This is the first of a series of short stories of un-planned spur-of-the moment travels I did in my twenties. These are the “stories of my life” as we continue to travel mindlessly with my kids to today. Each is unique and makes a good story at any Happy Hour. We always laugh together as we recall these travels around the dinner table. I do not recommend these travels to anyone with a sound mind.
Sun, Sand, and Surf
February 1982
I’ve been living in Guam for quite sometime and have good memories about life next to the sea. Had it been a vacation, it would have been endless days of sun, sand, and surf. People watching were a sight I will never get tired of. And the sunsets were beautiful as ever. However, something was missing. I didn’t enjoy such lifestyle anymore. Life had become a bore; having recently broken up with my girlfriend made life more miserable. I needed a break so I quit a dream job and sold all of my belongings. I was determined not to go back to Guam.
I had been in Manila for two months and I still have to see the country. I have not really ventured out of metropolitan Manila other than occasional day trips to nearby provinces.
One lazy afternoon, Sofia and I were having a late lunch when she said, “You and I are going to Mindoro this weekend.” Startled, I said, “You and I are going to where?!” I started thinking I had been propositioned for a romantic weekend getaway. Why Mindoro? I haven’t been in Mindoro. All I know about Mindoro was what I learned in geography class in grade school. It is the land of the water buffalos. How romantic is that?!
“Yes, you and I are going to attend Elsa’s wedding.” Sofia answered.
“Elsa has a boyfriend?”
“Elsa and Joey have been together since college. They went to the same grade school in Calapan.”
“They are just like us then – childhood sweethearts.” I said with a smile.
Sofia didn’t think what I just said was funny.
Elsa is Sofia’s close friend in college. I’ve meet Elsa only once. I was told she wanted to meet Sofia’s new boyfriend. I was then a very charming but calculating guy. I stayed quiet as we had snack at McDonald’s on Morayta Street. I remember the place to be noisy as we were in the “University Belt”. I was surprised to learn that those ladies behind the counter were English speaking. I found out later that one has to have at least finished college to work at McDonald’s. There was no McDonald’s when I left the Philippines. I felt I was in a different world eating at McDonald’s in Manila.
A day later on a Friday, we took a bus to Batangas Port to catch the ferry to Calapan, Mindoro. Zeny and Tet were with us. I thought Sofia and I would have a romantic weekend alone in Calapan. We had two chaperons but to those who didn’t know, I was one lucky guy with three dates; not one but three lovely ladies. I couldn’t describe the looks on the hotel room boys faces as they peek into our room when they delivered a few extra towels. And to make it more interesting, the only room available was with a king bed!
The church was a walking distance from our hotel. Yet we arrived late. The wedding was over. The wedding party was on their way out of the church. And on we went to the reception.
We were total strangers at the reception; we were the only out of town guests. We have no choice but to entertain ourselves. When the bride and groom came to our table, we asked, “Where is a good place to visit while we are in Mindoro.” Everyone said, “Go to Puerto Galera. It is only two hours jeepney ride from here. It’s a resort and it has a beautiful beach. You will enjoy you visit.”
I started thinking, “Wow! Sun, sand, and surf!” I admit I was missing home and I can’t wait to get to the beach.
We went back to our hotel room in a hurry; put on some comfortable travel clothes; and took the jeepney to Puerto Galera as instructed. Puerto Galera was not really that far but it took two us hours to get to the cove. The jeepney traveled at crawl speed through narrow winding dirt road through the mountain. The road was too narrow that when two jeepneys meet one has to back up to a wider road for them to be able to pass each other. The jeepney was also packed to the roof. How those on the roof managed to hung on and get to our destination safe and sound is beyond me to today.
It was four in the afternoon when we arrived at the port to Puerto Galera. As we were dismounting, I asked the jeepney conductor, “When will the last trip back to Calapan?” The conductor politely said, “Sir, the last trip already left at two this afternoon.”
Upon hearing, we all asked ourselves, “What will we do now?” We planned to just go to Puerto Galera for a short sightseeing and maybe have an early dinner and then get back to our hotel in the city. We did not bring anything with us; only what we have on ourselves.
We started asking around where we could buy some clothes and sundries. Luckily it was market day so we pick some shorts, t-shirts, and sundries. We took a 15-minute motorized boat ride to Puerto Galera*. Upon landing we noticed some Nipa Huts. There were a few foreigners partying. We found out later as we started asking questions that Puerto Galera was really a hang-out for those who indulge in drugs. I said, “Let’s find a room for the night.”
The water was so inviting so we played our way towards the cabins. There were a few cabins tucked near the trees in clusters on the far side of the beach.
The water was crystal clear. We occupied ourselves wading on the clear cool water. We pick some shells on the beach. It was always a challenge as the wave will come to shore and as quickly as it came it washed what you were about to pick up back to the sea. I don’t think we ever took the shells we gathered back to Manila. The unexpected experience was worth much more than we had imagined.
We watched the sun go down before we ventured back to find a cabin for the night. We found a nipa hut with thatched roof nostalgic of what we used to sleep whenever my mother took us kids to our farm.
“Where can we find a restaurant for dinner?” I asked our hostess as we were hungry.
“Sir, we do not have restaurants in the cove.” she answered.
“But we are hungry. Where can we find something to eat?”
“Sir, just tell us what you want to eat and we will cook it for you.”
We had fresh fish, vegetables, and rice. The food was delicious but I couldn’t say that for sure because we were really hungry. We could have eaten a whole pig alive if that’s what’s on the dinner table.
After dinner, there is not much to do but to retreat tour cabin. I carried a playing card in my travel pack so we played poker under a dim gas lamp. I would have preferred playing strip poker but I have three lovely ladies with me. I was outvoted! Yet another romantic getaway fantasy ruined!
We played well past midnight. Our hostess had to wake us up for lunch. We barely caught the last trip back to our hotel. We got back in Calapan just in time for the last ferry ride back to Batangas.
We left the boys at the hotel wondering what a wonderful night we had! We could tell from their looks the moment we stepped in the lobby.
My reputation is kept intact; maybe a notch higher!
PBB/08-13-09
* Today, Puerto Galera is well developed for tourism. It is not what it was when we got stranded in that cove; the water was pristine.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Short Stories of the Heart – Epilogue
It’s expensive!
Wednesday, March 31, 1982; the day that I had to leave for San Francisco has arrived. It was not easy saying goodbye even after Sofia and I agreed for her to follow me to San Francisco.
It took months for her to arrange her travel; months that were unbearable for a man in love. Five months later she was on official government travel to San Francisco. The Consul met and escorted her through Immigration and Customs as was customary of diplomats.
I was anxious to get her familiar with life in America. Mid-way home from the airport, I let her behind the wheels. It turned out that it was her first time to drive. What made it worse was that my car had stick shift! Not bothering to think of the consequences if the police ever catch her driving without a license, I laughed innocently as she had a few stops and goes; and jerks up and down the hills. It didn’t take long before I noticed red and blue flashing lights behind us.
“Is there something wrong with your car?” The officer politely asked.
“I am teaching my girlfriend how to drive. She just arrived from Manila.” I said with a sense of confidence in my voice; maybe a little brag as Sofia looked so beautiful that evening.
The officer didn’t think that was funny.
“May I see your ID, driving permit, and car registration please?”
Sofia looked at me as she pulled out her passport. Realizing that Sofia had diplomatic immunity, the officer said, “Sir, I have to give you a citation for letting her use your car without a permit. May I have your driver license please?”
While waiting for the officer to come back from his patrol car, I told Sofia that all I needed to do was to pay the fine. Everything will be alright.
And so I thought until I went to the Court to pay the fine. I was told to appear in court.
“Why would I have to appear in court? I am pleading guilty and I want to pay the fine.”
“Your citation is under special circumstances.”
“How do you plead?” the Judge asked at the hearing.
“I plead guilty your honor.”
“It is your first offense. You have no previous record in this court. I am giving you a 25% reduction in your fine. Your fine is forty dollars plus thirty dollars in court fees.
It took a little over a minute but it was expensive! It was the first of a series of expenses that does not seem to end to today now that we are married for over a quarter of a century.
Who said love is free?!
Wednesday, March 31, 1982; the day that I had to leave for San Francisco has arrived. It was not easy saying goodbye even after Sofia and I agreed for her to follow me to San Francisco.
It took months for her to arrange her travel; months that were unbearable for a man in love. Five months later she was on official government travel to San Francisco. The Consul met and escorted her through Immigration and Customs as was customary of diplomats.
I was anxious to get her familiar with life in America. Mid-way home from the airport, I let her behind the wheels. It turned out that it was her first time to drive. What made it worse was that my car had stick shift! Not bothering to think of the consequences if the police ever catch her driving without a license, I laughed innocently as she had a few stops and goes; and jerks up and down the hills. It didn’t take long before I noticed red and blue flashing lights behind us.
“Is there something wrong with your car?” The officer politely asked.
“I am teaching my girlfriend how to drive. She just arrived from Manila.” I said with a sense of confidence in my voice; maybe a little brag as Sofia looked so beautiful that evening.
The officer didn’t think that was funny.
“May I see your ID, driving permit, and car registration please?”
Sofia looked at me as she pulled out her passport. Realizing that Sofia had diplomatic immunity, the officer said, “Sir, I have to give you a citation for letting her use your car without a permit. May I have your driver license please?”
While waiting for the officer to come back from his patrol car, I told Sofia that all I needed to do was to pay the fine. Everything will be alright.
And so I thought until I went to the Court to pay the fine. I was told to appear in court.
“Why would I have to appear in court? I am pleading guilty and I want to pay the fine.”
“Your citation is under special circumstances.”
“How do you plead?” the Judge asked at the hearing.
“I plead guilty your honor.”
“It is your first offense. You have no previous record in this court. I am giving you a 25% reduction in your fine. Your fine is forty dollars plus thirty dollars in court fees.
It took a little over a minute but it was expensive! It was the first of a series of expenses that does not seem to end to today now that we are married for over a quarter of a century.
Who said love is free?!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Short Stories of the Heart
Pio “Bering” Beringuella
Quesas Porque
I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again. 1
It’s mid-summer in 1981 when I tendered my resignation. Everyone thought I was crazy walking away from what most considered a career goal. I had all the perks of a company executive. I was an executive without the title. I ran the production side of the company. In addition to my own projects, I supervised all the engineers and designers in the office. Every project had to go through my desk for assignment and final check before we sent them out of the office.
I also had unlimited access to the two partners of the firm. Everyone already considered me as one of the partners.
An ongoing joke among us three was when we go after projects with different architectural project teams. We always place a bet on who will win; just an excuse to get a free lunch as we always charge lunch ticket to the company business development fund. We had power lunches every Friday and who ever lost stayed behind to pick up the tab and do the paperwork back in the office until the next loser.
I was then working on my professional engineering license. I was not in a hurry as I know I will be made a partner the moment I get my Professional Engineer registration. And when I become a partner, I will be partly responsible for the financial well being of the company. I was too young for that responsibility. I was not even personally responsible yet!
I was just a kid!
I was in a plum position. I can do whatever I wanted.
And I did!
I gave three months notice to leave the company. And that was it! I was not happy anymore. I no longer have the joy of engineering. It became just another job.
Three months came and it’s time to fly back to Manila.
I felt uncertain when I arrived in a hot and humid Manila afternoon. I stood sad and lost next to the baggage carousel. I was asking myself, “What am I doing here? This trip made no sense at all.” All I wanted was to take the next flight out and go straight to San Francisco.
I managed to flag a taxi for the short ride home. I failed to notice the flurry of activities in a bustling metropolis; a stark contrast to the leisurely island life I had in Guam. My mind wondered somewhere else as I sat quietly in the backseat. I would have preferred arriving and seeing Sofia at the airport. I thought of visiting Sofia that night; maybe I will be able to talk to her. Or see her one last time and say our good byes.
I knew it was unlikely that she will ever want to see me again. I knew her to act like a kid too! She said goodbye. And that was it too!
I was hoping she would agree to see me one last time.
When I got home, I decided not to visit her after all. She knew I was in Manila. If she wanted to see me, she had ways of letting me know. We have mutual friends, who wanted us to get back together; at the very least to be civil to each other and remain friends.
There were those pushing us to reconciliation. I had my doubts. I was resigned to not seeing her again.
More than a month passed and I have not seen let alone talked to her. Not even a message. We had mutual friends but I was not about the one to be the first to be asking how she was doing. One evening, when I had nothing better to do than grab a beer and watch TV, I went to their house to surprise her. The surprise was on me. She must have known I was going to visit her that evening that she decided to come home late or not at all. I never wanted to know.
While I was at their house, she called home. I could hear her Mom talking to her and begging her to come home. Then her sister talked to her. As soon as her sister hung up, she said that Sofia was on her way home. An hour passed and still she’s not gotten home. Two hours. Three hours. The wait was embarrassingly long to everyone.
We had dinner without her. When dinner was over, I bid farewell but her Mom was really embarrassed by what had just happened. I stayed a bit longer just to make everyone at ease or embarrass them longer. At around midnight, Sofia called again. I know then she was not coming home until I have left their house.
It really was the end of the road. It was time to move on. Finally I could tell myself without any doubt, “I give it my all and I failed.”
Affairs of the heart really conflict with the mechanical mind set of engineers. For every endeavor in our own little world is a set of formulas to be followed to the letter! The pursuit of Sofia was yet another endeavor much like what we did in college. We went to nearby colleges and universities to meet ladies. Those outings were positive distractions to our research on failed laboratory experiments. Disappointments were expected in what we did in college. Seldom did we get the results we wanted. But in experiments on the affairs of the heart, we failed miserably.
I remember us going to Wildlife Park, where we met a few nursing students from UST. We exchange phone numbers and addresses. We promised to visit them at their dorm. And as naïve as we were, we went to their dorm somewhere in Sampaloc. There’s no one of those names who lived in that dorm.
This was just one of the many misadventures we had in college. I can not remember any that ended as a success. But we were always happy.
As with our misadventures in college, I have failed yet again.
I was not sad anymore. I have done my crying when the wound was still fresh. The last three months were agonizingly painful. But time heals everything for my loneliness was beginning to be of a distant memory. I decided to spend Christmas and New Year in Manila because it will be years before I will be back in Manila again.
I can not remember how Christmas was in that year - 1981. Christmas and New Year that year became just another day.
I occupied myself hanging out with former classmates who worked at PLDT. Shakey’s Greenbelt was across from their office. I remember the Greenbelt of the bygone days of Makati. It had wide open landscape; had an aviary; and even had a chapel. It’s a peaceful place to walk. After watching a movie at the Quad, alone of course, there was not much to do but walk alone; in solitude.
At five in the afternoon, night life begins. I spent a few nights drinking rounds of on tap over pizza and live music at Shakey’s Greenbelt. It’s almost an every night occurrence until I figure out how to live my life once again.
I may have spent so many days at PLDT as quite a few thought I work at PLDT. I even played cards with the guys and gals at lunch time. There were a few lady engineers in that department. Paraluman and Citas were like any one of the guys. They were always with us whenever we go for a pizza and beer.
Citas is the petite of the two. Paraluman has that innocent look of barrio lass. They must been around bossy male engineers all their life. They could shoot breeze with the guys. They were in charge of all social events in the office including out of town weekends.
I was with the group when they went to Punta Baluarte for a weekend day trip. I have never worked in the Philippines so this was the first that I would experience company picnics in the Philippines. As I boarded the bus, I saw several bags of sandwiches. I was telling myself, “I can’t be waking up this early just to have a sandwich for lunch.” I was not used to sandwiches on picnics. In Guam, we had BBQ ribs, steaks, and lots of Olympia and Schlitz.
Punta Baluarte offered a panoramic view of the Bay of Balayan and the surrounding mountains. The air was crisp; the water inviting but I was more interested in what was in store for us in the grand function room. I have not seen that much seafood on a long table before. San Miguel beer was flowing freely too. We drank the moment we arrived until the time we got back on the bus. It was like college days again.
And the sandwiches one may ask? Those were for the snack on the ride home.
My Manila trip was no longer a vacation. I began to live a good life; perhaps too good for my brothers in San Francisco to start worrying. I was getting calls from them almost every week only to be asked when I will depart for San Francisco. I always gave them my usual answer, “When I book my flight, I will let you know.”
It’s February 1982.
I got a call from my mother in Guam. She’s also concerned. It’s time I book my flight and get out of Manila.
But once again, life took an unexpected turn. I had a surprise date with Paraluman when we found out that we were attending the same wedding in Bulacan. I was invited by the groom, a classmate in college; and she by the bride, her classmate in college.
It was a surprise alright.
The newlyweds came to our table and asked, “When will you two get married? Don’t forget to invite us.”
And we look at each other like couples in love.
Footnotes
1 Excerpt from “How can you mend a broken heart?” by the Bee Gees
Quesas Porque
I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again. 1
It’s mid-summer in 1981 when I tendered my resignation. Everyone thought I was crazy walking away from what most considered a career goal. I had all the perks of a company executive. I was an executive without the title. I ran the production side of the company. In addition to my own projects, I supervised all the engineers and designers in the office. Every project had to go through my desk for assignment and final check before we sent them out of the office.
I also had unlimited access to the two partners of the firm. Everyone already considered me as one of the partners.
An ongoing joke among us three was when we go after projects with different architectural project teams. We always place a bet on who will win; just an excuse to get a free lunch as we always charge lunch ticket to the company business development fund. We had power lunches every Friday and who ever lost stayed behind to pick up the tab and do the paperwork back in the office until the next loser.
I was then working on my professional engineering license. I was not in a hurry as I know I will be made a partner the moment I get my Professional Engineer registration. And when I become a partner, I will be partly responsible for the financial well being of the company. I was too young for that responsibility. I was not even personally responsible yet!
I was just a kid!
I was in a plum position. I can do whatever I wanted.
And I did!
I gave three months notice to leave the company. And that was it! I was not happy anymore. I no longer have the joy of engineering. It became just another job.
Three months came and it’s time to fly back to Manila.
I felt uncertain when I arrived in a hot and humid Manila afternoon. I stood sad and lost next to the baggage carousel. I was asking myself, “What am I doing here? This trip made no sense at all.” All I wanted was to take the next flight out and go straight to San Francisco.
I managed to flag a taxi for the short ride home. I failed to notice the flurry of activities in a bustling metropolis; a stark contrast to the leisurely island life I had in Guam. My mind wondered somewhere else as I sat quietly in the backseat. I would have preferred arriving and seeing Sofia at the airport. I thought of visiting Sofia that night; maybe I will be able to talk to her. Or see her one last time and say our good byes.
I knew it was unlikely that she will ever want to see me again. I knew her to act like a kid too! She said goodbye. And that was it too!
I was hoping she would agree to see me one last time.
When I got home, I decided not to visit her after all. She knew I was in Manila. If she wanted to see me, she had ways of letting me know. We have mutual friends, who wanted us to get back together; at the very least to be civil to each other and remain friends.
There were those pushing us to reconciliation. I had my doubts. I was resigned to not seeing her again.
More than a month passed and I have not seen let alone talked to her. Not even a message. We had mutual friends but I was not about the one to be the first to be asking how she was doing. One evening, when I had nothing better to do than grab a beer and watch TV, I went to their house to surprise her. The surprise was on me. She must have known I was going to visit her that evening that she decided to come home late or not at all. I never wanted to know.
While I was at their house, she called home. I could hear her Mom talking to her and begging her to come home. Then her sister talked to her. As soon as her sister hung up, she said that Sofia was on her way home. An hour passed and still she’s not gotten home. Two hours. Three hours. The wait was embarrassingly long to everyone.
We had dinner without her. When dinner was over, I bid farewell but her Mom was really embarrassed by what had just happened. I stayed a bit longer just to make everyone at ease or embarrass them longer. At around midnight, Sofia called again. I know then she was not coming home until I have left their house.
It really was the end of the road. It was time to move on. Finally I could tell myself without any doubt, “I give it my all and I failed.”
Affairs of the heart really conflict with the mechanical mind set of engineers. For every endeavor in our own little world is a set of formulas to be followed to the letter! The pursuit of Sofia was yet another endeavor much like what we did in college. We went to nearby colleges and universities to meet ladies. Those outings were positive distractions to our research on failed laboratory experiments. Disappointments were expected in what we did in college. Seldom did we get the results we wanted. But in experiments on the affairs of the heart, we failed miserably.
I remember us going to Wildlife Park, where we met a few nursing students from UST. We exchange phone numbers and addresses. We promised to visit them at their dorm. And as naïve as we were, we went to their dorm somewhere in Sampaloc. There’s no one of those names who lived in that dorm.
This was just one of the many misadventures we had in college. I can not remember any that ended as a success. But we were always happy.
As with our misadventures in college, I have failed yet again.
I was not sad anymore. I have done my crying when the wound was still fresh. The last three months were agonizingly painful. But time heals everything for my loneliness was beginning to be of a distant memory. I decided to spend Christmas and New Year in Manila because it will be years before I will be back in Manila again.
I can not remember how Christmas was in that year - 1981. Christmas and New Year that year became just another day.
I occupied myself hanging out with former classmates who worked at PLDT. Shakey’s Greenbelt was across from their office. I remember the Greenbelt of the bygone days of Makati. It had wide open landscape; had an aviary; and even had a chapel. It’s a peaceful place to walk. After watching a movie at the Quad, alone of course, there was not much to do but walk alone; in solitude.
At five in the afternoon, night life begins. I spent a few nights drinking rounds of on tap over pizza and live music at Shakey’s Greenbelt. It’s almost an every night occurrence until I figure out how to live my life once again.
I may have spent so many days at PLDT as quite a few thought I work at PLDT. I even played cards with the guys and gals at lunch time. There were a few lady engineers in that department. Paraluman and Citas were like any one of the guys. They were always with us whenever we go for a pizza and beer.
Citas is the petite of the two. Paraluman has that innocent look of barrio lass. They must been around bossy male engineers all their life. They could shoot breeze with the guys. They were in charge of all social events in the office including out of town weekends.
I was with the group when they went to Punta Baluarte for a weekend day trip. I have never worked in the Philippines so this was the first that I would experience company picnics in the Philippines. As I boarded the bus, I saw several bags of sandwiches. I was telling myself, “I can’t be waking up this early just to have a sandwich for lunch.” I was not used to sandwiches on picnics. In Guam, we had BBQ ribs, steaks, and lots of Olympia and Schlitz.
Punta Baluarte offered a panoramic view of the Bay of Balayan and the surrounding mountains. The air was crisp; the water inviting but I was more interested in what was in store for us in the grand function room. I have not seen that much seafood on a long table before. San Miguel beer was flowing freely too. We drank the moment we arrived until the time we got back on the bus. It was like college days again.
And the sandwiches one may ask? Those were for the snack on the ride home.
My Manila trip was no longer a vacation. I began to live a good life; perhaps too good for my brothers in San Francisco to start worrying. I was getting calls from them almost every week only to be asked when I will depart for San Francisco. I always gave them my usual answer, “When I book my flight, I will let you know.”
It’s February 1982.
I got a call from my mother in Guam. She’s also concerned. It’s time I book my flight and get out of Manila.
But once again, life took an unexpected turn. I had a surprise date with Paraluman when we found out that we were attending the same wedding in Bulacan. I was invited by the groom, a classmate in college; and she by the bride, her classmate in college.
It was a surprise alright.
The newlyweds came to our table and asked, “When will you two get married? Don’t forget to invite us.”
And we look at each other like couples in love.
Footnotes
1 Excerpt from “How can you mend a broken heart?” by the Bee Gees
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
It hurts!
If you leave me now, you’ll take away the biggest part of me
No baby please don’t go
If you leave me now, you’ll take away the very heart of me
No baby please don’t go
A love like ours is love that’s hard to find
How could we let it slip away
We’ve come too far to leave it all behind
How could we end it all this way
When tomorrow comes well both regret
Things we said today 1
I arrived back in Guam with mixed emotions. I was happy to be back yet unhappy to be away from Sofia. I was happy when I was with Sofia yet felt uneasy. My heart was telling me to be with her yet my mind said no.
Is love this conflicted?
My state of innocence was fading fast. There was an intense desire to do nothing. I went jogging along the beach more often. And as always I ended up sipping cocktails at the Tree Bar. My days ended with thoughts of her always.
A jazz trio played regularly at the Tree Bar. Their music lend to a melancholy surroundings. I learned to appreciate jazz by listening to them; day in, day out.
Jazz must be love too. Or is it?
I could no longer focus on work as before. Work came to a very slow pace. What took only hours to do then were taking days to complete. Work was literally piling up on my desk. One early morning, Vic my Boss and Mentor called me in his office.
“You look so unhappy lately.” Vic said.
“Your cubicle looks like a chimney. I think you need something to be happy. I am giving you a pay raise retroactive to the first of the year. Also, beginning today, you will have your gas allowance.” Vic added.
“Thank you.”
“Has something happened in Manila while you were on vacation?”
“No.”
“Did you get married?”
“No.”
“Did you break up with your girlfriend while in Manila?”
“No.”
“Come on, I have known you long enough to notice the sudden change in you. You never want to play tennis anymore. You don’t want to go fishing anymore. Ding told me you never go to their place for Mah Jong anymore either. It’s good you still go bowling. Are you maintaining your average?”
“Yes”
“Is there another word that you know besides yes and no?”
“None”
“As you know, Ding and I recently took over the company. We have big plans and we want you to play a major role in our new company. Now, what are your plans?”
“I am quitting; my last day is end of November.”
“Are you kidding? Where are you going? You just came back from vacation.”
“I am going back to Manila.”
And with those words, Vic rose from his seat ever so slowly, walks to the door, and closed it shut!
“Let’s talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“Are you getting married? Or are you already married?”
“No and no.”
Vic and I came from the same school. Our career paths are in parallel. He graduated six years ahead of me. He knows what college life is at MIT and what life is when we get out of MIT. I did not have to tell him anything. He knew what was in my mind.
“I will double the raise I just gave you; also retroactive to the first of the year. I am also giving you a car. You can choose your car as long as not the most expensive in the lot.”
I know he was trying to cheer me up but I didn’t laugh.
He even offered to pay for my air fare to Manila and if I needed extra money, he will also give it to me as a bonus.
There was one condition. I have to be back in the company. I can take as long as three months in Manila. He was even willing to pay my salary while on vacation. All he needed is for me to tell him I will be back.
“I don’t think I can do that. I don’t know what I want to do. It is unfair to you and to the company for me to take all these incentives, which will imply that I am coming back. I don’t know if I will ever be back here in Guam. I don’t want to give you false hope.”
We started talking at eight in the morning. Time flew and it was almost noon.
“Whatever you decide when you are in Manila, remember that there is a big difference between single never been married and single divorced.”
I never asked what it meant but those words stuck with me.
When I got out of his office, everyone was quiet. Everybody was pretending to be busy.
I planned to keep my return to Manila to myself. But when I was writing a letter to Sofia that night, I can’t resist not telling her that I quit that morning and will be in Manila in late November. We would have time to get to know each other.
I had big plans though I did not tell anyone; not even Sofia. I wanted to surprise her. I knew Sofia didn’t like Guam so I quit my job and planned to move to San Francisco. And if she loves me in return, I would marry her and take her with me. We will have our honeymoon in Hawaii on our way to San Francisco.
But life turns in unexpected ways. I received her letter a week later begging me not to go back to Manila. It was short and to the point; straight to my heart.
It hurts.
Sofia did not answer my repeated calls. She’s not at home. She’s not in the office either.
Finally, the message sunk in. It was the end of the line. It was an exciting journey but as with all good things, it had to end.
What followed was three months of the most uncertain times of my life.
I knew I have not professed my love but still I was devastated. I was being rejected beforehand.
Once again I am broken hearted; another failed attempt at a long distance relationship. There was nothing left to do but cry.
And cry I did for days. I spent evenings in solitude on the beach. I didn’t want anyone to see tears flowing from my eyes. The sunsets were always enchanting but not warm enough to mend a broken heart. The sounds of the waves against the sandy beach could not cheer up a lonely heart. The still of the night dominates my thoughts.
I thought of rescinding my resignation. I knew Vic will be happy. But will I be happy?
I also thought of moving straight to San Francisco. But the thought of not knowing what happened was just too much to bear.
I had to know. I can not go through another break up without knowing what has happened along the way. My inquisitive mind was taking control. I had to solve the mystery. I had to take the trip back to Manila, if of no reason at all, to regain my insanity.
…. because insanity is all I had. I want it back!
Footnotes
1 Excerpt from “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Short Stories of the Heart - Sofia
Is it love?
She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me. 1
This is how I remember her. She will always be a mystery to me.
When I got back in Guam, I was surprised to hear that I was promoted for passing the Fundamental Engineering examinations. As part of my additional responsibilities, the entire engineering staff reported to me. This arrangement gave me the opportunity to lighten my design load, which is a blessing as my go-getter attitude turned south to day-dreaming,
As my friend Hector said, “It looks like you will be back here very soon. What’s with your deep thoughts? It’s Sofia, isn’t it?” Words that remained fresh in my mind for months. I was in denial. It is not possible I thought. I did not want to think of a long distance relationship again. When the relationship goes south, the unknowns make the break-up a bitter pill to swallow.
Frequent phone calls and love letters are not a substitute for being close to each other. We never dated alone when I was in Manila. It was always a group date. Only Hector noticed that I looked at her so differently. He must know me well as a good friend would.
I knew I should be closer to her but I kept quiet as there was that hesitation of long distance courtship let alone maintaining a long distance relationship. In my mind, I would not want to be in such a relationship again.
A day after our night out at the Disco, Hector said, “It looks like you have inkling for Sofia. I will step aside so you can pursue her.” I did not answer. I did not want to reinforce whatever I was feeling at that moment.
The months following my return from Manila were torture. I know I have to be with her. We have to make memories; memories that we would cherish as years go by. I was thinking of an intimate dinner; being stranded on an island; and a stroll on a secluded beach.
Is it love?
If it is love, love spares no expense. The roses, the phone calls, the love letters occupied my days and wishfully her days too.
Sofia became my only girl, only in my thoughts I suppose. I never took a girl this seriously before. My girlfriends were just girlfriends. Sofia was different. She was the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.
I had an uneasy feeling of not being close to her so I made plans for a trip back to Manila. I returned to Manila the following year. I was expecting her to meet me at the airport. We will have a date at last. We will have an intimate dinner. We will just be together.
But love is cruel.
She was not at the airport to meet me. When I got home, I had to wait for her call for what seemed like months. Finally, she called. I didn’t know what to say.
At that time, though she told me a few times that she will not be able to see until a few days after I arrive as the ASEAN Games starts on the same day as my arrival; still I refused to believe her. Deep in me, I knew she will be at the airport.
She is an archer and is a member of the National Team competing in the ASEAN Games at the Rizal Sports Complex. I would have loved to be in the stands and watch her compete but she said, “You will only get bored. You will only be a distraction. I need concentration.”
I have learned early in life not to argue with girlfriends. I had to wait. She will see me when she finds it convenient.
Now, life is cruel too.
I didn’t get to see her until a few days later. I could only manage a dinner date three days later at Manila Hilton where I was staying. It was one of those uneventful dinner dates. It was a very quiet dinner. All I remember was we shared fresh strawberries for dessert. She offered me a bite first. I could only oblige and manage a smile. Then I had to take her home. She needed a full sleep for the following day’s competition.
There was a cloud of question marks in the air; questions that I feared asking. I felt relegated. I became irrelevant to her being.
I realized that despite those frequent phone calls we didn’t know each other. I was not even sure there was a hint of attraction between us. But the challenge of a pursuit was just too much to ignore. Whether it was intentional on her part, I didn’t want to know. I knew she was being polite for being my date. Nevertheless, I was hooked. I took the bait, line and sinker.
Or was it really love?
We had a few more dinner dates, which unbeknown to us became our hallmark.
We had dinner at the Manila Hotel. The hotel was highly secured compared to the Hilton. We had to go through metal detector and we were being video-taped. I thought, “Wow! Are we movie stars?” Café Ilang-Ilang was empty. We were the only two in the restaurant. I had been away from the Philippines maybe too long as I thought what I experienced is the norm. The Philippines was still under Martial Law. Sofia, however, has a notion that President Marcos must be in the hotel.
As we were having our coffee, there was a rush of people entering the restaurant. And there walking past us was Imelda Marcos. Upon seeing her Sofia said, “I can’t believe they even let us have dinner here. Usually, they will clear out the place before Imelda walks in.” I said, “You are beautiful. I am handsome. How could they resist such company?”
We pretty much dated around Manila only. There were no out of town getaways. We sat back, sip cocktails, and listen to the band in the Atrium Lounge at Century Park Sheraton. We watched a cultural presentation at the Top of the Hilton.
We went to the Lighthouse Club with her teammates. I ended up spending most of the time conversing with someone’s date. Her name was Cynthia. I knew I was being watched. Had it been some sort of an exam, I failed miserably. I must have scored zip. They did not like me! They said, “He is more interested in Cynthia than you.” whereby Sofia confessed, “I know. He is so boring. I don’t think I want to go out with him again.”
There was something unusual between Sofia and me. I leaned to being quiet whenever I am around her. There was that uncomfortable feeling that was holding me back. The hesitation came to fore whenever we are together.
We were strangers. Literally! Yet, word was out in our families that we are an item. My mother learned it from her aunt, who is our neighbor in the town that we grew up. Was I that surprised when my mother mentioned it to me! I screamed quietly, “I didn’t know but now I know!” I walked away expeditiously. I didn’t want to hear the affirmative question.
I took some girls home before to introduce to my family but never as “girlfriends”. Not even Chie, whom my mother remembered too well because she is Japanese.
Our friends were more surprised. Never in their lives have they imagined that I will end up Sofia’s boyfriend. Much to my surprise, everyone said that we were engaged and soon to be married. Even my parents thought I made the trip back to Manila to ask her hand for marriage. And the TV show, The Buzz, was not even on the air. There were talks of grand wedding; of where the honeymoon would be. Honolulu. San Francisco. New York. Will she travel back with him to Guam? It was, well, entertaining.
The cart has been put in front of the horse.
Ironically, it was time to go back to Guam. It’s time to get out of town and out of the midst of wedding speculations. Yet I wished I could stay longer. I wanted to get to know her. There was this recurring conflict within me. And perhaps, her too!
“I love her. I love her not.” And she would say “I love him. I love him not.”
With these doubts in our thoughts, I went back to Guam. She was not around to say good bye. Needless to say, I did not get a good bye kiss.
And with yet another disappointment, she remained a mystery to me.
PBB/01-02-09
Footnotes
1 Excerpt from “She's Always A Woman To Me” by Billy Joel
She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me. 1
This is how I remember her. She will always be a mystery to me.
When I got back in Guam, I was surprised to hear that I was promoted for passing the Fundamental Engineering examinations. As part of my additional responsibilities, the entire engineering staff reported to me. This arrangement gave me the opportunity to lighten my design load, which is a blessing as my go-getter attitude turned south to day-dreaming,
As my friend Hector said, “It looks like you will be back here very soon. What’s with your deep thoughts? It’s Sofia, isn’t it?” Words that remained fresh in my mind for months. I was in denial. It is not possible I thought. I did not want to think of a long distance relationship again. When the relationship goes south, the unknowns make the break-up a bitter pill to swallow.
Frequent phone calls and love letters are not a substitute for being close to each other. We never dated alone when I was in Manila. It was always a group date. Only Hector noticed that I looked at her so differently. He must know me well as a good friend would.
I knew I should be closer to her but I kept quiet as there was that hesitation of long distance courtship let alone maintaining a long distance relationship. In my mind, I would not want to be in such a relationship again.
A day after our night out at the Disco, Hector said, “It looks like you have inkling for Sofia. I will step aside so you can pursue her.” I did not answer. I did not want to reinforce whatever I was feeling at that moment.
The months following my return from Manila were torture. I know I have to be with her. We have to make memories; memories that we would cherish as years go by. I was thinking of an intimate dinner; being stranded on an island; and a stroll on a secluded beach.
Is it love?
If it is love, love spares no expense. The roses, the phone calls, the love letters occupied my days and wishfully her days too.
Sofia became my only girl, only in my thoughts I suppose. I never took a girl this seriously before. My girlfriends were just girlfriends. Sofia was different. She was the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.
I had an uneasy feeling of not being close to her so I made plans for a trip back to Manila. I returned to Manila the following year. I was expecting her to meet me at the airport. We will have a date at last. We will have an intimate dinner. We will just be together.
But love is cruel.
She was not at the airport to meet me. When I got home, I had to wait for her call for what seemed like months. Finally, she called. I didn’t know what to say.
At that time, though she told me a few times that she will not be able to see until a few days after I arrive as the ASEAN Games starts on the same day as my arrival; still I refused to believe her. Deep in me, I knew she will be at the airport.
She is an archer and is a member of the National Team competing in the ASEAN Games at the Rizal Sports Complex. I would have loved to be in the stands and watch her compete but she said, “You will only get bored. You will only be a distraction. I need concentration.”
I have learned early in life not to argue with girlfriends. I had to wait. She will see me when she finds it convenient.
Now, life is cruel too.
I didn’t get to see her until a few days later. I could only manage a dinner date three days later at Manila Hilton where I was staying. It was one of those uneventful dinner dates. It was a very quiet dinner. All I remember was we shared fresh strawberries for dessert. She offered me a bite first. I could only oblige and manage a smile. Then I had to take her home. She needed a full sleep for the following day’s competition.
There was a cloud of question marks in the air; questions that I feared asking. I felt relegated. I became irrelevant to her being.
I realized that despite those frequent phone calls we didn’t know each other. I was not even sure there was a hint of attraction between us. But the challenge of a pursuit was just too much to ignore. Whether it was intentional on her part, I didn’t want to know. I knew she was being polite for being my date. Nevertheless, I was hooked. I took the bait, line and sinker.
Or was it really love?
We had a few more dinner dates, which unbeknown to us became our hallmark.
We had dinner at the Manila Hotel. The hotel was highly secured compared to the Hilton. We had to go through metal detector and we were being video-taped. I thought, “Wow! Are we movie stars?” Café Ilang-Ilang was empty. We were the only two in the restaurant. I had been away from the Philippines maybe too long as I thought what I experienced is the norm. The Philippines was still under Martial Law. Sofia, however, has a notion that President Marcos must be in the hotel.
As we were having our coffee, there was a rush of people entering the restaurant. And there walking past us was Imelda Marcos. Upon seeing her Sofia said, “I can’t believe they even let us have dinner here. Usually, they will clear out the place before Imelda walks in.” I said, “You are beautiful. I am handsome. How could they resist such company?”
We pretty much dated around Manila only. There were no out of town getaways. We sat back, sip cocktails, and listen to the band in the Atrium Lounge at Century Park Sheraton. We watched a cultural presentation at the Top of the Hilton.
We went to the Lighthouse Club with her teammates. I ended up spending most of the time conversing with someone’s date. Her name was Cynthia. I knew I was being watched. Had it been some sort of an exam, I failed miserably. I must have scored zip. They did not like me! They said, “He is more interested in Cynthia than you.” whereby Sofia confessed, “I know. He is so boring. I don’t think I want to go out with him again.”
There was something unusual between Sofia and me. I leaned to being quiet whenever I am around her. There was that uncomfortable feeling that was holding me back. The hesitation came to fore whenever we are together.
We were strangers. Literally! Yet, word was out in our families that we are an item. My mother learned it from her aunt, who is our neighbor in the town that we grew up. Was I that surprised when my mother mentioned it to me! I screamed quietly, “I didn’t know but now I know!” I walked away expeditiously. I didn’t want to hear the affirmative question.
I took some girls home before to introduce to my family but never as “girlfriends”. Not even Chie, whom my mother remembered too well because she is Japanese.
Our friends were more surprised. Never in their lives have they imagined that I will end up Sofia’s boyfriend. Much to my surprise, everyone said that we were engaged and soon to be married. Even my parents thought I made the trip back to Manila to ask her hand for marriage. And the TV show, The Buzz, was not even on the air. There were talks of grand wedding; of where the honeymoon would be. Honolulu. San Francisco. New York. Will she travel back with him to Guam? It was, well, entertaining.
The cart has been put in front of the horse.
Ironically, it was time to go back to Guam. It’s time to get out of town and out of the midst of wedding speculations. Yet I wished I could stay longer. I wanted to get to know her. There was this recurring conflict within me. And perhaps, her too!
“I love her. I love her not.” And she would say “I love him. I love him not.”
With these doubts in our thoughts, I went back to Guam. She was not around to say good bye. Needless to say, I did not get a good bye kiss.
And with yet another disappointment, she remained a mystery to me.
PBB/01-02-09
Footnotes
1 Excerpt from “She's Always A Woman To Me” by Billy Joel
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Short Stories of the Heart – Part 1
Prolog I
VICKI
It’s 1979.
Or was it? I was just sworn in as Assistant Electrical Engineer after passing the board examination given that fall. Passing the board examinations was what I was looking forward to when I was in college. When I got my license, I knew I have to work but work can wait. I had a few months to spare before I have to go back to Guam. I was after all still a kid then.
Our town was in full swing of preparation for the town fiesta. As with any trip back home I spent most of my time playing basketball in the town plaza.
Sometimes I wonder how I find the time to visit some old friends in high school. I seldom see them after I went to college and never did I hang out with any of them in Manila. I had new set of friends in college. One of them, who eventually became my Best Man when I got married, was with me on that trip.
One late afternoon, we decided to walk down east to visit a friend, whom my classmates and teachers have been pairing with me in high school. My college friend knew she was my girlfriend as they have met before and have heard “the stories”. Such stories were always stretched; limited only by anyone’s imagination. 1
In their house that day is Vicki, her cousin. She was in town for the town fiesta. She must not have heard those stories about her cousin and me as we struck a friendly conversation upon introduction. Friendly enough to go to a group date to the town fair. A date that was no longer considered a group as we spent most of the time together. We laughed as we play, and lost, playing “kirit-kirit” and “pula’t puti”. And scared her by swinging the Ferris wheel, for the only purpose of getting an accidental hug!
I could feel the closeness between the two of us; much like we have known each other for a long time. I must have been given an unusually warm welcome as I am a “foreigner”. Or was I falling in love to feel such way. But then again I knew I was good looking and most of all … charming.
Vicki invited me to visit her at work in Manila so she can test for my blood type. She was so excited and shaking while drawing blood. One of the other nurses, who peek-in, had to draw my blood.
Quite a few of the nurses came in just to say hello. I still remember those muted talks among them. And not so silent giggles that followed. As soon as I heard those giggles, I lost interest. The challenge of pursuit is gone. Completely gone!
The following day and several days thereafter, my friend ribbed me whenever he gets a chance that Vicki and I ignored him all night on that visit. 2
He didn’t know, and I have not told him to today, that I lost interest that night.
It was the last time I saw Vicki. I never called her again. Not even to say good bye as I had to go back to Guam. I never answered her letters when I was sin Guam.
I will always remember her for telling me that I have a Royal Blood.
PBB/11-18-08
Footnotes
1 I still hear stories of me and her always alone in the “bahay kubo” in the school grounds; me and her in a “kariton”; and a few more stories that always get interesting after the first glass of Chardonnay. Not a single story I can remember. I was pre-occupied with mathematics in high school as I occasionally was a substitute teacher and I grade all test papers in plane geometry, advanced algebra, and trigonometry. I have no time for a girl friend.
2 Ignoring him was not the reason he was annoyed. He didn’t like Vicki. He thought she is short and ugly. I can’t blame him. He was right. He was returning a favor I did for him a few years before. He dumped his girlfriend after I made a similar comment. At least I waited until they were together.
VICKI
It’s 1979.
Or was it? I was just sworn in as Assistant Electrical Engineer after passing the board examination given that fall. Passing the board examinations was what I was looking forward to when I was in college. When I got my license, I knew I have to work but work can wait. I had a few months to spare before I have to go back to Guam. I was after all still a kid then.
Our town was in full swing of preparation for the town fiesta. As with any trip back home I spent most of my time playing basketball in the town plaza.
Sometimes I wonder how I find the time to visit some old friends in high school. I seldom see them after I went to college and never did I hang out with any of them in Manila. I had new set of friends in college. One of them, who eventually became my Best Man when I got married, was with me on that trip.
One late afternoon, we decided to walk down east to visit a friend, whom my classmates and teachers have been pairing with me in high school. My college friend knew she was my girlfriend as they have met before and have heard “the stories”. Such stories were always stretched; limited only by anyone’s imagination. 1
In their house that day is Vicki, her cousin. She was in town for the town fiesta. She must not have heard those stories about her cousin and me as we struck a friendly conversation upon introduction. Friendly enough to go to a group date to the town fair. A date that was no longer considered a group as we spent most of the time together. We laughed as we play, and lost, playing “kirit-kirit” and “pula’t puti”. And scared her by swinging the Ferris wheel, for the only purpose of getting an accidental hug!
I could feel the closeness between the two of us; much like we have known each other for a long time. I must have been given an unusually warm welcome as I am a “foreigner”. Or was I falling in love to feel such way. But then again I knew I was good looking and most of all … charming.
Vicki invited me to visit her at work in Manila so she can test for my blood type. She was so excited and shaking while drawing blood. One of the other nurses, who peek-in, had to draw my blood.
Quite a few of the nurses came in just to say hello. I still remember those muted talks among them. And not so silent giggles that followed. As soon as I heard those giggles, I lost interest. The challenge of pursuit is gone. Completely gone!
The following day and several days thereafter, my friend ribbed me whenever he gets a chance that Vicki and I ignored him all night on that visit. 2
He didn’t know, and I have not told him to today, that I lost interest that night.
It was the last time I saw Vicki. I never called her again. Not even to say good bye as I had to go back to Guam. I never answered her letters when I was sin Guam.
I will always remember her for telling me that I have a Royal Blood.
PBB/11-18-08
Footnotes
1 I still hear stories of me and her always alone in the “bahay kubo” in the school grounds; me and her in a “kariton”; and a few more stories that always get interesting after the first glass of Chardonnay. Not a single story I can remember. I was pre-occupied with mathematics in high school as I occasionally was a substitute teacher and I grade all test papers in plane geometry, advanced algebra, and trigonometry. I have no time for a girl friend.
2 Ignoring him was not the reason he was annoyed. He didn’t like Vicki. He thought she is short and ugly. I can’t blame him. He was right. He was returning a favor I did for him a few years before. He dumped his girlfriend after I made a similar comment. At least I waited until they were together.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Short Stories of the Heart – Part 2: Chie
Prologue II
Chie
It’s 1976.
It is no longer clear to me how I met Chie.
A year before, I immigrated to Guam, a lush tropical island with an American way of life that I have only read in illustrated books at a much younger age.
It’s also an island. The beach is white. Though our house is only a block from the Agno River back in the Philippines , it is only now that I experience a certain happiness being in the water.
I jog along the beach regularly and frequent the bars in the hotels lining the stretch of beach on Tumon Bay . It’s my way of relaxing on rare day offs from my two jobs. I waited on tables that allows me to meet people; mostly tourists from Japan .
And talk to strangers I do at work in the Garden Terrace at Guam Reef Hotel. It must be during one of those slow nights that I meet Chie. When I realize what was going on, we were exchanging addresses.
She is cute and beautiful. She has that innocent look of a teenager. She’s only 18 years old.
We got to know each other when she spent most of her vacation with me on the beach. We played tennis though she did not know how. As one who just got out of teenage years, I obliged to her pleads for me to teach her.
Teaching her is no longer in my mind. I think I am falling in love. I just wanted to be with her. I wanted to hold her hand; to guide her backhand strokes. Words can no longer describe how I felt. It’s one of those moments worth remembering.
She wanted to know more about me. She was fascinated with a Filipino living in America , as Guam to Japanese is also America . And so we went places in the island. I even took her home to meet my parents. That is how our friendship has become.
She must have felt what I felt then. Sometimes we just exchange looks. And we will be happy.
When she bid goodbye to go back to Kobe , she shed a tear and promised to be back. I said, “I’ll be waiting” knowing then that we will never see each other again.
A day passed. Two days passed.
On the third day after she left, I received her first letter; two days later, her second letter. We communicated frequently for the next three months until suddenly she stopped writing without any explanation. I must have written five more letters but still no answer. I realized then that long distance courtship just does not work. It only happens in the movies.
I promised myself, never to fall into long distance courtship again.
A promise that was meant to be broken as a few years later in 1980, I fall in love again.
And again it’s long distance courtship. And a whirlwind!
PBB/07-25-08
Chie
It’s 1976.
It is no longer clear to me how I met Chie.
A year before, I immigrated to Guam, a lush tropical island with an American way of life that I have only read in illustrated books at a much younger age.
It’s also an island. The beach is white. Though our house is only a block from the Agno River back in the Philippines , it is only now that I experience a certain happiness being in the water.
I jog along the beach regularly and frequent the bars in the hotels lining the stretch of beach on Tumon Bay . It’s my way of relaxing on rare day offs from my two jobs. I waited on tables that allows me to meet people; mostly tourists from Japan .
And talk to strangers I do at work in the Garden Terrace at Guam Reef Hotel. It must be during one of those slow nights that I meet Chie. When I realize what was going on, we were exchanging addresses.
She is cute and beautiful. She has that innocent look of a teenager. She’s only 18 years old.
We got to know each other when she spent most of her vacation with me on the beach. We played tennis though she did not know how. As one who just got out of teenage years, I obliged to her pleads for me to teach her.
Teaching her is no longer in my mind. I think I am falling in love. I just wanted to be with her. I wanted to hold her hand; to guide her backhand strokes. Words can no longer describe how I felt. It’s one of those moments worth remembering.
She wanted to know more about me. She was fascinated with a Filipino living in America , as Guam to Japanese is also America . And so we went places in the island. I even took her home to meet my parents. That is how our friendship has become.
She must have felt what I felt then. Sometimes we just exchange looks. And we will be happy.
When she bid goodbye to go back to Kobe , she shed a tear and promised to be back. I said, “I’ll be waiting” knowing then that we will never see each other again.
A day passed. Two days passed.
On the third day after she left, I received her first letter; two days later, her second letter. We communicated frequently for the next three months until suddenly she stopped writing without any explanation. I must have written five more letters but still no answer. I realized then that long distance courtship just does not work. It only happens in the movies.
I promised myself, never to fall into long distance courtship again.
A promise that was meant to be broken as a few years later in 1980, I fall in love again.
And again it’s long distance courtship. And a whirlwind!
PBB/07-25-08
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