Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

XVII: kaulayaw

Kaulayaw — (n.) A pleasant and intimate companion

* should there be any Bisaya words used throughout the chapter, translations will be provided. 

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"Oh, Korine, Kanus-a man ka mo uli? Hapit na kalag-kalag. Mo uli ka o dili? So that we can buy you tickets." Oh, Korine, kailan ka uuwi? Malapit na ang undas. Uuwi ka ba o hindi? So that we can buy you tickets was the first thing Mama said to me on the video call.

"Ma." I smiled apologetically. "Murag 'di sa tingali ko mo uli karong kalag-kalag." 'Di muna siguro ako uuwi ngayong undas.

"Huh? Why? Ariel, awa ra gud ni imong kinamanghuran 'di kuno siya mo uli." Huh? Why? Ariel, 'yung bunso mo, oh! Hindi raw siya uuwi.

I felt bad that I couldn't go home just yet. Believe me, I wanted to, but looking at my workload and schedule, I knew I would have a hard time catching up. The break was short and I knew it would be a hassle to travel, too, since everyone would be going home more or less the same time.

"I have to work on my senior project, Dad," I reasoned when I saw his face peek at the side of the screen. Gosh, I missed my parents.

"Basta mo uli ka inig ka Pasko og Bagong Tuig, ha? Basin nakalimot naka unsa itsura sa atong balay, Korine. We miss you over here. Your lolo and lola are looking for you na." Basta uuwi ka ngayong Pasko 'tsaka bagong taon, ha? Baka nakalimutan mo na 'yung itsura ng bahay natin. We miss you over here. Your lolo and lola are looking for you na.

"Yes, Dad. I know. I miss you guys, too. I promise I'll be home for Christmas. Kahit i-book n'yo na ako ng ticket for Pasko. I will be home."

"Sige, ha? I'll have Gelai call you for the tickets," Dad said before passing the phone back to Mama. Gelai was his secretary.

"Okay, sige, Anak. I love you. Your dad and I are heading to a party. Before I forget, as soon as you get home, magpa-fit ka sa gown mo for your Kuya Kiyo's wedding. Did Kata tell you that you will be a bridesmaid? I told Kino na huwag na since you're in Manila, but he insisted. Aria specifically wants you there daw, so how could I refuse? The Atelier has your measurements already so all they need is for you to fit it. That's the first thing you're going to do when you get back, ha?"

"Okay, Ma. Noted." I chuckled. "Sige na. Enjoy your party. I love you."

"I love you, too, Nina."

I smiled unconsciously. I forgot that Kuya Kiyo, Kata's older brother, was getting married this January to Ate Aria whom I looked up to as an older sister. If I remembered correctly, they got together when they started college and I was more or less just starting out high school. Kuya Kiyo would bring Ate Aria to our family events and I remembered always sticking to her because I was in awe of her—and because she was the first girl that was brought over to be introduced to us. She and Ate Kass were good friends and so she, too, would be over at our house a lot. I got nostalgic at the thought that we were no longer kids.

Mikie and I were hanging out by the rooftop of his condo again. The sun was slowly dipping into the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful purple and pink hue. From where we were, the sound of the bustling street below seemed so far away. We sat down by the pool, finishing some school work.

"Hindi ka uuwi ng undas?" he asked, eyes still on his laptop screen.

I shrugged as I pulled out my own laptop from my bag and opened it. "Marami akong gagawin, eh. Too many backlogs from school and I have to work on my senior project. Kakainin lang ng pag-travel ang time ko since I would have to beat the holiday rush. Everybody will be going home by then, too. I don't know. I want to, but this." I sighed, pointing at my laptop. "Sayang. I really wanted to go home."