SAIRO

ix. festival

Chapter 9 : Festival

The occasional barking of faraway dogs broke the silence of the night. The three of us were on the last stone staircase on the side of the basketball court we had gone to earlier as we watched the male emcee on the court wearing a polo and black pants. Many people on the other side of the court are waiting for the festival to begin while there were very few of us in the place we sat. We meant it because the three of us didn't want to be crowded and our place is more windy than theirs.

"Oh, isn't that him?" Celeste chew on her chips as I lifted my gaze and looked around me.

"Luis? Where?"

Celeste giggled. "You're looking for him, huh?"

I gave her a glare. "Don't make fun of me."

"Si Luis pala ah, wala akong sinabing pangalan."

"Yeah. Maybe this whole time he's still in your mind," Diane smirked on her side causing I clenched my fist as my cheeks seemed heat up.

"W-would you two stop?" I frowned causing them to laugh at me. Mga shuta. Bakit ko ba naging kaibigan ang mga 'to?

About him. I wouldn't have just forced him to borrow the board from him. But he has no rights to burn Vince's board. What a cryptic. Is he hiding something?

Suddenly the light went out causing everyone to gasp. When the spotlights turned on at the same time something shot into the sky from behind us causing both of us to flinch as my heart almost popped out. Everyone was clamoring as trumpets played as the opening. The emcee started to speak holding his mic, greeting, introducing and announced that we could now eat before playing parlor games. We space out while looking at each other. Celeste's nostrils widened as she burst into laughter as Diana and I had a contiguous laugh.

We lined up at the daycare center where countless people were scooping up a row of tables with lots of pots and pans. We returned to our seat carrying our plate full of rice, pancit, menudo and a piece of chicken. While chewing our food, Celeste asked if anyone was still calling Diana's line after we put up a poster to bathe the cow. She replied that they had changed their telephone number and everything went okay. I just wanna slap myself so hard. Why did that idea enter my mind? What a ridiculous idea.

"So.. is there a plan b?" Celeste added.

"No. It looks like my parents are going to send me to another town," Diana replied causing me to lower my spoon as I left the food in my mouth as if lazily gnashing my teeth. What now? Now where am I going? Will they really leave me? "How about you, Viola?"

I swallowed my food as it took me a while to answer. "I don't know. Just help with the climb, I think? I-I don't want my family to be in debt just because of my education,"

"Stop being negative. Maybe your mother is saving for your schooling and she's not just telling you. Think positive," Celeste replied as I release a heavy sigh. I hope so. If only we can ask mayor-

I stopped for a moment when I realized something. "Mayor," I utter almost a mutter. I turned to them as they frowned at me. Why I didn't though this at the first place? "Aren't both of you in high grades?"

"Yes? Why?" Diana replied as Celeste unusually nodded.

"We can apply for a scholarship!" I beamed causing their jaw dropped. They both clamored as we hit our hands at each other.

After we ate, we set aside our paper plates as we watched those playing paper dance in the open area. After a few games, there was a women and men's dancing event. The other couple first got off their seats and went to the middle of the court. My eye caught mom and dad laughing dancing in the middle of the crowd while I couldn't help but smile.