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


    "Oh! Ang isa sa mga paborito ng mga khok natin! Hinding biik ang premyo niyo kundi meron rin tayong mga magandang dg ang magpapaligo sa inyo. bas ang hose!" Pkpakan at sigawan ulit ang maririnig sa boung paligid. I frowned when I noticed yton walking towards the coordinator''s ce and asked if he could borrow the microphone. Nang mahiram iyon ay kaagad nitong hinarap anglaking naging kban nito kanina.


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


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


    Laren''s expression was exceptional. Png-p ang mukha nito habang hawak-hawak ang hose. Suddenly, yton pulled her over and brought her somewhere else.


    "Wng forever!" sigaw sa kabng banda.


    "Mamatayng p ako sa inggit mga hangal!"


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


    Majority cheered as we saw yton 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... yton and Laren.


    *****


    Hindi pa ''rin bumabalik s yton kaya kami nng muna ni Marissa at ate Alma ang nanood ng mga pro. They are also too stunned to speak after what happened a while ago. Hinuha ko''y w sng m sa namamagitan sa dwa. 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 maskdong katawan dahil magsisim na ang pro. Handa na ba kayo?!!" pasim ng host.


    "Teka! Kuya, pwede ba akong sumali?" nagtaas ng kamay si Marissa at mukhang nagt naman anghat.


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


    "I''m rooting for you Marissa!" excited kong sigaw at nagsim 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 nng umakyat at nangunguna roon si Marissa. Mas umugong pa ang mga sigawan nang makuha niya ang g na nakasabit sa pinakatuktok at wng kahirap-hirap na bumaba sa kawayan ng bamboo.


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


    "Kalma, akong ''to!" aniya at kumindat.


    It was a busy day for the Punto Sierra. Marami pa ang mga prong idinaraos at w kaming pinmpas 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 gilidmang kaming dwa ni Marissa at naka-upo sa naktag na mking kumot. The torches that the majority are holding created a fiery effect in the ce. Ang apoy na nagmum sa mga ito ay nagmimistng mga aliptaptap sa di kyuan.


    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 yton na kakabalikng. 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 wng makakatalo sa kagwapuhan ko ''e." Napailing-iling ako dahil naririndi na tga ako sa mga sinasabi niya.


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


    "Celestia, want to dance?" pang-aaya ni yton. 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 n something wicked. Kaagad akong tumayo at inayos ang sout ko.


    "Sanahat maisayaw ng isang yton!" pagpaparinig ni Marissa sa gilid namin.


    "Mauna kana muna, aayusin kong 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 yton.


    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 yton.


    Nang makpit ako kay yton 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 makbas--- when a pair of arms caught my hands. Sinubukan kong ksin iyon pero masyado siyang mkas. I was in panicked for a moment nang makitang lumyo na kami sa mga tao. We ended up in a secluded area with trees and rivers around us.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


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