BEING

3. Candy Man

This afternoon is like any other afternoon. It's sweltering hot, there are flies everywhere, and kids are playing in every nook and cranny of shade they can find. Some don't even care. They play under the scorching sun, laughing along with their friends.

One of them is Carlito. Although he thought hide and seek is better, he played tag because it was what his friends wanted to play. But after a while he got so exhausted, he ran to the nearest tree and collapsed on top of its roots and unwinded. As he stared up to watch the leaves sway with the wind, and beads of sweat trickled down from his face, he slowly catched his breath and finally relaxed. He let his muscles go limp and felt a slight breeze as he spread out his arms and legs forming a starfish. Just like the starfish he saw on the beach last week. He giggled as he recalled how his younger brother shrieked after sighting the sea creature.

His friends kept playing and he listened to them until he napped. He woke up with a start when one of his friends kept calling for him. He grumbled but stood and he heard his name being called over and over again. He was covered in dirt and he thought about going home for a bath. His mom would scold him though. He shivered as he thought about the sermon he will get. He shook his head as he put the thought to the back of his mind.

He ran towards his friends and saw them grouping over a man. He was thin, tall, and sunburnt. He was wearing a polo shirt similar to what his papa likes to wear, faded jeans, and leather shoes. He walked funny, but Carlito didn't say it outloud. The man has candy afterall. He was giving everyone candy. He asked for some too and he was given one. The man, ruffled his hair and stroked his neck, then gave him another. The other kids were asking for more too. They were eating and shouting at the same time, grabbing the man's shirt, pants, and arms to get his attention. The man almost toppled over but recovered quite skillfully. The kids laughed but kept at pestering him for the candies.

The man asked the kids if one of them would want to take a walk with him. He said he will be going back to the candy factory to get more candies. The kids squealed in glee. They shouted pulled on the man more fervently than earlier and screamed to be the one. The man placed his index finger to his lips dramatically, and the group went silent. Some of the kids used their hands to cover their mouths, others squeezed their lips together. They looked at each other and unknowingly raised their shoulders in excitement while snickering.

The man pointed playfully to each kid, trying to pick who to take. He really only pointed to the boys. It cost him to buy the supplies and the candy so he was going to choose carefully. He was going to pick the best. His type is the really cute ones with soft hair. And there's only one from this group that he liked. The kid was filthy, but didn't look too bad. He looked worn out from playing earlier, which will make things easier. What a lucky day, he thought. After a few moments of pretend choosing, he picked Carlito.

Carlito was estatic. He jumped and he cheered with his arms in the air.

This was the happiest day of his life! So much candy! He will bring so much! He had to have a big bag! He will give some to his brother, his friends, and his mama, and his papa. He doesn't know if his lito* and lita^ liked candy, but he will be sure to bring them some too. He was practically beaming with glee. He kept jumping until he noticed how upset his friends were. He realized that his sad friends were also making him sad. Some were pouting, some were crying. Carlito started bawling too. He asked the man if he can bring along all his friends. But the man shook his head.

He tried to pacify them and told them he will come back the next day, and bring everyone. The crying only became louder and started to gain attention from passers by. A father spotted his kid in the bunch and approached them. He started yelling his kid's name when it wouldn't respond to his first call. He noticed a young man among them. His kid rushed to him and hugged his legs, saying he wants to go to the candy factory with the man too. The father looked at the young man, desperately trying to get away. Right away the father pushed his son to the side and went after the young man who is now running towards the nearby forest.

The young man escaped. Even with his leg condition, he managed to run so far he took the whole night to find a nearby village. Even then, he had to check whether this was the same village as the one he went to earlier. They might be already looking for him. And he can't afford to be caught so early in the game. This was only his first attempt after all. He made so many mistakes but next time, he will come for just one.

--

Carlito was on his way home from his school with his friends. They won a game of basketball over the seniors earlier and they were on the way to his home to celebrate. Walking along a row of houses, TV's and radios blasted their news and dramas. One in particular was announcing this:

"... in this mass grave are the bodies of 14 children aged 4 to 15. The perpetrator is yet to be identified. Multiple provincial police offices are working together to catch the illusive murderer, as more and more bodies are discovered in remote and deserted areas. The police are advising every family to stay vigilant and to ..."

--

It was a sweltering day like most days. With beads of sweat dripping from his face, the man with the candy is strolling along the streets with a limp. Pleaseantly smiling to all kids and passersby he meets, silently reminding himself to get just one.

*Lito = Grandad
^Lita = Gradma