PROLOGUE
THERE was an illuminated light that creeps my face whenever I step into paved ground without the silhouettes of a tree. Inayos ko pa ang bitbit kong camera bago muling napangiti ng mapagmasdan ko ang paligid.
It's really nice here! Someday, gusto ko dito ako mamahinga.
I smiled at the camera and starts the talking. "Hello pen'apples! Nandito na naman ang maganda niyong vlogger!!" I laughed hard kaya napatingin sa akin ang mga napapadaan kung saan ako huminto.
As if I care, jud.
Nilingon ko ang background ko at muling napangiti bago ako humarap sa camera. "So, for today's video, wala tayong ibang gagawin kundi mag shout out! Usto niyo 'yon?! Well, no choice naman kayo, dzuh." Irap ko pa.
"Ang buena mano para sa ating shout out ay siLinda Baysan na nadeads noong 1962! Shout out sa'yo sis!" I continued the shout out thing while walking down the way to the mosque of my great grandparents.
It's undas or Halloween—whatever they may called. Nauna na si Dad sa grave nila Lolo and Lola and I assume na nandoon na rin sina auntie!
"And for the finale, shout out to—" I trailed off because may lalaki na dumating at nag tirik ng candle sa puntod na siyang tinitingnan ko. I hesitated at first pero kayaga nga ng sinabi ko kanina, as if I care! "S-Shout out to Faustino Felipe Facundo! Wow! Hello sa'yo kuyang triple F na nadeads noong 1870 at..." nagtataka akong napatitig sa lapida dahil sa date of birth. "At may birthday na January 1, 2026?" I shrug it off. Baka typographical error lang.
"What took you so long, dear?" Aunt greeted me with her frown but still gorgeous face ng makarating ako sa mosque. Her silky red wavy hair is dancing through the vast of the wind. Sana kasing ganda niya ako. huhuhuhu
"Okay, world, we finally arrived at my grand grand parents' mosque! Say hello to my beloved tita!" Iniharap ko sa kaniya ang lens ng camera but she just stared at it and rolled her eyes. "Auntie!" I chuckled. "Don't worry guys, she's really mabait naman. Okiees! Later nalangs! Ciao!"
"Where's my cutie cousins?" auntie Shy made a face before answering me. She's always mainitin ang ulo. It might be because of her red hair.
"They're just around with your father. You know him, baka tinuturuan niya na ang mga 'yon mangolekta ng mga natunaw na kandila para ibenta." I laughed with what she said, lagi naman. For unknown reason, I'm always fond of her. Aunty always makes me laugh kahit na most of the time she's masungit...
Lumabas mula sa washroom si Tito Jake at agad na dinaluhan ang asawa. I smiled when he instantly wraps auntie around his arms. Kung makayakap akala mo naman ngayon lang nagkita. He pats my head when he finally notices me. "Hey."
"Oh, my beautiful Stela! You guys are early huh." Grandma greeted me with her kiss, behind him is Grandpa with flowers both of his hands.
"And you two are late mom." We all laugh when we heard aunty. How grumpy.
"Way to go, BGC! Here I come!" I scream as I stepped on the gas. My car is invertible kaya hinipan ng hangin ang mahaba at kulay blue kong buhok, sumasayaw ito sa agos na siyang ikinasaya ko. The street lights and the darkness are way awesome than the morning! I never liked the sun and how it burnt my precious skin.
I saw one of my colleagues waving at my direction. "Stela! You're about to be late! C'mon!" I grin.
Iniabot ko lang sa isang kakilala ang purse na dala ko at mabilis akong humalo sa mga tao sa dance floor. I wink at the waiter nang hminto siya sa harap ko, handing me a tray with glasses of champagne. "I'll just take one, handsome."
