AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

Eros - Chapter Three

MAY 1987

Richard turned in his seat for the nth time, waiting impatiently for his flight to land. He was away from home for four years, save for the Christmas breaks when he went home for two weeks to be with his family. His summers were spent training for the varsity basketball team.

He was eager to see Maine, missing her sweet dependence on him. Maine was six years by old now, already studying in the local school in the first grade. He wondered how she looked like, having skipped last Christmas due to a bout with chicken pox. The ailment left a souvenir pock mark on his right cheek, which gave him character rather than deducted from his good looks.

At 18, Richard already filled out in the right places. He was an athlete in La Salle, part of the varsity team playing as a forward, earning an athletic scholarship with his excellent scholastic performance as well. He worked out and ran early morning everyday, partly to keep fit but more to keep his mind off homesickness. He pushed himself to study hard, because he wanted to ask for a favor in return for his good performance. He wanted to request to take up college in their province, rather than study in Manila.

Finally, the plane touched down at Mactan Airport. Although they were not originally from Cebu, his family's business was running here. His father owned a chain of restaurants here, catering mostly to tourists who like to eat fresh seafood. They had three restuarants in Mactan near the beach, and one in Mandaue City.

The Sun was shining mercilessly on Mactan, the beaches around it reflecting the heat back into humid air. His parents were waiting outside the airport patiently, getting animated the moment they saw him pushing his baggage cart.

"Ma, Pa!" He smiled widely, walking faster towards them. The three of them hugged tightly. It was definitely good to feel home.

"My goodness, ang laki na ng baby ko!" His mom hugged his middle and tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "I almost can't reach your face anymore. But you need to eat more, ha....you're too thin."

"I can't gain too much weight ma, I might get heavy and it will affect my performance during varsity season."

"Varsity, varsity, baka that's not healthy anymore ha. You play too much basketball, you watch it on TV, even listen on the radio for games. Too much, son."

"Charo, he just got home. Stop the nagging." His father clapped him on the back fondly. "Ang init, grabe. Let's go."

His father drove through the airport road and passed Mactan Bridge. After twenty minutes, they were near their home and approaching the Church of the Holy Trinity.

"Pa....wait. Can we stop by the church?"

"Sure, son. No problem."

He slowed and turned left to enter the church grounds, parking the car under a tree. Richard got out of the car and approached a flower vendor to purchase a bunch of flowers and candles.

"Ma, I won't take long."

He runs to the side of the church, down the steps toward the church crypt. He searched for Sister Charmaine's name among the compartments, laying the flowers and lighting the candle in front of her place. He prays for her, hoping she is at peace, wherever she is. He closed his eyes, remembering the time when he was just a boy, dancing with her, laughing at their awkwardness because she was taller than he was then.

He thought of Maine, feeling a rush of love for her. He recalled the baby he found among the earthquake ruins, right after his dream when he lost consciousness. Sometimes, he wondered if Sister Charmaine lived on through Maine. He believed that when he found Maine and looked into her eyes, thinking she had Sister Charmaine's eyes. But as he got older, the idea became just a flight of fancy for him.

He finished praying and walked back up to his parents. They drove about ten minutes more till he saw the familiar wrought iron gate, their three dogs barking and a young girl playing in the garden. She was running around the garden with a white net on a stick, trying to catching butterflies. He looked at her, fascinated, her long hair flying in the wind, her infectious laughter echoing through the air.

She stopped running upon seeing the car, staring at them. She had grown taller from the last time he saw her. Her hair was now a shade of reddish brown, her pretty eyes her best feature.

"Papa Richard!" She said, running to him. He catches her and attempts to toss her but he jokingly staggers.

"Bigat na ni baby Maine," He mock complains. "Big girl ka na ha."

She clings to his arm and wraps her legs around his, as he wobbles into the house, dragging his leg with her.

They eat lunch with her glued to his side. She shows him her drawings, some of them dedicated to him, with "Papa Richard" and "I love you" written on the edge of her drawings. After lunch, he goes to his room to fix his things, not knowing that his parents were discussing him and Maine.

Charito sighs, looking at her son hug the little girl and follow her wish to be accompanied to the playground. She wonders why her son seems to have this strong attachment to the little girl. Even after seven years, she still does not consider the girl as her daughter, not because she feels any hatred, but simply because she was not one of them. Letting her stay in their home was just a Christian act of kindness for her, nothing else.

For her husband though, Maine was like a blood relation. He doted on her, especially during the time Richard was in Manila. He insisted she be enrolled in a private school for girls, and be treated like a real daughter.

"What are you thinking, Charito? Still worried about Richard and Maine?"

"I don't get it Rich. We've sent him to Manila to keep them apart, but they are still attached to each other. And Maine keeps calling him Papa, it's just not right."

"She's just a little girl, Charo, don't put any malice where there is none. She will outgrow any fascination she has for Richard, just as Richard will soon be interested in other girls his age. You worry too much, Charo."

But Charo knew she was not imagining things. Mothers had a sharp intuition, and she wanted this fascination to end. She imagined seeing them grow up together this close, and worse falling in love. It was a scandal waiting to happen and she would fight tooth and nail to avoid it.