JULY 2012

　　Baclaran Manila

　　The rain was pouring heavily but there's no sign of rush in Elaine's steps. Meanwhile, others were running and rushing to the nearest shelter to protect themselves from the rain. She, on the other hand, didn't seem to bother as she took her way towards the Baclaran Church under the heavy downpour, taking only her backpack with her.

　　She halted at the corner a few steps from the church, not caring that she was already soaking wet. She looked up in the sky, letting the rain drip on her face. Based on the visible dark and thick clouds in the sky, Elaine could tell that the rain will not stop any time soon. She was unsure if the sky was sympathizing with her or was mocking her just like the people around her. It must be the latter. She continued moving forward.

　　Elaine was an illegitimate child. She grew up without her father. She spent her whole life under the care of her mother, Bettina who owns a small pub house in Paranaque. She would beat the hell out of her daughter every time she would come home drunk. She would cry hysterically, blaming her and the father she didn't even meet why her life was a mess. Just like right now. The side of her lips was swollen after she was hit with a bag when she answered her mother rudely.

　　As a child, Elaine felt as though she was pierced right through her chest every time her mother beat her or spat hurtful words at her. She was emotionally abused not only by her mother but also by their overcritical neighbors. She sure grew up in a toxic environment.

　　There were tons of rumors about her existence. Rumor had it that her mom was flirting with different guys and ended up getting pregnant at an early age. Another rumor that was spreading like wildfire was that she was having an affair with a married politician that's why she could not tell her who her father was.

　　A few years ago, every single day she would pray desperately that she would finally get to see her father someday, hoping he could take her out from the miserable life she was having with her mom. She had tried walking on her knees towards the altar. Not only in Baclaran Church, but she had gone all her way to Quiapo Church and to different worship places she could ever think of.

　　Now, she's seventeen. Fearless and ungracious. The tears from her hurtful past had slowly turned into grins. She's no longer the kid who would hide at the corner of the house to pity herself. The kid started to stand for herself, even if she would appear to be rude to others, but it doesn't matter now. It was as though she had grown fangs and horns over time.

　　She would want it to be like that. It looked rather fitting for her image. At her age, Elaine had finally put herself together just to know as to why she existed, and to know about the man behind her existence; her father. She wanted to meet him. She wanted to hear the answers from his mouth as to why he didn't show up, why didn't he make ways to find her, and why didn't he have the balls to do the right thing but had the balls to create a life out of their lustful desires.

　　Elaine made a turn when she reached the other corner of the street. Behind the Baclaran Church was a small-scale bistro bar owned by an old man named Chito. That was her destination. He was a former fortune teller in the place. She met him when she was fourteen. She would often see him hanging around the entrance of Baclaran Church, who sometimes offered her something to eat.

　　She had gone to his bistro bar many times especially when she had nowhere to go every time she would run away from home. It's been six sharp in the evening but the place didn't appear to be very busy that night. There were no customers around except to this old man, with his back facing at her so she could not recognize who it was. They were having a conversation with Drew, the bistro bar's waitress.

　　She gestured to her telling her that she would just go directly into the small room at the end portion of the bar. The 25-year-old waitress nodded, indicating approval. She had a few clothes hidden inside the premises. Some of them were given to her by Mr. Chito since she usually visits the place for whatever reason she had. When she found something to wear, she didn't waste time getting dressed right away and headed towards the glass door beer cooler. She pulled it open and grabbed herself a bottle of alcohol. She then walked towards the bar counter and sat comfortably on the stool, waiting for Macon, the bartender, to come to her.

　　"What happened to your face?" Drew asked her.

　　"Where is Mr. Chito?"

　　"You were the third person who was looking for Boss today,"

　　Her forehead creased. "Who were the other two? Loan sharks?"

　　"Well, it was Jemuel. He ran into me this morning and asked where the boss was. And the other one was him," with her lips, she pointed to the guy who was sitting not far from them.

　　It was the guy that Drew was talking to earlier when she arrived at the place. He was occupying the seat near the entrance. Since the place was a little dark, she could not see the face pretty well. Was he a debt collector just like Jemuel? Or was he the in-charge of the loan shark that Mr. Chito had owed?

　　"He had been paying his obligation well, hadn't he?" she asked, referring to the loan shark payment obligation.

　　"The bistro was slow these past months. The rent alone was buried under the debt payment. As far as I remembered, it's been four months now since the last time we had paid for it and six months of payment delay in 5-6 lending,"

　　Elaine brought the bottle into her mouth and took a shot. She winced in pain when the alcohol stung her hurt gums.

　　She had consumed two bottles already and numbness began to saddle her up when the door slammed open. Two figures appeared, accommodating themselves in. It was Jemuel and his staff. They headed closer to the counter and hissed a call to catch Macon's attention. She took a glance at the latter. He looked rather tense seeing the newcomer.

　　"Isn't Chito here yet?"

　　"N-not yet, sir."

　　"You're trying to hide him from me every time we come here, aren't you?"

　　Macon shook his head almost immediately. "No, sir..."

　　Jemuel took his hat off and without a word, whacked it to Macon's face. He was shocked but stayed calm even though he looked scared. Elaine took a series of deep breaths and chose not to give any comments. She watched Jemuel grab the poor bartender by the collar. She gulped her beer at once. If there's something she can't bear to see, that's watching someone getting bullied. She knew how unpleasant it was to be helpless while someone's trying to hurt you.

　　"Tell your boss if he's not going to pay his debt, I'll burn this bar down. Do you understand?" he threatened, tapping the bartender's face with his palm many times over.

　　"Shame on you," she grumbled, interrupting the fuss. Her eyes fixed on the beer.

　　Jemuel's attention shifted to her. Without looking, he knew how sardonic her grin was when he let go of Macon. He edged near her.

　　"Hey, kid. Listen up. You should not interfere with the elderly if you don't want to get yourself hurt. All I know is violence when I'm cranky and I don't care even if you're a kid,"

　　Elaine scoffed. She finally turned to face him.

　　"I can see how old you are. You're wrinkly and all and yet you're still acting like a childish thug,"

　　"What a rude bitch! If your parents didn't teach you manners, then my hand will!" Jemuel lifted his hand, threatening to slap her hard on the face.

　　She arched the corner of her mouth, showing a sarcastic grin. She scratched her brows, whispering. "What's up with my cheek and it's everybody's favorite part to hit?"

　　His forehead crumpled. "Are you cursing at me, huh?"

　　Elaine stood from her seat, sliding her hand onto her pocket, and stared at Jemuel from head to foot.

　　"You’re not only a childish thug but also a deaf one,”

　　"Stupid bitch!"

　　"S-sir, Mr. Chito is on the way..." Drew interrupted the commotion, looking pale in fear. She stepped in between them but since he's fully triggered, he just pushed the waitress harshly. Drew staggered on the counter.

　　Elaine's vision had turned dim and quickly grabbed him by the collar. His eyes turned red in anger but Elain doesn't seem to falter. There's no hint of fear in her eyes.

　　Even when Jemuel lifted his hand to slap her, Elaine didn't even flinch... But nothing landed on her face.

　　"Cut it off, Mister. She's just a kid."

　　Elaine rolled her eyes. A kid?

　　She glanced over her shoulder to identify who it was. That old man in a button-down sport shirt that Drew was talking with earlier ago. Jemuel grabbed his hand back from that man's grip.

　　"This bar sure has a crapload of meddlers, huh. Hey, this is not your business to deal with so don't step in unless—" before he could finish his words, Elaine had quickly picked up the empty bottle, and as quick as a flash, she smashed it hard on the old hag's head. Debris splattered everywhere.

　　Drew screamed. Jemuel dropped on the ground, completely knocked out. The man could not believe what he just saw right before him.