I Was Here

The Time Traveler

The Time Traveler

 I was staring at his profile photo on f*******: when I heard a loud slam of the door from the living room. I quickly make it to the living room to check but I only see a closed door. Maybe it is nothing. I grab the door knob and slowly open the door. I step barefoot on the grass which covers the floor of the front yard. Chi-Chan runs with excitement when he sees me. He raises his two legs and tries to reach me. And then he bites my hand, but it does not hurt. ‘Hello Chi-chan,’ I said and embraced the dog. ‘Would you like to sleep with us tonight?’ I added. ‘Oh you like it.’

I run my left hand on Chi-Chan’s fur, and they are very soft to touch. He has white and black thick fur that covers his entire body. And his fur feels soft and smooth better than any stuffed toy.

I walked closer to the huge tree planted near the gate. Below the tree there is a single swing where Mallory loves to spend her time.  

I sit on the grass with Chi-Chan beneath the tree. Mallory sways in the swing back and forth. ‘I like this swing Mama.’  She said. I think Chi-Chan likes our new house too.’  she added. I reach for her hand, ‘Yes Baby, this place is nice and quiet.’  I said. ‘We’ll be just fine.’’ Mama will take care of you and Chi-Chan.’ I confidently said and looked at Mallory’s small face. I thought to myself; Mama is somehow afraid to face life with just the two of us, you’re too little. I have to take care and protect you but I also have to work to pay the bills and the rent too. It is not easy, but we will get by somehow. ‘Mama, when Chi-Chan is 1 year old, he’ll stay inside our house, right?’

I am staring at the swing thinking about Mallory when again I heard a loud slam of the door from the living room. Bang! The moment I turn it’s too late the door already shuts close. I see a man who comes running out of the door. Chi-Chan begins to bark loudly at him. And this man passed by me without looking in my direction. Chi-Chan panicky ran and circled the front yard.

At one moment the man is so close to me, clearly I see his face. Without question I know he is Eric Marcus. Where is he going?  Just like that he comes out of nowhere and dissolves into thin air. As quickly as he comes and so promptly he disappears. It does not take long. I made it out of the gate but I don’t see him anymore. I lost him again.

I have so many questions I want to ask him, but I couldn’t reach him. He is not here. I am alone.

Outside a motorcycle approaches my direction. A man wearing pink and white long sleeves comes near me, ‘Food Panda Ma'am, are you Irina Sanchez?’ he asked. ‘Here is your order of milk tea and shawarma.’ he said as he handed me two brown paper bags containing the food and drink. ‘Alright, thank you.’ The rider was about to go when we heard a loud and high noise coming from an ambulance. An ambulance comes past our direction and its blue and red light continue to blink.

‘Another patient may have difficulty breathing, 'the rider said. ‘It seems like there are a number of positive cases here.’

‘Yes, there are.’ I said. ''We badly need vaccines, mostly the senior citizens.’

‘Everyone’s hoping for vaccines,’ he said. ‘In my type of job I have too much exposure too.’

Lately ambulances will come in and out of the subdivision because of neighbors who tested positive with Covid 19. The whole household will be quarantined for 14days, and if there is a family member from that household who has difficulty breathing then the ambulance will come and bring the patient to the nearest hospital.

And how sad it could be to find out from a f*******: post that a neighbor passed away because of Covid 19. I often noticed some of my friends on f*******: changing their profile picture to that of a candle with black background. Most often the number of deaths comes from the senior citizens.

***March 1, 2021 - Metro Manila, Philippines, the front liners and government officials were given the first shot of Covid 19 vaccines.

‘Mama if a thief breaks into the house Chi-Chan, will you protect us right?’

‘Yes baby,’ I assured her, touching her little hand. ‘You don’t have to be afraid, I lock all the doors and windows so no one can break in.’ I said. ‘The door is unbreakable right?’

‘Yes baby the door is very strong.’

‘You are also strong, right?’

‘Yes baby,’ I said. ‘Don’t be afraid I will protect you.’

I watch Mallory sleep so peacefully. Little as she, she somehow worries about us. Just the two of us girls, and a dog living in a house. Yes I know that is something to worry about. I close my eyes and quietly utter a prayer; ‘Even if I go through the deepest waters, You promised, You will be with me.’

I went to the living room and opened the brown paper bags. Rose milk tea with herbal jelly is always my favorite. I sip on the sweet milky tea which has a funny taste of rose and munch on the big soft jelly. I pull out the shawarma from the other paper bag. I take a bite of the spicy beef wrapped in pita bread. Eric, where did you go? The food and the drink really taste good. But I still can’t stop thinking about him. And the more I try not to think about him, the more I chew.

6:00 PM the sun is setting, soon it will be dark and Mallory will be home. Maybe I should clean the bedroom before she gets home. I slowly take steps on the stairs.

‘Come it’s almost 9 o'clock you should be sleeping, you still have school tomorrow.’ I said and took Mallory by hand as we climbed upstairs to the bedroom.

‘My feet hurt, carry me Mama.’

‘Okay here you go.’

‘Strong Mama,’ she said. ‘I love you, Mama.’

‘I love you too baby.’

I open the door to the bedroom. There is a dark brown framed window at one corner where the light is coming from.  The yellow orange light passes through the open window. I see Eric standing right there on the spot captured by the yellow light. ‘You came back.’ I said. He stood there looking me in the eye. I almost died.

Even If I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil

For you are with me