Chapter 43: Fiesta


    "H-how did you get in, Dodong?!" I stammered, feeling my face heat up as I tried to divert the


    attention from the awkward situation. Kiro quickly returned to his seat, resuming his role as the


    driver.


    "I entered through the door! And I was surprised to find the two of you in such a position, ha!"


    Dodong replied with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying the teasing moment, which only made both


    Kiro and me feel even more embarrassed.


    Why didn''t I realize that Dodong came in? And why did he have to witness us like that?


    "Why didn''t we hear youe in?" I questioned again, trying to understand how we had missed his


    entrance. Kiro started the engine, trying to keep a straight face while listening to our conversation.


    "Duhhh! Obviously, you were busy with each other, so you didn''t hear me!" Dodong teased, unable


    to resist the opportunity to yfully taunt us. He couldn''t help himself and lightly tapped Kiro on the


    back, causing both of us to sneeze at the same time. Argh, he''s being mischievous! I thought,


    worried that his actions might cause an ident while Kiro was driving.


    "You pulled off another ninja move, young man? I see," Dodong remarked, his tone shifting from


    yful to sounding more masculine. I was taken aback by the change, finding it both surprising and


    amusing. Dodong is quite the character! Instead of being annoyed, I couldn''t help but enjoy his


    antics.


    "Wow! You''ve got a manly voice, Dong!" I eximed, yfully pping him on the back. I smiled,


    and so did Kiro, who remained focused on driving.


    "Voice? Did I really sound like a man? Omy! Omy! Omy!" Dodong eximed, his voice quickly


    returning to its usual tone. He sounded like himself again, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of


    comfort in his familiar demeanor.


    I sighed contentedly and smiled, turning to my younger brother. "Dong, do you want me to teach


    you how to sound like a man again?" I teased, knowing it was all in good fun. He gave me a yful


    face in return.


    "It''s alright... My sister will teach you, huh? Just trust me, your sister will teach you, hehe," I assured


    him, my heart warmed by our lighthearted banter.


    Embarrassment flickered in Dodong''s eyes, but it quickly vanished, reced by a mischievous grin.


    "Okay, sister! Thank you, sister! I was just messing around with the voice earlier, HAHA!" he


    admitted with augh, ying along with the joke.


    Our journey continued, and with Dodong sound asleep in the car, Kiro and I found ourselves in a


    comfortable silence, quietly enjoying the music he had yed.


    "The road is so crowded... too many people," hemented, observing the bustling streets as we


    made our way to the fiesta.


    "It''s a fiesta, what do you expect? Let''s find a ce to park, Kiro. Your car won''t fit in Aunt Tarling''s


    area," I suggested, knowing that the narrow streets of my Aunt''s neighborhood might not be the


    most car-friendly.


    Kiro nodded in agreement, and we carefully searched for a suitable parking spot nearby. Finding


    one, we gently woke up Dodong, who was still a bit groggy from his nap.


    As we stepped out of the car, we were greeted by the lively atmosphere of the fiesta. The entire


    barangay was alive with decorations and colorful banners adorning the streets. The air was filled


    with the inviting aroma of various street foods, and the chatter of people filled the air.


    Street food stalls lined the sides of the road, offering a wide array of delicious treats to satisfy any


    craving. The locals, adorned in their festive attire, mingled with visitors, creating a sense of


    camaraderie.


    We walked along the vibrant streets, trying different dishes and delighting in the unique tastes of


    each one. Kiro was open to experiencing everything, and I couldn''t help but admire his adventurous


    spirit.


    As we explored, we even stumbled upon a small area where cockfighting was taking ce. The


    sound of cheering and clucking chickens filled the air, and while it wasn''t my favorite part of the


    fiesta, it was undeniably a significant aspect of our culture.


    I assumed Kiro and Dodong were following me. I turned around and was surprised to find them both


    staring at a poster. The poster announced a spectacr fireworks presentation that the Captain had


    prepared for the fiestater in the evening.


    "You two want to go?" I asked them, curious about their interest in the fireworks show.


    "Ahm—"


    "Yes, sister! Yes! Let''s goter, please!" Dodong eagerly replied, his eyes shining with excitement.


    I looked at Kiro, seeking his opinion on the matter.


    "Let''s do it! I want to as well. I''ve been cooped up in a room for so long... This could be a great way


    to unwind," he said, and I realized that he needed a break too. I couldn''t help but feel a sense of


    responsibility towards him, knowing that he had been a big help to us since the day one.


    With their agreement, I couldn''t help but smile at both of them. "Yes, we''ll go for the fireworkster,


    but first, let''s head to Aunt Tarling''s house. We''ll eat and have a good time there! HAHA! It''s Mama''s


    order too," I added, trying to lighten the atmosphere with a touch of humor.


    With that, we continued our way towards Aunt Tarling''s house, with me leading the way and my


    newfoundpanions by my side. The thought of spending time together with my family and Kiro at


    the fiesta filled me with anticipation and joy.


    As we walked towards Aunt Tarling''s house, which was not far from where we were, I noticed Kiro


    hesitating. Perhaps he didn''t want to intrude or feel ufortable eating in front of rtives he


    didn''t know well.


    To ease his difort, I instinctively took hold of his arm and Dodong''s, making us walk together


    as a team. We were united, ready to embrace the festivities and enjoy the fiesta together.


    As we approached the gate of Aunt Tarling''s house, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. It


    had been some time since I had visited her, and I wondered how she would react to my unexpected


    arrival with Kiro and Dodong.


    "Lyka, my niece! Is that you?" one of my aunts eximed joyfully as the gate opened for us.


    They lived a morefortable lifepared to us, with a neat concrete house and a fairlyrge


    garden.


    "Good afternoon, Auntie! Happy fiesta!" I greeted them, feeling a sense of warmth and nostalgia


    wash over me as I stepped into their home.


    "Titey! We''re here to celebrate with you on the fiesta!" Dodong chimed in with his usual cheerful


    enthusiasm, instantly warming up to everyone present.


    "Who''s that handsome guy with you, Lyka? Is he your boyfriend?" my aunt asked with a yful glint


    in her eyes, clearly intrigued by Kiro''s presence.


    "Good afternoon. Happy Fiesta!" Kiro replied politely, his warm smile matching the genuine


    hospitality that radiated from my family.


    "He''s such a fine young man! It''s a pleasure to have you here, Kiro!" my aunt said warmly, making


    Kiro feel at ease in theirpany.


    "Thank you for having me, Auntie," Kiro responded with a touch of gratitude in his voice.


    As we entered their home, we were greeted by more rtives and friends who had gathered for the


    fiesta celebration. The air was filled withughter, chatter, and the enticing aroma of delicious food


    being prepared in the kitchen. Dodong, with his natural charm, easily made friends with the other


    children present, while Kiro seemed to be engaging in light-hearted conversations with some of my


    other rtives.


    "Maybe he''s your boyfriend, Lyka! He looks so handsome!"


    "Yes, he looks wealthy and well-off!"


    "Wow, you''ve made a good catch, niece!"


    I sighed internally. Why was it so easy for people to jump to assumptions?


    "N-no, Auntie. He is the son of—" I tried to exin, but Kiro cut in before I could finish.


    "I am my mother''s child... Yes, I am my mother''s child... Lyka and I are friends—for now," he said,


    bowing in a Korean-like manner.


    "Oh! Or he''s just here to eat! Come in! Come in! Enjoy the festival feast!" my aunt invited


    enthusiastically.


    "Mama is going to ask for your Snake grass, Auntie. Thank you, thank you," I said, and Kiro and I


    joined in the feast, enjoying the delicious dishes prepared for the fiesta.


    As we chatted with our rtives, Dodong whispered to me, "Sis, are we still going to the center? It''s


    already nighttime..."


    I nced at the clock on the wall and realized it was indeed nighttime. I nodded to Dodong, and


    after finishing our conversation with the elders, I turned to them.


    "Hey! We''ll stay here, Lyka! Make sure to enjoy the fireworks presentation. Have a nice walk there,


    especially with this handsome man by your side," one of my rtives teased.


    I nodded, hoping that it would be a memorable night for all of us.


    "Maybe he''s your boyfriend, Lyka! He looks so handsome!"


    "Yes, he looks wealthy and well-off!" Another rtive chimed in, eyeing Kiro''s stylish attire and


    confident demeanor.


    "Wow, you''ve made a good catch, niece!"


    I sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of assumptions pressing down on me. Why did everyone


    immediately jump to conclusions about our rtionship?


    "N-no, Auntie. He is the son of—" I attempted to exin, but before I could finish, Kiro gracefully


    interjected, his voice smooth as silk.


    "I am my mother''s child... Yes, I am my mother''s child... Lyka and I are friends—for now," he said,


    bowing with a touch of elegance.


    "Oh! Then let us all eatt! Come in! Come in! Enjoy the festival feast!" my aunt eximed


    enthusiastically, dismissing the idea of any romantic entanglement. Her warm hospitality always


    brought a smile to my face.


    "Mama is going to ask for your snake grass, Auntie. Thank you, thank you," I said, grateful for her


    kindness, and Kiro and I joined the festivities, savoring the mouth-watering dishesid out for the


    fiesta.


    As the night wore on and we mingled with our rtives, Dodong, my younger brother, leaned in to


    whisper in my ear, his voice barely audible above the chatter andughter. "Sis, are we still going to


    watch the fireworks? It''s already night time..."


    I nced at the old clock on the wall, its hands gently ticking away the hours. Dodong was right; it


    was gettingte. I gave him a subtle nod, signaling our change of ns. After a few more


    pleasantries with our elders, I turned to the group to ask permission and to invite them to join us


    watching the firework presentation.


    "Hey! We''ll stay here, Lyka! Make sure to enjoy the fireworks presentation. Have a nice walk there,


    especially with this handsome man by your side," one of my rtives teased, yfully winking at


    me.


    I chuckled, appreciating their teasing humor, though I wished they''d drop the assumption ofContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    romance between Kiro and me. Nevertheless, I nodded gracefully, determined to make the most of


    the night, for ourmunity''s annual fiesta was always a magical time.