[A Short Song for Sunset]
La Compaña de Arrastia
Puerto de Manila
Manila
17 de Deciembre 1887
3:42 pm
Segismundo:
Saan ca tutungo?
He asks Rafael while the latter is taking his hat from off the bastonera by the door of the office.
Rafael:
Mama-masyal.
He wryly replies to Segismundo as he checks his reflection in the small bevelled mirror of the bastonera.
Segismundo could not believe what he is hearing.
Segismundo:
Mama-masyal? Hindi ca na nga napacuinabangan sa mag-hapon, hindi mo nga man lamang napa-init ang sillon na iyong cuina-upuan ay mama-masyal ca na?
Solomon watches as the conversation escalated into another argument. The one he walked into when the office clerk let him in has just been picked up by the two again.
Rafael:
Anong pacuinabang ba ang nais mo sacuin cung caya mo namang gampanan nang uala aco?
Rafael tries his best to keep his voice down but his irritation at Segismundo upon every syllable and every word is uttered is as palpable as the fiery stare he is giving him.
Segismundo minds the other company in the room. His eyes travel from Rafael then to Solomon, and then back to Rafael again.
Solomon decides not to get caught in this.
Solomon:
Cung naca-aabala aco, ma-aaring bucas na lamang aco—
Rafael:
Hintay, Señor.
Rafael asks Solomon to stop.
Rafael:
Aalis na tayo.
He turns his back on Segismundo and makes his way to the office door.
Segismundo:
Rafael! Saglit lamang, Rafael! Hindi pa tayo ta—
Segismundo runs after Rafael and attempts to grab him by his left arm, only to be able to catch the fabric of his sleeve.
Rafael:
Tapos na ang usapang ito.
Rafael pulls his arm away.
Segismundo's fingers lose their grip on Rafael's sleeve.
Rafael exits the office followed by Solomon who tips his hat to Segismundo before exiting.
Segismundo watches as the shadows cast by Rafael and Solomon disappear from the wooden floor.
He so desperately wanted to speak with Rafael; not like the way their conversation went that morning. He so desperately wanted to stop Rafael from leaving him there; not just by the fabric of his sleeve but to embrace him with both arms and keep him close so he stays. He so desperately wanted to tell Rafael not to leave with Solomon; someone whom he does not trust.
Segismundo:
Horacio! Horacio!
He calls for the clerk.
Horacio:
Señor Segismundo?
The clerks asks upon opening the office door.
Segismundo:
Pa-sundan mo ang Señor Rafael at ang kaniyang kasama.
He asks this of the clerk.
BINABASA MO ANG
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