Share ko lang po short story ko, hope you like it,
Tricks of the Trade
“Rodrigo, where have you been?”
“I just came from my classmate’s house ‘nay. We made a lot of requirements to be submitted. Actually I need fifty-thousand pesos for the expenses we need to pay for the research panel which is a part of our final requirement.”
“Rodrigo, where could we possibly find such a big amount of money? I’m afraid I cannot help you with that for now; we have a lot of debts to settle to our relatives. If we don’t settle them we may not be able to ask financial help from them.”
“But ‘nay, I won’t be able to graduate if that’s the case. Do you want that to happen?”
That was the keyword Rodrigo always use in order to persuade her mother to give her money. After all, no parent wants their child’s graduation to be spoiled by debts unpaid and requirements failed to be submitted.
This was Rodrigo’s little trick in order to get a considerable amount of kick back. If he didn’t lost a lot of money at the casino he would spare his parents the problem of looking for money. He nearly drowned from alcohol and it was a good thing his good friend has perfume to cover the evidence and a sweet candy did the trick to erase the sweet smell of liquor from his breath.
“When do you need it?” his mother asked as it followed a deep breath and a heavy sigh.
“We really need it tomorrow ‘nay. Can you do it? Our presentation’s near; I don’t want to have our group left behind because I wasn’t able to do anything to lift away the problem by paying on time.”
“I’ll… I’ll think of a way, I promise.”
“Thank you ‘nay,” Rodrigo replied as he embraced her mother and kissed her in the cheek. Deep inside he’s happy. At last he’d be able to win back his money lost at the casino and swim to alcohol once more.
---
It was awfully quiet at Baldo’s house. After all, his grandfather was already asleep. He just came from the mall as he carried his new haul. As he took out the keys and opened the door, he rushed in with swift steps like a thief at the night. He entered his room, locked the door and closed the window blinds.
He threw the contents of his bag at his bed. There were two I-Pods, three cellular phones, four big and fat wallets, a PSP he took from a child and one I-Phone that almost cost his face to be revealed in public. Good thing he was good and the police didn’t even laid a finger to him.
He grinned as he stared at his catch. He’s so sure Rodrigo would like some of his new wares. He always pays the items delayed and with partial payments. At least he pays.
“You there now Baldo? You got me wondering and worrying you man; I thought the policemen gotten hold of you. If they did, I wouldn’t be able to pay the bail to get you out. I lost all my money at the casino at paid off our debts. Just hold on a little longer and we will be free from financial obligation. You will be free once that happens. I will ask you to stop. You are still my cute little grandchild, where lolo be if you are not a brilliant thief and swept the malls as you relieved them of properties they have in excess. They could afford them and buy them back anyway, they have a lot of money to waste,” a weak voice penetrated the door as it was aided by knocks on the door.
It was Baldo’s grandfather. He stood up, opened the door and showed his new catch lying at his bed well organized and arranged. He took the chance to start their conversation as the old man laid his eyes to the equipments he doesn’t even know how to use. He does know where to bring them to be changed into cold and hard cash. After all, he was the one who was ordering Baldo to steal in the first place.
---
Rodrigo’s pillow vibrated as his I-Phone tucked underneath it receives a call for a familiar face, Baldo.
“What’s up?” Rodrigo asked as he answered his call.
“Yo! I just call to remind you that I have what you were looking for. Are you still interested?”
“No way, you got me an I-Pod?”
“I would not call if I do not have one in the first place, Rodrigo. So, what would it be?”
“You got yourself a deal man!”
“Good, bye. Let us just meet later, I’ll just see you at The Barter,” Baldo exclaimed as he bid goodbye.
He fixed his things and his self as he rushed to go to The Barter, a local mall at their place. A soft hand halted his progress. It was no other than his mother, holding a white envelope as she stretched her hand.
“Here you go Rodrigo, I hope you could pay the things you need to fix now,” she briefly stated as she gave it to her son. Her sweat lined along her face like little granules as she stood pale and pursing her lips.
“Are you alright ‘nay?” Rodrigo asked.
She never responded. All she did was hand over the money to her son and went back to her room. Rodrigo felt that there was something wrong with her mother but he never bothered to ask her why for he already got the money he needs.
A loud crash featuring her mother flat on the floor made him run back and wondering what happened. All that was there was her clothes soak and wet with blood at the back.
---
“You idiot! Are you even thinking Baldo?”
“That’s my decision lolo, I had enough. I know we need money, who in the world doesn’t? but I want to do something to earn it, not just be taking it out from people!”
“You useless child! You’re just like your father, you’re both useless! I raised him and gave him my all but what did he do, he ended up disappointing me!”
“Shut up! I’m not a murderer like tatay! ”
“You’re simply useless! I wasted my time with you, you insolent fool! How dare you not even show gratitude to all I have done for you?”
“You’re the useless person! All you did was whine, complain and rely on others! You even made me a thief! Do you even know what it feels like to see the people you robbed it you dreams? Of course you don’t; that’s because you’re heartless, you’re a pathetic excuse for a human, you’re a monster! I despise you!”
“You-uggrh!” his grandfather paused as he suddenly grasped for air and clenched his chest as he felt a tightening pain embracing him. Then he fell down as he lost consciousness.
---
“Doc, what happened?” Rodrigo asked as he held his mother by the hand so tight he never let go.
“Did you know your mother undergone a kidney donation? It sees that the suturing was wrong and there is evident infection at her wounds. A t most, you’d need about one-hundred thousand pesos to be able to proceed with the course of treatment. Excuse me; I need to attend to another patient.”
Rodrigo just knew something was not right. Of course he needed money but he never expected in his wildest dream would his mother do something like that. They were in need of a lot of money and the fact that he is hoarding money as her mother worked like hell to feed his needs left him at the corner to feel sorry for all the things he has done.
“Doctor, what should we do?”
Rodrigo was definitely sure of who he heard. It was no one else but Baldo at the cubicle at their right at the Intensive Care Unit. It looks like he also has problems of his own.
“At the most a transplant would be the only option. His heart has been damaged to the extent that bypass and angiography is no longer enough to facilitate his recovery. Otherwise, he may not be able to make in this rate.
“Is there any other option doctor?”
“I am afraid to tell you, but that is the only choice. Excuse me.”
As the doctor left, Baldo saw Rodrigo. It seems like the hands of destiny worked a miracle and draw the two to have the opportunity to be with each other’s side. It was Baldo’s perfect timing for Rodrigo knew he could borrow some of the things he stole to be able to raise money for his money. Baldo knew how long Rodrigo’s debt collection was and this would be his chance to have the money for operation.
Things would not be easy for the both of them. Both can feel each other’s need for money. The question now would be answered only by the actions the two of them shall perform.
As if communicating, both went to the parking lot to talk; just the two of them about the situation both is experiencing as of the moment.
“I need the money owe me Rodrigo. My grandfather’s life is on the life now. I can’t just look at him doing nothing.”
“I also need money Baldo. My mother needs to enter a series of operations to correct the injury and infection she got herself into. This may be hard on you, but I want you to let me borrow some of the things you acquire from your stealing so I would be able to have the money to do so.”
“Of course I wouldn’t give you a dime! I need the money as badly as you do, you give it back, pay it back now! ” Baldo replied as his voice roared in extreme anger. He was about to reach his limit.
“No way, would could you shout at me while I was asking nicely! Just give me the money now!” Rodrigo answered as he went near Baldo and finished his statement with a punch.
Both beaten each other to a pulp as their hands smashed each other’s faces, they never even stopped for a second. Baldo got the upper hand as Rodrigo fought hard to be on top. The fight culminated as Baldo punched Rodrigo in the faced so hard he fell from the ninth floor, head first.
Blood was pooling the floor. As Baldo stared at the lifeless body of Rodrigo a constant chill filled his body. He was murderer, just like his father. The moment was moving across his memory so fast his head got itself spinning with different thoughts which filled his mind as the fear slowly crept all the way upwards to wrap his skin in frostbiting coldness.
His head split open thinking out a reason to say to what has happened, to what he has done. He heard footsteps getting nearer and nearer, signaling that someone was fast approaching.
He doesn’t know what to do, as all emotions broke lose the most prominent of all was fear. He does not want to be called a murderer. He doesn’t want to go to jail. As her engulfed his entirety he jumped as well, following Rodrigo’s fate.
Human flesh was scattered all over the ground floor. Blood varnished it red and the two dead bodies turned the floor as cold as ice.
All that was there was the ugly scream of fear which filled the air as it echoed like a siren.
I hope you'd learn something from it,
