A window for love

   During a visit to the Philippines in February of 1987, Paul's cousins took him to the town Plaza in the province of Aklan. There, they saw high school students rehearsing their dance steps for the upcoming town Fiesta, held during the first week of March. Still exhausted from the flight, Paul sat on one of the steps and wearily watched the graceful dancers perform. While watching, one student caught his attention, but Paul readily disregarded it for he deemed such admiration as cheating; for at that time he was still very much in love with Maude, his girlfriend in the States.

   The following day, Paul woke up to the raucous yell of Ineng, one of the family's helper. "Nong Pol, nong Pol, naila kimo si Agnes", the teenager excitedly boasted. Paul knocked on his cousin Anthony's room and inquired what the yelling was all about. Tony told him that Ineng was eager to tell everybody that Agnes was fond of him. Paul simply shrugged the news off and went to the breakfast nook to eat.

    That night, a bunch of friends and cousins went to the beach to drink and sang songs of the olden days to celebrate Paul's presence. At the moment of cheerfulness, Ading, one of Tony's friend, came and told the group that Agnes and a few friends was looking for Paul. Everyone teased the already embarrased young man. "Come on kasin, por an americanized like you, you shud sey hello to the lady. Ip that was me, I will kiss her alridy", taunted Ben. As everyone laughed, Paul gathered enough gumption and stood up, inviting his friends and cousins to come see him talk to Agnes.

   As he was walking, he saw Agnes smiling at him. He wanted to turn around, but he knew that if he did he would only humiliate the beautiful young woman. So, he went ahead and introduced himself. After the introduction, agnes invited him to the pier. Everybody went with them, following and watching them like hawks.

   At the start, Paul was not comfortable about the whole Agnes situation. Paul felt he was cheating on Maude even though he had no intention of courting Agnes. However, as time went on he found himself enjoying the young woman's company. If he was not in love with Maude, he would have courted Agnes; for she was very caring and understanding, not to mention beautiful.

   The vacation had ended. Everytime he leaves Aklan he feels a certain emptiness, but this time even more so because he is leaving behind a true friend, Agnes. Drop by next week for another episode of "A Window For Love".