Mael's Dad birthday party

people are already coming. A band is playing while men and women dancing in the middle of the courtyard. Tinikling and cariñosa songs are played famously in our town. Me and my 3 cousins came by the calesa, Manong Upe help us down. I can hear from afar the beatings of the bamboo pole. The noise of the people's merriment reached even from 500 meters away. I helped my cousins to get down too we are having a hard time to walk since the patio is rocky and we are in our bakya(elevated footwear for Filipina women made of wooden material and abacca strap.) We struggle to walk towards the courtyard. But the happy pwople welcomed us immediately. Vi found someone she knows already. I was just following them. There are plenty of guests. We are from the other side of the town, our families business is agriculture though my uncles are on different fields our families residences are located close to each other. Located on the farm. That took us 1 hour using the Calesa (carriage). Vi is a simstress she loves clothes and linens she met someone from her school at the party. Right away they talk about what they are wearing. "Vi look at you, your so pretty on your terno. Did you do it by yourself?" Asked a lady is brown Filipiniana dress. She walked closer to our group. She seems so friendly. "Rosa, I didn't expect to see you here. Your so pretty yourself. My dress is just bought from the town. I didn't manage to make my own since I just learned this ocassion lately. But I have been on a little project. I bought linens for a dress. A red one is what I'm doing. I like your style. I might end up copying what you're wearing tonight. By the way I want you to meet my cousins Luz, Minda and Sol." She reached out to hold our hands one by one and flatter us with nice words. Shes a sweet girl I will remember her easily even after tonight. The 4 are chatting now happily when I spotted Mael and Maya. The walk towards us as the host of the party. I greeted them nicely and thanked them for the invitation. I let my 3 cousins know that the hosts are around so they can pay their respect. Mael automatically introduced us to the bachelors who attended the party. Maya even told us where the food is located so is the latrin in case we need it. We usually stick to each otherbut Maya draw me near the garden so we could talk better. I guess she knew that we are rivals anzd she's estimating her competition. That doesn't matter to me. What can she do worst we will just be talking. " Do you like our place Sol? How do you like the party." She asked. I don't know for what reason but I just gave her a simple answer. " I do, you manage to invite a lot of people. Looks like your family have plenty of friends. It's hard to manage big party. I love dancing my favorite is tinikling. I found it interesting because of the danger of getting caught in better the poles." That's kind of long answer but I always talk this way even to other people. This is actually my technic just talking normally even though I felt differently. I feel nervous talking to Maya or just being here in this party

she might had prepared traps for me or whatever to sabotage me. But thats crazy for me to think about that.

"Let's dance together later just a friendly competition. I love dancing myself though I like Cariñosa more, I can still dance tinikling for you. How about that?" She offered with a smile. I don't know if I can say no to thatso I just accepted the challenge. She walked me where the delicasies are also the drink. We went back to the group to join the happiness. They were trying the barikulkol brought by one of the visitor. They were laughing after they take one sip. Luz handed me a cup to try. Even though I pushed it away with the pressure my cousins and the other guests I ended up taking 1 gulp. It was bitter, 1 shot rub a warm feeling on my troat. I washed my mouth with the sweet drink Maya hand me. We seem to be having fun. It is more like an informal party unlike the party at the palace. I warned my cousins not to drink anymore but Vi doesn't wanna listen. She's havingfun with the other ladies. She loves the attention and the cheering of the group before she gulp that bitter drink. I know somewhere far is an old woman saying silently that she is not acting like a lady.