In the garden, beneath the blazing sun, stood a single mango tree, overshadowed by a grand guayacan tree with beautiful yellow leafs , the cashew tree with its tantalizing fruits, and a cluster of thriving pineapple plants. The garden was a collage of vibrant flowers that Damian's grandma and mom lovingly tended as a cherished hobby.
Damian Diaz, a 27-year-old biomedical engineer living in Panama, had always seen his life as mundane, even boring. His routine was comforting, from the early wake-up calls to his daily grind at work, and evenings spent in the comfort of his own home.That day was no different. The sun cast harsh shadows under the mango tree, laden with ripe mangoes glistening like golden gems.
Damian, his thoughts heavy, reached up to pluck a mango, his eyes scanning the lush backyard. His life was like these mangoes—predictable, yet occasionally sweet.As he bit into the mango and wiped the juice from his lips, Damian couldn't help but reflect on everything he had done and the sacrifices he had made to reach this point. He remembered his mother, Martha, and the back-breaking work she had to endure and provide for their little family. It wasn't easy, and it had taken its toll. She had worked tirelessly to provide for her family, a tradition she had inherited from her own parents.
Martha came from a humble background. Her family, grandparents and parents alike, were part of the working class. Her mother, a warm-hearted, but strict woman, had been a nanny for an American family during the era when the United States controlled the Panama Canal Zone. Martha's father was a dedicated gardener, tending to the lush estates of the American families living in the Zone. Their humble beginnings had instilled in Martha a strong work ethic that she had passed on to Damian.But Damian's own path was a blend of his family's roots and his dreams.
As he ate the mango, he couldn't help but think back to the choices he had made in life. He had been a dreamer, envisioning himself as a master musician or a game developer. But reality had a way of reshaping those dreams.The weight of responsibilities had forced him to change course. To support his family and provide a better life, Damian had chosen a more secure path, the path of a biomedical engineer. The journey had been challenging, with sleepless nights, strenuous study sessions, and sacrifices that took him away from his dreams. But it was all worth it, for his family's sake. That day, as he gazed at the mango tree, Damian's thoughts revolved around the monotony of life, but they held a different tone. He wasn't whining about boredom; he was reflecting on how much he had given up to get where he was. His family's sacrifices, his dreams abandoned along the way, and the relentless effort to ensure they lived a better life—it was all part of the journey.
Martha continued her work in the backyard, a resilient woman who had faced her own trials and triumphs. Her shoulders bore the weight of their family's history, and she had shouldered it all with determination.Damian's thoughts returned to his monotonous life. He wished for a change, for something out of the ordinary. Little did he know that his life was about to take a dramatic turn.
It started as a peaceful day in the backyard, with Damian watching his mother's labor and his loyal pet dog, Luna, resting nearby. But suddenly, the tranquility shattered. A loud buzzing sound was heard nearby, follow by what appears to be a countless amount of bees. With a growing pit in his stomach, Damian realized it was an angry hive of africanized bees, better known as killer bees, which had unwittingly made their home in one of the trees, and had been disturb by his mother work.
Chaos erupted as the bees attacked. Damian watched in horror as his mother and Luna were swarmed by the relentless fiends. His heart raced as he shouted in desperation, trying to divert the bees' attention away from his loved ones.In the confusion and panic, Damian became the target. He ran, but the bees pursued him relentlessly. He knew how dangerous the little beasts were, just recently he had watch a report on the news about some horses being killed by an angry swarm of them, down at a farm on the country side.
He was stung repeatedly, over and over again, until the only thing he could feel was the burn in his lungs and legs from running so much, but the adrenaline in his veins fueled his escape. He ran faster than he ever had, fleeing from the swarm that followed.The bees were unyielding, but Damian's strength and desperation kept him ahead. The chase continued, a relentless pursuit that seemed to have no end. But eventually, the bees relented and dispersed, leaving Damian gasping for breath. He was alone, but he was safe. Or so he thought.As he caught his breath, Damian realized something was horribly wrong. He knew he was out of shape being over 200 pounds on weight by his record, but even then, he felt he was way more out of breath than he should. Slowly a sinking feeling down on him. He had been stung too many times, they had even manage to stung him inside his mouth somewhat. He choked and gasped for air, but it was futile. Everything around him started getting dimmer and darker, every sound slowly fade to the background, except for the still loud buzzing of the bees. As he slowly lay down on the grass at the front of his house, the last thoughts that passed through Damian's mind were a longing for a more interesting and entertaining life. He wished for a change, but not this kind of change, and certainly not this kind of ending.His vision darkened, and Damian's life slipped away.