The Ugly Man

Both my parents are at work today so there was really no reason to go out of the house. No need to escape anything, but I didn't have much to do. I went for a stroll and let my feet lead me wherever, and I ended up back here. The other side.

There are more kids playing on the street today. Chubby still seems like the leader of the group so I assume that the others are not any nicer than the three from yesterday. I catch them looking my way but I walk straight to Oriana's house ignoring them.

"... And the wicked spirit sinks to the depths of magma." I hear Miriam's voice from outside their entrance.

"Yay!" Oriana cheers and claps.

"Oriana!" I call out.

"Meg?" Miriam asks. "Come on in."

I climb up to their house. Easier the second time around. I see Miriam reading a book as Oriana sits on top of her. A small mirror taped on the wall helps reflect some light from the roof onto the book. Both greet me with a smile.

"What brings you here?"

Good question. I hadn't thought about it at all.

"I... uh... I didn't have anything to do back home so I thought I'd come visit. Did I interrupt?"

"No, not at all. I was just reading Oriana a story."

"The Fall Of Calamity!" Oriana raises both hands up exclaiming the title.

Miriam chuckles. "Do you like stories, Meg?"

"I don't read a lot of books, sadly. But I have heard of that one."

"I like it!" Oriana expresses. "It has volcano!"

Miriam laughs. "It would be nice if you could see one someday."

"There aren't any close to us," I sit on a wooden box across the bed. "I have seen one when I visited my cousins in the north. It was as cool as it sounds."

"Is it hot?" Oriana's face sparks of curiosity.

"We didn't climb it or anything. Just admired from afar."

"I bet it's quite a view," Miriam comments.

"It is! Have you seen one, madam?"

"No, I haven't. Unfortunately, I have never been able to see much of the world due to my weak body."

I couldn't think of a response.

"But it's fine." She holds Oriana's face with both hands. "I have my whole world within reach."

Oriana giggles. I feel rude asking a question, but there would be no other right time to do so.

"I have heard that Oriana has a condition."

"She has. We haven't had a chance to get a professional medical opinion because of our financial situation, but we have observed it. Oriana is not capable of feeling negative emotions." Miriam brushes through Oriana's hair. "Sadness. Pain. Fear. Anger. Boredom. Ever since she was born, she has never displayed such things. Only smiles and curiosities."

"I heard others say it's a curse."

Miriam looks at me with a smile. "What do you think?"

I look at Oriana. Her smile infects me. "I disagree with them."

She chuckles and looks back at Oriana. "This girl is a blessing to us. Her smile is my sunshine. I could not ask for a better daughter."

"I love you, Mama!" Oriana seems to know when to say the right things.

"I love you too, baby."

The two exchange heartwarming grins, and then Oriana turns to me. "I love you, Meg!"

"Oh. I... I love you too, Oriana."

The three of us laugh.

"Would you care for a story, Meg? I was just about to read Oriana a new book."

"Of course! I would love to hear it," I scooch closer.

Miriam starts reading a new book. Her way of telling a story is so fluent and captivating as if she is speaking from experience. Her expressions and pronunciations are crisp, like a poet's. She would act out some of the lines, and Oriana and I would react in awe. I am completely engrossed and I can listen to her for hours. And that's exactly what happened.

We hear someone coming into the house. Miriam stops reading.

"Honey?" Miriam calls out.

A man carrying a plastic bag emerges from the small door. He stands up and I get a good look at him. Average height. A bit hunched. I can't help but notice his extremely timid build. His arms are just as thin as mine. His legs look like young tree branches that could break off at any moment. He walks straight but with a noticeable limp. Thin, long face. He can't fully close his mouth with such massive front teeth. It must be Oko, the father. I knew right away that there was no way this man was physically abusing a child and bedridden wife. Even a gentle breeze can knock him down.

"You're home early today," Miriam greets him. "This is Meg. Oriana's friend. We told you about her last night."

"Ah," he acknowledges. He bows to me and gives her wife and child a kiss on their foreheads.

"Nice to meet you, sir."

He grabs both of my hands and starts shaking it and bowing. "Ah. Ah. Ah."

Though his smile is not visible through his mouth because of his big teeth, his cheeks rise and his eyes curl up.

He lifts the plastic bag in one hand. The other points five fingers to his mouth. "Food," he says.

"He is my husband, Oko," Miriam tells me. "It looks like his work finished early."

"What does he do for work?" I inquire.

"Ah," Oko holds up both his hands over his right shoulder as if he is carrying something, bobbing it up and down. Then brings his palms together, points at the floor, and draws a line in the air. "Road. Mm. Build."

"Papa is a construction worker!" Oriana yells and Oko nods.

I don't want to be rude and ask how he is able to work in construction with such a delicate body. And he walks four hours to work every day? I am beyond puzzled.

He gestures with his hands more to communicate. When he does speak, he uses short words or phrases instead of full sentences. Sometimes, just noises, even. And the way he talks is as if his nose is blocked.

He takes out three wrapped baked potatoes. Hands one to Miriam. Hands another to Oriana. Then offers the last to me.

"No, no, please have it," I wave my hands in front of me.

"Ah. Ah." He continues to bow and offers me the food. I am not feeling hungry. Feeling even less hungry just thinking of taking someone's dinner that they worked hard for.

"Have one, Meg," Miriam pulls herself to sit up, leaning against the wall. "My husband and I can share."

"Mm. Mm." Oko agrees.

It would be rude if I still declined their offer. "Thank you so much." I take the baked potato from his hand. It has already lost all its warmth. He probably bought it before his walk back home. Miriam cuts hers and gives half to Oko.

"Baked potato! I love!" Oriana says while chewing.

"Manners, Oriana," Miriam reminds with a tender voice. "Don't speak while your mouth is full." She turns to me. "Please excuse my daughter, Meg. It's not all the time that she gets to eat freshly cooked food as my husband tends to get home past her bedtime."

"Oh, please don't mind me, madam. I'm glad she loves it."

I peel mine off its wrapping and take a bite. Partly burnt. It is easily the blandest potato I have ever tasted. At the same time, sharing it with this family and seeing them enjoy it makes it taste much better.

I look up to the roof as soon as I finish my food. The sun is almost completely set.

"I'll have to go now," I stand up. "Thank you for the food. It was very delicious."

"Ah," Oko gestures to me to wait as he walks towards the door.

"Let my husband walk you home, Meg." Miriam lays back down on her bed. "Until the street lights, at least. It gets quite dark in this area."

Oko nods at me and heads out of the door before me. I already knew that they would not let me decline their hospitality. I peek outside. The ground is covered in river water. It suddenly clicks in my head why they have their house elevated and why there are no other houses around this area. I wonder how high the tide goes.

Oko stands in the ankle-high water, his hands reaching out to me. He lifts me up and carries me until we get to dry ground. The entire time, I was worried that he wouldn't be able to support my weight with his flimsy legs.

We start walking towards the bridge. The usual gathering shed is crowded with lanterns as their light. We hear them shouting and laughing at us but we can't make out any words. I know it's nothing meaningful so I ignore them. Oko cluelessly smiles and waves back at them.

I turn to him as soon as we get to where the street lights end. Or rather, begin, in my case.

"Thank you for walking me here, sir. There should be light from here up to my house so I should be good now."

We both take a bow.

"Ah," he stops me before I can take a step.

He walks to me and kneels to my height, his hands on my shoulders. He starts speaking and gesturing. While I can't fully understand everything, I get the gist of what he is trying to say.

"Thank you. Being. Oriana. Friend. I. Happy. Very."

"It's my pleasure, sir. She is very fun to be around with."

"I. Work. Always. Mm. Miriam. Not. Play outside. But. Now you. Oriana. Friend. Mm. Oriana. Happy."

He taps on his chest with his fingertips a lot. He bows a lot. He smiles a lot.

"I would gladly play with her anytime."

"I. Not smart. Like. Miriam. I. Not. Speak good. Sorry. Mm. I. Nothing. Gift to you. I. Only. Can. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

"No, not at all. I am not expecting anything, sir. I'm really happy to be her friend."

He smiles and nods, lightly shaking my shoulders as he stands up. We bow at each other once again and wave goodbye.

On my way home, I can't help but think about their family. How lucky Miriam and Oko are for having such an adorable daughter. How lucky Oriana is for having such loving parents. How lucky they all are for having each other. For a family with not much to offer, I sure envy them for what they have.