EASY COME ... EASY GO part 2

Witchelles ko felt ang mga ganitrix na drama. So mega habulan portion na nga sa kalagitnaan ng madaling araw sa kahabaan ng Makati Ave.

Parang may Takbo para sa Kalikasan na nagaganap. Nauuna si Charles, then sumusunod lang sa kanya si UPboy at may-I-follow naman akey kay UPboy at meha-follow naman sa aken si payatollah-kumeyni.

Hanggang sa nag-turn sila sa isang corner.

Pagkaturn ko naman eh nakasalubong ko na lang si UPboy na pajolik na. Mega-ask akey hey hey hey kung nasaanchinabelles na si Charles. At ang chika niya eh may-I-para na ng shoxiebelles at umiskrang!

Harsh!

'Ni witchelles man lang daw sila nagkabersahan.

Tumalikod na agad akez habang ineefort pa ni UPboy na chikahin akey. Pero derm!
Habang sumushokno palayo kay UPboy at kay payatollaj-kumeyni eh ginetching key ang nyelplaks ko to text Charles: NASAN KA NA?

MESSAGE SENDING FAILED . . . . . sabeeeeeee ba naman ng nyekplaks key!

Pukinginamesh!!!!!

Sa minalas-malas ba naman?!

I needed to get my phone loaded. Super shokbo akey to the nearest convenience store. Paggetching ko naman ng walley kez eh washington akong nasight na adez . . . . imberna!

Narealize kong naconvert na sa vodka ang lahat ng adez key hey hey hey!

So megarendezvous na naman akey to the nearest ATM.

Punyeta! For the past fifteen minutes eh wai akez ginawa kundi shumokbo nang shumokbo na parang walang kinabukasan. MENTAL NOTE: Wala munang treadmill sa Slimmers World for this week.

Pag-aarive ko sa ATM eh . . . . wala namang adez ang machine.

So rendezvous na naman.

2nd ATM . . . . . eh wala pa ring adez . . . .

Nyeta! Hanggang narealize key na Saturday pala.

Nasuyod ko na yata ang buong Makati Ave sa kahahanap ng ATM na bet magluwal ng salapi. Nakaabot na akez ng Buendia pero . . . . . washington pa ren!

Biglang nagtext si Charles:

I DNT WANNA SAY BAD THNGS TO U PERO I CNT BLIV IT I SWEAR . . . . U RILLY WANNA
KNOW KNG ANU UNG NGYARI? . . . . SABI NUNG KAUSAP M DUN SA FRND KO NA NAGSEX
KAYO . . . AND U LEFT ME WTHOUT SYING ANYTHING NA MAGYOYOSI K LANG? I KNOW U SAW
ME BACK DER CUZ U STOPD . . . ANU IICPN KO SA YO NIAN EH MAY KSMA KNG IBA NON .
. . . =' (

WADDAF*CK!!!!

Shoot . . . . at that moment eh bukod sa pagjikot ng mundo ko dahil sa sipa ni Kylie, at bukod sa mamasa-masa kong likod na nagwe-wetdreams na dahil sa pawis . . . eh yung feeling na another person is completely out of his mind for thinking such things . . . . and you want to defend yourself dahil . . . . he's completely out of his mind nga . . . . simply illogical . . . then washington akong magawa. I almost gave up. Part of me says na . . . shumorlikod na lang akey . . . at magfly na at nang makajuwelyon na . . . . pero I'm not that type that can just walk away from things unless I can fix it the soonest possible time.

I noticed na may variables pa pala akez sa coat pocket ko. Binilang ko ang tiglilimang pisong variables. Enought to get me a load.
So . . . . run to death na naman sa 711.

Habang super run akez to 711 eh may shoxiebelles na juminto ara sa tabi ko.

"Is everything fine?" chika nung nakassakay sa taxi na nung masight kez eh si payatollah-kumeyni pala yung tumalak with UPboy.

"Nothing is fine at this moment!!!!! It is because of you and your filthy mouth! Go back to payatas and eat your 5 pesos lugaw!!!!!"





I wish I could've said that with matching flying kick, haduken and a Miriam Quiambao
smile. But I didn't. I'm more concerned to get a load and talk to Charles!

Then, another teksami from Lester:

I NID UR RPLY NOW . . . . =' (

"Wait lang! Wait lang! Wait lang! Wait lang!", chika ko sa phone ko habang pinagtitinginan akez ng mga utawsingbelles sa 711.

Derm!

At finally eh nakapagpaload din akey!

I made a 232 call dahil sa Globe . . . Posible!

BADINGGERZIE: Where are you? Let's talk. I'm here along Makati Ave, dazed, drunk and catching my breath. If you'd only know what I've been through for the past thirty minutes just for me to make this call.

CHARLES: I'm here in Kamagong at my cuz's place.

BADINGGERZIE: I'll go there. I can't settle this over the phone.

CHARLES: Let's just talk tomorrow.

BADINGGERZIE: Di pwede, Charles! I needed to settle this once and for all. Pupunta ako jan. I only have a limited load. Pupunta ako sa Shopwise and I'll wait for you there now. And I won't leave, kahit abutin pa ako nang tanghaling tapat, hangga't di mo ko sinisipot.

After the call, I hailed a cab.

Sa loob ng shoxiebelles eh naloka akez dahil . . . . . wala nga akong adez!

HARSH!

On the way to Kamagong, chinika ko na lang young shoxie druvang to stop kung may ATM siyang masa-sighteous dahil wala nga akong maipe-paysung sa kanya. SIguro naaawa din ang shoxie druvang dahil lukresia kasilag na nga ang drama ko with all the swearing and sweating!

Nakatatlong ATM kami . . . . . hanggang sa may natiyempuhan akong machine na nagluwal ng salapi.

Nang makarating akez sa Shopwise eh nag-aagaw na ang dilim at liwanag. Jumupo na lang akez sa sidewalk. Super teksami kay Charles na andoonchinabelles na akez.
I felt bad. Honestly, I cried a tear or two while sitting on that sidewalk. Witchelles ko learn kung baket. I guess dahil sa situation. It is too early for us to be having such a cataclysmic event. At ang nakakaimberna pa doon eh it's all circumstantial and speculation . . . .napakawalang saysay. I was out for fifteen fucking minutes . . . and suddenly I had sex na . . . . anu ako? Pusa?! . . . I cheated na raw and all that crap . . . . while the whole night eh he was out there . . . smooching around not only with payatollah-kumeyni, which reminded me not to kiss Charles again that night without disinfecting him and making him bathe in isopropyl alcohol, but with two other streotypes (hunkylicious-commonfaced-looking-for-a-quick-and-easy-lay-government-groupie-high-in-E-type). I didn't evem raise a single eyebrow. And now . . . . I'm the bad guy!

Habang super jisip sa mga pangyayari eh may-I-ask naman akey sa sarili key: What am I still doing there? I can just shove everything up to Charles' tight A . . . . and call it a night. If he could go ballistic for such a petty thing then . . . . what else could he go ballistic for?

But then, I still to explain. Kailangan kong marealize niya na what he did is not right. And not only he ruined my evening. He also ruined my respect for him.
After a couple of minutes . . . . he came with "I-was-cheated-I'm-feeling-bad-right-now" written all over his face.

"What happened there?" I asked the soonest time na jumupo siya sa tabi ko.

"Sinabi nung guy na kasama ko kanina na sinabi daw sa kanya nung guy na kasama mo na nakipagsex ka raw sa kanya."

"How could've that happened? me and the guy were together the whole time, outside, for fiteen minutes or so, nagyoyosi. Then, I went back, saw you . . . and you already have this face. So how can that guy, that I'm with, tell that stupid guy that you're with, na we had sex. Well unless that he is a telepath?! (Sigh . . . sabay iling ng ulo) Weren't you able to figure it out? It is very simple: The guy that you're with wanted to sleep with you. He'll do anything and say anything to discredit me. He made up this very absurd story . . . to get into your pants and unfortunately, sinakyan mo naman. The good thing though, is that, you didn't let himget into your pants."

He thought about what I said. It took him siguro mga around five minutes to let all the logic sink in. Until, he realized na tama ako.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad or angry . . . . . Hindi
ko alam kung anong mukha ang ihaharap ko sa mga friends mo."

*

In normal circumstances, I would have let it just pass but i don't know if I've grown more stupid or wiser not being able to get into a steady relationship and get my heart broken so may fucking times . . . . . . because after that conversation . . . . I decided to put an end to whatever me and Charles have.

It was a major turn-off. Halitosis, seborrhea or crabs . . . . I could still handle and wouldn't be so much of a pain in the A . . . . but being plainly stupid. That is harder to handle.

Harsh na kung harsh, pero that was what came into my freaking mind.

I didn't stick it up to him that morning. I waited three days to convince myself kung bibigyan ko ba itu ng another chance or . . . . I'll just call it quits.

After three days . . . . I bought a CD of My Chemical Romance, he wanted that CD. I found that out nung nasa Music One kami sa Greenbelt looking for a gift for Rica. I met him, we had our usual dinner, gave him the CD and broke up with him.

The Bernard-Charles show was over. Maraming nanghinayang kasi nga naman, in fuhrness, he's definitely a good catch. Being being a good catch doesn't add up to so much as to just being a good catch, I'm looking for somebody who's more matured, who thinks outside the box and who would actually last for more than thirty thousand two hundred forty minutes.

And I hate to say the old adage: "EASY COME . . . . EASY GO!"

EASY COME . . . . . . EASY GO

"Anyway, pagdating kay Varsity Captain eh ibang usapan na 'yon. Katulad nga
nang nasabe ko before: malay ko, malay mo, malay nating lahat . . . . na this is
it . . . .this is really really it! It seems like I've been waiting for "tunay
na pag-ibig" all my life. At feeling ko eh si Varsity Captain na nga ang tunay
na pag-ibig na hinahanap-hanap ko. Well, well, well. Oo nga naman. Pwede 'nyo
ring ichika na nagpapaka-ilusyonada lang ako dahil iilang araw pa lang kaming
magkakilala ni Varsity Captain but the thing is . . . I'm feeling this tingly
feeling . . . these butterflies in my stomach . . . the spark in my eyes . . . .
the feeling of flying on the wings of love ala ate Reg . . . tuwing kasama ko
siya . . . kausap ko siya . . . ka-text ko siya . . . .iba talaga . . . as in .
. . ibang-iba. Parang everyday is a sunny Sunday morning."

ISA ITONG MALAKING CLICHE!

Tingnan nyo nga naman kung gaano akez kagaga! Yang mga katagang yan ang mga naisulat key mga isang taon na ren ang nakakalipas . . . . mga kagagahan sa paghahanap ng "tunay na pag-ibig". Nyeta! I don't believe in love anymore . . . . pero geto . . . same exact words ang namumutawi sa bibig ko . . . ngayong nakilala ko si Charles! Pero . . . . pero . . . . pero . . . invulnerable na akez ngayon. Alam ko for a fact na pwedeng Sweet November lang ang drama namin . . . . pang-thirty days. I like the bagets, I can't help it! Pero I vowed na I wouldn't invest so much when it come to emotions. Bwahahahahaha! The crying days were over. Enjoy lang 'til it last!

We were on outr third week 'nung birthday bash ni Rica. Three days bago yung Saturday na yon eh binagtas k oang kahabaan ng Taft sa katanghaliang tapat . . . . imaginin nyo na lang kung nakailang pahid akez ng SPF 40 . . . para lang masundo si Charles sa school niya. Shet! Kakayanin nyo ba ang eksena? May-I-sundo here, sundo there . . . sundo everywhere ang drama ko noh! Witchelles kong inakalang dadating ako sa puntong yon. Ang masculine ng drama da 'vah? Anyway, yung araw na yon eh nag-early dinner lang kami at chinika ko nga na siya ang date ko sa birthday ni Rica. Pagkatapos non eh naghanap lang kami ng chipipay na motmot malapit sa Rob's place para magdookit. Well, wala nang panahon noh. Witchelles naman nang keri na umatak pa sa balaychina ko dahil sa Pasig na ako nakatira . . . .witchelles naman ding kering umatak sa balaychina niya dahil sa far-away-Paranaque pa siya nakatira (with his lola and sister). Kaya't pag inabot ng kakatihan sa daan eh MotMot lang ang kasagutan!


Okay! Fast-forwarding na sa birthday ni Rica . . . .

That Saturday eh nagkita muna kami ni Charles sa Glorietta. Konting walk, super jisip kung anetch ang gift na kering i-givesung kay Rica. Then, dinner sa Cafe Bola, which I might say . . . is a must-to-eat place. Mukha lang siyang maharlika, pero naman, Margarita Fores will never fail you . . . yum yum. At morayta lang siya ha sa totoong buhay!

Napiga na halos ang mga utak namin ni Charles sa kajijisip kung anetchiwang gist ang proper kay Rica hanggang sa nainis na lang ako at nagdecide na bumili na lang wine sa Marks&Spencers . . . . murayta yung wine pero sosyal ang packaging! Haha!

Dapat sa BlueWave ang celebration, in time for the final day of the World Pyrolympics ecklavu . . . . but since lahat ng taxi na pumara sa amen eh chinichikang di na raw kami makakaalis ng buhay sa area na yon dahil sa sobrang plentibelles ng utash na parang trip to Mecca na ang labanan eh binorwagan ko na si Rica at chinika ang status ng shropikey hey hey hey! So . . . atak na lang sa second choice, which is Tiananmen.

Nauna na kami ni Charles. Medyo forty-eight years in the preparation kasi ang lola Rica ko na kasalukuyan pa yatang nagpapabotox nung mga oras na 'yon. So mingmingan lang kami ni Charles. Sa truthfulness lang eh pagmagkajoint kami eh I don't feel anything special. Witchelles ko learn kung dahil I'm in a defensive mode o dahil bland lang talaga ang combination namen. Not that sa witchelles kami nag-uusap or super boring ng momentzzzz namin together, in fact, super holding hands pa nga kami . . . pero ganun lang.. May kilig factor to the very very very very very slight level pero hindi umaabot sa tumbling and cartwheel level.

Mga 12 na nung dumating si Rica together with isang batallion niyang friends from the other side of his world. Dinedma ni Claudine ang event dahil witchelles daw niyang bet makipagnyostikan sa ibang friends ni Rica.

Nagsimula na ang celebration at piging kung piging ang labanan. Yung mga tipong lafangan marathon na parang bibitayin ka na sa susunod na araw. Tumagal-tagal pa ang lafangan at nomuhan session. May nafi-felt akong kakaiba kay Charles. Witchelles ko kearn kung naa-out-of-place siya o nabo-boredom siya o ano. Witchelles pa siya nagnonomo. Super try naman akong iaccommodate siya to get into the prgram pero parang witchelles nagwo-work. Bet niya eh kaming dalawa lang ang nag-uusap. Sa tuwing umiisquierda akey para jumipat ng pwesto or chumika sa ibang veklores eh may-I-sight siya sa akin ng masama.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . . . . . .

"Dito ka lang sa tabi ko," chika na naman niya sa akin.

Okay fine!

Hanggang sa witchelles na talaga ako umalis sa tabi niya.

"Gusto kong magdance . . . . " chika niya.

Chika ko naman na magdance siya okay lang naman na magdance sa Tiananmen at super keri pa ang music galore. Pero witchelles daw niya bet with matching sad face.

"Okay, punta tayo ng Government," bera ko.

"Wag na lang. Sige, dito na lang tayo," chika niya na halata namang galing sa ilong.

Nagpapapilet pa eh! Felt na felt ko namang kating-kati na ang katawan niya for a dance floor. Nagdesisyon na akey na pumunta na talaga ng Government.

"Sigurado ka ba? Sige ka? Pag pumunta tayo ng Gov baka may magflirt sa kin," sabi ba naman niya.

"O eh ano ngayon?! E di makipagflirt ka hanggang gusto mo. Nasa sa iyo naman yon eh."

"Sa palagay mo ba naman eh magpapaflirt ako?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Pero kung meron man, sabi ko nga, nasa sa iyo yon. Matanda ka na. Marunong ka nang tumingin ng tama o mali."

So, nagpaalam na kami sa mga veklores, susunod na lang daw sila sa Gov.

130AM na yon nang maka-arrive kami sa Government na more na ang utash. I got my drinks, ayaw pa reng nomomu ni Charles.

Nasightsiwara ko pa si McVie don at more on chikahan lang kami. Pinakilala ko ren sa kanya si Charles na ikinatumbling naman ng lola ko.

Hanggang sa hinayaan ko na lang si Charles at naupo na lang ako sa couch sa first floor. Di ko namalayan eh nakaborlog na pala ako at ginising na lang akey ni Rica with the other badinggerzies.

Umakyat kami sa second floor and more party galore na naman. Sa second floor eh nasight ko si Charles na may kachikahang payatollah-kumeyni na veklore na mukang social-climber dahihl super effort sa pag-iinglet. Pero deadma lang ang beauty ko. I don't feel threatened. Next level na ren ang ninonomu ko . . . super absolut kylie na ang labanan. Super chikahan at super dance lang kami sa second floor, sa may bar. Hanggang sa may lumapit sa akin at nakipagdance. Hinawakan niya ang isang balikat kez at nagpakilala . . . . Cedrik daw ang namesung niya. In fairness eh pamilyar ang mukha niya. Forty-eight years ko na siguro siyang nakikita sa Government.

"I finally caught you off-guarded," saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabe ba naman niya.

Smile lang ako.

Even though na hunkylicious siya . . . . sa truelili lang eh, di ko siya betchay.
Dance lang ako with him, pero yung mga tipong tinatamad na dance, for the sake of being polite. Hanggang sa may bumundol na lang sa akin at pag-sight ko eh si Charles, karay-karay yung social climber na payatollah-kumeyni na badette, pababa sa first floor.

Derm!

Dinispatcha ko na ren yung hunkylicious na Cedrik at proceed to the bar for more chikahan with the veklores.

After three more absolut kylies eh nasight kong nasa second floor na naman sila Charles.

Nagdecide akong lapitan ko na siya. Niyakap ko siya sabay kiss sa lips . . . para lang masight nung isang badette na nateritoryohan ko na siya. Hinalikan din naman niya ako.

Tapos eh hinayaan ko na naman siya. Mejo enggaloids na ren naman ako non. Super lean lang ako sa railings overlooking the dance floor sa baba.

"Baka mahulog ka . . . " may chumika sa 'kin.

"Imposible namang mangyari yon," sagot ko withtout looking at the personl.
Witchelles ko nang bet makipagkariran portion dahil uber enggaloids na akey hey hey hey hey na maski si Dennis Trillo pa ang humaltak sa akin at julikan akey hanggang sumirek ang araw eh dedeadmahin ko pa rin. And besides, I was there with Charles.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm more than okay. Thank you for asking."

"Lover mo yung kausap 'nung friend ko di ba?"

Aaaahh okay . . . . so friend pala siya ni payatollah-kumeyni. Pero mas magaling siyang mag-inglet ha.

Tumango lang ako.

"Care for a cigarette?"

"okay."

Sa smoking lounge lang sana kami pero narealize niyang wala pala siyang yosi. Lakas ng loob mag-aya noh? Inaya niya ako sa baba, para magbuysung ng yosi. Najiwan lang si Charles at yung payatollah-kumeyni na social climber sa shu-as.

So . . . . baba kami and buysung ng yosi sa labas.

Dun na ren kami nagsubey hey hey hey.

I didn't catch his name. Pero I learned na currently eh he's studying sa UP. So, we got into a conversation dahil sinabi kong grad ako ng UP. We had a nice talk sa labas. Pero hinestly eh walang halong libog yon. Di ko siya bet. More chikahan galore lang at ineeffort ko na ngang patiningin ang boses ko at papilantikin ang mga daliri ko noh para lang di siya magkainteres further.

Nakadalawang stick kami ng subaroo hanggang sa na-sightsiva ko na ang ibang veklores na friendiva ni Rica sa labas at paisquierda na raw sila. Nagpaalam na akey sa kachikahan ko at jumosok na sa Government.

Pagjosok ko eh sinalubong akey ni Rica, sabay chikang, "Bakla! Hinahanap ka ng asawa mo! Galit na galit. Nakipagsex ka raw?"

Ha?

Lumingon-lingon akey at napansin kong palabas ng byiarette si Charles. Pinuntahan ko siya agad para salubungin but then jumosok uli siya sa nyiarette . . . so josok din akey. Kinorner ko siya sa isang sulok at mega-ask kung anechiwa ang problema niya. Derm lang siya with matching titig na masama. Tinulak niya akey ng slight at umisquierda pa-exit ng nyiarette. May-I-follow na naman akey hanggang sa second floor. Umupo siya sa isang couch. Lumuhod naman akey sa harapan niya para kausapin ng masinsinan.

"What's up with you?"

"Nakipagsex ka no?" tanong niya with all the conviction ever!

Tumbling naman akey.

"Ha? Kanino naman?"

"Dun sa guy na kasama mo kanina . . . . "

"Ha? At paano naman? At saan naman kami nagsex? I was out for fifteen minutes . . . how far could we go?"

"I don't believe you."

Sabay walk-out.

Sinundan ko pa ren siya. Hanggang palabas ng Government.

Nakasalubong namin si UPboy . . . hinila ko siya. Witchelles ko learn kung baket . . . pero hinila ko siya . . .

Tinanong niya anetch ang problema.

Chinika ko na chinika ni Charles na nagdookit daw kami.

"I'll talk to him," chika niya.

Hanggang sa nagkaroon na ng habulan portion sa Makati Ave.


-2 be continued-

THINK POSITIVE (REPOST)

A night before Rica's big birthday bash . . . . .

"Bakla, di na ako nageenjoy . . . . " chika ni bakla habang nilalafang ang pangalawang whopper sa Wendy's sa Makati Ave.

"Baket naman?"

"Wala lang . . . everything seems to be superficial . . and empty. Parang walang sense," chika ni bakla with matching buntong hininga pa on the side. Witchelles ko lang learn kung ang buntong hininga eh dahil sa sama ng loob o dahil sa heaviness ng nilalapsalauriat niya.

Super sight lang ako sa friendiva ko for a minute. Jinijisip key kung anechiwa naman ang ichichika kez. I want to feel sorry for him pero parang di naman tama. Mas ma-ukani siya sa akin, mas maorwag ang estado ng buhay, at pagdating sa karera ng pag-ibig eh witchelles ko ren naman maichichikang mas lamang akembang eh pareho lang naman kaming zirowena kung tutuusin.

Naitalak ko na lang, "Bakla, exagerrated ka lang dahil alam mong tumatanda ka na."

"I'm tired of casual fucks . . . . . . I want to meet the right one . . . "

"Eh naghahanap ka naman kasi. Di ba katulad nga ng sabi nila . . . kapag pilit mong hinahanap ang isang bagay eh hindi mo makikita. At saka . . . saan ka ba nagbababad para makapaghanap ng right one? Sa Bed? Sa Government? Eh goodluck naman sa tunay na pag-ibig sa mga lugar na 'yon noh?"

Witchelles naman sa paninira or avratheng, I love Bed and Gov . . . they're like my second and third home . . . pero kung ang eksena mo sa buhay eh "love-hunting" eh witchelles ko naman yatang maipapayong doonchienabelles din shumoshombay si kupido para mamana ng mga ligaw na puso. Base na ren naman sa mga eksperhinsiya ni watashi noh! Let's take for example si Varsity Captain . . . nasightsiva ko siya Government. Yes! It's true! May moment nga kaming dalawa pero ang trulagen colagen sustagen na eksenachie ebok ala eh kung may napala ba kami sa isa’t isa?! Witchelles din noh! Dahil ang ending eh . . . . cry me a river pa ren ang eksena. Wai! Zirowena! Nada! Betlogs! Para pa rin akong si Sharon Cuneta na super singaling ng "Sanay Wala nang Wakas"!

In fairness naman kay Rica eh may effort. Nag-undergo siya ng isang total make-over na in fairness eh naging hottest namanchie siya after. Nag-lose din ng weight ang lola ko. Nagpabraces . . . nagpa chemical peel! Lahat lahat na lang ng mga kahibangang naimbento ng tao para magkaroon ng dyosa effect eh ginawa na niya. Pero until now eh hoping pa ren ang lola ko. So, I therefore conclude na . . it's not all about the looks.

Pagkashorpos ng lafangan marathon sa Wendy's na akala kez eh wai nang katapusan na halos ikinabaligtad ng sikmura kez eh umatakchinabelles na kami sa Tiananmen na ang pakay lang sana eh ang mag-occular dahil doonchinabelles niya binabalak mag-celebrar ng birthday niya kinabukasan. Pero ang occular eh nauwi din sa nomuhan session.

May-I-order agad ng isang bote ng Chilean wine si bakla at another set of lafang. Nahi-hearsung ko pa lang ang mga inoorderchina ni bakla eh najijisip ko na ang dyspepsia!

"Eh kamusta naman si Paul?" tanong ko kay Rica habang komportable na kaming nakasalampak sa mga unan sa Tiananmen.

Si Paul eh isa sa mga constant date ni Rica, na nakilala niya sa Gov. They've been going out for a month or two na yata.

"Okay lang naman. He'll go here later," bera ni Rica nang walang kaabog-abog.

"How about him? How's the two of you . . . . are you not working out?"

"Okay ka lang?"

Naloka ako . . . . . .

"I've learned something about him that made me want to make lipad na lang and live with the aborigines of Australia!"

"Like . . . . ."

"He's HIV positive . . . . "

Speecheless akey . . . habang may I continue lang sa pagnomu ang baklang Rica.

"Ayaw mong maniwala?"

Ginetching ni Rica ang waley niya at naglabas ng isang kapirasong papel. Isang photocopy ng HIV test galing sa San Lorenzo. Nasightsiva kez ang buong pangalan ni Paul at ang mga katagang "tested POSITIVE for HIV."

At saka hinarbat uli ni Rica ang papel at ibinalik sa waley.

Witchelles yata akez nakakurap non for a momentzzzzzz.

Ikinaloka ko ang eksena iyonchienabelles. Sa truelili lang . . . bago yong moment na yon eh parang dali-dali jisipin na 'you won't feel bad' . . . na 'you wont descriminate' . . . etc.

Pero witchelles kong bet magpakaipokrita and avratheng ha pero that moment eh pinilit kong irewind ang mga eksena na nakadaupang palad ko si Paul. Shet! Sabihin nyo nang ang bad-bad kez pero yun talaga ang najisip kez eh. Honestly, I've never been that close . . . I mean, lahat noon eh theoretical pero at that time eh I've stared at HIV na pala.

Nabalik din akez sa sariling katinuan and pulled back to earth after a few minutes. Jinisip ko na lang na witchelles ka naman talaga mahahawa kapag walang blood contact or unsafe sex. So far . . . di pa naman kami nageengage ni Paul sa neither.

Haaaaaaay. Kakalurkey!

"Don't ever tell him or make him feel na alam mo ha!" chika ni Rica.

Nag-promise naman ako though di ko surebelles kung mapapanindigan ko pa once na masightsiva kez uli siya.

Pero ang una’t huling katanung na jumosok sa isip kez eh . . . .

"Nagsex na ba kayo?"

Tumingin lang sa aken ng diretso si Rica . . . . . at sabay chikang . . . with all conviction . . .


"YES!"

Tumbling . . . . sabay cartwheel at split sa ere.

"Echoz lang mare!"

"Puta ka!"

"Muntik na kaming magsex . . . nung gabing yon . . . super foreplay na pero before we get to it eh chinika niya sa 'ken. Since, mabait naman daw ako at eh chinika niya sa 'kin na positive siya and gave me a choice kung betchay pa o di na betchay ang dookit scene."

"And then . . . . "

"Eh nawala ang urge ko eh so di na natuloy. He told me na usually daw eh di niya sinasabi sa makakasex niya na positive niya pero since yun nga na mabait naman daw ako eh he considers me as someone special . . . . inamin niya sa kin!"

Waddaf . . . . k!

"Meaning nakikipagengage siya sa unsafe sex?"

"To get even daw sa nakahawa sa kanya . . . . ."

Parang witchelles naman yata tama yon. Noong una eh witchelles kong bet magbago ang pagtingin ko kay Paul just because na positive siya and avratheng pero from what I've heard eh parang gusto ko naman yata siyang bigyang ng mag-asawang sampal at isang flying kick sa mukha!

Learn ko naman for a fact na nagiging plenty nga ang mga positive na badinggerzie sa Manaylus. It’s just a matter of being fortunate or unfortunate, kung minalas eh di malas. Learn kong sensitive ang entry na iteckla pero I might as well make chika dahil I felt bad from what I’ve heard. Yes! Tama nga . . . up to this moment eh I still stand sa point na witchelles dapat pandirihan or isegregate ang mga positive, dahil we’re still one and the same. It's still not right to look down at them pero . . . . bakit naman ganon si Paul?! He may have been suffering more than we do. There's no way of telling kung anechiwa ang mga nagaganap sa utak niya or sa utak ng isang positive for that matter. Given the fact na learn mey na na eynimomentz eh matitigbak ka na lang at unti-unting pagkatigbak itey. It must be hard . . . hard at HARSH talaga . . . . pero I don’t think na that’s enough reason to help spread the VIRUS around. Just because nahawaan ka . . . fine . . nobody wants it . . . and fuck the person who did that to you . . . pero still . . that’s still not a valid reason para gawing parang friendster ang virus na pag bet mo eh you’ll give another person a chance to have HIV din. I’m not generalizing lahat ng positive at di ko ren sinisisi sila for having HIV kase nga there’s no way of telling . . . . It’s just a matter of being 100% safe all the time.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Di ko na learn kung anechiwa pa ang ichichika kez . . . I don't know kung may magagawa iteyckla or whatever . . . . pero yun lang ang masasabi ko . . I hope my message gets across . . . Let's be safe mga sisters and brothers . . . . mura lang ang condom . . . bente-singko pesos lang . . tatlo pa . . . . and for positives . . . . nobody's preventing them from having sex naman at all . . . just keep it safe . . . and keep those people that you’ll have sex with informed.

Wag tayong maging bitter . . . wag tayong maging harsh . . . . le's think positive!



Original comments posted:

Comments posted on badinggerzie.blogspot.com:

nakakalurkey naman yan.tama ka naman jan. hindi justifiable na dahil nahawa ka ng sakit ay ihahawa mo na din. its bad enough na na positive ka, why spread it?? kaloka..kaya mga ateng, safe sex is the way to go! go go go for the gold!
jay | 03.05.07 - 9:38 am | #

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true. and since HIV takes a couple of months (weeks or years to others, depending on the leve of one's immunity), a lot of those who contracted the virus are asymptomatic (not showing symptons) and the only time they find out about it is when the virus infection becomes full-blown AIDS.

compounding this problem is the lack of HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in the country. and there are a number of factors contributing to this. for one, the church is not very keen on supporting the use of condoms. then you have politicians and the society in general turning a blind eye on the issue. and then you have our brothers and sisters who refuse to even discuss the topic.

i agree bernz. i feel bad for our brothers and sisters who got infected. they didn't ask for this. nobody did and nobody wants it. but if you have it, please don't be an instrument of its spread. on the contrary, pave the way to enlighten everyone that this is a serious matter that the nation must address.

i do not know what a positive person is going through right now, living with something that will eventually take his or her life. i can't pretend that i do know. but i believe that it's a hard thing to live with and i sympathize with their plight.

there is no 100% protection from STDs other than abstinence. and since absitence is hardly possible for most of us, then at least be safe when getting into the scene. if you can't feel the satisfaction with rubber, then be monogamous, you and your partner.

the choice is in each of us. undetected HIV that becomes full-blown AIDS gives you at most 9 months to live. early detection with ongoing medication gives you 10 to 20 more years, depending on your reaction to the medication. either way, being positive is not something to scoff at.

i still believe there is a cure, maybe not in this lifetime. but until there is a cure, each of us, whether positive or not, should do our share to keep the virus at bay.
icarus926 | 03.05.07 - 12:56 pm | #

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Tell your friend to visit the Tropical Disease Foundation. It's funded by the World Health Organization and Anti-retroviral drugs are provided for free. I'm also HIV+ but I don't believe in infecting others. I got three times. The first time it was negative. But the second and third were positive. So now, I'm under treatment. The treatment is very effective, but I almost developed full BLOWN AIDS.

Imagine, I've been really careful. But there are several ways that the virus can be transmitted. I still got it. So guys! Stick to one partner lang if you have to. I think I might have had it for years, it was just asymptomatic. Regular screening is important.

For more information email me at hivpositivemanila@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I want to keep my name anonymous. But I'm willing to help anyone who seeks for it.
HIV | 03.06.07 - 7:35 pm | #

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Oh yes, the Tropical Disease Foundation is in Makati Med. They'll be opening an HIV clinic soon!

That's good news!

Thanks to people in the European Union and the Bill Gates foundation. They're allowing free medicines.

Anti-retroviral drugs can cost up to P100,000.00 a month without foundations like that.
HIV Positive but not bitter | 03.06.07 - 7:55 pm | #

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Nkakahawa ba yung HIV pag tsinupa ka?
gulat | 03.06.07 - 10:09 pm | #

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hello for the past week during my break at the office wla me ginawa kundi basahin ang blog mo. Im real girl nacurious sa mga bading at nasurf ko blog mo. Dati feeling ko yukky mga bading but after reading your blog nawala. Sabi ko nga sa New Zealander ko na officemate para pala kyo real girl if mag-express ng feeling.
You have done well expressing your feelings thru this blog.
Youre really good.
nzgirl | 03.07.07 - 6:55 am | #

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I know it's kind of sensitive but I have to ask - what do you plan on doing about Paul? Knowing that he's spreading the disease willfully to get even with the person who infected him - don't you think that you've taken on a responsibility (albeit unwillingly) to either talk to him to stop spreading it or talk to someone who can do something (as in, something concrete, ha).. Thanks
Homie | 03.07.07 - 7:42 pm | #

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HIV positive but not bitter -> you go! bilib naman ako sa yo. thats the right attitude. ibang level ka. hope i cud talk to you sometime.

nzgirl -> i appreciate that nabago ang pagtingin mo sa mga bading. mahirap naman kasing magstereotype.

homie - > i completely understand you concern . . but the thing is . . i am not that close to paul . . he is a friend of a friend . . . . and like what i said . . witchelles niya noseline na noseline kong positive siya . . . haaay. honestly. i dont know what to do. the least i did was . . told rica .. to tell him na . . hindi tama yung ginagawa niya.
badinggerzie | Homepage | 03.07.07 - 8:59 pm | #

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positive, normal, negative, minus.....same....sex.....be gay... and happy.
egay | 03.08.07 - 2:54 am | #

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I think Rica should, at the very least, give feedback to Paul about your concerns (shared with the other readers here) about spreading HIV to "get even".

Even if Paul disagrees that exposing others to a deadly virus is an irresponsible and selfish act, at least he's been told--hopefully firmly--about it. Maybe one day he'll change his mind.
McVie | Homepage | 03.08.07 - 8:04 am | #

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true ka ate!

safe sex always dapat ang drama.

sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit.

andyan ang virus pro keri naman nating gumawa ng paran para hindi natin ito ma-haves.

kay paul, darkness sya. yun lang.
eon | Homepage | 03.08.07 - 5:01 pm | #

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OMG, scaredness naman kasi parang we're staring at HIV right in front of us na pala minsan tapos hindi natin alam. Feeling kasi natin we're invincible. No discrimination whatsoever. It's just scary lang talaga iyong sakit. Hope we find a cure. Hay. OMG din iyang paula na iyan ha...
evolve | 03.09.07 - 2:21 am | #

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5 mL of any body fluid pag napasa sayo, doom. HIV
okla | 03.11.07 - 8:49 am | #

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The growing number of HIV-infected people in the country may also be due to the lack of awareness. I used to work for WHO, and until now I stand by my opinion that even if you flood the clinics of free medication, if the people are not educated about the hard facts of HIV/AIDS and how it is contracted, it's no use. The donors will just have to donate more meds.
Redjeulle | Homepage | 03.12.07 - 8:51 am | #

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i wonder... hindi ba pwedeng i-report sa DOH ang nangyayari/ginagawa ni Paul? Alam ko, walang enough proof.. pero siguro kung may mag-i-intervene for him baka magliwanag pa ang pananaw nya.

...or something like that, vah...
ate sienna | Homepage | 03.12.07 - 12:02 pm | #

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natakot ako bigla sa hiv postive guy na un

pano kung naksex ko na un?

tsk tsk!

safe sex tlga dpat lagi or better yet abstinence

magshow na lang sa cam nyeta!

nice blog btw
turismoboi | Homepage | 03.15.07 - 10:28 pm | #

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Bigla ako natakot. But thanks for posting that entry, Mareng Bernadette. Salamat din sa mga nagpost ng comments sa itaas. I admire your courage and willingness to help other people.
Housewife | Homepage | 03.18.07 - 1:28 am | #

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malorkey naman akesh
emman | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 2:12 am | #

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scariness itu
pero may solution
bryan | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 4:27 am | #

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hi badinggerzie. share ko lang, im based here in canada for over a year now, just a few weeks back sa news dito, me ilang individuals ang nakulong for 5-10 years for inflicting the HIV various through unrprotected sex esp if its intentional. Im sure wala pang ganyang law sa atin, pero im really hoping na magkaroon din. I tried to understand Paul's side regarding his actions, pero kahit anong gawin ko, i cant find any valid reason kung bakit kailangan nyang manghawa. I pity those people na possibleng nahawahan na nya ngayon. bottomline, practice safe sex talaga. yun lang, hehehhe :D
rayms | 03.23.07 - 9:50 am | #

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PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. IM A NURSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MANDATES US TO REPORT EVENTS LIKE THIS THAT WILL ENDAGER THE HEALTH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT IS A CLEAR AND A PRESENT DANGER. IT WILL REALLY BE A BIG HELP TO THE GAY COMMUNITY IF YOU DIVULGE THE COMPLETE NAME OF PAUL SO THAT HIS INTENTION OF HARMING OTHERS CAN BE CONTAINED... PLEASE,MALI ANG GINAGAWA NYA NA PAGHAWA SA IBA. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE MANY LIVES.
ely | 03.28.07 - 6:58 am | #

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AND STILL COUNTING . . . . .

We spent the night . . . . or rather the morning sa hotel.

Akey, si Claudine . . . si Rica . . . at siyempre si . . Charles.

Pag-arrive sa hotel ng slight, eh pakiramdaman lang sa mga veyk-veyk . . hanggang sa nakasegway kami ni Charles sa CR at punan ang nagliliyab na pusok na ibinubulwak nang aming mga shortawan.

In fairness, witchelles ganon ka-effortless ang makipagdookit sa loob ng nyiarette ha lalo na’t pag-long-playing ang dookit scene.

Sa lababo . . . sa ibabaw ng toilet bowl . . . sa bathtub . . . .

Shet . . . .

Effort man kung effort . . . pero it wouldn’t take away the fact . . . na makyorapsa ang bagets . . . deadma na kung manakit ang mga kasukasuon sa tigas ng tiles . . .

Ang harsh . . . I sounded like a ravenous carnivore!

Oh well . . . . Ibang level ang kakinisan nang balat niya . . . iba ren ang level ng perfomance niya. Yung mga tipong performance na learn na learn mong wala pang masyadong maipagmamalaking eksperiensiya pagdating sa booking game. Sa bawat dampi ng dila key sa iba’t iba parte nang shortawan niya eh felt na felt ko ang pigil na nginig at pigil na halinghing na parang eynimomentzz eh sasabog siya, kundi sa galit, eh sa sarap.

At kung pagmamalaki at pagmamalaki lang naman ang pag-uusapan . . . in fairness . . . at buong ikinagulat ko ren at ikinalaki ng mga mata ko noh . . . na dakila ang jugets . . .yung mg tipong maibabalot mey ang dalawang kamay mey sa notring at meron ka pang masasampal-sampal sa dulo.

Aaminin key . . . di naman sa pagiging hayok sa laman or whatever pero witchelles kez sinayang ang bawat sandali at nashikman key ang bawat parte ng shortawan niya. Endangered species ang mga ganitrix na klase ng putahe . . kaya’t habang available at nakahain lang sa harapan mey eh go lang ng go! Join lang ng join!!!!

Approximately 50 minutes kaming nagdookit . . . . . di pa kajoin ang shower together.

After non eh borlogs . . . .

Kinahapunan eh more gising-gisingan portion na pero sa truelili lang eh witchelles din naman akey nakaborlog ng truthfulness dahil nga sa mga panahong iyon eh parang you’d rather stay awake because those times . . . reality had become better than dreams . . . . ooooohhhhh . . . . san ka pa?! Echoz!

Hayun na nga . . . so bitbit-bitbit kez pa ang alaala ng mapanibughong araw na kadadaan lang. Nadatnan ko na lang si Charles na nakaupo sa isang sulok. Bihis na bihis na at super-titig lang sa kagigising kong beauty na for sure eh walang halong kapintasan . . . echoz. For sure eh more haggard than haggardness ang dating ko non noh! At kung pupuwede lang eh sa sobrang concious ko eh tuklapin kez na lang ang fezlack kez para witchelles niya masighteousbelles or I’d rather have na lafangin na lang akez nang buong-buo ng kamang jinijigaan kez!

Pero wai na ren akez nagawa kundi mag-ikmyle with all na haggard-kagigising na beauty-look. More confidence na lang ang labanan at magpacute.

Super ikmyle din naman siya sa aken.

Pagsight kez sa paligid eh wai si Claudine at si Rica.

Lumapit sa ‘kin si Charles at idinampi ang mga labi niyang parang iginuhit lang sa aking forehead. Para namang maysakit ang drama ko non. Pero deadma. . . . ang sweetness ng dating kahit na gaano pa kajologs.

Chinika niya na umiskrang na si Claude at si Rica dahil super tommy lee jones na ang lola Rica at witchelles nang kineri na mag-waiting in vain para gisingin pa akez. Dahil pag sikmura at pagkashutay-tomi na ang naramdaman ni Rica eh wala nang sinasantong panahon at oras. Chinika din ni Charles na may-I-wait na lang ang dalawa kong step-sisters sa Dencios sa Robs place.

So, umatak na ren kami sa Rob's Place for more lafangan portion at parang naubos ang enerhiya ko nung nakaraang gabi.

Sa mga pagkakataon na iyonchinabelles eh najisip ko ang mga pinaggagagawa namin sa buhay. Gimik . . . . iskrang . . . . rampa . . . . . magpa-yummy-effect . . . . magbook o magpabook . . . hoping na isa sa mga sabadong inaaksaya sa Malate e matagpuan mey ang matagal-tagal mo nang hinahanap hanap at hinihintay-hintay.

Sa truelili lang eh di ren naman ako hoping kay Charles. Okay fine . . . may spark na kung may spark . . . pero parang natauhan ako nung mga oras na iyonchienabelles arabelles arabumbumbelles.

Alam kong hanggang doonchinabelles na lang ang mga eksena . . . parehas lang siguro kami ng betchay. Ang makasegwey kahit panandalian sa mga mundong ginagalawan . . humanap nang isang utaw na waing shukialam . . . at mag ibig-ibigan na parang kayong dalawa na nga itinadha nang poong maykapal! Na kahit na alam nyong naglolokohan lang naman din kayo.

Pero, di ko yon pinahalata kahit sa mga friendiva kez. May-I-holding-hands pa ren ang drama namin ni Charles habang lumalafuk ng sinigang na kulang sa asim at ng sisig na ubod ng tuyo.

Akala ko . . . pagkatapos 'non eh hanggang doon na lang. Magkakapaalaman na . . . mangangakong itetext ang isa't isa . . . pero ang katotohanan eh ibabaon na lang din sa limot ang mga eksenang naganap at pipilasin sa kuwaderno ng buhay-talaan. Shet ! Ano ba yon !? Para akong nasasapian ng pitong dumonyo.

Anyway . . . . di pa pala.

Dahil biglang may naisip na naman si Rica . . . kelangan daw naming umatak sa Mall of Asia nang gabing yon . . at magwatchiley ng World Pyro ecklavu! Haves daw siya nang reservation at sayang naman kung witchelles gagamitin.

Super ask si Charles kung ju-joinlackles daw akembang.

Binalik ko ren ang tanong sa kanya dahil sa trulagen colagen sustagen lang e . . . di ko betchay. Pero betchay daw niya.

Chika ko sa kanya na jumoint-forces na lang muna siya sa aken sa baler kez para makapag-refresh dahil witchelles pa ren niyang jumuwelya sa balaybay niya.

So join lang nang join. Pagkashorpos lumafuk eh diretso na kami ni Charles sa baler.

At pagkadating na pagkadating pa lang namin eh para na naman kaming mga tandang na isinalang sa sabungan . . . . . round 2 . . . . . FIGHT!!!!!!

Pagkatapos ng another dookit scene (at this time eh in the comfort of my home) eh . . bihis lang agad. Pinahiram ko na lang siya ng outfit para naman di siya magmukhang pangkahapon ang beauty niya.

And then . . . fly na sa Mall of Asia.

Isa sa mga pangarap ko ang natupad nang gabing iyon . . . . ang maglakad-lakad sa mall nang may kaholding hands.

Wala siyang kiyeme. Deadmatology one-oh-one! Mirese trese kwatorseng pinagsasightcheousbelles na kami ng mga utawsingbelles eh more pa ren siya sa pagjoin sa sweetness.

Nagkita-kita ang mga bakla sa Aruba. More lafang and more join sa inuman muna hanggang hinihintay na magliwanag ang kalangitan.

Nakatayo kami ni Charles sa gitna nang kalsada. Magkahawak ang mga kamay, magkadikit ang mga balikat habang nakatingala sa mga kislap at pagsabog sa kalawakan.

In fairness . . nakakanginig . . . . at to some extent eh nakakapangilabot. Muntik na nga akong magcrayola marathon pero pinigilan ko lang ang sarili ko. Witchelles ko learn kung dahil ba ito sa mga pagsabog ng iba't ibang kulay na pinapanood namin o dahil sa fact na andon ako sa isang lugar na may kahawak-kamay na bagets na sa totoo lang eh witchelles ko pang masyadong learn pero parang matagal na kaming nag-iibigan.

Pero kinalma ko ang sarili ko. Katulad nga ng chinika ko kaniney eh . . enjoy lang the momentzzzzzzzz . . . til it last . . . . dahil witchelles mo ren learn na parang mga fireworks nung gabing yon . . . na kahit na gaano kafabulous pa ang drama at eksena . . . eh titigil at titigil din . . . at ang kalawakan na pinuno ng iba’t ibang kulay eh pagkatapos ng ilang sandali eh magbabalik at magbabalik din sa isang nakakayamot at walang buhay na kadiliman.

TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX MINUTES and COUNTING . . .

We were one . . . . we were binded by an unknown force . . . . whatever that was . . . it was good . . . .

My arms were around him and his were around me.

We explored one another’s body in the form of a dance.

. . . . . . .

Hay naku! Kalorkey!!!

Hayon na nga!

Para kaming mga tukong naka-mighty-bond sa isa't isa. Kiver kami sa mga utash sa paligid-ligid namen. Super dance, super yakap and at the momentzzzz na malearn ng mga labi namin ang dapat nilang puntahan eh . . . parang naghalo na ang balat sa tinalupan.

I never kissed a stranger before.

As in . . . walang halong kajijian . . . truenezz yon . . siguro maraming beses na akey na nakipagdookit sa mga strangers . . . but kiss . . . I don't think so.

He was the first.

Halos isang oras din kaming nasa ganoong posisyon. At wala talagang nakapagpigil sa bugso ng aming mga damdamin. (Ew . . . parang pocketbook lang da 'vah?)

Hanggang sa inaya ko siya sa second floor dahil di ko na masightsiva ang mga friendiva ko.

Pag-okyat namin eh nakasalubong namin si Claudine at si Rica na kalalabas pa lang ng CR. Halata sa mga fezing nila ang ang shock-factor na meron akong bitbit bitbit na cute na fetus.

"These are my friends . . ." chika ko sa bagets. "Claude and Rica . . . and this is . . . . "

Shet! Why do I always have these momentzzzz na lost-in-space akembang pagdating sa namesung . . . .

"Charles . . . ." chika niya.

Then, biglang nag-appear naman si Francheska na witchelles din nagpatalo dahil haves din ng karay-karay na bagets.

"This is Francheska and his fish for the night . . . ." intro kez.

Umisquierda din sila at jiniwan kami.

Hinila ko si Charles sa isang corner.

Nagtagpo na naman ang mga labi namin. Pero pinigilan ko siya. Tinulak ko siya para masightsiva ko ang kabuuan ng pagkatao niya.

Ikmyle lang akez.

"Before we continue, by the way, I'm Bernard . . . ." then I extended my hand.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at lumuhod siya sa jurapan kez. Super kiss niya ito at tingala sa 'ken . . . "I'm Charles. And I'm yours." Chika niya.

Tumbling.

Pinatayo ko siya at baka eynimomentzzzz eh pag nagtuloy-tuloy pa ang eksenang iyon eh bigla na lang akong maging palaka. Inaya ko sya sa bar. "I think we need a drink."

Gumetching kami ng berangju at umupo para naman makapagrest ng slight. Dahil with the dance, with matching rigudon ng mga labi at ng mga kamay . . . in fairness . . nakakaorgod siya.

Nang makajupostrax kami sa medyo tahimik at less utaw na lugar eh kinuha niya ang isang kamay ko at jinawakan lang niya habang super sight sa ‘ken with those very cute eyes na parang iginuhit lang.

"You workin?" tanong niya.

"Yup . . . you?"

"Studying. St. Pauls."

Shet! Tumbling another . . . . bukod sa pagiging bagets . . . estujamus iteykla . . . . pero derm na ako sa mga ganyang factor . . . bagets na kung bagets . . . .

Super nomu lang kami and super cuddle . . . shet . . . . cuddle talaga . . wholesome itu.

"I have a confession to make . . . " chika ko sa kanya. Na pinagjisipan key muna ng tatlong daang beses bago ishurlak!

"Ano yon?"

"The first time I saw you sa dance floor up there sa ledge . . . I felt something that urged me to get to you . . . . "

"Pero bigla kang nawala . . . ." bera niya bigla sa 'ken.

Naloka naman daw ako . . . continue niya sa pagshorlakak. "Tinitingnan kita dun sa baba. Hinihintay ko lang na makalapit ka. Pero bigla kang nawala. Then I went down and started looking for you."

"Oh common!? You're kidding me. Umalis lang ako saglit to have a breath of fresh air. Tapos ikaw ang nawala. Hinanap kita and I thought I lost you."

"I thought I lost you, too." chika niya sabay kiss. "But now, we found each other. I guess it doesn't matter anymore."

Iba ang level ng kilig factor ko sa mga oras na iteykla. Parang kahapon lang eh super watching-galore ko lang ang mga ganitrix na eksena between Sam Milby at Anne Curtis, pero now na now na eh nahi-hearsung ko na siya sa truelili na mga kaganapan sa life ever.

Bumalik din kami sa baba at hinanap sila Rica.

"Who's here with you," tanong ko kay Charles.

"My friends."

"You should talk to them and make paalam," I told him.

"Why?"

"Coz you're going home with me. . . . "

"I must go home with you. . . ." At hinalikan niya akez. "Don't go away."

At umisquierda siya.

"Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkklaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa kaaaaaaaaa!" chika ni Rica pag-alis na pag-alis ni Charles.

"Nasa 'yo ang korona ni Precious Lara Quigaman, ngayong gabi!"

"Iba 'toh."

"Love at first sight? Gaga! 'Nung huling sinabi mo yan . . . anung nangyari sa 'yo?"

Love at first sight! SHET! It's all coming back to me . . . . parang si Celine Dion lang. Oo nga naman. Nagpadalos-dalos ako nung mga panahon na iyon nang makilala ko si Varsity Captain. Parang ganitiz na ganitiz din ang eksena (minus the halikan factor lang).

"Well, baka pwedeng nagkamali ako 'non . . . pero ngayon hindi na."

"Go to the sea! Tell that to the marines!"

"Pero, in fairness . . . . ." sabat ni Claude. Bihirang bihira siyang magbigan ng compliment sa mga karir ko . . . .

"Thanks . . ." chika ko na lang.

Pagkabalik ni Charles eh nagdecide na kaming umisquierda dahil nafi-felt na namin ang powers ni Sandra Bullock sa labas.

"I don't want to go home," chika ni Rica. "Let get ourselves a room, my treat . . ."

Parang nagdeclare na lang ng Martial Law si baklang Rica at wala na kaming nagawa.

Nag-check-in kami sa Kimberly . . yung hotel na malapit sa Rob's place.

*

Two Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Minutes

I AM BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BAAAAAKLAAAAA!

Witchelles kong aakalaing pagkashorpos ever ng halos isang taon eh ditangchinabelles din akembang jojogsak - ang pambansang lugar ng mga badinggerzie . . . . MALARS!

Wai sa plano ever kez that Saturday na umatakchinabelles doonchinabelles but then . . earlier that day eh nakareceive akembang ng shorwag kay Claudine - ang pinakamaasim kong friendiva na pinaglihi yata sa kinalburong hilaw na kamias . . . . at bukod pa sa kanya eh pati si Rica eh out-of-blue eh bigla ding nagparamdam. Naloka naman daw ako dahil medyo ma-orgality of culture na din akembang na nag-solo-flight dahil witchelles ko naman bet na gambalain ang mga buhay-buhay nila at nagpasko at nagbagong-taon na nga't lahat lahat eh witchelles pa rin kami nagkakasight-sight.

Naging bisi-bisihan naman kasi ang Lola Rica sa kanyang world tour na pati ang Papua at Cambodia eh witchelles niya pinalampas at si Claude naman eh as usual . . . . pag inaatake ng kabaliwan eh super-retreat sa sarili niyang mundo ever na siya lang ever ang nakakaintindi ever! Ever!

Parang yesterday's dream lang . . . . super remember kez pa ang nakakalorkey hey hey hey na momentzzz namin ditangchiwa sa Malars na nakapagpasimula ng blogsivang itekla at itekla na naman . . . may another momentzzz na naman akey na tinatalak.

As usual eh akembang na naman ang pinaka-early-bird-catches-the-worm ang eksena kaya waiting-in-vain na naman ang drama kez sa buhay sa kanto ng Nakpil at Orosa habang ninamnam ang e-coli bacteria sa mga fishball at tukneneng na nilalapsalauriat kez and at the same time eh mega-sightsiva sa mga badinggerzie na rumarampa sa harap kez at in fairness . . . . halos washington na akez learnchi. Different faces . . . . . different names . . . mga fresher version of ourselves. Kakaloka!

"Bernardina!"

Nahearsung kez ang boses ng baklang Rica na halos umalingawngaw sa apat na sulok ng Malate.

Nang makanearness-of-you na siya eh as usual . . ang madugong ritwal ng besohan . . . . isang ritwal na witchelles na witchelles mawawagtus sa mga baklang magkakaibigan.

"I heard that you have a new tarbaho na ha," chika ni bakla, na halata namang wicthelles concern ang nasa jisip kundi ang intensiyong makasagap ng latest chismis.

"True," talak ko.

At tinalak ko sa kanya ang litanya ko sa bago kong workaloo at ang lahat ng pinagdaanan kong malasoap-operatic na momentz the past month.

"Hay naku maresssseeee . . . . .keri lang yan. I know you naman. Look at the brighter side of things . . . . maganda ka pa rin naman," chika na Ricang punung-puno ng kajijian.

"Ano na naman ba ang mga pumasok sa isip nyo at nagyaya na naman kayo dito?" askiley kez.

"Oh well! It's a time for joy . . . a time for peace . . . a time when hearts are set free . . . ."

Naloka naman akembang sa linya. For the sake na may maitalak ang bakla eh pati ang songaling ni Jamie Rivera eh irerecite.

"Kailangan natin to have fun. It's a new year. And we need to start this with a bang!"

Di rin nagtagal at nag-grand-entrance na ren si Claude at after a few minutes eh dumating na ren si Francheska.

Di na nagpatumpik-tumpik pa ang mga veykla at umatakchinabelles na sa Bed.

As usual eh jampacked na naman ang lugar. Witchelles ko bet magpakaipokrita or whatever but then nung gabing iyon eh parang witchelles ko bet mangarir. Ewan ko ba pero parang wala akez sa mood.

Gumetching na kami ng mga drinkaloo namen at humanap na ng spot na pedeng territoryohin.

Yung last time na umatak yata akez sa Bed eh yung na-sight ko pa si Vicky Wet! Kalorkey at ngayon eh nyortista na ren siya. Hahahaha.

Sa hayun na nga, mega observation lang akey sa karagatan ng sangkabaklaan na parang sinasamba ang mega-danz-danz na music. Isang gathering ng mga nilalang na may iisang hangarin . . . ang magpakasaya . . . . at kung sinusuwerte eh humada o magpahada at pag super suwerti talaga eh ang ma-take-home na parang Kenny Rogers lang. Nakakatuwa nga naman pag super sight ka sa kanila . . . super dance galore to death na parang wala nang haharapin pang kinabukasan para magdance . . . . mega-jump up and down . . . . . at most of the time eh mega ma-yummy effect para naman bumenta that night.

I'm on my thrid beer . . . . si Rica at si Francheska eh karir mode na . . . kaming dalawa na lang ni Claudine ang parang mga tuod na miyembro ng Confradia de San Jose - mga manang na parang napaglumaan na ng panahon . . . . pero . . . . . may biglang yumanig sa nananahimik kong mundo.

Sa isang ledge sa dancefloor eh may may-I-sight akong bagets . . . . unang sight ko pa lang sa kanya eh kakaibang shockwave na ang na-felt kez sa flat kong mga dibdib. Natuwa naman ako . . . . . . bagets, nagpaalam akez kay Claude at chikang aatak lang sa dancefloor.

Umatak nga akez para lang makalapit sa kanya.

I was standing a couple of feet away from him. He's up there sa ledge . . . above me and the others. Super dance siya to the highest level. He's different compared to all the utawsingbelles doonchinabelles. He's super white . . . as in . . . . white . . . parang kokomban! Nakajacket siyang itim . . . and his whole porma is super kakaiba na he stands out. Parang ang packaging niya eh isang punk-goth-rock star. Sa porma pa lang niya eh alam mo nang hindi siya generic na parang karamihan sa mga badinggerzie doonchinabelles na parang Tide na meron ka lang tatlong piso eh makakabili ka na sa kahit na anong suking tindahan.

Witchelles akez gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan kez. Super drinkaloo lang akembang ng beerangju habang super-sight sa kanya. Ayaw din talagang magpaawat ng mga tingin ko.

Nang tumagal-tagal eh parang betchay ko nang lumapit ever nang ma-experience ko naman siya ng malapitan . . . pero pag-sight kez eh may mga veklores sa harapan niya super enchance sa kanya . . . na-kyorkot naman akez na kumropit dahil obvyosa namang nag-set-up na sila ng defensive perimeter sa lugar na iyonchie na kung sinetchiwa man ang kumropit eh sure na sure na kundi tadyak eh siko sa ilong ang maaabot.

Wai akez magawa kundi kag-sight lang sa bagets. Witchelles ko learn kung kag-sight ren ba niya akey hey hey hey pero at that point eh witchelles ko naman bet magpaka-ilusyonada para jisiping super-sightsiva ren siya sa ken.

"Uy magsayaw ka naman . . . " chika ni Francheska na bigla na lang nag-appear sa likod ko.

Humarap ako sa kanya. At hinila palabas.

Super ask siya kung saanchienabelles kami aatak, pero hinila ko lang siya hanggang makaesquierda kami ng Bed.

Chika ko sa kanya na I just needed a breath of fresh air.

Jumupostrax kami sa labas at gumetching ng mas mumurahing beer.

Super laklak to death lang akez.

Super wonder-bra naman si Francheska, kung anung meron . . . hanggang chinika ko sa kanya ang bagay na parang ni minsan eh witchelles ko najisip na ichichika kez sa tanan ng buhay ko.

"I think I'm in love!"

"Ha?!"

Ma-giraffe iexplain . . . . madaling sabihin na masyado lang akez na-excite at super exaggerated lang ang declaration kez . . . pwede ring sabihin na sa tuwing nakakalembang ang kampana ng kabaklaan kez ng isang betty-mae kez eh naichichika kong "I'm in love!" Pero . . . keri kong ichika with deep conviction . . na iba ang na-felt ko that night . . . . . iba . . . as in ibang . . iba.

At felt na felt kong witchelles din naniwala si Francheska. Pero may-I-best-in-supporting-actress na lang ang drama niya.

"E di lapitan mo. Kausapin mo . . . . Who knows?" chika niya.

Matagal-tagal din akong nag-jisip at nag-jipon ng lakas ng loob ever. Pagkashorpos ng shotlong beerangju eh hinatak ko na siya pabalik ng Bed.

Dire-direcho akez sa dance floor . . . kung saanchienabelles ko siya huling-huling na-sightchinabelles but then . . . pagdating kez doonchienabelles . .. . eh . . . harsh of all harshness . . . . he wasn't there anymore.

Shit!

Sinuyod ko ang buong dancefloor . . . .. wala siya.

Bumalik ako kala Claudine at chinikang may hinahanap ako . . .

"This is it . . . this is really reallly it . . . . "

Tinaasan lang ako ng kilay ng mga bakla.

Deadma.

Umisquierda ulit akez at nakipagsiksikan paakyat sa second floor mireseng makipagsikuhan akez at magkamatay-matay ang mga dailiri ko sa paa sa kaaapak ng mga bading.

Sinuyod ko ang buong second floor, pati ang CR at pati na rin yata ang mga ilalim ng couch eh sinilip ko. Nowhere in sight ang bagets-come-punk-come-masarap-bonahin-come-one-come-all!

Bumalik na naman ako kala Claudine.

"How can I lose a guy? How can I lose a 5 foot 6 guy . . . divinely white . . . guy who just took my breath away . . . "

Parang akong si Sisang baliw-baliwan sa harapan ng mga friendiva ko na nakanganga lang at wa sa pagkareact. . . I swear . . . I could've gone wild and gone ballistic that momentzzz pero . . . pinigil ko lang ang sarili ko.

"Doon tayo sa taas . . . marami ka pang makikita don," sabi ni Francheska . . .

Even though witchelles ko bet ng iba . . . marami man sila . . . . isa lang naman ang gusto ko that night . . . nagpahila pa ren ako kay Francheska.

Sa kalagitnaan ng pakikipagsiksikan namin para makarating sa second floor eh parang biglang huminto ang oras.

Huminto din ako. Hawak-hawak ni Francheska ang kamay ko. Hinihila niya ako pero parang nasemento ang mga paa ko. Hila to death pa ren siya sa aken.

"I will not move from this place forever," chika ko kay Francheska habang nakasight ako sa bagets na kaniney ko pa ineeffort na masightchinabelles.

Wala nang nagawa si Francheska. Umisquierda na lang siya at jiniwan na akez doon sa kinatatayuan ko.

That whole time eh nakasight siya sa aken. Nakasight din akez sa kanya.

Hanggang sa lumapit na lang siya sa akin at ibinalot ang mga kamay namin sa isa't isa.

Nagyakapan kami nang super higpit na parang old lovers na first time uli nagkita after 47 years and 11 months.

At simula nang mga oras na iyon eh literal na witchelles na kami naghiwalay . . . . the first minute was counted . . . . and there are two thousand eight hundred and seventy nine more.

*

THE SURPRISE

Contrary to what I've said . . . . . we didn't end up in a cheap motel . . . . haha!

It's more of a "Class B Motel"!

Anyway, he was great in bed. There is no other way to put it. It seemed nothing less than transfiguration. Conversing, he was fidgety and evasive, given to arrhythmic pauses and odd spasms of laughter. But when he got out of his clothes he took on the fluid self-assurance of a dancer. His physique was modest and sinewy, with veined arms and a prominent rib cage. That night, he was naked so quickly he might have been wearing a suit the kind that macho dancers in Chico's use. He was dressed one moment and nude the next, while I was still unfastening the last button of my shirt.

"Pa'no mo nagawa 'yon?" I asked.

He smiled, and helped me out of my own clothes. His movements were swift and efficient but gentle. He had abruptly traded his skittish, roving manner of calm focus and suave, unhurried competence. He unbuttoned my jeans and slid them tenderly down to my ankles, wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me, with only a hint of strain, up onto the bed.

I was not excited by him. I was excited by the idea of sex, the ease of it - I had gone out and caught someone, an unclaimed man who was mine to do with as I liked. I admit it - there was a streak of sadism in my lusts. There was the taint of vanity. I chose ordinary men who would not refuse; who would feel lucky to have me. I did not thrill to the sight of their flesh - which was either bulky or scrawny but always abashed and grateful - so much as I did to the fact of their capture. As Mr. Mind-Over-Matter set me on the bed I was aroused in the general, unfocused way that has become familiar. I would let him command the sex but I would leave the motel room undefeated. Part of me was already gone as our chests touched for the first time and our legs fumbled for position. I was more important than this. The excitement I felt was edgy and not entirely pleasant, like a swarm of bees inside my chest.

Mr. Mind-Over-Matter nuzzled my shoulder, ran his fingers lightly along my ribs. He had a dry powdery touch. There was something sweet about his earnestness and his elusive beauty. There was something dreadful about it.

He lay for a while on top of me, peppering my chest with kisses. Then he deftly revolved our bodies so that I was on top. I got a thorough look at him, for the first time. He was thin but big-boned, his abdomen is densely furred. His cock angled off to the right, raggedly skirted by a vein. His gaunt, hairy stomach and skewed cock suddenly repulsed me. Usually with strangers there was a moment of shock like this, when I fully comprehend the privacy of their bodies. Looking at his thin torso, I felt as if I had caught him in some indiscretion. I saw the otherness of him, and it flipped me over from excitement to disgust - my own agitation soured, and I began bluffing my way through, cramming his cock blindly into my mouth. I was already thinking of going home or just have an emergency drink with my friends. Even as it happened, this was a story I would tell them. We would shake our head together and discuss the perplexing scarcity of love.

"Relax", Mr. Mind-Over-Matter whispered. I didn't answer, because my mouth was full. When he repeated it, I pulled my head up and said, "I'm perfectly relaxed, thank you." I would make him come quickly, come myself, and be back in my own skin, free on the street, back in reality.

He slipped away, directing me to lie belly-down on the mattress.

"Masyado kang tensed," he said. I skeptically obeted, and he began massaging my back, tracing the curves of my shoulders and spine with his fingertips. "You're very tight," he said. Whatever that may have meant, I just said, "Thank you."

Against my better judgment, I consigned myself to his hands. I disliked being told I was tense - it seemed he had recognized a flaw in my character. For the occasion of sex I always slipped over into an identity that was not quite my own. When making love I was like my own hypothetical older brother, a strong, slightly cynical man who lived adventurously, without qualms that beset my other self. While at bed or on the MRT I daydreamed of powerful, angry men who needed me to ease their pain. In bed with meek strangers I thought only of quick orgasm and escape.

Mr. Mind-Over-Matter worked my back with ardent delicacy, his fingers expertly following the confluence of tendon and bone. When I remarked on his proficiency he said, "Pinag-aralan ko 'to". I would learn that he often to that to other people to earn money, stressing on the part that those services are strictly professional.

Under his ministrations, I relaxed almost against my will. Without having decided to, abruptly, I fell asleep. It was utterly unlike me. But I'd been keeping late hours, and working long days. The sensation resembled that of slipping under anesthetic. One moment I was awake, looking at wall with a boring wallpaper, and the next I was being roused from slumber by a kiss.

I startled, and nearly jumped off the bed. For a moment I lost track of everything. Where was I, and whose cologned jaw was this? "Shh," he whispered. "It's okay."

"Shit! Nakatulog ako?" I asked. I was groggy and ashamed. Had I snored? Had I drooled?

"Saglit lang naman, okay lang yon," he said. He kissed my neck and gently but steadily positioned himself between my legs.

"Sorry," I said. "Di ko naman sinasadyang tulugan ka . . . . "

"Ssshhh," he said, stopping me. "This is a dream you are having."

For some reason, I obeyed. Although my instinct was to return to myself, to quickly polish off the sex and get on about my business, I decided to relax. There was surprising, voluptuous pleasure in it. I let him manage things in and out lovemaking passed as if in fact I was dreaming. He carried it through the way a diligent student pursued all his projects, with scrupulous attention. If our coupling lacked the abandon of true passion it has a schooled solildity that was the next best thing. Mr. Mind-Over-Matter could perhaps write a full length novel in one sitting. I bet that he could even tell all the capitals of all the countries in the world. And he could tell how far to thrust, when to withdraw, when to throw in an unexpected move. I gave myself up to it. He enjoyed being in command, and I relinquished my own desire to impress.

We made love three times that night. After the first time we did not roll away. I didn’t make my escape. He held me, and I stroked his sparsely haired thigh. I could smell his sweat, which was sharp but not unpleasant. We embraced in silence for ten minutes or longer. Then he said, "Are you ready again?"

By the time I got dressed, the motel room lost some of its strangeness as if we live there.

I dressed and decided to go. He wanted for us to go down together but I insisted on going first, I wouldn't want a desire for us not to part our ways. It would be painful. I blew him a kiss and went out.

This was usually my favorite moment, after the sex was finished and I was restored to myself, still young and viable, free to go everywhere. That night, though, I felt irritated and weightless; I couldn't quite pick up my sense of myself. Cubao lay quietly in its bath of dark light. A group of hookers strolled the sidewalks and jeepneys roared by.

I was infused with a bodily pleasure that was intricately, brittlely edged in regret. Something had been lost, at least for the moment-some measure of possibility. I walked away, but couldn't shake the feeling. It followed me like a thief.

-THE END-

The 20+ mind-over-matter guy

I was hesitant at first. I have never experienced a wholesome eyeball since . . . . like never. For people who are not familiar with the "eyeball" thingie, it would be my deepest pleasure to enlighten you on the matter. It is somewhat a jargon nowadays that is used when two people who were corresponding through text, internet (email, online community or chat) or like in the dark ages snail mail (penpal, as if it still exists), decided to meet after a certain amount of time. Well, it is really supposed to be wholesome, though in our world, there’s this thing that is called "S.E.B" or "Sex Eye Ball". This is usually applicable through chat . . . you enter a chatroom, which is more of like a meatshop (bagsakan ng karne) where you post an ad . . . . you state the things that you are looking for for a possible "hook-up" (this can be instant or scheduled). . . tall, short . . . lean, chub . . . goodlooking, average . . . . TOP or BOTTOM, etc. Or you can just browse through the main chatroom and fish while reading the ads . . . if you feel that you fall to that certain category that a certain chatter is looking for . . . you engage him in a privy . . . then you chat . . exchange pictures . . . sometimes talk dirty . . . and if you come to the point of mutual attraction . . exchange phone numbers . . . . and after 30 minutes . . . you are already having sex in a cheap motel room in Cubao or probably meet after two days or so depending on your availability.

Another reason why I'm hesitant is the fact that this meet-up was initiated by an online bond, which I find, more often than not, pretty much fragile and unrealistic. In the cyberworld, there are a lot of things that can be said . . . . and there's no way of telling if such things are true or just a product of a disturbed person's mind who created an alternate identity in the internet just to escape from reality - and why would someone want to escape something pleasant? You do the math!

After a couple of self-consultations, I finally made up my mind.

I will meet him.

*

We decided to have an early dinner at Italliani's in Gateway. Since he's from the North, it would just be fair for the both of us to meet there.

I thought I would be late, coming from Ortigas to Cubao. The traffic was grueling. I thought that traffic was always grueling, even if the heavens would open up and a storm of brim and stone would not make the traffic more comfortable. But the worst thing that could happen when you are stuck in traffic in a box-type taxi-cab with an aircon barely spitting "conditioned" air and you couldn't smell anything but diesel is when you are on your way on your first date and you are anticipating or rather expecting someone who would actually meet (or exceed) your standards. And while thinking about these things . . . the "what-ifs" arise from your polluted mind . . . What if I wouldn't like him? What if he looks different from the pictures you saw, as if he just went through a major surgical operation gone totally wrong? What if he couldn't talk about anything because he doesn't make any sense at all? What if he is a total psycho that would just tear your clothes apart in the middle of the restaurant and make love to you in front of all the people???? (uhmmmm . . . . that one can fall under the expectations list).

The thought of backing-out crossed my mind a couple of times but before I could really finally decide on what to do, I was already in Cubao.

There were no another choices but to get that night over with.

I arrived at Itallianni's ten minutes earlier and helped myself with the freebie bread that goes with the balsamic vinegar. They give you these things so that, as a customer, you wouldn't be able to stomach to change your mind and move to a cheaper restaurant once you realized that Cafe Bola is cheaper.

I was so overwhelmed with the bread and the fact that I would spend almost 300 pesos for pasta, I didn't see him enter and approached my table.

"Bernard?", he said trying to sound confident though the trembling of his voice is pretty much obvious.

I raised my head from the "golden" menu and stared at him for a second until I nodded my head and asked him to take a seat.

For a moment, I was relieved . . . . there were no signs of any major surgical operations gone wrong . . . he looks pretty much the same with his pictures, if not better.

His face was thin, and edgy, the nose and chin too sharply pointed for ordinary handsomeness, though his color was fair and his eyes were as innocent as a child's. His was the sort of face that, given a proneness to vanity, could be agonized over in a mirror - a face that could switch from beauty to plainness and back again. I've seen a lot of faces like that, the not-quite-handsome faces of young men and women who have been fussed over by their mothers and who believe, with rigorous if slightly apologetic hopefulness, that they can make a future with their looks.

And there we were, star-crossed voyagers sitting across one another hoping that that night would be the night that we were waiting for since the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks tandem spurred the word "Hopeless Romantic".

We were silent, nobody spoke a word. Both of us tried hard to conceal whatever we were thinking and preoccupied ourselves with what to eat.

Until we ordered. Finally, he spoke! Hallelujiah! He can speak!

"How was your day?" he asked. A depth of scrutiny passed briefly behind his pallid eyes. He was trying, without deep conviction or curiosity, to figure me out.

I stopped my mouth from opening. I know myself, if somebody asks me how my day was, I'll go on ranting about sordid stuff, and that might go on forever. I thought that it wouldn't be a very nice impression if I do that at that moment.

So, I just said, "It was fine."

It was followed by a series of questions pitched from my side to his and from his to mine as if we're playing 20 questions.

One question. One answer.

One question. One Answer.

Until, we got the hang of it and we became at ease at each other, we started to expound what we were saying. The conversation went along over the sour pasta. It just went on and went on.

We were talking as if we knew each other for a very long time. We share some thoughts. Words and stories just flowed out of our mouths like the Grand Rapids rushing to get to the vast ocean.

After the dinner, we shared the bill.

On our way out, he asked me if I was already tired.

I looked at my watch, it's only 9. Still early. So, I told him, not really.

He smiled and asked if I want to get a drink.

I looked around. We were in Cubao. Where in the world are we supposed to drink there?

He said he knows a place. Quite shabby and not very fancy.

I said yes, why not.

We walked around Araneta while still making "kuwento", he was telling me about his misadventures about love and relationship. We share the common sentiment . . . . both of us our sour losers when it comes to love. And while walking, I just noticed that his arm is around my shoulder.

I have to admit, there was a blush moment there.

We got to Aurora, near the LRT2 station.

We crossed the street, pass the "bugaws" and "the girls" that would come to you and whisper 'Sir, babae po ?

If only they knew . . . . I thought.

Finally, we got to this place . . . . . PALAWAN.

It looks like an ordinary KTV bar that you would expect to see in places like Cubao. But I never thought that that place was a haven for badinggerzies from all walks of life and appearance.

He asked if I've been to that place.

I said that that was my first time. And I was quite shocked to see that on a Wednesday night and at that time . . . . it’s already packed.

It is a kind of place that really wouldn't matter how it looks like or what you're drinking but rather what matters the most are the people who are going there. The people that you can meet. In short, it is a big fishing ground!

There was this feeling, as we walk through the place, of eyes glaring at you as if scrutinizing every inch of your body.

We occupied a small table in a dark corner. We ordered beers and I told him that the place was nice.

And then, we walked our way again through a conversation talking about the usual things, this time, delivered brief accounts of our origins and ambitions.

Mr. Mind-Over-Matter was all edgy inattention, the sort of a person who shreds napkins and taps his feet and fails to hear fully half of what's said to him.

After what seemed to both of us a decent interval – three beers and casually flirting one another – we decided to check in to the nearest hotel where he introduced his surprise . . . .

2 be continued . . . . . .