Keeping On

For the rest of my summer job at the tailor shop, I immersed myself with work and learning new things. I didnt bother to give any damn attention to anyone except my pregnant lady boss. It would be appropriate to say that I had become a man-hater after I learned from Agnes that they were getting married. She came some time towards the end of my stay and gave me an invitation letter but I threw it directly to the trash. Why should I bother to hurt myself?

I returned home one week before the opening of the school. I dropped by my boarding house and went to enroll first before proceeding home. The development on the mountain was very fast and I can almost see what they wanted to build. The pathways are almost done and there were waiting sheds along the trails. There were five bungalows being started, some concrete fireplaces , and washrooms. I swore that if it was my land, I would never let anyone do this development here. I didn't think it is wise. Gone was the beautiful mountain!

'Anyways, why should I concern myself with that? Who owns that land anyway? Let them do what they want! I'll just keep busy with my studies and leave this place. I have no good future here!' I said to myself as I climbed to the view point. I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice Lester sitting across the pathway. That was the first time I saw him smoking.

"Heck, you are back darling. How are you?" He said as he tossed the cigarette butt away.

"Im still alive and kicking, cant you see?" I said as I kicked my boots against a lumber that was blocking my way. I was wearing my camouflage pant that I kept since I was senior high school. It was one my treasured favorite clothes.

"That's my darling! " He said as he half laughed.

"Don't make this mountain messy! It's so disgusting! Who told you to build all those?" I asked like a commander. Perhaps it was because I was so broken hearted that I wanted to vent my anger to anyone and anything I came across.

"Who knows, I'm just obeying orders." Lester said.

"Obeying orders! Did those elders tell you to make this mountain ugly? "I was becoming bolder, having started my momentum.

"Relax darling, your heart! Please take care of your heart..." he said grinning.

"Tch! So disgusting !" I said as I left furiously.

On my way home, I smiled to myself for having acted angrily infront of Lester. I couldn't help but get amused at the thought that my pretentious anger actually got on the way. It worked! I got him scared off his wits. I was originally in panic what to do when I saw him and I was alone. Especially when he threw his cigar like a gang leader. Now, he was the one who got scared.

....

I reached home when it was almost dark. They were having dinner. My parents looked at me like I was a ghost. Who would believe that I am home this time and looking dangerously angry. They just looked at me like I was nothing. 'What's happening with all these people in the world?' I asked myself.

"Papa, I see that the developments on the mountain is fast! Who's making all those developments?" I started a nonsense conversation.

"It's the community's joint effort to invite developers. They are private people." He said.

"How about the land, did they buy those too?" I asked again.

"No, they will just develop it, then turn over to the owners after some time." He said.

"The mountain became so ugly papa. There are no more guava trees and grasses. They all scraped them out!" I tried to sound exasperated.

"That's part of the deal, we cannot do anything." Papa said

"Whoever the developer is must be a greedy and tyrant person! He doesn't love nature at all"I said my mind.

"Stop it Fem. Your anger will not help!" Mama said as she poured out a coffee into the mugs.

"Hmmm, yes mom! " I said as I saluted her.