Rays Of Light

CHAPTER 30

KIND

Before we could step inside the house, I noticed a woman dressed in a blue T-shirt with "SANTOS 30TH REUNION" printed on the front, paired with black leggings.

Her mother maybe?

“Hala! Mi uli man diay ang señorita!” She shouted when she noticed us as well.

The word that I understood is ‘señorita’ only.

“Mayng buntag te! Naas lola?” Ava said in a lighthearted tone, whatever it means, I clearly don't know.

I hold the lace of my duffle bag and smiled a bit to lessen the intense feeling that I felt.

“Tuas sulod man, wala man ka nag sulti nga mo uli diay ka? Wa hinuon ka na sundo ay!” the woman scolded in a sharp tone as she walked toward us, reaching out to take the bag from Ava’s hand.

“Ako ra te oy, nagdali man gud mi te” sabi naman ni Ava, I just smiled at the woman when her gaze shifted on me.

“Good evening po” I respectfully greeted, she just smiled at me but it didn't even reach on her ears.

“Uyab nimo?” Judging by her tone, she looks like asking Ava something.

“Dili te, mego lang” Ava replied, looking at me.

“Asus, nganong mahadlok man nga daga man? Pwede naman na mag uyab uyab oy” the woman said and look at me meaningfully. 

I understand the word ‘daga’ does it mean I'm a daga in her eyes?!!

“Di lagi te oy” Ava laughed and slightly patted the woman's shoulder.

I didn't hear her call the woman “Mommy” or “Mama” so this auntie isn't her mother?

“Nah hala, di man kaya nimo na uyab, dayon na mo kay ma sorprays jud tu imong lola ba”

I think I need to study their language, nababaliw ako! Gusto kong malaman ang mga pinag-uusapan nila!

“Halika na, Sid,” Ava said, reaching for my right arm.

“Ano raw ibig sabihin non?” I asked, following her.

“Pogi mo raw,” she replied, laughing.

“Ano yung ‘daga'? Sinong daga?” I asked again in an almost a whisper tone.

Her laughter immediately roared around the place, parang nasasapian!

“Baliw!” Palihim kong puna sa tawa n'yang napakalakas! Parang hindi babae!

Well, It's not really my business, so…

“Ikaw ang daga,” she said, laughed even more.

Pumasok kami sa pintuan ng bahay, alangan naman sa bintana kami dadaan?

Sinalubong naman agad kami ng babaeng mga nasa seventies? Halatang matanda na ang babae, pero dahil sa tindig at pananamit nito, parang mga nasa fifties pa lang s'ya?! Dagdag mo pa ang old money make up n'ya! Ang expensive tignan kahit pa naka daster lang s'ya!

“Leah!” maligayang bati n'ya at agad yumakap kay Ava.

Ava on the other hand, did the same thing to the woman that hugged her. Parang sumasayaw pa nga sila habang nagyayakapan.

“Miss you, La!” Ava emotionally said and wiped some tears on her eyes, obviously, she's crying.

“Oy, kinsa man ni imong kuyog? Imong uyab?” sabi ng Lola siguro ni Ava kasi Lola tawag n'ya rito.

“Good evening po” bati ko, ngumiti naman sa'kin ang Lola ni Ava.

“Good evening too, are you the boyfriend?” deretsahan n'yang tanong, ako na hindi naman boyfriend ni Ava, agad naman humindi, totoo naman.