The Death of Lolo: Part 2

Marami pang nangyari nung wake ni lolo. But I'd rather not tell you about it. One is particularly graphic, and you just cannot undo the imagery that it will bring. Suffice it to say, I'm doing you a huge favor by not telling you. Welcome!

So let's move on to the libing. Ay, winner eto. Konting back story. I had an aunt, well actually, she was the cousin of my lolo. They grew up together, and they were very close. She was some sort of a character -- she lived alone with her cats. Her cooking was awful (and she made me eat it! Okay lang kasi may built-in vetsin ang dila ko). She hoarded like crazy! I swear, fire hazard ang bahay nya. (OMG! Ganito yata ang future ko!!!) She was masungit the way spinster aunts are, pero she was mabait naman. My other aunt hates her though, okay, maybe not hate, ano lang, passionate dislike. Okay, my story is being waylaid. The important keywords: grew up together, close, crazy. Pay attention to the last adjective.

Now, now, I have to admit that my funeral etiquette isn't really very good. Sad moments make me more awkward and unsure, but since this was a funeral, I figured a serious face wouldn't hurt. (Death affects me much later, like months after the death pa saka ako nalulungkot ng todo.) So heto na, ipapasok na sa nitso ang lolo. Iyakan na ang mga daughters dearests. I was stoic. Aba! Etong si "Aunt Frances" in character and nagpapalahaw talaga:

"Kuya Dooooooo! Huwaaaaaaaaaag moooooo kamiiiiiiingggg iwanaaaaaaaaan!!!"
"Kuya Dooooooo! Huwaaaaaaaaaag moooooo kamiiiiiiingggg iwanaaaaaaaaan!!!"
"Kuya Dooooooo! Huwaaaaaaaaaag moooooo kamiiiiiiingggg iwanaaaaaaaaan!!!"

Paulit-ulit-ulit-ulit. Lather-rinse-repeat.

Nagkakatinginan na kami ng cousins ko. Alam ko gusto na rin nilang tumawa. Aminin!  Di pa nasiyahan si Aunt Frances, bumwelta pa ng

"Isamaaaaaaaaaa mooooo naaaaaaaa kamiiiiiii niiiiiiii Bebeeeeeeeeeeennnggg!"

In case you've forgotten, "Bebeng" is my aunt based in the US. Hahahahaha! Parang natigilan si Aunt Bebeng sa pag-iyak. Si Aunt Frances, tuloy pa rin ng pagpalahaw hanggang sa malagay na fully sa loob ng nitso ang lolo. Ako naman, nililingon ko si TheHusband (TheBoyfriend pa sya that time), isip ko, "Syetttt!!! Iiisipin ni TheBoyfriend na baliw ang lahi naman. Patay. Baka bukas TheExBoyfriend na ito." Anyway, so naipasok na sa nitso, naglagay na ng bulaklak, naitawid na ang mga apo over, at sinisemento na ang nitso. Para lang switch ng ilaw, tumigil sa pag-iyak si Aunt Frances. *Snap* Just like that! Walking distance lang ang bahay namin from the memorial park, and while walking, happily animated na uli si Aunt Frances at nakikipag-chikahan na sa mga relatives!  Kaloka. Si Aunt Bebeng, "Bakit naman kaya gusto pang isama ako sa nitso? Bakit kaya hindi lang lang sya?! Babalik pa ako sa US! Babalik pa ako sa US!"

PS: Si Aunt Frances namatay a couple of years later after ni lolo. Walang may gustong sumama sa kanya sa nitso.