Kabanata 27:

Night of Photographs

The days went on normally.

Binaba ko ang isang slice ng pizza pagkatapos kagatan ito. We were chomping our food wolfishly in the kitchen counter with our favorite pajamas. It was one of the cute moments of us.

I insisted on putting an organic clay mask on his face. He didn't decline. Takot parin siya na baka iiwan ko siya ng tuluyan. It was a good threat though.

"Dev.." tawag ko sa kanya.

"Hmm?" he hummed.

Tumaba ang isang pisngi niya sa pag-nguya.

Good thing that the confrontation was effective. Hindi ko na siya nakitang palihim na tumungga ng alak.

Uminom ako ng soda bago nagtanong, "This is just what I've normally heard from the people here. What does puhon mean? Parati kong naririnig sayo."

It was a double purpose question. My curiosity bit me every time I heard him say that word.

Dinilaan niya ang sauce sa kanyang mga daliri. He reached for the tissue, and wiped the remaining of the sauce in his hands. Tumayo siya ng maayos. Inaayos niya ang kanyang pajama at niyakap ako.

"Wala namang masamang kahulugan iyon. In English, it means 'soon'. Pero may malalim na kahulugan sabi ni Lola at ilang mga nakakatanda dito. When you want to reach something, or you want to reach your dreams, it's a humble presentation of patience and good things to come..."

"Fascinating. How about Amping?" tanong ko ulit. "I heard tons of people saying that before we go home after our little journey around the locality. It made me wonder what does it mean."

"Amping means it's another way of saying take care." He swabbed his thumb on my right lip with the smudge of the sauce. He licked it unconsciously. "It's a way of telling a person who was about to take a travel or a journey, making sure they would avoid any potential danger. Beautiful, right?" he added.

"Yeah, it is..."

I should probably say it often.

Another random question passed in my head.

"How about Higugmaa ko karon ugma hangtod sa kahangtoran? You have to tell me the meaning of it."

Sinabi niyang sa tamang araw ko malalaman ang kahulugan ng mga salitang iyon. Sinaulo ko talaga mula sa araw na iyon.

His eyes fell vertically. "Love me from this day on, tomorrow, and forever."

Pinatakan niya ng isang matamis na halik ang aking noo pababa sa aking ilong patungo sa aking mga labi.

"That's what it means, babe." Sumeryosong muli ang mukha niya. "Gihugma tika Eirene gikan sa akong kasing-kasing nikatay sa akong mga ugat hantud sa akong atay nisubay sa akong apdo - lapus sa akong buko-buko padulong sa langit niabot ug balik sa akong gabuto nga dughan..."

"It sounded exaggerating. Even it was not my customary language, there's my instinct that it's representing hyperbole. I know you can exaggerate your words sometimes."

"But I can never fake it." he added.

"Wala akong naintindihan sa mga sinabi mo, Dev. Just say it in Tagalog."

"In short, that's how much I love you. There's no doubt. Always remember that, Eirene."

My heart rammed against my ribcage. Marahan kong kinalas ang mga braso niya.

"Devon..."

Hinaplos ko ang maugat niyang kamay.

All the sweet words from him, I felt a sudden guilt of homesickness.

He was my home and comfort at that time. On the other hand, I felt the absence of my family tremendously.

"I think we should go to Manila. You should meet my parents. I will confront them after I escaped." I declared with determination.

His face grew humorless of the matter. "Are you sure of that? Are you ready?"

"Yes." I finally said.

His eyes wrinkled from smiling. He didn't have to say that he was excited. "Dapat pala mag-practice ako."

"What would you say?"

He cleared his throat, adjusting his poise. "Signore, Signora, buongiorno. I'm your daughter's first ever lover. I'm here to present myself as a man, as well as to ask for your assurance that no other man can have your blessing except me and only me, Devon Diavolo Belluci Lopez."

He formally announced in his deep and husky voice.

"That's all?" desmayado kong tanong.

He smirked and continued, "Signore, your daughter intentionally seduces me in the isolation of Sussana Coast while I was sitting in a rocking chair: drank and wasted. She's walking like a Hadid, and stare at me like she would dare waste time to slap me."

Kinurot ko ang giliran niya.

He held my face. I was squinting from the blinding lights of the kitchen.

"Let me rephrase it. Your daughter is really kind and beautiful. The right woman for me. The right woman for my shitty and drunkard life. I know I'm not perfect. I am doing my best to never be the man I was yesterday. Will you trust me, Signora, Signore?"

I felt hot tears sting in my eyes. That love was too surreal. I tried to fight the pool of tears gathering behind my eyes, but they were just traitors to escape.

***

June 25th at the approaching night. The whole municipality was joyful since it was the last day of Kestebeng festival. There were colorful lanterns, yellow and red flags along the street, light sticks, headbands, festival shirts, souvenirs, and balloons. May carts na nagbebenta ng street foods.

Maraming tao ang namamasyal sa plaza dahil sa mga rides ng circus. I didn't see the ninja turtles around, or maybe they were enjoying a romantic time with their girlfriends.

May nagsisigawan sa bandang malayo. May bandang kumakanta sa main stage ng plaza. Lahat ay nakangiti at nagtatawanan kasama ang mga pamilya at kaibigan nila.

Nakaupo ako sa isa sa mga bench. Narinig ko ang lagitik ng kamera. It was Devon holding a canon D3400. Nakasabit ito sa leeg niya.

"Delete it, Dev." I ordered, and ran to him.

He held it up over his head. Inabot ko iyon subalit natural siyang mataas.

"Maganda naman ang pagkakuha ko, babe. I'm a professional photographer." he boasted.

He grabbed my hand. He pulled me to the roller coaster ride.

We bought tons of tickets, and then we ride everything. From carousel, bumper cars, and flying swings.

"Pasok na, ma'am."

The operator motioned his hand onto the metal seat.

He was about to guide me with a hand when Devon interrupted, "Akin to, pre."

Hinablot ko na siya patungo sa loob para makaiwas ng gulo.

He could make a scandalous scene in the middle of the festive celebration.

Sumenyas ako ng paumanhin sa operator. Tumango ito na tila alam na alam niya ang kaugaliang mayroon si Devon.

The operator pulled the guardrail down, and locked it. The metal cart jolted before the tilt-a-whirl motion began.

"Babe." he called.

There was a series of grinding noise and jolt.

"Hmm?"

Inipit ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa likod ng aking tenga ko.

"Let's pretend that this is the first time we meet."

Kakarampot lang ang espasyo kaya't sumalang ang aming mga tuhod.

"Anong kalokohan na naman ito?"

He palmed his face coyly. Medyo namula ang pisngi niya sa maligasgas na pagpahid niya sa mukha.

"Basta. Sumabay ka nalang. Noong una tayong nagkita hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga sinabi ko."

"I'm glad you know."

The atmosphere became smooth because of the swell of music from the music band. From rock to pop, and now they were singing love songs.

His eyeball focused on me like he could see the tiniest pore in my face.

"So, what are you doing here, Miss?" he started just like the first time, but he was not the annoying Devon.

"Having a vacation?" kunwaring tugon ko.

"Where have you been all my life?"

Hindi ako makasagot sa masugid niyang tanong.

The dimming lights, the feeling of floating, the touch of wind was enough to send us to our own world, like we were the only human to exist by just our stares and winks.

"I'm Devon, Miss. I've been here living since my birth and a woman having a vacation next to my door is something to be welcome of. Would you like me to accompany you around?" Maginoo niyang alok.

It was better than the very first day we met. He was whistling at me like a pervert. He didn't want to be labeled like that. I understood him.

"I'll take that as a welcome."

"Then be with me throughout this night until the sunset and sunrise of our lives."

His eyes held a certain promise.

"I think I can make you happy, Miss Eirene."

"Why? Are you leaving already?"

His laughter burst out with the wind.

The rest of the conversation was jubilant. The next ride was the roller coaster. Someone shrieks, then laughed, while the ride spun us to life. We shouted at the top of our lungs. Ang buhok namin ay lumulutang dahil sa bilis ng takbo.

After the whirling ride, he stumbled out of the cart dizzily looking like he was about to vomit. An idea hit my head. As a revenge, I whipped out my phone and took many pictures of his queasy state.

"Ma che cazzo! Stop it, Eirene!"

Pasuray-suray ang kanyang lakad papunta sa akin. I took more photos of him. I ran away, and he chased me.

Nadakip niya din ako kalaunan.

I felt his muscular arms, wrapping my torso. His eyes lit with mischief. He smacked a big and fat kiss on my cheeks. We were floating through the night in a jittery happy daze with the laces of our arms, and refuge by our love. It considered PDA. Nevertheless, we were too immersed in our own world.

"Sana all may boyfriend! Sana all mahal!" hiyaw ng mga nakukumpulang bakla.

Periedot Spiels