Ano ba tong pinasok mo Aldene? Dapat dun ka na lang sa bahay niyo nag-pasko. Ok nang malungkot kesa naman ganito haaaay.
Nicolo Magnus. Bakit ka pa kase pumasok sa buhay ko ha? Nanahimik akong estatwa sa gilid ng simbahan tapos tititigan mo ko ng bongga?
Paano daw kung inlove na siya sakin? Eh paano naman ako? Respeto lang diba? In love siya sakin, in love ako sakanya.
Ay Aldeen. Delikado ka dyan. Ang layo ng Bulacan sa Laguna. Kung merong mga may summer fling, ikaw Christmas fling. Simbang gabi fling. Harot.
"Aldene iha!"
"Yes po Lola Tini?"
"Eh hindi muna kami sasama sa iyo ngayon ha."
"Po?"
"Natutulog ka pa kase kanina, sinugod ang ate sa ospital."
"Ang Lola Nidora po?"
"Oo. Andun si Tidora. Sumunod ka na lang mamaya pagkatapos ha?"
"Ah - sige po Lola."
The mass didn't help in distracting her from the fact that another one of her loved ones is on the hospital. Aldene hated those ever since she was a kid. Her real grandmother died there, her mom, and now, Lola Nidora is in there too.
Lord please. Tama na. Wag po si Lola, ok lang po kahit Aldin na lagi itawag niya sakin. Christmas gift niyo na po sakin 'to.
Being a statue helped in pushing back her tears. Crybaby as she is, Aldene didn't want to cry in front of many people. She does if she's in character and the script needed it but as herself, she'd rather hide her tears.
Hindi umiiyak si Mary. Statwa lang si Mary.
The mass ended without a single tear shed. Aldene decided to buy a bibingka for her Lola before going to the hospital.
She feels a guy beside her, not talking. Aldene decided not to look, simply waiting for her order. Familiar voices ring in her ear as well, but her focus is at the coals on top of the cooking bibingkas.
They're burning in the moonlight, in deep contrast with the darkness. She can see the reds, oranges, and yellows molding with original black coal. Then the gray ashes, falling down, flying away, getting swept by the wind from the abaniko.
Which of them is you Aldene? Are you the gray ash, letting yourself be carried by the wind? Or the burning coal, bright and on fire? Like the real actress you are, presenting yourself with a personality so happy people wouldn't think you're suffering?
Maybe the black coal. That's who I am. Full of sadness in my heart, I need someone to light me up.
"Eto na bibingka mo oh."
"Ay, bayad po kuya."
"Hindi na. Binayaran na nung Mendoza."
"Po?"
"Yung lalaki. Yung nag-vivideo. Kilala mo naman yun diba? Kinuhanan pa nga ng video yung pag-gawa ko eh." The bibingka seller smiled with his teeth out even if they're only five left.
Aldene smiled. Nicom. She may have found someone who lights her up, like a firework, like a steady bonfire, like a star.
She gets a message when she arrives at the hospital.
N I X O M : ok ka lang?
Rio Faulkerson : Oo. Salamat sa bibingka.
N I X O M : nasa ospital daw si Lola Nidora sabi ni Coleen
N I X O M : don't worry, lalabas din siya dyan
N I X O M : that's not the first time
Rio Faulkerson : Pano mo alam?
N I X O M : masamang damo
Rio Faulkerson : Lola ko pinag-uusapan natin dito.
N I X O M : yep. masamang damo
N I X O M : lam mo one time pinagalitan kami niyan ng friends ko
N I X O M : nagsasayaw kami sa party
N I X O M : party dito sa bahay ah
N I X O M : di daw kami marunong
N I X O M : tas siya sumayaw
N I X O M : lolanidoradessert.mp4
Aldene clicked the video he attached. It was really her Lola Nidora, dancing to Dessert in a way hip-hop professionals will be put to shame.
She laughed, first time today. Aldene remembered the first time she smiled today, at the bibingka stand. It was also his fault.
Rio Faulkerson : Salamat :)
N I X O M : para saan
Rio Faulkerson : Napangiti mo ko today.
N I X O M : may bayad yun
N I X O M : pangitiin mo din ako
Rio Faulkerson : Paano?
N I X O M : Be mine.
Rio Faulkerson : HAHAHAHAHA GALING MAG-JOKE HAHAHAHAHA FUNNY
N I X O M : HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
N I X O M : totoo yun
N I X O M : pero seryoso, ok ka lang
N I X O M : sabi ko na sa'yo, sanay na sila lola dyan sa ospital
N I X O M : that same party na nagsayaw siya, andami niyang kinain na balat ng lechon. sinugod namin sa ospital
N I X O M : kalma ka lang ha. bukas or mamaya lalabas na rin siya dyan
Rio Faulkerson : Salamat talaga ha. Sobra.
YOU ARE READING
AMACon 3: Oikos - Home
FanficShe sees a house that's not a home. it's where he leaves, but he never left. She lives where he leaves, and never left. It becomes a home that's not a house.
