When the Elephants Dance

by Tess Uriza Holthe

  “Where is your Bible?”

  I handed it to him, raising my hand in expectation.

  “Do you refute these teachings?” He lifted the book above his head, and I saw that the hand that held the book was shaking with pain.

  “Sir?” I frowned, unsure if I had heard correctly.

  He gave me back the book. “Throw it into the water. Shout your promise to your new master.”

  “Roman,” Roger gasped.

  I did not throw the book but gritted my teeth and repeated the promise. The water split open and formed an arc around the cliff. It rose over the large rock, and we were again submerged to our waists. I saw a large mass looming beyond the horizon, a hundred meters away.

  “Come, master.” Mang Minno took out his fishbone, and instead of blowing into it, he held it to his lips, whispering feverishly in some language I did not recognize. But the dark mass remained in the distance. “Master,” he called, “why do you hesitate?” Then Mang Minno shouted in anger, and I took a step back. His eyes were a brilliant violet, yet they appeared shallow, as if Mang Minno were not present at all, but his soul trapped just below the surface, beneath the opaqueness. “You, what are you saying there!” He pointed at Roger.

  “He’s not saying—” I tried to explain, turning to Roger. But I stopped, for Roger was indeed saying something. He was holding a crucifix and saying a different prayer, in the ancient language of the Morro people, the people of the mountains. I turned from one to the other in confusion. Only Grandfather knew such prayers.

  The rules had changed, and no one had warned me. Mang Minno was spitting as he called out his incantation, and Roger, who seemed to find some solace in shutting his eyes, was shaking uncontrollably but still reciting his prayer.

  With an angry cry, Mang Minno grabbed at my brother’s crucifix. His hand was lashed suddenly with cuts, as if by a whip. But he held on and ripped the crucifix, throwing it to the ground. He shoved my brother down, and instantly tears came to my eyes at the sight of my brother.

  “Come, Roman, we shall call Agraria on our own.” He reached out to me; his voice was like a hiss, slicing through air.

  “No.” I kicked him away. I helped Roger up, and we started to back away. “Rog, are you hurt? Can you walk?”

  “I shall try.” He got up and placed his arm around my shoulder. “Get behind me and run home.”

  “I won’t leave you.” I held on to him. The mass in the water set the earth trembling and began to roll toward us. It was huge, the size of at least six tourist buses in length. As big as our two-story house in height and width.

  “Come, master!” Mang Minno shouted in a crazed voice. “The boy has made his promise. The tribunal has accepted. All that is needed is a drop of his blood to seal it. The other will give his soul. He has come willingly.” Mang Minno walked toward me with the fishbone held in his hand like a dagger.

  I watched the dark mass in the water, transfixed by the sight. The ocean broke open, the way it did for the cargo ships in Manila Bay. I saw the speed at which it was approaching; there was no way we could outrun it, whatever it was. I pictured a thousand man-eating fishes.

  The fish surfaced and it was monstrous, with large eel-like parasites attached on its sides. It opened its mouth and a million fishes came forth, like a plague. The tribunal swam around Roger and me in a tight circle. I was paralyzed.

  “Minno!” I heard a loud voice boom from behind us. My brother and I turned to see my grandfather come forward, a spear in his hand.

  Mang Minno gaped with genuine fear. The confidence leaked out of his voice. “Prudencio.” His eyes were human again. They softened as when one sees an old friend. But the tribunal spoke to him, and his eyes turned hard again. “This is no longer your concern. But perhaps the tribunal will still accept you if I speak to them. We can live forever, Prudencio, stay young forever.”

  “Not my concern? Surely you are mistaken. Are these boys not of my very blood? You have gone mad if you think I would let you harm one hair on their heads. Their souls are already logged in a different book.” He turned to Roger. “You have done well. You said the counterprayer as I taught you.”

  My mouth fell open. I was in a panic. How would I ever get my feeble grandfather and my brother out? It was truly a nightmare.

  My grandfather patted my head. “Have you no faith in me yet, Roman?” He pulled out a necklace from the chain around his neck, and I saw that he had the other half of Mang Minno’s fishbone. “This does not belong to me, though it was once given to me. I kept it, knowing that such a day would come. I did not know it would involve my own grandchildren, but perhaps it is fitting.” He took the bone and blew into it, and the creature in the ocean came forward.

  “Lolo, what are you doing?” I gasped.

  “We refute you!” Grandfather roared, and handed the bone to me.

  “Yes, take it to your lips, Roman,” Mang Minno shouted.

  My grandfather looked at me quietly. “Throw it into the water, son.”

  I nodded and threw it into the ocean. The water exploded, the waves as high as a house. I thought it would consume us, but it did not. Mang Minno took his necklace and held it out to me. I looked at it. It was covered in spit. I turned away, disgusted. He screamed and the necklace tightened around his neck. The fishbone weighed him down; it pulled him to his knees. “Prudencio,” he called out to my grandfather.

  “You were long ago dead to me, my friend. Go to your rest.” Grandfather’s tears surprised me.

  Mang Minno leaned forward into the water. He bared sharp teeth at us and laughed. His jaw thickened and lengthened. “It will not end with me. I shall find another.”

  “No more.” Grandfather raised his spear, and I saw that it was the one that Aurora had hanging in her father’s old study, Mang Minno’s old study. “Remember how we found Agraria? With this spear? Blessed with holy water and the prayers of your family when we were both so engulfed by poverty? Your favorite spear, the one you said was blessed by God Himself.” He threw it down, and it stabbed right through Mang Minno. The second it touched him he turned into a fish, and not even one of the tribunal.

  He had once told me that those who retire become part of the tribunal, but I thought it had been only a figure of speech. I did not know he meant literally. He raised his head one last time, and I saw that he had become a bottom feeder, a catfish.

  The fishbone moved from his neck, which was now replaced by gills. It came to life and broke free of the necklace. It swam like a living fish toward the half we had thrown into the water and formed a full skeleton. The bones swam toward the monster in the ocean, and the monster opened its mouth and took in the swimming skeleton. The monster submerged itself immediately, leaving only a circular disturbance in the smoothness of the ocean.

  The water finally receded, and we hobbled home without too many words. The eclipse was over, and the light came soothingly upon our backs.

  “He was my best friend.” Grandfather sighed. “Roman, you may never win your father’s affection, but you should rejoice in what you do have. A brother who would risk his life to save you, and a grandfather who cares.” He pointed to the edge of the forest, where Aurora waited in the sunlight with her books.

  “I thought she was only interested in me because of her father.”

  “Have a little faith in yourself,” Grandfather said.

  FROM THAT DAY on, I no longer agonized over Father’s disinterest. I merely accepted him for who he was. I learned to be thankful, to value that which I did have: my grandfather to teach me the kind of character it took to become a man, and my brother’s companionship.

  The three of us became inseparable. We began fishing in the sunnier parts of the ocean. We found our own fishing spot, without any shade, and we became brown from the sun.

  ~ WHEN ROMAN FINISHES HIS TALE, it is early evening. I know because the room has cooled. The cellar is filled with silence. Roderick is in awe. He watches Roman’s hands as if he will pull out an antíng-ant
íng in the shape of a fishbone. Roman chuckles and messes my brother’s hair.

  “Imagine if we had that bone, Jando,” Roderick says to me. “The fishes we could call. I bet we could ride in the belly of a whale.”

  “Stupido,” I tell him. “Did you not understand any of it? That man was bad. He wanted to take Roman down into the water forever, away from his family.”

  “I would not let it make me evil,” Roderick says.

  “Go to sleep now, you two,” Mama says. “Those things belong to the darkness. We must rely on God. We must ask Him to make us strong, unafraid. To give us the strength to band together, to defeat these devils.” She makes the sign of the cross. “God will guide us through this.”

  “Yes,” Aling Anna says. “If we stay strong like Roman and his grandfather did, there will come a day when this war shall end and we will have the sunlight on our faces again. Will you visit the beaches and search for your own watering hole, Roderick?”

  “Yes.” Roderick brightens. “And Alejandro can come along if he wishes.” My brother sneaks a look at me.

  “Maybe I will find the watering hole first,” I joke, and we elbow one another.

  Mang Selso snorts. “I was quite a fisherman myself in my youth. I challenge anyone to a fishing contest the first chance we get.” He winks at Roderick and me.

  “We accept the challenge. Right, guys?” Roman asks Roderick and me. He holds out his hand to each of us, and we shake it, cementing the deal as fishing partners.

  “All of you, be prepared to lose,” Mang Ped joins in. “Do not forget I grew up in a fishing village.” He is lying on his back, his eyes already shut, wearing a big grin.

  “Excuse me.” Mrs. Yoshi straightens her posture. “But I believe all of the men should be prepared to be put to shame. Besides, Pedro, you would cheat with your premonitions. You would know exactly where the fish swim.” She puts an arm around her daughter, Mica. “Tell them, sweetheart. Is there a better fisherwoman than your mother?”

  “I know of none.” Mica glows with pride.

  “Whoa-ho!” Mama grins at us. “Did you hear that?” We laugh and settle into our mats.

  Mang Selso, still smiling, attends to his father, Tay Fredrico. The old man has been coughing hard. There is a dry scraping in his throat that makes us cringe. Mang Selso covers him with an extra blanket. “Tay, here. Some water. Drink.”

  “No.” The old Spaniard pushes the tin away.

  Roderick and I stay awake as long as we can, discussing Mang Minno. I think of the three of us fishing together someday, me, Roderick, and my sister, Isabelle. I send God a prayer to watch after her and Papa wherever they are. I close my eyes and try to imagine where she could be.

  THE WRISTWATCH I took from the dead man reads nine in the morning. Papa and Isabelle have not returned. I try to imagine the height of the sun upstairs. I imagine it slants, trying to break through our blackout curtain. My head aches from hunger.

  “So late, so late now …” Mama sighs as she prepares the last can of beans. “We fought, that was the last time I saw her. Always fighting, your ate Isabelle and me. She claims that I am too bossy, always interfering, that I am jealous of her … how does she say? Her ‘opportunities.’ How can I be jealous of my own daughter? Even a mama dog will protect her young to the death. What more of a mother? Would I not give both my arms for her if I had to, Jando?”

  “She did not mean it, Ma,” I tell her.

  My mother smiles a half smile. Only one side of her lip goes up; the other side is not convinced it is happy. “She meant what she said. She is not stupid. She knows exactly what she says at all times. This is not the first time she has said such things to me.” Mama rubs her arms. I see where the skin sags below her underarms, how her cheeks pull and droop past her jaw. I wonder when Mama grew old. She turns her face away from us. I watch her throat move as she swallows her fears.

  “Ma?” I call to her.

  “I am the grown-up, I should not have said such things to your sister. Now—” Mama’s voice cracks, and she holds her palms open. “She did not come home right away because she was punishing me. The things I said to her. They were for her own good. She wants to study medicine, good for her. But why cause so much trouble for herself, trying to be a doctor? Be a nurse instead. This is more acceptable. For a woman to become a doctor is like climbing a ladder full of people on top, fighting to kick you back down. If she becomes a teacher, or even a nun, the door is open, wide open. They will take her with big arms and happy faces.” Mama shakes her head.

  “But so silly, stupid, the things we fight about. She makes me so mad. She thinks only of herself, of the things she does not have. She is always watching what the other girls have. I never complained to your lolo or lola when I was her age. I knew my parents were not rich. Anything we had I was thankful for.

  “But Isabelle has hungry eyes. She is never happy with her situation. I tell her, ‘Think about others worse off than you. At least you have a family, at least there is a roof over your head.’ And do you know what she said to me? ‘Why should I be content with what I have? What is wrong with reaching higher, wanting more?’ ”

  “Ah, but that is the way of the young nowadays. Especially with the younger girls.” Aling Anna pulls her blanket closer around her. “Before this war, they had every possible opportunity. The young women were seduced by all the roads they could travel. They could become lawyers, doctors, whatever they wanted. They could live abroad, start a business. It was too much for them to eat at one sitting.”

  My mother sighs. “If only that were the only problem with Isabelle. But between the two of us, there is more. Her father spoils her with ideas. He encourages her to climb high, reach for the heavens. But who is there to catch her when she falls? Me. Who has to explain to her that not as many doors are open as she would like to think? Me. So what do I get in repayment? I am the bad person. The one standing in her way. Have you ever seen a daughter who hated her mother so, Aling Anna? Curse this morning chill.”

  “Louisa, you are too hard on yourself,” Aling Anna chides. “These things occur between mothers and daughters. Their relationships are more fragile than fathers and sons. They compete with one another, grow jealous. They compete for the father, the husband’s attention. Such is the way with all women.”

  Mama smoothes her hair into place, curving it behind her ears. She frowns a little at Aling Anna’s last words, but Mama does not like to make too many waves in the ocean. She told us it is important to be good to one another, especially now. She said the time has come when we must each lean on the other, so it is important to have patience. Although I think she feels differently with Mang Selso. “Yes, perhaps you are right, Aling Anna. I am frustrated with my thoughts of Isabelle. I love her too much. If only I could make her understand that.” She stops rubbing her arms and paces the floor. “This infernal heat.”

  “Ma …” Roderick looks at her. “Ma,” he says again.

  “What is it, Roddie?”

  “You just said it was cold.”

  Mama looks at Roderick as if he is the one who is delirious.

  “She will be all right, Ma.” I stand and take her hand.

  “Ay, anák,” she says. Oh, son. “If it weren’t for my stupid words, your sister would be home. I should have ground my teeth together to keep from fighting with her. I forget she is just a child, only seventeen.”

  “Isabelle knows you love her, Ma,” I tell her, but she doesn’t hear me. I am worried about Mama. She acts as if she has a fever that has gone to her brain. Papa said that this sometimes happens when people are in closed areas for too long. Like in a ship full of people who have been in the water for many months.

  “Ay—” Mama yanks at her hair. I try to pull her hand back, but she moves away from me. “It is my fault, my fault. Maybe she lost her way.” She is starting to shout. “The soldiers, maybe she came across some soldiers. She is so pretty, like a flower. How would she go unnoticed? If anything should happen to her …
And now your papa. Where can he be? What if they have accused him of something?”

  “Louisa, stop this talk,” Mrs. Yoshi says.

  Roman stands and goes to my mother. He puts a hand on her shoulder. “Aling Louisa, perhaps it is best if I go in search of Isabelle and Mang Carlito now.”

  The lines on my mother’s face straighten. “You would do that, Roman?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can go with him, Ma.” I stand. “I know all the places Isabelle can be.”

  Mama twists a small handkerchief in her hand. “No, Jando. I have already let your sister go, and then your father. I could not bear it if you did not return.”

  “But Ma, how will Roman know where to look?”

  “It is not safe,” Mang Selso says. “It is only a job for a grown person.”

  “A grown man.” Mama looks at Mang Selso accusingly.

  Mang Selso has had enough. He stands. “Why are you blaming me? Carlito volunteered to go. Why should I be responsible? What of the other men? They are here safe with us. Why do you choose to pick on me?”

  “They have done their part!” Mama shouts, her eyes narrowing. “And you call yourself Carlito’s best friend.”

  “I am,” Mang Selso says defensively. He makes a fist. “Carlito and I have shared many things together.”

  “You refuse to share in the danger,” Mama says with disgust. “But you are more than willing to share in the food he brings home.”

  My brother pulls at my mother’s skirts. She looks down at him, not seeing anything but her anger. “Mama, I can show him,” Roderick offers. “I can show Roman where to go. Alejandro is injured. His hands. I can go.”

  “I’m older than you. I should go,” I say.

  “No!” Mama shouts so loudly, all talk ceases. She covers her mouth and runs up the ladder, slamming the hatch.

  I move to follow her, but Roman puts a hand on my shoulder. “Let her go, Alejandro. She cannot keep up with everything that is happening. None of us can.”

  I go to sit by Roderick. He looks up at me and shrugs. We sit with our backs against the wall. After a few minutes have passed, Mama comes down. Her face is dry, her eyes swollen. We look at her expectantly. She tries to speak; it takes her a moment. “Jando, you will escort Roman. Keep your eyes open. Show him the places that Isabelle likes to visit. The Cabrera dress shop, the Bonifacio farm, the little bookstore on Escota if you get that far.”