Bert came from a small town in Central Luzon. He finished high school in his hometown and well above the middle of his class. Although somewhat introverted, he was definitely not a loner for he enjoyed group activities.
His good grades in math and science prompted him to pursue engineering in college. The job he got in a construction firm while he was in his senior year made it easier for him to finish his degree.
Holy Week is one time of the year, which Bert loved to spend in his hometown. He always makes sure to be home for Lent to spend Holy Thursday and Good Friday for evening procession.
When that particular Holy Week came, Bert had just taken the board exams and was waiting for the results. He decided to be with his folks as usual. And since he was probably expecting that the money he had would not be enough for the usual spending spree on such occasions, he approached his landlady, a relative, for a loan.
“If I die, will you contribute for me”? Bert asked his aunt. “Yeah, I will give two pesos”, and she laughed as she gave Bert the amount he needed. Bert only smiled.
Bert was soon in his hometown visiting his folks and his former high school classmates. He was enjoying his five-day away from his works in the city.
In the evening of Holy Thursday, Bert joined the procession with his friends. His landlady, who was also from his town, was in the same procession. She saw Bert and his group, and as the lights from the “Karo” or the cart caring the patron saint reflected on them, she noticed that Bert’s shadow had no head. She was horrified but dismissed the idea as optical illusion due to the subdued light emanating from the candles.
On Holy Friday night after the procession, Bert visited a classmate who was studying to be doctor. There he found his other classmates in animated discussion under a tree. As Bert not a talkative fellow, he just listened to their joke and tail stories.
All of a sudden, Bert told the group that his end was nearing. The frivolous group was bewildered by the remark that seemed ill timed and out of place. But the incident was taken with a grain of salt and soon the group dispersed to their homes as it was already late in the night.
That Saturday morning, Bert and his friends were walking toward the big river for the barrio picnic when he met an old friend walking in the opposite direction. As the sun was on the back of the group, he noticed in horror that Bert’s shadow was headless unlike the rest. He did not say a word but only nodded in greeting as Bert wave his hand.
By noontime, news spread like wildfire in the town that two people drowned in the river while swimming- a man and a woman. The man was Bert. ******