Within the Walls

Chapter 10

As we strode to the top, Aurelio stretched out his hand. His eyes expectant underneath the lamp’s orange light.

 “Hawakan mo ang akin kamay. (Hold my hand.)”

 Hesitantly, I grasp his rough hand and we ventured into the top of the walls. My eyes darted around the place and I am awe-stricken. The brick floor free from the incessant moss, the stone walls greyer with a medieval feeling to it. I didn’t even realize my mouth was open the whole time as my head turned in every direction to admire everything.

 “Tingala ka. (Look up.)” Aurelio smiles.

 Oh…my…god.

 Stars twinkled repeatedly on the night sky. The moonlight dancing on the walkway of the wall.

 “Ang…ganda…” My mouth agape as I stare into the night sky.

 I turn my gaze towards Aurelio. Suddenly, a melodic ballad of a piano emanated from beneath us. His eyes filled with longing as he raises my hand and plants a quick kiss.

 “Ang mga bituing nais ialay sa iyo. (I can reach the stars and offer them to you.)” His voice mixing with the piano.

 A blush forms on my cheeks and my heartbeat starts to quicken. I stutter too much that I can’t form words. I stare out into the night sky once more and I am stuck in a trance.

 Suddenly, he tugs at me gently disrupting my reverie. He gestures his head to follow him and my legs start to move on their own. Even if I met him for only a few days, he sure has a way with words. His charms, his smiles, and everything about him is just like the moon. Beautiful, grandiose, and magnificent. He leads me further into the stone grey walls that overlooked the city within dotted with light that are like flames burning through the darkness.

 Alas, we stop. At the left was a bridge with a body of water underneath. And at the right. The grand Manila Cathedral with white balustrades that separate the Plaza from its beauty.

 “Ang unang lugar kung saan tayo nagkita. (The first place we have met.)”

 I blinked at him as I feel my vocal chords were clipped. I am merely a mute to this man.

 “Pakasalan mo ako. (Marry me.)”

 The piano stops and I stare at him with are-you-kidding look.

 “Isang araw pa lang tayo nagkita at ganito na? (We’ve only met for one day and this” I break our hands as I gestured to the night sky and the church.

 I added. “Narinig ko ang sinabi ng iyong ama, hindi ako isang (I heard what you’re father said, I am not a),” my voice trails as I find what to say, “bride-for-rent!”

 Aurelio tilts his head and his eyebrows furrows. “Bride…for..rent?”

 I scoff then remembering he doesn’t know English. I don’t have the time for this speedy way of love. My father taught me better than this. I turn my heel away from him and run as far as I can. He shouts to wait for him but I don’t look back. I don’t know what is with these men that just barges into my life. There all gonna leave! Just like my father!

 Tears start to stream down my face and I feel something’s clenching my throat. Memories of my father playing in my head as we stood on the same walkway looking into the night sky. The display of lights on the Manila Cathedral when he hoists me up his shoulder to get a better view.

 Why did he have to leave! Now I’m stuck with a brooding mother who hasn’t even left the house since he left! WHY!

 I fall to the floor. I didn’t care if my baro’t saya was torn. Tears dropped to ground and my nose started to become runny.

 “Daddy where are you!” I shout into the city below us.

 A sad violin strums inside my head in my reverie. A hand rests on my shoulders.

 “Hanggang ngayon ay hindi mo pa rin ako pinapayag huminga. (Up until now you’re still not giving me a chance to breathe.)” He gasps for air.

 “Wag mo ko hawakan bolero. (Don’t touch me kiss-ass.)” I reach for my bakya and throw it at him, hitting him square in the face.

 He yelps and massages his face. “Galing mo bumato. (You throw well.)” He laughs.

 I look back at him and I start to laugh as well. He sits down beside me and we both gaze up at the night sky.

 “Hindi ko naman nais na pakasalan kang tunay, pang-akto lamang sa akin itay. (I don’t want to marry you truly, but a mere front to my father.” He mutters.

 I look at him with a stern expression. That’s what bride-for-rent mean. I shrug the thought away as they don’t understand English in this era.

 He peers at me and raises his hand in defense. “Paano kung kaibigan? (How about as friends?)” He asks as he serves his hand for me to shake.

 “Akala ko’y tayo magkaibigan na? (I thought we’re already friends.) I joke.

 He scoffs at me and flashed a you’re-unbelievable face. We remain seated at the brick wall that was starting to get itchy. I stood up and dusted myself off, removing the dried tears on my cheeks and the light snot that comes with it.

 A second later, my head stars to spin and my vision starts to get a little blurry. I almost stumble down when Aurelio catches me.

 “Hindi ka nga pa pala kumain, tara na. (That’s right, you haven’t eaten yet, come on.).” He aids me in walking as we head down the ramp from where we came in.

 He hails a kalesa and helps me climb up its steep steps. A whipping noise started the rickety motion on our way to wherever Aurelio plans on going.

 He stops the kalesa and helps me get down. We stand in front of a wooden double door with situated at a corner of a street. Across this street is the San Agustin Church. He holds the big round hunk of metal and smacks it on the door. A few seconds later it opens, revealing a grand mahogany staircase with two potted plants on the mouth. A man greets us with a bow. He wore a black suit and his hair shiny that diverted from the wrinkles forming on his forehead.

 Aurelio mutters something to the man that I am too dizzy to hear. He dashes to the staircase and we follow soon after.

 We reach to some kind dining room with a large dining table. Aurelio helps me sit down and he rushes to the another room. He walks back with a woven tray with three palayok and a plate with a fork and spoon. He sets it onto the table and the mixing aroma of food lifted my dizziness slightly. He places the plate with the utensils in front of me and scoops up spoonful of rice from somewhere my vision is too hazy to see. He grabs a big spoon from the palayok and slathers it onto the rice.

 He swipes a spoonful of the rice and instructed me to open my mouth which I oblige.

 The sour taste of Sinigang awaken my senses. A sudden shiver in response to the intense sourness, along with a moan of pleasure from the delicious food. He does this a couple of times until I have finished the rice.

 Now, I felt much greater. The void in my stomach has been filled and the throbbing headache I have awhile ago vanished instantly. I stared first into my empty plate, and then turning my gaze to Aurelio, who has an expectant look on his face.