Provincial Stories

The temperature went down. The skies became dark. A clashing sound of thunder soon followed.

A man looks up at the sky and sighed.

"Ah, forgot to bring umbrella."

He forgot to bring the most important tool during the rainy season.

A moment later he smelled mud. At that time, he began to run to the nearest shed. Sizzling water droplets began to sound on the horizon as soon as he found a large tree with leaves covering the branches like mane.

Anywhere he looks a slight fog seem to cover the surroundings. Small rivers began to form. The water running along with mud bear resemblance to a chocolate drink, if it was real, he could imagine how it taste.

"Bittersweet cold cocoa." His warm breath blew a steam.

A flash of light caught his attention. Knowing what's coming he covered his both ears with his hands. Thanks to his quick covering a minute sound of lightning reaches his eardrums. For the second time he sighed again.

He figured that the rain will take a longer time and his work will be greatly affected if he could not reach the working hours.

"It's a problem when you seek low cost house, it's far from work. No vehicles come around here except for the occasional carabao drawn wagon and provincial bus. "

He notices a farmer running with his carabao to escape the rain. He waved to the man.

"Run faster Mr. Sembion. Haha." He laughs at the farmers situation.

"When I was in my Prime, I can even defeat Usain Bolt. This is just Old age!" The old man shot back with laugh.

"Haha, there's a taro plant over there at the canal. Take one so you don't go too much wet."

"Planning to go their already. Thank for the advice. Oh, will you be alright?"

"Yes, I had a plenty of permission to be late so its fine." He lied but thank the old man for the concern

"Well then, good day young man. Don't you work too much you might regret it like me!"

"Got it sir!"

The old man vanishes as the fog became thicker as the rain goes on.

There was a ball floating along the small rivers. A group of children, four of them, chase after the ball. Their smiles and laugh brings back past memory, on those days of no care to this world but just fun.

These children brought a smile to his face.

Following the children who later Vanish chasing the ball. Two women walk with big umbrellas under their helm. He knows these two people. The young woman was named Maria and the other was Josephine an old woman.

"Hey, grandma Josephine!"

Old Josephine look at him with intrigue and a slight down brow, she knows this person.

"Oh, why aren't you at work. You young one. You'll be late." She asks keeping her expression.

"Uhm, well you know." He pointed at the rain.

Angered. She barks at him.

"I'm not old yet! Its just that my skin is not getting any nutrients!"

"Relax, grandma. Vince is just joking." Said Maria with a smile on her face.

"I know that smile you young one. Don't get fooled by that foolish one over there."

"Yeah, Maria is right grandma Josephine. I was just making fun of you. You know as a medical professional myself. Happy things make you energetic."

"I know! But I don't get advice from foolish person who takes my granddaughter to the mountains without my permission!"

Vince laughs at the truth.

"You misunderstand Grandma. I was just guiding him up there for a research. We're just searching for a place to build the research base. Trust me."

Vince supported Maria's words.

"Maria is right. I'm not hitting on your daughter grandma Josephine. We are honestly preparing for a research in this area." Shem wink at Maria. Maria hid her face slightly away from Vince gaze while accompanied by a suspicious smile.

Noticing the expression made by her granddaughter. She let her accumulating steam out!

"ENOUGH! Let's go back home."

"Vince, the company will be choosing the northeast mountain. The board has made a decision. They will be coming here next week!" Said Maria while being drag by her grandmother.

This place is a farmland with rich flat and mountainous planes bless with miraculous flora.

"GOT IT! I will tell the team."

"Take care!" She waved at him with a bright smile.

What a loving daughter and an innocent look. The CEO of a Pharmaceutical Company living in this provincial land. How can she balance two responsibilities? What a monster that girl was." Vince said while looking at his ID.

[Medical Doctor]

The final drop of the rain poured down. The sun was unveiled by the clouds. Vince took his hand open to see if there is any that might wet him.

"Looks like it stopped. Let's go!"

Vince walk to the bus station near the area. It was put just beside the highway. He went to work.