Fragments of Memories 2: Beautiful Stranger

JULY 2012

Baclaran Manila

The rain was pouring heavily but there's no sign of rush in Elaine's steps. Meanwhile, others were running and rushing to the nearest shelter to protect themselves from the rain. She, on the other hand, didn't seem to bother as she took her way towards the Baclaran Church under the heavy downpour, taking only her backpack with her.

She halted at the corner a few steps from the church, not caring that she was already soaking wet. She looked up in the sky, letting the rain drip on her face. Based on the visible dark and thick clouds in the sky, Elaine could tell that the rain will not stop any time soon.

She was unsure if the sky was sympathizing with her or was just plain mocking just like the people around her. It must be the latter.

She continued moving forward.

Elaine was an illegitimate child. She grew up without her father. She spent her whole life under the care of her mother, Betina.

Bettina owns a small pub house in Paranaque. She would beat the hell out of her daughter every time she would come home drunk. She would cry hysterically, blaming her and the father she didn't even meet why her life was a mess. Just like right now. The side of her lips was swollen after she was hit with a bag when she answered her mother rudely.

As a child, she felt as though she was pierced right through her chest every time her mother beat her or spat hurtful words at her. She was emotionally abused not only by her mother but also by their overcritical neighbors. She sure grew up in a toxic environment.

There were tons of rumors about her existence. Rumor had it that her mom was flirting with different guys and ended up getting pregnant at an early age. Another rumor that was spreading like wildfire was that she was having an affair with a married politician that's why she could not tell her who her father was.

A few years ago, every single day she would pray desperately that she would finally get to see her father someday, hoping he could take her out from the miserable life she was having with her mom. She had tried walking on her knees towards the altar. Not only in Baclaran Church, but she had gone all her way to Quiapo Church and to different worship places she could ever think of.

Now, she's seventeen. Fearless and ungracious. The tears from her hurtful past had slowly turned into grins. She's no longer the kid who would hide at the corner of the house to pity herself. The kid started to stand for herself, even if she would appear to be rude to others, but it doesn't matter now. It was as though she had grown fangs and horns over time.

She would want it to be like that. It looked rather fitting for her image. At her age, Elaine had finally put herself together just to know as to why she existed, and to know about the man behind her existence; her father. She wanted to meet him. She wanted to hear the answers from his mouth as to why he didn't show up, why didn't he make ways to find her, and why didn't he have the balls to do the right thing but had the balls to create a life out of their lustful desires.

Elaine made a turn when she reached the other corner of the street. Behind the Baclaran Church was a small-scale bistro bar owned by an old man named Chito. That was her destination.

He was a former fortune teller in the place. She met him when she was fourteen. She would often see him hanging around the entrance of Baclaran Church, who sometimes offered her bread or something to eat.

She had gone to his bistro bar many times especially when she had nowhere to go every time she would run away from home. It's been six sharp in the evening but the place didn't appear to be very busy that night. There were no customers around except to this old man, with his back facing at her so she could not recognize who it was. They were having a conversation with Drew, the bistro bar's waitress.

She gestured to her telling her that she would just go directly into the small room at the end portion of the bar. The 25-year-old waitress nodded, indicating approval. She had a few clothes hidden inside the premises. Some of them were given to her by Mr. Chito since she usually visits the place for whatever reason she had. When she found something to wear, she didn't waste time getting dressed right away and headed towards the glass door beer cooler. She pulled it open and grabbed herself a bottle of alcohol. She then walked towards the bar counter and sat comfortably on the stool, waiting for Macon, the bartender, to come to her.

"What happened to your face?" Drew asked her.

"Where is Mr. Chito?"

the third person who was looking for

the other two? Five -

it was Jemuel. He ran into me this morning and asked where the boss was. And the other one was

the guy that Drew was talking to earlier when she arrived at the place. He was occupying the seat near the entrance. Since the place was a little dark, she could not see

his obligation well, hadn't he?" she

far as I remembered, it's been four months now since the last time we had paid for it and six

took a shot. She winced in

the door slammed open. Two figures appeared, accommodating themselves in. It was Jemuel and his staff. They headed closer to the counter and hissed a call to catch Macon's attention.

"Isn't Chito here yet?"

"N-not yet, sir."

hide him from me every time

head almost immediately. "No,

Elaine took a series of deep breaths and chose not to give any comments. She watched Jemuel grab the poor bartender by the collar. She gulped her

watching someone getting bullied or assaulted.

I'll burn this bar down. Do you

on you," she grumbled, interrupting the fuss. Her eyes fixed

looking, he knew how sardonic her

You should not interfere with the elderly if you don't want to get yourself hurt. All I know is violence when I'm cranky and I don't care

She finally turned

You're wrinkly and all and yet you're still acting like a

my hand will!" Jemuel lifted his hand, threatening to slap her

mouth, showing a sarcastic grin. She scratched her brows,

forehead crumpled. "What did you just say, dummy? Are you cursing at

her seat, sliding her hand onto her pocket, and

only a childish thug but also

"Stupid bitch!"

pale in fear. She stepped in between them but since

dim and quickly grabbed him by the collar. His eyes turned red in anger but Elain doesn't seem to falter. There's no hint

his hand to slap her, Elaine didn't even flinch... But nothing landed

She's just a kid.

her eyes. A

to identify who it was. That old man in a button-down sport shirt that Drew was talking with earlier ago. Jemuel grabbed his

so don't step in unless—" before he could finish his words, Elaine had quickly picked up the empty bottle, and as quick as a flash, she smashed it hard on the old hag's