A JOURNALIST'S LOVE

One-Shot Story

The sun was bright, and the sky was blue. White cotton balls surround the sky. Skyscrapers and loud noises of the cars on the streets make the City alive. Children used to play in the park, but the police are on watch. Thus, they need to stay indoors. I belong to a middle-class family who lives in the City. I wear thick glasses, a long skirt, and a formal blouse. I also have thick eyebrows and braces. Despite my physical appearance, I strive and value my career. In the daytime, I am out in the field wearing my facemask and face shield. My pen, notebook, notepad, and voice recorder never leave me. At night, I went home with messy hair and a worn-out eye. I dedicate myself to writing stories day and night.

One evening, I received information that my article was published online. My article talks about the oppression against the farmers in the countryside. I am feeling grateful that my publishing company published my article on their site.

My career is sailing because of that article. I never imagined that I would get a big break in my career. One evening, a fire broke in one of the largest towns in Sta. Rosa. The fire ate ten houses. I never wasted any minute and rushed to the site. When I reached the site, I took out my pen, paper, and voice recorder to cover the story.

I was looking for an interviewee as a respondent in my report. But I realized I forgot to insert my memory card into my audio recorder. I was walking too fast while I was looking for my memory card inside my bag when I accidentally bumped into a man. My things fell off, and I fell on the ground.  I raised my head to protest, but I saw a man with an angelic face. The man wore white shirt that looks old and a fading blue trouser with a stain of black sticky oil. The man mouthed "sorry" and extended his hand to help me. I saw his hands also has stains and sweat covers his arms. I received the hand, and he bent down to get my things. When he got up, I asked if he lives in the area and if I can interview him for my story. Luckily, the man said yes.

Few days passed, I continued working still with my eyebrows thick, braces, and clothes that are too old for my age. It was Monday when I decided to come home earlier than usual. When I reached the house's gate, it was quiet. I opened the gate and went straight to the door. It is locked. I knocked three times. After the third knock, my mother opened the door for me. "You are finally here Teresa. Someone is looking for you." I was clueless. Who could that person be? I was an introvert student. I had few friends in College, and all of them are abroad.
When I saw the person, a memory flashed into my mind. It is Mario. The man I interviewed. I do not know how to react to Mario's sudden appearance at my house. My mother noticed this and confronted me. I told my mother that I only met the man once. But, my mother insisted that I show Mario hospitality. My mother also said that Mario came to ask for my parent's permission to court me. I disagreed with the idea of courting me.

That evening my parents allowed Mario to stay because it is raining cats and dogs. I did not approve the idea of letting Mario stay because my family and I barely know him. But, the water covered the streets - there is no way out. When you do, it is like calling death to come and fetch you. The skies scream with danger. All night, Mario stayed on the ground floor sleeping on the couch with one pillow and a tiny blanket.

When the sun shines, I went downstairs and saw Mario bidding goodbye to my parents. It was past 8:00 in the morning. Mario saw me and waved his hands. I replied with a smile. Mario then went his way out. Not long after, I can no longer see any shadow of him inside my house. Later, at the small dining table, my parents told me that Mario did the gardening and cooked for our breakfast.

I learned from my parents that Mario is an heir who decided to live independently. I also learned that he has been looking for a girl he wants to spend his life with. A girl who has passion and dedication for what she does and aspires to become.

For three years, Mario has been looking for that girl until she came across my article online and accidentally met me. As much as my parents want me to find my other half, I never intend to have one. My priority now is my career. I am grateful that my parents have made me decide for myself. So, I sent a message to Mario via messenger that I could not reciprocate his feelings, but at least we can be friends. For years, Mario and I stayed good friends.