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The boat |
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Rubin and his brother Adriano has been cutting the trunk of Ipil –Ipil tree for some now . “It wont be long now and we will have the boat” Rubin smiled while his drinking water and put a teaspoon of sugar to gain more energy . Sugar gave him more energy when his working. Adriano has a nice solid body every punched of his axe was strong but the tree is tougher that could ever think. He dreamed of this boat sailing along Tayabas he imagined of touching white sand of Maniwayan beach at Marinduque Island his friend had been there “ Adriano you should see the sand like sugar the woman are so beautiful , you should go there and find a wife” It was Teodoro who’s telling him about it . A kin sailor have his own boat been to little island around Tayabas Bay . The trees had been cut into three pieces they choose the middle part of it nice round as if meant to be shape as they want. “Ouch “ Andriano licked his palm now the blister started to bleed he let drip a bit of blood drip into the wood as he cut off the bottom of his t-shirt “Now I baptize you with my own sweat and blood “ he then wrapped his wound with the remnants of the cloth he just rift from his t-shirt which is hanging around his neck. They continually scrapping and shaping the intended boat “Ben” do you think this boat can sustain heavy wave?” Adriano called his brother Ben since he was a little boy they were both in twenties only a year older from him . Adriano is only twenty a young but determine to get his goal his wondering how it felt to swim alongside with dolphins is there any sea serpent or mermaids he stopped scrapping . Rubin turned his back face to him “ I think it will” he stretch a bit a lifting up his arm on the air. Rubin walked around the boat about ten feet long the shape at the front was a bit shallow he can imagine the boat dancing up in down on the wave splashing water around it “ its going to be a good adventure brother” he smiled with satisfaction as he standing besides Adriano. All they need now is a good sanding to get a smooth result. It had been two months since they left from Pitogo but staying in Macalelon forest was not easy they have to walked eleven kilometers from the roadside passing twelve streams some are deeper others are full of pebbles as the water crystal flow at the bank of the river. As they reach near at the mountain top there was a waterfall flowing though a big stone on top was a two narrow river where the waterfalls coming from it was deep enough to jump and swim around it further up was an adjoining river . “ Come on Adriano jump “ Rubin was already in the water .Adriano yelled at his brother laughing “ Be careful there could be a fairy watching you” he only sat down watching Rubin enjoying himself . Rain was pouring rapidly as the lighting crackling Adriano was pushing the carabao as it pulled the boat towards the mountain side one trunk of tree fell near the hissing bull luckily Rubin flexible hands was more quicker than the falling trunk skidding slightly as the mud was so slippery to walked on. Being wet and barefooted as the wind and rain still humming was difficult to see where they heading they only following the trace of muddy road but this weather condition was the appropriate time for them to take the boat at the big river, As they arrived at the their Uncle Nicholas was waiting to take the bull back home the only barrowed it from him . Nicholas also has as farm at the mountain he was the youngest brother of Adrian and Rubin’s mother Laura . And he also more closer to Laura than his other siblings but he rather be leaving in the mountain with no one but is dog “Dindo” and his bull “ Handig” He was the one that advised the brother to wait until rainy season come to take the boat to the big river. But this is not just a rain but a storm the passage was more than they could asked for. Nicholas just spit out the betel his been chewing for awhile. He stood up and stretch up his body as his been setting under the shack near the bank of the river. The two brothers was full of mud their face was unrecognizable. The surging flood turned milky all tree trunk debris are coming with the rapid water. “ You have to wait till the storm stop “ Nicholas said the brothers nodded in unison. It was a long day wait and at night the wind and rain stop they can only hear the cricket and frogs started to sing as if it told to the brothers its alright the storm just gone past. In the morning they can see the fragments of the falling trees and leaves ,banana trees that succumb the force of wind hampering around its body end it lay down the fruits to the ground. For Adriano it’s a good opportunity to take it as he chop off the banana, they need it for a long journey.
To be continue…..
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