THE STRANGER: The Quest Of Finding The True Identity

THE STRANGER
The Quest Of Finding The True Identity


Story By:
Von Gasid

Written By:
My Villamor and Von Gasid

Edited By:
My Villamor




Introduction:

This is a short story of finding one’s identity, mistakes done after another, and embracing the cruel reality.



One early Saturday morning, I was on my way home, about to take my last jeepney ride along Pasig Mega Market. As I started walking, I noticed that someone's walking the same path I was taking. It made me wonder, Is this person following me? My heart was beating fast. And as paranoid as it sounds, I rushed my way to the nearest post and held my bag as tightly as possible. I haven't completely moved on from my traumatic mugging experience last October. Having reached the spot, I felt safe as the area is already a bit crowded and it's near a stationed security personnel. (Whew!)

Although I was still curious if the stranger was still following me, I didn't have the guts to check. I pretended as if nothing happened. Suddenly, a not-so-tall guy approached me from nowhere. He was wearing a dishevelled blue and grey hat, a smoked blue t-shirt, almost worn out slippers and a small scruffy bag around his body.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I have been following you because I was hoping you can help me," and even before I uttered a reply he added, "Please, I am begging you."

I was a bit scared but I still feel the need to answer back. "Me? Why me? I won't be able to help you. Please ask someone else."

He was then quiet. I glanced to see his face. He looked serious and worried. I can even see the sweat in his face, almost convinced that he had the worst problem in this world.

"Go on then. What's your question?" I can't believe I said that.

He was delighted and grateful. He was about to tell his story when he remembered something.

"Honestly, this is not the first time I saw you."

My horrified face did not reply.

"I don't know if you could still remember, it was a month ago, I was with my friend. We were on the same jeep and you were also one of our passengers that time. Almost the same time like today," he added.

I was freaked out! I was starting to think that this guy might be a stalker or something. Of all the passengers, how in the world will someone remember me? I was curious so I just listened.

"You were seated in front, right next to the driver. My friend and I were talking to the driver using our Bicol dialect. And you seem to understand our conversation. I even said hi to you but you just smiled without looking at me," he continued.

I do remember that moment. I even told my boyfriend about it when I got home.

"Anyway, going back, I must say that I felt relieved seeing you. We were actually on the same jeepney from Rosario. If you noticed earlier, there was another "beki" seated beside me, the one with the blonde hair and red lips. But he got off already when we stopped near 7/11, “he continued.

I was puzzled on where this conversation is getting. A lot of questions are piling up but still I kept my mouth shut.

"He doesn't even look approachable. Well, at least not as much as you do. So I took my chance and followed you and I was badly hoping to ask your thoughts about my problem," he said.

"Yeah, I think I remember that. So what's your question? It's already late and I should be heading home by now." I replied.

"Alright, sorry. I came from a beer party with my friends earlier," he paused.

"Yeah, I can see that," I affirmed.

"Something terrible happened in that party so I went away quickly." he said with a crackly voice.

I responded immediately, "Wait! Don't tell me you just took someone's life, did you?"

"No. That's not what I mean. I can't do that. I'm not a criminal. But right now, I feel like one," he replied.

"So what is it then?" I was feeling uncomfortable so I said, "Can I just go now?"

I was almost ready to go but he caught my attention when he continued telling his story.

"Someone did an oral sex with me at the party. She's a "beki" just like you. I am worried. Am I in danger? Am I going to have a disease or something? Will my wife and children despise me once they found out? What should I do?" he said as if it was only a casual talk.

It took me a while before I responded. Little by little, I digested every bit of words he uttered. I can't believe I am caught in this situation. I didn't know how to react. Should I laugh? Should I slap his face? Am I just dreaming? Or is this stranger joking? I was secretly hoping he was. But looking at this guy, wow! He's serious. I was even beginning to question why I was the only "beki" in this place and time. Where have all my sisters gone?!

In all fairness, I was able to compose myself quickly. I thought maybe this man was just worried and wanted a little bit of awareness about things that goes around gays, bisexuals and the like.

"You looked surprised about my question. I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't mean it. I just want to know. It was my first time," he apologized.

"It's okay. I'm not actually an expert about things like that. But, if I may ask you, did that "beki" only gave you a b-job? Nothing else happened?" I asked.

"Yes. That's all," he answered.

"Alright. Then I think you're fine. I'm really not the best person to talk to. But thank you for the impression that you thought I can be of help," I explained.

"I see. But can you tell me something about it? Please?" He insisted.

"Well, as far as I know, there's a possibility that you might get infected. People of any gender can be infected. Most especially in situations wherein both of you are not prepared, no protections were used and you barely know the other person," I answered.

"Oh, Is that so? Thank you. You seem to be knowledgeable in contrary to what you said earlier that you are not the best person to ask these stuffs," he said.

"No. Not really. I've just read it from the internet. It's still best to have yourself checked to make sure you're good if you're starting to feel a bit uncomfortable," I added.

"Yes. I'll be observing myself in these coming days. But thank you for that," he replied. I just nodded.

He must have been delighted with my answers so he insisted to buy me a snack. I declined his offer. But I accompanied him to the nearby burger stand since I was also planning to buy something for my sister.

He ordered two burgers for us. But I politely declined because I was still full. I had a separate order for my sister. While we were waiting for our orders, he asked me if I can still stay for a little while. I was ready to say no. But looking at his face, I can see how confused he was. Besides, I was not in a hurry, and he seems harmless.

He started to ask me questions about myself. I was hesitant but I still answered back. He was wondering how I knew about their dialect. I told him my biological mother is from Sorsogon while my biological father is from Northern Samar. I am a true-blooded Bicolano and Bisaya but was born and raised in Samar. I grew up with my grandparents. All along we thought they were our real parents. It was only a few years ago when we found out who are our biological parents. He was surprised.

I was even more surprised when I found out that he was also born in Visayas but was raised in Bicol, too.

Was it faith? Or was it just merely a coincidence? But one thing’s for sure, I was undeniably having a good time talking to this stranger.

While he was busy munching his food, I can’t help but ask why he was worried about what happened at the party. I know he mentioned that it was his first time to experience it but I was just curious about his reaction.

“I am a married man blessed with three wonderful children. I can’t claim that I am happily married but I am a fulfilled father. Like normal married couple, we fight a lot. And I can’t say that I have made my wife satisfied through all these years and vice versa -- Not physically, financially, or maybe even sexually. I have never experienced an oral sex before. And the thing that happened at the party was a mistake. And I know that. I am just scared that I might get infected.” He sounded regretful.

"I hate myself for letting it happen. I bet my friends are laughing right now. I have a feeling that they saw what happened," he added while shaking his head.

“I can’t imagine how my wife will react when she finds out. She’s different, you know. She has a really bad temper. She can be dangerous, sometimes. But I love her. She's not like this before. She used to be sweet, caring, and kind. I guess the only thing constant in this world is change.” He sighed.

I was moved by his words. I tried to lighten the mood by cracking a joke.

“I miss her. We still live together but I know she’s no longer happy. The only reason why she’s staying is because of our kids. I guess I just really miss how we were before.”

I was trying to think of the exact words to say to make him feel better. But even before I utter a word, he still continued talking.

“I feel bad not being able to provide all the needs and wants of my family. I am just a driver. I only make at least nine hundred pesos everyday. It is not enough to raise our family so my wife was forced to help out and work as well. She is working at a telecommunications company in Ortigas. She is a mobile broad band dealer," he shared.

I took a deep breath before responding. “Wow! What a story. For starters, what happened in the party was a mistake. It is good that you are aware that you aren’t supposed to do it. But then again, it was a mistake. And everybody makes mistakes. Secondly, if they are your real friends, they will not despise you. As a matter of fact, they are the ones who have let you down. They should’ve protected you. But what’s done is done. Now, with regards to your family, I think it is a sensitive issue and I choose not to comment about it. But please do not under estimate your job. It is an honourable job.”

“Thank you. But I insist, please tell what you think about my situation, about my wife, my family,” he asked.

“Okay. Honestly, I think your wife already found someone else." Again, I didn’t know why I said that.

"To be honest you're right. There's another man involved. Our neighbours told me. But I ignored it. Although, I tried to confront my wife about it and she ended up being hostile and denied it all. And the worse part is that I believed her. I guess I was just afraid to accept the truth,” he affirmed.

“Are you sure?” I asked and he nodded and said, “Our neighbours said they saw them. Even my driver friends told me that it's true."

I can’t believe what I am hearing right now. I don’t know him but I feel bad for this guy. I swear my jaw almost dropped when he told me that he knew that his wife is cheating on him with his boss. Yes, with his employer. He is the owner of the jeep he is driving. The employer who helps him sustain his family’s needs everyday. Which is more important, his dignity or his family? I can’t imagine myself being stuck into a situation like this. And again, I didn’t know what to say.

"Sometimes, I think life is unfair. But whenever I see my children, I realize I am still blessed. They are the source of all my happiness." He sounded hopeful.

"How long have you been married? How did you meet?" I asked trying to change the topic.

“We're not married and we can't get married. Don’t get me wrong, I want to marry her. But we just can’t. You see, I don’t know my real identity. I don’t have a birth certificate. Just my luck!” He said.

At first I thought he was just kidding. Turns out, he was actually telling the truth. I was still not convinced so he showed me his driver’s license. He said that he was not asked to present a birth certificate when he applied for it. He was only required to present a copy of his Barangay Tax Certificate.

I was very curious that I can’t stop myself from asking, “How come your parents didn't get you a birth certificate?”

And with a sad face he replied, "I don't have legal parents, either. I don't know them and I don't even know where they are."

He started telling me stories where he grew up. He said he was raised by priests in a convent until his teenage years. He moved to Manila to look for work. Growing up, he was never asked for any birth certificates whatsoever, so he thought it was irrelevant. After a year, he met his wife. He said that they were very in love and decided to get married. That’s when he realized that he needs to have a birth certificate. They even went to the main office of National Statistics Office (NSO) to accomplish one, which was a required legal paper to submit in order to apply for a marriage license. But they were advised to go back to their birth place to comply with the initial requirements in filing for a late registration of birth certificate.

"How am I supposed to do that when I don't know where I was born exactly? They just said I was born in Visayas. I know a few relatives but I don’t know where they are currently residing. I have a sister but I’m afraid she can’t help me, too. She's born a special child. I don't even know if I'm already baptised or not,” he said.

“Hey, sorry if I am taking so much of your time. Thank you for listening and thank you for staying. I know it is hard to trust a stranger like me, but I am glad to have approached the right person. I feel a little better now. Sorry again. I hope I can still see you again someday,” he sounded sincere.

As much as I wanted to stay, I needed to head home because it was getting late. I am glad I was able to make him feel better somehow.

“I don’t know how to exactly help you, but the least I can do is pray for you -- for guidance, clarity, and self fulfilment. And always remember that God does not put us in a situation we can’t handle. Listening to all your stories, I know you have been through a lot. Just breathe in, and breathe out. I know you can get through all these,” I said.

I saw him smile and his face lighten up a little. As we bid goodbye, I said, “Nice meeting you. See you around, Efren Hulongbayan.”



Conclusion:

Sometimes, meeting a stranger is like meeting an angel. They make you realize how lucky you are. Do something that you won’t regret tomorrow. Be grateful with what you already have. Thank all the people that surround you with happiness and love. Acknowledge God's grace and share your blessings in any way you can.