On top of a hill lives a handsome and friendly farmer named Pedro. He lives alone ever since his parents and several more of his neighbors died during the wrath of typhoon Loleng. He has two friends, Juan and Juana. Just like him, they lost their parents to the typhoon. But these two never got along. The moment they see each other, they start fighting. Pedro had made attempts to make the two settle their differences, and every time he was unsuccessful.
A year ago Pedro invited Juan and Juana to his house for a simple celebration of his 25th birthday. Juana came early and busied herself by preparing the table. I was upstairs in my room changing my sodden clothes with my favorite blue Ben Ten t-shirt and blue Levis jeans when I heard the shouting.
“YOU?!” shouted a voice which surely was Juan’s. I would recognize his voice in an instant because of his Bicolano accent. I rushed out of the room and climbed down the stairs just in time to see Juana furiously throwing the plates with my favorite caldereta and rice at Juan and Juan docking behind the dining chair to avoid being hit.
“What are you doing here? Get out! Get out!” shouted Juana while still throwing things at Juan. She ran out of plates to throw and started throwing the forks and spoons. I had to do something before Juana ran out of forks and spoons and grabbed the knives behind her.
I ran towards them while trying to avoid the shattered plates, clanking utensils and wasted food. . “Juana, stop it before you get him killed. Juana calmed a little and stopped the throwing. “Juan, you may come out now. Since we have no more food to eat and apparently no more unshattered plates and clean spoons and forks to use, I declare my birthday party officially over and ruined. Thanks to the both of you.” Still irritated with how the evening went, I sat on the chair and watched both leave the house. They were not even fully out of the gate when I heard them continue their shouting. I thought they would spare my birthday with their fights. Obviously, I was very wrong. Since then, I always made sure not to let their paths crossed if I did not want to be a witness to a murder.
Looming this time is the danger of dark clouds and howling winds. Typhoon Loleng will hit our town before midnight. I already checked the roof and the windows that morning and found everything secure.
It is nearly midnight and the heavy rain and strong winds are pounding the roof. I could not sleep for fear that the roof might bow down to the wind. After a few hours, the angry wind calms down a little.
As I get ready to sleep, I heard an urgent knock on the door. Who could be knocking this late at night and while there is a raging storm? I opened the peephole and saw Juana, hair dripping wet and shaking from the cold, outside. I ushered her in. Her right leg was covered with blood.
“Please help me Pedro. The wind brought down my house and when I was running out a broken branch of a tree fell on my leg.” says Juana while catching her breath. “May I stay here until my leg has healed and my house fixed?” pleaded Juana.
“Of course. You are always welcome here.” I said. After I help her sit on the chair, I run upstairs to get her dry clothes, towel and bandage.
I hear another knock on the door. I opened the peephole and saw Juan, hair dripping wet and shaking from the cold. I quickly opened the door and ushered him in.
“Thank you, Pedro for opening your door. I do not have a place to stay. My house now lay in pieces.” says Juan in a quivering voice.
Before he sees Juana, I grap both his arms and say, “Juan, Juana is here as well. Just like you she needs a place to stay because her house was destroyed also by the typhoon. You are welcome as long as you promise not to start a fight.” I leave Juan beside the door to talk next to Juana and she agrees.
I leave the two in the living room to quickly get clothes and towel for Juan. I do not want to leave the two for long. I can feel the anger between them like the storm wreaking havoc outside.
As I enter the living room, I stand frozen when I see Juan cleaning Juana’s wound. I hear him say, “You are lucky your wound is not infected.” Juana thanks Juan as he puts around Juana’s leg the bandage I left on the chair.
All three of us decide to sleep in the living room, Juana on the divan, Juan on the long wooden chair and I on the mat I placed on the floor.
I wake up but I do not open my eyes. I am trying to regain consciousness when I hear voices talking.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
Pedro lay still on the mat. He feels like an outsider inside his own house.
“What happened to us? We were so in love and the next moment I received a letter from you saying you wanted a break.”
“Huh? But it was you who gave me a letter saying you hated me and that we had to break up.”
“Who gave the letter?” The two said at the same time.
“Was it Lita?”
“Yes, I should have known. She told me she loved me but I turned her down.”
“I’m sorry. I should have talked to you a long time ago instead of throwing angry remarks at you every time we see each other.”
I sit up and say to the embarrassed Juan and Juana who are caught up in an embrace “So does this mean I could now celebrate my birthday with both my friends?”
The reunited couple nod at the same time.
I look out the windows and I see the sun shining bright.
