November 28, 2018

Beato Angelico Building

"Don't forget. We are expecting everyone to participate with the CFAD student body for this upcoming Paskuhan, lalo na kayong seniors. You know how this works, and we need the expertise from you. No pressure but, i'm putting pressure on all of you," Pabirong sabi ng stern professor nilang si Engineer Maculas at siyang tawa niyo naman sa auditorium "But most importantly, mag-enjoy lang kayo sa paggawa ng lantern, it's a competition but it shouldn't hamper the spirit of Christmas, alright?"

"Yes, sir." Tumungo kayong lahat at siyang tapos din ng General Assembly. 

The four of you were heading out. Since wash day niyo ngayon at half day lang ang pasok niyo pare-parehas, you decided to hang out somewhere. Joy recommended a cafe, which you all agreed to go to, since mukhang maganda siya at wala sigurong masyadong tao dahil tanghaling tapat.

"Grabeee, sabay-sabay na naman 'to" Angal ni Jisoo

"I know right, nakaka-stress. Wala na naman tayong tulog nito, dadami na naman yung dandruff ko" Dagdag ni Joy

Wendy sighed, "Sana lang ma-enjoy natin Paskuhan this year, isang bagsakan na lang dapat yung finals."

"True. Dapat isang bagsakan na lang para isang bese lang din dudugo ilong ko. Wends, tabi ka sakin sa FA pleaaaase." 

"Hoy nauna ako sayo! Sinabi ko na kay Wendy ako katabi niya!" Pumalag ka naman, sa inyong apat, si Wendy talaga ang pinagpala sa academics. 

"Bahala nga kayo dyan," Dagdag ni Wendy, "Tanong ko nga kay Ms. Villa kung kelangan ng folder para cheatproof"

"Grabe!" "Damot mo naman!" Sabay niyong reklamo ni Joy. 

"Mag-aral kasi kayo, puro lamyerda kasi inaatupag e," Sumingit itong si Jisoo. Isa pa 'to e, yabang din sa FA, sarap tirisin! Well, sige na, kasalanan mo na, lagi ka kasing swayed na tumambay kung saan-saan. Basta pasok sa contemporary taste mo in art, pinupuntahan mo agad. Mga bespoke bars and artisanal cafes, they hit you differently. Kaya lagi kang may dalang journal, a limited edition leather Moleskine na regalo ng dad mo. You really cherished this a lot kaya ultimo notebook na ito, may sariling pouch.

You hailed a cab going to Makati. It was where the cafe was located. It was near your dad's office in Palanca, but this would be your first time going there. 

You checked it online, niceee. Dito pala nag-birthday si Jericho Rosales last year? 

++++

November 28, 2018

The Curator, Palanca Street, Makati

You didn't expect it to be this... hipster. But not in a bad way. Ang ganda ng interior niya. Minimalist just how you preferred cafes. Kinda dim, at walang masyadong tao. Baka natyempuhan niyo lang. Knowing this place existed kasi, paano ba namang hindi sisikat ito?

"Elibs naman dito, Joy." Banggit mo ng nakaupo na kayo sa may corner.

"Right? Nung first time ko dito sabi ko babalik ako dito with you,"

"Nakapunta ka na pala dito? Sino kasama mo?"

"Edi si Sungjae, nag-aya kasi siya last month kasama yung mga friends niya from Ateneo,"  

"Kasama sila Jen?"

Guilty na tumango si Joy at parang di makatingin kay Jisoo, "Y-yeah. Sorry, Ji. Di ko na pinaalam kasi..."

"What? Ano kaba, Don't worry Joy! It's fine with me. You're free to go with anyone naman" Pilit tumawa si Jisoo, but they knew. And alam nila kapag nagtatago ito ng emosyon. Apat na taon na silang magkakasama, maglolokohan pa ba sila?

"Andun din sila Bae, Seul," Sabay iwas ni Joy sa awkward topic. Tapos ikaw naman yung punterya niya ngayon. Ang galeng.

"O, tapos?"

"Wala lang," Joy replied, "E ba't galit ka?" tawa ng kaibigan mo.

"E bakit mo sinasabi sakin? Di ko naman siya kaano-ano??"

"Ang defensive mo naman, sis!"

"Ewan ko sa'yo, magpapagood-vibes na lang ako, pasalamat ka maganda 'tong cafe," Nilingon mo ulit yung lugar, parang gusto mo siyang lagyan ng kama kasi nakakagaan ng pakiramdam,

"Dun kami pumwesto," Turo ni Joy sa isang table na may mga tao din, mga nagtatrabaho na siguro to and having lunch. 

"Ah" Sagot mo.

"Dun si Bae nakaupo, malapit sa may high stool" Tukso ulit ni Joy. 

"Isa pa," 

"Katabi niya si Suho," She pushed further.

"Tigilan niyo na nga 'yan, para kayong mga timang" Awat ni Wendy,

Nagsimula na kayong umorder nang nagsalita si Wendy, "Pero san nga uli nakaupo si Joohyun tsaka yung bowa niya?"

UGHHHH!!!

Ang sarap mo daw kasing asarin. Bakit ka ba nagtitiis sa mga lokang 'to.

++++

Mom Calling...

"Ma," You answered your phone. 

"Iha, are you home already?"

"Yeah, just got back"

"How about si Wendy?"

"In her room, tulog na ata,"

"Ah, that's good. Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes mother dear, dun sa cafe mismo. Ang lapit lang pala non sa office ni dad?"

"Really? what was it called again?"

"The Curator? You heard it na?"

"Ah. Not yet dear. I'll ask your dad nga,"

"Where is he, by the way?"

"Nako, ito naaadik na sa PS4."

"Aigooo, nagsusumixteen si dad ngayon a? Yung arthritis niyan mother ha"

You heard your mom laugh, nakakamiss umuwi sa bahay niyo sa Fairview. Dalawang linggo ka nang MIA sa bahay niyo dahil sa mga ganap sa university. Gusto mo nang kumain ng mga handa niya lagi kapag umuuwi ka. Dinuguan, gising-gising, 'yung paborito mong humba. UGHHHH

"Hayaan mo na siya, malapit nang mag-menopause 'yan" Parehas kayong natawa sa sinabi niya.

"Naglalaro sila ng kuya mo ngayon"

Andun si kuya sa bahay? Hindi ka nakapagsalita agad.

"Seulgi."

"Andyan na pala yung alibugha niyong anak."

"Tama na anak, nag-sorry na kuya mo"

"Ang galing-galing e"

"Seulgi tama na"

"Tulog na ko, mom."

"Iha"

"Go to sleep na rin. it's getting late. Bye, mom. I love you."

You ended the call. Ayaw mo nang makipagtalo pa. Sumasakit lang ang dibdib mo sa 'twing naaalala mo ang lahat.

You were about to sleep also na rin, at nang akmang huhugutin mo na ang saksak ng WiFi, bigla kang may natanggap na messenger notif.

[Bae Joohyun replied to your story]

Teka. 

Teka lang. hindi mo na naman alam ang nararamdaman mo. 

You opened it faster than the speed of light.

You were at The Curator? That place is awesome.

Yeah, I know. You were there the last time 'di ba? You thought to yourself.

We were there earlier. Kasama ko sila Wendy, Joy and Jisoo. :)

The cafe was so nice. My kind of exile. 

I like that! Exile in the middle of hustle and bustle.

Joy, was with us, too, that time. Sinama siya ni Jae.

I heard from her nga. 

Why didn't you tag along?

Ah, well. 

She didn't wanna give Jisoo the wrong idea.

oh.

Because of...Jen?

Yes, that. 

Oh, well. For what it's worth, they're both gonna get through.

Though slowly. 

But time takes its own course. Time is
Too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
But for those who love, time is
Et