Chapter Text
Iris’s POV
The digital clock blares as the woman lying in bed shifts awake from the noise…
The lady lounging is a College girl who just got back from school is on school break for the holidays..she graduates this year by the age of 20. As the lights spill in from the curtains on her slightly tanned skin and dark brown eyes…she flutters awake.
“Ah! Kasaba!”
I slam the clock and grunts as I go on and throw myself back to bed….then yaya comes in the bedroom and shifts the lady awake
“ma'am iris…gipapukaw naka ni madam”
The helper says as she shifts iris awake…iris then grunts as she stretched her arms and flung her legs out of bed and pad angrily downstairs.I scratched my head and ruffle the short thick hair I had that suited the era and didn't bother to fix myself or my bed as I head downstairs..
Our house in the city is big but not grand..Cemented and tiled as my family can provide for that.A large living room with the sala set and huge tv box with records and vhs all over the place..
I see my family sitting in the dining set…
The whole family already at the dining table eating breakfast…The father sits and sips on his coffee as he reads the paper…My mother invites me to eat then her faces changes
“Did you even wash your face nak?”
I rolled my eyes at her angsty as ever as I chomped on a pandesal.
“Ma please! I barely get any sleep sa college”
I complained to her
My face is still sticky from sleep,my hair messy as I sit unladylike on a chair in which my father scoffs at me and I groan and adjust my sitting.
My parents noticed the gradual change in my behaviour ever since I got older and got away from the province…they keep mentioning how I used to be so joyous and careless,now I've grown into a lady who happens to be angsty and stingy on what she does.Kikay as what they would call it now…
“Nak we have something to tell you…”
my father stated which I raised a brow at
“Unsa man?”
I asked…
“Mu uli tas Opon…just for a couple of weeks till your college Christmas break ends.”
Papa says which caused my eyes to widen
“For business and for rehabilitation for that attitude of yours.”
Mama chimes in
“WHAT???!!”
I said.
Miguel's POV
Back in the province of Opon
My family, The Jacinto, owns the largest acre of land for ricefields in the area which produces an abundant crop per harvest. As the only son of the Jacintos I carried the duty of the business ranging from a helping hand on the fields harvesting under the sun cascading over his tanned dark skin down to loading sacks into trucks for transportation to the Siyudad or the City of Cebu. And when my father is away I also take care of paperwork for transpo and contracts.Miguel only got to finish high school and didn't opt for college as an option as he insisted on helping the family business. He is now 23 years old and at this age the people in the town encourage him to settle down.The aunties and angkols call you “Dong Mig” as you are quite popular for being kind and generous in town.
The sun hangs low over the rice fields, gold shimmering across the grass as I swept off the dripping sweat from my forehead, I then head back into the factory to help load sacks into trucks..My Father watches me from upstairs in his office…He then approaches me and pats my back thanking me for my hard work
I shyly smile at him then he speaks
“Dong mig…Naa tay mga bisita gikan sa syudad mu uli ugma.Mga Riveras”
he shares, then I nod and try to familiarize with who might be coming back here in Opon…then I slowly remember … Rivera….That playmate I had as a kid…what was her name??? I muttered to myself as I loaded in sacks of rice….indai.
Iris's POV
I shouted a loud “what” at my father in disbelief at the news he brought up.
"PA pag sure oi?!”
I couldn't believe it. Back to the province for school break??? No signal? How am I supposed to phone my friends? No electricity ??? I leaned back in the wooden dining chair and grunted.
“pack your bags nalang. We leave tonight so we can get there by morning.”
My mother stated.
I groaned audibly and crossed my arms in defeat
Afternoon seeps in the city as I did what I was told to.
I angrily packed my luggage then realized how kikay and expensive my clothes are…I can't bring these!
“MAAAAAAAA”
I yelled out for my mom
She immediately rushes in and sees me on the floor pouting with all my clothes scattered in my mess of a bedroom. As a very Kikay and Girly girl it surprises my mom at how I can be so messy at the same time.
“Nak what??”
She asks
“Ma I have nothing to wear!”
I complained then she rolled her eyes leaving me
“MA!! Maaaaa!!!”
she ignores my calls
I groaned in defeat and picked out less precious clothes and packed in light summer basic tops and shorts
Night fell in as I called my friend on the landline and chatted for a bit before we left….
I called my friend, Bettina. And told her how much I'm gonna miss her and complained about the whole situation.
My father then knocks and interrupts us.
“Get off the phone. We're leaving.”
I looked at the digital clock on my bedside table and saw it was already midnight.
I groaned and said farewell and ended the call as I headed downstairs struggling with my luggage. My father instinctively helped…upholding that donya princessa behavior I have here at home.
He then loaded our bags in the car
Before we left I grabbed my walkman in the sala and a Cassette of Regine Velasquez and head in the car as we started driving off
I enjoyed night car rides…not with my family though.
With my friends whenever we went out to party in the city and rode the roads with the windows down singing our hearts off.
But this night car ride was deafeningly silent…My mom sat in front across my father in the driver seat …I put in my cassette of Regine in the walkman and Urong-Sulong plays as I put my headphones in and let it lull me back to sleep as the car ride back to Opon would take us till morning.
Hours pass by and we have arrived.My mother rubs my knee and stirs me awake… A refreshing scent of morning dew from grass penetrates my nostrils as I flutter awake..I awake, the cold morning air of the province greets me…
“Ga mata na…”
I checked my wristwatch and it's only 5:23 am..i groaned and slowly got out of the car…we parked in the driveway of our old ancestral house my grandparents owned which is now my fathers… The wooden raised home was huge but not grand with the old styled windows that looked like it came out from one of Jose Rizals novels.
My parents were then greeted by the hometakers and old friends…I didn't bother to engage as I wanted to get my bags out the trunk and head inside to isolate from everyone…I went to the trunk and struggled to get my luggage out…it sure was heavy now I regret that i overpacked..Then A boy in white long quarter sleeves and a straw hat apporaches me and helps me out.
“Tabangan tika bi.”
He says as he smiles at me….he looks familiar but I can't pinpoint it.
As he carried my bags upstairs the old hacienda..I thanked him but didn't bother to add our comversation and head inside and locked myself in my room that faces out the frontyard with the old style windows..
I launched myself in bed…then sat up to observe the place…dusty..old…creaky…
I then walk up to the windows and watch my parents chat up with some of their old friends…then that farm boy who helped me with my bags joins the conversation and my father hugs you.
My eyes widen..
I observe you two get along and reunite.
I look at your face and study to see where I recognize you from…
Your tanned skin shun against the morning glow…you kept your hair long and curly and tied halfway under that straw hat.
And you had a nice charming smile where your eyes smiled too whenever you did…
then your eyes trail up to my window catching me watching…
I quickly turned around and shrugged that off.
Miguel's POV
5:25 am and I see a car pull up at the old hacienda the Riveras reside.
I went over there caught a glimpse of the family chatting up…then you getting out of the car.
I see you.Indai.
All different now. Taller,Hair short but styled curled at the ends.Dressed like you walked out of the magazines…struggling to get that luggage out.
I chuckled under my breath and walked over to help you out.
You don't seem to remember…
I faced it and decided to chime in and reintroduce myself to your family in which are our business partners since the 60s
Your father and mother greeted me…all suprised at how grown I've become.
Taller now.Much taller.and handsome.
“Ka holy taw naman diay aning dodong uy! gwapo pa gud!”
Indai’s mother compliments in which I shyly smiled and thanked her for it…then I checked to look up at the room you went inside to…then caught you staring below at us…or me?
I bit back a smile and continued chatting up with your family as my family joined in
They chatted for a while in which I excused myself to head to the factory and work…
Impressing both fathers.
Iris's POV
Time passes by…and I went back to sleep tired from sleeping on the car…
I slept the morning off and awaken to the smell of lunch cooking
I quickly head downstairs…and see a lay of long tables setted with banana leaves ontop for plates…
“Ara ang donya”
My mother teased as she spreads rice all over the leaves
“Ma what’s happening?”
I asked curiously.
“Ay uy! si papa nimo nahan magpakaon sa iyang mga trabahante sa humay
uban ang mga jacinto”
She says…jacinto being a familiar name but I shrugged it off..Then she hands me a bowl of stinky kinilaw and instructs me to lay it on the leaves by the rice…I sighed and did it anyways…
After laying a variety of food over the rice on the leaves… lunch time arrives and people start coming in…
Like a bunch of people….
I stayed close to my mom as we stood over the table and we were about to say grace and dig in when someone came late and apologized as he scooted in and stood across the table to me.
It was that guy again…
After saying grace everyone started digging in and I was surprised and also grossed out when people used their hands to pick on the rice and food before them.
“Ma asa ang kutsara?”
I whispered to my mom
“Gamita imong kamot daiiii”
She used a mocking tone in which gained an eye roll from me
I was hesitant to do it and struggled to do so.
Then you spoke….
Miguel's POV
As i stand across the table from you with a long aray of foods in budol budol set in front us,
I can't help but notice your hesitation…as other digged in and ate with no struggle…you on the otherhand looked foreign and lost.
“Inganion ra na oh.”
I said gently as I then teach you slowly how to pick up rice with your fingers and scoop it to your mouth…in which you hesitantly followed…
I then offer you a leg of Grilled chicken and smiled as I continued eating…
Around us the others ate with all joy,chatting and laughing as they ate.
“Ay indai! ay na pag inarte wala nakas syudad”
One of the aunties said to you as you flush red embarassed and half annoyed
but you try to fit in as you ate along.
Everyone laughs and catches up especially our families..
Then my mother shares a story of me, dodong and you, indai used to run around this area and played all day long with the other kids who stood along the tables with us… my friends who waved at you all smiley.
I then also waved at you shyly with rice grained covered fingers…
then it clicked with you.
Iris's POV
My eyes widen and a smile grew o my face as familiarity shone upon me…with the familiar faces of playmates and you infront me.
“AHHHHHH ohh ikaw diay to akong kaduwa sauna!”
I Pointed at your face as i chewed on my food in my mouth.
You smiled and laughed as relief came to you when I rediscovered the memories…
Everyone laughs at our reactions then we continued eating catching up with simple conversations and sharing stories.
Our papas talked about business over food and our mothers gossiped about their children..when we both are literally standing next to them
“dont listen to my mom, she can't seem to get me at all”
I said under my breath to you..
You tried to understand what I said…You knew english but just a bit
“Ha? sorry indai nihit ra akong english”
He says shyly then I chuckled
“ay basta”
I shut the conversation down and smiled to myself and finished eating
Lunch time passes by…everyone starts tidying up and others left to get back to work so did you.
And as a primadonna I left without helping out and locked myself upstairs once more.
The afternoon goes by and I lazily lounge around my bedroom listening to some cassettes I brought and reading magazine catalogues on the bed…Doing nothing basically.
While Miguel works in the fields during the morning and loads in sacks of rice in trucks in the aftermoon back at the factory.My father visits the factory as they spoke about business with miguel's father.
They observe dong mig work diligently and chatted about how they might pass the business to him.
My father then shares how he wished my mother gave him a son instead to carry on the business instead of a stingy arte daughter who only asks for money to head out and shop.
Both fathers laughed at the shared anecdote then my father approached you and gives dong mig pat at the back.
Miguel's POV
Both fathers approached me as I signed the papers to transport the trucks of rice to cebu.
Then I felt a strong hand behind me
“Oh sir?”
My eyes perked up
“Sir ba uy! angkol ra uy. haha”
Iris's father teased me by being so formal
“Dong mig naa unta koy hangyo nimo ba….”
He speaks
“Sukad suod naman gud mo sa akong anak ba….Migaha unya to balik dong bi kay para di nato sigege lumlum sa kwarto”
He laughs at how he shares how isolated Iris gets
Everyone chuckles…then i nodded and smiled awkwardly then both fathers left off.
I wiped the sweat with the back of my hand as I continued working.
Later, as the sun sets into the horizon painting a display of cool colors of the afternoon above the sky…I leaned into my rattan chair as I took a break from work and hummed along a song as I start thinking….
That favor your father asked…wasn't just about getting his daughter out the house…but to bring back something in you.
Bring Indai back.
Not the one who looked like she stepped out a teen catalogue who seemed to be irritated at all times… but that kid with the cheeky grin who wouldn't hesitate to climb up on a mango tree to steal the fruit.
I thought on ways how to start working on this favor.
My mind strays to the tire swing behind your house.
Then a plan unfolds.
As night drew in and everyone heads home for dinner and rest…I stopped by your house and see your window dark and dimmed…
were you already sleeping?
I then reached in my pockets for a spare receipt from the deliveries and wrote something on it.
“Hi indai, duwa ta.”
I then folded it into a paper airplane and flew it into your window…
It hits your face…you napped at that time but that paper plane woke you up..
Iris's POV
I grunted awake and rubbed my eyes as I got out of bed and head outside of the room…I was gonna go outside to wash my face outside in the puso or water pump.
As I padded downstairs…. I then hear the tire swing out back…
I instantly stopped in my tracks and fear crept up to my spine…
I gathered the courage and walked slowly to the back of the house to check who is there very late at night…
Then I see a figure of a man sitting in the tire swing
I screamed out of fear which then scared you.
“PISTE OY ABI NAKOG KINSA!”
I cursed you in which then you jumped from the swing
“KALMA”
you stated.
I held onto my shirt as i tried to calm myself down then you apprached me which I then hit you in the arm for scaring me
“Giatay ka man bataa ka”
I cursed again.
in which you groaned and rub your arm trying to bit back both the pain and a smile.
“Ahaha sorry na indai”
You say as you offered the tire swing to me…I sat and swung around easing the nerves from getting scared just a moment ago.. you leaned against the mango tree the tire swing is hunged to.
“kita kas akong note?”
you asked
i then looked to you
“What note?”
I raised a question which you then shrugged off
“Ay wala ra uy…”
“kahinumdom ka ikaw gud tig katkat aning kahoya sauna?”
you shared a memory i have forgotten till you mentioned it.
I swung in the tire mindlessly tiring real hard to vividly remember memories…
“I dare you”
I instantly look over at you suddeny speaking english
“Kat kat sa tree”
You dared me and i glinted my eyes at you then rolled them
“Char inglis inglis man sya oh”
I then teased you
“Ako beh”
You leaned closer as I challenged you
“I dare you….”
You listen intently
“na….?”
“I dare you pa uli na.”
I said bluntly as i sat up and head upstairs dismissing you
You blink in surprise as I left then you chuckled to yourself as you watched me go and shut the hacienda doors close.
That cliff hanging feeling like something's been cut short.
Miguel's POV
The night deepens…as I walked back home with a cheeky grin planted on my face
I then arrived safely at home and kicked my work boots off… the black rubber ones, covered in mud.
I changed my pants and took my shirt off as I laid in bed under the mosquitero
The colorful net that prevents you some mosquito bites and potential dengue and malaria…