Chapter 29: Chapter 29

ESMERALDA woke up from the sound of the motor above. It was as if there's a huge mosquito whispering in her ear. She only fell asleep by dawn because she and Richard talked the whole night.

She did not stop herself. She wanted to make a lot of memories with the first man in her life. He said he worked on a cruise ship. That's why he had been to different places and was able to save money.

His stories were inspiring. Of how he was into adventure and different extreme sports. Of how he enjoyed the different cultures and traditions of other countries in the world. And in one night, she let herself dream that one day she’d be able to reach all of them. And in her dream, she was with Richard.

When she opened her window, she saw the chopper with the rotor blades still spinning as it landed on the plain near the hill. From there, the men from the neighborhood helped in unloading the boxes and packages. The assistance that Richard asked for finally arrived.

She quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, and went down. She met Cynthia Lyn, who was in a rush. "Esmie, the relief goods have arrived. A doctor and social workers sent by Richard’s friend also came. They even came by helicopter.”

“I saw it.”

“Yeah. And they also came to collect Richard. They will take him with them to Manila. Extraordinary. He really was rich.”

She walked past her friend and headed down the stairs. A makeshift tent was being set up in her yard where the relief goods were kept for distribution. Another tent had stood up where Mrs. Conching was being checked for her blood pressure.

“Where is Richard?” she asked.

“He’s in the helicopter with Jeremy. Your brother wants to ride in one,” Cynthia Lyn said. “I wish I could be in one, too.”

She ignored her friend and headed to the helicopter. She saw Jeremy sitting beside the pilot, and she was surprised to find Richard beside him. Richard seemed to explain the different instruments on the panel of the helicopter.

She could not move for a few seconds because watching Richard smile felt great. His face was bright, and he did not look stern. It was the Richard she wanted to remember when he leaves. The Richard who was happy. The Richard who was smiling as he made other people happy. Just like how he could make her smile. He had not gone yet, but she already missed him.

“Sister, join us!” Jeremy called, pulling her back from her thoughts.

She slowly walked to the helicopter. “Come down. You might be interrupting someone’s job. You could break something.”

“He’s with me. And he’s not touching anything,” Richard defended. “Besides, the supplies have been unloaded.”

“But still. We don’t have money to pay for any damage that may occur.”

Richard sighed. “Your brother just wanted to have fun.”

“Just this once, Sister. Brother Richard is leaving later, anyway,” Jeremy pleaded.

“Okay. I’ll leave you alone. I’ll just see what I can do to help,” Esmeralda said and went to the tent to talk to the social workers and ask for an update about the situation from nearby places. After that, she helped cook to feed her neighbors.

The truth was she just wanted to distract herself. Her heart could not accept that Richard was finally leaving. She thought she could bear to see him go. She just could not.

"What are you doing here? Richard is leaving. You should say goodbye," Cynthia Lyn said and dragged her outside the house. The chopper's motor was spinning. While her neighbors gathered around Richard.

“Thanks for all the help you gave us, Sir Richard. I thought there would be no hope for us,” Kadyo said, teary-eyed. “You sent a doctor and medicine for us. While it had been a long time since the government officials gave a damn about us at times like this.”

“You don’t have to worry anymore, Kadyo. From now on, you can always count on me for help if calamities like this occurred. You can rely on me,” Richard reassured the old man.

“What about me?” Cynthia Lyn interrupted and linked her arms on Richard. “I already gave you my cellphone number. Don’t forget to text me, okay?”

“And you always ask a load from me,” Topher teased.

“Shut up!” Cynthia Lyn snarled and frowned at him.

"Brother Richard, you promised to take me in your helicopter when you return," Jeremy said, pouting.

Richard patted his head. "We have to ask permission from your Sister Esmeralda first." Then his eyes searched for her. "Esmeralda," he uttered.