The Handkerchief

It was an early December evening. The night wind breezed on Duncan's face as he drove his motorcycle along the quiet streets of Malate. It was unusually quiet that night as he noted the few vehicles that passed him by.

Traversing along the streets of San Marcelino, Duncan noticed the bright lights coming from the Paco Park.

"Must be a wedding." Duncan said to himself.

He slowed down and parked his motorcycle at the curb. Upon reaching the park's imposing steel gates, he was met by the groundskeeper who perfunctorily handed him a ticket.

"That'll be five pesos," said the groundskeep without looking up, busy scribbling notes on his logbook. Duncan handed him a shiny five peso coin and went inside the park's inner sanctum.

Once inside, it was as if Duncan walked into another world---ancient and tranquil. A lush garden surrounded by centuries-old acacia and banyan trees. The scent of bouganvilla with a hint of moss wafted in the air. Embracing the serenity that welcomed him, Duncan inhaled deeply.

Walking along the cobblestone pathway, it led him to an intricate fountain. The sound of its flowing waters drowned out the noise outside the park's massive walls. The fountain was lit by a multitude of colored lights that created the impression of a dancing rainbow. 

From a distance, Duncan could see a handful of men rigging what appeared to be a stage with an old stone chapel in the center serving as its backdrop. A sleek grand piano was placed in the middle.

Friday. Concert at the park, Duncan realized.

Paco Park is one of the favorite places in Manila the he loved to visit. Nestled in the heart of the city and enclosed like a fortress with its high stone walls, the park was a sanctuary where Duncan finds solitude and escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Duncan found himself walking up a flight of steps of the park's inner wall that led to a raised promenade encompassing the park. From a distance, he spotted a couple locked in a tight embrace under the cover of twilight, unmindful of their surroundings.

Walking further, Duncan came to a spot which afforded him a great view of the whole park and the stage at the center. Night had already settled and the park was illuminated that made it more beautiful than in daylight.

Duncan sat down and felt his pocket for a cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, he noticed the outline of a woman near him. Straining his eyes to see in the dark, he noticed that the woman was wearing a beautiful purple dress which does not seem the ordinary attire for the usual park goer. 

Minding his own business, Duncan lit his cigarette and inhaled a few puffs. After a while, he heard faint sniffles coming from the woman. She appeared to be crying. 

Duncan stood up and walked towards the woman.

"Here," Duncan offering his handkerchief to her, "Thought you might need this."

The woman lifted her head up and looked at Duncan.

"Thank you," as her dainty hand reached for the handkerchief. " I'm sorry, but I didn't mean to impose." she said.

"Oh it's all right." was all Duncan could say. He felt awkward approaching the woman as he might be thought of as a pervert or something. But something in her eyes told him that his gesture was welcomed.

Duncan found himself staring at the woman's face, his gaze transfixed on her as she wiped the tears from her eyes. It was the most beautiful face he saw. At that moment, he was  instantly drawn to her.

Silence came between them as Duncan struggled for words to say. Their eyes met and the woman managed to smile.

"There you go." Duncan finally spoke. "A smile looks way much better on you."

The woman suddenly blushed, stroked her hair to the side of her ear and said, "Now you're just teasing me."

They both laughed.

"What brings you here?" the woman asked. 

"I was on my way home when I saw the lights, thought I'd see what's going on." Duncan answered. "How about you?

"I'm here for the concert." she replied. 

Duncan then finally summoned up his courage and asked, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but is everything all right? You were crying a while ago."

The woman then looked away and Duncan felt stupid that he had to ask that question.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." he said apologetically.

The woman looked back at him and said, "No worries. I'm fine now."

Duncan felt the need to respond but was hesitant to do so, worried that he might say something wrong again. He instead looked over to the stage and saw people milling around while others were finding seats for the show.

"Hey." The woman called to him. "Are you staying for the concert?" she asked.

"Maybe. Its a Friday night and I have nothing else to do at home." he replied.

"You come here often?" asked the woman.

"Sometimes. Whenever I want to be alone and get away from it all, I come here" Duncan said.

"Maybe I should start coming here more often." the woman quipped.

Those words told a lot to him. Simple as they were, it held a lot of meaning. Not wanting to sound presumptuous, Duncan said to her, "You know, it's not all that bad. Whatever it is troubling you doesn't stay long but will soon pass."

"I really hope so. Thank you for that." said the woman.

Both fell silent for a while and after a moment, the woman stood up.

"Here's your handkerchief, I really appreciate the thought." the woman giving it back neatly folded up.

"Keep it," said Duncan. "It's yours. Something to remember me by."

The girl smiled and said she had to go. Duncan wanted her to stay for a bit more, but he couldn't seem to find the words to say it.

The woman started walking away when she turned back and said, "By the way, my name is Amanda."

"You can call me Duncan." he answered.

"It's nice to meet you, Duncan. Thank you for the company. I just wished I had known you at a better time." holding up the handkerchief in her hand.

"If you need someone to talk to, you'll find me here." said Duncan, with a hint of sadness in his voice.

As she walked away, the scent of her perfume lingered and Duncan breathed into it deeply.

Duncan wanted to follow her but couldn't seem to move his feet. His mind now filled with thoughts of that brief moment with her. The way her eyes looked at him and the smile on her face that brightened up his lonely heart. Suddenly, Duncan realized that he should not let that moment pass. He must get to know her more. Tell her that how such chance encounter touched him and made him feel that everything will be all right. Tell her in that moment alone with her, he somehow grew to care for her and that if given the chance to nurture it, he would not let anything make her cry again.

Duncan stood up and started to follow her. Watching Amanda from a distance, he wanted to call out her name. Barely did the words came out from his mouth when he saw a well dressed man with a bouquet of flowers come up to Amanda. Duncan stopped as he saw the man give the flowers to her and kissed her lips. The man then held her hand as he led her to a row of seats in front of the stage. 

Before settling down on their places, Duncan saw Amanda look at him. She raised her hand holding the handkerchief he gave her. She then placed that hand on her heart and struggled a faint smile.

Duncan somehow understood. The orchestra began to play its music as he walked away in that cold December evening.