6ft Under

Sasha: Bali yung higaan mo ate Jules doon sa pinakadulo kasi single bed lang yun tapos si ate Cole and Mati dito sa isang kwarto mas malaki kasi kama rito, kami naman ni ate Aye sa taas. Pag may kailangan kayo akyatin nyo na lang ako ha. Pahinga muna tayo at napagod sa byahe bukas pa naman yung kasagsagan ng fiesta.

She said as she showed us to our room.

Cleo: Thank you, Sasha.

Sasha: Sige kung gusto nyo tumambay sa labas pwede naman, mapresko naman yung hangin wag lang kayo magpahating gabi baka makakita kayo ng crosswise.

She said jokingly as she grabbed all her bag.

Ayesha: Huh?

We all laugh at Aye because she didn't get the joke.

Na alala ko tuloy kung pano nahulog si Ate Matilda sa palayan kanina.

Ayesha: Hey, could you please explain it to me oh?

She begged us while grabbing all her bags.

Matilda chuckled and said, “We'll explain it to you tomorrow.”

Ayesha: Mas lalo akong di makakatulog kung di nyo ie-explain sa akin tonight.

She said as she followed Sasha upstairs.

Sasha: Mamaya ate Aye explain ko sayo ayusin mo muna mga gamit mo, kasi parang nag overpack ka na naman.

Ayesha: Hindi ah lahat kaya to essential baka may lakad tayo na wala sa plans edi at least ready ako.

Cleo: Bahala ka na dyan Sasha sinimulan mo yan.

Cleo and Mati entered their rooms, giggling at how slow Ayesha was to get jokes like this.

Jules: Una na rin ako guys sa kwarto ha, ayusin ko lang mga gamit ko saka makikiligo na rin Sasha.

Sasha: Sige lang ate Jules nasa may kusina yung CR hanapin mo na lang, wag na kayo maingay at tulog na si lola, pasara na lang ng pinto sa lalabas.

Sigaw nya galing sa taas.

So Sino kaya sa atin yung maingay?

After I had taken a shower, I went outside to get some fresh air. I lay down on the woody bridge to gaze at the sky and admire the stars.

Tulog na ata yung iba dahil sa sobrang haba ng byahe papunta rito sa province nila Sasha. Naglakad pa kami mula sa kanto papasok dito sa kanila kasi wala naman daw dumadaan na habal-habal sa kanila kasi mabato ang daan.

Sandra: What are you thinking right now?

Jules: Wala naman, masaya lang ako na sobrang lawak ng langit ngayong gabi, because there are no cable wires, massive buildings, or blinding lights to obstruct the view.

Sandra: You really adore the stars noh?

Jules: Yes...

I responded while gazing into her eyes, hoping to see my reflection.

Jules: So... tell me about yourself?

Sandra: Ano ito job interview?

Bahala ka nga dyan, panget mo kausap.

Jules: Baliw hindi... di ka kasi nagku-kwento tungkol sa sarili mo. Gusto lang kita makilala pa ganon.

Sandra: Sus crush mo lang ako eh.

Jules:Ang kapal! wag na nga...

I said with annoyance, turning my eyes back to the sky.

Sandra: Well I’m a model, business owner saka influencer…

I took a deep breath and glanced at her, concern filling my eyes.

Jules: Hey, we're not in a fashion show right now, and there's no audience to judge you. So why do you keep giving me those rehearsed lines during an interview?

She was shocked by my statement, darting her eyes at me before pausing to think deeply, and then she tried to answer me again.

Sandra: Well, I am the color pink, the cute things, the girly girl who’s quiet at times, the friend who never wants anyone to feel left out. I’m the glitter on the floor, the music you play during midnight drives, the sound of the ocean breeze. I’m bright smiles, loving with all my heart but growing quiet when hurt. The girl who keeps all her problems by herself. I am vibrant, always trying to explore worlds beyond my own. How about you? Who are you?

I smiled broadly at her as I listened to her truth. I appreciate it when she drops the façade and reveals her true self.

She nudged me to answer her question, but I coughed to avoid her gaze and gladly looked up at the stars.

Jules: Well, I am the crust of a pizza, a soft-spoken person who gets angry when pushed too far. I'm a stack of books, the girl with endless patience, the understanding child. I'm the song you sing out loud, the one who takes videos to capture memories. I'm the overworked but grateful soul, the warm hug, the friend who only wants the best for everyone. I'm the cozy feeling of a bed and a stargazer who dreams of becoming a star someday.

Sandra:Well that's a lot to digest

Jules: You don’t need to memorize everything about me; just being yourself around me is enough.

I paused for a moment, then asked her.

Jules: Why aren’t you showing the world the real you?

Sandra: They might see me as a maarte or super flashy na tao, di kasi gusto ng audience yung kakaiba sa kanilang paningin…

Umupo ako then I faced her.

Jules: Diba mas nagsstand out pagkakaiba ka… At least you’re being yourself while doing the things you love. It makes your work more bearable, right?

Sandra: Nakakatakot kasi sa industry kasi kada galaw mo pwede ka mabash.

Jules: Kahit ano naman gawin mo mababash at mababash ka pa rin might as well do what you love and show the world the real you. Malay mo even those who don't follow you might be inspired by your authenticity.

Sandra: Madaling sabihin pero it takes a lot of courage and mental preparation to reveal my true self to the public.

Jules: Well, baby steps… you’ll get there, Sandy. It only needs to make sense to you because at the end of the day, you only have yourself.

She leaned forward and looked at the water below.

Sandra: Yeah I know…

Jules: Magandang umaga po La, asaan po sila?

I asked Lola as I walked toward the kitchen to see what she was preparing.

Lola: ay pumunta sa bayan mamamalengke para sa handa natin mamaya. Di ka na ginising kasi tulog mantika ka raw matatagalan lang daw sila.

Jules: Ganun po ba...

Di ko alam kung magpapasalamat ako na di ako ginising ng maaga o maooffend ako sa dahilan nila.

Lola: Halika dito ija at tulungan mo ako magluto ng palitaw para may agahan kayo maya-maya.

Sandra: What's palitaw?

She asked curiously, watching intently as Lola flattened the ball of dough with the palm of her hand.

Tiningnan ko lang sya dahil di ko naman sya pwedeng sagutin. Baka isipin ni Lola nababaliw na ako at maling tao pala nabarkada ni Sasha kahit ako naman talaga yung pinakamabait sa aming lima.

J: Diba po ang palitaw ay gawa sa glutinous rice flour?

I asked Lola the question to help Sasha understand the process without directly answering her.

Lola: Ay oo, haluin mo muna yung malagkit sa tubig hanggang mamuo na, pagkaganito na ay kumuha ka ng kakaunti saka mo bilugin ng ganto.

Lola explained as she demonstrated the process.

Lola: Pagkatapos nyan Ija pantayin mo sya gamit ang dalawa mong palad, saka mo ilagay dito sa kumukulong tubig.

She handed me a flattened piece of dough, and I followed her instructions by placing it in the boiling pot.

Lola: Pagkatapos niyan, lagyan mo ng niyog at asukal para magkalasa. Saka itong nabili kong sisame seeds.

Sandra: Gusto ko sanang matikman.

Malungkot nyang saad habang nakatingin sa naluto ng palitaw.

Kawawa naman itong babae na to nae-experience nya nga yung ibang mundo maliban sa nakasanayan nya kaso parang hanggang 3D lang.

Jules: Hayaan mo Sandy, sa susunod babalik tayo rito kila Sasha tapos magpapagawa ulit tayo ng palitaw.

I whispered to her, she just gave me a sad smile then walked to the window to look outside.

Cleo: Bakla ka sino kausap mo dyan?

Lagot na sa daming pwedeng makahuli sa akin si Cleo pa talaga, lorde tabang.