Once In Katipunan

Chapter 12

We only stayed in Pampanga for one week. My original plan was to stay with my family until the end of the break, but France told and ask my parents to cut my break short and have a vacation of our own together.

Surprisingly, my parents didn't disagree unlike what they normally do when my past suitors ask me out with them. I don't know what France did to catch their heart in a short span of time, but he surely did a great job. 

In the past week, France learned some kapampangan practices. He always insists to go with my uncle when they are doing some land maintainance. He learned how to plant crops, harvest mangoes, ride a carabao, go to a rice field and harvest rice crop and other activities that are commonly seen among kapampangans.

We also brought him to our house at Angeles and gave him a tour in our business establishments and factory. We aren't able to visit some other spots here in Pampanga because France wanted to spent our time at Arayat.

France seem to bring a lot of energy in his pocket to go for so many activities. We even went for a hiking, a day before we go back to QC.

Having France here with me made this vacation extra special. There's no dull moments with him. He's always up to something that can hype the situation and make it more exciting.

What's more admiring about him is how he treats my family as his own. He knows how to blend with us. It's as if all of our family values were already instilled in him and he's been practicing it for a long time already. He behaved excellently that he caught everyone's hearts in an instant. I have never imagined that he's this sort of a person. He's just imbued with so much courtesy, respect, and good morals that he was able to mark a good impression with my family.  

I don't know if France told my family that he's courting me, or if h asked permission from them, but I don't want to meddle with his plans. I trust him to do what's better for the both of us.

We're now heading back to QC because France wanted to spend the rest of the semestral break with me, alone. I don't know what's his plan, he just said that we're going somewhere around the Philippines for the rest of the week.

"Ano sa kapampangan ang maganda?" France asked while I driving the car.

He is so adamant and persistent to learn our native language. My lola taught him some basic kapampangan words, but he still end up forgetting it.

"Uhm, malagu." Pag translate ko sa tinatanong niya.

"Oh, akala ko kapampangan ng maganda is Ara." Tatangu-tangong sabi niya. Natawa naman ako sa pambobola niya.

"Alam mo, napaka corny mo." Kunwari'y nakangiwi kong sabi.

Tumawa naman siya nang bahagya na dahilan nang paglabas ng mapuputi niyang ngipin.

"Ara, ikaw ba ang darling ko?" Rinig ko ulit na tanong niya.

"Luh, ulol utak mo may ubo nanaman. Bakit?" Pagsakay ko sa trip niya.

"Kasi, keka ya mangalampag ing sese ku." (Kasi, sa'yo lang kakalampag ang alaga ko.) Nanlalaking mata ko siyang tinignan dahil sa kaniyang sinabi.

Siya naman ay nakangiti na akala mo ay sobrang sweet ng sinabi niya. Depunggal na 'to!

"Alam mo ba kung ano ibig sabihin ng sinabi mo?" Darag ko habang patuloy pa rin sa pagmamaneho.

"Huh? Isn't it sweet? Sabi ni Tito Jessie kapag sinabi ko raw 'yun sa'yo hihimatayin ka raw sa kilig. Ba't gano'n? Ano ba ibig sabihin no'n?" Tila inosenteng inosente na wika niya.

Susmaryosep panginoon, ano bang tinuturo ng mga kamag-anak ko rito?

"Bobo ang bastos mo! Shunga, 'sa akin lang kakalampag ang alaga mo', 'yon, 'yon ang meaning no'n pisti ka!" Nanlaki namam ang mga mata niya ng malaman kung ano ang nasabi niya.