After Daylight

16. When Celestine Decided

YLLAK

I was beside dad during our trip going to Ilocos Norte. Celestine was with mama.

"Are you disappointed with Celestine?" I asked him.

He smiled. "No. Just worried."

"Sorry. I'm the eldest and I feel a bit responsible of the situation."

Dad laughed. "Silly. Not all the time naman kasama mo si Celestine or your other siblings. You can watch them out but you have your own life too, Yllak. Your mom and I are here to guide all of you."

"I wonder what will lolo Bong say." I muttered.

"Probably it's like Vinny confessing when he got your tita Spencer pregnant years ago kind of thing," He paused and laughed. "It was a fun memory but he ended up in the right place after that."

"You think Celestine will too?"

"Well she wouldn't do it with the guy again if she didn't like him wouldn't she?"

"I don't know. I never asked." I replied. This was getting awkward.

"Sa tingin mo isang beses lang may nangyari saka ka nabuo Yllak?" He asked. His face was stoic while asking. It felt weirder.

I made a face. "Oh please don't go there. I don't want to hear how many times you did it until I was conceived. Not even where I was nabuo. Please."

Papa just laughed wholeheartedly and messed with my hair.

"You can get married after Celestine."

"Wala pa sa plano." I told him.

I used to think about it when I was with Reika. Used to talk about the future with her. Only to realize I was the only one dreaming about it.

---

It's only been weeks since we came to our grandparent's home and this time, it's different. Celestine was clinging to me like her life depended on it. I wouldn't blame her. Dad's anger is tolerable whereas lolo's is different especially when you did something wrong. He would grill you questions until you realize your mistake.

"Baka sampalin ako ni lolo." She muttered.

"Baliw. Hindi nananampal yun. Masasamang words lang sasabihin sayo."

Celestine looked at me. "Paano kung itakwil niya ako?"

"Jeez. You need to stop watching Kdrama's." I told her.

"Nakakatakot naman kasi magiging reaction niya."

"Relax sister. Things will go well."

We were ushered in the dining room as soon as we arrived home. There was a set up for at least ten people.

"Are we expecting anyone today?" I asked dad.

"Yes. Oliver and his family." He replied.

Napanganga kapatid ko.

---

CELESTINE

It feels like I'm on death row.

Lolo and lola were looking at me like a hawk. I gulped.

"Hey lolo Bong, Mama Liza." I greeted them.

Mama Liza kissed me on the cheeks and so as lolo Bong.

"You've been a bad girl, Celestine." Mama Liza said. I know it's bad but I wanted to laugh. I heard that line from somewhere in a sexual way.

"I'm sorry po, grandparents." I apologized.