Green Country by Libby Lestrano (best short novels of all time TXT) 📕

three. I just thought it is because I felt I only slept a little. I ate one apple because my stomach has finally consumed my entirety. After eating, I put on my jacket and went to wander around.
I started asking again at some fruit seller.
“I...I...I have one gold bar, and I want to buy some apples,” I began.
“Four.” She abruptly said.
“F...Four? That's too little.” I insisted. “Why not ten?”
“That's too much, boy. You gotta be joking! Seven. Yeah, seven. That's the last.”
“Fine.” I cried excitedly. Wow! The man's word was true! You can really have seven apples in exchange of one gold bar! I noticed something in her left. It was a yellow heart-shaped fruit.
“Hey! How much is that?” I pointed at it.
She looked at where I was pointing and she let out a grin. “That's not for sale. That's a mango fruit. It's only on display.”
I can't believe it. I always thought mangoes are mythical fruits. I always thought they do not exist. “Why! I always thought they do not exist. Where did you get it?”
“Well, now you do. And for your information, they are the hardest to find and I got this from an old man. I've bargained almost all my possession just to have that.”
“How much would you be willing to bargain it?”
She studied me carefully. “Even your soul wont be enough.” And she laughed heartily.
I left her who was still laughing and I went back in my room then feasted on my apples. I haven't eaten so many fruits before in entire life! I have been so full that I didn't notice I have slept for the rest of the day.

The next morning I went directly into the fruit stands and brought with me the remaining golds. I'm going to try more of my luck this time! I went into the female fruit seller that blocked my view. She is selling strawberries.
“How much...”
“Three dozens per gold bar. But, I can see that you have four. So...that would be...12 dozens of strawberries and specifically, 144 pieces of these...delicious strawberries!” she fully explained.
“Well, then...give me 12 dozens.” I don't know why I said that but that was what I really thought is right. I stared at the fruit seller put the fruits in the bag.
“Here, it is...thank you!” as she reached for my golds.
“Welcome.” I said then went away.
While on the way, my mind is still left at the fruit stand. Was I an idiot for that? Maybe the apples should have been better to bargain. I don't know.
Clang! Clang! Clang! There was much noise on the far side of the train. I followed it and the source of such noise surprised me a lot. For there were variety of table games and entertainment in the area. There were 'Melon Shooting', 'Grape Bowling', ' Hit the Fruit' and many other entertainment games of the like. The 'Grape Bowling' is very funny. You have to bring down small-sized bowling pin through a single grape fruit. But what really caught my attention was 'Bargain Your Strawberrain!”. There has been about 10 people around the playing site. One man is playing. There was a big screen in front of him showing 24 briefcases. He chose to open #24 and then the briefcase was zoomed. It opened and a note flashed in the screen '3 DOZENS'. I waited for the man's next action. He lifted the bag he was holding and I saw that there are a lot of strawberries there. He dropped exactly 3 dozens of strawberries in a hole under the monitor. It seemed like a piggy bank to me. I remember dropping coins in one. After he'd done it, the '3 DOZENS' note on the screen blinked at once and changed color. From dull white to pink. It closed again and we waited. The man playing is seriously staring at it. Finally, the briefcase #24 opened and a shiny note bears: “Congratulations! You just won 3 dozens of apples, 4 dozens of oranges and 5 dozens of strawberries. Keep playing!”
Wow! That was awesome! I want to try my luck in there. I have 12 dozens of strawberries and I'm willing to give it all for a better return. I was about to go into but somebody blocked my way. A woman, but way way taller and bigger than I am. She insisted on going in.
“Ladies first.” I whisper-muttered to her I don't really believe in that but I have to say it in order to save my pride. She would be able to get in first before me. She is way stronger than me.
She positioned herself in front of the monitor. The same game. She chose briefcase #12 and it flashed that she needed to deposit one dozen of strawberries which she did so. The same thing happened. The briefcase opened again and rewarded her four dozens of oranges. She looked tremendously happy. She continued playing. She chose another briefcase. That time, briefcase #13. It required her to deposit five dozens of strawberries. She was so excited as she put as she put her remaining five dozens into the opening. She looked obviously thrilled. I moved closer to see the results clearly and so that I'll be the next to play. Briefcase #13 opened again and the note bore: “Sorry! you just lost your four dozens of oranges. Just continue playing.” I was confused. Suddenly, two of the big men around the playing site moved to get the four dozens of oranges from the woman. She had nothing to do because the men were really gigantic. They put the oranges back in the hole. The men around us were actually gamekeepers. I stood shocked at what I just witnessed. The woman went away. I was about to move back but the remaining eight blockaded my way.
“We thought you're playing, Sir.” The voice seemed like a thunder. I looked at them wide-eyed although looking at them only made me more nervous. They were surrounding me like huge fences. “A...Actually, I'm playing!” I walked in front of the monitor. I will just do what they want me to, just this time! I did the same thing. I chose number 24. I was hoping it would be as lucky as as it was before. It required me six dozens. I stared at it nervously as the note appeared: “Sorry! You just lost your baggage. Just continue playing!” I stared at it with mouth half-open. What? My baggage? That's all I have aside from what I' wearing and the strawberries I'm carrying. Isn't it below the belt? I looked behind me. The big men were all looking at me. Two of them went away. They must be going to my room and get the baggage. How would they know my room? Ah! I don't know most of the things happening here. I looked at the monitor again and then to the men. Their stares went down into my remaining strawberries. Okay! I'm going to play one last time! One last time! I chose #1. I was doing my best to calm my self. My hands are shaking. And more unfortunately, the briefcase required me to put another 6 dozens of strawberries. Six dozens? That's all I have left! A lot of things are going on in my mind. Am I really this ill-fated? Will I go home empty-handed? I put the 6 dozens into the opening and waited closely at my fate. Finally, the briefcase opened again and the note shone bearing: “Sorry! You just lost the privilege to continue riding in the Fruit Express!” There was one second of silence and then the big men behind started laughing out loud. And all those in the neighboring booths were doing the same. I was ashamed and at the same time afraid. Afraid to go out of the train with nothing.
Somebody tapped my shoulder. “Hey, boy! I think you've overstayed.” It was one of those big men. He held my arm. I did not resist because it would be useless. I followed them. I don't want to get out yet but at the same time, I want to escape the whole place. The stares of the people made me feel like I don't belong. I don't know what the big men did but in a short while, the train stopped. The crowd continued to giggle. They took me into the guards. A familiar face approached us. It was the tallest of the guards. It was the one who interrogated me in the entrance. He was smiling. It's as if he's so happy to see me on that state.
“Glad to see you again, Nest. This time, I'm gladder to see you exit the train.” He laughed as he opens the door. The view outside terrified me. The train stopped in a cliff! How will I step out? Before I could think of a way, they pushed me out. I fell down. Terror has enveloped me. I was able to hold on the edge of the cliff. What are they trying to do? Are they trying to kill me? This is more like in the movies I saw!
“By the way, Nest! You told me you're getting out at the next stop. Well, this is the next stop!” and the guard slammed the door.
I couldn't say anything back. I was holding for my life. I tried to hold on but my weight won over my strength. This is the first time that I ever regret about not doing any exercise to control my weight and to strengthen my arms. I cannot hold longer and I rolled down into the steep slope. Down and down into the bushy area. I was still fortunate because it was a soft grassy cliff. I landed on some smooth plumpy grassland. I felt dizzy. For a moment, I thought the whole world's rotating. My whole body is shaking although not in pain.
I lied still for several minutes to bring back my original body condition and to ponder on my very unfortunate life. I can't believe this is happening to me! All this years, I saved all the money I got from work just to lose it all...in a span of...more or less 48 hours! I stood up and looked around. I was surrounded with trees. It was a very cool place and I felt so relaxed. But what really caught my attention was that the trees bear fruits. Yellow heart-shaped fruits. I stared at them wide-eyed and open-mouthed. I can't believe my own eyes...and err...my luck?
“Mangoes?” I asked my self.

Imprint

Text: Illustrations prepared by Lavish Sarael
Publication Date: 11-30-2010

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To my dear self, for being always there for me.