Wordless Day

On my days off, unable to go home it is usually spent in my red walled dwelling. It would be my impromptu general cleaning day. I try to stay out or up late the night before so I’d wake up later than usual.

One such day, right after getting up and going through my version of breakfast I buckled up do the chores. Alone and armed with cleaning paraphernalia with the radio playing in the background I tie my hair to get it out of my eyes. Suddenly I realized I have not said one word since getting out of bed. It occurred to me to test myself if I could survive the day without uttering an expression not even a giggle or a laugh. Inaudible sighs, coughing and sneezing excluded.

Crazy, the things I do in my solitude.

It was not hard because there was no one to talk to anyway except when and if somebody calls. What do I do then? Right on cue, my mobile phone alerted me of a message. It was one really funny joke and I could have laughed except I remembered what I put myself into. A little challenge is welcome, boring if there were none anyway.

An hour after noon, I faced a cold lunch with a cold shoulder treatment. Not exactly fun but it was amusing. After resting for a while it was time to finish my duty and put things in order.

There. Everything in its proper place. Nothing more to do. Tired and lazy to go out.

So, I decided to watch some DVDs, at least, there would be no need for me to talk. In front of the tv I sat with a blank expression on my face, it helped that it was a documentary about prostitutes and was quite a drag. After that, Amy Tan’s Hundred Secret Senses was in front of me but unfortunately cannot hold my attention long enough. I watched again as it was starting to get dark. It was getting lonely. Not a message in my cellphone inbox either.

With a sigh followed by a smile I dialed Malen’s number. “O! Napatawag ka?” (Why’d you call?) that’s Malen for you. I said, “Wala naman, kailangan ko lang magsalita na at kanina pa ako walang kausap hindi ko na maramdaman yung pisngi ko.” (Nothing much. I just need to talk to someone because my cheeks are already numb.) We were laughing so hard even before I finished what I was saying.

Thank God for friends, for the sounds (especially the laughter) and the silence, for the voice we were given to communicate and express ourselves, for the senses the we were given to enjoy life with.