CAROUSEL

CAROUSEL

Bukas, punta tayo sa carnival?, the older brother suggested to his younger sibling one night.

Yehey, the little boy nodded in exclamation. Carousel ako bukas!

O, matulog ka na, requested the older brother.

Yes, kuya. Sleep na ako.

The little boy hurriedly hugged his older brother and tucked himself to bed.  He seemed too eager to go to the carnival the following night.  An obvious smile formed on the little boy’s face while he slept.

The next morning, the little boy woke up cheerful.  He ran towards his kuya who was at the dining room eating breakfast.

Hello kuya! The little boy greeted his older brother. What time ka uuwi from work mamaya?,  the younger brother asked smiling.

Bakit bunso? The older brother inquired, puzzled at the little boy’s question.

Di ba, pupunta tayo sa carnival mamaya?

Ah…eh…, the older brother finally remembered his promise.

…kasi bunso, continued the older brother, in a rather serious tone. May lakad kasi si kuya mamaya kasama officemates niya. Puwede ba next time na lang?

The little boy suddenly realized he won’t be riding the carousel tonight.

Pero…pero…nag-promise ka eh, whined the little boy. Kala ko, tuloy, di naman pala.

May next time pa naman bunso eh. Promise, next week, tuloy na, defended the older sibling.

The little boy couldn’t look straight at his brother. Tears were slowly forming in the little boy’s eyes. The little boy bowed his head down and stared at the floor’s wooden tiles. Slowly, he paced himself away from the dining room and went back to his bedroom.  The little boy locked the door and went back to bed.

The older brother, on the other hand, finished his meal. He did not try to knock on his younger brother’s bedroom. He knew bunso was mad at him. He finished his morning rituals and went to his office afterwards.

The older brother arrived very late that night. He immediately went to his brother’s bedroom to check if he was already asleep. The door was slightly opened; so he decided to take a peek. 

The younger brother was not yet asleep. He was playing pretend again. He pretended his towel was a cape and acted like his favorite superhero.

Oh, Super Tommy. Tara, lipad na tayo! Dali!, the little boy commanded.

From outside, the older brother saw the little boy extend his arms upwards, both fist clenched with conviction. He raised his head and gazed at the ceiling, its white paint as immaculate as the cloudy sky.

Jshjuuuuuuuu, Jsshhhjjuuuuu, shouted the little boy, mimicking the sound of a jet plane.

Ayan, lumilipad na tayo Super Tommy. The little boy’s feet lengthen almost at a tip-toe. Buti na lang nakakalipad tayo.

The older brother was curious if the little boy brought along one of his neighborhood friends again. He took a closer look. The little boy was alone in his room.

Sa wakas Super Tommy, nakikita mo ba yun? Yun oh. Yun oh,  Wow, yung Ferris Wheel. The little boy pointed at the ceiling fan. Wow, may fireworks pa. Oh, mag-ingat tayo Super Tommy baka matamaan tayo ng fireworks. The little boy cautioned his sidekick and moved sideways like maneuvering away from a possible harm.

Tara, Super Tommy baba tayo. Gusto ko kasi makita yung carnival nang maayos. The little boy squatted and rested his arms on the side.

Jssshhjjuuuu, Jssssssssjjjuuuu. The little boy and his sidekick slowly landed on the ground.  

Wow, Super Tommy, ang ganda ng carnival. Ang daming tao! Ang daming rides. Wow, Super Tommy, sa wakas, nakita ko na yung carousel, delighted the little boy. Ang ganda -  ang ganda ng carousel, Super Tommy. 

The little boy took a pause and enjoyed his view. In front of him, a rotating platform of colorful horses, gigantic marine forms, and mythical creatures galloped up and down as they danced about the merriment of the looped music. Its coordinated lights illuminated against the backdrop of the starless night. The sight was all what the little boy ever wanted.                 

Sana Super Tommy, the little boy sighed, nandito din si Kuya. Sana nakakalipad din siya.

The older brother stared blankly at his brother. He stared for another moment and slowly closed the door, careful not to disturb the little boy. He paced himself away from his brother’s bedroom and retreated to his own bedroom just adjacent to the little boy's. He locked the door and rested on his bed. He could still hear the little boy talking to Super Tommy.