Unexpected Romance from a Boatman

I never really intended to have this experience of a lifetime.

I never really believed of destiny nor fate.

But what I had this summer made my life turn around, big time.

It all started summer of 2012.

April 6, 2012. 

I arrived to this beachside barrio "Ela-ela" where everyone is so busy. The children are all playing in the waters, collecting weird things, and messing around. Women are busy doing the laundry, cooking, or weaving nets. Men are typically rowing the boat, casting their nets, and carrying large bins filled with fishes. I was amazed by how people are getting along.

And then I was there, overseeing everyone, who looked like a city guy who will not fit into Barrio Ela-ela I'm a typical 5'8" chinito slim guy who does know nothing from a province lifestyle. I felt a few townspeople looking at me, examining me. 

As I was getting a little uncomfortable by their stares, I noticed a guy with a long vertical scar in his back. It looked like a whip slash or maybe a one-finger deep scratch. It looked like it just healed as it is still reddish. I wonder what or may who caused that.

"Lee!" 

"Come here! You've got to meet Manang!" 

I started walking towards mom and near her is an old woman with walis on her hands.

"Lee, this is Manang Helena, she took care of me since 5 years old. Parte na sya ng pamilya namin."

"Nice to meet you Manang." as I reached her hand and mano her.

"Iho, kamukhang makuha mo ang nanay mo. Ilang taon kana? [You really look like your mother. How old are you?]"

 

"17 po. I'm turning 18, 3 weeks from now."

"Naku manang, kelangan pala nating maghanda para sa birthday ni Lee![Oh my, we really need to prepare for Lee's birthday!]" said my Mom excitedly.

 

And then they were talking of all the details for my upcoming birthday. And I was like "whatever" Mom and quietly exited the conversation.

My mom and I are the only ones living together. Maybe that's why she's really that excited when it comes to any life event of mine. Every single birthday, she never failed to put up a good party. My 17th birthday, turned out to be extravagant as she managed to prepare an audio-visual presentation with a whole lot of celebrities (whom some I dont know) greeting me. Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, etc. I was really shocked! How the hell did she do it?! My 12th birthday party composed of 12 clowns, 12 magicians, and 12 awesome layered-cake. She really is something. Sometimes, I get embarassed by her, but then I choose to let her be herself, for that's where she's happy.

I sort of undertand where she's coming. My father left us when I was still 3. She was forced to earn money for us to survive. Fighting life's struggles on her own. That really made her tough. Luckily, she had a big break from her business that made our finances stable. She's really the best mom for me. But I kinda disliked her forcing me to spend my whole summer here in this barrio.

"Ikaw pala yung sinasabi ni Manang Helena na anak ni Mam Lea. [So you're the one Manang Helena mentioned, the son of Mam Lea]"

 

A tall 20-ish guy smiling at me. He looked like he just came from the sea as I still see water dripping from his maong shorts.

"Oo, ako nga... [Yeah, I am.]" I forced a smile.

 

"Henry. Ikaw? [I'm Henry, you are?]" he said as he reached his wet and dirty hand on me.

 

"Lee." Forced a smile again, while I reluctantly and minimally shaked his hand.

"Haha, sorry medyo marumi pala. [Oh, I'm sorry, it's quite dirty.] " as he shyly wiped his hands in his shorts.

Making sure that it's clean, he repeated.

"Ikaw pala yung sinasabi ni Manang Helen na anak ni Mam Lea. [So you're the one Manang Helena mentioned, the son of Mam Lea]" he smiled naughtily.

"Hahaha.. Paulit ulit ha... Oo ako yun. [Hahaha... what's with the repeat? Yeah, it's me.]" 

"Henry. Ikaw? [I'm Henry, you are?]" he reached his hands on me but this time it's clean.

And then I grinned at him, "Lee." 

I shaked his hands, this time, fully shaked it.

We laughed at each other at the same time.

"Oh pano, una nako Sir Lee. Pamangkin pala ako ni Manang Helena, kaya't magkikita't magkikita tayo ng madalas. [Hey, I've got to go Sir Lee. I'm Manang Helena's nephew. That means, we're going to see each other often.]" Henry smiled as he walked away from me waving his hands goodbye.

I smiled back at him, and then I noticed something from him as he goes farther from me.

He's the guy with the large scar.