Glitter Vomit Incident

Tinanggap ko naman 'yong bulaklak, pero takbo kaagad ako para humabol kina Auntie, e! Ewan, tumiklop na naman ako!

Where the heck did my confident arse go, huh?

I couldn't even comprehend what Mrs. Boyers was saying the whole time! She's telling us the names of flowers we were seeing, but I couldn't remember any of it, just the colors, and that all of them were pretty.

Ang flower path na dinaanan namin ay nasa likod ng mga nakalinyang log cabins. Nang matunton namin ang dulo ng flower path ay sinalubong kami ng maaliwalas na ulap sa bukas na lugar kung saan nakatanim ang napakaraming bulaklak.

The flower field was breathtaking! There were endless rows of flowers in burst of colors. I saw mostly yellow, red, purple, and orange. In between the rows of flowers were farmers in their hats, doing some work on the field under the high sun.

"Our people are already harvesting flower seeds that we'll plant next year," narrated Mrs. Boyers. She turned to me and asked, "Snooki, would you like to harvest seeds from sunflowers later?"

"Are you kidding? Mrs. Boyers, I'd love to!" sagot ko kaagad. Maiba naman ang trabaho ko, ano! Para hindi lang ako palaging sidekick ni flower boss.

"You can call me just Beth." Mahina siyang natawa. Ngumiti ako nang pagkalaki at tumango lang.

Ang matatanda talaga, 'no? Gagawin ang lahat para makalimutan na matanda na sila. Pero naiintindihan ko naman. Tulad na lang ng pag-intindi ko kay Tonette kung bakit lagi siyang nagpapakipot sa manliligaw niyang si Benjamin. Akala mo'y mga highschooler, e! But they're cute. Old, but cuties!

"Archer, would you like to come join Snooki later?" asked Beth.

Nasa tabi ko na pala ulit siya. Hmm. 'Di na pala ako kasing baliw sa kanya tulad ng dati. Hindi ko na siguro 'to crush. Siguro mahahahal ko na rin. Ultra Char!

"I'd love to join her, Mrs. Boyers," magalang niyang sagot.

"You would hate a break away from Snooki, huh?" humahalakhak pang tanong ni Beth.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Lalo noong natawa rin si Archer at sinabing, "Yeah. I'd hate that."

Nang tumuloy na ang mga oldies sa paglalakad ay saka ko siyang tiningala at sinamaan ng tingin. "Oy, Marsden, 'di mo kaya ako pinansin nang one week! Anong sinasabi mo dyan?!"

I stomped my feet for effect and dramatically walked away and caught up to Uncle Benj. Nakaakbay pa siya kay Auntie, tila inaalalayan sa bawat galaw. Buti pa talaga 'tong dalawang 'to, ano? Ang sarap paglayuin!

Napatingala ako sa ulap. My eyes caught the warm sunlight. I squinted asI earnestly made a wish. Lord, sana ako rin. Kahit label lang po muna,ayos na ako. Pramis na matamis!

Ayoko kasing matulad sa pinsan ko. Tama na 'yong ambag na sakit ni Viennica Elize sa heartbroken society she garnered just from being involved with someone under a nonexistent label. 'Di ako gagaya sa kanya, 'no!

"Finally! There's my son." Kinawayan niya iyong naka-checkered na lalaki sa labas ng isang shed na tanaw namin.

Tumingala iyong lalaki at tumango kay Beth nang makita ito. Iniikot niya ang water hose sa braso niya habang papalapit kami roon.

"Tonette, my son, Colton, will show you and Benj further around the farm. I'll take care of Snooki and Archer. We'll stay here in the shed."

"How about the greenhouse?" tanong ni Auntie.

"Yes, of course! We saved that for later."

Tinangay ni Colton sina Auntie at Uncle kung saan. Habang kami namang mga naiwan ay pumasok sa shed. Sabi ni Mrs. Boyers ay ipakikita na niya raw kung paano mangolekta ng seeds mula sa sunflower.

Pumasok sa shed si Harper na may dalang basket. She placed it on the wooden table and started to put out the sunflowers.

"You shouldn't have worn good clothes, Miss Snooki. It will most probably end up getting soiled," nakangiting sabi ni Harper. She has that sweet young smile below her rosy cheeks. At kahit nakatira siya sa farm, napansin kong maputi pa rin ang kutis niya. Must be because of the American wind. Eh.

"It's fine! This is the most casual that I have." Ngumiti ako pabalik.

"I can dress you up in the house, if you want," nahihiya niyang sabi at namula pa lalo ang pisngi niya.

Nasa lamesa na ang ibang bulaklak. Mrs. Boyers immediately took one. Ngumiti siya sa akin bago inilingan ang anak. "Please excuse Harper. She told me she likes you, Snooki."

I got soft and placed both of my hands on my chest. Archer chuckled beside me.

"Mom!"

"She always wanted an older sister, not a brother." Tumawa si Beth at sumimangot naman si Harper.

Mrs. Boyers carried on and shared that they collect flower seeds not only to keep them for next year's farming but to also share with their farmer friends. If they have guests who wanted to start growing their own flowers, they would give away some as well.

"Archer, huh? It's good that you're out of your managerial work from time to time," said Beth. "Benjamin said you almost commit your life to work."

Sinilip ko si Archer. Ngumiti siya kay Mrs. Boyers. "I guess my life is different now."

Nilingon niya ako nang may tinatagong ngiti sa labi. Nang umiwas ako ng tingin ay napahalakhak siya. 'Di kaya ako affected!

"So, when will you two get married?" biglang tanong ni Beth. Napaubo ako nang malakas. Iyong kahit wala naman akong kinakain e nasamid ako. "Will it be after Tonette and Benjamin's?"

Nahihiya't nag-aalangan akong tumawa. Tapos ay tinatawanan pa ako ni Archer sa tabi ko!

"Harper, will you lend me some clothes?" sabi ko na lang imbes na sagutin si Mrs. Boyers.

"Really? Yes, for sure!" gushed Harper. Kinawit ko ang braso ko sa kanya at saka kami lumabas ng shed.

Hindi ko nilingon ang pinanggalingan namin. Kumukulit na naman ang mga paru-paro sa dibdib ko, e! Saka si Archer ang dapat tanungin, 'no! Baka sakaling mamaya bigyan na niya ako ng red velvet box na may lamang label.

Kasi 'di ba dapat ay ligaw muna bago halik? O, nagbago na ba?

Bumalik kami sa cottage house kung saan kami nag-breakfast. Harper said, this was where their family lived, while the rest of the farmers stayed in each of their cabins.

Tinanong ko rin pala kung ilang taon na si Harper. Her face looked younger compared to mine, but looking at her physique, her stats almost mirrored mine. She confirmed that I was only two years older than her.

"I have two older brothers as well. They're crazy! I really wished we had older sisters instead," I kidded but Harper agreed.

Buti na lang meron akong Kuya Mason at Ate Carina. Saige was lucky to have both an older sister and an older brother. Jules has Kuya Lenard, but he's busy and committed to his son and wife. Kung magiging only child nga 'yang si Jules ay ayos lang dahil may alter-ego siyang si Julia Esse—and she is independently scary.

God, I missed them! I couldn't wait to go back home in Manila for Christmas. The holidays were already nearing, at kailangan ko na rin palang mag-gift shopping before I go back to Manila.

"I thought you're lending me casual clothes?" I asked Harper with a silly smile. Dress kasi 'yong ibinigay niya.

She smiled back shyly. "I just think you'd look pretty in it. Other girls loved to take pictures at the flower field, and they're all in dresses."

As the holiday approached, so did the frost. But I knew I could handle the cold in that dress. It was a tiny yellow sundress with navy blue-colored floral print, not my style, but meh, I could rock it.

"Thank you! This is pretty," I said with a warm smile.

Iniwan niya ako sandali para makapagbihis ako. Dahil wala naman akong ibang dala, ang suot ko pa ring sapatos ay ang Docs ko. Pinagpalit lang ako ni Harper sa rattan sandals bago kami umalis ng cottage house.

"You're really beautiful, Miss Snooki," komento ni Harper. Nakanguso siyang bahagya. "I can take your photos, if you want!"

"Yes! Thanks very much!"

Gusto kong pisilin ang pisngi niya kasi ang cute niya! She wasn't notably younger than me, but she's really precious. When I was her age, who knew what I already knew and did at that time!

Tumigil kami sa parte ng field na tanaw iyong shed namin kanina. I had a picturesque background of a stunning flower field all to myself. At dahil maganda ang lugar ay dapat lang galingan ko sa mga posing ko!

Harper took a couple of shots. Natigil din kami kaagad nang tawagin siya ng kapatid niya. Sumenyas si Colton ng kung ano sa kanya kaya't nagmadali siyang umalis. She said sorry, but I told her it was fine. Palagi rin naman akong selfie lang simula noong dumating ako sa New York.

I sent the photos to the group chat with my cousins. It'd be for their before-bed viewing. Also, pampaganda na rin ng tulog nila mamaya sa Pinas.

Nang tumingala ako mula sa phone ko, nakita ko si Archer na kalalabas lang mula sa shed. Wala si Mrs. Boyers sa likuran niya at tila may hinahanap siya. He scanned the area with squinted eyes and stopped when he found me.

Natigilan ako at dinapuan ng nag-uumapaw na hiya sa katawan nang mapansin kong tila nagulat siya sa suot ko. He started to walk towards me, and I immediately pretended to take selfies!

"Hindi ka ba lalamigin?" tanong kaagad niya pagkalapit.

"'Di! 'Di naman malamig!"

Nangiti siya. "Were you taking a selfie? Ako na ang kukuha para 'di ka na mahirapan."

Darn, it'd be so awkward! Parang 'di ko kayang mag-pose nang siya ang may hawak ng camera.

"'Wag na! I'm already done, anyway. Thanks."

Lumabas na naman ang mapaglarong ngiti sa labi niya. Lumapit siya nang husto sa 'kin, as in, super close! Kaya napatungo ako. But his hand found my chin so he could make me look at him. Kuminang ang mata niya dahil sa sikat ng araw, and his lips flushed a faint red. Parang nanghina ang tuhod ko.

"Lagi mong sinasabing mahiyain ako. But why is my loud Snooki so shy now, hmm?"

Bahagya lang akong napanguso at umirap. Nakaalalay pa rin niya sa baba ko.

"Iyanglabimokasi," mahina kong maktol.

"What?" Nagtataka siyang natawa.

"Wala, wala!" I wrinkled my nose and stepped back. "Lilibot lang ako. Bye!"

Dumaan ako sa tabi niya para umalis. Nakita ko namang pabalik na si Harper kaya kinawayan ko siya. Siya na ang kasama kong gumala sa farm. She pulled me to her territory and introduced me to the flowers she's growing herself. She even picked a blue delphinium and a yellow rose for me. I hoped her thoughtfulness and apt innocence wouldn't ever wither. I hoped it would only continue to flourish daily like all the flowers she grew.

Nakasalubong namin sina Auntie at Uncle Benj kasama si Colton. Sumama na lang din kami sa kanila sa paglilibot. Sobrang laki ng sakop na lupa ng mga Boyers, at inabot kami ng paglubog ng araw sa labas pero 'di pa rin namin napuntahan ang kabuuan ng lugar.

I wanted to watch the sunset, but I was too tired to keep my eyes open. So, maybe I'll try tomorrow. On the way home, while on the road, I'll watch the sun retreat.

Umidlip ako sa cabin ko dahil 'di ko talaga kinaya. Sandali lang naman dahil idlip nga lang 'yon. Pero nanghihina pa ako nang bahagya nang katukin ako ni Auntie for dinner.

I wore my hoodie over the dress Harper lent me. Habang naglalakad ay naisip ko kung paano ko ito ibabalik sa kanya. I didn't want to give it back unclean.

"Saan po tayo maghahapunan, Auntie?" I asked her when we walked past the cottage house. Kaming tatlo lang, kasama si Uncle, ang magkakasama.

"Sa likuran. We are eating outdoor. Colton and Archer are setting up a wood fire for warmth." Mabilis na pinasadahan ng tingin ni Auntie ang suot ko.

"Yes, Auntie? Ang ganda ho ba ni Snooki Queen Henilza?" Kumurap-kurap pa ako habang nakangiting nagpapa-cute.

"You're wearing color. Maganda nga iyang suot mo." Tumango siya at ngumuso naman ako.

"Grabe, Auntie! Ako po 'tong may suot, kaya dapat ako rin maganda," I pointed out. Humalakhak si Uncle. Tiningnan ko siya. "Uncle, 'kaw na lang po. Compliment me."

Naningkit ang mata ni Uncle habang tumatawa. Itinuro niya kung saan nanggagaling 'yong mainit na liwanag. "Ayun, doon ka kay Archer humingi n'yan."

Humaba na naman ang nguso ko. Parang kailangan na talaga ng ano. 'Di matigil kangunguso e. Keme!

Halos kasabay namin si Mrs. Boyers na lumapit sa kahoy na lamesa. Nakasuot siya ng mittens at naglapag ng malaking soup bowl sa mesa. When we reached the table, I smelled the creamy pumpkin. Nagreklamo tuloy kaagad ang tiyan ko!

"I'm sorry for the late dinner. I hope you all aren't famished yet." Nahihiyang tumawa si Beth.

"The food smells and looks delicious, though. I am definitely famished now!" I beamed. I loved food!

Humalakhak si Mrs. Boyers. Sa likod niya ay iyong dalawang lalaki na katatapos lang yata sa ginawa nilang apoy. Nagpagpag ng kamay si Archer at lumingon sa kumpol ng kahoy na malapit sa mesa namin. Hanggang sa napansin niyang nandito na ako. Agad kong iniwas na naman ang tingin mula sa kanya, pero nakita ko pa rin na papalapit na siya rito.

"Archer, may itatanong daw si Snooki sa iyo," tumatawang sabi ni Uncle Benj pagkaupo ng pamangkin niya sa tabi ko.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Dumagundong na naman ang puso ko. "Uncle! Wala po kaya!"

"Ano 'yon, Uncle?" Nakangising tanong naman nitong katabi ko.

"Wala!" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Tapos binalikan ko si Uncle, "Wala po 'di ba?"

"Nahihiya si Snooki." Galak na galak naman 'tong si Uncle!

I laughed incredulously. "Sus! 'Di po. Kapal-kapal po ng mukha ko e!"

Tumawa si Auntie. O, tamo! May specific talagang tinatawanan 'yan e! Akala niya naman, hindi niya ako mahal.

Nang makumpleto kami sa mesa ay siyempre English-an na naman. Iyong matatanda ang consistent sa kuwentuhan tapos nakikinig lang kami. Sumasagot din naman tuwing natatanong. Every year palang pumupunta rito si Auntie Tonette, bumibisita para tingnan ang mga bulaklak hanggang sa naging matalik na silang magkaibigan ni Beth.

"Sunsworth is a nice name, Mrs. Boyers," komento ko.

"Sunsworth Flower Farm." She smiled and her old smile lines showed. "Our family has had the farm since time immemorial. We've been growing flowers generations after generations, yet the feeling whenever I see the flowers bloom? It always feels like it's the first time. For this reason, the place was named after a feeling. It is the feeling of farming flowers even after being under the scorching summer sun for long hours—it was all always worth it."

My vision weakened in awe, and all I could say was, "Woah."

There was a glimmer in Beth's eyes, one that anyone would explain that it was because of passion and love. In some ways, I was jealous. How could one person know what they really wanted in life? How did they realize their passion for something?

But I am happy where I am now, and if anything, I know that it is something—or maybe even everything.

Kasisimula pa lang naming kumain pero tumayo kaagad si Archer. Nagpaalam siya kina Uncle, at tinuro iyong malapit na shed.

"I left something." Tumingin siya sa 'kin. "I'll be back."

Tumango lang ako. Napakagat ako ng labi pagkatalikod niya. Bakit 'yong tingin niya, parang nagpapaalam pa sa 'kin? Napaayos tuloy ako ng buhok sa likod ng tainga ko!

"Snooki, kumain ka na. Babalik naman 'yong si Archer," puna ni Auntie nang bahagya kong binagalang kumain. "Itong mga batang 'to talaga."

"Hayaan mo na. Ikaw naman," lambing ni Uncle sa kanya. "Parang hindi tayo ganiyan noon ah?"

"Aba! Hindi nga, at iba naman ang gusto mo noong araw!"

Napakamot si Uncle sa batok niya. "Ayaw mo naman kasi. Palagi mong sinasabi na kaibigan mo lang ako, pero ang totoo ay mahal mo naman."

Hindi ko napigilan ang malakas kong tawa, lalo na noong nalukot ang mukha ni Auntie sa pagkakangiwi.

Habang nagbabangayan silang dalawa, pumuslit na ako paalis. Nang makalayo ako nang kaunti ay binalikan ko sila ng tingin. At ayun, mukhang nagpapakipot pa rin si Antonette.

Kagat-labi kong pinasok ang shed na pinuntahan ni Archer. Maingat ako para 'di gumawa ng ingay habang nakikiramdam. I saw him still looking for his misplaced phone.

"'Di mo pa rin nakikita?" I asked. Luminga ako.

"Snooki," tawag niya. "Yeah. I can't find it. I'll just find it tomorrow morning."

I knew that his phone was important. Even if he wasn't in his office, I knew he was still working remotely. I noticed he seemed to love responding to work emails quite a lot.

"Bakit ka sumunod? May na-miss ka rin ba?" nangingiti niyang tanong. Kumunot agad ang noo ko! "I meant a misplaced stuff."

Shet! Gusto ko siyang banatan, pero mukhang 'di kakayanin ng tuhod ko.

"I'm going back, then!"

"Snooki." He chuckled. Hinuli niya ang braso ko at marahan akong hinila palapit sa kanya. "Stay."

Ngumuso ako at umirap bago bumulong ng, "Okay."

He turned us around so that my back could lean against the edge of a wooden workbench. He was looking down at me like he always did because of our height difference. His eyes looked frail of wanting to do something but he couldn't just yet.

I wondered... if I was taller, would he always... kiss me? Would it be easier for him?

I could, you know, tip-toe.

Itutulak ko sana ang dibdib niya pero siya na ang kusang umatras. Nang makalayo siya ay tumalon ako para makaupo sa ibabaw ng lamesang nasa likuran ko.

"Marumi na pala ang damit ko."

His white shirt had some sort of brown stain a little above the chest area. I shrugged. "So?"

Tumawa siya. "Madudumihan din ang hoodie mo."

"Okay nga lang!" agad kong sagot. Mas malakas siyang tumawa ngayon. At saka lang ako nahimasmasan sa sinabi ko kaya umirap ako.

"Ano bang gagawin natin, Snooki?" Sumilay ang mapang-asar niyang ngiti sa labi. He even bit his lips to try and hide it. "Anong gusto mo?"

"Bakit, gagawin mo ba?" Tumaas ang kilay ko. Nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. His pointed nose almost touched the tip of mine.

"If I say yes, gagawin ba natin?" Ngumiti siya habang namumungay ang mga mata.

Tonette, pumapalag! Puwede ko na ba 'tong palagan pabalik? Naiiyak ako!

If it's entirely possible to vomit sparkles, the hay-covered ground would be flooded with glitters now!

"I don't know. Ikaw, bahala ka." Tinaas ko ang baba ko at saka gumilid ng tingin.

Sa sobrang lapit ng mukha niya sa 'kin, kung titingin akong muli sa kanya ay maglalapat ang dapat maglapat. I could look back. Darn, I wanted to look again!

"Snooki..."

"Hmm?"

He closed his eyes and slightly smiled. I slowly turned my head, so I could look at him... so we could finally... kiss.

I felt his warm breath against my lips as the pace of our breathing quickened. A few months back, it was only because of fitness running that I was losing my breath, and now it's because of someone else's lips.

Archer felt what was coming. I was sure of it. But his eyes remained shut, maybe in anticipation. Before I could move, I had to ask him one thing.

"Are you sure about me, Archer? I'm crazy, and silly, and even more crazy," I muttered.

His heavy eyelids unhurriedly rolled up, and his drunken stare remained as he impatiently pulled his shirt over his head and threw it somewhere.

My lips slightly parted in shock and unbelievable excitement. The next thing I knew, his arms were slithered around my waist. And as a prelude, he brought his nose down to align right above mine.

While looking straight into my eyes, he whispered, "Go on, Snooki. Make me go crazy. I can handle it."

He pulled my body closer and kissed me. The motion of his lips confessed he couldn't wait any much longer. And maybe I couldn't, either.