|3|The Hidden Gems
1066 Words
We reached the camping sites. It is more like an ancestral house than what I had expected. One hard blow from a storm and it will lead to falling down. Stones of different kinds, sizes and colors are scattered all over the place. Statutes, sculptures and miniatures of carved stones amazed and mesmerize my love for carving and sculpture. The which sought in the galleries of Milan.
"Clark, whose house is this?" I asked.
"This house is a friend owned, who built one in the low lands for their conviency." He muttered.
"Why did you ask?" He said.
"No, nothing, I just asked. Is there anyone who lives and works here more than you, of course?"
"Now you're beginning to amaze me." Lifting the right corner of his lips.
"Hey! Don't give in too much, I am just asking."
"OK, you said so." He said, smiling.
"Seriously, do you have a family here with you, Clark? I mean living here on the island.
"No." He answered. "Why don't you just go back to the city? Life here on the island is not what you think is comfortable. As you see, the island is not for vacation hoppers. Although there are some parts of the island that could cater for visitors. The whole part of the land was totally destroyed and damaged due to its prolonged mining."
He said in a plain and calm manner. So convincingly right.
"Arf, arf, arf!" I was surprised, it was a dog coming inside behind those old tarnished gates. We are readying ourselves down to the low lands and town because the weather signifies bad signs. When we said something that we discussed a while ago, the man came out of nowhere holding a leash, trying to tame the dog that kept on barking at me. He is a golden retriever dog, which I presumed was Clark's close buddy.
Upon arriving, the dog never stops barking, the joy and excitement which I can see between Clark and his golden retriever dog is unexplainable. Upon seeing them, the glittering manifestation between them was a staunch gesture. Love is expressed well in strings of connections of two who build love, trust and loyalty was a scene that moved me.
I was awed at how these two built their friendships.
"Clark, I brought Alfonso here. I think he can help you out by taking care of your things while you're away." The man came from nowhere.
The man is a typical islander, tanned skin,strong body and curly dyed hair that suits him.
"You surprised me, Armando," said Clark. They had a tight handshake, a gesture of trust and friendship. I think they were friends for a long time.
"Hoo,hoo," he caressed the dog's head. Trying to stop him from barking. I think he understands what Clark had said to him and he stops barking.
"I have to go." The man declared.
"Wait a second, I want you to meet Tin. This is Armando, he is more of a brother to me. You can trust him" states Clark, surely enough of his words.
"Hi! We are glad to have a lady like her here on our small island. Women do like gemstones. Are you one of them who loves exotic minerals?"
He was as forward as he spoke.
"Don't mind him. He has no one to talk to. He's just joking" interrupted Clark.
"Hah, hah!" Armando laughed healthily.
Clark led me inside the house. The man followed us after a while.
Clark turned on the central lights and opened a reflector light bulb on top of the entrance door of the house and closed it.
Broken doors, scratches of blades, hard and sharp objects almost tore off the poor door and symbols written boldly on its lower right corner. I wonder what its purpose is.
"Come look closer at the sculptures. What can you see?"
Clark walked me around and showed me a statue of a nude praying woman, with lifted hands.
"What do you notice in this statue?" Clark insisted on showing his work.
Armando opened a light now directly towards the statue.
"Can you see it?" Clark's eagerness gave me an interest to turn my eyes on the statue in front of me. A brilliant reflection of light on a gem and it's not only one but many, as I scan more of his work, glittering lights of gemstone are all over.
"Are these real? You are really a good sculptor. You keep the gems in their place while carving your works of art. You're really good at your work. You succeed at the peak of your success.
"Yes! They are rubies, they are real. I have to cut them to fit to the size of sculptures, to their original place."
I can't keep myself from hugging him, but steadily I stand firm. Though his work is admirable. It is not yet for showing affection. He is still the culprit, which I have to know.
Knowing this truth saddened me, but I had to act accordingly.
"Why are you showing these to me?" It was a silent question which kept to myself.
Alfonso kept on barking and started digging and making holes in the soil and more lights glittered as he digged. The more he digs, the more lights come. The flooring of the house was purposely removed because of the weight of the stones and equipment for carving. Too heavy for wooden flooring.
The scattering of rubies made it visually stunning to the reflection of lights. Alfonso keeps digging the soil and more lights glitter as he digs. Small scrap of rubies. My mind wanders. How many rubies did they get from mining so that this small scrap was trash to him?
I was surprised I couldn't keep up my disappointment, but I must be calm all the way.
They walked a few steps from me and said goodbye.
"We need to go back to your cabin right now" he paused. His phone was ringing.
"I can't do this right now, I have to go back. I will call when I get home." He said to his caller in a lower voice. My ears are wide open so I managed to filter them out.
He got his things packed up and entered a room which took him 30 minutes to fix his computer. I can see him beside the table he uses.
- Writer
