Started in Advincula (SHS Series #1)

10

Invite

"Itirik mo na 'tong kandila sa puntod ni Papa, Aiya."

I reached for the candle Mama had lit and carefully planted it on the ground, next to Papa's tombstone.

I blocked the fire with my hand when it suddenly blew.

"Pa, 'andito na kami. Baka magpakita ka na naman sa akin, ah. Hindi magandang biro 'yon, Pa," I joked and laughed slightly as I removed the leaves that covered his name.

"Puyat ka raw kasi nang puyat kaya dinadalaw ka na niya. Mamaya, iba na dumalaw sa 'yo niyan sa bahay."

My eyes narrowed because of the sunlight as I looked up at Mama. I knew she was referring to spirit, but her last word had a strange meaning to me.

I laughed softly. "Paano kung poging multo ang dumalaw?"

She frowned at me as she sat next to me. "Anong pogi? Patay na nga, pogi pa? Kung si Papa iyon, oo. Pero kung ibang multo ang dadalaw sa atin... Ay, Aiya, magpapadasal na ako!" OA na sabi niya. Bahagya kong inatras ang ulo ko.

"Padasal agad? Hindi pa puwedeng 'welcome to our home' muna, Ma?" I laughed after I said that. Mama pulled my hair softly.

She was ready to speak but I preceded her.

"Kaka-cellphone mo 'yan, Aiya. O, diba memorized ko na."

Hindi siya sumagot at pasiring niya lang na inalis ang paningin sa akin. Umalik-ik ako.

We stayed there until the sun set. When we got home, we got busy packing our things for later at midnight.

As usual, we will be staying in Baguio this vacation. I made sure I wouldn't do anything this semester break—so just before the announcement—I cleared my schedule.

"Have you forgotten anything yet? Your gadgets?" Mama asked as we put the things in the compartment.

I shook my head. "Wala na po," I replied and rode inside. Mama followed after checking the house.

While on our way, I distracted myself by looking at the cars because I couldn't sleep.

It was still cold even though I am already wearing a jacket, maybe because of the weather outside.

The windows were full of water droplets and slightly blurred. The light rays from the street lights and cars blended on the wet road and formed like a diamond while raining cats and dogs.

I plugged my airpods into my ears and listened to music while looking outside. Sometimes I fall asleep, often not. Maybe because of excitement.

Gradually, the rain subsided, only after a while. So Mama and I were able to drive thru to Starbucks for a while to warm up.

"Ang laki-laki mo na, Aiya."

Ngumiti ako sa aking lola nang hindi kita ang mga ngipin, saka kinuha ang kanyang kamay para magmano.

We had a family gathering outside the house because it was fresher and more spacious. It was only there that I was visited by extreme drowsiness after we ate, so I rested first in the room where our belongings were.

"Anak, sasama ka ba sa amin? Pupunta kaming bayan."

I was taken aback by Mama's voice and when she opened the door. Dumiin ang pagkakapikit ng mga mata ko at kumunot ang aking noo. I leaned over, facing where Mama's voice was.

I shook my head while my eyes were closed, unable to speak because drowsiness was even more prevalent in my system.

"Sige, magpahinga ka muna ja'n. Bibilhan na lang kita ng paborito mong pagkain." 'Yon ang huli kong narinig kay Mama bago ako muling natulog.