11 : Festival of Lights
JULIAN
"Our campus festival will be held this Friday night," our teacher announced, her voice laced with excitement.
Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo ngayon sa dulong bahagi ng silid-aralan, malayo sa gitna ng ingay na biglang pumuno sa buong kwarto. The announcement seemed to excite everyone as they started buzzing about plans, outfits, and booths they wanted to visit.
"The theme is 'Festival of Lights,' and I encourage all of you to participate in the activities. May booths, games, food stalls, at, of course, ang highlight—ang lantern parade and fireworks display," dagdag ng guro.
Halos lahat ay tila may sinimulang pag-usapan. Yung iba, agad nagplano ng kanilang susuotin; yung iba naman, nag-aargumento kung aling booth ang uunahin. Ako? Nanatili lamang akong tahimik sa aking kinauupuan, pinagmamasdan sila habang nag-uusap.
"Julian," a familiar voice broke my train of thought.
Lumingon ako at tumambad ang pamilyar na mukha ni Damien. Standing there with his signature smirk, he crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, as if already reading my mind.
"Don't tell me you're skipping the festival," he said, his tone a mix of amusement and challenge.
"Wala akong sinabi," sagot ko, sabay taas ng kilay.
"Good, because you're going," he declared, pulling out the chair beside me and sitting down without hesitation.
I sighed, narrowing my eyes at him. "Sino nagsabing kailangan ko ng permission mo?"
"Consider it... a strong suggestion," he said with a grin that was equal parts annoying and charming. "Trust me, it'll be fun. I'll even save you a spot at the lantern parade."
Hindi ko maiwasang umismid sa kanya, ngunit hindi ko rin nagawang... tumanggi. Damien had this uncanny way of making me agree to things even when I didn't want to.
After class, nagpasya akong dumaan muna sa food court bago umuwi. Gutom ako, and honestly, I needed a break from the swirling thoughts in my head.
I ordered a plate of street food—kwek-kwek, fish balls, and a small cup of gulaman. Hindi man ito kalakihan, sapat na para mapawi ang gutom ko. My mind, however, refused to stay still. The festival announcement kept playing on loop, particularly Damien's persistence.
The truth is, I wasn't sure if I could even go. Hindi dahil ayaw ko... kundi dahil alam kong mahigpit ang pamilya ko pagdating sa mga ganitong klaseng okasyon. They didn't like me staying out late, even if it was for a school event. Unless it was mandatory, the answer was always no.
"Heto po, kuya," sabi ng tindera habang iniabot ang order ko. Tumango ako bilang pasasalamat at sinimulang kainin ang mga binili ko habang nakatayo sa gilid ng food court.
Each bite gave me something to do, a distraction from the nagging thoughts. Pero kahit anong gawin ko, naglalaro pa rin sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Damien. He'd said it so casually, like he already knew I'd agree.
"Thank you po," I muttered after finishing my gulaman. Inilagay ko ang baso sa trash bin at tumalikod na para umuwi.
***
The streets were quieter as I made my way home. It was late afternoon, and the golden glow of the setting sun painted everything in warm hues. There was something peaceful about walking alone, with nothing but the sound of my footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.
Habang naglalakad ako, bigla kong naisip kung bakit ba ako ganito. Bakit parang ang bigat-bigat ng loob ko sa ideya ng pagpunta sa festival? Was it really just the noise and the crowds, or was it something else?
