Secrets In Edinburgh

Ikalawa ng Abril, 1994

Today is the day we leave Manchester. I am currently writing this on a boat ride heading to Scotland. I am with my friend Isagani with me. He said he wanted to tour around the UK. Perfect timing because it is my brother's wedding anniversary. We started our day with some coffee at 5 am. We also had some buttered toast because we cannot leave with an empty stomach. We got dressed and strolled around town one last time. Isagani did not want to buy anything, even for his kids. He said he did not want to waste any of our money. I understand his reasoning. But why wouldn't he buy for his children? He hasn't even seen his newborn child. Anyways, we walked over to the ports. A wonderful and clean view! We observed the fine view of the waters. The marmalade skies, only if I could swim in them. As we went to our ships, the guards stopped us. It was unusual to me and Isagani. We were dressed in our military uniforms looking prim and proper. Then again we remembered, we were browns. How silly of us to forget we are two brownies in a white country. Brownie? More like a burden; A white man's burden to be exact. This should not stop us. We showed them our badges and we were ready to go. We were seated in first class. We both sat on our designated places, the crew thought otherwise. As we sat down, a woman told us to go to the business class. Of course, we knew what was going on this time. We complied and went to the seat we were supposed to fit in. What a waste of money. I asked Isagani if he wanted some wine, he refused. He told me if we bought something, we would be accused of forgery. I understood his logic. We cannot deny the fact we are brown and we cannot change that. If only people were a little nicer, would not it? It is not my fault I am a brown man nor was it my parents. I'm still on the boat. Casually waiting for something to happen. The ride isn't so bad. The usual bumps here in there but nothing to complain about.

Four or so hours have passed. We finally made it here. I truly admire the country. It's nothing like Cavite or Bulacan. I have been here a couple of times but it's Isagani's first. I hope people can make a good first impression on him. I didn't want to waste my time, money and effort to take him here so he could be belittled. We were quite tired and we went to a cafe. The pastries smelled sweet as we walked in. We bought some earl grey tea. It felt pacific and breathless. I told Isagani that he shouldn't drink too much alcohol here. From past experiences, I got into quite some trouble. At least I learned from it. Mistakes are natural human phenomenons anyways. All we saw were whites, we were outnumbered.

I and Isagani went to a hotel. It was quite nice, to say the least. They kept offering us cheap hotel rooms. What could we expect? We were browns. We are currently resting in our room. The colour was exquisite, pleasing. I might have to buy a pen downtown. I feel bad for leaving Isagani in the room but he said it was okay. He couldn't leave the room without me anyways. I went to this antique pen shop. I bought this fountain pen from 1936. I also bought some ink in burgundy, such a beautiful colour. As I went back to the hotel, I saw Isagani watching television. I just taught him how to use the remote. It was honestly nice seeing him getting used of modern advances. Isagani is a simple man. I remember the day we met. He was a young farmer and he taught me how to speak in Tagalog. Only if I practised more.

It became dark. We just came to town. I don't want to overwhelm the fella. The view is incredible. I shall remember this night. Tomorrow, I will show him around town for him to get used of the area. For tonight, we should rest.