Ataul Shopping

That was a Monday. February 10, 2008. We were all stressed by the way the events were happening, but anybody can justify why everything still seems to be surreal, especially for the three of us. I was sick, stressed and lacked a good sleep due to the emotional turmoil and work deadlines that I had to meet. My mom was still flabbergasted. Tia meanwhile, tried to be the same stern Tia that she is known for.

During that time, we were standing in front of a deck of caskets-in different shades and sizes. With us was Ed, the owner of the funeral parlor. He was urging us to upgrade the funeral service that they'd be giving, because the basic service was free.

Mama, my grandmother, passed away earlier that day.

We're grateful that the Brgy. Council shouldered the funeral services or else Mama would be left waiting for us at the hospital morgue for a few days more.

So there we were, shopping for a coffin. While my dense, inconsiderate mother was picking the better looking, more expensive caskets, Tia was about to explode like an atomic bomb any moment due to peer pressure, and it was up to me to detonate her.

Tia then asked me softly, "Ikaw, anong desisyon mo tungkol dito? Mag-uupgrade ba tayo?"

"Huh?" I was still half-asleep. "Teka. Di naman kasama ataol sa cremation diba? (We planned, and we did have Mama cremated)"

She sighed and gave a slight nod.

"Then walang upgrade." I simply closed the discussion. "Mommy pengeng 8k kung gusto mo ng pink na ataol."

the other F girl (part 2)

I was busy watching how Yasmien Kurdi pouts and cries in front of yummy JC de Vera and my former crush Patrick Garcia in Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita when my phone went toot-toot stating there's a message daw.

"hi."-09xx-xxxxxxx

Di ko kilala yung number. Shempre reply ko, "hus dis?"

"fae, david to."

"david? as in david****?"

"yea."

Aba, bakit nagtext sakin to? Pa'no nya nalaman ang number ko? Baket siya nabuhay muli? Ha? Ha? Ha?

"oi. musta?" text ko. "pano mo nakuha number ko?"

"kay iya."

"ah."

"nakita pla kita nun isang araw sa may tandang sora. naglalakad ka dun."

"o?"

"uu."

"ah. baket ka pala napatext?"

"eh.. wala namiss kita."

"ows?"

"uu kaya."

"gago. its been 6-7 yrs na noh since huli tau nagusap?"

"ehehee. ata."

"sows."

"uy. bisi ka ba?"

"hindi naman baket?"

"i mean, sa sat?"

"di ko lam, baket?"

"kita tau."

"ay." baket????!!!!!!!!!!! "baket?"

"dun ko na lang sabihin."

"pasuspense."

"ehehe. surprise na lang. to naman spoiler ka e."

"hmmm.. sige. text ka na lang."

"ok."

"di ba magagalet si gf?"

"la na kami."

oh. ow??????????!!!! di nga? makalipas ang mahigit limang taon nagbreak din ang dalawang to? hindi nga? seryoso?

"seryoso ba yan?"

"uu."

"baket? tagal nyo rin a."

"un nga e. sa tagal namin ikaw parin pala."

di ako nagreply.

"fae?"

"ano. sa sabado na lang. hehe."

*pero walang naganap na pag-uusap pagsapit ng sabado. hehehe

Video 48: RUDY FERNANDEZ [Movie Ads Circa 76-80]

Video 48: RUDY FERNANDEZ [Movie Ads Circa 76-80]

the princess and the bitch

Dear Cheska,

Hey, how's it been? It's like almost four months since we last met, and that was during your lola's wake. Musta ka na, dear? Alam mo yun, ever since I graduated college hindi na tayo nagkakasama. Tapos when I went to law school pa madalang na rin tayo mag-usap. I guess I was too preoccupied with my stuff, and I'm sorry if I don't get to hang out with you na. I miss you a lot alam mo yun. I miss our secret pig-outs at the back of my car whenever we are distressed, of course pati na rin yung mga shopping escapades natin kahit ako lang yung bili ng bili ng stuff. Hihi. Anyway, grad ka na ba? Kasi wala na talaga akong balita sayo. I really do wish that you get to finish your studies na. Diba you said you're gonna go to law school din? I want that para maging magkasama ulet tayo.

I'm in New York right now for my summer vacation. Pero I'm gonna go home na rin sa June 9. Do you want any pasalubong ba? Just tell me so I can get some stuff for you. Hey, lamo, something happened pala. My Hunny and I broke up na. :( Just the other night. We had a long talk on the phone and he told me na we can't work things out anymore. Kasi daw we have a lot of differences that will never meet. I soooo cried after we talked, kasi during our conversation I held myself back from crying. Ayoko marinig nya na umiyak ako. But I do miss him so much na. Di nya alam how much I love him. He doesn't have another girl daw sabi ng friends namin. Pero was it my fault ba na I gave him too much pressure? Kasi nga diba parehom kaming nasa law school? I don't want to be like a dumb blonde naman just to meet his needs. Pero Cheska, I really do want him back. Can you help me ba with this?

Let's talk more when I get back okay? I love you dear.

!@#$%^

---------------------------

Dearest,

Wag mo muna pakelaman ang tungkol sa graduation ek ek ko dahil ikaw tong may problema. I'll graduate in time.

Anyway. So nagbreak na kayo. Well if you really do want him back then talk to him as soon as you come back here. You two can arrive at a better settlement once you talk about your breakup in person, and not just over the phone, tuladi ni Heart at Jericho. Ano ba kasi ang exact reason kung baket kayo nag-break? It can't be just merely irreconcilable differences, unless specified yung mga arguments nyo. About the pressure thing, you know I've been through that and I feel you. But sometimes you do have to make such sacrifices for the sake of love, and in your case, your pride was at stake. You being much smarter took its toll on his ego. Hehe. But the sacrifice should be two-way din. He should've let go of some of his ego to support you. And since this happened, I guess he care more about his ego and macho image than you. To put it bluntly, he loves himself more than he loves you.

Nakatsamba ka lang na first boyfriend mo kamukha ng crush mong si Jake Cuenca. Pero I've got news for you. Break na rin si Jake at ang GF nyang si Roxanne Guinoo. Pagkakataon mo na para umentra. Di nga lang law student si Jake Cuenca. Nyahahahahha.

Come back here. Bring me a sack of chocolates to boost my serotonin levels, Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a ream of alhambra cigars, tanning spray, and a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers color pink size 8.5. Ikaw na magconvert sa American size.

Thanks. I'm such a user.

Cheska.

P.S. Do you actually consider me your friend given that I am so obnoxious? Haha. I miss you.

kit.

i only care about the man.

STOP

dwelling on the things of the past.

Pangako

Dear !@#$%^&*,

I've always thought I'd end up with you. You who first materialized what heroes are like, you who in your simple direction saved me from going astray. You very well remember the day we first met: I was a stranger in a deserted place that rainy afternoon and you were the only person I found. We didn't know each other, yet.

Only to realize that we would be sharing the same circle of friends as the years went by.

Then one day when we thought of ourselves to be grown ups, we agreed to share a hot afternoon filled with couch potato fun. It was then when you first attempted to reveal your so-called feelings, but I back then was too naive to notice what that kiss on my forehead meant.

Infatuation. We both were under that spell.

But for another reason I never understood is why you pointed out my weaknesses as an overgrown adolescent. I was happy with what I was, a 17-year old who still took the time off playing tag with younger kids. Despite the two-year age gap, we were generations apart.

On one meeting I gave you a promise. I told you I'll grow up. Which, apparently, we both forgot. You forgot.

A string of unexpected events rolled over for the span of five years. Now here we were. You're now a family man. I'm still on the process of mourning for a lost loved one. I'm still aching for a damaged heart, and broken pride. I could say I'm stronger, better, more sensible as compared before. But everything's too late.

I'm scared, just like a damsel in distress. But it's not because of the monster that's about to gobble me up; it's because my knight isn't there anymore. You say I'm smart, I'm pretty, and that I deserve a better man. I know I do, but to be honest I found the best in you.

I wonder if I still find it in my heart to fall again, at least under that spell of infatuation. I do have one regret though: I wish I was mature enough five years ago. Everything could have fallen into place.

But I still thank God that you found me that day. I wish you all the best, !@#$%^&*.

Prinsesa.

04:59

How do people fall in love?

Nobody knows exactly the answer. But he decided to take the stand and search for clues and finally stumble upon a good reason. Consciousness did make things a wee bit difficult for him, but despite the rocky road, he struggled to go past his journey.

Until one Saturday night. He caught himself in the midst of a crowd hypnotized under the spell of trance music. He nearly suffocated, and in order to gasp for air he had to follow the motion of the warm bodies that danced like as if there was no tomorrow. He felt like he was being hypnotized as well. But he didn't think of going against the flow. The man-made clouds made it look like heaven, and with every beat he felt free...

Free to hold the body leaning against him. Her eyes were glittery. She was dancing. And she smiled while she bumped at him. They listened to the music. They took the step of every beat. He was aware that this madness would last only until the music stops, but hence he found himself holding a soda can with her leaning on his shoulder.

The party has just ended. But the two of them sat on the grass waiting for the sunrise. Slowly the birds began to croon and the morning mist was everywhere. She was cold. She snugged in his arm and smiled.

He didn't know what to do. He looked at her and realized that she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He couldn't figure out exactly what he felt, but at that moment he wanted to give her all the comfort she needs. He didn't know her name. But his soul screamed to be with her from that day forward.

Hearts do meet at the break of dawn.


P.S. Para kay Don.