“Chris, just give Mon time, okay. I am pretty sure he will consider it.”
I nodded, fully aware that Chris was resolute and wouldn’t back down.
“Hold on, I want to ask one more thing. Jay, you have a PhD, Mario is a skilled engineer, and I hold degrees in IT and an MBA. What about you, Mon? What did you major in?”
With a playful grin, I replied, “I earned a Bachelor of Science in Driving and Farming.”
“Huh? Is there such a degree?” Chris asked, puzzled.
“Oh, absolutely… it’s offered at the University of Hard Knocks,” Jay chimed in, clearly enjoying the moment.
I recognized Jay’s humor and appreciated how he was helping me make fun of Chris.
“University of Hard Knocks? Where can I sign up for that?” Chris joked, clearly intrigued.
Chris looked even more confused.
“Listen, we realize that the best lessons often come from real-life experiences. That’s what Jay was getting at with the idea of the ‘University of Hard Knocks,'” I said, emphasizing my point.
“Keep in mind that Mon didn’t attend college,” Jay chimed in, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “But if memory serves, Mon’s grades were actually higher than yours and Mario’s. Just saying.”
“Alright, I get it. You were excellent students. You were good at English. Mario and I were scraping the bottom of the barrel,” Chris said.
“Honestly, you two were just being lazy back then. Mon and I spent countless hours in the library, immersed in books and tackling assignments,” Jay pointed out.
“Hold on!” Chris suddenly cut in. “I can already see where this is going, bro… you’re about to say Mon was the only one who didn’t copy off you during tests.”
“And yet, you don’t really grasp what ‘University of Hard Knocks’ means,” Jay added with a smirk.
“Okay, okay, I’ll concede… you really are the smart ones.”
“You said it, not me,” Jay chuckled, his laughter echoing the light-hearted teasing among us. I couldn’t help but smile at the camaraderie shared between my friends. It crossed my mind to remind them that I had consistently ranked in the top 10 of our class throughout all four years and had even achieved the highest score on the NSAT among the four of us. However, the thought of bringing it up felt a bit awkward.
“Honestly, if you had taken the scholarship exam with us back then, I have no doubt you would have aced it. After all, even Chris passed, and you would have certainly done better,” Jay confidently asserted.
“I just got lucky,” Chris interjected, downplaying his success.
Back then, my dream was to attend college, and I was determined to take the scholarship exam to study in Manila. However, I chose to put my aspirations on hold to support my father on our farm. Farming was not just our livelihood; it was our way of life. As my father grew older, he needed my help more than ever. Meanwhile, my mother worked hard selling fish and vegetables in the market.
As the eldest of four siblings and the only son, I felt a deep sense of duty to my family. I understood that our parents couldn’t possibly afford to send all of us to college at the same time. So, I made the difficult decision to prioritize my siblings’ education over my own. Two of them successfully graduated, marking a proud achievement for our family.
However, life took an unexpected turn for my youngest sister. She became pregnant by her seaman boyfriend just a year before her graduation. Despite the challenges, they got married and have built a good life together. This journey has taught me the importance of sacrifice and the lasting impact of family.
“Oh, by the way… What do you do now, Mon?” Chris asked.
“I drive a jeep and manage the farm that was passed down to me from my father. How about you?”
“I work as a systems supervisor at a BPO in Ortigas, and on top of that, I’m a freelance website developer. I purchased this car using the profits from the websites I’ve created and maintained.”
“Wow, Chris has hit it big! He even has two condo units in Quezon City,” Jay commented.
“You’re the real success story here, Doc Jay. The lady guard in your school mentioned that she heard that your salary grade is 23 as dean of that local college.”
“Did you buy into that? That was just hearsay!”
“Absolutely! Besides, you’re always broadcasting live on Facebook whenever you’re speaking at seminars. I can only imagine how well you’re compensated for that. I also checked on the Internet how much the equivalent of that salary grade is.”
“Wow! Looks like we have a Marites in our midst Mon.”
“Hey, Mon, don’t mind Jay. Check this out—Jay’s Facebook cover showcasing his delightful little nipa hut!”
I turned to see what Chris was excited about. To my surprise, Jay’s house was not just charming, but also impressively large and beautiful.
“I’m still making payments on that,” Jay added with a hint of pride.
It filled me with joy to see how far Jay and Chris had come. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off.
“How about you, Mon? Where’s home for you now?” Chris inquired.
“I’m still in the same place.”
“Really? You mean that old house? The one we used to hang out in?”
“Yes, Chris. Along with the farm, the house, and the land were passed down to me from my late parents.”
“That’s a relief that your siblings didn’t contest it,” Jay commented.
“Absolutely. They’ve all built great lives for themselves—married well, have their own properties, and good careers. I’ve offered them help, but they’ve graciously declined. Instead, they’re the ones showering me and my family with gifts whenever they come to visit.” I replied, feeling a mix of pride and nostalgia.
“You’re fortunate. You have great sisters. My siblings and I are still embroiled in a bitter struggle over the land and house our parents left us.”
“Chris, it’s time to move on. You have more than enough money now, plus you own two condos.”
“Jay, my siblings are significantly wealthier than I am. Ideally, the house and land should have been left to me. We could really end up in a legal battle over this.”
I wasn’t shocked to hear Chris discussing the turmoil surrounding family inheritances. It’s tragic how some families can become so divided that they resort to extreme measures, even violence, over property. I consider myself lucky that my siblings have allowed me to keep our share. Regardless, I make it a point to share my harvest of rice and vegetables with them.
Our conversation was abruptly interrupted when we spotted a sleek black Mercedes-Benz pulling up in front of us. Mario had finally arrived.
To be continued…
What Matters (2)
(A Short Story – Second of 6 Parts)
Every time we planned a get-together, it was a predictable pattern. Jay was always the first to show up, eager and ready for the fun to begin. I followed closely behind, but Chris and Mario seemed to have a knack for arriving late, occasionally switching between being third and last. Their tardiness became a running joke among us, but it also made us appreciate those moments when we were all together just a little bit more.
I got off the jeep and walked over to Jay’s car. He opened the door and let me in.
I checked my watch—it was already half past two, and I wasn’t late. The moment I stepped into Jay’s car, I was greeted by an exquisite scent, far from the typical air freshener smell. This was something unique, a fragrance that hinted at luxury, perhaps even an expensive perfume.
In stark contrast, I couldn’t shake off the lingering odor of rubbing alcohol that clung to me. Jay, on the other hand, presented a polished image in his long-sleeved shirt and tie, likely having just come from a meeting. It was clear: whether by necessity or preference, he had a habit of dressing to impress when meeting others.
“Let’s stay inside for now; it’s sweltering outside,” Jay suggested. “This gives us the perfect chance to catch up! How have you been? What’s new in your life since high school?”
“Oh, I don’t really have anything exciting to share. I just stayed here in our town. I drive a Jeep and work on our farm. I didn’t get the chance to go to college,” I paused, reflecting on the reasons I missed that opportunity. “You go ahead, sir. Please tell your story first, and I’ll continue later.”
Jay shared his inspiring educational journey, demonstrating how determination can lead to extraordinary achievements. With relentless effort, he earned both his Master’s and PhD, showcasing his remarkable intellect. It’s truly impressive that he has risen to the position of dean at a prominent college in the nearby town—the very institution to which I frequently drive students. His story is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication!
He had connections with Chris and Mario because they were friends on Facebook, and he shared that they had been trying to locate me on social media for quite some time. But it’s no surprise they couldn’t find me; I don’t have a Facebook account or engage in any social media. I’ve always felt that I don’t need it. Instead, I immerse myself in the world of newspapers. Every day, I buy the Philippine Star and Tempo, and I dive into them while waiting for passengers. When I’m behind the wheel of my Jeep, I tune into the radio, and at home, I enjoy watching TV. I believe this keeps me well-informed about what’s happening around me. I’m aware of platforms like Facebook and YouTube because I see my kids using the computer, and I occasionally catch viral videos on TV. In a way, I stay connected and current without relying on social media.
We had been chatting for almost 20 minutes, and Chris and Mario still hadn’t arrived.
“They’re taking forever.”
“They have not changed. Those two are always late whenever we have a meet-up, sir.”
“Could you please stop calling me sir? This is the second time you’ve done it. I’m really not sure why you’ve started being so formal. It would mean a lot to me if you just called me Jay.”
“Well, you’re a doctor and the dean of a college. You should be addressed formally.”
“Alright, I understand. When you’re at school and in the presence of others, you can address me as ‘Sir.’ However, in this setting, let’s keep it casual—just call me Jay.”
“Okay, doc.”
“Ahh… now it’s doc? What is this now? Geez. Come on, let’s get out. I need a smoke.”
We both got out of Jay’s car and sat on the big rocks surrounding the acacia tree. It was one of the few acacia trees still around the basketball court where we used to play when we were in high school. The sari-sari store and the “lugawan” beside the court were still there.
Jay offered me a cigarette. I declined. I never learned to smoke.
“You don’t smoke?” Jay said. “Good for you. I wish I hadn’t learned to.”
“Huh? Why?”
He looked at me.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just forget about it.”
I could tell Jay wanted to say something. He suddenly seemed down. He lit his cigarette.
“Jay, that board looks really old. It might fall apart anytime. And the ring is hanging loosely.”
“Yeah, it looks like it hasn’t been replaced. That’s probably the same board and ring we used when we used to come here to play.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Well, there’s a new sports center near the town hall now, so the basketball players just play there.”
“At least Nanay Mameng’s store and Mang Isko’s lugawan have improved. Look, their place is now made of concrete.”
“Oh, I didn’t notice that earlier. Before, it was made of bamboo and nipa.”
I pass by this place almost every day, but I never noticed that they had changed the structure of the store and the lugawan.
“Do you think Nanay Mameng and Mang Isko are still around?”
“We’ll find out later, Jay.”
“Yeah, when I finish this cigarette, we’ll check on them. By the way, do you still play basketball?”
“Sometimes, when I’m not driving the jeep. There’s a court in our barangay, near my house. I join when they have a league.”
After Jay finished his first cigarette, we saw a car approaching. It stopped right in front of us, and the window slowly rolled down.
“Hello, ladies…” It was Chris. “Wait, bros, let me park this properly.”
Jay parked his new-looking car next to my jeep. My jeep was between Jay and Chris’s cars. Both were Honda Civics – Jay’s was black, and Chris’s was red.
Chris got out of the car. We were both wearing polo shirts, jeans, and rubber shoes. His looked new, while mine was a bit worn out.
“Whose junk is this? It might infect my car,” Chris said.
“Idiot, that’s Mon’s,” Jay said.
“Oh, sorry, bro. I didn’t realize it was yours.”
“No problem, bro.”
“Same old Chris… tactless,” Jay added.
“So, how have you been, bro?”
Jay and I both gave him a thumbs-up.
“And the playboy, how’s he doing?” Jay asked.
“Playboy? You’re the playboy. I heard you have a student girlfriend.”
“Come on, Chris, we’re different. I don’t shit where I eat. Having an affair with a student is a dangerous game I will never play. I am not like you… skirt-chaser.”
“Really!?” I asked.
“Yes Mon. He even tried to hit on our lady guard at school.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“She told me. You asked for her number when you visited me at school.”
“Okay, okay. She’s a hot mama, that lady guard. She has a great… bumper.”
“Anyway, how many of our high school classmates did you date when you started working?”
“Hey, Jay… just three: Aida, Lorna, and Fe.”
“Come on. Those are names in a song.” I exclaimed.
“I can’t tell you their real names. You know them. I am no kiss-and-tell guy.”
Jay asked, “For real? Three of our high school classmates?”
“What was I supposed to do? They were the ones who contacted me and chased me.”
After saying that, Chris sat in between Jay and me.
“Wow, you smell really good, bro. Looks like you used perfume to shower earlier.”
“I just used cheap cologne,” Jay replied.
“Mon, what’s that smell? Damn, it’s alcohol… you’re using rubbing alcohol as cologne?”
“Yeah, bro. Green Cross rubbing alcohol.” I just went along with Chris’s teasing. That’s how he was. He liked to joke around.
“I miss you guys so much,” Chris said, putting his arms around both Jay and me.
“Now we’re just waiting for Mario,” Jay said.
“Wait, let’s take a groupie,” Chris said, setting up his phone.
“We’ll do it later, when Mario gets here, so we’ll be complete,” Jay suggested.
To be continued…
M.A.D. LIGAYA
M.A.D. L I G A Y A 