Chapter 12: Goodbye - Bacolod City

We took off our clothes, directly opened the door and we savor the refreshing coolness of the water on our bodies, toweled to dry and find some clothes in the closet to wear on. I smelled Danielle's perfume.

It's almost two in the early morning when I checked the room's wall clock hanging at a far distance, near the window. Ayah was wide awake and can't sleep, looking at the ceiling.

"You're hungry? I'll find some in the fridge." I stood up in bed, jumped to the floor, but I noticed the doorknob was moving. I quickly went to the door and slowly observed it. I threw one of my slippers to Ayah that she instantly sat back looking at me. I signaled to her to keep quiet. She slowly got down to the bed and tiptoed towards me. The door slowly opens but we're hiding from the back. I smelled a perfume that I used to smell before but I can't decipher.

The face of Edward came into a view and I grabbed him towards us, "What you're doing here? Where are the guards?" I asked Edward instantly in a low voice.

"Quick Marco, hurry, we're leaving..."

I held Ayah's hand, followed Edward to the kitchen and we were out in the dark. We walked hurriedly holding Edward's back who was using a small flashlight to guide us. I saw at a far distance the lights from where we came in, the guard's house of the main gate.

"Edward, where are we going?" I whispered to Edward. "Just follow me, okay friend? Trust me."

I nodded to myself, only to myself. We walked for a few more minutes just following Edward. I saw a small light from afar.

"Edward, there's a light over there. Look!"

"Keep quiet friend, he's my companion. Quick!" Edward commanded me, "Ayah, how are you?"

"I'm fine Edward. Thank you, my friend," she answered.

"Now, we're near...hurry Marco Fernando..."

"You crazy dog!!! Don't call me Marco Fernando...just Marc my friend!"

"Just a joke my friend...my King...," Edward answered smiling.

We got inside the car and sped away from the farm. The light of the morning sun reflects the city's backdrop, as people started to move for a new day. Life in the city contoured people's minds and dreams. It really dissolved the most precious wealth of their beings, toiled each day to complete their most cherished dreams.

The waves bolted underneath the giant steel framework of the Sto. Nino Port's structure. A passenger ship M/V Don Julio was floating ashore anchored nearby, port workers loading passenger's baggage and some passengers began to embark. We found the port canteen to stay in while we were waiting for our schedule to go onboard.

"Edward, thank you, friend, you're an angel to me, always."

"Take your seat, my King, eat something, okay? Enough time to say goodbye to you and Ayah."

"How come the two of you know....."

"My friend I'll tell you. When you telephoned me to purchased two tickets, I sensed that you're in fear...exactly two tickets...You left the boarding house without a word for me. Remember, the meeting, I know you don't..." Edward suddenly stopped.

"Edward why?" I asked.

"Ohhhhh, and then, I called Joel to accompany me at the bus terminal to surprise both of you, but, we saw what happened. You know, we rent a car...I mean, part of the plan we followed up to the farm because I knew that you're in danger. So, Joel and I strategized on how to get inside the farm. We watched the guards and waited for a suitable time to combat them...one-by-one."

"You're not afraid Edward, Joel, that the Governor will discover that you're helping us?"

"No my friend, my life is nothing new, you're leaving me."

"Owwww, come on, I won't forget you. You can come to Manila anytime my friend. You see, I'll send a letter every week, just for you...and also you Joel." Silence ensued for the four of us; kept the silence as a way of letting our feelings flow within our souls. That's life and we had to face it. "You've done so much for me Edward and for Ayah too. I knew that we'll meet someday...I'll promise to you my friend, I'll get you here in Bacolod."

Edward hugged me tightly, crying silently, letting his palm entwine with mine, and whispered into my ear, "Goodbye my friend, I'll miss you." He gave the daily news bulletin to me silently, looking into my eyes and I kept it in the back pocket of my pants. "I'll miss you too my friend," I answered back. My heart ached for this kind of goodbye, for leaving my best friend, for leaving my old self, knowing that our future was vague.

I had to run from Danielle, from the Governor's wrath, from the life that I used to live. I needed changes for the good of myself, my love, and my family. Changes which I wanted for so long, but I love Ayah more than Danielle. That's the reason why I need a new environment to prolong those ambitions, to complete what I wanted now, but with Ayah Isabel; my love, my wife, my life. From what we've learned from other people; Manila is the city of joy for people coming from the province, like us.

The ship sailed smoothly towards our destination, Manila, Philippines.

XXX

It was in the year 1980, on the 4th day of October that we left Bacolod City to go to Manila.

The next day, we're nearing the port of Manila, and our hearts are filled with joy for our new dreams, new hopes, and a new beginning. We were all alone to face the future.

XXX

It was the last quarter of the year, 1980, the 5th day of October that we arrived at the port of Manila, Philippines.

As we came down aboard the ship, the feeling of being in Manila gave me hope to survive and fulfill my dreams. But as we walked in the crowd of different people, saw different faces; we were wondering where to go and where to stay. In our hearts, we can survive believing that someday, luck will reside in our lives. And it came suddenly...

XXX