Informal Theme# 3.4

Walking with the General.

            That day was Tuesday, September 10. I was doing some homeworks and after a while decided to take my rest. As the usual routine, I brushed my teeth first then somewhat cleansed my body next. I still tried to finish all the tasks but the headache came so I decided to shut down the computer. When I was about to turn off the lights, I saw this man at the road. Though it was dark, I could still see him vividly. He seems to be sad, yes, he’s alone. I went out to see him. Maybe that’s just our neighbor so I took the courage to look at him then CRAP. I was startled when I saw him in bright light. It was a familiar face but I can not recognize him.

            “Marcos”, his shaking voice limpsed into the air.

            The feeling of amazement came first before my fear. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing.

            He speaks again, “I don’t have any companion this day. Could you please celebrate this wonderful day with me?”

            I said yes. No more word runs through my mind but yes. After that, the surroundings magically altered. I don’t know hot it happened but the houses turned into a palace. A coconut palace palace I guess. He asked me to get inside so I did. I don’t have the energy to ask questions bu that time. My head wad still blown and filled with anxieties and headache.

            “You know what. My life is the worst. I died but still people curse me.”, he started.

            There were flashbacks in my mind. Flashbacks of the movies and documentaries I have watched about him. I remembered each detail. I remembered how people hated him. How bastard his figure is to them.

            Moments passed and at last, I calmed down: no more headache, just normal. I tried to pacify him too.

            “Sir not at all. Not at all.”, I said it with a smile.

            I know completely that I am against his regime: side by side massacres, crimes and politics. Never did I see my self in that situation. However, giving a miserable man more reasons to be miserable is not a good thing to do. So I just put away these ideas in mind.

            I asked him next, “Sir, may I ask you one question?”

            “Yes what is it?” he responded.

            “Why do you seem so sad?”

            “I died without peace in my heart so forever will I feel this war at my conscience. I conquered too much power before, now it is serenity I need to conquer.”

            At that point, I don’t have any idea of what to do. The only plan I have is to stare at him and let my fascination swallow me wholly.

            After a while, a woman went inside the room and served us some coffee. Black. My coffee was black.

            I started to connect with him, “I have a lot of questions in mind sir. I can’t.. If it will not bother you sir, can I ask questions? Wait in controversies maybe.”

            “I guess yes.” He answered turning his smile into a frown.

            “Were you forced to enter politics?”, I said. I do not know if it was the good question to ask but hey, there’s no turning back. He already heard everything I said.

            “No. Definitely no. I love my country more thanmyself. I tried to be a good leader but it doesn’t turn out that way. The position blinded me wholly.”, he commced.

            “I tried to give everything to my family. I gave them the life we never experience before. However, everything was taken for granted. We dreamt of more than what we are experiencing. More power”

            Every words strips through his heart, I can feel it. Mishmash of emotions then came. I don’t know what to feel. Sorrow. He is full of sorrow.

            “The position was outrageously usurped. Our anticipations that were supposed to just alter our lives moved the lives of many. The next thing I could reminisce is the nightmare. The revolution.” 

            I know now how to feel. I felt pity on him. For years, we had been biased and heard nothing but the story of the hero and heroine in yellow. I then realized that there was this family full of terror in those lovely times.

            “Now I regret everything.”

            We took a walk. He continued his stories and I continued my drama. By the time we reached the wide door, I waved my last goodbye. He says something but he vanishes bit by bits so I weren’t able to comprehend what he were saying. Happy. Day. Those were the only words I could remember.

            Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. I woke up from my dream. I can still remember everything vividly. I turned on the television the next day and found out that it was our late president’s birthday.

            Happy? Day? Haha. Happy Birthday maybe.