Chapter 5

Ling

The house quaked when I woke up in the morning. Papa jumped all around our house while he packed his things for school. He grinned and sang, “Mi hija, today is the day. Today is the day the sponsor will come.”

            “What time will he come?” I asked.

            “Before lunch, and the whole school community is cooking up a feast for him,” Papa said.

            “So, no lunch from me today?”

            He shook his head. “No lunch, hija. But do come for the feast later.”

            I kissed his cheek and said our goodbyes. Papa carried his books and bag, and waltzed out of the house while humming a tune. He was definitely in a very good mood.

            I was about to grab a broom when kuya Ronny's voice rang. “Ayo,” he said with a very prolonged 'yo'. “Good morning!”

            I rushed to the door and opened it, forgetting that I still had a broom in hand and my hair was in a messy bun. “Kuya, good morning to you, too,” I said with a small smile.

            “Have you heard?” he said breathlessly. “You must go to school later, Ling.”

            I laughed. “For the feast?”

            He grinned. “Not just that, but to thank the sponsor as well! Can you imagine? New books? New shelves?”

            “I just can't believe it's finally happening.”

            “You must attend the lunch party we will have. You've wanted this, too, right?”

            Before I could smile or give him an answer, kuya Ronny put his arms around me in a tight embrace, and for a moment all I could see were swirling stars.      

            He released me in a hurry and kissed my brow. “I'll see you later, Ling.”

            He left and I closed the door softly. My heart beat for what seemed like hours. Since when did I start having these feelings for kuya Ronny?

            By the time I was done cleaning the house and taking a bath it was already close to 12:00. Although I knew I was going to be late, I still went to the falls, my favorite place.

            No one was there, as to be expected. The whole Paki-bato community might be at the school, welcoming and thanking this mysterious sponsor who only gave us his name, Joshua Aragon Villafuerte, and left us imagining what kind of man he was.

            The water lapped against my slippers and the falls roared so loud it almost made me deaf. I wondered if Charlene still ever remembered the falls or the times we swam in the water while Mama washed the clothes. I wondered if Charlene and Mama thought of me and Papa. Were they missing us? Would they come back? These thoughts never left my mind since I thought of them years ago. I was still yearning for their return.

            “Is the water cold?”

            I turned and watched as a man in leather shoes kick the water. “Wh-what?” I stuttered.

            “Is the water cold?” He shifted his eyes from the water to my face. He rubbed his chin, which was unshaven and seemed rough. He kicked the water again. “Hmm, seems warm.”

            He kicked his shoes off, pulled off his black socks, and rolled his pant legs to his knees. He put his feet into the water and wiggled his toes.

            I stared at the knot of his red tie and the sleeves of his black jacket. I knew right away he wasn't from Paki-bato. I looked at his strangely styled hair. It looked like a shiny shark's fin.

            He turned his eyes to the falls, then back to me. “Is the water deep?”

            I shook my head. “Not really.”

            “Do people swim here?”

            “Just kids.”

            He stared at the water again. “It's hot today.” In a flurry, he took his jacket off and loosened the knot of his tie. “Will you hold my jacket for me?”

            His jacket was in my face, and the scent of his cologne attacked my sinuses and gave me a headache. He put the jacket in my arms and, before I could protest, he ran into the water and dove!

            I clutched his jacket and watched him swim like a dog in the water. I almost laughed when he paddled in a circle. But I remembered kuya Ronny, who was probably waiting for me.

            “Mister Sponsor, I have to go,” I shouted. How did I know he was the school's sponsor? The clothes he wore were already a telltale sign.

            He stood and shook his head, whipping water off his hair. “Leave the jacket by my shoes,” he said.

            I put the jacket on top of his shoes and watched him a little longer. He was only about five or six years older than me. I couldn't believe the school's sponsor was less of a man and more of a boy. “I'm going to the school. Aren't you coming? Do you know your way around?” I asked.

            He swam closer to the bank and stood. “Yeah, I'm coming with you.” He shook his head again and wrung his necktie. “Today is just hot, you know?”

            I nodded and waited for him to put on his socks and shoes.

            “Murky water. It tastes like mud,” he said.

            “It has seen better days,” I said. “How was the school visit, Mister Sponsor?”

            He shook his head and put his jacket over my shoulder. “Haven't seen it yet. I'm just waiting for the food to come out. I'm famished!”

            I couldn't explain it but my chest felt heavy, and a metal spring kept coiling and uncoiling in my temples. Blood rushed to my cheeks and into my head. “You're an ass!” I screamed. I turned on my heel and stomped my way to the school.

            What kind of sponsor was that? He was just a kid! This must had been a joke! Kuya Ronny and Papa would be devastated!