day of the new wave

It was the time when people danced uncontrollably either on the ceiling or in the dark, where music was composed out of synthesizers and hair sprays became the most important hair accessory. Fashion trends were tight flashy leggings paired with leg warmers, shoulder pads and assymetrical open shouldered shirts. Add the stone washed denim jackets.

They met up at the popcorn stand at Fiesta Carnival that afternoon. They were supposed to see a movie in Ali Mall but her mom asked her to do the groceries at Rustan's. So, the movie-date immediately transformed into a grocery event, plus a spontaneous late late lunch at Aristocrat. They're both glad little Timmy wasn't with them or else they would've landed at Jollibee. He brought his dad's Corolla. After doing the groceries they raced off to the pre-cosmopolitan vicinity of Ortigas Center, just not to get locked in the traffic jam along Highway 54. Chores are chores. They very well understand that. But of course they have to attend on their own duties, as slightly overaged teenagers, as adventurers, as fools in love.

She resides in the old-rich Barrio Kapitolyo. He meanwhile shares the neighborhood with a politician at New Manila. They are residents of the metro's hottest discotheques, and Joloux at Timog is definitely a No-no. But tonight they are to go to no disco, but to a more exciting trip at the Greenhills Arcade parking lot. The hottest cars, the most popular high-school heartthrobs of their generation will be present, not to mention the big pot of money involved. They are to play drag.

Drag racing's the name of the game. Race for the name, wealth and glory. He is to compete with her ex-boyfriend. He has to win in order to bag her heart. When nightfall came they prepared themselves by first dropping by Petron-Kapitolyo. Soon after, they set the tracks at Ortigas Ave. The spectators, the pompom girls, the organizers, and of course, the ex-boyfriend, are all present, waiting for the game to start.

Then the lead girl waved the checkered flag.

His dad's Corolla versus that black Chrysler. The gray smoke covered their eyesight, and the burning rubber kept them deaf. Jaws nearly dropped waiting for whoever will come back first. Then they heard a familiar sound running towards them. It's him. In his dad's Corolla.

He won her heart for keeps.

She was assured. Boys do fall in love.