Dancing on Thin Ice

Chapter 1

[Ash Gomez's POV]

Muli kong ni-check ang mga gamit na aking ipinasok sa bag. Mom, Dad, and Mama Ruth were also preparing their things while I tied my shoelaces. Isa-isa silang labas-pasok sa kani-kanilang kwarto habang bitbit ang sandamakmak na mga bag patungo sa labas ng bahay. After wearing my shoes, I stood up and went to the mirror inside my room. I wore my favorite jacket that my dad bought for me noong nakaraang birthday ko as well as well as my favorite boots na binigay ng aking lolo at lola last month. I then carried my bag at my back before going out of the house as well. Lumapit ako sa sasakyan at doon ay isa-isang inilagay ni dad ang mga gamit sa compartment nito.

"Come here and give it to me," he gestured as he held out both of his hands.

Tinanggal ko ang bag mula sa aking likuran saka ko ito ibinigay sa kanya. I hurriedly went back to the house to check whether or not may naiwan ba ako na hindi ko naipasok sa loob ng aking bag.

"Come out now, Ash! We're going to be late for the flight," sigaw ni Mom galing sa labas. After making sure that I got everything I needed, I headed out while Mom was still standing by the front door.

"You sure you're not forgetting anything?" she asked while holding the doorknob.

"I'm sure, Mom," tugon ko naman sa kanya. She then nodded and proceed to lock the door.

The last time I've been to the Philippine was probably 5 years ago, back when I was still 10 years old. Iyan ang sabi ng mga magulang ko nang tinanong ko sila. Life here in Canada has been pretty good, actually. I will definitely miss the winter season since they only have two seasons in the Philippines which are dry and rainy seasons. Dati, tuwing hapon doon ay lumalabas ako at nakikipaglaro sa aking mga kaibigan around the neighborhood only if I took a nap that noon. Hindi ako pinapayagan ni Mom na makilaglaro unless makatulg ako at least an hour or two. I haven't contacted my friends since then at ilang years na ang lumipas. Will they be able to remember me at first glance? Naupo ako sa bandang likuran kasama si Mama Ruth while Dad drove the car and Mom sat on the shotgun seat.

"Everything's settled?" Tanong ni Dad habang nililingon kami sa likod.

I buckled my seatbelt before replying. "Yes, dad."

We then drove off toward the airport while listening to Mom's favorite song on the stereo, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper. Tuwing may general cleaning kami sa bahay every weekend ay 'yan lagi ang pinapatugtog niya habang tulong-tulong kami sa paglilinis.

After around 45 minutes or so, we arrived at the airport and the first thing that I hear is the loud sonic vibrations coming from the landing and/or departing planes. The number of people rushing from one place to another was too much for me to handle because they looked like giants who wouldn't bother stepping on a child such as me if I got in their way. Hinawakan ni Mom ang kamay ko nang mahigpit para hindi ako mawala sa kanilang paningin.

Pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawang oras na paghihintay, we boarded the plane, and I asked Mom kung pwede ay umupo ako sa window seat because I enjoy looking at the view outside. The plane started to depart and the moment we flew off from the ground, I put on my headphones while playing my favorite songs. Habang nakatingin sa labas ay kitang-kita ko ang kabuuan ng Canada. I've made a lot of memories in this place and my heart will always have a special place for Canada. Unti-unting binalot ng ulap ang aking paningin kaya pinili ko na lang isandal ang aking ulo sa head rest ng aking upuan. This'll be a long flight kaya hinayaan ko na lang ang sarili ko na abutan ng antok saka ko ipinikit ang aking mga mata para matulog. Makalipas ang ilang oras, I woke up to the sound of my mother's words while gently tapping my shoulders.

"Nandito na tayo, Ash," she said while gesturing me to sit properly dahil hindi ko namalayan na malapit na pala akong mahulog mula sa aking inuupuan.

I excitedly looked outside and saw the vast greens of the Philippines. I gasped in awe as I saw the mountains and plains in near sight. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng nostalgia, na para bang bumalik lahat ng alaala simula noong bata pa ako. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapangiti dulot ng saya dahil Philippines really feels like home to me. Pagkababa namin mula sa eroplano at papasok sa airport, sinalubong kami ng aming mga kamag-anak na may dalang mga bulaklak at mga plakang may nakasulat na 'Welcome Home!' Nakita ko ang aking mga tita at tito na nakikipagyakapan sa kina Mom at Dad while I also hugged my cousins who are all still around my age.

"Ash! Naaalala mo pa ba ako? Ako 'yung kasama mo noong grade 2 pa tayo-"

"Ang puti mo na, Ash! Totoo pala na pumuputi ka raw kapag nakatira sa labas ng-"

"Ba't ka may suot na jacket? Ang init dito tapos mas maiinitan ka niyan-"

Sabay-sabay nilang salubong sa akin at hindi ko sila masagot isa-isa. Natawa ako sa kanilang reaksyon at sabay-sabay na kaming naglakad palabas ng airport. On our way home, napuno ng kwentuhan ang loob ng sasakyan. I told my cousins all the things I've done back in Canada and told me theirs over the past years as well.

"Tapos ano nangyari? Nadapa ka ba sa ice noong first time mong umapak- teka, nakakaintindi ka ng Filipino, 'di ba? Do you understand me?" sabi ni Kylie habang nilalagyan ng actions ang mga salita niya.

I laughed a little before responding. "Oo. Oftentimes, I and my parents talk with each other in Filipino, and most of the time I go to Mama Ruth to teach me Filipino words."

Sabay silang dalawang nagtinginan saka tumango. "Ano daw? Kayo na nga lang mag-usap, Nathan," birong sabi ni Kylie na siyang nagpahalakhak ng mga tita at tito ko sa loob.

Madami pa kaming pinag-usapan kagaya na lamang ng mga ginagawa nila tuwing summer, mga laruan na kanilang natatanggap tuwing Christmas, mga kaaway kapag naglalaro, at pati mga ganap sa eskwelahan. Ang tanging naikwento ko lamang sa kanila nang mahaba ay ang interes ko sa figure skating. The moment I told them the words 'figure skating', they were puzzled at doon pa lang ay alam ko na hindi pa siguro nila alam ang ito. I showed them a bunch of videos on youtube at pati sila ay manghang-mangha sa mga beteranong figure skater as they glide across the ice.

Bigla ko tuloy naalala noong huling beses na nag-snow sa Canada. I woke up to the sudden chill lingering through my skin. Unti-unti kong idinilat ang aking mga mata at nakita at tumingin sa bandang kaliwa kung saan naroon ang bintana ng aking silid. Every morning, my Mom goes into my room at siya mismo ang humahawi sa mga kurtina nito. But strange enough, nauna pa akong magising at nadatnan na hindi nakahawi ang mga ito. Other than that, I can't help but feel chilly kahit na suot ang pajamas ko. Umalis ako sa aking higaan saka sinuot ang makapal na tsinelas. The floor was too cold as well. I walked towards the window habang humuhikab pa. I stretched my arms out and tilted my head to hear that satisfying cracking sound it made. Nang makalapit na ako sa bintana ay hinawai ko nang malakas ang mga kurtina nito. I expected sunrays to penetrate my eyes kaya pumikit ako ngunit hindi ako nakaramdam ng init na dumaloy aa aking mga mata. I scrunched my face and opened my eyes only to see the sky being somehow gloomy. Napakunot ang aking noo.

Is it going to rain today?

Aatras na sana ako nang biglang sumagi sa bintana ang isang kislap na matagal ko nang hinihintay. My face immediately lit up as I looked up to the sky.

"It's snowing!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and rapidly scrammed out of my room.

I went downstairs carefully and ran across multiple doors to get to the kitchen. Nang makarating ako doon ay agad kong nilapitan ang Mom ko na nakatalikod habang may ginagawa sa kusina. I hugged her from behind saka napatawa sa kanyang reaksyon.

"Oh my— Ash! You shouldn't scare people like that," sabi niya habang napalingon sa kanyang likuran.

I hugged her even tighter nang nakaharap na siya sa akin.

"Mom, do you know that it's already starting to snow?" I asked her.

"I did. I was going to surprise you earlier, but you got ahead of me first," she said as she pinched my nose.

"Well, can I go outside right now?" sabi ko pabalik.

"After eating breakfast, Ash. And promise me that you'll just be staying in the backyard," she sternly said.

"I promise, Mom," I told her while hugging her waist.

"Good. Halika na at kumain na tayo. Your Dad will be up any minute now," sabi niya habang bitbit ang plato na may ulam.

"Okay, Mom," I replied and followed her to the dining area.

Nang makita kami ni Dad ay ibinaba niya ang kanyang cellphone saka nagsalita.

"I guess someone's excited to go outside, huh?" he said as he raised a brow.

"Me! Me! I'm excited to go outside, Dad!" I excitedly exclaimed as I raised both my hands in the air.

"You sure are, Ash. Just be careful outside," sabi niya habang sumasandok na ng pagkain sa kanyang plato.

"I will, Dad," I replied.

I hastily ate my breakfast and even almost even choked after simultaneously pushing down half an egg and a piece of bacon stick down my throat. Tumingala ako sa bintana at mas binilisan ko ang aking pagkain habang nakatingin sa mga niyebe na dahan-dahang nahuhulog mula sa kalangitan. I could also see some kids hovering around the snow while having snowball fights.

After a minute or so, I went brought my plate to the sink saka dumiretso ako pabalik sa aking kwarto. I opened the door as wide as I could and ran straight towards under my bed. Kinuha ko galing doon ang isang kahon na matagal ko nang iniingatan. I opened the box and smiled as I looked at my skating shoes. It was mostly black with shades of gold on each side of both shoes. The blades were entirely covered with some plastic material.

Inilapat kong muli ang takip nito saka binuhat ang buong kahon patungo sa living room.

"Dahan-dahan, anak," sabi ni Mama nang nakasalubong ko siya papunta roon.

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad hanggang sa nakarating ako sa likod na pintuan ng bahay namin. I put the box down on the floor and opened the door widely and, acting as if I'm surprised, I covered my mouth out of astonishment after seeing our frozen lake in our backyard.

Hindi naman na ito ang unang beses na nakita ko ang lake dahil palagi akong nakatambay dito kapag winter season. Though, we can always go to skating rinks sa city mismo but I prefer skating alone para walang makakakita sa akin kung sakali man na matutumba ako sa yelo. Nakakahiya kapag gano'n.

I walked towards the back porch of our house habang nakatanaw pa rin sa kabuuan ng aming bakuran. I wore a thick, leather, black jacket, a pair of thick gloves, and the leather pants that Dad gave me last month. Ibinaba ko ang kahon saka inilabas ang pares ng skating shoes.

Little did I know it would be the start of my fiery passion for figure skating in hopes of becoming a worldwide veteran figure skater someday.

"Paano kaya nila 'yan nagagawa, 'no? Kapag ako andiyan, siguro masusubsob agad mukha ko sa yelo pagtapak ko pa lang," sabi ni Nathan.

"It takes practice, Nathan. I practice sa likod ng bahay namin because we have this small lake that becomes frozen during winter and so I have an ice rink all to myself," sabi ko naman sa kanila.

"Wow! Ang saya naman no'n, Ash. Kaso walang ganyan dito sa Pilipinas kasi walang winter, eh. Pero sa mall may ganyan," ani ni Kylie.

"Oo, meron. Naalala mo 'yung napunta tayo doon tapos sabi mo 'watch me' sabay pasok sa rink kaya nabangga mo 'yung bata sa noo dahil di ka nahinto-"

"Shh! Marami ka nang nalalaman," said Kylie as she closed Nathan's mouth using her index finger.

Naputol ang aming kwentuhan nang makarating na kami sa bahay. The adults were then busy with preparing for a homecoming celebration or should I say, isang simpleng handaan, habang kami naman ng mga pinsan ko ay busy sa paglalaro ng roblox. I don't have a sibling kaya having these two play games with me definitely means a lot to me.

"Let's play another game, guys. Ayoko na maglaro nitong Tower of Hell kasi ang daya at palagi na lang ako nahuhulog kahit 'di naman ako gumalaw," said Kylie on her 12th attempt to reach the height where I and Nathan were both at.

"Kids, stop na muna 'yang paglalaro. Dinner's ready," sabi ni Tita Lily nang pasukin niya kami sa kwarto ko.

The three of us went out and we all placed ourselves in the dining table. I definitely enjoyed Filipino food and among my favorites were Adobo, Chicken Curry, and Afritada. Nothing literally tastes like Filipino food, and I will always find myself coming back for it. Nakatatlong scoops ako ng rice because it was just so good. Aside from the food, nabusog rin ako sa kwentuhan namin tatlo ni Nathan and Kylie. How I wish they would stay here forever but they have families of their own kaya naman I could only wish upon a star na sana ay magkakaroon ako ng kapatid. We also took lots of pictures and videos during the gathering and my heart is so full. Around 10:00 PM, our relatives decided to say goodbye to my parents as well as Nathan and Kylie to me.

"Babalik rin kami soon. Sabay tayo pupunta doon sa ice rink sa mall at turuan mo kami, ha!" said Kylie as she waved her hand.

Nathan gave me a hug saka dumiretso na rin sa sasakyan nila.

Nagpaalam na rin ako sa kanila saka ako pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Mom saw me yawn at sinabihan si Mama Ruth to take me upstairs to wash up at magbihis ng pantulog. I held unto Mama Ruth's hand while going upstairs with eyes half open. Habang nagsisipilyo ay halos hindi ko makita ang sarili ko sa salamin dahil unti-unting pumipikit ang mata ko dahil sa antok. I wore a pair of pajamas saka pumasok sa aking kwarta at humilata sa aking kama. Seconds after, Mom went inside the room and tucked me in bed.

"Did you enjoy bonding with your cousins, Ash?" tanong ni Mom habang inilatag ang aking kumot all over my body.

"Definitely, Mom. I hope we'll hang out again sooner," I told her with my eyes closed.

Hinalikan ni Mom ang aking noo saka nagsalita. "Soon, Ash. Soon," sabi niya bago dahan-dahang lumalabas sa aking kwarto at isinara ang pinto.

A day well spent, indeed.