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Title: To Be Free
contributed by: kalel0215, December 27, 2006
The bus shook as it instantly halt to give way to a rushing jeep that summoned from an intersection, and this made Paul woke up in a sudden from a nap. The driver cursed brutally albeit the reckless vehicle almost disappeared from the other side. He turned his sight to the nearby window and saw the street sign saying that he is already in Lemery, he knew then that it won’t take more minutes to get to his destination. Paul grabbed his bag and stood up, made his way slowly to the door of the vehicle.
“Lemery Proper!” The driver yelled as he pulled over the side of the road. The driver reminded him of his father, he must have been this old right now.
Paul started walking, sighing heavily. Half scared half angry. It feels more of obligation the very purpose of this trip back in his home town. But Paul is certain that he is not really going home, for there’s no more home in this place anymore. He is there to visit his father. A detainee in Batangas Provincial Prison for almost six years now, charged with drug trafficking. Today is his fifty first birthday. And he also needs to see his father for this might be the last time that they will see each other as he is bound to leave the country to work overseas. Since his father was arrested at the same time his mother died of heart attack, Paul and his younger brother John left the province to be taken care by their childless/widow aunt in Manila. The last time he’s been to this town was five years ago. For Paul it was all that old man’s fault the very reason of the tragedies he had…He stopped walking and talked to the officer that is in the fore station of the reformatory premise.
His heart beats fast while sitting on the waiting area after the officer escorted him to the place. It is a feast of emotions inside him but anger is thicker than any layer there is. Suddenly a worn out looking old man sat in front of him at the other side of the table. Paul almost never recognized him, for he looks so old. It’s been so long since he saw that face. It’s very different now, it looks so tired, with a body that imply him a failing health. A knot suddenly formed inside him. He turned his sight away from his father.
“Paul…” the old man uttered in a tone so obvious with happiness to see him. He is still not looking at him. His father asked how he and John have been, still he didn’t answer.
“I miss my family….” his father said. Paul glanced at him crossly, resisting to speak any foul words his mouth possibly exclaimed towards him. His father then, aware of his son’s disposition on him, didn’t speak anymore, just staring at him, at his own son whose all grown up. Silence crept around them.
“It’s really lonely in here. I am really glad you finally decided to visit me….”
“I have to. I’m leaving for good. I will leave the country two days from now,” Paul interrupted, with his head bowed down, avoiding his eyes.
“Where are you going? Are you going to work there?” his father asked solemnly.
“Yes father. To Korea,” Paul answered. Feeling like he doesn’t deserve to be answered honestly he must put an end to this, so he stood up and finally looked at his father. A tear rolled down on his father’s eye.
“Can I hold you?” his father asked him.
“It won’t change a thing,” he answered slowly shooking his head.
“How’s John? Where is he?”
“He died. Heart failure. Seems it runs in the family….By the way, the family you said you’ve been missing is gone from a long time . Thanks to you. Happy Birthday father. Goodbye.” Immediately, after those words he turned around then walked away hurriedly, for it’s not in his intention to be seen by him with streaming tears on his own eyes. His father called after him with a loud howl after he heard the tragic news, and it fades away as he stepped outside the the premise. He took the first bus that pulled over at the road that very moment, thinking that it must have been a mistake visiting him. But his father’s voice calling his name helplessly keeps on ringing to his ears.
Another four hours spent on the bus trip back to Manila. After all of his angers released and rational thoughts set in during the trip, with his father’s cry still echoing on his mind, he then realized that he himself is also a prisoner of his resentment to his own father. A lonely father who only wanted to be forgiven, longing for a second chance. He badly needs him now more than ever. And he, a son who is longing for his father’s embrace which he denied earlier, needs him badly too, now more than ever. With full determination to make it right this time, he stepped down from the bus and run hurriedly, he then took the bus that is bound back to Lemery.
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| reader's comments: |
gabriel @ December 30, 2006
wow! galeng! ganda po ng story nyo a!
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theophilus @ December 30, 2006
bwahahahahaha!!!
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