His Damsel in Distress

As I stood in front of the crashing waves and the breeze directly touches my skin, I admit now that it’s good to be back after all those years. I walked towards the shore. I want to touch the cold water, I want to let my feet feel the sand and I want to feel the warm breeze even though the sun is already up.

I only have few days left before we go back to the city, I need to cherish this provincial life.

I watched the sailors fight the strong wind as they hold onto their small boats. I grew up in the States that’s why I only imagined this in the stories of my grandfather. I never knew that one day, I could experience this personally. I want to see more of how a life in the province is but my days are limited.

“Tourist?” An old woman wearing old and almost ragged clothes asked me.

I shook my head. “I’m a Filipino. I only grew up in the States. This is my first time to come back.”

The woman nod her head and scanned me from foot to head. “Well, then... enjoy the beauty of the Philippines.”

I smiled even though she didn’t and continued walking, not minding the irritating sound of my cellphone. They’ve been calling me since earlier but I don’t want to pick it up because they will only tell me to go home and lock myself in my room.

I saw new sets of fishermen running towards their boats, helping those who just came back from the sea to lift and pull a big net full of fishes. I saw them struggle. Their muscles emphasized the scene. I make way for them and then I was left staring at the sea again.

Maybe I should convince my brothers that they should tour me here since they’ve been here a lot of times. It felt unfair, though. This is my first time and yet they can’t give me what I want.

“Are you lost?” I almost laughed when a kid asked me this.

“No. I just wanted to go somewhere but I don’t know how,” I answered.

This kid is just like the woman earlier. Old and ragged clothes define him, too. Only... he smiles more.

“I can come with you. I know all the places here!”

I smiled wanting to grab his offer but I shouldn’t because his parents might find him.

“It’s okay. I can ask my brothers instead. You can’t come with me because you’re too young to assist an adult like me-”

“No!”He shouted in full voice. “My father and I always tour people around here. I can tour you also.”

I wonder if they’re tour guides? Most probably. What a tempting offer but I have no money with me for I just escape earlier. I only have the chance to bring my cellphone and nothing else.

I rejected his offer and I can see how his smile vanished. I want to but I really can’t because how can I pay him?

“You can tour me when we meet again. I forgot my money in our house so I have nothing to pay you with,” I explained. Not wanting to see his sad face.

“You have no money?” He asked again.

I nodded.

He smiled. “It’s okay! You can repay me once we meet again. I just really need someone to tour so I can give my family a good meal. But if you really don’t have money...” he paused. “I can just tour you! With no payment! Promise!”

I disagreed immediately.

“You can tour me instead once I have money with me,” I suggested.

“We might not see each other again because I will have my first day on school next week. My father said he don’t want me helping him while I’m studying...”

Oh. So he’s a student.

I remembered now that my brother told me that I should choose a school before the school year here begins. I will do that once I go back. But now... what should I do with him?

“Okay. You will tour me today, but I will come back here to pay you. I will double the price of your service because of the late payment, okay?”

He nodded happily. He showed me a map he was holding. I’m not familiar with the places but I’m pretty sure that I wanted to see it all.

He started walking so I followed him. We’re just talking along the way about his family background and his dreams. He said that he wanted to be a doctor soon because his mother died early because of an illness and they can’t afford the hospital bills.

“Are you mad at them?” I asked in curiosity.

He smiled and shook his head. “I’m mad because we’re poor. And I’m mad at the fact that I can’t change that.”

He’s too young for me to answer like that.

“How old are you?”

“Eight.”

“What’s your name?”

“Tony.”

I lend out my hand. “Hi Tony, I’m Viri.”

“Can I call you Ate Viri?”

Ate? (a-te) My grandfather said, here in the Philippines, that word is used to address a girl before their name to show politeness while for boys, they add “Kuya” (ku-ya) before the name. I don’t have an older sister that’s why I don’t usually use that word.

“Okay, Tony. Call me Ate Viri whenever we meet.”

After walking for almost an hour, we stood before a forest. I rarely see this in the States. All you can see there are tall buildings and busy people. I held Tony’s hand as we enter. We passed through a lot of big trees. The path is a bit bushy but because of Tony’s skills, I didn’t have a hard time. Several minutes passed and I can hear the sound of the water.

Tony ran where the light is coming from because we’re surrounded by big tress preventing the light to reach us. When he ran, so did I. Good thing because when I see the clear and fast river flowing at the other end, crashing to the small stones it made my heart happy. The sound, the peace I felt, the scene I am watching right now, it just lifts my mood all the way up.

“You can go back here sometime with your friends, Ate Viri! You can swim here!” He shouted because I am too far from him. He’s brave enough to go down to the rocks to be near the river while I remained at the rusty railings above.

I took some photos with different angle. I tried to sit near the river because of Tony’s help. After sitting there for half an hour, we decided to go back. The walk from there to here took us half an hour so it’s probably the same this time.

I glanced at my phone. My grandfather called me, we should really go back.

“Are you in a hurry, Ate? We can take the shortcut if you want,” he offered.

“Really? There is? Let's go.”

The path we took is a bit steep. Full of big rocks and some of them are slippery because of mosses. Accidentally, I slipped because it’s too late to balance my body.

“Ate Viri!”

I smiled at Tony and assured him that I am fine although my butt hurts a little and I have bruises in my hands and feet because of the texture of the rocks. I did not let him see those.

After assuring him that I am fine, I insist on going back. Sunset is already approaching and his parents must be looking for him.

I tip toed when we’re near where we are earlier. I think there’s a commotion because there are a lot of people. I saw the fishermen and some bodyguards.

Bodyguards? Does that mean that my brothers are here?

Slowly, their eyes turned to us.

“Tony!”

Maybe the fishermen knew him so well because they all greeted him when we came near.

“Your Kuya Cyrus is inside. He came to visit you before your school starts but you are nowhere to be found,” a fisherman said.

“Kuya Cyrus?” Tony excitedly asked.

“Who is she, Tony?” The fisherman asked again.

“Kuya Luis, this is Ate Viri. Ate Viri, meet Kuya Luis,” Tony introduced us to each other. “I came with her to the river because she wanted to roam around. She slipped in the big rocks that’s why I am assisting her.”

“Are you okay, Viri? Let Tony’s father check you for any possible fracture or-”

“It’s okay. I’m alright. I don’t want to disturb Tony’s mother either.”

So... his father is a doctor?

“It’s okay, Ate Viri so I can be sure that you’re really alright.”

Tony pulled me inside their small house. Their house is very different from ours. If I am not mistaken this is built from wood only. Their living room, dining and kitchen are all in the same corner.

I found an old man sitting at their old couch while a man in a black shirt, facing his back to me is in front of him. He’s amazed to see Tony with me.

“Where have you been, Tony? Didn’t I tell you to not accept tourists without me?” I have a guess that this is his father. The old man went to Tony and pinch his ear. I wanted to get in his way to explain but the stare of the other guy caught me.

“Ouch! I won’t do it again! I promise!” I heard Tony complained in pain.

The old man let go of his ear. He warned Tony for another time before going to me.

“I’m sorry if my son cause a trouble. Let me know what he have done so I can pay you-”

“I am the one who needs to pay for he toured me in such a beautiful place. I’m sorry if we came home this late, Sir. I will be back to pay your son’s service. I just really have no money here with me so-”

“Ordanza?”

What? Why did he say my surname?

“Are you an Ordanza?”

I slowly nod.

“Youngest of Victor and Rian Ordanza?”

He knew my parents, too.

“Yes.”

“Does that mean that she’s rich, too?” I heard Tony’s question.

My family has a company both here and in the States. I really don’t know anything about our business. One thing I only know is that we came home for that.

“It’s getting late. I think she should go now.”

I glanced at the guy. If he’s the visitor the fisherman was referring, then maybe his name is Cyrus?

“I’ll drive her back to the mansion.”

What? He knew where I live?

“Good luck for your first day, Tony. I bought you supplies and foods. Study well, okay?”

Tony went to him to give him a hug. Cyrus pat his head and hugged him, too.

I promised to Tony that I will be back to give him the payment he deserves. After bidding goodbye, I am left alone with Cyrus outside. He called one of his bodyguards and ordered him something before disappearing from my sight.

“Let’s go?”

I remained standing. “How do you know where I lived? Do you know my family?”

He looked at me intently. “Your family isn’t really that private. Everyone knows your family... except you, probably.”

“I grew up in the States. That should be the reason?” I simply asked.

“It is.”

“Well, do you know me?”

“I know your brothers that’s how I know you.” He answered.

So my brothers have friends here. Does that make him my friend, too?

“Get inside. It’s getting late.”