PanPacific University North PhilippinesUrdaneta City, Pangasinan
1st Semester SY 2011-2012
Danilo C. Siquig Jr. August 16, 2011
AB English IV Creative Writing
“Fully Human, Fully Alive”
(A Short Story inspired from the Idea of a “Black Umbrella”)
Characters;
Raymond Gutang--- a 19 year old boy who belong to a poor family in which after the death of his parents, he is the one who worked for the welfare of his brothers and sisters.
Mr. Ricardo Pangilinan--- a wealthy widower who treasures a “black umbrella” that his wife had given unto him.
Marissa Pangilinan--- the wife of Don Ricardo Pangilinan who passed away because of a car accident.
Emilia Gutang--- the mother of Raymond who died because of Brain Cancer.
Settings;
· City Hill
· Barrio Constancia
The Story;
It was a rainy evening when Don Ricardo Pangilinan, a very famous and one of the richest business tycoon in the Cityhill, arrived in their mansion in one of the most expensive rate subdivision in town. Upon entering the door of their house, one of their maids, Helena, approached him.
“Good evening Sir Ricardo. Why are you so wet in the rain? Don’t you have any umbrella?” the servant curiously asked.
“Mang Nicanor forgot to bring an umbrella for me, and because of that I was forced to ran from the building going to the open parking area to depart early and to avoid traffic on our way home”, Ricardo answered.
Despite of his high status in life and in the society where he belongs, Don Ricardo stay humble and simple as he is. He is always the person who is very approachable and kind to others because he was once a poor guy who dreamed and worked hard for his future.
“O Helena where is your Ma’am Marissa?” he asked.
“She is in the kitchen Sir, making the dinner for you”, Helena answered.
Ricardo’s wife, Marissa, is a well known professor in one of the most prestigious universities in the City. She is a very loving wife and despite of her busy schedule, she always find time to attend to her responsibilities as a wife to Ricardo.
When Ricardo reached the kitchen, he saw his wife preparing the meal for them.
“Honey I’m home”
“Hello hone. O, why are you so wet in the rain? Don’t you have any umbrella?” Marissa asked.
“Mang Nicanor forgot to bring the umbrella. But never mind this. What is important now is that I am with my beautiful and loving wife who cooked for me a very delicious dish.” Ricardo sweetly answered.
“O honey, you are really indeed sweet since the day you courted me.”
Their life is almost perfect as they all have what they need materially and also with the love that they kept on sharing for the past fifteen years of their marriage. However, despite of the things that they have and on their condition as a couple which they really enjoy, there is still a reality that makes them lonely, and that is---they still don’t have any son or daughter.
On the other hand, in a very far-flung Barrio of Costancia in Tondo, Manila there lived Raymond Gutang, a 19 year old boy who has a dream of becoming an engineer someday. However, his father died because of high fever when he was still five years old. His mother serves as a laundry woman in which she earns one hundred fifty pesos a day, an amount which is not sufficient for the needs of her children. Raymond has two brothers and sisters in which he is the eldest. For these, Raymond decided to stop in his schooling to help her mother in working. However, things get more difficult for Raymond because they found out that his mother is suffering brain cancer at her terminal stage. Eventually, after some time of trying to fight the disease, Emilia died and on her last day, Emilia spoke with Raymond in her heavy breath.
“R-Raymond, take care of your brothers and sisters. I’m s-sorry for leaving you with all the responsibilities of being the parent to your siblings. I love you son”
“Huhuhuhu, don’t say that Inang, you will live. You will not die. Don’t leave us. Huhuhu, we love you Inang” Raymond said as he was crying.
Beside him are Raymond’s brothers and sisters. They were all crying as their mother sigh her last breath. Raymond asked for the help of their some relatives in arranging the burial of their mother and after the wake they buried their mother in one of the public cemetery in their town. After the interment, one of Raymond’s relatives, Auntie Asun, approached him. She is in a black umbrella because of the heat of the sun.
“Raymond, our condolences. I know that you are into right now Raymond and as one of your relatives I would like to extend my help”, Ante Asun said.
“Thank you Auntie but what help can you offer to us”, Raymond asked.
“We would like to help you in taking care of your brothers and sisters. You may leave with us in the nearby Barrio of Gagalangin in Tondo. We will also help in the education of your siblings while you are looking for a job.”
Raymond’s tears fell from her eyes as he heard the help being offered to them.
“Auntie, Thank you for such help. I am really thankful because of your generosity and kindness to us.”
“Don’t mind it. We are one family now. We will just fetch you this evening. Prepare all your things.”
Things get settled for Raymond and his brothers as they found another shelter in the house of their Auntie Asun. Raymond’s siblings continued their study with a little support from their new guardian and Raymond landed a job in the company of Mr. Ricardo. He is employed as a janitor.
One morning, Mr. Ricardo called his wife. By his surprise, her cellphone was off. By mere the thought that his wife’s cellphone was just lowbat, he was not get worried. However, there is something in his heart that makes it heavy. Something which he could not explained a heart trembling beat that makes him feel nervous. Until, the telephone rang.
“Hello, good morning. May I know who’s on the line please?”
“Sir, Huhuhu…Huhuhu… This is Helena”, she answered as he was crying over the line.
“O Helena why? Why are you crying? Is there something wrong?”
“Sir Ma’am Marissa is in the hospital. She met an accident while driving way home. She is in the operating room right now.”
“Huh? What?”
Without any answer getting from Helena, he left down the telephone and rushed to the hospital. When he reached the hospital, he saw his bloody wife unconscious.
“Mr. Ricardo, we did all everything that we could. I’m sorry.”, the attending Doctor said.
Ricardo shouted in tears. It was very painful for him. He felt like he was neglected by God. He was crying while he was hugging his wife.
“Marissa! Please, Do not leave me. Aaahhhhhh”
Helena approached him and said,
“Sir, the police said Ma’am met an accident with a van and her car was totally wrecked. They found this black umbrella besides Ma’am body. She was holding it until here in the hospital. She did not let anyone took it from her.”
“And what is she going to do with an umbrella?”, Ricardo curiously yet cryingly asked.
“Sir, there is something that you must know. This morning before Ma’am Marissa left the mansion, she told me that she will buy an umbrella for you so that next time you will not be wet in the rain or for you to have a protective covering against the heat of the sun.” Helena explained.
While crying and sobbing, Ricardo said,
“Until her last breath, she still thought of my welfare. She is really a loving wife. I love honey. Hhhhuuuuuuhhhhuuuu.”
Ricardo was very lonely because of what happened. He became depressed and lonely everyday. Because of his love for his departed wife, she treasured the black umbrella which is intended to be given to him by Marissa. She put the umbrella into his office so that he will always be reminded his late wife.
When things got back to normal as Marissa was buried, Ricardo could not easily move on. There were many changes happened to him. From being a kind and approachable person, he became more serious and more strict especially when he is at work. He kept on being angry everyday in which every mistake that his employees commit is a big issue for him. Until one morning, while walking in the lobby of his company building he stepped on the wet floor mat and slipped on the floor. Almost all of the employees who were there saw what happened. They wanted to laugh but they could not for they know what will happen to them if they do so. Ricardo was very angry, and on his anger he shouted,
“Who is the fool who let this floor mat? Who among you did this? Whooooo?”
It was Raymond who left the floor mat wet.
“Sir, sorry, I did not intend that this wet floor mat will cause an accident. I’m sorry Sir”, Raymond pleaded.
“What is your name?!” Ricardo asked.
“Raymond Sir. I am the janitor in charge in this area Sir.”
“Raymond I want to say something to you”
“What is that Sir?”
“You are fired! Get out from my face! Now!”
“Sir please forgive me. I’m begging you. Please don’t get me fired. I have brothers and sisters who depend on me. Please Sir.”
“No! Get you last payment from the cashier and get out of my building.”
“Sir please have mercy on me. I have a family to raise. I’m sorry and I promise that it will never happen again. I will do everything and anything to make up unto you. But please don’t get me fired. Please have mercy on my brothers and sisters.”
Ricardo is decided to fire Raymond but other side of him expressed some mercy.
“Okay, I will give you another chance but in one condition.”
“I’ll do anything Sir. Just don’t get me fired.” Raymond answered.
“You will not clean any room or any part of this building for one month. But instead, you will clean my office, only my office. Understand?” Ricardo ordered.
Raymond replied, “Yes Sir. I’ll do it for one month. Thank you Sir. I am really thankful Sir. Thank you.”
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento