One of my first attempts (after schooling) in composing a short story. I’m still hesitant about the ending though. I was planning to cut the first half of this and pass it to someone who could give it a better and a more justifiable finish. I’m still planning to post this in DA but not before I’m fully satisfied with it. Anyway ENJOY! Comments are very very welcome. ;)
No Title YetIt was the time of the year when the sun shone the brightest. It was when people, women particularly, bared their skin, taking a chance for the sun to devour them alive. It’s the time when they showed off their thinnest tan lines hoping that the men who see it would invoke their wild imagination into formulating a conclusion that these women wore almost nothing under the sun. That they were lying in the beach with their gorgeous bodies ornamenting the God-given gift to the men who didn’t frequent their homes during vacation breaks. It was supposedly an ordinary summer at the beach. But for Tina, it was unlike any other she has ever had.
Like the other women around, she wore almost nothing. Although her long hair was neatly tied up, it’s not hard to tell she was stressed. Her face was sweating hard and the conspicuous anxiety in her eyes is enough to draw people’s attention. The heat that embraced her didn’t warm her enough. It was an uncomfortable heat but something cold prowled inside which made her more uneasy. It mocked her for what she has done. What she had done exactly was not primarily of her own doing. It was the old man’s fault. But of course the fact is not going to absolve her of her guilt. Besides, it was her job. Or should she think it over, HE was her job. So it was not a valid excuse. The truth is, she isn’t used to this kind of life. She was just in it out of necessity.
Along with her unwarranted guilt, she fled from the bar. Outside in the night, sand particles flew from every step she took. Coconut leaves everywhere were trembling from the hot wind, or probably at the sight of her. It seemed as if everything knew her little secret. It was dusk and yet she was not excited to see the sun go down like the other tourists. She, of all people, who appreciated nature and art more than anyone else, did not care anymore. Her life was different now. Well she used to call it a life, but she doesn’t know how to call it now. And instead of taking her place in the vast field of sundown spectators, she ran away, to her room in her apartment.
When she reached her room she locked the door with her trembling hands and went straight to her bed until she saw something that petrified her. It was the boss.
A sinewy man in his early forties was sitting on her bed. He wore only black. He was puffing a black cigar while caressing Tina’s photo in the frame sitting on her bedside table. A sly smile glided across his face when she turned to look Tina from head to foot.
“At last… I almost thought you’d run away from me my love. Sit down.”
“I was… I was trying to call you b..but it was t..turned off….”
“No need for that darling. That’s why I came here. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
Tina smiled her smallest smile. She thought he might not be able to see it so she smiled some more, unaware of her trembling lips. She was silent for what seemed to be an eternity in her lifetime. When she sat down on her bed beside him, she finally spoke.
“I messed up badly didn’t I? I know you aren’t going to forgive me because they saw it and when I…”
“Relax honey! You did great. There are just some things you can’t avoid in this business you know. I know… it’s not your fault.”
Tina should have been relieved. She tried to find comfort in his words but she got lost. She knew it was not her fault. But she just couldn’t reconcile his kindness with what just happened. She had been doing this kind of stealth operation for years and she had already mastered it. He should be mad at her. She tried to steady her shaky voice by swallowing the phlegm that was building up in her throat.
“Did he get it? Is he alright? I was too afraid to check on him you know, I’m afraid for myself. They were in every spot!”
“Oh don’t you worry about him. My brother was as thirsty as a panting dog but he’s a bit… refreshed now. He’ll survive.”
“So he got it? I thought they seized it from him! If they only knew… they should have been any kinder.”
“Do not worry yourself too much. He’ll survive it. And tomorrow shall be the day and you will be there for us will you not honey? When we will bring him there?”
“Of course… of course. I know it’s hard for you because he’s your brother. But I believe he will survive. The same way that you and I survived.”
“One day to go and he shall be rehabilitated. I tell you my dear, when I saw him drink that bottle you gave him, he fully enjoyed it! He drank it as if it was the most precious thing on this island. He kept showing it to everyone, he tempted anyone who passed by. But we can never blame him for that. He’s not himself anymore! Everyone was envious of him. And then they came. Of course they knew that Coca Cola was illegal so they tried to seize it. My brother already drank half of the bottle when one of them, the chief I believe, snatched it away from him. Surprisingly he drank it too. And when he was finished with it he was asking for more! That’s why they went looking for you honey.”
Tina was puzzled.
“You mean they went after me because they want it too? I thought they wanted me in jail! I even thought they wanted to kill me!”
“Oh they do. They wanted to kill you so they could get all the bottles of Coca Cola you’re hiding in here. And now everyone in the island knows about it!”
Tina was not surprised at the boss’s gradually emerging anger. The boss calmed down a bit. He continued, a pang of frustration now evident in his voice.
“My business is over now.”
Tina tried to comfort him “It’s not yet too late. We can do something about it.”
The boss replied. “Yes I know. I already have.”
“What, are we fleeing this island? Did you make arrangements for us?”
“Oh yes of course. I made arrangements that’s for sure. Are you ready?”
“Yes… of course. Ummm… L..let’s go?”
Outside the apartment, night vendors were once again bewildered at the sound they heard. They knew it wasn’t normal to hear a gunshot from somewhere. But considering that the authorities are in commotion chasing after the fugitive, who they say fearlessly delivered the mysterious contraband around the area, they shrugged their worries away. After a moment of silence, they went on talking about what to do with the millions the authorities promised them as reward for a tip or for turning the suspect in. People all around, while going about their businesses, remained vigilant, eyeing everyone who passed by.
The gentle breeze carried sand grains in the night onto the sticky bodies of the beach enthusiasts. They were satisfied with what they have, great food, fine white sand, nice clean beach. But not until they discovered what lacked their summer would they finally say they have found summer paradise. For a time after this event in that busy island, the world would have discovered what the real thing IS and it would be legal and infinitely distributed to the boundless confines of this planet.
A few minutes later after the mysterious blast was heard, a vessel steered away in the dark from the shore. Tina, wet from sweat as she is, was able to wear a genuine confident smile on her face. But it was more of a sneer than a smile. Her lips were no longer trembling but her eyes remained watchful. She knew too well that the body of the boss will soon be found but she was confident that when that happened, she would no longer be in the island. Inside she was ecstatic. Her plan had worked! She got a bottle of ice cold Coca Cola from the fridge as she took another look at the beach. She was thrilled when she felt the liquid run a line down her throat to her stomach. It relieved her thirst and refreshed her soul. A smooth “Aahhhh….” escaped her mouth. She wanted the people to experience this too. And so it became her life-long mission to make all the people in the world experience this kind of ecstasy from drinking a cold refreshing bottle of Coca Cola.
You are the Water Angel. Also known as the Ice Angel. You are known for your knowledge and playfulness. Anyone who needs help, always comes to you. You could figure out any problem in a jiffy. Some people say that your father is Albert Einstein. Who knows.
Madali lang naman ma-identify which one is COLT45 and which is REDHESB (code yan ng Red Horse Extra Strong for AC Nielsen, which is sometimes REDHB). Ang Red Horse, extra strong talaga. Ang Colt, wala lang para lang syang tubig. Pero mas marami yata syang malt. Well, kaya nga sya tinawag na malt liquor eh noh. Si Shey naman patuloy ang pagyoyosi kahit na nahihirapang huminga. Parang ako nagkakape kahit na mamamatay na. Pasaway talaga.
ke and the other sleeps, bubuhusan ng malamig na tubig ung tulog. Bawal kasi matulog eh. Dapat nakatirik par
in ang mata. We stayed outside sitting in front of our food-packed table. It was dawn and we had no energy left. When all the members of the family finally awoke, we had to go. Rein’s mom wanted us to eat breakfast first. Pero nakakahiya na so we had to leave. Then we were gone, a hint of despair still in our groggy eyes. But not completely discounting the thought that everything (whichever one it is) will be alright someday. On to the next party! But not till I get enough sleep.
As expected, we spent too much time looking for a place. But there were just too much people everywhere we went! We had no choice but to go to this bar with hip-hop performers posing as makabayans who convey their message through an array of painfully repetitive songs with excruciating lyrics that rhyme on every other word. God! I hate hip-hop! I could bear show bands more. I never liked hip-hop even when everyone in school loved it. For me it was either for the rich konyos or for the jologs. I was neither and so I stayed away.
