by Bai Maleiha

Created on: December 11, 2008   Last Updated: December 17, 2008

The Dilapidated Man

This is a non-fictional short story that shows one face of poverty that can happen to a man's life if he is in destitute. The primary aim of life is survival but it is easier said than done. Poverty of the soul is worst than not having money in the pocket. There comes a point in one's life when struggles lash like a hurricane depleting man of his strength and determination to survive. Poverty is both an experience and a lesson in life. It teaches industry and preservation of self-dignity against the dilapidation of the soul.

Mariano is just a low-paid clerk in one private company that exports fresh and processed agriculture products. He earns barely enough to support a growing family. His wife used to be a factory worker but since the birth of their youngest child, the couple decided that Juana should stop working and just stay home to take care of their five growing kids. Pregnant with their sixth child, Mariano has to double his efforts to prepare for the arrival of their new child.

Difficult times consume Mariano's strength. His take home pay had to be deducted for his jeepney fare and rental fee for a small one-room apartment where his five children and wife including him have to squeeze space to accommodate them all. He and his wife find privacy only when their older kids are in a public school nearby and the young siblings play with their neighbors.

Most of the time he would sale his salary before payday to buy foods. Whatever his money could afford, that is what Juana cooks for their kids. She knows those foods do not have the needed nutritional value for his growing children but she just shrugs her shoulder and say, "wala akong magawa..mabuti na kesa wala" (I can't do anything..better than no food at all).

They have two instant noodles for breakfast and Juana has to add more water and salt to taste. It is not enough for the seven of them considering that Juana is pregnant and she needs more foods for her and her baby inside her womb. Despite her pregnancy, she has to wash the clothes of her rich neighbor to earn more money for the family.

Planning the number of kids in the family has been a long time debate between the couple. Juana decided that after her sixth child, she will undergo free operation for tubal ligation offered at the nearest public hospital . Tubal ligation is considered to be a permanent method of birth control for women. The couple both agreed to it.

Everything was fine despite hardship, but one unexpected turn of events

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