That afternoon, I was a bit restless. I thought I needed to go
to Upper to find out the next schedule for copra. I asked Ma if she wanted me
to go, but Ma said, it’s getting dark, it’s not good to be out at this hour. I
said I waited for the sun to cool to be able to go; and so, disregarding Ma and
her fears, I walked out of the house all the way to the Crossing to wait for a
ride. I did not like the look of the
motorcycles I met along the way. I did not like the look on their faces, those calculating look. So I texted him if he was in B’la. He said yes and asked if I needed a ride. I said I
was at the Crossing on my way to the Upper B’la and when I turned around, I heard a
motorcycle engine revving up, and saw him emerged from under the trees. We were already a way off when I asked him where
he’d been when I texted because it seemed he was just very close by. He said he had been up to your house. “His house?" I froze. "Is he here?”
"Yes," he said.
“Let’s go back, " I said.
“Why?" he asked. "He is so busy, he’s got work to do.”
"Yes," he said.
“Let’s go back, " I said.
“Why?" he asked. "He is so busy, he’s got work to do.”
“Let’s go back,” I said.
And so, he turned the motorcycle around so fast that before I
knew it, we were already in your house, the motorcycle going right up to your
front yard, what would your mother say? I did not know what
to do. He stopped and pointed to you, “There, he is,” he said, saying your name. “That is him!”
When I looked up, I saw several you’s at the same time, all seated there under the tree; and the eldest one, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, was looking at me, nodding, confused. Briefly I was able to say, “Just excuse us, we’re just passing by,” and then, we were gone, me, trying hard to hold on to the back of the motorcycle without touching his shoulders, and then, when we passed a hump, bumped upon his shoulders anyway.
We left you wearing a puzzled look on your face, watching me
very closely; watching me and our friend sped away.
When I looked up, I saw several you’s at the same time, all seated there under the tree; and the eldest one, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, was looking at me, nodding, confused. Briefly I was able to say, “Just excuse us, we’re just passing by,” and then, we were gone, me, trying hard to hold on to the back of the motorcycle without touching his shoulders, and then, when we passed a hump, bumped upon his shoulders anyway.
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