T.A. regularly telephoned his travel agent for updates on the political situation in the Philippines. She gave the information that Malou's letters always failed to give.
Although the state of emergency had been lifted just before Christmas, the AFP remained on alert over the Christian festive season. No further disturbances happened. By the end of January, all military bases and stations had returned to normal; though all commanders were more wary after the "Hour of the Assassins" as the two hour slaughter had become known.
T.A. was not afraid or in fear of his life in the Philippines. He just did not want his travel plans upset by a sudden change in the political situation.
Malou was angry about him flying into Manila instead of Cebu. She accused him of meeting another woman. T.A.strenuously denied it. He really hoped he would meet several women, all from the girlie bars. With those he would have no emotional ties.
Malou demanded he fly from Manila, direct to Cebu the same day. T.A. replied he had to stay in Manila to make final arrangements about the house they were using in Apuao Grande.
He knew she suspected his motives. She was being possessive. That was her way. She knew he was lying, but he wanted to make the most of, possibly his last bachelor opportunity. He did feel guilty but the prospect of pleasure he could get before seeing Malou would go a long way toward relieving any guilt he might feel.
T.A.’s list of what to take, and had to do, had been prepared for weeks and taped inside his wardrobe door as a daily reminder. Many things had already been crossed off and it was now at the packing stage. He finished work at lunch time to get an early start. Once the first lot of clothing went into his bag he felt the excitement building. Within 18 hours he would be on the plane and on his way.
----------
FIJI, South Pacific.
Because the timetable set by the Libyans was critical, Captain Con Theodopolous knew he could not afford engine problems and delays aboard the freighter. He arranged his sailing schedule to allow a few spare days in Fiji to undertake engine and maintenance tasks before loading a legitimate cargo of sugar into the upper holds. Except the ever present Libyans, the remainder of the crew were relatives or from his home village. Only he and his cousin the chief engineer and some wipers and greasers remained on board. The rest of the crew spent time ashore.
The tensions between his crew and the ever-present Libyans grew with each trip. But the Libyans were paying highly. If he had not had this timetable, he would not have undertaken this costly maintenance. All the crew knew this was to be the last trip before his freighter suffered the inevitable shift of cargo and subsequent sinking to maximise their insurance claim. The freighter had served his island family well. Over these recent trips he had come to love the Filipinos as 'tween deck passengers' and hate the demanding Libyans at his back.
Half the contract proceeds from the Libyans for this last run had been paid. For the captain, his freighter had already earned enough. His tolerance of the Libyans had suffered enough. His chief engineer did not question him when he insisted the surrounds and the water-tight doors aft, under the mast house and up through the focsle be strengthened.
Nor did he question his decision to double the number of topside locking cleats on these same water tight doors which gave the only topside access from below decks.
Neither did the Libyans.
----------
BENIGNO AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MANILA
T.A. was accustomed to the Customs and Immigration arrival procedures as he had passed through several times before. At Immigration he was questioned about his 90 day business visa instead of the usual 21 day tourist visa. He was not dressed like a businessman. He explained he was having a holiday before starting business with the Government Commission on Audit. The mention of the word "audit" seemed to have him sped quickly through the rest of the usual formalities.
Once into the public area the usual sea of faces were there; kept back from the passenger exit area by fences. It amazed T.A. why there were always so many people waiting. They could not all be here to greet arriving friends. Perhaps it was just a cheap entertainment.
He put down his bags and looked for a placard carrying the name of the hotel where he was staying. He soon saw it and dragged his bags to the man holding the sign.
"I'm booked at your hotel, I'd like to take the hotel bus," said T.A.
"Yes sir. I'll get someone to help with the bags."
"I'll help too," said a female voice behind the hotel agent.
T.A. looked in surprise as Malou stepped out from behind the agent.
"Is this your wife sir? She asked if she could wait with me until you arrived."
T.A. stumbled out some words without knowing what he said. He only knew he felt pleased, astonished and annoyed at the same time.
Malou looked down at the ground embarrassed.
"God, it's good to see you," said T.A.
"You don't really mean that," she responded pursing her lips and starting to cry.
"I do, I do," said T.A., not sure if he was lying or not.
He put his arms around her and cuddled her. Dozens of nearby placard holders cheered. T.A. soon got over the surprise of seeing her earlier than expected, and realised he genuinely was pleased to see her.
They rode on the hotel bus together while she explained that she was staying with her cousin in Manila while waiting for him. She had been worried about coming to the airport in case he rejected her. T.A. kept smiling as he looked at her. She was talking more than she had ever done before. It was a nervous reaction.
When she felt confident enough, she showed him the overnight bag she had prepared for herself. She said it was only packed in case he wanted her to be with him. Without waiting for a reply she continued that they could collect the rest of her clothes from her cousins tomorrow.
T.A. knew he had no choice even if he wanted there to be one. He was happy with the way things turned out.
After fulfilling all the hotel check-in requirements they reached their air-con room. It was good to be in the coolness after the outdoor heat. Malou sat on the bed as he opened his bags. She pretended to be disinterested but was watching closely for an un-requested but expected gift.
Pulling a big soft cuddly koala out of his bag he casually tossed it at her. She caught it and looked at T.A. with a feigned surprised look.
"Who's this for?" she asked.
"You, dummy."
Again she pouted her lips.
"I'm not a dummy," she replied.
Her attention was now distracted back to the koala which she cuddled to her as a mother cuddles a baby.
"I'm going to call it Yam," she said.
"Why Yam?" he asked.
"You and me."
T.A. sat down next to her on the bed. He took her hand, opened it and put a small box in her little palm.
Her eyes opened wide in surprise.
"For me?" she squealed.
"Of course it's for you."
She quickly gave him the Yam koala and excitedly ripped off the colourful wrapping to reveal a deep velvet coloured ring box. When she got that far she stopped and looked at T.A., gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and opened the box.
"Oh, it's beautiful," she said. This time it was with a genuine surprise in her voice. She pulled out the sapphire and diamond ring to look at it more closely.
"I hope the ring size is fairly close." T.A. apologised in advance. "I just had to take a wild guess."
Malou automatically selected the third finger of her left hand and slipped it on; then, holding her hand up as far from her face as possible, looked at it long and hard. T.A. could see that she was genuinely pleased.
After picking up Malou's clothes from her cousin's house, they spent the next few days and nights in Manila, sleeping, eating, making love, sight-seeing during the day and visiting the karaoke and girlie bars at night. T.A. felt content. He was not disap
pointed at missing out on his few days of freedom.