Ever Summer

Chapter Twelve

In the faint light of his car, Gerard read the letter over and over, his whole body tightening . Tears welling in his eyes. He felt as if the inside of him has been voided. Numb and hurt at the same time if that was possible.

Gard,

Please forgive me.

Raya.

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Gerard

Manila. Circa: 1971-75

The Plaza Miranda Bombing where three grenades were thrown on the stage during the proclamation of the congressional and local candidates for the November elections of the Liberal Party, the opposed to President Marcos took place on 21 August 1971 in downtown Manila Prominent political personalities were seriously injured. President Marcos immediately denied involvement in the incident.

A year later, on 21 September 1972. Marcos placed the entire country under martial rule. The Plaza Mirand Bombing is believed to be one of the primary reasons.

On that fateful day, the people woke up to find something was amiss. It was not a normal morning.

No newspapers, No radio. No TV. A total media black out

Until later that day, President Marcos announced on national Radio TV, his declaration of Martial law.

Tension and chaos gripped the country, suspected communists , prominent personalities from various sectors of the society that were deemed anti-Marcos were harassed. Many were arrested, tortured or killed. More have gone missing up to this day . Many activist students went under ground, some were reported to have joined the NATIONAL PEOPLE’S Army (NPA) , the armed-wing of the Communist Party of The Philippines. Many student activists, particularly noted leaders, were picked up by the military, regardless of time and place. Some were dragged out of their houses in the wee hours . NEVER to be seen again.

Public institutions were shut down. Curfew was imposed. Checkpoints were established all over the country . It was a dark period of fear and hate and hopelessness for the majority of the people in the country..

But Gerard appeared disconnected to all the events unfolding, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil plaguing the country. He was in deep pain. DEVASTATED! BROKEN. No amount of consoling words and loving concern from his parents, his best friend Alex and other well-meaning friends, could ease his hurt .

Alex couldn’t bear to see the anguished face of his friend. He had never seen him in pain like this before.

Alex just deemed it wise to just let his friend heal his pain by himself. There was nothing he could do but staying with him , drinking with him, or just keeping him company whenever he could. He didn’t say anything, especially anything that would remind his friend about Soraya. He respected Gerard’s grief.

For Alex was just as confused as Gerard as to the reason why Soraya left Gerard. At first, he thought the she chose to be with her activist group and maybe now has also gone underground. He knew the military was hunting down suspected communists. Brutal treatment awaited the captives. But to leave Gerard in that manner was so uncharacteristic of Soraya. He knew her as a decent and principled lady. AND HER LOVE FOR LOVED GERARD CANNOT BE QUESTIONED. WHY THEN? Alex has been racking his brain finding a reason why she left and broke his friend’s heart.

“Tang ina’ (curse) just a piece of paper, just a f*****g piece of paper to end everything., WHY BRO?”! Gerard looked at Alex, his eyes glassy. They were having beer at Gerard’s house.

“WHY BRO” He repeated the question with teary eyes. I loved her. SHE SAID SHE LOVED ME. I knew she loved me. WHY??”

Alex just kept quiet. He knew his friend had had one beer too many. Also, it was the first time that Gerard had talked about Soraya. He thought it was best for Gerard to let all his hurt off his chest. He just listened patiently as Gerard raved and ranted, shouted and cried until he slumped on the sofa in drunken stupor.

As he looked at Gerard, Alex knew it would be the last time that his friend will ever opened up his feelings about Soraya’s unfaithfulness again.

Alex was right, after that night, Gerard never talked anything in relation to Soraya. As if their affair never happened . He couldn’t even bring himself to mention her name. And so did Alex.

Gerard focused on his studies. Alex noticed the change in his friend . The pain remained in Gerard’s eye.

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