That morning you are woken by an airplane, humming so close overhead it seems to want to take you In this chapter of the novel "In the Country" by Mia Alvar, the protagonist, Esmeralda, is woken up by the sound of an airplane flying overhead. She reflects on her life, her job as a cleaner, and her faith. Esmeralda prays and prepares for the day, wearing her uniform and cleaning the apartment where she lives. She has a conversation with her employer's son, John, who is intrigued by her name and learns about her background.
Later, a tragic event unfolds as Esmeralda and Doris, her employer, watch the news together. They witness a plane crashing into a tower, causing devastation and loss of life. Esmeralda wants to go to work, but Doris insists she stays home, as nobody is working in the aftermath of the incident. Esmeralda secretly decides to go to her job at the tower anyway.
Esmeralda reflects on her interactions with John, who shared his personal struggles with his wife's illness and his family. Esmeralda reveals her own personal story about her brother, Pepe, and their close relationship.
As Esmeralda steps out onto the streets in the morning, she realizes that the train service has been disrupted due to the tragic event. The chapter ends with uncertainty about what Esmeralda will encounter as she heads to work.
In this passage, we continue to follow the story of Esmeralda, a cleaning lady, and her interactions with John, a man whose wife is seriously ill. John often spends his time reading thick books or typing emails at work. Esmeralda doesn't have a computer and rarely visits her family because she supports them financially. She tells John about her troubled brother, Pepe, who often gets into trouble. Despite the weight of her responsibilities, Esmeralda finds solace in her faith.
Later, the city is engulfed in smoke, and the bridge's westbound lane is closed. Esmeralda desperately seeks a way into the city and recalls a conversation she overheard about finding foreign wives online. She contemplates using this approach herself to gain entry. Eventually, she manages to convince an EMT that she works at Elmhurst, and he allows her to join the ambulance.
In another scene, Esmeralda accidentally moves John's mouse and sees a document on his computer screen. It contains a message he had written about her, expressing his feelings of attraction and connection. Esmeralda feels embarrassed and ashamed, yet also experiences a strange mix of emotions. She continues to clean John's office but tries to avoid his computer. However, John often greets her warmly and calls her by the nickname "Es."
The passage ends with Esmeralda riding in the ambulance, holding a chaplet and reminiscing about her past experiences riding jeepneys in Manila with her family.
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John was the closest you had ever come to an addiction. As a young girl, you never even longed for Esmeralda's thoughts turn to her relationship with John and her brother Pepe as she reflects on her current circumstances. Her days had fallen into a predictable routine of cleaning houses alongside John, despite the overwhelming guilt she harbored for their illicit affair. In stark contrast, Pepe had taken a different path, striving for change and enrolling himself in a rehabilitation center called "the Farm" to overcome his personal demons. As part of his recovery program, Pepe sent Esmeralda intricate wooden carvings, a testament to his newfound dedication.
Recalling their phone conversations, Esmeralda vividly remembers Pepe's fervent discussions about his newfound faith, often admonishing her for the choices she had made. She acknowledges her regret for not showering him with the praise he deserved and failing to express appreciation for his artistry. However, consumed by her own desires and preoccupations, she sometimes neglected to respond to his heartfelt letters.
Transitioning to another scene, Esmeralda finds herself amidst the aftermath of a calamity, diligently gathering scattered remnants left behind by those fleeing. Her intention is to salvage these lost possessions—shoes, computer parts, and papers— with the hope of restoring and returning them to their rightful owners. In her search through the rubble, she stumbles upon a shoe still clinging to a woman's ankle, prompting her to offer a prayer for the departed soul.
The passage takes a turn, shifting its focus to Esmeralda's job as a cleaner and her encounter with a supervisor. This person accuses her of either working sluggishly or dishonestly stealing time, leaving Esmeralda burdened with shame. In an attempt to justify her perceived deficiencies, she fabricates a tale of having a foot ailment. Later, she reflects upon her decision to end the affair with John, a choice driven by the desire to avoid further complications.
As the narrative reaches its conclusion, Esmeralda reminisces about a previous disaster—a flood that threatened their lives and homes. She recalls the harrowing moment when trees toppled around them, narrowly escaping the destructive path of a colossal tree that cleaved their dwelling in two. In the present, she finds herself thrust into another tumultuous and perilous situation, but this time she is rescued from the wreckage and led to safety by an unknown individual.
Esmeralda's mother delivers the somber news of Pepe's disappearance, suspecting that he has once again entangled himself in dubious ventures. Regrettably, there is little they can do to dissuade him. Meanwhile, the intense pain in Esmeralda's feet exacerbates, impairing her ability to work effectively. A nurse advises her to switch to clogs as a solution. Amidst her physical agony, she continues to grapple with the guilt and complexity of her relationship with John, knowing that their affair has brought about profound consequences.