Panaginip: Isang Paglalakbay

15

"Good morning, class," bungad ko as I enter the room of Grade 11 - Matapat.

"Good morning, sir Jean!," the class greets back.

"So, how is your sem-break?" I ask them habang nilalapag ang mga gamit ko sa teacher's desk.

They all answered in the positive and proceeds to chatter away.

"Alright," I cut them off, "alam ko na maraming happenings sa inyong semester break but don't worry, you will be able to share your experiences during the break later."

"Sir," biglang tanong ni Jasper, "we heard that you spend the break with Ma'am Dominique, so kelan po ang kasal?" at naghiyawan ang class sa kilig.

Grrr! Alien, anong uring rumor ito?! Tsk, lagot ka mamaya sa akin babaeng bansot!

I smiled at them and begins my lesson.

Crap! Saan ba nagsimula ang rumors na yan? Kanina ko pa naririnig yung mga bulung-bulungan tungkol sa amin ni Dominique. I will investigate the matter no matter what pero bago iyon, I need teach this rascals some lesson on Philippine Literature.

"Alright, class, we can summarize Philippine Literature as from Diwata Age to Marian Age, and from Marian Age to 21st century.

"Ang mga literaturang nasa tinatawag nating Diwata Age ay ang mga kwento, tula, bugtong, alamat, awit, dalit, at iba pa na umiiral noong mga panahon bago dumating ang mga Kastila. I know that you have studied in your history about the precolonial period and I know that you have touched how society works at that age.

"Tinatawag natin ang period na ito as Diwata Age sapagkat ang madalas na bida ay mga anito, mga diyos at diyosang sinasamba ng ating mga ninuno, mga diwata, engkanto, lamang lupa, and many more. Our ancestors are fascinated to explain the unknown kaya naman sa paghahanap nila ng kasagutan ay lumikha sila ng kanilang sariling explanation na humantong sa pagkakaroon natin ng mayamang literatura bago pa man tayo sakupin ng mga banyaga.

"Now, class, I want you to share stories you have heard from the elders of your family that involves these mythical creatures that prevalent in the literature of the Diwata Age. Share these stories to the class next meeting."

"Sir," Jasper says as he raised his hand.

"Yes, Jasper," I prompted him to speak.

"I know that you went with Ms. Dominique sa Casa Ardiente kasi I saw you po doon during the break as I spent my vacation sa house ng maternal grandparents ko, which is near Casa Ardiente. Pero my question po is di po kayo natakot sa pag-stay sa bahay na 'yon amidst the many nasty rumors about the house?"

I stared at Jasper in disbelief, "What do you mean about nasty rumors on the house? Wala akong narinig kay sir Pio aside sa history ng bahay."

"Sir, siyempre di sa inyo sasabihin ni Sir Pio yung ugly side ng bahay eh loyal yun sa family na may-ari ng bahay!"

"Care to explain?" I goad him dahil he already pricks my curiosity and besides biglang lumutang sa aking balintataw ang mga panaginip na mahiwaga na naranasan ko sa bahay na iyon.

"Well, according sa ermats ng ermats ko, si lola Bining, noong araw daw po ay namatay yung orig owners ng bahay sina Don Tasyo at Donya Ikang dahil sa love triangle ata pero dahil sa maagang nasawi si Don Tasyo eh parang nabaliw yung asawa tapos nagpakamatay. Ang sabi-sabi pa nga daw po eh nagpaparamdam doon yung si Donya Ikang at ang modus operandi niya eh papasaok siya sa panaginip mo at doon ka niya papatayin. Yun daw ang naging dahilan ng pagkamatay ng asawa ni sir Pio."

"Yun lang?" parang nabitin ata ako sa kwento ni Jasper.

"Si sir naman," reklamo ni Jasper, "di pa po tapos yung kwento ko!"

"Okay, continue."

"Actually po noong minsan mapadaan kami ni lola Bining sa tapat ng Casa Ardiente, saktong lumabas kayo ng balkonahe ng bahay and then biglang tumigil si lola at napa-antanda yung sign of the cross and then she whispered something and it creeps me out! Guess what she said sir!"

Aba may alam pang pabitin itong batang ito. Tsk.

"She whispered, 'Jasper, look the house is beautiful,'" sarcastic kong sagot sa bata.

Umalma ang buong klase sa tinuran ko kaya naman I ask Jasper to continue his story, "Lola Bining whispered, 'Natupad na ang propesiya ng Apo. Muling nagbalik ang mga sinakdal at nilamon ng tubig ng ilog ni Dian Masalanta.'"

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I shared what happened during my class with Dominique over dinner. I ask her out (do not be surprised, kahit alien siya, kaibigan ko rin naman siya) just to share this tidbit.

"Bakulaw, sana nagpafood-panda na lang tayo kesa pumila ng mahaba dito sa Jollibee kung nag pag-uusapan lang pala natin eh yang corny na medyo pa-mysterious na kwento ng estudyante mo," reklamo ni Dominique.

I just rolled my eyes at her. Hay, reklamador as always!

"Aside from that, sinabi na ba sa iyo nina tito at tita?" I changed the topic.

"About what?" sabay subo ng sundae.

"About your mother's health," I said matter-of-factually.

"O bakit anong meron sa health ni mommy?"

"I overheard our parents talking about it while they are having dinner together sa bahay and I didn't mean to eavesdrop pero pumukaw sa aking attention yung silent tears ni tito," I sighed deeply.

"Anong meron kay, mommy? Last time I checked, she is as healthy as a horse," kibit-balikat niyang sagot as she continues to devour her sundae.

"Congrats, Dom, you are going to be a big sister soon!" and I stand up to go to the washroom para pigilan ang tawa ko! Grabe yung hilatsa ng mukha ni Dom ng mag-sink-in yung mga sinabi ko! Bwahaha!

**************

BAKULAW!!!

Agad kong tinawagan si mommy to confirm yung mga sianbi ni Bakulaw.

"Hello, ma, is it true?"

..........

"Are you sure? Did you have a second opinion?"

..........

"OMG! Ma, ang tanda ko na para magkaroon ng kapatid!"

...........

"Oh, come on! It is not a laughing matter ma! You are so muck like Bakulaw!"

............

"You know what po? I'm feeling old already!"

............

"No! I will not marry him. Bye."

BWISIT! I am already heading towards my 30th birthday pero heto ako, magkakaroon pa ng kapatid! Ish!

I am now feeling na malapit na akong mawala sa kalendaryo!

Magkagayon pa man, di ako pakakasal sa damuhong iyon!

Tomorrow will be payback time!!!