Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Tindahan Ni Aling Nena — The Later Years

A fan fiction.  Warning: This is a depressing story.  Read at your own risk.
(For some background, see: https://genius.com/Eraserheads-tindahan-ni-aling-nena-lyrics)


"Merde! Huhuhu, Buloooy! Ipapatokhang ka daw ni Kuya," cried Joy.  It was only a few days ago when they first met and fell in love at first sight in front of the "Sari-sari" store owned by Joy's grandmother.  They've been meeting in secret but have now been discovered.  Their respective parents were not pleased.

Joy was born and raised in Montreal, Canada.  Her mother has moved there over 20 years ago, married a local, and founded a family.   She curses a lot, though some would say it's only because French is her native tongue.  She, her mother, and her older brother came home to visit her ailing grandmother -- known in their Baranggay as Aling Nena.

Buloy was born and raised in Cagayan de Oro.  A proud "Bisdak", as the locals would label themselves.  A college student by day, a popular vlogger by night.  His journalist father, like all good fathers, is disappointed in him; for having no interest in vlogging about the current political climate.

For some reason unknown to them, their families seem to harbor some irrational hatred for each other.  Rumor has it that Buloy's father still was not over Joy's mom, who rejected his advances back then; she was already in the process of migrating to Canada at that time.  But this was of course already over 2 decades ago.  It did not help that Joy's parents is what some people would now call "Dutertards"; while Buloy's parents some would now label as "Dilawan".  Why must the fight of the parents affect the children? They asked themselves.  Why all the polarized discussions and labelling?  Can't anyone have any rational conversation anymore?

"Huwag ka mag-alala, bukas kakausap ko si Kuya Jay mo," replied Buloy. Gago yun ah, sya nga yung mukhang adik! Buloy decided to keep that thought to himself however.

The next day, Buloy and Kuya Jay met.  What was meant to be a calm conversation turned a bit heated.  Insults were exchanged.  Things escalated to shoving.  Finally, punches were thrown.  Mas maniniwala pa ako kay Mocha, kesa sa Tatay mo! Those were Kuya Jay's last words.  Buloy could not believe that in his anger he had killed Kuya Jay.

What's the future for me and Joy now?  Buloy silently cried as the cops arrived.  One of them is Joy's Uncle Lando.

Two days later it was reported that Buloy commited suicide while in custody.  He shot himself in the back of his head -- three times the report said.

Joy in her grief of losing her beloved brother and later of her newfound lover, hanged herself after downing a bottle of sleeping pills.

...


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