memories on a wall

Days of Doom

Days Of Doom

And so it was that while growing up, Almira became a member of our pack. It didn't help that Agapito, Gregorio and their friends suddenly became our friends. Bullying others are for kids. When you grow up, you understand that the consequences of being the arch-enemy of everyone is a plot you don't want to be. High school life came. Agapito started dating this young singer from church, Matilda was her name. Gregorio opted not to date anyone. He said that he'd rather stay single than be caught up in the marital and domestic drama that always unfold everywhere. He didn't even had someone he really liked. Not that he was gay (we also had that situation way back then), but he never liked relationships other than being with a group of friends. To my dismay, it seemed to me that my chances with Almira were getting slimmer. Tomas was in the equation. But I didn't lose hope. I'm still 16. Life is still a long way, and maybe in the future, I can have her.

Sgt. Evans was scheduled to be deployed to another part of the country when I was 17. He must be in his late 30s now. But even so, he still didn't give up wooing Manang Yvette. He went to see her a few weeks before his deployment. “I told you sir, I'm not interested in you!” “What's there not to like in me, Yvette? I love you, and that's all that matters.” Manang ran a hand over her plastered hair. “Do you want to know why you can't pursue me? I'm afraid that if I were to be your wife, you will die in the war. I hate going through all that process of grieving. I'd rather stay single and not think of a husband and child to fear for all the time.” Sgt. Evans was stupefied. He opened his mouth to speak, yet was unable to. After a few minutes of silence, he said. “Yvette, I wanted you to be with me. I can take you home with me back to Boston after my service here is over. We can start a new life together. I promise I won't hurt you.” That being said, Sgt. Evans tipped his fingers unto Manang's chin. “I don't see any reason why you should be afraid of death, Yvette. You are stronger than you think you are. Life is hard, but I promise to make it easier with you and me.” Manang just looked at the sergeant squarely in the eyes. “Sgt. Logan Grant Evans, please do not make this so hard for me. I must admit...I do love you too. But...please leave me alone. I don't care for a life overseas. I wanted to be here.” “If so, I can live with you here. I already know how your food tastes like...the way you live... I don't care where I'll be, as long as I'm near you.” And with that, Sgt. Evans kissed Manang. And don't you now tell my parents in their graves about this. I accidentally happened to pass by that night and eavesdropped. And yes, they were near the wall.

Some people are just so gifted with knowing the future I'm fooled into thinking they must have lived there at some point in time. There were some hushed news about impending danger somewhere, like war is about to brew. When that never came, people became complacent. I became too complacent too, that one day, my father told me I have to learn how to fish. I was the only boy in the family, and he said he should have taught me that early on. Of course, I knew how to fish, but not use the net. When my father and I were finally out in the open see, I suddenly saw his grim face. “What is it, Tatay? Are we not going to have a good catch today?” He looked at me with that worrisome look in his eyes. “I don't know, Tacio. It seems like the Americans were becoming restless lately. Sgt. Evans had been deployed to the South, and Yvette ran away with him. Sgt. Rogers and Ms. Johannson were transferred to the North. The sergeant said that important matters were to be addressed immediately. I fear that another war is coming up. I've seen war when the Americans came, and I've felt the fear when the world war arrived. I could have been deployed to fight in France, but I was down with malaria, and I didn't go. And now...it seems that death is knocking in everyone's door. I might be asked...to fight again.” A splash of ice-cold water seemed to pour over my entire body. I've heard stories about the previous war. There is no way this impending one is going to happen. “What do you want me to do?” I asked. “I want you to stand in my place should something happen to me,” my father said.