The Year I Left by Brae Christine;

Author:Brae, Christine;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Published: 2019-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

We sat side by side in the front row of a tiny passenger van, together with two other couples on the same tour with us. One couple was from London, the other from Costa Rica. You spoke to the Spanish couple animatedly in your language while the older English woman took copious notes while listening to our tour guide, Marina. I heard you asking how long they’d been married. They were newlyweds almost—married only three years. When they asked you about us, you said not long enough. I would have said six months because you’d had my heart on the very first day we met.

Did you feel the tension between us? Your thigh against mine, my shoulder touching your chest. I felt your breath on the back of my head, held your face when you buried your nose in my hair. It was a slow dance, a seduction, happening in front of five other people. I wonder if they felt it too.

Intramuros was located in the historic heart of Manila, the meaning of the word, “within walls”. Surrounded by a three-mile-long brick barrier, it had been the seat of government, the center of religion, economy, and education during the Spanish colonial period in the late 16th century. Its cobbled streets and old stone structures had been mostly destroyed during World War II. But what remained to this day still emanated richly in history and the heroism of the Filipino people.

The van dropped us off at Fort Santiago, once a defense against invaders from the sea and now a historic park. You held my hand as we walked through old jail cells and dungeons, wrapped your arms around me as we listened to the story of the country’s national hero, observing the crowds walk in and out as we watched a short play about his life.

I asked for some time alone to call Charlie, told him how much I missed him and recounted the history of this country and its people. He said he regretted not coming and made me promise to take him back during the summer.

And when our tour was done, we joined the other couples at a place called Barrio Fiesta that served authentic food from the country. We were treated to a folk show where the country’s history was told in song and dance. You held me close throughout, ordered my food, took care of my needs and never left my side. I didn’t stop you from touching me, placing your hand on my thigh and slowly trailing it underneath my skirt.

I wanted you more than anything in this whole world.

In two days, we would be done.

In two days, we would return home.

And you’d do what made the most perfect sense. You would go on with your life.

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