ISN'T AS IT SEEMS TO BE

You've made a terrible mistake"The man said to Albert.

How to you mean?" Albert asked him

"My name is Tito I'm from ivana village,I've been here for a year."

Tito is an elderly man mere looking at him,one could guess that he is up 50+.He has a bald head not so friendly in nature.

"Ivana?It's close to batanes,probably 10miles away."Albert said to him

"Yes" he said

"You said you've stayed here for a year why?" Albert asked Tito

"Because there is no going back."

"But I don't plan on going back sir,I plan on going forward"Albert responded.

"There isn't a way forward or backward Albert,You are here to stay for good." Tito tried to explain to Albert.

I don't understand but Dodoy said...

"Dodoy said exactly what he said to me too"(Albert was speaking when Tito cut him short).

"look sir, I really don't know what happened to you,but everybody's luck is not the same."Albert told him.

Okay then,Good Luck even though I know that there isn't luck here."Tito turned around but before he lie down to sleep he added "they will not call you till 3 months time but if they eventually do, my advice to you is DON'T GO and for our own safety,Never mention what we discuss here to anyone."

"What about them?" Albert asked referring to the other two men with them in the tent,which were already asleep.

"They don't understand English" Tito said positioning himself to face the tent,he slept off.

Albert couldn't sleep,he kept thinking of what Tito said.

The next morning, a huge bell was rang and everyone woke up and rushed out excited.

Albert woke up too and was surprised to see the mood of everyone while they rushed out.

He went out too and saw everyone standing facing Dodoy and the white man. Dodoy brought out a list and said "Greetings Expatriate,this are the lucky ones who made it."

They called out the names of three men, Shout and screams filled the air.

The lucky men were more than excited while some people who had stayed long enough and was expecting to hear their names were sad. The white man spoke in his accent, "They've made it to the Ship and they will be going to their dream country."

Those who understood shouted for joy and for those who didn't understand,Dodoy interpreted

There was Joy in the air.Albert smile and looked at Tito but was surprised to see that Tito kept a straight face.

Then Dodoy said "Everyone go back to your duty post" the crowd started dispersing.

Albert quickly rush to Tito and said

"Did you see that? those men must be so happy, that is luck Tito,they are lucky. It's the opposite of what you told me last night." But Tito ignored him and walk to his Duty post.

Albert tried to know more about what Tito told him that night but Tito refused to speak on the matter again.

A WEEK LATER

Albert and another man named onyok was assigned to go to bataraz village to get fish. Albert didn't know anything about the man who was his partner for the day.Actually Albert has never seen the man talk or perhaps the man has refused to speak to Albert.

As they Climb the cart and was about to go, Mr Bong who was their director in fishery came and stood by the cart and said to Albert "Don't worry Onyok knows the way."

Albert nodded and Onyok moved the cart to the gate which opened and they went down the road.

While on the road,Albert said to onyok

"I'm Albert" while staring at him.

Onyok who was from another village was dumb but he could understand all dialect including English. He tried his best to explain to Albert using his fingers and little words that could slip out of his mouth.

Using his fingers,he pointed at himself he said "On...yoook"

Albert was a little bit confused then Albert said to him,"What village are you from?"

Onyok looked at Albert and said "Do.....n't sp....eak" meaning that (He could understand Albert but he couldn't speak).

"I shouldn't speak why?" Albert asked him

Onyok tried to explain better by pointing at his ears and nodded positively then pointed at his lips and shakes his head negatively.

Albert suddenly understood him and said

"Ohh you don't speak? but you understand right?"Onyok nodded in affirmation.

Albert smiled and said to him "It's fine,we will still understand each other. So how long have you been here?"

Onyok raised three of his fingers indicating three months.Albert nodded because he understood him.

They move for a very long time and Albert was already getting tired then he asked Onyok."Still far?"

Onyok smiled and nodded negatively meaning NO.

Soon they got to the river and began fishing,Albert was surprised even though Onyok was dumb,he was very skilled in fishing in fact,he was impressed.

Albert wanted to know what Onyok feel about the Expatriate and if he was enjoying his stay there then he asked him.

"What do you think about the Expatriate Onyok?"

But onyok looked at him with a sad expression.

Albert was confused and asked

"What's the problem?I want to know are the leaders good people?"

But onyok used two fingers from his both hands and cross it to make an X shape (Meaning alot of negative things,including danger)

Then he left Albert and weng to load the fishes in the cart.Albert stood still for a while contemplating within himself he was wondering."What does the X sign mean?X mean nothing good,Does he mean that the Expatriate are bad people or the leaders?"

Albert had many questions on his mind but didn't know who to ask one of which was"Why was a dumb man among the Expatriate?,why have some people stay above 3 months,6 months, even 1 year,Why do they have to work for a while before being shipped and most importantly,why is many Expatriates against the leaders?"

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