After 8 years: Man to give partner Valentine gift, but…

CEBU, Philippines - When Filipino-Japanese national Masonari Sushi meets his live-in partner Charity today, it will be the first time he’s giving her something for Valentine’s Day.

It’s not something grand, really — just a little red, fluffy heart-shaped pillow with the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” on it.

And as he misses Charity a lot, Sushi intends to hug her tight today. But he can’t do that. He is behind bars.

Sushi, 27, is one of the detainees at the Lapu-Lapu City Detention Cell.

Police swooped down on him about a week ago and allegedly caught him transacting drugs in a nearby barangay. His family has already filed a counter-affidavit for the drug charges pressed against him.

His detention has left their home in Sitio Sea Breeze, Barangay Mactan fatherless. There, Charity takes care of their three children, ages 7, 3 and 1.

Charity is a native of Barangay Pardo, Cebu City. They met in one of the places in Barangay Mactan where Sushi’s mother works at the barangay hall.

Sushi and Charity have been living together for eight years, but the half-blooded Filipino admitted he is not fond of giving tokens of love to his partner during the Valentine’s.

“Ordinaryo ra na nga adlaw sa amo, unya wala ra gyud mi buhaton ana nga adlaw,” he said.

Despite the self-proclaimed stern man that he is, Sushi decided to work to make this Valentine’s Day a little bit special even if he and his wife and children are already separated by iron bars.

The heart pillow was bare when it was given to him by one of his cellmates. He decided to put a lace around it and wrote the Valentine’s message himself.

Sushi is hopeful Charity would appreciate the little thought from him on this day of hearts. He holds the same hope that one day, he would become free once again. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)