Of Lilies Time and Remorse

Chapter 12

The music stopped again and now, it would be impossible to fit. Or might as well stay balanced.

“ Hindi na kaya”

“ Kaya natin Lucy”

I just let him have the last say. Mahirap i-convince si Sixto. Napa buntong hininga na lang ako. Sixto tried to put his foot. Kalahati na nga lang ng paa niya ang nagkasya kaya kailangan na talaga niyang mag tiptoe.

“ Sakay ka na lang sa likod ko Lucy”

“ H-ha?”

He looked at me with a brow raised.

“ Why are you so surprised? Syempre kailangan na kitang buhatin.”

“ Can't I just step on you again? And then we'll tiptoe.”

He gave me an amused look.

“ Sinasaktan mo talaga ako, gustong-gusto mo talagang tapakan ang pagkatao ko” he acted as if he's really hurt with his hand on his chest.

I rolled my eyes. Parang kanina lang na gusto niya akong tapakan siya. The countdown was already on, so I had no chance but to slump on his back.

I held on to his neck. I can feel my heartbeat racing. Syempre, I'm already anticipating my second fall in this game of newspaper. I just closed my eyes and hoped for this to be over. I held my breath. I could feel the same with Sixto. Hindi rin kasi siya humihinga. Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo nila kaming hinayaan. Nararamdaman kong nanginginig na si Sixto. We couldn't make it any longer. I closed my eyes even tighter while waiting for my downfall. 

Until I heard the music again, and Sixto immediately put me down. He stretched his body too. I looked at the other pair, and it didn't look like they fell tho.

“ Dahil napaka competitive ng dalawang pairs, Syne decided to declare both pairs as winners! Congratulations! Each of you will be receiving a thousand pesos and for the runner up you'll have five hundred each. May consolation prize din sa mga sumali sa game!” Tita Sabby explained.

Lumapit naman si DL sa amin kasama ang mga magulang niya para ibigay ang mga prizes.

“ Congrats sa inyo! Finally back in the game huh?” Tita Lev said with a smile.

“ Nako napaka intense. Nakukurot nga ako ni Lev kanina” we laughed at what Tito Syne said.

I then looked at DL. He gave Sixto a high five. He gave me a thumbs up. I gave him a thumbs up too. We received our one thousand pesos each. We said thanks to them too. There's one more game, and then it would be the adult's turn to have fun.

We gathered in front dahil pinatawag ni Tita Sabby lahat ng teenagers para sa last game. Sumali din si DL. The game was 'The boat is sinking'

So kailangan lang namin pumunta o gumawa ng grupo depende sa number na kailangan.

Naghiwa-hiwalay muna kami as what Tita Sabby instructed us. Binilang muna niya kami para magawa niyang odd ang first number para mabawasan kami.

“  Group yourselves into 13!”

Dali-dali akong sumama sa kanila ni Ritz. Dalawang groups ang mayroon. Two were eliminated.

“ Group yourselves into 5!”

Sixto, DL, Ritz and Kate ran to me. There were 5 groups all in all, and one was eliminated. Nagpatuloy lang kami, hanggang sa lima na lang kami na nasa game. I didn't realize that I was actually good in this game. We were actually having fun. Kahit pa walang premyo ang game na 'to.

Now there's only three of us. What a coincidence. DL and Sixto. We stayed away from each other. Tita Sabby tried to play with us. Pinaulit-ulit niya ang 'group yourselves into 3' hanggang sa nalilito na kami kung ilan ang three. She frequently told us to 'group ourselves into one' kaya nakakalito na kung tatakbo pa ba kami o hindi.

“ Group yourselves into two!”

Naghintay na lang ako na may isa sa kanilang tumakbo sa isa't-isa dahil mag best friends naman sila. But minutes past,  and they were just standing still, while looking at me. Sixto made a gesture about me running to him or DL. The latter just smiled. My eyes dilated. Bakit naman ako?

Saan ako pupunta ngayon? People were shouting and cheering and betting. Of course it's already quite predictable kung saan ako tatakbo. Alam na nila...

Or so they thought. I defied their thoughts.

I ran to DL.

Sixto was eliminated. DL and I won. Wala namang prize kaya okay lang. I actually had fun. DL just smiled and shaked his head.

“ You really  want to complicate even the simplest thing, do you?”

I just shrugged. Maybe I do. I do want to complicate things. I looked at the other side. I saw Sixto looking at me too. His body was droopy and his bottom lip was jutting out.

It's the adults time to play. Tita Sabby was still the emcee. I guess nasanay na siya. Their first game was the marshmallow game. It's that long marshmallow at paunahan sa pag-ubos while both person's in both sides. Mostly mag-asawa ang sumali. I saw my parents, Sixto's and other couples in the neighbourhood.

Everyone was cheering, and I too cheered for my parents. Nasa genes yata namin na magaling sa games, dahil nanalo sila mama. People were teasing them. I just laughed. They played several games muna at grabe ang tawanan nila. Sobrang lalakas. I guess they have different humors.

Now they are in that newspaper dance again. DL was still assigned for the sound system kaya nandon siya. Tita Sabby could not do it alone. Some teenagers were helping her tho. Ang kukulit kasi na pilitin na okay ang kahit lumagpas na ang mga paa.

Hindi ko napansin ang pagtabi ni Sixto sa akin. He wasn't talking, so I didn't talk too. Napaka awkward lang.

I made him lose.

I saw my dad carry my mom para magkasya sila sa newspaper. Tinukso siya nila kasi hindi pa naman kailangan na buhatin si mama. Kakasimula lang ng game. Napailing na lang ako. We just watched their game in silence until he made me look at him.

“ I told you that maybe you'd have your own Tito Syne in the future but I'm taking it back.” he said while giving me a sideward glance.

What he said made me look at Tito Syne and Tita Lev. They never participated in any games ever since, but they look happy and contented just by holding each other's hands.

He faced me.

“ Maybe someone like my dad is for you Lucy. No, not maybe. I am sure. Someone like him is what you need. ” he said while touching my face and looking up through the lashes.

I looked down and away from his gaze. I looked at his parents. His mom was stepping on his dad. Just like what I did to him...

The adult games ended, and now Tita Sabby asked us to gather around for the thanksgiving dahil finally kakain na kami. Ritz's mom lead the prayer.

She gave us a few minutes to say our personal prayers in silence. Matapos ito ay sumigaw kami sa isa't-isa ng Happy New Year kahit pa hindi pa nagtwe-twelve.

Kumuha na ako ng plato at iba pang mga utensils dahil buffet style ang ginawa nilang arrangement. Sobrang haba ng pila ng mga pagkain dahil syempre may dala o share ang lahat.

Kumuha ako sa lahat. I wouldn't let the opportunity of eating good food pass. Pero unti-unti lang naman. Baka kasi hindi ko maubos. May limang letchon din na nakatambay sa bawat sulok in case na ayaw mo ng pumila.

Nasa isang table naman ang mga desserts. Mukhang nandoon ang dala ni Sixto kanina. Bumalik na ako sa table at nandoon sila Ritz, Kate at Sixto.

“ Mas masasarap ang pagkain ngayon compared last year diba?” Kate asked.

“ Hindi naman. Parehas lang.” Ritz answered her while chewing her food.

I sat down beside Sixto at nasa  harap ko naman ang dalawa. Ritz opened the topic about the newspaper dance earlier.

“ Sobrang competitive niyo naman. Gets ko si Nohr kasi syempre he proved himself na hindi na siya lampa. But you and Sixto...” her voice trailed off.

Napailing na lang ako. I just stayed silent enjoying the food I got.

“ Saan ka pa maghahanap ng isang libo sa isang gabi?” Sixto answered her. The girls just laughed at him.

“ Hmm. Sure” she said while taking a spoonful of her meal.

“ Can I share?”

We all looked up kung sino ang nagsalita kasi busy naman kami sa pagkain.

“ Syempre wala naman kaming choice, bahay niyo 'to.” Sixto jokingly answered his best friend. I rolled my eyes. He sat next to me dahil bilog ang table namin. Narinig kong nagchikahan sila about school, dahil hindi naman nag-aaral sina Ritz at Kate sa school na pinapasukan naming tatlo.

I just ate in silence.

“ How about you Lucy?” DL asked.

“ Ha? What about me?”

“ Saan mo balak mag senior high?”

I stopped from eating and thought for a second. Saan nga ba? I actually didn't have a plan. Pero may isang school ako na gustong-gusto ko. Hindi ko lang alam kung matutuloy ako. O kaya ay makapasok.

I sighed.

“ Ewan. Pero gusto ko sa Sherrinford.”

I looked at them. The girls were happy about it kasi nandoon naman sila. Sixto was just staring at me.

“ Pero hindi naman ako sure na talaga. Baka sa school pa rin natin ako.” I said. But I secretly wished na matuloy. Sherrinford has been my dream. It's a university kasi pero it only caters colleges and now may senior high na din sila since it's a preparation for college.

“ Best of luck for Sherrinford” DL stopped from cutting his steak as he looked at me and smiled.

“ Thanks”

I really still have space for desserts. Kaya I left them and went to the kitchen para ilagay ang plato. Kami ang maghuhugas actually dahil wala silang katulong for the whole Christmas and New Year break. Umuwi kasi sa family nila din. I went back to the hall and got another plate for the desserts.

Iba't-iba ang mga cakes na nandoon. I took a slice each. I got a cupcake too. There's leche flan, buko panda, and some other Filipino delicacies. Marami ring chocolates at mallows na pwedeng idip mo muna sa chocolate syrup. Kumuha ako ng isang cookie dahil naakit ako sa perfect visual representation niya. Hindi rin mawawala ang famous fruit salad at macaroni salad tuwing New Year. Kompleto rin ang twelve round fruits na sinasabi nilang pampaswerte. Kumuha din ako ng ice cream.

Bumalik na ako sa table.

“ I didn't know you could eat all of that. Sobrang dami pa ng kinain mo kanina. ” DL said.

“ You don't really know her. Malakas talaga siyang kumain kapag may occasion” I glared at Sixto.

“ So ano ngayon?” I rolled my eyes at them before taking my seat.

“ You're one of the lucky ones na kahit ilang kilo pa ang kainin hindi tumataba.” Kate said as she dreamily looked at my plate.

“ Hindi naman ako payat ah”

“ Exactly. And you're not fat either. ” Ritz said while eating her ice cream.

Maybe I got it from my mom. I've got all the fats in the right places. If only I was tall, I might be mistaken for a latina beauty. Kaso hindi ako binigyan ng height. You really can't have it all.

“ Tayo ang maghuhugas.” I said para maalala nila Sixto. Baka iwan nila ako. Mahirap na.

Dahil marami kami, the chores were divided. Iba ang magbabalik sa mga table, maglilinis sa hall, at iba pa. DL already had his share. Siya kasi ang nasa sound system. It's been like this ever since I can remember.

“ Sinong manita mo?” I asked Sixto.

“ Manito” he corrected me.

“ So sino nga?” pagpilit ko

“ Secret. Hintayin mo na lang mamaya” he gave me a sheepish smile.

“ Ikaw Lucy, sinong sayo?” tanong ni Ritz. They were all looking at me. Waiting for me to spill something.

“ Si Dani” I answered as I made a spoonful of my ice cream.

Wala naman sa grupo namin si Dani dahil kakalipat lang nila dito sa amin.

“ Si Ishi sa akin. ” sabi ni Kate.

“ Si Kim naman sa akin.” sabi ni Ritz.

We all looked at DL. He just made a zipping gesture in his mouth. Ang k-kj ng mga lalaki. After eating, nilagay na namin sa kusina ang mga pinggan. Natapos ng kumain lahat at parang nagpapatunaw na lang. May mga intermission number ang mga bata, maging ang mga adults habang hinihintay naming mag twelve.

I saw Ritz and Kate got up from their seat. Pumunta sila kay Tita Sabby dahil sasayaw pala sila. Naghanda pala sila ng dance number kasama ang iba. Nang natapos sila, they went back to their seats.

“ Isasali ka sana namin Lucy, kaso last minute practice na kami noong umaga kaya hindi ka na namin napuntahan.” Kate explained.

“ OK lang. Ano ka ba” I smiled at her to assure her. Baka feel niya galit ako or may tampo dahil hindi nila ako sinali. But I assured her I'm fine. Wala din naman ako sa mood sumayaw dahil sobrang busog ko.

I saw Nohr entered the hall, lumabas pala siya. And he's showing off how he can lift those weights! Who would have thought na ang sobrang patpat na bata noon, ay magiging weightlifter at body builder?  People really do change for the better kung gugustuhin nila.

“ Okay neighbors! 10 minutes before 12! Let's gather outside for the fireworks display. Parents, be on guard. May mga firecrackers tayo.”

We went outside. Doon sa lawn nila DL. The men were setting everything na. May hawak na din na pampaingay ang mga bata. Yung iba may takip pa nga ng kaldero. May dala ngang trumpet si DL. Kinapa ko ang bulsa ko, at may nailagay pala ako kanina na whistle. Sinuot ko ito. Since malapit lang ang lawn nila sa driveway  yung parang circular dahil ang harap ay ang entrance na sa bahay, may pumasok na din sa mga kotse para paingayin ang mga busina. Nasa gilid lang naman kasi ang lawn.

Binigyan ako ni Sixto ng sparkler. I looked at the kids, may hawak na din pala sila. Of course with the supervision of their parents.

“ 20 seconds na lang neighbors!”

We all got ready and waited for the countdown.

“ In 10!”

“ Whoooo!” everybody shouted when Tita Sabby started the countdown.

“ 9” we counted with her.

“ 8” I looked at my friends.

“ 7”

“6”

“5”

“ 4”

“ 3”

“2” I looked at my parents. My dad was hugging my mom from the side, and my mom was crying. But when they saw me,  they smiled at me. She wiped her tears away.

“ 1”

“ HAPPY NEW YEAR! ” I used my whistle to make a noise.

It was so loud. Wala kang maririnig kundi ang ingay ng mga takip mg kaldero at iba pa. I saw children jumping. I laughed. Hindi naman kasi totoong tatangkad ka. But I jumped too.

“ Hindi ka na tatangkad pa!” Sixto shouted.

“ Shut up! ” I shouted back at him.

We looked into the sky when it lighted. The fireworks were beautiful. Now everybody's calmed and we're just observing the night sky. Sixto lighted my sparkler.

“ Happy New Year, Luciandy. ”

“Happy New Year, Six. ”

I went to my parents dahil magsisimula na ang exchanging of gifts.

“ Happy New Year, Lucy” mom greeted me.

“ Happy New Year ma ” I kissed her cheeks and hugged her. Dad hugged the both of us.

It was Sixto's turn and we sang for him. He gave his gift to Rhad. Until Rhad gave his gift to Ritz and Ritz gave her gift to Kim. Kim gave his gift to DL.

“ Love my manito, yes I do~”

We sang as he turns around everyone.

He later on stopped in front of me at inabot ang regalo niya.

“ Belated Merry Christmas, Lucy”

I squinted my eyes at him. Is this a prank? Baka kasi bawiin niya katulad ng ginawa niya sa iba.

He rolled his eyes and gave me the box. It's quite heavy! Ano kaya ang laman nito. I smiled at him and said my thanks. Now it's my turn to give my gift. They sang for me and then I gave it to Dani. It was a make up set I ordered from Thailand. It cost me three thousand pesos kasi hindi naman free ang shipping fee.

We all got our gifts and Sixto got a pair of shoes. Swerte naman dahil si Tita Lev ang nakabunot sa kaniya.

I opened the box and it was the complete set of Lilian Jackson Braun books!  I widened my eyes. Ang mahal nito! Nandito kasi lahat at mahirap pa na hanapin.

“ Paano mo nalaman?” I excitedly asked DL. He pointed at Sixto.

“ Thanks. I love it” I smiled widely at him. I then turned to Sixto.

“ Thank you Six. For telling him. ” he just ruffled my hair.

Even though how amazing and fun this night or morning has been, it still has came to an end. Pauwi na sana kami when I remembered something.

“ Maghuhugas pa tayo” I said as I dragged Sixto to the kitchen. Which he groaned in protest but I didn't mind because I was just so happy of the gifts I received.