https://pixabay.com/es/photos/yate-nav%C3%ADo-mar-740610/
In early 1987, the country's economic situation began to deteriorate. I came up with an idea. I traveled from the city of Cumana to Margarita Island to buy merchandise, since at that time there was a free zone on the island. The stores sold cheap clothes without Value Added Tax (VAT). I bought a variety of merchandise to sell to my coworkers at the Rectorate and thus earned extra money. I was packing my suitcase to leave for Margarita. My husband, Efrain, argued with me. I did not pay attention to him, because this activity increased my income.
When I arrived on Margarita Island, I stayed with my sister Aurora, who lived on Miranda Avenue in Porlamar.
In the month of October of that same year, the University gave us the vacation bonus, with a good amount of money; I told my husband:
"I am going to take advantage to go to the Island to buy merchandise to sell and buy clothes for my children".
My husband always wanted to go with me or at least go in my place. I remember he was a little worried. "Love" he exclaimed to me "don't you think I should be the one to go in your place?".
I got a little angry and told him "It's better if I go, because it's my sister who lives on the island".
"Well that's fine" He replied to me "but remember you can't swim well."
"To electrifying words disconnected ears!" I replied.
"¡You don't want to pay attention!" He replied with a slight smirk.
I remained silent, but with a look, I told him everything.
On November 3, 1987, I woke up early. The sky had dawned very cloudy, tiny drops of rain splashed my face, similar to the dew when it moistens the plants.
I went to the Cumaná Municipal Market to buy some golfeado candies to take to my sister Aurora.
I ran other errands, returned home and had a late lunch. I packed my luggage. I looked at the clock, I realized it was too late. I hurried to see if I could get to the Port on time. I rushed out of the house, took a cab, and when I arrived at the terminal, the ship had already started. I was very upset, because I had missed it.
The people at the dock of Puerto Sucre in Cumana shouted: "The ferry is in trouble!
I immediately turned around and watched as the ferry made an unexpected turn. I also heard many screams from those on the dock as well as those inside the boat. My skin crawled and my heart emptied completely. It was as if my soul was escaping when I heard those cries.
The bow rose up like a tall building, and the stern was submerged in the water, almost invisible. In a fraction of seconds it began to sink; the crew members who were on the upper part were thrown into the air and crashed with great force against the sea, some were badly injured, others swam to safety, but I saw many people still inside the ship.
The ship was sinking completely, with huge white bubbles surrounding it and churning the waters as the ocean swallowed it up.
I was overwhelmed, I thought that thanks to the fact that the time on my watch was late, I didn't make it to the terminal in time. Otherwise, I would have been one more person trapped in that area of the sea called the Cariaco Trench.
I immediately left for home, when I was on the road I saw Efrain coming. When he saw me, he ran, hugged me, I felt his body tremble, very excited he told me:
"I heard on the radio station that the Ferry, Santa Margarita, had sunk, I remembered at home that that was where you bought the tickets the day before. When I heard that news, the blood froze in my body, but at the same time I became active. I ran until I reached the bus stop. As soon as I got on the bus, I was praying to God that you had not perished, because I love you so much and you are so much needed by me and my children.
We hugged and cried together.
This is a non-fiction story.
I hope you like it
The illustration is from Pixabay
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