STORM
4654 Words
It was your smile that whispered, and it was your eyes that told me. You are mine.
***Sasi***
**********
"Miss Sasi..Miss Sasi.."
A loud call accompanied by vigorous knocks awakened me from my deep slumber. I was dreaming a happy scene of forest and flowers when the loud banging on the door startled me.
"Miss Sasi."
Another call and I forced my heavy body to get up from the bed and open the door.
It was Lin.
"What was it?"
I asked rather annoyed with my sleep getting disturbed like that.
"We need to evacuate, a storm is coming. Please pack your important belongings with you."
She said hurriedly.
"What?! Why are we going to evacuate?"
Drowsiness left my body when I heard what she came here for.
"We are currently in signal number four and are advised to evacuate because of the possibility of a tidal wave. The Brgy. Captain texted me and a vehicle from the local government will be coming in an hour."
She replied hurriedly and it was then that I realized the heavy rains and the howling wind from the outside.
Why didn't I notice? How deep was my sleep?
"Okay, I will, thank you for the information. See you in an hour and please be careful."
She nodded and left abruptly. She must prepare to evacuate with her family as well.
I closed the door and panic struck me right away.
Oh my god!
I haven't experienced a storm strong enough to be evacuated before, what should I pack?
Important belongings, she said.
So, I run to get my Passport and other documents. I threw a hefty amount of clothes, underwear, and toiletries in the bed. I rummaged around in my room to pick things that I might need and spent a long time deciding which to bring.
After more than a quarter of an hour, I get a rather large bag and put everything in.
I zipped it, and was satisfied, thinking I'm all packed and ready to go when I happen to pass by the mirror and saw my present state.
My hair was in disarray and still in my sleeping pajamas, which I wore last night. I totally forgot to take a bath!
I heard the commotion from outside the door followed by a heavy knock.
"Miss, are you done? We are going."
Raki was the one who knocked.
Oh my god! Not when I'm looking like a newborn hyena!
"Give me ten minutes!"
I yelled and ran to the bathroom.
This is not happening!
I took a bath and cleaned myself in the fastest way possible. I couldn’t get out of this room in that state!
I shoved the first clothes that my hands landed upon. A white t-shirt and black jogging pants.
“Miss, the vehicle is here. They give us five minutes to get out. Are you done?”
Jiro knocked on my door for the second time.
“Y-yes! I’m coming!”
I yelled, frantically grabbing a hair tie and pulled my wet hair in a bun.
I took my bag then opened the door to get out of the room.
Daniels and Jiro were waiting outside the door then Daniels immediately took my bag from me.
“Where are the others?”
I asked meaning Jose’ and the bastard captain.
“They are already outside, assisting Miss Lin’s family and talking to the officials. Shall we get going, Miss?”
Jiro answered and led the way towards the door.
The trip towards the main city of the island was bumpy and not once I nearly got thrown off my seat inside the twelve-seater military-type jeep. The road was rough and wet, so we traveled slowly yet I felt very uncomfortable with my thin clothing. I forgot to wear my jacket! Damn!
Every time my body will bump into the walls of the jeep, Raki’s arm held me protectively, but I would shove it away, and not once I got pressed into his chest.
It has been days that we aren’t talking with each other after that incident in my room and I must admit, I missed him. I missed his scent, his voice, and his annoying face. I didn’t want to, but I just couldn’t help it. It’s something irritating and yet uncontrollable.
“Where is your jacket? Why did you wear such thin clothing in this storm?”
He asked with a hint of annoyance.
“I-I forgot. Hey! What do you care?”
I pushed him away from me and glared at him.
“Aren’t you cold?”
He raised his brows at me.
“I am not! I am feeling fine, so shut up!”
I snapped at him. But deep inside, I am gently shivering from the cold winds that carried droplets of rainfall.
The rest of our company in the vehicle looked at us like we are a quarreling couple and I looked down in embarrassment. Suddenly, a warm jacket was thrown over my shoulders and Raki whispered in my ear.
“Don’t lie, I know you’re cold. Stop resisting or else I will kiss in front of them.”
I couldn’t react right away and just accepted what he has offered. Not because I’m afraid he would do just like what he said, but because I don’t like drama as well. Our argument must stay within us and with that in mind, I kept quiet until we reached our destination.
The storm outside was howling like an angry wolf at midnight. The wind was strong, and the rains were so heavy that it created a loud booming sound on the roof of the covered court we took shelter.
My eyes roamed around and saw Raki talking with George in the far distance. They were seated together, shoulder's touching, knees connected and their eyes dancing in glee.
George wore a tight dress under a large leather coat, a boot on her feet and her face was nicely done.
I looked down on myself, wearing a large white t-shirt and black jazz pants which were the first pieces of clothes I happened to grab earlier. My face was bare of any makeup and I forgot to brush my hair, so I tied it up in a bun, on the top of my head, a few strands were now fallen on my forehead.
Who would've thought of doing her make-up during the evacuation process?
My heart clenched when they laughed together as George slapped Raki's legs.
Was it fun?
Was it fun playing with my emotions like this?
My insides were boiling in annoyance, and I have no idea how to handle this unknown emotion.
I glared at Raki one last time before forcing myself to look at the court's entrance where a new group of people was arriving.
I heard a loud cry among the crowd. A woman was wailing.
"Help me! My son. Help my son!"
In her arms was a boy, about six years old I guess, weakly slumped over her shoulder. There was a sudden uproar of commotion that circulated around.
"A doctor! We need a doctor!"
Someone yelled.
"But Dr. Barsana is not here yet!"
A man replied.
The boy’s arm has a huge cut and was bleeding heavily. Daniels, who was beside me, stood up abruptly and was at the woman's side in a flash.
I noticed Raki was there as well and in my curiosity, I slowly walked forward and peek at what was happening. Jiro was beside me instantly, replacing Daniels’ place.
“Oh my god!”
George, who also ran towards the commotion exclaimed.
“What happened to him, ma’am?”
Raki asked.
“Ha? A-ano kwan. Gumuho ang bubong namin! Tinamaan ng yero ang anak ko!”
The mother of the child replied frantically but I didn’t understand, neither the two men.
“She was saying that their roof collapsed, and the boy has been wounded by metal roofing.”
Lin translated for us right away.
“Please ask her if the roofing was rusty.”
Raki asked as he and Daniels slowly took the child from his mother and laid him on the floor.
“Maam, makalawang po ba yung yero?”
Lin asked.
The woman nodded and Daniels cursed loudly. It was that time Jose’ came in carrying a first aid kit. Someone offered clean and dry clothes for the kid.
“Damn, who is in charge here?”
Raki and Daniels, being an ex-army, worked fast tying a piece of cloth around the kid’s arm and started to change his clothes too.
“I-I am a health worker, W-what can I help?”
An elderly woman wearing an orange vest asked while trembling. She seemed not very confident while saying about her career.
“Oh, well. I’m sorry for our intrusion. This kid needs probably around five stitches in his arm, could you do it?”
Raki asked politely.
“No! no! I mean, I am a midwife. But may I ask who are you?”
“We are an ex-army member of U.S. Special Forces. Is there anyone else who could do this?”
“No, most health workers were scattered to the site of evacuations. I am the only one here.”
The woman said trembling and seemed unsure what to do.
“Then would you allow us to do it? We promise that we know what we are doing. This guy here is a medical sergeant.”
He said pointing at Daniels who was already stitching up the sound.
The child was unconscious.
“N-no. I mean, yes it’s okay I guess.”
The health officer replied looking at Daniels’ expert hands doing the stitches on the kid’s arm.
“Captain, we need a tetanus toxoid shot.”
Daniels said after a while. The wound has been stitched in two minutes and was being wrapped in gauze.
“Oh my. The shots were kept at the hospital and the doctor carrying it is still on the way here.”
The woman replied.
“That’s better. But we need the shots as soon as possible.”
Raki said.
They transferred the patient into a makeshift bed on the stage and everyone including me and Jiro who’s arms were holding me protectively, walked together with them to see what was happening. Suddenly, the kid started trembling and soon after began violently convulsing.
“Anong nangyayari sa anak ko?!”
(What is happening to my child?)
The mother howled.
“We need to hold him down or else tetanus will circulate faster into his blood!”
Daniels exclaimed holding the kid down.
“What should we do?”
Raki asked.
“Do you have a sedative with you, ma’am?”
Jose’ asked the health worker.
“N-no. I do not.”
She answered.
I gulped down and decided to pitch in with the conversation. I always carry a sedative shot with me in case I have a sudden panic attack and I haven’t used those since I get here on this island.
“I. I have a sedative.”
I shyly said gripping my knuckles.
Raki looked at me for a few seconds, contemplating before speaking.
“How many do you have?”
He asked.
“Three.”
I answered biting my lips. I could feel the people looking at me and that made me a bit nervous. But looking at Raki’s eyes brings me such comfort and my animosity towards him seemed to not matter at all!
“Can I have one of those?”
He asked. His lips were tight and an unexplainable emotion crossed his eyes, but it was gone in a blink.
I nodded and turned to Jiro who was carrying my bag. I found my medicine kit complete with syringe and panic disorder medications inside then handed them to Jose who stepped closer to the two men with the child.
Daniels administered the shot right away and the kid stopped shaking.
Everyone sighed in unison and couldn’t help but clap their hands in happiness.
“Thank you!! Thank you!”
The child’s mother almost kissed Daniels in gratefulness.
He tapped the mother’s shoulder and said welcome.
Soon after, a vehicle arrived carrying the doctor and the anti-tetanus shot.
Raki, Daniels, and Jose’ let the doctor and the rest of the medical staff do the rest then escorted me towards the far corner of the court.
We sat on the benches watching everything that was taking place. Each family was given a tent that could fit six people to pitch in the middle of the court. Jose’, Daniels, and Jiro took care of assembling ours.
“You saved a life today, did you know that?”
Raki, who was sitting beside me, said suddenly.
“I did nothing. You saved that kid with Daniels. That was heroic.”
I replied without looking at him.
“Yeah, seems so. But I want to tell you that, I am proud of you.”
“Why?”
I turned to him in confusion.
“You shared something that saved a life. Moreover, you found your voice in the crowd. It was brave of you to speak surrounded by a lot of people.”
I looked down at my hands, realizing that yeah, he was right. I spoke amidst the surrounding locals. And I didn’t panic at all!
My eyes rounded up and flew towards him in amusement.
“You’re right! I did speak in the middle of the crowd!”
In my case of having Enochlophobia, that was a great achievement. And in glee, my hands reached for his nape all of a sudden and hugged him tightly.
Heartbeats synchronized with each other. His warm body enveloped me in an embrace and when I grasped what I just did, it was too late. His arms already circled my waist and pulled me even tighter towards his chest.
Motherfucker Sasi!!! What are you doing?!
…to be continued
It was your smile that whispered, and it was your eyes that told me. You are mine.
***Sasi***
**********
"Miss Sasi..Miss Sasi.."
A loud call accompanied by vigorous knocks awakened me from my deep slumber. I was dreaming a happy scene of forest and flowers when the loud banging on the door startled me.
"Miss Sasi."
Another call and I forced my heavy body to get up from the bed and open the door.
It was Lin.
"What was it?"
I asked rather annoyed with my sleep getting disturbed like that.
"We need to evacuate, a storm is coming. Please pack your important belongings with you."
She said hurriedly.
"What?! Why are we going to evacuate?"
Drowsiness left my body when I heard what she came here for.
"We are currently in signal number four and are advised to evacuate because of the possibility of a tidal wave. The Brgy. Captain texted me and a vehicle from the local government will be coming in an hour."
She replied hurriedly and it was then that I realized the heavy rains and the howling wind from the outside.
Why didn't I notice? How deep was my sleep?
"Okay, I will, thank you for the information. See you in an hour and please be careful."
She nodded and left abruptly. She must prepare to evacuate with her family as well.
I closed the door and panic struck me right away.
Oh my god!
I haven't experienced a storm strong enough to be evacuated before, what should I pack?
Important belongings, she said.
So, I run to get my Passport and other documents. I threw a hefty amount of clothes, underwear, and toiletries in the bed. I rummaged around in my room to pick things that I might need and spent a long time deciding which to bring.
After more than a quarter of an hour, I get a rather large bag and put everything in.
I zipped it, and was satisfied, thinking I'm all packed and ready to go when I happen to pass by the mirror and saw my present state.
My hair was in disarray and still in my sleeping pajamas, which I wore last night. I totally forgot to take a bath!
I heard the commotion from outside the door followed by a heavy knock.
"Miss, are you done? We are going."
Raki was the one who knocked.
Oh my god! Not when I'm looking like a newborn hyena!
"Give me ten minutes!"
I yelled and ran to the bathroom.
This is not happening!
I took a bath and cleaned myself in the fastest way possible. I couldn’t get out of this room in that state!
I shoved the first clothes that my hands landed upon. A white t-shirt and black jogging pants.
“Miss, the vehicle is here. They give us five minutes to get out. Are you done?”
Jiro knocked on my door for the second time.
“Y-yes! I’m coming!”
I yelled, frantically grabbing a hair tie and pulled my wet hair in a bun.
I took my bag then opened the door to get out of the room.
Daniels and Jiro were waiting outside the door then Daniels immediately took my bag from me.
“Where are the others?”
I asked meaning Jose’ and the bastard captain.
“They are already outside, assisting Miss Lin’s family and talking to the officials. Shall we get going, Miss?”
Jiro answered and led the way towards the door.
The trip towards the main city of the island was bumpy and not once I nearly got thrown off my seat inside the twelve-seater military-type jeep. The road was rough and wet, so we traveled slowly yet I felt very uncomfortable with my thin clothing. I forgot to wear my jacket! Damn!
Every time my body will bump into the walls of the jeep, Raki’s arm held me protectively, but I would shove it away, and not once I got pressed into his chest.
It has been days that we aren’t talking with each other after that incident in my room and I must admit, I missed him. I missed his scent, his voice, and his annoying face. I didn’t want to, but I just couldn’t help it. It’s something irritating and yet uncontrollable.
“Where is your jacket? Why did you wear such thin clothing in this storm?”
He asked with a hint of annoyance.
“I-I forgot. Hey! What do you care?”
I pushed him away from me and glared at him.
“Aren’t you cold?”
He raised his brows at me.
“I am not! I am feeling fine, so shut up!”
I snapped at him. But deep inside, I am gently shivering from the cold winds that carried droplets of rainfall.
The rest of our company in the vehicle looked at us like we are a quarreling couple and I looked down in embarrassment. Suddenly, a warm jacket was thrown over my shoulders and Raki whispered in my ear.
“Don’t lie, I know you’re cold. Stop resisting or else I will kiss in front of them.”
I couldn’t react right away and just accepted what he has offered. Not because I’m afraid he would do just like what he said, but because I don’t like drama as well. Our argument must stay within us and with that in mind, I kept quiet until we reached our destination.
The storm outside was howling like an angry wolf at midnight. The wind was strong, and the rains were so heavy that it created a loud booming sound on the roof of the covered court we took shelter.
My eyes roamed around and saw Raki talking with George in the far distance. They were seated together, shoulder's touching, knees connected and their eyes dancing in glee.
George wore a tight dress under a large leather coat, a boot on her feet and her face was nicely done.
I looked down on myself, wearing a large white t-shirt and black jazz pants which were the first pieces of clothes I happened to grab earlier. My face was bare of any makeup and I forgot to brush my hair, so I tied it up in a bun, on the top of my head, a few strands were now fallen on my forehead.
Who would've thought of doing her make-up during the evacuation process?
My heart clenched when they laughed together as George slapped Raki's legs.
Was it fun?
Was it fun playing with my emotions like this?
My insides were boiling in annoyance, and I have no idea how to handle this unknown emotion.
I glared at Raki one last time before forcing myself to look at the court's entrance where a new group of people was arriving.
I heard a loud cry among the crowd. A woman was wailing.
"Help me! My son. Help my son!"
In her arms was a boy, about six years old I guess, weakly slumped over her shoulder. There was a sudden uproar of commotion that circulated around.
"A doctor! We need a doctor!"
Someone yelled.
"But Dr. Barsana is not here yet!"
A man replied.
The boy’s arm has a huge cut and was bleeding heavily. Daniels, who was beside me, stood up abruptly and was at the woman's side in a flash.
I noticed Raki was there as well and in my curiosity, I slowly walked forward and peek at what was happening. Jiro was beside me instantly, replacing Daniels’ place.
“Oh my god!”
George, who also ran towards the commotion exclaimed.
“What happened to him, ma’am?”
Raki asked.
“Ha? A-ano kwan. Gumuho ang bubong namin! Tinamaan ng yero ang anak ko!”
The mother of the child replied frantically but I didn’t understand, neither the two men.
“She was saying that their roof collapsed, and the boy has been wounded by metal roofing.”
Lin translated for us right away.
“Please ask her if the roofing was rusty.”
Raki asked as he and Daniels slowly took the child from his mother and laid him on the floor.
“Maam, makalawang po ba yung yero?”
Lin asked.
The woman nodded and Daniels cursed loudly. It was that time Jose’ came in carrying a first aid kit. Someone offered clean and dry clothes for the kid.
“Damn, who is in charge here?”
Raki and Daniels, being an ex-army, worked fast tying a piece of cloth around the kid’s arm and started to change his clothes too.
“I-I am a health worker, W-what can I help?”
An elderly woman wearing an orange vest asked while trembling. She seemed not very confident while saying about her career.
“Oh, well. I’m sorry for our intrusion. This kid needs probably around five stitches in his arm, could you do it?”
Raki asked politely.
“No! no! I mean, I am a midwife. But may I ask who are you?”
“We are an ex-army member of U.S. Special Forces. Is there anyone else who could do this?”
“No, most health workers were scattered to the site of evacuations. I am the only one here.”
The woman said trembling and seemed unsure what to do.
“Then would you allow us to do it? We promise that we know what we are doing. This guy here is a medical sergeant.”
He said pointing at Daniels who was already stitching up the sound.
The child was unconscious.
“N-no. I mean, yes it’s okay I guess.”
The health officer replied looking at Daniels’ expert hands doing the stitches on the kid’s arm.
“Captain, we need a tetanus toxoid shot.”
Daniels said after a while. The wound has been stitched in two minutes and was being wrapped in gauze.
“Oh my. The shots were kept at the hospital and the doctor carrying it is still on the way here.”
The woman replied.
“That’s better. But we need the shots as soon as possible.”
Raki said.
They transferred the patient into a makeshift bed on the stage and everyone including me and Jiro who’s arms were holding me protectively, walked together with them to see what was happening. Suddenly, the kid started trembling and soon after began violently convulsing.
“Anong nangyayari sa anak ko?!”
(What is happening to my child?)
The mother howled.
“We need to hold him down or else tetanus will circulate faster into his blood!”
Daniels exclaimed holding the kid down.
“What should we do?”
Raki asked.
“Do you have a sedative with you, ma’am?”
Jose’ asked the health worker.
“N-no. I do not.”
She answered.
I gulped down and decided to pitch in with the conversation. I always carry a sedative shot with me in case I have a sudden panic attack and I haven’t used those since I get here on this island.
“I. I have a sedative.”
I shyly said gripping my knuckles.
Raki looked at me for a few seconds, contemplating before speaking.
“How many do you have?”
He asked.
“Three.”
I answered biting my lips. I could feel the people looking at me and that made me a bit nervous. But looking at Raki’s eyes brings me such comfort and my animosity towards him seemed to not matter at all!
“Can I have one of those?”
He asked. His lips were tight and an unexplainable emotion crossed his eyes, but it was gone in a blink.
I nodded and turned to Jiro who was carrying my bag. I found my medicine kit complete with syringe and panic disorder medications inside then handed them to Jose who stepped closer to the two men with the child.
Daniels administered the shot right away and the kid stopped shaking.
Everyone sighed in unison and couldn’t help but clap their hands in happiness.
“Thank you!! Thank you!”
The child’s mother almost kissed Daniels in gratefulness.
He tapped the mother’s shoulder and said welcome.
Soon after, a vehicle arrived carrying the doctor and the anti-tetanus shot.
Raki, Daniels, and Jose’ let the doctor and the rest of the medical staff do the rest then escorted me towards the far corner of the court.
We sat on the benches watching everything that was taking place. Each family was given a tent that could fit six people to pitch in the middle of the court. Jose’, Daniels, and Jiro took care of assembling ours.
“You saved a life today, did you know that?”
Raki, who was sitting beside me, said suddenly.
“I did nothing. You saved that kid with Daniels. That was heroic.”
I replied without looking at him.
“Yeah, seems so. But I want to tell you that, I am proud of you.”
“Why?”
I turned to him in confusion.
“You shared something that saved a life. Moreover, you found your voice in the crowd. It was brave of you to speak surrounded by a lot of people.”
I looked down at my hands, realizing that yeah, he was right. I spoke amidst the surrounding locals. And I didn’t panic at all!
My eyes rounded up and flew towards him in amusement.
“You’re right! I did speak in the middle of the crowd!”
In my case of having Enochlophobia, that was a great achievement. And in glee, my hands reached for his nape all of a sudden and hugged him tightly.
Heartbeats synchronized with each other. His warm body enveloped me in an embrace and when I grasped what I just did, it was too late. His arms already circled my waist and pulled me even tighter towards his chest.
Motherfucker Sasi!!! What are you doing?!
…to be continued
- Writer
