"THE SACRED BOOK"

Chapter 11

Kayesha’s POV

I woke up with the continuous sound of firecrackers outside.

Knowing how I’m trying hard to be as warm as possible, I brightly smiled.

Despite the awkward feeling of carving a smile on my face, I peek on the window.

Tunog ‘yon ng fireworks, the sky is now also filled with beautiful bright colors. Tapos naman na ang pasko…

Oh, my.

It’s New Year. I forgot. Time just flew so fast, I even barely keep on track.

When the situation fully sunk in, I ran to my closet and picked a comfortable yet presentable dress.

Inayos ko ang magulong buhok, nagsuot ng contacts, at dali-daling bumaba.

Nadatnan ko sila Suzy. “Hi, Kayesha!” she waved her hand high.

“Na-miss kita,” sabi ni Kylene at yumakap sa ‘kin.

“Ako rin, ano!” sigaw ni Suzy, she look extra bubbly tonight.

“Syempre kami rin ni Ethan,” pagsingit ni Kurt at kinaladkad si Ethan patungo sa pwesto ko. Lumapit sila Suzy at Kylene, and they wrapped their arms around each other, making a group hug.

I smiled and hugged them back. It feels so warm to be this close with other people.

I feel like their warm touch boost my serotonin. I feel so excited and happy.

Nagsimula akong tumalon-talon sa sinabayan naman nila. Tila nagkaintindihan ang mga katawan namin at sabay-sabay kaming nagpaikot-ikot habang hindi naka-kalas ang yakap. Para kaming mga bata.

We were so happy that the maids who are watching us are all smiling from ear-to-ear.

Nang biglang kumalas si Kylene at-

“Waah!” malakas nitong sigaw, napaatras pa ito ng kaunti. Nagulat kaming lahat. “May sakit ka ba, Kayesha? Nakakahawa ba ‘yan? Kailangan na ba naming magpatingin sa manggagamot?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Kylene na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

They were just staring at Kylene, when slowly they turned to face me.

With shock, nanlaki ang mga mata ni Suzy. “Oo nga. May nakain ka bang hindi maganda?”

Kita ang gulat sa mga mukha nila na hindi ko mawari kung nakakatawa o nakakinsulto.

But my mind chose to consider it funny. I wasn’t able to hold my laugh. So, I laughed hard.

My sudden laughter made them more shock…

Or maybe scared?

“Kayesha,” called Kylene. “You just laughed.”

“She did,” pagsabat ni Kurt, he look so blank.

I shrugged. “New year: new me, maybe?” I then slapped Kurt’s arm.

They smiled. They seem proud now.

Sunod-sunod na tango ang ginawa ni Ethan, “Quite unbelievable but way better than before.”

To kid around, I turned ice cold. “You don’t seem to like it,” sabi ko using my usual dull tone.

“Waah! Kayesha naman. Nagbibiro lang si Suzy, eh,” agad niyang hinampas sa gilid ng leeg ang kaibigang halatang nagulat at napahawak sa leeg. “Hoy, Suzy, diba?” nagbabantang aniya, nakataas pa ang parehong kilay at nanlilisik ang mga mata.

Nagtitigan lang ang dalawa. No one is dodging an eye contact.

The silence between them is so loud that I think I can hear it.

I turned my gaze to Ethan which also turned his head to meet my eyes. He then looked at Kurt. I also turned to Kurt.

Parang tanga kaming tatlo na nagtititigan lang din ng bigla kaming sabay-sabay matawang lima.

We were silenced by the sudden sound of trumpet.

Our parents are here.

Sabay-sabay kaming lumabas agad and was welcomed by a lot of people of the kingdom.

Kaniya-kaniyang kaming ayos ng tayo.

“Happy New Year, Mom and Dad,” I greeted soon as I saw them. “Happy New Year everyone,” sigaw ko.

The people answered me with loud cheering. Just then, more fireworks invaded the dark sky. Sobrang ganda.

May mga nagsasayaw sa gitna, mga mesa sa paligid, naglalakad na mga waiter at may mga dalang inumin. Some kids are running around with their playmates. Foods are also everywhere, may mga mesang puno ng pagkain at kaniya-kaniyang kuha lang.

Sobrang ganda rin ng mga ilaw. Maingay ang mga tambol. Kaniya-kaniyang usap at tawanan ang mga tao.

May sarili naman kaming mesa ng pamilya ko, gano’n din ang ibang mga hari at reyna.

Lumipas ang mga minuto. Sumalo sa mesa ng mga magulang ko ang ibang hari at reyna. Nag-usap ang mga ito tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi ko naman maintindihan. Ang mga kaibigan ko naman ay hindi ko na mahagilap.

Maya-maya pa ay isa-isang nag-alisan ang mga kamahalan hanggang maiwan na lang sila Mom at Dad, at ako.

Everyone’s having fun, why can’t I?

Tiningnan ko ang mga magulang ko mula sa gilid ng mga mata. They’re just sitting their majestically while slowly sipping gracefully on their expensive-looking wineglass.

“Has something to say?”

Nagulat naman ako nang marinig si Daddy. Bigla akong napalingon sa dereksiyon nila ni Mom.

I was thinking of what to say when I suddenly saw a kid holding a bag.

“About school, Dad. Saan po ako mag-aaral if I still need to attend one?” I asked.

Now that I opened the topic, I am also curious now.