The Caroler
(an article submitted to UP Panitikan)
“Nanay, can I go with Ten-Ten tonight?” I asked my mother hoping that she was in the mood. We had fried tuyo and champorado for dinner and I could not help but stop eating my favorite food as I waited for her answer.
“Where will the two of you go again?” she asked me while she fed Nono, my younger brother, with a spoonful of champorado.
“We will go caroling po. We heard Mr. Ramirez gives a lot of money to young carolers. Ten-Ten and I decided to try it there tonight.” I answered hopefully as I smiled at Nanay.
“Naku, anak! You’re just wasting your time. No one gives anything for free now. Even Celia does not approve of me borrowing two cans of corned beef from her store even if I swore to pay her early tomorrow. You can just watch Nono tonight. He seems to be having a high fever.” Nanay fretted as she dug into her bowl of champorado which she shared with Nono and she put her hand on his forehead.
“Sige, but make sure you come home before 9, ha? Then you can take care of Nono when you come back.” she said upon seeing my disappointed face.
“Thank you ‘nay!” I finished my food in one swift movement, stood up then hugged my mother.
“I’ll buy you a lollipop, Nono! And get well soon.” I bade them goodbye then started walking down to Ten-Ten’s house which was quite far from ours. On my way, I could not help but admire the beautiful stars scattered immaculately on the early night sky. I sauntered on the narrow road as I heard Manang Lupeng’s and Manang Tanya’s loud voices booming as they played bingo with other tambays on the sidewalk.
“Where are you going, Pinang?” Aling Celia called on me. I pretended I did not hear her. I was sure she would ask me to pay our long list of utang from her store.
I briskly walked until I got to the high road where cars were usually always in a hurry. I took my chance to cross it when it was deserted for a second.
“Ten-ten! Tara na!” I shouted upon reaching their humble home. No one answered. I wondered if she were home or she went with her Nanay to the market to buy ingredients for the puto bumbong which they would sell early in the morning for themisa de gallo.
“Pinang, I can not go caroling with you tonight to the Ramirez’. My brother is sick andNanay asked me to watch over him.” Ten-ten said as she approached me with a disappointed look.
“Ano ka ba! It’s okay, I understand. Maybe I could go caroling by myself and we could just share the money that I’ll get for Chito’s medicine.” I told her sympathetically.
“No. Keep the money to yourself. I know you wanted to buy Nono his Christmas wish this year. Go on!” Ten-Ten sincerely reminded me.
“Sige! I will see you tomorrow! Merry Christmas! ”
“Ingat ka!” she said before she want back inside.
As I strolled towards the Ramirez’s house, I wondered how much money I would get. I hoped I’d still have money left after I buy Nono’s lollipop and yoyo so that I could get us a loaf of bread and a can of Coke for Noche Buena later at 12 midnight. The thought amused and excited me that I almost walked past the big and beautiful house of the famous Ramirez family.
I walked closer to the tall gates of the house and saw a line of children swarming the terrace of the house. I hastily walked inside to join the queue and I even saw some of my kabarkada there.
“Pinang! It’s good you were able to go here. Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez are giving each child fifty pesos! Come!” My good friend Otep beckoned me to where they were standing. Quickly, I ran to Otep’s side and I marveled at the pretty sight in front of me.
