Song for the Rain

Storm clouds gathered over the Philippine Sea and invaded the shores of Baybay, bringing an onslaught of early afternoon wind and rain. Gemma stared out the living room window and watched it all while Maria and her mother cooked.

"Wash your hands dear, it’s Merienda time."

Merienda is the late afternoon snack enjoyed by many Filipinos. Tiny bowls of food waited as Gemma sat at the kitchen table between Maria and her mother.

"I heard that another storm was coming our way," said Maria.

"It’s already storming on the coast,” said Gemma.

"Some people say it might become a typhoon."

“We’ll have to keep an eye out,” said mother.

Of course, typhoons were nothing new to the Cruz family. They prepared for the rainy season every August. Gemma helped gather plywood to board the windows and kerosene to fuel the lamps. Mrs. Cruz stored extra rice and dried fish strips just in case they couldn’t make it to Mercado Pier.

Thunder rumbled overhead as rain drummed on the tin roof.

"Do you know when Pidro will be home?"

" He said he’d try to be home before it rains."

“Too late for that,” said Mrs. Cruz.

Gemma pinned her fish to the plate with her knife and raked her spoon along the backbone.

"Slow down or you’re going to ruin your appetite."

"But I’m very hungry," said Gemma.

"You’re just hungry for boiled bananas," said Maria.

Maria was right. The fish was good, but the sweet boiled banana was even better.

Gemma continued eating until only skin and bones remained. She dumped the remains into the green bucket beneath the sink and returned to the table with an empty plate. Now, Maria could serve boiled bananas for dessert.

Gemma cut a small bite of banana with her spoon. She hadn’t had it in such a long time, but it tasted so good as the sugar melted in her mouth. A warm smile came over Gemma’s face.

"How is it?" asked Maria.

"It’s just heavenly,” answered Gemma.

"I sprinkled them with cinnamon. What do you think?"

“My tummy is doing cartwheels."

Maria chuckled as Gemma cleaned her plate again.

After Merienda, Gemma spent the afternoon in the living room, watching television with her mother while Maria studied in the bedroom.

Just before dark, wind whistled through the trees and over the roof, growing louder as evening approached. Gemma’s father arrived home from work and quickly changed out of his damp work clothes, Pidro’s motorcycle pulled up outside.

"Look what the cat dragged in," said Mrs. Cruz.

Pidro came inside, along with a guest. A bright smile grew on Gemma’s face as Pidro’s guiding hand ushered Josie into the warmth of the Cruz house. Pidro and Josie were soaked with water.

"It’s so cold outside!" exclaimed Josie.

"Would you like a towel?”

"That would be very sweet of you."

Gemma fetched two dry towels. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cruz looked Josie up and down.

"Pidro, you didn’t tell me you were bringing a girl. I thought you were bringing one of your surfing buddies."

"She is one of my surfing buddies."

"I meant one of your male surfing buddies, like Juan or Tingo."

"Oh, Mary! Leave those two alone," said Mr. Cruz.

"I just wish someone would have told me."

"I’m sorry," said Pidro.

"Come on, let’s eat," said Mr. Cruz, "Gemma, help your mother set the table while everyone washes up."

Gemma carted large platters of Chicken Adobo, Sinangag-style rice, and leftover boiled bananas to the dining table.

"Who wants to give thanks?" asked Mrs. Cruz.

"I will, if it’s okay," said Josie.

Mrs. Cruz nodded affirmatively.

Josie said a short prayer, blessing the meal, her friendship with Pidro, and even the rain’s beautiful noise. When Josie finished, everyone filled their dishes and ate.

"This is really great Adobo, Mrs. Cruz."

"The secret is to use a carrot peeler to peel the skin off a fresh ginger root. That’s where all the sweetness lives."

"There’s a ginger patch right behind our house," added Gemma.

As Gemma continued to watch everyone while she ate. Gemma was always happiest at dinner. No matter what else happened, dinnertime was together time. When someone was missing, the meal seemed incomplete.

"Now for my boiled bananas with coconut flakes,” said Maria.

"I can’t wait to try one," said Josie.

Gemma served the coconut bananas, making sure to get the biggest dessert. As she dug her spoon into the crispy coconut crust, it crunched.

"Do I taste ginger here?" asked Josie.

Maria nodded, " I sautéed these in the pan ma used for the Chicken Adobo.”

“It makes it taste so much better,” said Josie.

"BOOM!" a lightning bolt crashed outside.

The lights flickered off and on and then off again.

"Gemma, Pidro, fetch the kerosene lamps from your rooms," ordered mother.

They gathered the kerosene lamps and lit them. Each lamp threw out a small circle of golden light.

"What should we do now?” asked Gemma.

"There’s no reason a little rain should ruin things,” said Maria, “Let’s play Tongits."

"I haven’t played Tongits in a long time," said Mr. Cruz.

"Where’s my guitar?" asked Pidro.

"It’s in my room,” said Gemma,”I was practicing chords."

Pidro fetched the guitar and returned to the couch. He strummed the guitar and sang several family favorites while everyone listened and played cards.

"Tong it! We win again," said Gemma as she placed her cards on the kitchen table."

"Well, that’s about enough Tongits for me,” said Maria, “We’re no match for Gemma and Papa."

Gemma hopped to the couch and sat between Josie and Pidro. She leaned her head against Josie’s soft shoulder and listened to Pidro play the guitar by the golden glow of lamplight. Mr. and Mrs. Cruz sat outside on the porch and watched the rains rolling in while Maria read a book at the kitchen table.

"Okay, quit hogging the guitar," said Josie.

As Josie sat up on the couch, Gemma placed her head on Josie’s back. Her ear rested against Josie. Every sound echoed in Gemma’s head.

"When I was a child,” said Josie, “I played the guitar every time it rained and I’d make up songs.

"How about ‘Rain Song?’" suggested Gemma.

"That’s a good idea. Let’s call it ‘Song for the Rain."

As Josie sang, the sound reverberated through Gemma’s entire body.

"In the darkness, I see your bright and shining face – and you think I’m not listening – when you share your pain – but I hear your heart – drumming a beautiful beat – and it keeps time to the sound and song of the rain."

Gemma pressed her cheek into Josie’s shoulder. Josie’s muscles tensed and relaxed as her fingers plucked at the guitar strings. Whenever Gemma giggled, Josie smiled.

The guitar made its way from player to player, each adding a song of his or her own. Some were made up, but most were traditional Filipino folk songs.

While the others played, Josie made a burloloy necklace. She braided the threads together and Gemma picked out each stone and Josie knotted each one into place.

"I think this necklace would go nicely with your bracelet. What do you think?"

"I think so, too."

Josie fixed the necklace around Gemma’s neck and everyone admired it while Pidro played the guitar. Gemma placed her head on Josie’s lap and closed her eyes. Josie’s legs were soft and warm. Pidro sang other rain songs as the light from the kerosene lamp flickered across the walls.

Finally, it was time for bed. Gemma’s mother set out a cot and blanket for Josie as everyone got ready for sleep by the sound and song of the rain.

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