Arrange To You (Tagalog)

With a cross fingers, only two contestants were left. Clayton and the other guy. They are making eye contact, waiting for someone to attack to catch the pig. "Tatapusin ko na 'tooo!" sigaw ng lalaki at nilangoy ang putikan para makuha ang kahuli-hulihang biik. All of us shouted in unison when the game ended. Isa-isa nilang tinaas ang mga nakuhang biik. My eyes went to Clayton, salubong ang mga kilay nitong lumabas sa palaruan at lumapit sa direksyon namin. "I could have won that!" Clayton complained. The mud were still dripping in his body.

"Oh! Ang isa sa mga paborito ng mga kalahok natin! Hindi lang biik ang premyo niyo kundi meron rin tayong mga magandang dilag ang magpapaligo sa inyo. Ilabas ang hose!" Palakpakan at sigawan ulit ang maririnig sa boung paligid. I frowned when I noticed Clayton walking towards the coordinator's place and asked if he could borrow the microphone. Nang mahiram iyon ay kaagad nitong hinarap ang lalaking naging kalaban nito kanina.

Nakita kong lumapit ang lalaki sa pwesto ni Laren at pinahugasan ang biik nito

"Congratulations for winning, bud. But note that, you take the piglet and I'll take the girl. End of discussion." With that, Clayton handed the microphone back.

Laren's expression was exceptional. Pulang-pula ang mukha nito habang hawak-hawak ang hose. Suddenly, Clayton pulled her over and brought her somewhere else.

"Walang forever!" sigaw sa kabilang banda.

"Mamatay lang pala ako sa inggit mga hangal!"

"Sabi ko na nga ba walang mag-momove on!"

Majority cheered as we saw Clayton pulling Laren out from the crowd. His smug expression says it all. A small smile stretched my lips as I watched them walking away from the noise. This might be a good scenario for them. And I can't wait what would await for them in the near future.

Goodluck... Clayton and Laren.

*****

Hindi pa 'rin bumabalik sila Clayton kaya kami nalang muna ni Marissa at ate Alma ang nanood ng mga palaro. They are also too stunned to speak after what happened a while ago. Hinuha ko'y wala silang alam sa namamagitan sa dalawa. Perhaps Marissa knew a little bit about it.

It was really a long day ahead. I enjoyed the event so much that I didn't even notice the time. I didn't feel any hunger as of the moment. The people here are also very friendly and witty.

"Oh Palo Sebo na! Ihanda na ang iyong maskuladong katawan dahil magsisimula na ang palaro. Handa na ba kayo?!!" pasimula ng host.

"Teka! Kuya, pwede ba akong sumali?" nagtaas ng kamay si Marissa at mukhang nagulat naman ang lahat.

"Sigurado ka 'ba hija?" determinadong tumango si Marissa at pumwesto isa sa mga bamboo.

"I'm rooting for you Marissa!" excited kong sigaw at nagsimula na rin ang ibang icheer siya. What's woman empowerment for? I smiled.

When the time starts. I couldn't even predict on who's close to winning. Ang bibilis nilang umakyat at nangunguna roon si Marissa. Mas umugong pa ang mga sigawan nang makuha niya ang flag na nakasabit sa pinakatuktok at walang kahirap-hirap na bumaba sa kawayan ng bamboo.

"That's a smooth glide right there!" I mumbled when Marissa walked near me.

"Kalma, ako lang 'to!" aniya at kumindat.

It was a busy day for the Punto Sierra. Marami pa ang mga palarong idinaraos at wala kaming pinalampas ni-isa roon. Until the sun sets and everyone is holding their sulo torch. Many rested on the grass while the others were inviting someone to dance in the crowd.

"Go Ate Alma!" We cheered for her as someone asked for her hand to dance.

Nasa gilid lamang kaming dalawa ni Marissa at naka-upo sa nakalatag na malaking kumot. The torches that the majority are holding created a fiery effect in the place. Ang apoy na nagmumula sa mga ito ay nagmimistulang mga aliptaptap sa di kalayuan.

The intricate details of the night are filled with joyful noises and mellow music. Elderly, teenagers and even the children participated in this kind of event. I heaved a sigh and leaned my back on the tree.

"You seemed quiet," napalingon ako sa nagsalita. Si Clayton na kakabalik lang. In his back was Laren who just continued walking and sat near me.

"I was just enjoying the view." I murmured. Ininguso ko rin ang mga taong nagsasayawan roon.

"Beautiful night isn't it? Pero walang makakatalo sa kagwapuhan ko 'e." Napailing-iling ako dahil naririndi na talaga ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

Ayan na naman siya. Kung nakakasunog lang ang pagiging gwapong-gwapo sa sarili ay baka naging-abo na siya.

"Celestia, want to dance?" pang-aaya ni Clayton. It took me minutes to decide before nodding. With what he said, an idea came to my mind. A small smile crept in my lips when I plan something wicked. Kaagad akong tumayo at inayos ang sout ko.

"Sana lahat maisayaw ng isang Clayton!" pagpaparinig ni Marissa sa gilid namin.

"Mauna kana muna, aayusin ko lang ang sarili ko." A smile let out in my lips when I saw him running towards the said field. Sinulyapan ko si Laren at nakitang pinagmasdan nito si Clayton.

She seemed to notice that I was looking at her and suddenly diverted her attention to something else. Without talking, I held her hands and pulled her to the field.

"S-Saan tayo pupunta?" Laren asked in panic. Sumuot kami sa mga nagsasayawang tao at kaagad hinanap ng mga mata ko si Clayton.

Nang makalapit ako kay Clayton ay kaagad kong hinawakan ang kwelyo niya at binulungan siya. "She's leaving the country soon, better have your decisions, right." I said and walked away.

Hindi na ako lumingon at sumuot ulit sa mga tao para makalabas--- when a pair of arms caught my hands. Sinubukan kong kalasin iyon pero masyado siyang malakas. I was in panicked for a moment nang makitang lumalayo na kami sa mga tao. We ended up in a secluded area with trees and rivers around us.

"What are-❞ nabitin ang pagsasalita ko nang matanto kung sino iyon.