_{This is a complementary series for the Steemit-exclusive, original novel A Day in the Clouds. Be sure to check out the latest chapter (Part 1 and Part 2) before you read this post to avoid spoilers.}

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<< #6

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Hey Cloudheads! Yet another long chapter divided into parts, yet another apology coming your way. I promise you, that is the longest chapter in the story, so I applaud you for getting through that. In terms of real-world events, this has got to be one of the most important chapters in this story. I struggled with writing this, because this wasn't a particularly proud moment. The discussions regarding the inclusion of this chapter were very lengthy. Unfortunately, the events of the chapter happened in real life.

I remember it clearly because my father and I went to visit that day. The chains of the rusted gate from the previous chapter was unhinged specifically for our arrival. In a way, I've always felt a bit responsible for what happened. Even though the septic tank event and Zepp running away didn't happen on the same day, I intermingled the events to create a more powerful distraction. In reality, everyone was preoccupied at that time doing something else while Zepp slipped past unnoticed. It wasn't anyone's fault, and no one ever expected that Zepp would travel as far as he did. I hope that you won't judge them for any perceived neglect. However, the bullies scene did not happen. I used other events as inspiration for that scene.

Thankfully, Zepp was returned unscathed. The events surrounding his return was written almost faithfully. I think you could easily determine which parts I took liberties with. My father and I arrived mere minutes after he was taken back to the compound. At first, we didn't know why tensions were high, but everything made sense after they recounted what happened that morning. This, again, was one of the sparks that ignited this story. To say that this is pivotal is an understatement.

A Little Bit of Discussion

Woo! With all that backstory out of the way, time for some little discussion. Have you had the chance to catch your breath? Go on, we'll wait. Alright? Alright!

Okay, so, I know I'm trying to blur the line between fiction and reality, but I think this chapter deserves more in-depth discernment because of the sensitive nature of the topics involved. Just to reiterate once again, while Ledd had seen better days, Zepp was unharmed during the whole exchange. Do you remember how when we were kids, we used to exaggerate about everything? What felt like years for him was really just a couple of minutes in the real world, but from what I've been told, he traveled quite a distance. I don't the exact measure, but when I traced it, it was almost half a kilometer, through open road. Fortunately, it wasn't a busy street, and the hulking metallic creatures that frequented it are the three-wheeled tricycles, which is the most common means of transportation in the Philippines.

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All of this time, the second language that I've been using is Spanish, and coche is no exception. That creature is ... you guessed it! A car. A minivan, specifically. They affectionally call it "Katips" in real life, and it does know how to "speak" in different tones through the radio.

The upside down "Y" emblem in his shoes is that iconic Air Jordan logo. My cousin and her husband once operated an online shoe distribution business named "The Foot Rocker", which was partly inspired by Zepp as well.

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While Zepp hasn't been bullied for his condition in real life, that I know of, I was inspired to write this scene by stories I read during my research. It's hard dealing with people who are different, especially at a young age. I wanted to exhibit the different kinds of reactions that are often displayed through those three kids. The hostility that they displayed was not born out of discrimination, rather it was mainly from their misunderstanding of Zepp's condition. I wanted to pepper in a tense fight sequence here just to keep the reader's interest piqued. While it's not a perfect representation of the struggles differently abled people feel, I do hope that it translated well. I meant for the outcome to be this sort of empowering note.

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Living in a basketball-crazed country, it's a common sight to see makeshift basketball courts pop up in the middle of the street. In my youth, I have learned to play in that rough and tumble environment as well. Although, the court seen in the story is a established court that doesn't obstruct any roads. It's where Zepp found himself in before he was whisked back into my cousin's arms by the burly barangay official who was kind enough to escort him back. And, no, his name isn't Potalaga.

Taken as a whole "Thank you po talaga" or more commonly spoken as "Salamat po talaga" is a Filipino phrase that translates to "Thank you very much." Po is an honorific used in conjuction with nouns when a younger fellow is speaking to an elder. It doesn't really have a direct translation in English, but it's often cited as a word that sets Filipino (or Tagalog) apart as an inherently polite language. Sadly, its use is deterriorating nowadays because the younger generation aren't as polite. Talaga is more commonly translated as "really", but in this context it's used as "very (much)".

Also, just to clarify, if you notice a few lapses with regards to the information used, it's purely intentional. I've carefully mapped this out, and I've peppered in inconsistencies intentionally because I'm approaching this from the perspective of the protagonist, a less-than-dependable narrator. The errors that might still be found are purely grammatical and typographical.

Until next time! As always, thank you for taking the time to read :D

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Thanks for reading! (redundant, because I really mean it) Follow me @jedau for stories, solutions and other stuff that begin with 'S'!