Val woke up as the sun was just starting to paint a canvas of warm colours on the eastern horizon. He wanted to arrive early in the docks where the steamer from Zamboanga would drop anchor. Traveling in Manila streets at about 5:30 or 6:00 am would help him avoid the rush of pedestrians and vehicles. Pier no. 1 was a walking distance from his home and he knew the shortcuts in order to save time and legwork.
While walking, he recollected his last day in Zamboanga and why his family was left behind…
On the morning of his last day, he invited Cris to visit his hideaway in the woods near the Durian Plantation. And what child could not relish an outdoor expedition with his Father?
After saying a short good bye to Marrieta, Father and Son walked towards a clump of trees, consisting mostly of acacia, narra, palm trees ( used for extracting tuba ) and other wild fruit bearing ones. When they reached the canopy of intertwining branches, they heard a cacophony of chattering tropical birds in an endless chatter coming from the lofty branches. Each bird seem to be able to communicate to another one of the same feather.
After 20 minutes, they arrived at the clearing. The nipa hut which was built by his father during his youth was still there. Then Val challenged his son to a race. Naturally Cris won because he could run like a rabbit being chased by a dog.
The interior of the hut was well maintained. There must be a worker taking care of it. In a small kitchen with wide windows were clay cooking utensils: pots, pans stoves and a big vat for boiling water. A supply of dried firewood was neatly piled on one side.
“Can I go to the woods, Father?” asked Cris.
“Yes,just be careful of the king cobra. It is rampant in this parts. “Do not worry,I will be careful..” he said without any fear. Then he took off again towards some underbrush.
Val continued examining the nipa hut. The floor was made of split bamboo, the walls were sawali, the roof was made of thatches of cogon grass. He jumped up and down, and the building hardly shook.
Then came a shrill scream from Cris..
Val jumped out of an open window into the ground and called out very loud, “Cris!! Where are you?”
When he answered, Val followed the direction of the voice. His blood ran cold when he saw him lying on the grass, writhing and clutching his tummy..
Val kneeled beside him and Cris confessed he has just eaten a fruit he picked from a bush. Minutes later, the felt a pain like his stomach is being squeezed by an iron hand. Two more fruits were beside him..
Suddenly another figure appeared. He was about 30 years old, neatly dressed, carrying a leather satchel and a basket of basket of leaves and flowers.
He rushed to the boy, examined the fruit beside him and said: “This fruit is poisonous to both animals and humans. But do not worry, I think I have an antidote in my satchel.”
He took put a bottle and poured some of its contents into the boy’s mouth.
Immediately, Cris gagged, coughed and puked out the contents of his stomach, including the breakfast he just had that morning.
When he stopped vomiting, he closed his eyes again. “Feel better?” the man asked and the boy nodded..
“What’s your name, sir?” Val asked the man.
“Just call me Pepe,” was his answer. “He is okay now. Just let him rest for two days.”
“Thank you, Pepe.” said Val. “I guess he will stay behind. I am supposed to go back to Manila with him and my wife this afternoon. My work is urgently waiting for me there.”
“How much do I owe you,?” asked Val.
“I can not accept your payment. But thank you, anyway. I did not do much. Tell you what, just raise him to be a strong upright man. The youth is the hope of our country. Its future is in their hands.”
“What is his name?,” asked Pepe.
“Cris. My name is Valerio or Val. His full name is Crisostomo.”
Pepe smiled. “That is a very good name,” he said with a smile.
“What are you doing in these parts?” asked Val.
Pepe answered: “My hobby is studying plants, especially the medicinal ones. People need medicine and the safest ones come from plants..”
Then Val’s walk and thoughts were interrupted by a voice who called from his left as he was crossing an intersection. Pier 1 is just a few minutes away.
“Valerio Costales. Is that you?” called out a woman’s voice.
He turned to his left and saw a woman standing , looking at him with a extremely surprised look.---#
( to be continued )
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