A Night With You

Chapter 6: Wandering

At exactly seven in the morning, the driver Carlos, was already in front of the G Resort and Hotel. He was patiently waiting for Vin who came just minutes passed.

"Good morning Sir Vin. Are you ready to stroll the area?"

"Yes let's do this." Vin wore his aviator sunglasses. He was wearing a white polo and a khaki shorts. He also has a black and blue backpack; a very casual get up.

Together, they rode the taxi and started to stroll around the city. Asking from random people about Kira. But hours passed and Vin was already frustrated. No one knows Kira.

"Why can't I find her?" he asked frustrated and he disheveled his hair. The driver laughed.

"You know Sir Vin, sometimes you look for something that you really want, it is even harder to find it. Be patient. Who knows maybe at the end of this day you can find her."

Vin started to muster his courage and started to look for Kira. The blazing heat of the sun made his skin tinge in crimson.

"Hi! Do you know this woman? She's Kira Euane Marquiza." Vin showed a picture of Kira to a female passerby. It was obvious that the girl was awed by his handsomeness.

"Hey! Can you hear me?"

"Ahh... No! I don't know her." The girl walked away. He sat on the bench. He was exhausted already.

"Sir, why don't you grab some food here? You must taste the Filipino foods that are very famous here. No one can resist the taste of the street foods in the Philippines."

"Okay. I am a bit hungry now. Let's go Mister Carlos."

Together, they walked towards the lines of stalls where street foods are being sold.

"What are these orange circles and is this..."

"Ah! This is fish balls and kwek kwek, this is made of quail eggs coated in batter and this one is isaw, obviously these are made from chicken intestines."

"Intestines?!"

"Yes Sir Vin. But they taste so good especially when you have this sweet and spicy sauce. This one is made from blood and this is obviously chicken feet and chicken heads. Now try to eat them."

"I don't think my stomach can hold that stuff. Are you sure that this is edible?"

As per Vin's query, Mister Carlos ate one of those foods.

"See? I'm still alive." Vin winced but a little bit convinced. He picked one of the sticks with chicken intestines and dipped it on the sweet and spicy sauce. He ate it and soon as the food touched his tongue his eyes lit up and he raised his eyebrow.

"Hmm ... This tastes amazing Mister Carlos. It's delicious." He made a thumbs up and smiled.

"See? I told you. Now eat up."

After that, they started to stroll again in search for Kira. But it was already five in the afternoon but still no one can point where she is.

"Oh Kira! Where are you?"

"Sir Vin. Here. You can taste this."

"An ice cream?" He asked puzzled. Why on Earth would Mister Carlos give him an ice cream?

"Yes. In the Philippines, we call this sorbetes  come on. Try this. It can make your frustrations go away."

"I don't know what to do now honestly Mister Carlos. I am exhausted but I need to find her."

"May I ask you this if you don't mind. Why are you looking for this Kira Euane Marquiza?" Vin exhaled loudly. And started his narration. 

"So I met Kira on the bar on my country. She was the most beautiful woman that my eyes ever laid upon. That night... It was one the best nights of my life. I had the chance to talk to her. Hell! Even hold her. We talked about random things. Just anything under the sun. We don't know each other. Only our first names. Then the night went wild. I proposed to her."

"You what? Proposed to her even if you don't know her?"

"You see Mister Carlos, I love her. I love her the first time my eyes met hers and I know that she's the one. So that night, I proposed to her. I gave her our family heirloom. And I promised to marry her and she will be the mother of my heirs."

"And then what happened?" Mister Carlos was engrossed on listening to Vin's story.

"And that night too. Something intimate happened between us."

"Maybe the reason why she left was she felt that you profaned her. Remember that she's a Filipina and Filipina women do that thing after marriage. That has been a tradition for a very long time already." Mister Carlos explained.

"No no. I found out that morning that her family migrated here in the Philippines already. So that's why she left me. And now I don't know where to find her really." Vin frantically waved his hands in front of him.

Mister Carlos patted his back.

"It's okay boy! You can surely find her. One of these days. Your paths will cross again. Maybe not now but soon. Trust on fate as much as you trust yourself." Mister Carlos replied.

"Thank you Mister Carlos. I am a little bit relieved now. I just need to continue my search. Oh! We were engrossed about our story telling time. It's already dusk," said Vin. He rose from his seat and shake off the dust that has stuck on his shorts.

"Balot! Balot! Penoy!" A male vendor cried. He was carrying a big styrofoam box on his shoulder.

"What's balowt Mister Carlos?"

"Ah! Balot is a steamed duck eggs that are already near to hatch."

"What?! You mean the duckling will be dead inside?"

"Yes. But it is really tasty. You can try one if you like."

"No. I don't think I can eat that poor creature. I'll just grab some food that are not as innocent as those ducklings."

Mister Carlos laughed out loud and they started towards the parking are to ride on the taxi.

"How many hours will we be stuck on traffic again?" Vin asked as he sat on the backseat.

"According to news tonight has a heavy flow of traffic so maybe four hours again."

Vin fell silent. Only the engine and the distant honk of the vehicles were heard in the chilly night.

"I still need to learn a lot about Filipino culture. I don't know how will I face Kira's mother. I don't know if she is strict or what."

"You know what boy, you should really need a lot of things to learn. You can start talking to my wife about that. She is a Filipina and she can help you greatly."

"Oh right!" Vin clapped his hands as if something brilliant idea crossed his mind.

"Your wife can really teach me those things Mister Carlos. I am willing to pay her for the lecture."

"Ay no no no boy! We don't accept money. We just help people. That's the only thing we can do to help, you know. One way or another, the Lord will give us graces and bless our family and that is what we will do to others. Extend our hand to help without looking for an exchange."

That day another trivia was added to Vin's mind. It is a nature of the Filipino people to help those in need in their own little ways. They might not have tons of money in their pockets but they are willing to help.