Within the Walls

Chapter 5

~2019 - Wednesday - Tondo, Manila~

 I woke up from the bright morning sun that shone through my window. Specks of dusk floating across my face as I sit up from my mattress. Fluttering my eyes to adjust to the sudden entrance of light.

 What time is it?

 I shuffled the sheets to find my phone buried underneath the blanket I used. Booting it up, the time was 6 AM. Still early, I am almost a block away from school. I stood up and stretch my body, taking all the warm daylight in. Grasping my Polaroid camera, the events of last night rushed on my brain. Meeting Aurelio Liwaway, gasping at the beautiful sight of the Manila Cathedral, and the hair-raising Fort Santiago lined with large cannons that meant war. I remember that I took photos of the scenic places but…

 I emptied my pockets and rushed to my bag. Dropping all of its contents, I skim through each and everything. And nothing. No sign of any Polaroid photographs. I scratch my hair in annoyance and took a glace at the calendar.

 It’s Wednesday, one more day till the deadline and I haven’t even started. Snatching my bag from the floor, along with the camera. I made a mental reminder to go back to that place. I head down the stairs and the aroma of cooked eggs flow into my nostrils. Moaning in delight, I rush to the dining table and find my mother, holding a spatula and turning to look at me. She flashed a smile and gestured me to sit down. I place down my bag near my feet and place the camera on the table near me.

 Mother places a plate of cooked eggs on the table. But, she doesn’t leave her hands at the edge of the plate. I gaze up at her and saw her eyes turning red, producing audible sniffing noises.

 “Mom?” I felt my heart being crushed and torn into a million little pieces. The sight of my mother crying made me stand up and hug her tightly. She grips my arm as we both cried.

 “I miss…your father.” Her voice cracking at the seams.

 “Me too mom.”

 After a while, she lets go and I too. She sits down and motioned me to do so as well. She grabs the bowl of rice at the far end and spoons me some on my plate until I said stop. Scooping me two fried eggs, my mother and I feast on the food placed upon us. The daylight gone, but a cold wind swept the curtains of our windows to and fro.

 “Bring an umbrella later, all right?”

 I nodded as I finish the serving on my plate.

 “I’m gonna go take a shower mom.” Grabbing the plate and the utensils, I placed it on the sink. She forces an assuring a smile.

 Grabbing my bag and the camera, I place it on the couch of the living room. Heading to the bathroom, I strip myself of my sticky clothes from last night’s unusual experience and bathe myself. Afterwards, I gather my clothes from my pink dresser. Setting a pale pink sweater and washed ripped jeans on the bed.

 I rush down the stairs as I saw my phone displaying the time as 6:30 AM.

 “Mauuna na ako ma, byee! (I’ll go now mom, byee!).” I shouted from across the living, bag slung on my shoulder, clutching the camera near my chest.

 “Okay, don’t forget your umbrella!” She shouts from the kitchen.

 Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Examining the tables near the door, I spot a black umbrella lying at the top. I snatched it from its original position and head out, briefly shutting the door behind me.

 I walked through my old route, glimpses of what happened last night as I saw myself riding the jeepney with a confused expression staring in to the quiet Manila streets. I simply giggled, only to be silenced by the recurrent winds that fluttered my charcoal black hair, bowing my head down to avoid the harsh breeze. Suddenly, I spotted a drop of liquid on the dry pavement. Combing through the contents of my bag, I grabbed my retractable umbrella. Pressed the button and a protective canopy shielding me from the imminent rain.

 I continued to school, camera still clutched near my stomach. Now, I am in front of a rustic coffee shop splashed with browns and reds, tables and chairs underneath a green and white linoleum roof. The rain wasn’t letting off, the patter of rain leaving dulcet tones in my ears. Winds starts to blow, pushing me back by my umbrella. Struggling to grasp my umbrella, the protective canopy flies away along with the wind. Leaving me in the brisk and persistent rain and the freezing wind.

 Muttering a curse, I storm to the roof of the cafe near the wooden door. Petrichor scent, earthy and musty, infiltrated my nostrils. Checking my watch, it reads 6:50 AM. Oh no, I’m going to be late! Looking at my broken umbrella, now a mere metal stick, I sigh in disbelief. Briefly closing my eyes, only to open to a jeans and dark green wearing figure in front of me, clutching an umbrella in one hand. I gaze up at the figure and saw a pair of dark brown eyes underneath round eyeglasses, a signature Clark-Kent white cowlick on his forehead. A smile revealing pearl white teeth, with dimples on both cheeks.  

 Gulping a huge lump in my throat that unusually formed without me knowing.

 “You go to San Pablo’s College too, right?” His voice melodic like a musician’s fingers on a piano.

 “Uhhh…yes..ho–how did you–you know?”

 “Your I.D?” He chuckled.

 “Oh, I completely forgot.” Laughing awkwardly.

 Our eyes locked with each other, a perfect coupling in a Shakespeare’s sonnets. A second feeling like a minute until he breaks the our shared gaze.

 “So, uh, you need a chaperone?” Trailing his hands on his napes as he looks down on the floor.

 “Um, sure.” I obliged.

 He holds out his umbrella, motioning me to scoot closer underneath. We walked through the raining streets, our shoes stepping on every puddle formed.

 “So what’s your name?” The man asked.

 “Ligaya, Ligaya Josefina.”

 Staring at me, his mouth agape.

 “What a beautiful name.”

 “How about yours?”

 “Restituto, Restituto Karimlan.”