Through the Fire

Just when I thought that tonight would just be one of those nights, a phone call changed everything.

"Tristan, may sunog sa village nyo...", it was an office mate.

I felt the nerves kicking in. I had to excuse myself from the Doctor with whom I was having post-dinner drinks with. I rushed to get home.

"Sana naman hindi ko condo ang nasusunog...", I prayed.


"Kasi wallet lang at cellphone ang dala ko.", I continued.

I took the first cab I saw and asked the driver if he knew about the fire.

"Sir, sa gitna daw po ng village baka hindi na tayo makapasok..."

I froze at the thought that my place would already be engulfed in flames when I get there. I felt weak. My knees and hands were shaking. I was scared of the possibility of losing everything - everything I worked hard for in the last how many years. I got off the cab a few minutes later and I saw people on the streets. It was a party sans the fireworks. Instead, people were staring at a dark cloud of smoke and that bright orange flame that emanated from burning houses. I shivered in fear as I hastily walked home.

"Thank God.", I finally said when I reached my apartment.

From my unit window, I watched the fire burn one house after another. I felt so stressed that I had to light a Frost to calm me down. It was good that I was able to bum a stick from Doc earlier. I found myself packing some things - my laptop, expensive shirts and a few basic items. I was still in panic but I tried to calm myself down. I called home to make sure they don't get surprised when they hear the news. My phone rang several times - friends were checking if I was okay. I felt a little better.

"Wow, penthouse view... front row center...", my pathetic attempt at consoling myself.

But deep inside I was scared. I had a lot of what ifs. I had a lot of questions. But then I realized, I need to count my blessings. Not everyone was as lucky as I was last night.


I closed my eyes and took one final puff off my Frost. As I exhaled, I whispered a silent prayer for those who would now need to rise from the ashes. I also thanked the heavens for sparing my apartment building from the fire. Otherwise, I would really be starting over even before starting over.






Blogger's Note: Thanks to all the friends who called to check on me when they saw the news on TV. I've always thought I was alone in the metro but I guess with you guys around, I need not feel that way. Oh and by the way, you would never believe how many good looking guys live on my street. It's just simply amazing. There's this one guy... but wait, let me stop myself here for that's another blog entry altogether.