Two Seasons (A Short Story)

Dry Season

Once, in the village of Sto. Niño, lives a family of four. Maricar Basa stands by the stove cooking dinner, while Ricardo does his homework, and Amor plays with her plane toy twice the size of her hand. Maricar calls two for dinner.

"Isko, Iska, come!" She says, and the sixteen year old boy and the eight year old girl leave their businesses to make their way towards the dining table.

"Mama, right on cue. I've been really hungry," says Isko.

"I have made your favorite, adobong manok!"

As the three enjoy themselves, the front door opens and a man who can barely keep himself standing enters. Maricar becomes silent and escorts the man to the kitchen. The man sits next to Iska, who silently eats with a straight face.

Isko whispers, "the lasenggero has arrived."

"Shush, Isko," Maricar replies.

They all sit, the man messily devouring the food on his plate with a single hand – no spoon. The family has been used to Ernesto's drinking habits since the day he had lost his real job seven years ago. Every afternoon, he disappears into thin air, which excites the family. Every night, he comes back with the smell of alcohol, women, filth, and rage.

All of a sudden, he starts speaking. "Punyeta! That man that lives a few blocks away gave me a look of disgust as I was on my way home. Ha! Who does he think he is? He is nothing compared to me."

Maricar says, "Can you not scare out children like that, Ernesto—"

"Shut up!" He cuts her off.

Ernesto stands up, bringing his plate. He walks over to the kitchen and throws it in the sink.

Maricar stands up. "Is this all we have to go through everyday? Give me a break Ernesto."

In his drunken rage, Ernesto grabs Maricar by the arm and slaps her in the cheek so hard that she falls to the floor. Isko stands up and punches Ernesto. The two grab each other and fight, as little Iska comforts her weeping mother. After a minute of shouting, Ernesto stops and shouts.

"All of you dare to go against me? You can't even live without my money."

Maricar and Isko attempt to speak but stop. They are aware that Ernesto is right, that he is the only provider in the family. They will not be able to pay the bills, buy food, supplies, and other needs without him, although he only works as a construction worker at the time. Isko pulls Maricar up and leads her to his room. For the night, he wants his mother and sister to stay away from Ernesto. The two fall asleep, as Isko sits by their side. He cleans the messed kitchen, thinking of the kind of life he is in. Of all fathers, he has the most abusive one. Of all the bad places, he is in the worst one. He takes a peek in the master bedroom, and takes a look at his snoring father. Why do I have do live with this animal? He thinks. Why does mama want to keep on living with him? He leaves the house on his bicycle, and hits the pedals as much as he can. In the dark, he zips through the streets in and out of the village, and stumbles upon a lake. He sits by the grass and contemplates life. He thinks that if he ends his life now, his suffering may end. So, he stands up, slowly walks to the water of the wide lake. The hesitation keeps on coming in mind, but another side wants to push through. His life is already hellish – or so he thought.

All of a sudden, he sees a figure floating a few feet away from him. At first, he assumes that it is moss, or a pack of leaves, but as he squints, he realizes that he is wrong. It is a person.

He swims to the body and grabs it. Its long hair and limbs float and sway as he drags its weight to shore.

"Hala. It is a girl."