You and I, Wolf

Present Time “I am sorry, I don't speak Spanish,” Veena told the man who approached her when she arrived near the Colombian side of the Darien Gap. She took a deep breath, gazing around the unfamiliar face that was sending shivers down her spine. Surrounding her were mostly trees, and she could only look at the dense greeneries on the side of the highway. “Do you have an agent?” the Arabic looking man asked her again, his accent was strong, making Veena struggle to comprehend what he was saying. “I am sorry, I am not really good at speaking English. I came all the way from Thailand,” she uttered, pretending that she could not converse well in order for her to know if the man would talk behind her back. “Have you talked to an agent?’ “My agent told me to wait here,” she replied, her tone suggesting worries. “His name is Seph, he told me he'd be here to pick me up.” “Are you Praveena Ponteer….” the man struggled to pronounce her family name. “Ponteerlip,” she chimed in. “Just call me Veena, it's easier that way.” “My name is Hassan,” the man told her. “Nice to meet you,” she said, reaching for the man's hand. “I work for Seph, he will be here later. He is just somewhere picking up some other migrants. There's a holding area not far from here.” “I'm not sure, his instructions clearly stated that he'd be here the sooner I got out of the bus,” she narrated, feeling hesitant to come with Hassan. “Are you the mother and daughter from the Philippines?” Hassan moved away from where Veena was when he saw other migrants who seemed to be lost and worried. Veena could only look at him as he approached the two, a middle aged woman and a little child, about 7 years old. “Veena, they are with you!” Hassan shouted at her after confirming that the newcomers were also looking for Seph. “Why is he not here?” Veena interrupted, moving closer to the newcomers. “Hi, I am Veena and I am from Bangkok.” “Sawadeeka!” The woman greeted her, hearing a familiar term gave Veena instant comfort. “Oh, do you know how to speak Thai?” she asked. “That's the only thing I know. My name is Carmen, and this is my daughter Tala.” “This place looks creepy,” she mouthed. “Did you not search about the Darien Gap before coming over here?” Carmen cooed, as if trying her hardest not to make Hassan hear her. “I'm glad that Tala and I won't be alone on this journey.” “I did a brief research, and I am willing to face everything just as long as I get to the US.” “Why do you have to go there?” Carmen asked her, carrying Tala as the latter was feeling sleepy already. “I have a mission,” she uttered. “I need to find someone, and it's actually more of a commitment than a mission.” “Tala's father works somewhere in California, just a few miles away from Tijuana. He's been trying so hard to get us, but we have been denied for so many times already. I know this is risky, but this is the only thing that we thought of doing—crossing the border illegally.” “Seph told me that it's not going to take us longer than three days to reach the Panamanian side of the gap.” “That's their way of getting more migrants, and it's very impossible to complete this journey in just three days.” “What do you mean, Carmen?” “Well, God help us, there are so many dangers lurking in that treacherous forest, Veena. Not everyone makes it, but let's just keep a strong faith that all of us will make it to the other side.” “I am not scared, Carmen,” she hissed. “My life has been so tough and I don't think there's something else that I could not endure anymore.” “Hey!” Hassan shouted at them, “Are you just going to stay there and gossip until the cartel finds you and kidnaps you?” “Let's just trust him, Veena. Our lives are on their hands now,” she said, putting Tala down and grabbing her hand tightly as they followed Hassan. When they arrived at the holding area that Hassan told them, there were other immigrants there already, mostly from some African countries. There were also some Latinos from nearby countries, and a group of men from somewhere in Southern Asia. “How did you learn about the Darien Gap, Veena?” “I heard about some people back in my country who have successfully migrated to the US through this, and I was able to find Seph when I was searching on the internet.” “Seph is actually the most famous smuggler here,” a man butted in. “You are lucky that you found him, and he doesn't take anyone, just in case you don't know about that.” “What do you mean by that?” Carmen asked the Hispanic man. “Not about money at all, Seph only takes those whom that he thinks could really take the expedition. Mind you, the cartel honors him for whatever unknown reason.” After hearing the man's words, Veena started to take some sighs of relief, realizing that having Seph as an agent could be a good start. Around seven in the evening, Hassan instructed everyone to take a rest, telling them that they would start moving the following day at as early as four in the morning. “Do you have money with you, Veena?” “Yes, I do, Carmen,” she replied in a very discreet tone. “Make sure to hide it inside your underwear, and make sure that they can't steal your passports too.” Veena's heart started to race again, she remembered that she left her wallet inside her backpack. When no one was surely looking at them, she reached for her wallet. “I have around 2 grants here, and I also have my debit card with me,” she whispered in Carmen's ear. “Split your money, and keep it in different parts of your belongings. I have some of mine kept inside Tala's diaper.” “Can you help me keep some of my money as well, I trust no one but you here, Carmen.” Without making any noise, the two were able to successfully keep Veena's money. Why do you have a lot of money, Veena?’ “It's from my man,” she replied. “Is he the reason why you are going to the US?” “I am hoping to find him there, Carmen. He told me that I need to find his brother.” “Which part of the US?’’ “Texas,” she replied, her memories of him started bugging her. “Is there anyone else in the states that is waiting for you?” “No one, I am an orphan, Carmen.” “Don't worry, I will ask my husband to help you. I can't wait to see him, and it is also the first time that he's meeting our daughter in person. He left the Philippines when I was in the third month of my pregnancy.” “I am so excited for Tala to finally meet her father,” she politely uttered. “Why are you sad?” “I haven't met my father either, I don't even know if he is still alive. I was left at the orphanage by my mother, and everyone there told me that she passed away the following day.” “Oh, I am so sorry, Veena. I am praying that the days ahead will be in your favor, my friend.” “Thank you,” she murmured, forcing a smile.