Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Calinao: 'I Fell' By Nick Prill Calinao Free and Easy
WHILE savoring my usual cup of native brew over regular puffs of flavored tobacco from my pipe one evening, I couldn't help but notice the romantic sweetness of young couples around me.
I was literally amused with the almost simultaneous public display of affection at one of the coffee shops I visit once in a while. There were those curled up in a couch at a corner with arms wrapped around each other, a couple at a table somewhere in the center of the café who were kissing each other like snails, lovebirds constantly whispering "sweet nothings" at the table next to mine, and two individuals silently exchanging "emotion-filled" glances while gently caressing each other's hands across the room. Man!!! Talk about romance and falling in love.
Though I have been in similar situations for more than a handful of times in my life, I sort of felt envious towards the younger ones. There I was "shedding off" all the stress from a hard day's work on a lonely table for one, and around me were "honey-sweet" lovebirds that casually "pecked" at each other as the world passed them by.
I was rather surprised at how freely and easily these couples from the next generation flaunted their emotions in public. I simply whistled to myself and said, "see...what love can do."
Alone and exhausted amidst a romantic atmosphere, I ended up trekking down "memory lane."
Halfway through my recollection, the song being played over the radio pierced my heart. Though the volume was faint, I recognized the melody fairly well. It was a number by Brady Seals; a song entitled "I Fell."
"I didn't believe in love at first sight
'til you walked in that night
When my eyes met yours it took no time at all
'Cause right then and there I knew
I fell in love with you
There was nothing I could do stop the fall"
Yes, I clearly remembered the time when I fell in love at first sight. It was a similar rainy evening some two decades ago. It was also a time when falling in love seemed to be a carefree and responsibility-free relationship.
Similar to the way the young "lovebirds" in the café displayed their affection; it was a time of mindlessly allowing the world to simply pass by.
At that point in the evening, I wasn't able to prevent myself from looking ahead for the young couples in the café.
Yes, they evidently fell for each other and have found the experience of falling in love a wonderful thing. On the other hand, have they realized that they too must accept the challenges that wait?
And so I wondered...On how prepared they are to face the trials that lay ahead...On how willing they are to truly sacrifice in the name of love...On how willing they are to "stick it out" through "thick and thin"...and the like.
It was also unavoidable for me to wonder how many of these couples will become young fathers and mothers who will have to wake up to glaring realities. Young parents who will discover that the general quality of life still needs to be enhanced in the country; that prices of basic and prime commodities continue to steadily rise despite minimal adjustments in wages; that many common citizens question where and how their taxes and contributions are truly spent; that social equity still remains to be realized in the country; and that incidents of graft and corruption will in one way or another affect them and the future of their offspring.
Well, as typically mentioned in a fairy tale, "I guess love will find a way to conquer all," was the only answer I arrived at as the song over the airwaves began to fade:
"I fell
Like a penny in a wishing well
Like a prince in a fairy tale
Who woke up in a beautiful dream that just came true
I fell, in love with you"
After the song ended, I gulped down what was left of my coffee, stashed my pipe, and headed home to my family.
