"All packed up aren't we?" Ms. Manger greeted me soon as I enter the studio unit.
"I'll leave at 3 o'clock, gotta surprise my fam. They knew I'll be home tomorrow, I told them I'm taking the bus" I said after throwing myself in the couch. "So.. what's the important announcement?"
"Alright!" She giggled "Y'all done well last night especially you" pointing her index at me.
"Me what?"
"You acted so well when you take the VIP woman in the last song, it happened to be sa CEO of the hotel..." she answered but obviously not done talking
"And?" Roj followed up.
"She's made up her mind that we're all going to England for the upcoming Paskong Pinoy sa Britan (Filipino Christmas in Britain) to perform she's our sponsor, all expenses!" she cried and we all jumped in the room in excitement hugging and shaking each other.
"Oh my my good lord! This is such a dream come true!" Feeling the tears of joy running down my cheeks.
"Hell yeah we can visit universal studios and all Harry Potter stuff" Marq cheered.
After we calm ourselves, I noticed Roj and Ms. Manger pulling from a hug. It seemed that I'm the only one who notice so I let a fake cough and looked at them playfully.
...
At the airport while waiting for my flight, I do a quick scan in my socials and that reminds me of Mikayla so I searched her username in my Instagram and followed her.
It was an hour and a half when I landed in have to take bus an hour to reach my next destination and ride 1 last three wheel vehicle to make it home.
It's almost 5:00 o'clock, just as usual the people liked to roam around the street. As expected some people from the city also came home, no one wants to miss Dia Muertos in our town. Not as festive like in Mexico but this holiday also brings family together, both the living and the dead.
"Surprise Mother Father Sisters and Brother!" I exclaimed as I enter our gate.
I rushed to hug my younger siblings first then my parents.
"You loca, you should've told us early so we can prepare!" My Mama beamed at me.
"Are you not?" Sniffing the aromatic dish coming from the kitchen. "Hmm kare-kare, my favorite!"
"July request- Alright, should've known" as mom realize when I raised one eyebrow at her foolishly.
"She never suspected" my older sister chuckle. "Come, I'll lead you to your room"
"All this sweat and sometimes sore throat are all worth living, I mean looked how good it turned out" giving a comment while scanning the outcome.
Not anticipating my sisters action made me stumble at her back as she stood froze and slowly faced me with her dark gaze.
"Sweat and sore throat? Are you out of your mind? You told me that job pays well and won't bother your studies and you tell me this now, where's your morality and dignity? Goodness forgive me." She hollered looking so disappointed.
"It's either you gone green or mad!" I scoffed. "Cool your jets sis. I'm a singer, did you know? Narra of one 'n three?"
"Wha- are you really?" giving her a nod. "Why didn't you just told me the earlier"
"Thought you'd recognize" mumbling under my breath.
Soon as she opened the door of my room a threw myself in the queen size bed I've chosen. I didn't bring so much clothes for my wardrobe still has my old clothes; sure they'll fit me, I haven't gain weight
first time i left and in fact I loss some.
I didn't realize I feel asleep, must be the jet lag.
"Dinner darling!" My Mama cried at my door after her contagious knock at my door.
"Coming!"
Making myself comfortable in the dining area and wondered all over the place. I still can't put in words the joy that inundated in my system. Our dream home isn't a dream anymore, it's worth the time me and my sister sacrificed just to give back to our parents by providing the family a cozy lot.
"So what are the snacks we'll bring in the visit?" I asked to start a conversation in meal.
"Your Mommy Eugene's in-charge for the flowers, your Mommy Roey has the candles, Daddy Jose has mentioned he'd make the boiled sweetened over ripped banana. He knew you'd come tomorrow and remembered your favorite. They don't know you came already, better announce your arrival after dinner." Mama implied.
We grew up calling out Aunts and Uncles as Mommy and Daddy, along with my cousins. We really are a big family and used to live in one house but the others decide to get their own home, not far from ours we just become neighbors.
After dinner, I decided to have a stroll around; grab some fresh air outside and walked to Mommy Roey's lot. Its the same old wood brown painted tall gate.
Helping myself in and knocked at the front door "Is anybody home?" I shouted. "Hello?"
"Who is it- Ary!" Mommy Roey rush to engulf me with hug.
"Ary?" Daddy Jose coming out from their kitchen. "My baby Ary is really here!" He also come near and hugged me.
"Surprise!?" pulling away from their warm welcome. "I've missed you so much"
"Your Dad her even thought you already forgotten about us."
"I would never do that, you're my family." letting the corners of my mouth rise.
"Have you eaten? I made Ginataang Manok for dinner." Dad inviting.
"I just ate and mama said I should come by, I'm actually enjoying the fresh air. D'you think I could borrow your bike Dad?" Not getting my hopes up since he didn't allow me to borrow this when I was 13.
"Sure you can, I know now that you are aware of road rules."
"What? I didn't know it when I was younger?" being silly as I was.
"Your mommy bought you the bicycle that suits your age and you wanted that mountain, you were just a kid" he explained while he scan me from head to toe "you didn't gain height, clearly...but now I suppose your knowledgeable"
"Do you really had to exaggerate the height?" i pout acting hurt.
"Ayay! You can't blame her, its in our sides genes" Mommy Roey blurted.
If they had a child, it would probably inherit daddy's 6ft tall something figure even if mommy is just same as mine. Unfortunately, they weren't able to have one. That's why they focused their attention to business and to us, their nieces and nephews.
"Off you go, dear. Greet some elders you knew when you can" reminding me a manner we had in heart.
It's been three years since I left this town to pursue my degree in the city. Maundering around and whiffing the fresh atmosphere.
"I will never get enough of this." I mumbled to myself, feeling the night zephyr absorb by my skin.
Wondering around you'll see people are just the same as they were, everyone knows everyone and everything in here. I did greet some elder relatives living around every corner of the street. After four rounds I felt thirsty and stopped by in a store.
"One Gatorade please, Red." ordering in the counter.
"Ary is that you?" A male voice coming from my behind.
I turn to face him and didn't say anything, just giving him an affirmation to his interrogation.
Handing my payment and murmured thanks to the cashier.
"Hey, can we talk?" grabbing my wrist, permission less.
"Hands off!" I demanded coldly.
YOU ARE READING
Risk It All or Let it pass
Fiksi UmumIn a research, there is only %5 divorce case of Western married to a Filipina. Some foreign says that dating or being in a relationship with a Filipina is recommendable if one is looking for a long term than having to get married with a western woma...
