When nature speaks itself

Woke up half asleep. Raining, it was a late afternoon sinister and the dorm was full of busy students. My roommates are hastening with their things. Not unusual. They are always eager to be home. Like who does not? I, who’s stuck in those extended rest, laid there staring at them, imagining to be fetched home as the others.

Silence, there was complete darkness I had to be at my aunt’s place nearby. That was the time I believed there’s a typhoon and till that time I wished I had my own television.

Loris, my buddy from Iligan was there, as always. I couldn’t forget the times we ate together with canned goods and candles, hoping for at least water and electricity. We stayed with each other courageously yet feeling helpless.

The typhoon was named Millenyo 2006. It was indeed a Millenium. The electricity was off. There was no water supply. The rain was not peaceful and the wind was fierce. Big trees went down and it lasted for 3 days. The water was back after 4 days and electricity, a week after.

That was four years ago. The experienced I had was not merely a big deal when we’re in a City. I thought nothing could have been worst.

We had our batch meeting last Saturday, September 26, 2009. My cousin told me classes were suspended since we are on the signal two. But still, I insisted to go.

The meeting lasted for around two hours. Everyone was enthusiastic yet reluctant to cross the thigh level flood. Some walked pass through it, others on piggyback by men. I feared I couldn’t go home so I asked my friends to take the risk. Julie, Rona and Dada were hesitant. Eric is somewhat estimating. Not until Rona got splashed with flood, she hurriedly stepped out. I followed her then Eric next. I heard Julie shouted “Take care! Bye! “. It was a simple statement that scuttles through my conscience.

The three of us started our journey crossing from school. There was no vehicle fearless enough to cross the water level. That was an advantage when you mastered the route ccp-sm-lrt. Well, not exactly the land railroad transit (lrt). It took us half an hour or so to finally reach our destination.

After lrt, we headed our circle route to mrt via Cubao but not through gateway-farmers bridge. It was closed. Damn! When we badly needed that route! After a long search, we reached mrt then Boni finally! Unfortunately, motorcycles refused to take us home not till we agree to pay more. We tried the shortcut but there was no escape. The water was towering the engine was smoking. So we paid a little less since we make it to the circle.

Our crazy adventure started there. We met a City officer who was very kind yet he nearly startled through a gutter base. He was so accommodating and cheerful in spite the weather scene. Eric departed his way home, leaving us unresolved.

Minutes after figuring out what to do, a group of men clutching to a huge bath tub were shouting towards us. They would like us to hop inside and all we could do was laugh. It was a funny experience and we enjoyed chatting with them. The water was getting high at their shoulder level.

The journey hasn’t end there. We still need to enter the village. We are exhausted by the walking galore and we’re both desperate to dry ourselves. Another group of men crossed our way. This time, they were holding to an air bed with a board on top and two little chairs. It was fun and we arrived home at last! What an experience!

by: Suyenne L. Rojas

Contact: suyenne31@yahoo.com