Under the Starlight

12

We came back to their place around 10-ish ng gabi. Hindi pa kasi kami dumiretso ng uwi kaagad. He decided to tour me in Manila kahit sandali lamang.

I enjoyed the little time with him dahil sa bawat lugar na pinupuntahan naming dalawa ay sinasabi niya ang nalalaman niya tungkol doon.

He's naturally smart and knows everything.

"Natagalan ata kayo?" puna ni Tita Grace pagbaba naming ng sasakyan.

Sancho's cousins attended to him para maipasok yung lechon na kinuha namin.

"Sorry, Mom. Traffic." Simpleng sagot niya sa ina.

I turned to him and he did the same thing. Nginitian lang niya ako bago hinawakan ulit ang kamay ko papasok sa kanila.

Yeah, we have to pretend again.

And maybe I was used to the feeling of holding his hand kaya hindi na ako naninibago pa sa ganito niya.

"You're back, baby!" masayang sabi ni Mommy pagkakita sa akin.

"Hi, mom." I said to her before sitting beside her.

"Gutom ka ba? Do you need anything?" biglang tanong ni Sancho na nasa gilid ko pa pala.

We were at the huge and wide backyard of his family's house. Maraming table na rin doon at may hanging lights na nagpaliwanag sa paligid. The music was booming in each corner.

I shook my head as an answer to him. "Later na lang. Thank you." I told him.

He nodded, "Punta lang ako sa table namin. Kapag may kailangan ka puntahan mo lang ako...Tita, Tito, Leon." He politely leave us after calling the attention of my family members.

My eyes followed him pero iniwas ko rin kaagad pagkakitang nakaupo na siya sa table nila with his family.

"He's really nice, Olivia. I really like him for you," Mom said that made me looked at her. She's smiling from ear-to-ear.

"Hindi nakakatakot na iwanan ang anak natin dahil mabuting tao ang magiging asawa niya. What do you think of him, Leon? Both of you are same age," sabi ni Daddy namin.

Kuya Leon turned to me before putting down the glass of water, "Whoever that will make her happy. That guy looks good and...nice." Sabi ni Kuya Leon.

I rolled my eyes sa sinabi niya. They really like him pero they didn't know na whatever we were trying to show to them was just part of our plan.

We both don't want to get married yet. We still have our dreams and goals that we want to achieve in our life. We don't want to suffer by being married to each other.

But who knows that plan really well aside from us?

No one.

Kaming dalawa lang.

And I don't have any plan at all na sabihin sa kanila ang tungkol doon.

"I was with them noong swimming, right? He's taking care of her during that time and I commend him for that." Sabi ni Kuya Leon.

"Todos hablaban como si no estuviera aquí (You were all talking as if I'm not here.)" sabi ko sa kanila.

"No es un bebé. Es que... lo admiramos mucho por ti (No baby. It's just...we really admire him for you.)" sagot naman ni Mommy.

I leaned back on my seat and eyed the three of them. Will they be happy kapag kinasal ako kay Sancho? Hindi ba nila alam na nakaka-frustrate na ginagawan na nila ako ng future kahit ayoko pa? I have my own plans, my own dreams! I can't just neglect that. I hate being caged at kahit mahal ko sila hindi naman pwedeng pabayaan ko ang sarili ko para lang sa kanila.

"Os gusta mucho a todos, ¿eh? (You all really like him huh?)" sabi ko sa kanila.

Napatingin silang lahat sa akin. Suddenly they all became serious sa simpleng sinabi ko. I never had a voice in our family kahit before pa. Maybe, because I was the youngest among all of us kaya ganun.

"Tienes dudas sobre este matrimonio, Olivia? (Are you having second thoughts about this marriage, Olivia?)" tanong ni Daddy sa akin.

Yes!

That's what I want to tell them. I'm not having any second thoughts dahil in the first place ay ayoko naman talaga dito. I never wanted this obligation that they put onto my shoulder.

But who am I to disagree and say no?

They would just laugh and brush it off and they would keep going kahit umayaw ako.

"No." matipid na sagot ko sa kanila bago lumingon sa mga nagdaratingan na bisita.

The air in our table was awkward dahil sa usapan na iyon. Mabuti na lang at may dumating na ibang tao para ipakilala ang mga magulang ko.

"Estás bien? (Are you okay?)" tanong ni Kuya Leon sa akin.

Lumingon ako sa kanya at tumango. Hindi na rin ako nagsalita pa. Hindi rin naman ako dinalaw ng gutom kahit mukhang masasarap ang pagkain na nasa buffet table.

Around 11 in the evening, Tita Grace walked onto the center of the backyard. She's holding a microphone, mukhang may program pang magaganap.

"Good evening, everyone! I'm your host for tonight's event, your Tita Grace!" masayang sabi ni Tita Grace.

Everyone cheered for her. I clapped as well but I'm not feeling the vibe kasi hindi naman kami part ng family talaga nila. We were just an extra of this party.

"So before the midnight strike at bago tayo mag-exchange gift! Allow yourself to relax and win prizes! Who wants prize?" tanong ni Tita Grae,

Nagsigawan naman ang mga pinsan ni Sancho. May exchange gift pala? Wala man lang kaming dalang gift sa kanila maliban sa wine and pork bellies!

"We have three sets of game before twelve o' clock! Our first game ay by partner. We need six pair of partners here kaya go and find your partner na!" sigaw ni Tita Grace.

Nagkagulo ang crowd at naghatakan na papunta sa center. Mabilis na nakabuo ng six pairs doon pero Tita Grace eyes drifted in our table.

"Olivia and Sancho, please come forward! Dapat kasali kayong dalawa!" masayang sabi ni Tita Grace. She even walked towards our table.

"Uh, Tita, no na lang po. I'm not magaling po." I politely declined her.

Ayokong sumali sa game na iyon dahil first ay hindi naman ako magaling tsaka I'm not a fan of playing games.

I turned to Mom and eyed her for some help.

"Go on!" sabi naman ni Mommy sa akin.

Can't she read eye message?!

"Let's go!" sabi ni Tita Grace sa akin.

I need to make an excuse, "I'm wearing heels po," I told her as if it would stop her from making me play with them.

"That's fine. You can remove that habang naglalaro tayo." Sabi ni Tita Grace sa akin.

Aayaw pa sana ako kaya lang lumapit na si Sancho. He held my hand and pulled me to stood up tsaka walang salita na ginuide ako papunta sa center.

"Hey! I don't want to play," I whispered to him.

Tumingin sa akin si Sancho. His serious deep black eyes were looking at me. "She won't stop. Might as well a sumali na tayo dito para mamaya ay hindi na niya tayong guguluhin pa," sagot niya sa akin.

"But they only need six!" sabi ko pa sa kanya.

"She made the rules kaya exception tayo doon. Let's just enjoy this one, babe. It won't hurt either of us. Ayos na rin ito para ipakita natin sa kanila na in good terms and we are trying, right?" He said to me.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi niya.

He has a point sa lahat ng iyon.

Sasali na nga lang ako para nga hindi na kami mahatak pa mamaya. Napakahirap pa namang tanggihan ni Tita Grace.

"Our first game is...paper dance!" Sigaw ni Tita Grace.

Sancho and I, growled at the same time. Napatingin kami sa isa't isa.

I have an idea about this game dahil nilaro naming ito noon during Christmas Party! Kuya Seb and Chari won this game dahil hindi sila awkward sa isa't isa.

We have to dance before stepping to the newspaper, from big to small. We have to fit in! I remembered na Kuya Seb carried Chari like a bride para lang manalo silang dalawa.

Lahat ng nandito ay magpipinsan and it will be awkward for them to carry their cousins while Sancho and I, we are an engaged couple in their eyes!

"We can still back out," bulong ko sa kanya.

He turned to me bago lumuhod sa harapan ko. Nagulat pa ako dahil hinawakan niya ang binti ko at tinanggal ang shoes ko.

"Hey!" I called him.

His relatives who saw us were all screaming and calling us. Napahawak tuloy ako sa shoulder niya dahil sa ginawa niya. And also, I have to hold onto him dahil bigla atang naging jelly yung knees ko because of that touch from him. It sent electricity all throughout my body and I didn't know how to respond on that. Nilagay niya sa isang gilid yung sapatos ko kaya naka-bare ako na nakatuntong sa Bermuda grass nila.

"Why did you do that?" mahina pero clear na tanong ko sa kanya.

I don't want them to hear us. Lucky na rin kasi yung sounds ay malakas and Tita Grace was telling the rules for this game.

One of his cousins handed a newspaper to each pair.

"Good luck, Kuya Cho!" sabi nung nag-abot ng paper sa amin dalawa before leaving us.

"You know the game, right?" tanong niya sa akin.

I nodded before crossing my arms over my chest. "Do you think na I would dance while wearing this tight red dress?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Do you want to change? I have spare---"

"No." sagot ko kaagad sa kanya.

I know naman kung ano yung sasabihin niya sa akin and I don't need to wear his clothes.

"Okay." Sagot niya kaagad sa akin.

"Clear na ba ang instruction? If yes, let the game begin!" anunsyo ni Tita Grace and maya-maya lang ay malakas na tumugtog na ulit ang music.

We didn't know what to do kaya we just followed his cousins na sumasayaw na lang din outside of the paper. When the music stopped, we all jumped inside the newspaper. Napahawak ako sa arm ni Sancho while siya ay nakahawak naman sa waist ko.

We have a big space for the paper actually fit pa ang isang bata in between naming kaya lang, Sancho has a muscular built same with me na matangkad din.

No one was ousted for this round. I took a step away from him lalo na ng kailangan i-fold sa half ang newspaper.

I'm not moving, ginagalaw ko lang yung head ko sa rhythm ng music. Nakakahiya kayang sumayaw sa harap ng mga taong hindi naman kakilala.

"Sayaw! Ang hindi sumayaw out ah!" sabi ni Tita Grace.

Well, much better, right? So hindi ko na ginalaw ang ulo ako at naka-stand straight na lang ako. Sancho's moving gently naman. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matawa sa kanya. For a future journalist like him, parang hindi bagay.

Ang laki niyang tao and probably one of the oldest sa group of players na narito.

I bite the inside of my cheek para hindi niya mahalata na natatawa ako sa kanya kahit I want to burst out from laughing na

Hindi bagay sa kanya!

The music stopped once again. We automatically jumped inside the newspaper, kung kanina ay pwede pang may sumama sa amin na bata, this time ay wala na. Sancho and I, we, were a lot closer this time compared kanina. There's no distance between the two of us anymore and I can smell his perfume just standing in front of him.

Nakahawak ako sa arm niya while siya ay nakahawak sa waist ko. It was so natural for him and hindi man lang siya kinakabahan samantalang ako ay parang sasabog na yung puso ko sa simpleng pagkakadikit naming dalawa!

"Move a little bit further away from me," bulong ko sa kanya.

We were so close kasi sa itsura namin and everyone who can see us would suspect na there's something between me and him. And I don't want them to think like that!

"I can't. Matatalo tayong dalawa," Bulong niya sa akin.

"Much better. I don't want to win—" But my words were cut off dahil we need to fold again the paper.

We need to fold it in half again, a lot smaller than what we just used! Right! We are going to lose this round. No way in hell that we are going to win.

One-person na lang ang fit na tumayo sa paper na iyon. He can stand on the paper but I won't push myself in it.

"Let's lose this round, please." I murmured to him while moving closer to him.

He turned to me na parang nagulat sa sinabi ko. As I can kasi, he's a competitive type of person. He's not a fan of losing any games, easy or not.

I'm competitive as well pero ayoko na lang kasing ituloy ito. The best way to escape from this game is to lose this round! I don't want to touch him anymore. It feels illegal for me.

"Why?" he asked.

"No detailed reason. I just want to go back in my place." Sabi ko sa kanya.

Hindi siya nagsalita kaya nung nag-stop yung music, I thought he would not jump in the paper na. But to my utter shock, he scooped me like a baby and carry me in his arms habang siya ay nakatayo sa loob ng paper.

The crowd roared and cheered for us.

What a nice view for them.

Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi niya. I held onto his shoulder before giving him a pinch on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Carrying you? I'm sorry, Liv. But I don't want to lose any game lalo na at kasama kita," he said before pulling me tighter pa.

My eyes widen sa sinabi niya. Hindi kami dapat manalo! We need to lose para hindi na naming kailangan pang maging close sa isa't isa.

"I hate you," bulong ko sa kanya.

"Thank you." He replied to me.

May mga na-out na rin for this round and three pairs na lang kami na natira for this round. He put me down after a little while. I gave him a deadly stare para makita niya na I really don't want this and I hated him for being selfish. Does he never consider what I want? I want to lose this game!

Too selfish and childish, Olivia. Way na nga rin ito na ipakita niyo sa lahat na okay kayong dalawa ni Sancho. You are thinking of yourself lang and not of him.

You want to lose this game? You should have not joined in the first place. You have your ways of making an excuse para hindi sumali but here you are, trying to play this game with him.

I took out a deep sigh before turning to him. "Make sure na we will win this game or else I'm going to punch your face." I told him.

The end of his lips rose, "Yes, ma'am." He replied to me.

Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi ang pumayag sa kanya. The smaller the paper became; it turned a lot harder for him. Hindi na siya tumutuntong ng dalawang paa sa paper instead ay one-foot na lang niya ang nakatayo while putting the other one on top, on top of that pa ay buhat-buhat niya ako.

Beads of sweat are falling from his face. Using my wrist ay pinunasan ko yung sweats na nasa forehead niya. "Don't say a word or I'm going to jump para matalo tayong dalawa." I told him.

He didn't say a word naman per nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin. I tried to ignore his stare hanggang sa i-announced na kami ang panalong dalawa.

I admit na I enjoyed the last part dahil kami ang champion dalawa sa game na ito. Tita Grace handed a red envelope to the two of us.

"Congratulations, Olivia and Cho. Iyan talaga ang nagagawa ng power of love. Agree ba kayo?" natatawang tanong ni Tita Grace sa crowd.

Power of love?

I nearly p**e out when I heard it from her. There's no love between me and Sancho. We planned all of these, mabuti na nga lang na they find it real.

I sat at our table after that game. Ang next game kasi ay for adults. Mom and Dad joined the game kaya hindi nila ako nakausap. Kuya Leon elbowed me, "Nice show, sis." Sabi niya sa akin.

I ignored him as well at sinuot ko na lang yung shoes ko. The next game for the adult was a calamansi relay. Mom's group won while Dad's group fail to win. The last game was for the kids na nasa party.

"You look really good together, Olivia. Kinikilig ako sa inyo ni Sancho." Mom said as if teenager siya na nakita ang favorite loveteam niya.

I faked a smile onto her. "Thanks, mom." Sabi ko sa kanya before looking back at the kids who were playing trip to Jerusalem.

I enjoyed watching them, mas masaya pa kaysa sa paglalaro sa gitna. Maybe, because we were not a relative at all kaya I feel so awkward around them.

The countdown for Christmas began and everyone including my parents count with them.

"5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Merry Christmas everyone!" sigaw ni Tita Grace sa microphone.

Mas lumakas ang Christmas song na tumutugtog. My Kuya Leon and I walked towards our parents to hug them and greet them.

"Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)" bati naming sa kanila.

Our parents hugged us and greet us as well. The people roam around to each of their relative to greet them. Ganun din ang ginawa nila Mommy at Daddy while Kuya Leon and I remained on our place.

"Merry Christmas, Leon." Bati ni Sancho kay Kuya Leon.

He extended his hand to my brother and Kuya Leon gladly accept it and exchanged a shake hand with him. Bumitaw din sila after a while.

Sancho turned to me this time. "Hiramin ko lang si Olivia." Paalam ni Sancho kay Kuya Leon.

Kuya didn't say a word naman, he just nodded kaya hinawakan na ni Sancho ang kamay ko papasok sa bahay nila. Walang tao doon maliban sa Christmas tree na nakatayo sa center ng house nila. Kung meron may ay baka nasa kitchen and preparing na tumulong sa labas later.

We stood in front of their Christmas tree.

"So?" tanong ko sa kanya. Nobody's looking at us so we don't have to pretend.

"Merry Christmas, Liv." He said to me.

"Merry Christmas." Bati ko sa kanya.

Do we really have to go all the way here just to greet each other? What a waste of time and energy.

"For you." He handed a small rectangular box na kinuha niya sa ilalim ng Christmas tree. My brows furrowed doon.

"I don't have a gift for you." Sabi ko sa kanya. Hindi rin naman kasi ako nag-isip pang bilhan siya kasi I didn't know na we are going to meet this day.

"It doesn't matter. Open it." Ani niya sa akin.

Inabot ko naman ang gift niya sa akin. "Thanks." Sabi ko sa kanya.

I opened it, a gold necklace welcomed me, it has my name in it na naka-design as pendant.

Olivia

All cursive and has two diamonds on top of each letter 'I'.

"Allow me to wear this on you." Sabi niya sa akin.

Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili ko na tumango sa sinabi niya. I turn around and he was the one who put it on my neck while he's standing at my back.

Humarap ako sa kanya. Perfect fit ang necklace sa akin, hindi siya nakakasakal.

"It looks good on you. Merry Christmas again, beauty." He said once more before walking closer to me. His lips found my forehead and planted a kiss on it.