29/12/2021
𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓼
[By Bianca Ysabelle Tiwaquen]
Tita Marites sauntered to the buffet table with her head held high and her bootleg Gucci bag sandwiched between her arm and torso.
The young girl ahead of her in line passed a paper plate to her along with some plastic utensils and napkins.
“Hija! Long time no see!” Marites greeted, playfully slapping the young girl’s shoulder.
“Hello po.” she greeted in return before reaching for the ladle nestled in the warm, steamy fried rice. Marites swooped in and grabbed it before she could.
“You know, you should really cut off some carbs in your diet, you got so chubby na since I last saw you… Look at me, I can eat whatever I want because I saw an article on Peysbuk saying ginger-turmeric-malunggay saltwater tea will help prevent fats… You should try it sometime noh?”
The younger muttered, “I’ve lost my appetite” before walking away from the buffet. Marites was taken aback but she proceeded to scoop two cups of rice, spaghetti, palabok, menudo, lechon manok, and lumpia shanghai onto her plate.
Marites walked with her hips swaying side to side as she looked for a place to sit, she felt all eyes on her, she did not mind- she liked being the center of attention. Perhaps they were wondering where she got her red floral sundress or her sleek strappy sandals, obviously, she was not going to tell them they were from ukay. She made her way to a round table with a few youngsters, some probably in high school or college. They all greeted her politely as she sat down.
Right across from her was a young man she vaguely remembers, it was not until she noticed his maroon jacket that spoke to him, “You know you have to be careful what you post noh?”.
That caught the attention of everyone, the maroon boy asked “Po?”
“I’m talking to you Jimmy, you think because you got into UP you can say whatever you want na? Don’t be so full of yourself, hah?” she scolded while shoveling spoonfuls of her food.
“And you-” she pointed her spoon at the young teen next to her with turquoise hair, “Why did you do that to yourself hija? Are you asking for attention? Are you depressed? You know if you are depressed you should just pray to Lord God our savior-”
“Excuse me.” A man wearing a casual blazer stood behind her.
“Oh! Hijo! It’s been so long! I heard you passed the exam and you are a Lawyer na---”
“Who are you po?” The man interrupted and the youngsters at the table tried to keep their laughter in.
Marites felt offended, “Susmaryosep! You are so Bastos! You know that? I am Marites! Your tita!”.
He was still confused, “Marites…?”
“Marites Aquinaldo! I’m your papa’s first cousin, ay apo naman hijo!” Marites stood up in frustration.
“Where are your parents? They have to know about this disrespect!”
Whispers erupted from across the hall. Marites looked across the room to see the girl from the buffet snickering, when their eyes met she pointed at the tarpaulin at the center of the room.
“AGUINALDO FAMILY REUNION 2020”
Illustration and Layout by Pauline Lago and Ralph Tumaneng