Somewhere in the Shallow Sea

by Dennis Macaraeg

  Danny climbed into the passenger seat of the first cab he saw and placed the Cube on his lap.

  “Can you please take me to this place?” he asked, showing him Professor Rodriguez’s business card with the university’s logo.

  “Okay, boss,” the driver responded as he stepped on the gas pedal.

  Danny looked behind him and saw the mysterious man standing at the curb texting a message on his phone, watching his taxi speed away.

  The traffic along Roxas Boulevard was worse than he remembered, flooded with Jeepneys—Jeeps with elongated chassis and shiny chrome bumpers that serve as the most popular form of public transportation in the country. The box-shaped Jeepneys, with painted pictures of coconut trees swaying in the wind and portraits of beautiful, long-haired women on the side as part of their design, inched slowly on the street.

  A young man walked by selling newspapers, holding a box filled with an assortment of gums and cigarettes. The headline read, “American Military Bases to Return to the Philippines.” His taxi driver held up two fingers and the street vendor handed him two loose cigarettes. The cab soon became unbearably hot. He couldn’t tell what was hotter: the sun’s heat beating down from above or the simmering warmth radiating from the asphalt road. Danny lowered his window hoping that the fresh air would provide some relief, but the city’s muggy air drifted inside, contaminated with nauseating diesel engine smoke. He rolled the window back up.

  Danny spotted the statue of Dr. José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero whose writings sparked the revolution against the Spanish colonizers in the late 1800s. The monument showed Rizal proudly flanked by statues of other revolutionaries from that time. The National Flag of the Philippines lined the promenade with its signature deep blue over scarlet red, with a white triangle at the hoist, a golden yellow sun and three stars. Two soldiers stood guard with rifles on their shoulders.

  The cab driver seemed to sense Danny’s anxiety, turned the radio on. The radio announcer was wailing about a senator caught with a 21-year-old college student in a leaked sex video. Danny could never understand how there could be thousands of hungry beggars roaming the streets and no one cared, yet an old man having sex with a young woman was newsworthy. The next story centered on exposing a public official who owned several lavish mansions yet had an “official salary” equivalent to only $1,000 a month. The driver switched to a different station. Now it was the voice of a folk singer crooning about an ungrateful son who left his family to pursue his dreams abroad only to return to find one of his parents had died.

  “What’s with the traffic?” Danny asked, peering out in the distance. “Are we ever going to move?”

  “Too many cars in narrow streets and no one is following the traffic rules. Look at that Jeepney loading passengers in a no-loading zone. This traffic is as slow as a Quiapo Church procession, boss,” the driver said, scratching his head as his face contorted into a look of frustration. “Would it be alright if we take side streets? It’s a longer route but we’ll be moving.”

  On the sidewalks, commuters tried desperately to flag down overcrowded Jeepneys. In the middle of the street, the traffic police halfheartedly tried to get the traffic moving, but the drivers just seemed to ignore them.

  With the taxis, Jeepneys and buses driving up and down the avenues in an endless cycle of picking up and dropping off passengers, and with the motorcycles squeezing through every open space, it would take hours to arrive at his destination.

  “I guess so,” said Danny

  * * *

  Still rattled by the mysterious man at the airport, the oppressive Manila heat, and never-ending traffic jams, Danny had never been more relieved to exit the cab. Gathering his bag—and most importantly, the Cube—Danny entered the university grounds.

  The students with their carefree expressions, knapsacks dangling down their backs, aimlessly meandered around the campus grounds oblivious to the real-world chaos just beyond the shelter of the university. He remembered his own carefree college days when his problems were purely academic and easily solved on the classroom’s whiteboard or with the aid of his laptop. He missed those days. Life had seemed less complicated when his most pressing demand had been simply showing up to an English literature, biology or humanities class.

  Danny soon found his way to the biology building and walked the length of the corridor leading to Professor Rodriguez’s office. He dodged the students exiting their classrooms as they clutched their notebooks in a hurry to get to their next class.

  * * *

  A few minutes later, an amiable man with a thin, neatly-combed moustache and thinning black hair parted in the middle, arrived.

  “Danny, I’m so glad you’re here,” Professor Rodriguez said, hugging him.

  “How long has it been, Professor?” Danny replied as he stood back to look straight at a face that he hadn’t seen in years.

  “Please…just call me Melchor. No need to be formal.”

  “Sure.”

  “It’s been four years since I last visited California. But come here, let’s go into my office so we can talk privately.”

  When Danny entered the office, he noticed the salt-water aquarium in the corner right away. Butterfly fish and Angelfish glided over the artificial reef. He sat on the chair while Professor Rodriguez moved the stacks of papers and folders cluttering his desk.

  “Never-ending term papers to check,” Melchor commented.

  “I have just as much paperwork waiting at my office when I return,” Danny replied, trying to lighten up the mood.

  Melchor walked towards the aquarium and dropped fish food in the tank. The fish hurried to the disintegrating flakes as they sank deeper in the water, like it was their last meal.

  “This group is notorious for kidnapping Westerners and holding them for ransom. Usually they require a wire transfer, but this time the group’s leader is demanding not only money but also the compound you’ve invented,” Melchor said.

  “I only brought the Cube with me,” Danny replied, realizing the scope of the daunting task ahead of them.

  “Don’t worry about the money. Someone from the States is delivering it and due to arrive any moment.”

  “How do we meet the leader and these terrorists?”

  “I have just texted their go-between and told him that the Cube and the money have just arrived.”

  “Who are these kidnappers?” Danny asked.

  “At this point all I know is that the group’s leader calls himself ‘Commander Berto.’” He is well-known with locals in Southern Mindanao and had been terrorizing everything from Zamboanga City to Basilan and the Jolo Islands for many years. Many of the local people believe that he has an anting-anting—an amulet that makes him bulletproof.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for helping me and sticking your neck out to get Blake back,” Danny said.

  “How could I not help? Blake has done so much for me and I would do anything to get him back. He was the one who guided me when I was new to the world of academia and helped me get my papers published. In a way, I became a professor because of him and I owe him my livelihood. You know us Filipinos…we have what’s called ‘utang ng loob.’ It simply means a debt of honor and that’s what I owe Blake. In many ways, I am indebted to him. I want to repay this debt any way I can, especially in his hour of need. If I don’t do everything in my power to get him back, and something bad happens, I just couldn’t bear the consequences.”

  In a country where the concept of “hiya,” or shame, was the last thing anyone wanted hanging over his or her head, Danny knew exactly how Melchor felt. If Melchor didn’t step up to help save Blake he would lose face among his colleagues.

  “I almost forgot that most unique Filipino attribute,” Danny said.

  “Doing something for Blake would give me a sense of ‘amor propio,’ or self-respect.”

  * * *

  Danny unzipped his carry-on and checked the Rx-18 compound. He poked around the vacuum seal with his fing
ers and was relieved to find that the special plastic wrap hadn’t punctured. He was about to close the zipper on the rollaway when he heard an all-too-familiar voice.

  “Professor Rodriguez?”

  Suddenly, Danny couldn’t move his legs. His heart started to quiver. He recognized the low-pitched rasp coming from the woman speaking through the door. He hadn’t heard that voice in more than three years. How could he forget her sweet tone when it had never really left the deepest chambers of his heart? He had truly loved her and yet he had spent so many long hours researching the Rx-18 compound that he had unconsciously neglected her. Despite their love, they had slowly drifted apart. He was shocked to see her here, in the Philippines and in Melchor’s office after so many years.

  “Helen Glass? Is that you?” Melchor asked.

  Danny found himself lost in Helen’s blue-grey eyes. Her silky, light brown hair was still styled just as he remembered, curls flowing to the bottom of her shoulders. Helen moved closer to him as if making sure that Danny was really the man standing a few inches from her. The top of her head reached just above his nose. She wore a cream- colored blouse and skin-tight, black denim jeans that tapered down her thighs, highlighting the curve of her hips.

  “Danny, what are you doing here? It’s been a long time,” Helen asked with a puzzled look on her face.

  She stared into Danny’s dark brown eyes and felt a mix of shock and regret, as she looked into the same eyes she had fallen in love with so many years ago. Danny still maintained his surfer physique with tight abs and muscles in his arms that resembled waves curling on the sandy beach.

  “I’m here for Blake,” Danny replied.

  “You have the money the kidnappers are demanding? I thought I was supposed to bring it.”

  “I didn’t come here with the money,” Danny replied.

  He was happy to see her again but at the same time resentful for their informal breakup many years back.

  “Those animals who took Blake wanted money. What are you here for?” Helen replied, her voice elevating.

  “What about you? How did you end up getting involved in this mess?”

  Melchor stepped in between the couple attempting to clear up the confusion arising between them and said, “From what I observe, you two seem know each other.”

  Excited to see each other again after many years of absence, and at the same time worried for each other’s safety, Danny and Helen didn’t pay any attention to Melchor.

  “Helen, meeting with the kidnappers is too dangerous for you. I think it might do you good to go back home,” Danny begged.

  “I don’t think it would be less dangerous for you just because you’ve got a black belt in Arnis. Do you think waving a couple of fighting sticks will scare these men? These thugs carry AK-47s. They’ll eat you for breakfast just like they’ll have me for dessert. I’ve got the cash to get Blake back. Why are you here, exactly?”

  “They’re also asking for the Rx-18 compound,” Danny replied, wishing she would board the next plane back to the United States.

  Helen paused, not grasping what she had just been told.

  “The compound you’ve been working on for five years? Why would they want that?” Her face showed a look of confusion.

  “I’m planning to ask their leader, Commander Berto, as soon as I meet him,” Danny said.

  “Well, without the money, the kidnappers will not release Blake. And that’s why I brought it with me.”

  “You brought a million dollars with you?” Melchor asked.

  “Are you crazy? It’s not safe carrying that amount of money around here!” Danny yelled. “What if you get robbed? That’s a huge amount of money to be carrying around.”

  “Well, I’m not just going to sit praying like a nun in a convent and hope everything magically turns out okay. I have to do something.”

  “You brought the whole amount with you?” Danny asked in disbelief.

  “No. I just brought a hundred grand. The remaining $900,000 was deposited in a bank, and I will make a wire transfer once Blake is released to us,” Helen replied.

  Melchor tried to diffuse the growing tension in the room that was ready to bust the ceiling wide open.

  “I don’t think this is the time to debate who is or isn’t going to help rescue Blake. You are both right—Commander Berto is demanding the money and the compound. I think it would be wise if you just cooperate with each other.”

  Danny realized that the only way to get Blake back to San Diego unharmed and to end his nightmare was to cooperate with Helen. He swallowed his pride, retreated and tried to calm down.

  “What’s the plan, then?” Danny asked, turning to Melchor.

  “Blake is being held on the island of Jolo in the southern part of Mindanao. We’ll fly there via a chartered flight that takes off in just over an hour. Once we land, we’ll meet with a contact to take us to Commander Berto’s camp. We will give him the Cube, make the wire transfer, and leave with Blake,” Melchor said.

  “How do we know this isn’t a trick? Once he gets what he wants, what’s to stop him from killing us all in the end? How can we be sure that we all walk away unharmed?” Helen asked.

  “We don’t know,” Melchor replied. “And for all I know, he could order his men to execute us on our way back.”

  His bluntness had a layer of truth in it. Danny realized that he was going straight into the lion’s den without a feasible exit plan.

  “So we’re all going on a suicide mission?” Helen asked.

  “I’ve heard a lot about him. Commander Berto is ruthless, but for an evil man he has a word of honor. His business is kidnapping for ransom and the last thing he needs is the reputation that he kills his hostages and negotiators after he is paid. If that happens, no one will ever pay his ransom again. Believe me, dead hostages and negotiators are not good for business,” Melchor said.

  “Helen, please…for your safety, why don’t you just give me the money and access to your bank account. Stay in a nice hotel and once we locate Commander Berto and Blake, I will make the transfer and bring him back to you,” Danny pleaded.

  “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Our uncle, who issued the money, sent this as insurance,” Helen said, holding up a flat, square device. “Before the money can be transferred, Blake and I must both place our thumbs on this scanner. The money will be released only after our biometrics are authenticated.”

  * * *

  At the domestic side of the Manila airport, their private, six-seater, twin-engine aircraft was fueled and waiting on the tarmac when they arrived. The pilot, wearing a white shirt and not looking a day older than Danny, stood by the plane’s open door with a serious look on his face. Helen and Melchor climbed into the cabin. Danny followed and secured the rollaway luggage containing the Cube in the back of the plane. After fastening their seatbelts, they taxied to the main runway.

  Danny stared at the side of Helen’s face as she sat across the aisle, clutching the bag containing the ransom money. Just then, she turned toward him. He thought of trying to make small talk and asking how she’d been in the past three years in order to thaw the wall of ice between them but he quickly looked away—it was not the time to try to mend issues from their past.

  As the airplane took off, Danny noticed the runway shimmering in the heat, creating a black liquid mirage. He wondered if going to Mindanao and attempting to rescue his friend was nothing but a false illusion that would result in a major snafu.

  Danny looked at the empty seat next to Melchor. He hoped that come nightfall, Blake would be occupying it and that they’d all be safely back in Manila.

  THREE

  From a few thousand feet up in the air, Danny felt intimidated by the island of Jolo. His pulse quickened at the thought of going straight to the Kulog ng Timog’s main stronghold. Except for the main city center, the entire island was covered with a thick canopy of green trees. It was no wonder bandits like Commander Berto picked the island as a hideout. There were plenty of pla
ces to hide that would make it difficult for the authorities to find the Kulog ng Timog deep in the forest. Danny and Helen climbed down the airplane steps without exchanging a word. As he glimpsed at the menacing mountain in the far distance, he imagined Blake’s bound hands and his thirst and hunger.

  The small airport looked like a war zone. There was a heavy military presence. Armored personnel carriers and soldiers lying prone behind sandbags with M60 machine guns were positioned by the entrance. As he exited the airport with Helen and Melchor, Danny felt as if the soldiers were ready to shoot anyone perceived as the slightest threat.

  Not wanting to attract attention from the Philippine Marines, they hurriedly walked away from the airport’s fringes and into the busy street. For Danny, it was overwhelming to see the unfamiliar sight of men wearing skullcaps alongside women in long-sleeved blouses and black headscarves with baskets of fruits and vegetables hanging on their arms.

  Seeing an empty Jeepney parked by the curb, Melchor approached the driver slouched on his seat.

  “Can we hire you for the entire day?” Melchor asked, waving a thousand pesos in cash.

  The driver pocketed the money, told them to get in and quickly shifted into first gear. Melchor jumped in the front seat while Danny and Helen followed and sat on the long, bench-style seats in the back.

  The streets were clogged with pedestrians walking along the road. Children brazenly crossed the streets without care for their safety. The driver honked to warn them but they just ignored him. Avoiding an accident, the driver turned the steering wheel away from the crossing children and slammed on the brakes. The vehicle swerved to the right. Helen’s knee brushed Danny’s thigh. Their eyes met at their sudden unexpected contact. His heart raced.

  Danny clung to the handlebars attached to the roof to keep from being thrown from side to side. He peeked outside to orient himself and saw the dome of a mosque with tall minarets pointing up at the cloudless sky, tucked behind wooden houses with rusty, corrugated roofs.