SAIRO

i. reunion

Chapter 1 : Reunion

Radio: a mysterious crime, not choosing its victims, young or old, lost and never seen again.

The radio suddenly cut off as they switch it to folk style music. Outside the window, I could hear them working together to move the food to Diana's house - my aunt who's one year older to me. That was not new to me. When an event takes place, we'll move to Diana's because their living room is more spacious compared to our house.

I look in the mirror after I fix the tangle on my long-sleeve blouse with an A-line shaped petticoat comes to my knees. I sighed out of frustration. It's not really good on to me. I'm too thin for this. I didn't want to go to our family reunion but mom wanted me to get my butt in there. Err, where did she bought this?

"Viola! Halika tulungan mo kami rito," mom called out as I turned to the door.

I came out of my room while my siblings and dad were away as my eye caught mom waiting for me to lift the cook piglet on the dining table.

"My daughter is really grown up. It really fits to you, sweetie," she praise as I couldn't help but smile as I approached at the other end of the piglet. I couldn't help but swallow my saliva as its aroma invaded my nostrils.

"How much this cost?"

"It doesn't matter. Basta may masuot ka, anak ko," she replied as I stared at her. Seems like she doesn't want to say that she spent a lot.

"You spent a lot, do you?" I added causing her to stop. "You don't have to do that. It doesn't matter if I just wear plain. The important thing is I have something to wear," I stated as I paused for a moment, giving her a smile. "Thanks anyway,"

We were about to take the piglet when dad suddenly came in and he offered to help mom. They let me leave while my father said that Diana was waiting for me as I head outside. I left the door open for my parents as I met my uncles and aunts as they greeted me and I could do nothing but greet them back. If I didn't do that I'm sure they'll call me rude.

The evening sun cast long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays of the setting sun gave a warm orange tinge to the sky. The sky was ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. I turned into the shady uphill road as I start walking as I hit a girl on her shoulder causing me to stop.

"S-sorry," I turned to look at her but my eyes got widened as my tongue seemed cut off, my body stiffened like an ice as I found her no longer behind me. A hammer clenched into my chest, my forehead gently sweats as I got goosebumps. I look around hoping I could find her with raven black long hair like me but there was no one else on the street but the ones with handkerchiefs on their brunette, hazelnut hair. What was that?

"Viola!" someone yelp my name as I turned to the uphill road surrounded by adjoining wealden, hall houses where built in stones and found Diana standing near their door upstairs just beside our home, wearing lolita dress also. I turned my back again to confirm that I was not in mirage. Lakad-takbo akong umalis as I reached her. "What's with your face?"

I look straight on her eye. "Did you see me bump into a woman?" Please say yes. I'm not crazy.

She gave me a frown. "Sorry, I found you there spacing out. Para kang naligaw. Hindi mo na ba kabisado ang lugar na ito?"

"Diana, seryoso ako." I swear. "I bumped into her, then I turned to check her but she's already gone,"

"Eh?" her eyebrows almost touch her forehead as it took her a while to answer. "Maybe you just, hallucinate?"

Ganoon na lang iyon? Why it felt real? I wanted to say something more but her parents broke in and invite us to get in their house.

Ever since Diana and I went inside, I haven't parted with her. There are already a lot of people and we have cousins the same age as us, pero ni-isa hindi namin pinapansin. Our uncles and godfathers were in the living room with chips and wine. Their loud laughter filled the whole house as Diana and I leaned against the wall near the kitchen.