The Color of the Day

The Submarine

"Ommmm. Ommmm."

Maine is concentrating on her breathing. She has no idea how many minutes she has been up the tree. It's a blisteringly hot day and she could feel the sun beating down on her.

"Focus, Menggay. Focus."

She thinks of other things like the beach and the ocean. "Don't think about water."

She thinks of ice in a glass and Coca-Cola. She can practically hear its fizz.

"No Menggay, concentrate. The sun is your friend. The sun is your lover. The sun is your soulmate."

Just then, she looks down and sees her friend Jason. Beside him, drenched in sweat, revealing muscles underneath his shirt, is the handsomest man she has ever seen. She wobbles.

Aaaaand, she falls from the tree...but then, she grabs a branch, swings to another and slithers down the trunk. She lands with grace, much to the delight of the onlookers, who clap in relief.

Her heart is thumping from the shock of falling, but she presents a cool facade, and bows down to her audience.

"Hi Maine," Jason is also cheering. "Galing ng landing mo a. Ito pala ang friend ko, si Richard."

Maine looks at Jason and Richard, embarrassed to be seen falling by the-man-in-the-wet-shirt. She answers defensively,"I should still be in character. Today I am Sinag, I am the Sun."

"Technically, Sinag means the rays of the sun, not the actual sun itself." Richard says. "But your excuse is artistic license right?" He sneers.

"Sinag means warmth, the feeling of being one with the rest of humanity. But I guess some people are just too literal." She looks him up and down. "And badly dressed."

"Says the one who looks like an egg yolk."

"Says the asshat."

Jason interjects. "Hey guys, guys! Chill! Let's reserve all that tension for your date tonight okay?"

"He's my date?"

Richard smirks. "Uhuh. I'm your man."