Hi! I'm Chris Vanderbilt and he's Kevlar Rockefeller. We're people born to two very distinct walks of life. Me (Chris), I was born to a family of tubercular rickshaw pullers while Kevlar was given birth with a silver spoon -- a family of aristocrats and noble men. But even though our lives are totally far apart, we do have one thing in common. . . we are both intellectual people.
Fuck you, John! All you do is work, work, and work! You do have a family, you know? You've been gone for a month on some bogus business trip and now you're leaving again? You have a child!
That's my mom. Jane Morgan-Rockefeller. I'm Kevlar by the way. Kevlar Rockefeller, Kev for short. She's kinda pissed that my dad frequently goes on business trips and neglects his paternal duties to me. My dad has never been to any of my commencement exercises. He was never there to put on my gold-plated medals.
Shut up, Jane! I'm doing all of these for you and your child! I must leave! The plane departs in thirty.
Yeah! You go to your fucking business trip! I don't care! You don't even know what date it is today!
It's my birthday. But saddly, my dad doesn't even have a clue that his only son was born on this day. But it's okay. I'm the forgive-and-forget type of person anyway and I can't get mad at my parents. They send me to school, feed me more than what I need and clothe me with cotton. But there are times when I can't contain my anger, like now.
What? Someone died today? What? I'll have Rico to check on it for me later. Bye, son!
Bye, Dad.
So that's his story. Now listen to mine. I'm Chris Leroy June Vanderbilt. Obviously, I was not born on any other month but June. My parents thought it'd be clever to name me June but they were wrong. You see, I have a very fancy name. On the contrary, we live in a shack with an area of twenty four square metres. The sidewalk is the extension of our kitchen and our living room. Thus, inducing traffic on the street.
Chris! Who are you talking to, dear? Come on, you have to pack your things for college. Crazy kid.
That's my Nana. She took care of me. My mother died giving birth to me due to complications of being dirt poor. She had the illness of the poor -- Tuberculosis. She got it from my father who is of course a donkey. . . I mean a rickshaw puller.
We are extremely poor. See that rock? That's my pillow. I am the fanciest person in this shack. I'm quite fortunate to receive a monthly clothing allowance or I'd be wearing dad's free shirts from paint companies.
Oh Kev. Forgive your father. He's just been busy lately.
Oh save it, mum. I'm not listening. I'm fed up with you and dad. You always fight. You know what I do? I just cover my ears and pretend it's not happening. This is exactly the reason why I focus on my studies. Because other than that, I hove nothing!
How dare you talk to me like that? I am your mother.
Like I give a shit? You may be my biological mother but it's my teacher who gives me the attention I need. The kind of love and attention I should be getting from you! But no. All you care about is money. Dad goes to his life, i mean his business and you're busy with your friends. You want to show off how thick your wallet is. Do not blame dad if he doesn't go to any of my recitals. You should ask yourself. What have I given my son other than money, huh? NOTHING.
*crying Who are you? It's like I don't even know you.
Good bye.
I'm excited to go to my new school. I want to meet new friends and have a very good social life. But, I have to study hard too. I'm on a scholarship because my family can't afford to send me to college, thinking that my dad only pulls rickshaws for a living and my nana sidelines by washing the neighbors' clothes and by plucking white hair from beauty-conscious old women, one peso a piece. If I fail to maintain high marks, it's off to pulling rickshaws for me.
Chris!
(there was no answer)
Chris!
(and again, there was no answer)
Chris Leroy June Vanderbilt, where are you? You come down this instant! Your dad's here to send you off to a taxi!
(and again, Chris didn't respond)
What the fuuuuu? What are you doing?
Shit, nana! Don't you knock? Get out!
I got caught doing manly stuff some of you girls will never get. I was at the height of the moment when she came crashing to my room. It was very embarrassing. She caught me randomly dancing with only my underwear on.
Good bye, Dad. I will surely miss you when I get there.
Aww. Don't get all emotional, June. You know I have shallow tears. You don't want to sadden your old man, do you?
I know, dad. It's just that I want to thank you for working hard for me, just so I can get a good education. I'm very glad God made me your son. I love you, Dad.
I love you too, son.
So here I am, on my way to my dream university. The best university for civil engineering in Asia. I'm pretty sure my driver would get me there on time. The freshman orientation starts in an hour and a half.
Damn. My parents make me very mad. Is this the right way to send your child off to college -- with an argument? Screw them.
Are you okay back there?
Oh yes. I'm fine. It's just that mom and dad are always arguing. I can't take it anymore.
It's the first day of school. You should be happy.
Though my cab is about a hundred meters from my home, I can still see dad wiping the tears off his face from the rear view mirror. Oh how I wish mom were here to see me grow up so fast. I never got to see her, you know. God has plans for me. Maybe He planned my mother's untimely death for a reason? I don't know.
Driver, could you please slow down? I'm not really in a hurry.
*turning his head What? I can't hear you.
Look at the road, man! What the fuuuuu........
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You get the picture. Both Kevlar and Chris died instantly.
So, what if you died unexpectedly? Would you want to die happy or the other way around?
YOU ARE READING
