I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
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The Writer Within [Mervin] Chapter 2
The Writer Within [Mervin] Chapter 2 | [Mervin] Chapter 2 |
| Friday, 01 May 2009 | |
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I am a writer and this is one of my stories... << Chapter 1 ~~~ 2 ~~~
He said his name means "sea friend". It was then that I learned that his father was a seafarer-turned-tricycle-He is twelve and he has a brother who is thirteen years older than him. His mom had a lot of miscarriages through the years. His dad said, he and his Kuya, were the toughest. And he believed so. The last time that he saw his Kuya was a year ago. He misses him. He will never forget the night that his brother left the house. They talked under their big guava tree. There were things about school, about woman, about love. A lot of stuff that his young mind could not comprehend. But he listened. "If you will be given the chance to study, give your best shot. At the right time, if you meet a girl and you think she will make your life easy and more comfortable, be practical, grab that chance. Marry her... And while you haven't met her, pursue a good life. You'll have no one but yourself to rely on. Love? It is better to be with someone who loves you more than you love them. Remember that." And then he's never seen him nor have heard from him again. One night, he overheard his parents talking. Maybe they thought he was already asleep. They were discussing about his brother and some of the things that his brother has told him about. His Kuya married someone they have never met and is now living some place in South. He married a rich girl, his father said. "You think our son is happy with her?" his mom asked, "I felt in his voice that there's something else. What was his intention? Why marry that girl right away?" her mom continued with a hint of worry in her voice. He remembered his Kuya's words. Then he understood what he meant. "Oh.. come on. He is old enough to decide for his own now. Besides, our child is a man. He can handle things all right," his father replied, "we're just their parents. We'll be here when the kids need us," assured his father. Mervin made a pause, as if trying to decide whether he'd continue talking but he continued relaying his story. That night he was left asking himself a lot of questions, "Why marry someone you don't really love? Why did he not introduce her to us? Will she make his life easier? Is that it?" Then I interrupted, "You know, in a grown-up world, there is such thing as marriage of convenience. I don't know your brother but it could be that way with him." "Is that bad?" he asked. "No," I snapped, "Uhhh... I don't think so. Let's just say, it's just a marriage planned or arranged for personal gain. Could be of either or of both parties. The way you've talked about your brother, I think he's a fine man. He won't just dive into something that would jeopardize his life or someone else's. I am sure, in time, you will meet his wife and probably their children. Right now, just think that he is all right. He can have all the burgers that he want. And as for you, you will have your chance." Then I asked, "You still go to school, right?" He nodded. He was staring at his cheeseburger. He's happy for his brother he said, but one look into his dark brown eyes, I knew there was sadness in his heart. The term "marriage of convenience" is just too much for him. If it was really one, it has took his only brother away from them. But he understood his brother's words now. He knew his brother is all right now. He will never be starved and someone is taking good care of him and is loving him. In his young heart he knew, those things are important in life to survive. "Hmmm.. What do you know about love?", I was teasing him. His face has turned red again. "You are just twelve, right?" I pushed on and continued. He stopped grabbing some fries and looked me in the eyes, gave me a shy smile and looked down. "Hmmmm..." I grinned and pushed some more, "okay, tell me. I am interested. I mean, I understand, you're young but the heck, when I was your age I already have a crush!" He turned his head up and he was smiling. Bravely, he told me a little story. >> Chapter 3 |
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