INCENSE

Chapter 7

“Ineng, nobyo mo ba yan?” tanong ni aling Carmen sakin. Suki niya ako sa tinitinda niyang mga gulay.

“Ah, opo.” Nagdalawang-isip pa ako kung itatanggi ko ba o hindi. Why did I hesitate? Do I need to hesitate? This was all an act though? Huh?

“Ang lakas niya.”

“Tingnan mo, natalo niya si Bogor na mas malaki pa ang katawan sa kanya.”

Manghang-mangha ang mga taga-panood ng arm wrestling at dahil kasali siya. Hinamon kasi siya ni Bogor so ayun hindi naman tumanggi. Well, I admit that he’s definitely strong. Saan niya kaya kinukuha ang lakas nito?

“Ineng, ingatan mo nobyo mo ha, alagaan mo ng Mabuti baka mag sawa’y iwan ka at maghanap ng iba.” Paalala sakin ni Aling Carmen.

“Ah, opo.”

“Sasayaw ka ba ineng sa ritwal mamaya?” tanong niya sakin.

“Ano po yung ritwal?” tanong ko.

“Ang mga dalaga ay nagtitipon-tipon sa gitna ng siga at sasayaw sila sa giliw ng tugtugin. Ang sayaw ay tinatawag na ‘Danza di Benedizioni’ na ibig sabihin ay inaalay mo ng tauspo ang iyong mga kahilingan sa maykapal at didinggin niya ang iyong mga panalangin.” sabi ni aling Carmen.
“May ganun po pala kaso hindi po ako marunong sumayaw.”

“Naku, walang problema, kahit konting indak lamang ay tama na. Ayaw mo bang dinggin ng maykapal ang iyong mga kahilingan?”
“Gusto po.”

“Oh, siya sige. Halika sa bahay ko. May ipapasuot ako sayo.”

“Po? Baka hanapin niya ako?”

“Hayaan mo muna siya diyan, hindi naman tayo magtatagal. Sayang naman ang ganda mo kung ganyan ang suot mo.”

Tiningnan ko si sir Grey. His having a good time with other men. Sumama na ako kay aling Carmen.

…

It had already night. The ceremony has started. Women wore their nicest clothing and flower crowns. Mabuti na lang pinahiram sakin ni aling Carmen ang damit niya kung hindi magmumukhang pulubi at katawa-tawa ako sa gitna. I made a flower crown in time made of common daises. Everyone gathered at the center of the bonfire to witness the ritual. The drums and wooden lyres began to play. Each lady started to sway their hands and feet. I studied their movements. It looks like a ballet. I know how to dance ballet since it was taught to me when I was having theater and arts lessons. Now its my turn to dance. I was dancing just like following the basic steps in ballet. Do I make it right? Matagal na rin noong huli akong sumayaw ng ballet. I smile and dance gracefully as ever. I made a wrong step when I turned around and l saw sir Grey. He’s sitting and watching the ritual. I feel embarrassed. Huh? Why do I feel embarrassed? It’s just him though why I can’t focus when I’m looking at him? I took a deep breath and focus on the dance.

“Ineng, ang galing mo palang sumayaw. Saan mo natutunan yan?” tanong sakin ni aling Carmen.

“Ah, wala po. Naimbento ko lang.” Pagdadahilan ko.

“Oh, siya. Ineng. Regalo ko na sa iyo ang damit na yan. Hindi mo na kailangang ibalik sa akin. Alis na ako mukhang andyan na ang nobyo mo. Hinahanap kana.

“Naku, aling Carmen. Nakakahiya po.”

“Huwag kang mahiya. Karapat-dapat kang regaluhan dahil may Mabuti kang puso.” As she spoke, she gave me a sincere smile. I remain able to see my nanny on her.

“Maraming Salamat po.”

“Walang ano man.”

Nakita ko si sir grey na may hawak na dalawang maliliit na lanterns. Nilapitan ko siya.

“Here, they said we will be going to light this up and make a wish before we let it fly in the sky.” He said. He handed me the other lantern.

“Ok.” I said. Sabay naming pinailawan ang lantern.

I closed my eyes and maid a wish. After that, pinalipad na namin ang lanterns. The sight of soaring lanterns that resembled stars flashing in the night sky was stunning. Like a hundred fireflies, they shine.

“What did you wish?” sir Grey suddenly asked. I look at him.

“Hiniling ko na sana huminto na ang digmaan, bumalik na sa dati ang mapayapang pamumuhay ng lahat at sana bumalik ng ligtas ang ama ko.” At sana makabalik ako sa palasyo at sana hindi ka na maging masungit sa akin. I never tell the last words.

He didn’t respond. He looks bothered? May problema ba sa mukha ko? Maybe, I’m not good at wearing this flower crown. Why did I feel conscious? Balak ko sanang tanggalin ngunit pinigilan niya ako.

“Don’t take it off. It looks good on you.” He said.