Within the Walls

Chapter 8

 Aurelio placed the red sequin baro’t saya on a nearby wooden table. My cheeks flustered to the same color of the dress, I looked away from him but a thought raced my mind. We’ve only met for a day and this is how he acts? And why am I getting flustered? I don’t know what they see in me.

He inched closer to me, leaning on my ear and he whispered. “Makihalubilo ka na lamang. (Play along.)”

 Mang Narding flashed a wide grin as he eyed the both of us. My eyes widened from his statement, the distance between us and Aurelio ceased as he draped his arm around me and pulls me closer. He turns his head, and our lips are mere centimeters away. He examined my pursed as I felt my cheeks grew hotter and hotter at his penetrating gaze.

 Suddenly, Mang Narding raised his wooden cane and smacked the man in front of me repeatedly. “Manghunos-dili ka! Hindi ganyan ang pagtrato sa isang binibini! (Stop that! That is not how you treat a lady!).”

 He laughed with each strike as he craned his arm to block the attacks. Mouthing an apology to me, I looked away quickly remembering the events that transpired awhile ago. Mang Narding broke my reverie as he tapped my shoulder, pointing to the dress.

 “Binibini, maari kang magbihis sa aking silid, intayin ka namin rito. (Miss, you may wear the dress at my room, we shall wait for you here).” He gestured to the left of the room.

 I grabbed the dress at the table, feeling Aurelio’s eyes gazing upon me. The room housed a lone wooden bed frame with designs mimicking a cathedral, on top of it is a fixed bed with white linen sheets. An open Capiz window revealed the glimmering full moon, its light dancing on the somber timber floor. I stripped out of my sweater and jeans, kicking off my shoes as well as my socks. I have been into several Buwan ng Wika’s to know that I should have bakya as my footwear. I should ask Aurelio but I can’t muster the courage. I eyed my dress shimmering from the iridescent moon, slowly fitting it on myself as to not tear any fabric.

 I strolled to a nearby bamboo-lined mirror and a astonished expression reflected on my face. I turned around to admire the dress. Its puffy sleeves, its form that complemented the shape of my body. The door creaked open, and I turned around to see Aurelio. He looked at me from head to toe, and a smile formed on his face.

 “Kayganda…(Beautiful…)” He muttered.

 I flushed rose red as I looked away from him. He offered his hands, while the other presented a lustrous bakya with flower and vine design. He crouches and placed the shoes on the floor.

 I gazed at him. A look of hesitance in my eyes.

 “Binibini, nararapat sa kaygandang suot mo ang sapatos na ito. (Miss, it is rightful for such an exquisite dress are these shoes.)”

 I slowly slipped in my small feet, a wooden feel as I walked around the room. Its signature clack echoing within. Aurelio escorted me outside, my arms linked on his. Mang Narding gaped at us and shed a small tear, wiping it away with a finger.

 He walked closer to Aurelio, resting his hand on his shoulder. “Ang iyong tatay ay magagalak. (Your father will be happy).”

 Aurelio rolled his eyes and a glint of annoyance present in his face. We walked out the door, arm-in-arm, as traipsed down the stairs and into the uneven streets.

 Several eyes pierced my soul as we neared the building, murmurs erupted that casted my legs into an immobile solid.

 Aurelio accidentally tugged me. “Mabuti ka lang ba? (Are you okay?)”

 “Hindi ako nababagay rito, ang pangit ko tingnan.” I looked down n the floor.

 A hand raised my chin, and I am met with the smoldering eyes of Aurelio.

 “Binibini, ang liwanag ng buwan ay sumasayaw sa iyong mga mata (Miss, the brightness of the moon dances on your eyes),” he pauses as his eyes stared into my eyes, “sa mga bituin na nakahanay para iyong pagdating (for the stars are lined up awaiting for your arrival). ”

 He raised my hand and planted a quick kiss on the area between my knuckles and wrist. I am smitten by this man’s words, but the feeling of self-doubt never left. We ventured inside, the lovely melody of the piano and a rhythmic mellow of a violin grew louder.

 A tall man clad in a blue uniform with a saber strapped to his side nodded with Aurelio, and I am blinded with the sheer luminescence.

 As my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the light, I saw a large ball room decorated with pale yellows and white, the same color of the clothed table that served an assortment of food in metal trays. The grand hall filled with laughter, chatter, and clacks of bakya as some of the couples danced to the tune of the music. Men huddled together in one corner holding a wooden cup with the symbol of a sun with a face. The women seated a large pale green couch with golden linings fans flailing about as they giggled.

 I didn’t even notice that Aurelio already vanished. I turned my head to find him only to no avail. I felt eyes staring at my shy figure, men with their mouth agape, women with hands covering their mouths in surprise. My heart lurches to my chest as nauseous feeling usurped my vision. Breathing hitched, and my legs started to shake. I retreated to one corner of the house, into the kitchen where there’s not much guest.

  Woven baskets hung from the low ceiling, bricked counters with one of them having an opening where a raging flame is roaring that danced to the beat of my hyperventilating heart. I sought refuge to one corner, letting my back slide down to the floor until my face was at my knee. Why did he leave me alone. I don’t like big crowds. Words failed me even in my mind as I slumped on the floor. I should leave here. This is no place for me. I will buy a normal camera now, I don’t like it here. I rested my head on the wall, and a sudden shifting noise broke my reverie.

 I tumbled down the stairs, my hair frizzled as I descended the stairs in an abrupt manner. My eyes closed as I felt the end of the stairs.

 I fluttered my eyes open, and I am met with a dim orange light that moved to and fro. I stood up and dusted myself off, turning my head to the left to see a shelf filled with paper with a sepia tone. Weaved barrels with a cover, along with large vases.

 I turned to my right.

 “Paano ka nakapasok! (How did you get in!)” A loud, deep voice startling me.