Hatsukoi

Chapter 23:

The sound of Gangsa—single hand-held smooth-surfaced gong with a narrow rim, and Tongali—nose flute were heard inside the church hall of the San Jose Parish Church. Although their dance called Bendayan is an ethnic traditional folk dance in that particular area, Padre Juan allowed the practice for the folk dance presentation to be held at the hall.

He respects and supports many beliefs and traditions as as a token to pay respect, he let the people practice. Habang abala pa sa pag-eensayo ng tugtugin ang mga ibang kasama ni Bongbong ay tahimik lamang siyang nakaupo sa isang sulok.

Siya kasi ang isa sa mga sasayaw, habang abala sila sa pag-tugtog ay saglit niyang kinuha mula sa kaniyang bulsa ang kaniyang cellphone at tinignan niya kung may bago na bang mensahe si Leni.

“I wonder how it went.” Bulong niya at itinago na muli niya ang kaniyang cellphone at muli niyang pinagmasdan ang mga taong tumutugtog ng Gangsa at Tongali.

After the track meet, the whole track and field club celebrated their victory—individually and their overall. They all won a place in the meet, Sara and Leni both won the gold in their respective competitions. Kiko won the gold in the eight hundred-meter middle distance. Koko also won the gold in the boys’ four hundred-meter sprint.

While Robin, Bong, and Lito won the bronze in two hundreds, Cynthia and Pia won silver in the fifty-meter sprint. Because of this, they placed third in the overall tally—not bad from last year that they are in seventh place because Sara and Cynthia didn’t win. They are all advancing in the regionals so they are indeed happy.

Ngayon ay naririto sila sa isang fast food chain upang kumain ng hapunan, it’s already seven in the evening. The awarding ended up quite late so they got to the place late also. Ngayon ay kapwa sila nakapila upang um-order ng kanilang kakainin sa nasabing fast food chain.

“Ano kayang kakainin ko?” tanong ni Pia habang pumipili na sa menu na naka-flash sa screen sa itaas.

“Man, I’m already starving.” Koko laughted awkwardly while scratching his head.

“We all are.” Sara followed.

“I think I’m gonna order the fried chicken and the spaghetti with a float. Paniguradong puputulin na ni Tatay Digs ang allowance ko next week kaya lulubos-lubusin ko na.” Dagdag pa ni Sara sa kaniyang sinabi.

“Mine’s just a burger, not quite hungry actually.” Kiko smiled and put out money on his wallet.

“Wow, Sara. Magkano ba dala mo ngayon?” Pia was surprised.

“Isang libo, pero magtitira pa rin naman ako kasi mawawalan na nga ’ko probably next week ’di ba?” pagmamalaki nito.

“Wow, ang dami mo namang baon. Ang s’werte mo ah!” Pia chucked, nagpatuloy pa sila sa kanilang pag-uusap ngunit nakatugon lamang si Leni sa kaniyang cellphone.

“Ikaw, Leni, ano oorder-in mo?” tanong ni Kiko. Napansin niya kasing parang hindi nag-iisip si Leni ng kung ano ang kukunin niya.

“Ay, ako?” Nang marinig ni Leni na tinawag siya ay kaagad siyang sumagot.

“Oo, ano oorder-in mo?” pag-uulit ni Kiko sa kaniyang tanong.

“I’m not much hungry so... just fries, burger, and a drink.” She smiled to them.

Nang maka-order na sila ng kanilang pagkain ay umupo na sila sa mga bakanteng silya. As usual, Sara, Leni, and Pia were the ones sitting side by side. Ang iba naman ay nasa ibang mga lamesa at doon na sila kumain, habang kumakain naman ay pinag-uusapan nila ang naranasan sa magkakaibang kategoryang kanilang nilabanan sa track meet.