Under the Narra Tree

 
It was freezing night when she entered a cafe, warm air brushes onto her skin then her lips formed a smile. She was waiting patiently, glancing from time to time to see him. And finally, a man stood tall in front of her.

“Hello Ma’am, your order may take a while. Are you willing to wait? “He asked with a familiar smile and a glint of sparkle in his eyes, the same eyes that pierced through her soul and the same smile she fell in love with.

“Yes, I'm willing “she smiled, ready to wait even if it takes a thousand years to see him again.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur, 1986

The place was grotesque and eerie as if it was remotely abandoned. Faint muffled sounds greeted her ears as she went in. The room was bleak, almost lifeless. There wasn’t a single sense of emotion given by the other which left Lucina even more frustrated and hurt. 3 years with him has been nothing but joy and full of love or so she had thought. All this time, he was playing with her. Pretending to be someone he wasn’t just to get information from her. Lucina Cuevas de Lara, the daughter of the Mayor and the sole heiress of the Cuevas and, clearly, the perfect target.

 

“Lucina” the man behind her called, she was staring blankly at cold and unfamiliar Narra Tree that was once full of life and colour. Fortunately, things aren’t as good as she would expect it to be.

It was late at night, Lucina was staring at the nightlight as she sips her tea and remembering her childhood “Why have you decided to go home?” Lucina looked at him and replied “I missed you and mom, that’s why” hugging the man “ I’m sorry “ the man chortled, Lucina then looked at him curiously because of what he said, then she looked through his eyes, she can see the guilt and sadness evident in it “I lied to you” he added, astonished and confused by what her Dad said, she just stood there staring at him endlessly “What are you saying?” she replied, the man smiled and stood up, Lucina was confused, she doesn’t know what is happening, her dad then gave her a letter and a newspaper that was dated 3 months ago, and the content of the news crushed my whole life into tiny pieces.

Lucina woke up with loud voices early in the morning, though distant, Rocero’s thick Ilocano accent was clear and loud enough for Lucina to know he is of distance. The sneaky thumps on the concrete floor made an obscure pattern to even determine the path of direction he was taking. A few minutes have passed and Lucina could hear nothing but the rustling noise of kalesa and people passing by the house. It wasn’t a busy day— more of a moderate run so she and Rocero have decided to go outside to tour Lucina to Vigan.

After a few more minutes of waiting— Lucina smiled triumphantly, realizing she can now get to see her city after 3 years. She rose up from her position and was greeted by an abrupt turn of Rocero’s body making his back facing her, Rocero smiled sweetly as he pretended not to see her standing graciously waiting for him under the narra tree.

“You’re here! Finally!”


Rocero turned back around and shook his head playfully, “Why are you so eager to get out? Is it that boring inside your house? Come here I missed- “

Lucina jolted up from her sleep, shaking violently as panic started to welcome her, her palms were sweaty, her cheeks wet and her breathing unbalanced. The feeling was all too familiar even before she could think straight, she dreamt of him again. It has been years and she still mourns over Rocero as if she just lost him yesterday. The pain is striking her chest, weakening her both physically and emotionally, it’s so hard to describe how she’s used to this but will never be used to the fact that he’s gone, completely. The thoughts and visions of her dream came in waves, distracting and slowly drowning her in agony. 

”Rocero...”

She let out a restricted cry as if she was holding it for too long. Lucinda felt helpless and outnumbered as everything came rushing to her all at once. She slowly burrowed herself into the cold, silk sheets, her eyes closed tenderly as tears rolled down her soft cheeks. Lucinda is once again reminded of her loss. It was nights like this she yearned and dreaded at the same time. Dreaming about Rocero is the closest thing she’s got to being with him again. Reliving the memories she had of him kept her sane, but they also remind her that she will never be whole again.

“I’d give anything not to lose to you again.”

Present, 2020

“Nana, why did Rocero died?” the girl infront of her asked, Lucina looked at her gave her a smile. Rocero’s death was not unknown to anyone, right after I went home after 3 years of leaving Vigan, dad decided to tell me the truth. He asked someone to kill Rocero and to frame him for being someone that only needs information about me. That time I was so angry that I hated my dad until he died, I was angry at the world, because I lost someone that I really treasure. 

“Nana? “

Lucinda looked at the wonderful young girl in front of her “My darling apo, let me tell you this. Every happy beginning doesn’t always end in happy endings, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve one, you just didn’t meet the one” Lucina then smiled at her and continuously brushing her hair.

“Nana, is that Rocero the one that carved his name in our Narra Tree?” The young girl asked, Lucina then looked outside, looking through the Narra Tree that was full of memory for her. Lucina nodded by the girl’s question, she was shocked and she added “Why under the Narra Tree, Nana?” Lucina laughed softly.

“Because that tree was the witness our love and the symbol of our love. That Tree may grow old, so am I, but our love will always be as the fresh daisy until it dies and withers from a lack of water”