The Old Man's Tale (A fiction)

A story based on an old man's true love story
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There used to be a time when a kiss meant more than an affectionate greeting; A time when a kiss could lead to a life-long decision.

Being a farmer's son, I was as dark as all native in Tarlac can be. It was the time when the Americans dominated the country with their Western education and people adore the white complexion; and I adore Julieta for it.

She stands out in a crowd of dark, like a fairy in a forest of the night. She walks slowly but surely and my fellow farmers would slow their pace to have a longer time of her presence. Time travels slower with her the way a thrown pebble slows down traversing the bottom of a river.

We were introduced by a common friend and admittedly she never looked at me more than once. I was hoping we could be introduced again so she would look at me twice. She barely recalled who I was, and I remembered even the details of her earrings. I guess that's what love at first sight is.

The next time I saw her was across the busy street just beside the market place. She was a few paces away from me and seemed to be heading my way. I mustered the best manly posture a young man can make. I looked at her and she was busy minding the passing vehicle.

I said "Hello" in between mumbles. She looked at me confused and was lost in convincing herself that I was a familiar face. She smiled and said something which was lost in the noisy background of vendors' yells and motors' rumbling. She was waiting for my reply, and I made one which I did not think of: I kissed her.

I thought my hearing got impaired with my heart's rapid beating, but slowly I realized that it suddenly became too silent. I slowly moved away from her lips, and saw her shocked and motionless; and all people, amidst the busy vehicle, were staring at us. She never slapped me like I expected her to be, instead she looked at me trying to compose herself, and we parted ways as if nothing happened.

The week after that, our parents met to settle our marriage like tradition would do. It was a big scandal for young lovers to kiss in the public.

Life after that wasn't always a bliss, but I manage to surprise her once in a while and her shock remains afterwards.