That world was tiny but it was colorful. And she was able to drag so many people inside that world, people who were lonely and longing for a company just like me, people who wanted to be happy. But Alison gave us not just a taste of happiness. Because in this world that she created, she allowed us to take as much happiness as we could.
“Oh, you can dance; you can dive, having the time of your life…” Alison sang in a loud voice while she dances with Violet. She was out of tune but she did not give a damn.
“Alison, that’s supposed to be jive. It’s you can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life,” Dexter said, one of the Doctors. All the staff giggled. “I often hear that song from my grandparents that’s why I’m somehow familiar with its lyrics.”
Alison snorted. “I haven’t memorized the song yet. But they sound the same to me so it’s okay. I’ll just research the lyrics next time so that when I come back here, we can go straight to dancing. Or if you want, you can be the one to sing for us for the meantime since you know the song better than I do.”
“No way!” Dexter said in a brash voice when his co-doctors eagerly cheered for him. “I’m fine with dancing. Just continue singing. You should be the one to do it since there is no one else who is more confident here than you when it comes to this matter.”
“That’s the only thing I have. Confidence.” Alison winked at Violet who was now smiling before she got back to singing. “Oh, see that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen…”
I tried my best to stop myself from laughing so I would not distract her. Luckily, my girlfriend was beautiful inside-out. She may be lacking in the singing department but it was tolerable since she was so charming that everyone did not mind hearing her voice. The people were actually enjoying a lot. I took the hand of the grannie who accidentally thumped my shoe.
“My apologies. I don’t know how to dance, hijo. Can you be a dearie and just guide this old woman?”
“I also don’t have the talent in dancing, lola Theresa. Still, let’s do this in honor of our singer.”
I cleared my throat. I didn’t know which was more awkward, whether it was hearing Alison’s voice or the fact that I’m calling the woman ‘lola’ when I’m actually older than her. In Filipino, ‘lola’ meant ‘grandmother’.
I glanced at the doctors who were also dancing with the elders. As it turned out, we all have different dance steps. Even the staff in the ancestral house were also dancing with all their hearts. I only noticed today that they also have a mischievous side in them. Others were dancing hip-hop, some were dancing a slow and sweet dance which I copied because it was easier with minimal movements and repetitive steps while Alison and Violet were now both singing together as they spin around over and over. The duo were having so much fun and no one could beat their energy.
“Do you know that Alison is so lucky to have you, hijo?”
I shook my head. “That’s not true, Lola Theresa. Take a look at my girlfriend. There are so many women in this world. Most of them are similar to one another because of the way they dress up. Most of them also have the same personalities, opinions, and beliefs. But Alison was unique. You can’t find another woman like her. She could bring a smile in everyone’s lips so effortlessly. She could even make us all laugh. It’s a gift, a rare one. And when she smiles… you have no idea how much it saves my day, Lola Theresa. I’m the lucky one. Because out of the countless people who wanted to be with her, she chose me to be the one to stay beside her.”
I glanced at Alison proudly. She was wearing a long off-shoulder floral dress. It was almost rainy season in this country but I feel like summer was just starting whenever I’m with her. And it was because of the sunshine that she brings wherever she goes. Just like today. The elders here are not usually this jolly. It was the first time that this facility was this lively and this noisy.
“Hi, Xandros! I know it’s kinda late. I just called to remind you again of how great you are as a person and as a boyfriend. I love you. That’s all. Good night!” Those were Alison’s usual line whenever she would call me in an ungodly hour.
I find it hard to sleep night after night because of my injuries. But hearing Alison’s voice late at night was like a cure to my dying soul. She could distract me from the pain until all I could think about was her and the happiness brought by that simple phone call.
“What did you pray for?” I remembered asking Alison once after she invited me to go to the church with her three weeks ago. That was my first time going to the church. After the mass, Alison invited me to stay a while and to light a candle in one corner. She closed her eyes and prayed solemnly afterwards.
“I’m living the best life already so I’m only praying and wishing for one thing right now,” she said after we went out of the church.
“What is it? Tell me. Maybe I can fulfill that wish for you.”
“You can really fulfill it. It might take a while, but I believe you can do it. I hope and pray that you will learn to forgive yourself one day, Alexandros. I hope that you could see that there is light inside you, too. I prayed that you will be able to see what I see in you so you can get to know the man I’m in love with and so you can understand why he’s so special to me. I want the both of you to meet.”