TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA: part 2

the BALIKBAYAN BALL

During summer days, the Asingan auditorium is a place where farmers spread their palay to be dried by the summer sun. On the night of April 29, the same place transfprmed into a surealistic wonderland of music, swirling lights and an orchestra pumping out Glenn Miller type of music through powerful outdoor speakers.
When Jenny and I arrived, dancing is already in full swing. Dancers came in full regalia, donning thier best ballroom garbs. We walked slowly towards the Presidential table on the right side of the stage where all of the coronation participants were seated. I felt walking on cloud 9 because I was escorting a very beautiful lady. I felt several pairs of eyes were focused on us. Somebody met us and showed us our place on the table.

"How are you?" I asked Jenny.
"Great, just great!" she said. I noticed her eyes were beaming with an unfathomable fire. The happy expression on her face was just undescribable.."Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Fred. I really mean it.."

"Yeah?..When was the last time you were here?"
"Oh, about five years ago.."

After a few minutes, I asked her: "Do you want to dance now?"

"No, not yet..I want to watch the dancers while chatting with you.." She gave me another look with those sparkling eyes and she resumed watching the crowd and dancers as if she was looking for somebody. Then she started talking with me as if I was a very close friend whom she had never seen for such a long time.
We talked about common interests : music, movies, a bit on spirituality, literature. She also talked a bit about Sacramento. The Capitol building, the tourist spots there particularly the Old Sac where vintage buildings still existed and maintained for toursts.

"Visiting Old Sac is just like stepping back into the early frontier days of America. You should come and visit it one time.."
"Is this a formal invite?" I asked.
"Of course, it is..It is more than that..." Her radiant face was so close to me that I was tempted to kiss her mouth.

But we are in in public. And in Asingan at that where events happen even before they are planned..

Her shoulder touched mine. I did not budge. She did not budge either. It seems she enjoys this growing intimacy between us. I rested my right foot beside her left foot. She did not budge either.

So time flew unnoticeably until the announcer broke a message that after the next piece, the entrance of the new Mrs. Balikbayan will take place. Then the band played TRISTEZAS DEL ALMA.

The title is a misnomer: the piece in 3/4 time has a joyous lilting tune.."Let us dance to this one!," she said. I stood up and took her arm. Then we proceeded to the dancing area.

Her face seemed to exude more radiance. Her lips never lost that faint smile line and while we were dancing, our eyes would meet once in a while and they would exchange many, manywords. I felt like the scenery around us dissolving into one pulsating blur of lights and swaying bodies but I was only aware of her presence. When the music ended, the bubble burst. Reality came back. We went back to our chairs. I held her hand tightly until we were seated once more.

Then the Royal March commenced. The orchestra played the Filipino classic LOVELY BLOOM OF THE SAMPAGUITA. Jenny's eyes were fixed on the proceedings. She became silent, but the faint smile was still there.

"Oh the new Mrs. Balikbayan is beautiful!" she said, gushing like a teen ager.
Then a member of the program committee approached and told me I must go to the back of the auditorium to march with some others who would present the crown, the sash and bouquet to the Queen and her Court.

"I am sorry, Jen. " I said. I explained to her what I was about to do.

"Oh, it is okay.." she said. "Go and do what you are about to do..I will always be here.."
So I went to the back of the auditorium and when the last participant arrived, we all walked together under the swords of the Guards of Honor. The orchestra played ELGAR'S POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE MARCH.

As we approached the stage, I searched for her. I did not quite see her because of the
glaring video lights that fell on us as we approached the throne. Suddenly, I started to miss her with just the few minutes which I did not see her.

On top of the stage, somebody gave me a beautiful tiara to place on the head of the new Mrs. Balikbayan. I let my lady companion do the job because sometimes I get butter fingers. I might drop the tiara, breaking it and that would be a bummer. She did a good job. Flash bulbs went on and off. People were clapping. I shook the hands of the Queen and the Pricesses. Unending photo sessions. Then it was all over. I wanted to join Jen immediately.

But first, I escorted my partner to her box somewhere in the right side of the auditorium. Then I proceeded back to the Presidential table.

When I got there, I found two empty seats: mine and Jenny's.
"Did you see the lady in a dark dress sitting here?" I asked a man in barong Tagalog sitting beside Jenny's.

"No," he said. "When I got back here, that chair is already empty.."
She must have gone to the washroom, I said. I scanned the people dancing within the limits of my recognition. I waited for a bit more. I was expecting any minute a hand to tap my shoulder and say : " I am sorry to keep you waiting..."

When that never happened, I decided to leave my spot, go around the auditorium to find her. I did just that. I made three hasty rounds and soon sweat started to moisten my clothes. But there was no Jenny.

It was then I decided to go back to the resort.---#

( end of part 2. Conclusion will be on part 3 )