SovereigntyQuest on Nostr: Story Time….. Sometime in the mid 1990s around Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. ...

Story Time…..

Sometime in the mid 1990s around Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines.
One of the girls from the group of locals I’d been hanging around with invited me to a party.
“It’s going to be a great party for my younger brother, it’s all night and happening at my family place outside Davao. I really want you to come”
Ok, I said.
She was in her mid twenties so I guessed it was probably her brother’s 21st.
The day came around and we were all excited. We had a friend with a car and everyone else took jeepneys to get there. We all bought crates of San Mig, lots of roast pork, chicken and fresh fish for kinilaw. Her place was her parents coconut farm. Chickens running around and dogs, cats and a few pigs. The universal standard drunk uncle was already completely wasted by the time we got there in the late afternoon.
So we all started drinking, eating, laughing, joking, sharing tall tales and listening to music. Me and the dudes would sneak away for a quick herbal every moment we could.
“Where’s your brother?” I asked.
“Oh, you’ll meet him later.”
It’s now getting later in the evening and everyone is drunk and dancing. She comes over to me and takes me by the hand.
“Come on, let’s go to meet my brother”
She leads me over to a typical bamboo thatch hut and holds my hand as we climb the few wooden steps up into the hut. There were a few people in the tiny room of the hut and I didn’t quite compute what was in front of me. A boy was lying on the table, his skin a strange yellow, powdery hue.
“This is my brother,” she said, still holding my hand “You can say a prayer for him if you want”
Outside the music blaring, laughing, drinking and dancing and here I am, fairly drunk, standing totally unprepared in front of her younger brother’s lifeless body.
One of those moments.
Everyone knew.
It was an all nighter and a happy time.
Always be prepared. Love life.