It was just one of those ordinary days where this town had nothing but children in the streets playing all those fancy Pinoy games that they never seem to tire playing again and again, disregarding the glistening beads of sweat all over their young flesh and that combination of that sunny smell and baby powder scent kids used to have. Under the heat of the sun were all smiles, sometimes grumpy faces at each other and cries loud enough to catch an elder’s attention. But all were generally calm and clear and peaceful. Indeed completely different from that of those in television which everyone in this little town of Rizal secretly longed to visit. Televisions paved way to the gleaming busy streets and giant buildings and different colored vehicles, dreams which only few can turn into reality.
It was the first of those hot days in early summer where Cesar was usually caught daydreaming, taking his weight off in that old sinigwelas tree high above the ground unconsciously munching its bittersweet fruit. He could see almost half of the town of Rizal from where he was seated; their concrete house still unfinished and the river where they usually go swimming after long hours of play. The tree has been his official hideout when he carved his whole name on it just the other week. While his eyes were on his playmates playing patintero, his thoughts soared through the high mountains of Nueva Ecija. He dreamed of becoming a son of the superheroes like that one he was tuning into every night. He dreamed of becoming a doctor. He dreamed seeing his father again. He dreamed of Manila.
Although Cesar’s mother approved of him playing out until before the sun hid behind those mountains, he had but one thing to remember: he should be home during lunchtime and after which, take a nap right beside his mother. Or else, a long bamboo stick awaits a hardheaded boy. And this was one of those few times he admitted he was being one. He had completely lost track of time and got carried away by his youthful thoughts. His eyes were stuck at the sight of their house, imagining his mother out with a bamboo stick in her hands wearing the same as like any other married woman in the town wears— a knee length dress paired with slippers and hair tied tightly at the back. Not few minutes of waiting when her mother went out of the house dressed completely different. She was holding an umbrella instead. She was coming for him. He gave a deep sigh of relief realizing that she was going somewhere, letting his son’s crime pass this time. He climbed down his tree, meeting his mother halfway down the road to their house.
“I’ll be going to the Bayan. You want the same thing I brought you?”
“Yes. But why so early?”
“I am late, actually. I’ve to meet with your Uncle Dading this noon.”
“Okay. You take care, Mang.”
He gave her a peck on the cheek. She sniffed Cesar’s neck.
“I prepared your food there. You just keep on playing son. Look at you. You seem to be burning in the heat of the sun.”
“I know. But it’s summer.”
“I know.” And she gave her a grin. “By the way, drop by your Ninang Mila’s house later and remind her about the longganisa.”
“Who else?”
“Leave the rest for Sunday. You might as well take a bath before you go there. I’ll leave now. Remember what I said.”
It had been a habit of him and his mother to go to the town’s sole Catholic church during Sundays, after which, stroll around town, which was actually a very tiring routine for Cesar to go about from house to house of her mother’s kumares expecting some money they owed her from longganisa and tocino she sold to them two weeks ago. Cesar used to complain of the really long walks. But when he was once scolded in contention by her mother, he never attempted to complain again and eventually learned to deal with it even if it means yawning every other minute plus dust powdered shoes and socks the whole time. And it was worth all the walking when her mother would hand him five, sometimes ten pesos, depending on how much money they collected. He was paid not by accompanying her mother but for merely making her laugh through his jokes which Cesar’s friends usually found silly.
He directed towards their house, which used to be a home before his father went to Manila to find a better job. He ate what his mother prepared for him, washed his dishes and immediately took a bath after feeling the refreshing cold water in his now sweaty flesh. After putting his usual clothes on, a green shirt that was a bit large for his body size and the shorts he acquired in last year’s basketball league, he was ready to pass by her Ninang Mila’s house located at the near end of the town. He should rather do it now or he might forget it and his mother would get angry at him. He didn’t want his mother to.
Cesar went inside the other room, the room that was planned to be his. But things were piled up there, mostly from his father. Shortly, he came out guiding his best friend through the door to yet another journey. His best friend used to accompany him every time his mother would ask him to do her some errands like this one today. It was an old two wheeled vehicle fixed in tandem to a yellow colored frame, steered by the fading red foam rubber handle bars, and propelled by the intricate arrangement of non-lubricated pedals and gears driven by feet. They were both ready to conquer the town once again.
If his mother were here, they would have been sleeping at this time. The sun would never leave until dusk, he predicted. The wind whispered to his ears and his eyes felt sleepy. The warm heat of the sun in his skin and the feel of the cool breeze from the mountains gave Cesar a chill. When he reached out to the saddle, it was when he remembered his mother would be here before he’ll be back so he went inside the house once again, this time to check the plugs and lock the door.
Streets were unruffled during this time of the day. Even his playmates that were as hard headed as he was were on their respective houses, either watching Wowowee or having siesta with the family. This town has always been like this—peaceful yet languid, ambitious but weary. People were daunted by greater responsibility yet they were eager to know more about what was really out there. What they want in life was to master the responsibility they have been doing to their families since the dawn of their lives. Only few were spirited enough to take a leap of faith and travel to their dreams.
Just like Cesar’s father. He was a carpenter and decided to try it on some place abroad to see where his dreams of a better living for his family can take him. He worked as a construction worker and for a year and a half, they were better. His mother started to improve their old wooden house. Cesar can still recall how he met his best friend. It was a day before Christmas and he was helping his mother in preparing their lunch when a tricycle stopped by in front of their house. The man stepped out with a baggage and a bicycle. His mother was in awe at the sight of his father, and he was, too.
The bicycle was a Christmas gift, for being a good boy, taking care of his mother as he had written in his letters. Cesar had longed for a bicycle ever since he learned how to ride it through one of his friends. He would borrow it; patiently learning how to steady himself into the saddle without letting his feet touch the ground. He experienced the inevitable thump after thump, considerable bleeding on his legs and arms and some facial scars before he fully gained control of the vehicle. His bicycle was his greatest possession. Not because he experienced so much physical pain just by understanding the whole learning procedure but it was more of a reminder of his father. He thought of his father every time he rode on his best friend.
His thoughts were on his father’s when he noticed a car parked at his Ninang Mila’s house. Her brother from Manila might be here for a vacation. He stopped pedaling and took a grip at the brake lever in front of the house. Cesar called for his Ninang. There seemed to be a commotion between the people inside the house for they were not able to hear him calling out. He called out the second and third and the fourth time. Soon a young girl, seemed to be his age, went out to see who’s out there. It was just some seconds’ sight yet she was trapped into Cesar’s mind. He had been here many times with his mother but it was the first time he actually encountered that girl. Not moments later when his Ninang Mila asked him to go into the house.
People were giddy with their own conversations that they didn’t even notice Cesar come in. They were all enthusiastic upon the sight of each other. Family reunion, he thought. They held one like this before when his father arrived from abroad. He was standing upon the door, feeling outcast upon a flock of busy strangers. He felt relieved seeing Ninang Mila coming out of the room with that same girl he saw holding her hand. She was wearing high knee length pink shorts and a shirt with a Hello Kitty print at the front. She wore a headband giving more emphasis to her shoulder length hair.
“Tell your mother I’ll order another three kilos on Saturday. Tell her I’ll bring it to Manila on Sunday. “
She handed Cesar two hundred pesos. He lifted his hands and reached for the money and said thank you. He slipped the money into his pocket. The young girl was staring at him. He noticed she had brown eyes.
“Do you have anything to do this afternoon, Cesar?”
“I’ll play with my friends, Ninang. Mother went to the City.”
“Can you help my niece here? She wants to learn how to ride a bike.”
They looked each other in the eyes. Her smile was a bit shy. She has beautiful eyes. She seemed taller that than me, he thought.
“Oh, that will be no problem Ninang.”
“Oh now, you go with him. Don’t worry Ciara, Cesar’s a nice boy.” “And Cesar, ambled her through the town. I know she’ll love it.”
Ciara was her name.
“Let’s go?” he said
She just gave him a nod. They went out to the streets together. Silence filled in between their presence yet questions were forming in their heads. Cesar was holding his bicycle while Ciara was walking by his side.
“Why do you want to learn how to ride this thing?
“I don’t know. I just want to.”
“You know, I’ve encountered so many bruises while learning this.”
“Really?”
“Once I stumbled upon a huge rock. See this?” He showed a scar on his forehead. “I got this from this thing.”
“It seems like you don’t want me to learn at all. You’re scaring me.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. If you don’t want to—”
“If you really want to learn, you got to have the nerve. Balance is the basic thing you need to learn. And the rest follows.” He offered the saddle to Ciara to sit on. “Let’s get started.”
Ciara reached out to the plastic saddle but was still tip toed in the ground, struggling. Cesar managed somehow to get a grip of the handlebar and his left hand clutching the seat post helping Ciara to maneuver the two wheeled vehicle. People started going out of their houses again, children were back on the streets playing and adults, mostly women who were left at their houses, were sweeping their already clean front yard. They were oblivious of the eyes of people staring at the new girl in town.
“You still haven’t told me you name.”
“You guess.”
“Gerald?”
“No.”
“Jose? Berto? There are lots of names in the world! C’mon, tell me. I’m Ciara. We just arrived when you came to Auntie Mila’s. ”
“Are you afraid I’ll let go of you?”
“Oh please do not. I still don’t know how to bike!”
“My hands are getting tired Ciara. Let’s swap places and ride around town.”
She jumped into the body frame and they were on their way to the town plaza where Cesar and his friends used to join and play with the basketball league, he told her; then to the Church where he and his mother never missed to be absent every morning of Sundays. Ciara’s parents were just the same as his mother. The town was getting busy and everyone they passed was looking at them. Cesar became conscious of the eyes of the people while Ciara was still unaware, recognizing the places she had never been all her life.
“Your shoes might get stuck in the spokes. Are you all right?”
“I haven’t seen a Carabao in my whole life.”
Cesar gave out a laugh. “Are you serious?”
“I want to see a Carabao.”
“Let’s go somewhere. I’m gonna show you something.” Cesar pedaled faster as Ciara’s mouth was wide open in amazement. They were against the wind, and the breeze smacked their faces, yet she was in high spirits. She couldn’t feel the pain caused by the tube she was sitting on. She watched the clouds chase them. The afternoon sun’s rays playfully peeking at the clouds. She looked at Cesar’s countenance as he steered faster. His face was a combination of both elation and fatigue from pedaling fast. She looked back at the seemingly vast fields filled with a myriad or colors far from the urban dwellings she was accustomed to. She concluded it was one of the best summers she will have in her life.
“It’s beautiful here!” Ciara exclaimed as soon as they arrived in the place. She wandered around the area like the kid she was. Cesar, on the other hand climbed up the old sinigwelas tree letting Ciara revel in his place of serenity.
“Is it true that you can be everything you dreamed of in Manila?”
“I don’t know, perhaps. I dream of becoming a doctor.” She answered as she found a name carved in the trunk of the tree. “I know who you are.”
“I dream of becoming a doctor, too.”
“We can be doctors, too, someday.”
He knew he can never be a doctor. Only Ciara can reach her dream. All he had were the clouds, the mountains, this tree, and his dreams.
“Cesar Anthony Alvaran.” She read the name aloud and looked up at him. “That’s your name.”
His eyes glistened as he smiled. “This is my tree.”
“I don’t have a tree. Can I carve my name under yours?”
“No. This is my tree.”
“Can I go up there?” Cesar helped her move up and soon they were seated on a thick branch high above the ground. “I’m scared. It’s too high.”
“No it’s not. You just think is it but it’s not.”
“I’ll just hold you.”
“You’re afraid of riding the bicycle alone. You haven’t seen a Carabao. And you’re scared of this?”
“And you are incredible! You can do all those and saw things I haven’t seen in my life.”
“Tell me more about Manila, Ciara. Those big buildings and the people.”
“There’s nothing to tell Cesar. Manila is just a place. It’s no wonderland. In fact, father told me we might be staying here for good. And I like it better here.” “Oh, the river! Cesar, Is that a Carabao?” She pointed the brown animal resting at the side of the river. “Oh I’ve only seen them in pictures.”
“Yeah.” He couldn’t help but beam. This girl from Manila who saw all those things in his dreams, was in awe of his town. In awe of things which to Cesar were plain, everyday things. “So you now saw one. Let’s get back to the biking lessons.” He climbed down the tree and picked up the bicycle. “You see the house there?” As he pointed to their house, “That’s our house. And that that where you are sitting, that’s the sinigwelas tree.” He added.
She soon followed Cesar and soon she was ready to try it on again.
“You know, this bicycle is my best friend.”
“I don’t have a best friend.”
“Are you afraid that I’ll let go?”
“Please Cesar, not yet, I —-“
And it was too late for her pleading. Cesar let go of his hand from the handlebar and the other hand to the seat post that guided Ciara of steering. She was screaming as the bicycle continued to manage her weight. She put her feet on the pedal as the chains continued to work. Her heart wanted to burst that very moment. She thought she was going to fall. But she didn’t. Cesar knew it.
The bicycle continued on its way but Ciara was unable to control it. She cannot move the handlebars. And before she could think of the brakes, she flung to the hard earth. Cesar immediately ran to rescue her.
“You have scratched your elbows. I’ll bring you home.”
“I’m okay. I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.”
“I am, really.” Their eyes met and for a moment then there was a sudden freeze. He stared into her beautiful brown eyes and her pretty face framed in that shoulder length hair. There were blemishes of dirt on her face as sweat from the excitement of riding the bike alone slowly trickled down her face. She looked at Cesar, transfixed at the sight of this Manila girl bruised, scratched and dirtied. In that fleeting moment Cesar felt the first pangs of childhood infatuation though not really sure what it was. He wondered if she felt the same. And then they both cried out in laughter.
“It’s getting dark now. We have to go home. Ninang might be worried.”
“Let me try it one last time. Please Cesar?”
“No more scratches, okay?”
“I will try.”
She got up and jumped up the saddle and kept going. She was getting better. Cesar took a thin branch from the sinigwelas tree. They can both share his tree. He carved “CIARA” under his name. He ran to meet Ciara and his bestfriend a smile on his face. It was the first day of a long summer. And for Cesar, a day in this summer he didn’t want to end just yet. A day he would never forget.
