My father earned P115 daily. He was a carpenter. My mother was a homemaker. In my 15 years of living, i knew nothing about what was going on in my poor country. i thought my family would live happily as always, but i was wrong. Not a fairytale...not happily everafter. I learned ABCD..., 123..,but nothing else. During high tides, I joined my friends to swim the perilous shore and catch some fish for dinner. Then suddenly, my mother died outside the hospital. The nurses did not admit her -- no cash to pay!
Not long after, "Bang!Boom!" The war broke out between the government troops and the rebels.Thousands were killed because of this and that...we do not know. "Drop!" my father yelled. Then i dropped. "Bang!Boom!" When I raised my head, I saw my father drenched with blood. I cried until my eyes tear no more.
The war was over. Nothing was standing still. No more flock of birds. Many suffered. I myself suffered. I migrated to the city. i walked and walked looking the answers to all my questions, picking each piece of my life to make it whole. Speechless...I saw a familiar face approaching me. She must be...."Aling Bheng!" i yelled in excitement knowing that I finally found someone to hang on to. "Yes, i am" she breathlessly said.
Yes, she was Aling Bheng,our very good neighbor. She was with her six children asking for alms fromanyone and anywhere in the streets. I walked with her, with understanding that life has unforgiving twists. Then i started saying,"Alms!"
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