The dark days of Manila City are over, Randy spoke inside his mind. Apart from thinking about part-time jobs, he is deeply troubled when it comes to life. At day, he works for a cloth manufacturing company, braving the giant machines meant for mass production. During lunch break, he’ll enjoy a piece of stale sandwich and orange juice in Tetra-pack. Sugar and calories will give him the energy he needs for the rest of the day. After the weary day, he’ll check out at 6 pm, together with his problematic friends. Traveling home is another punishment—not because of the pollution in the city but due to his inner frustration. He earns two hundred fifty pesos a day, barely five dollars in the United States. He envied the Filipinos stationed in America; they work hard and receive about 20,000 dollars a month. Well, not all of them are lucky but Randy is fully aware that they are luckier than him. Hardship in Manila is something that cannot be swallowed whole. However, Randy is determined to win the battle against poverty. First thing’s first: he will buy dinner, go home, utter a short prayer and eat with his 18-year old sister.
When he reached the small wooden shanty he calls home, pressure was relieved out of him. He was greeted by his loving sister, Lara. He stared at her, while admiring her simple beauty. Lara smiled at him and her shoulder-length black hair swayed as the wind rushed in. Randy shrugged his shoulders and gave a pack of grilled chicken to his sister. He sat in the torn couch and felt the negative energy in his body flowing away. His attention focused into the calendar hanging at the wall. The date became clear to him: January 17, 2003. Life is passing me by, he thought.
“You’re really a deep thinker, brother.” Lara approached him.
“Have you cooked rice?” Randy said, wearily.
“Yes…but we have to buy another sack.”
“Lara, I’m afraid I can’t afford a new one. We’ll have to wait for a week or two. If only I took the job offered to me years ago, then we should’ve had a normal life.”
“This is normal.” Lara replied, trying to be calm.
“This is poverty, sister. Fucked-up poverty.” Randy stood up and walked towards the door. He opened it and looked at the evening sky. He saw only few stars. With that, he cursed silently.
“Don’t worry brother…I’ll finish my studies. After that, I’ll find a job and we can leave this stinking place for sure.”
Is it true that the dark days of Manila are over? Randy asked himself with uncertainty. When he eyed his sister, he felt nothing but grief. He thought about easy business but he remembered what his father told him about righteousness: “You must do the right thing. Darkness is just an element of temptation.”
“Brother, let's just eat.” Lara concluded.
“Lara.” Randy held his sister's hand. “We will escape this hell.”
“I'm certain we would.”
Brother and sister went into the small dining area, wherein the dirty kitchen is only few spaces away. Randy watched Lara prepare the meal and how he wished that he can help his sister cope with the hardships of life. He knows that Lara is is a tough lady but at night, he can hear her cry. The pain is no longer great...it is unfathomable.
“I need to talk with Simon.” Randy blurted.
“Come again?” Lara pretended not to hear.
“Listen...I really need to talk to him. He is our only hope.”
“Father is wise enough to teach us do the right thing.” Lara said, without glancing at Randy. She just forked the chicken leg in her plate. “We know who Simon is. In case you forgot, let me refresh your memory, brother.”
“No—don't explain. I know him. I know the blood running in his veins. I know who the hell he is. He is the answer to poverty.”
“Simon is a gangster!” Lara stood up, enraged.
“I know that. Don't raise your voice, Lara. I am tired of this fucking life. I know you're also tired. I'll do this for you.”
“I can't stand this.” The lady shook her head.
“Calm yourself—this is for our future. Besides, Simon is an expert. I know he'll teach me the essentials of underworld business.”
“There are no essentials.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think evil will be evil, brother.” Lara replied and left the dining area. Randy felt gloomier than before. He is now torn between choice and hope. What if there are no miracles? What will happen? What lies beyond the legal life? These questions plagued Randy's life like nails against a chalkboard. Slowly, he buried his face against his palms. The path has been set before him; all he needs to do is get up and move forward.
The first week of August had been tough for Randy; At Monday, he was fired in his job because of a mistake he never committed. The owner of the company threatened to sue him. Despite the fall, he remembered his awfully small budget that will let him and his sister survive for a week. Thursday came and after he realized that his budget is fading away, he asked for help. His neighbor, a middle-class entrepreneur, gave him enough money to buy food for three more days. Randy kept his natural smiles, but he was desperate. Sunday came at last and all hammers were dropped against him. Scarcity pummeled him like a war club and he doesn't know where to turn anymore. Thus, he decided to contact Simon, without the knowledge of his sister. He felt that his problems will be solved with a little touch of courage. The talk is fine; Simon offered him a fine deal regarding a small moneylender extortion. Randy felt awkward at first due to his father's teachings and he just prayed that the old man will understand. To lessen his anxiety, Randy met with Simon, a second time.
“Simon...I'm afraid I don't know how to do it.”
“Just bash the windows, friend.” Simon replied. Randy saw the confidence in Simon's eyes.
"Bash...what if the cops see me? What will happen?"
“Don't worry, I have everything under control.” Simon spoke with assurance.
“If only...if only I'm not fucking poor...” Randy whined.
“We always have a choice, Randy.”
“Choice? I never chose to be poor, Simon.” Randy clenched his fists like a madman. Like a herd of beasts, thoughts of regret tormented his mind.
“Now, the choice is yours to break the monotony of life.”
Simon stared at Randy's eyes carefully, as if examining the latter's weary soul. It took few minutes before Randy made an answer but it was something Simon was expecting: affirmation. He proceeded in explaining the basics of extortion, while silently admiring Randy's courage. Is it blind courage, Simon thought. Randy's choice is never important at all; Simon is just proud that he saved a soul. In fact, the extortion is not necessary. The target will always be a target and Simon is certain of that. Meanwhile, Randy knows that his life is plunging in the abyss of hell but he doesn't care. As long as he can escape poverty and ensure a future for his sister, everything will go on smoothly.
The night of judgment came unexpectedly. An hour before, Randy told his sister that he'll be coming home late, which left the girl puzzled. Fueled by determination, Randy followed Simon's orders and stood by him as minutes passed. Simon confidently drove around streets unfamiliar to Randy. When Simon's Isuzu Crosswind stopped, Randy's heart jumped like crazy.
"No." Randy spoke out of the blue.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"I've never done this before..." Randy said, observing the moneylending shop. There are no lights but the glass windows glistened, as if giving emphasis to Randy's mission.
"Just do it. I have your back."
"Are you sure?" Randy asked.
"Do I look unsure, Randy? Go on. Don't waste my time." Simon replied, angrily.
"As you say so...shall I go now?"
"Of course...no one's looking. At exactly thirty minutes, the cops will continue their midnight patrol. Bash those windows and gorge in absolute freedom."
"Absolute freedom...yeah." Randy said and opened the door of the car. He put on a dark bonnet and grasped a cold wrench in his right hand. Looking at all sides, he advanced towards the shop. He inhaled deeply and counted his steps. He remembered Simon's words, few hours before: Take a deep breath everytime you'll make a full swing. When he reached the shop, he realized that there is no turning back. The dark days are just hiding, he spoke in his mind. Like a prisoner who wants to break free, he breathed hard, swung the wrench and landed it against the vulnearable windows. Randy felt disoriented as the windows were shattered into pieces. The sound of the crash reminded him that 'Randy Sanchez' is gone. A new Randy is born. Just like that, Randy scampered back into Simon's car.
"A job well done--good for a beginner." Simon started the car.
"I felt--
"Strength?"
"Yes...pure strength."
"Good."
When the vehicle drove off, Randy imagined the other side of life. He began thinking about money and luxury. As the thoughts wandered away from his mind, he remembered his sister. He remembered his only legacy.
Currently feeling: energetic
