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BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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XVIII. NUTS
She came wailing in the night, a woman possessed by her own tragedy. She made an impression, albeit an undesirable one. But now she sings “his” song, and he can’t help but listen.
*
Not far from the lone coconut tree, a crazy woman of twenty, maybe twenty-one, disheveled long black hair, average height, slender, a dark-skinned beauty dressed in a frilly brown dress, ruffles and all, very much like the other costumes, was crying.
*
Matt, with hope brightening on his face, held the baby up for her inspection.
She looked at the baby briefly, and promptly resumed her inconsolable weeping. Perhaps even a little more loudly.
Matt thought, I guess not.
This woman is definitely nuts, Baby.
*
He walked to the lone coconut tree, settled in the sand at its base, leaned against the tree trunk, and rocked the baby lovingly in his arms.
The crazy woman continued to wail.
Matt shook his head, too many crazy people in this world, and here is another one that is perhaps abandoned by the bakunawa.
*
Then, suddenly, the crazy woman jumped up, began dancing in the sand, sang a slow, low-pitched version, almost dirge-like, of Matt’s “Tatlo ka Pato,” which he sang earlier to the three drunk shrimp.
Her verses interrupted by sobs and wailing:
Tatlo ka pato, ang nakita ko
sob, sob…
Matambok, maniwang, pulupareho;
she wailed, Emiliooo! Where are youuu?
Apang ang isa, ikog nagaalsa
sniffle, sniffle…
Humlad ang pakpak, kag magkapakapa.
*
She wailed again, Oh, what horrible pain, Emilioooo! What horrible pain! Come back to me, Emilioo!
Matt thought, Nuts! Totally nuts! Crazy as a bedbug without a bed.
The crazy woman danced some more, then stopped, slumped to the ground.
Matt looked at the sleeping child, and smiled.
I wish the world would know your peace, he said to the infant.
I wish the world could see you now, little one.
*
The baby looked so peaceful. So serene.
The crazy woman did not stop, Emilio, if you are truly the bakunawa, come back. Come back to me already, Emilio! Come back and set things right for me! (To be continued)/PN
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