Roses

What's in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other name would smell as sweet.

-Juliet Capulet

WHITE: Tradition dictates that all guests offer a rose to the departed. I stood on queue among neighbors and friends of Moments’ family who was in front of the altar howling because of his father’s death. The atmosphere was heavy. It was dramatic. While the choir sung the most haunting song I've ever heard, I forced my eyes to stop crying.

                Things could have been easier if Jazmine was with me. We could have ridiculed at the environment I trapped myself in. However, he was not there. And as I near the altar, I knew that things could have been worst. It was devastating seeing an entire family in pain. The hurt they felt was so contagious and though I told myself to maintain composure and grace, when I hugged my friend, it felt like that the sky will fall anytime.

RED: I was on another queue. It was the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I held a red one this time. It goes with an envelope where I placed a hundred bucks as love offering. As I concentrate at the image of the virgin in front of me, I contemplated on the things that I want her to hear. I prayed for my family, my friends, and all the people dear to me. I ask for mercy, prosperity and guidance. I lift up to her all the things that bother me – from my fears, insecurities, self doubt and all the pain. I inquire for forgiveness and I wished for peace.

            Though it was already midnight, the air was warm. Her presence made me more optimistic. Her love made me feel safe.

BLUE: Boy, another roommate from Sta Mesa, left the house early. He told me that it was Valentine’s Day and he needs to be early at Dangwa to get the freshest flowers he can get. I thought he will get several red flowers to give to our entire lady neighbor. He did last year. But when he returned home, all he had in his arms were two dozens of blue roses. It was the one of the prettiest thing I've ever seen. Afterwards, he started giving the blue flowers to all of our neighbors which made them appreciate him more. And when he placed one at my bedside table, it made me appreciate Boy more.

ORANGE: Where did you get the money to buy this? I told him while I stare in fascination at the orange  long stem rose in front of me.

You thought I cannot get you anything special for your birthday because I am a student, right? He said.

No, it’s not like that, I just didn't expect that this thing is for real. I see it in books and on Wikipedia but I never expect that you can get it somewhere here in Manila. I continued staring at the rose. Seriously, its presence was hypnotizing. I touched the petals and I can’t stop smiling. Best. Birthday. Gift. Ever.

I’m glad you liked it.

No, I don’t like it. I love it.

And, I love you. Happy Birthday.

--

The rose that all are praising
Is not the rose for me.

-Thomas Haynes Bayly

Geography

Okay, this will be naughty.

 

I’ve done it in the weird places. I’ve done it on a rooftop at Pureza, at a dark alley in Pateros, in a parked boat at San Juan, in a Girl’s Restroom at Pansol. But nothing beats doing it on a bus, haha. Oh my, this is too much information. LOLs.

 

Basically, I also have my naughty, lustful and adventurous side. Stories like where people did such never interests me much because obviously, I also have my own share of things that I am not really proud about.

 

So, when my friend told me that he did it on a MRT cart, during rush hour, and while the vehicle is really crowded. I really don’t know if I will believe him or not. Obviously, the first question will be how? Haha. But since I also have my fair share of nastiness, I know that all that happened in the poor MRT cart is something that involves the hands. Haha!

 

My friend then explained how it happened. The advantage of taking a ride  on a crowded MRT is that you will definitely be flesh to flesh with someone beside you. It will be hot. It will really be uncomfortable. And if you aren’t lucky enough, it will stink. Haha. Before this post get too SPG (Strong Parental Guidance), I will just let your imagination do its work in order to think how it happened. All I can tell you is that my friend pretended that the ride was bumpy in order to kiss the guy’s nape in front of him. Haha!

 

And, no. I am not encouraging this type of things. I was just really curious slash fascinated slash envious after hearing what my friend told me. Now, I am really thankful it never happened to me. Knowing how messy things can get, seriously, it is nasty. Haha!

 

Friends, if ever you feel the urge to do something with someone, I am begging, get a room. I understand that sometimes we can get adventurous and playful, but nothing beats it doing where it should really be done.

Crazier

*play this first*

I'd never gone with the wind. Just let it flow. Let it take me where it wants to go.

It started with a stare. I was sitting on a coffee shop in front of the mall’s cinema when I saw you. I noticed you right away. Your nerdy ways impressed me.

You open the door, there’s so much more, I've never seen it before

I saw you smirk. Probably you noticed me watching you. You then pretend to be busy with your mobile phone, you even acted like you were talking to someone over it. It was cute. Everything about you was cute.

I was trying to fly but I couldn't find my wings, but you came along and you changed everything

Anxious, I immediately grabbed my stuff, made my last stare and walked my way to the escalator to get out of the building and smoke. It might be the last time I will see you. I try to memorize how you looked – from the way you stand to the way you carried your red rucksack. However, you followed me. I tried to haste however you catch up. Finally, you said hi.

You lift my feet off the ground, you spin me around, you make me crazier, crazier

My mom said that I should not talk to strangers. It’s wrong meeting people this way. But there was something right in all the things that were wrong that day. I just cannot point my fingers on it. Then, I said hello.

Feels like I’m fallin’, and I Am lost in your eyes

You were perfect. The way you handle a conversation and your confidence blew me away. You said you were waiting for someone, and I just don’t care. Maybe he’s important but that person has to wait.

You make me crazier, crazier, and crazier

I was also waiting for someone, but I just don’t want the feeling to end. The sudden rush of blood, the butterflies on my stomach, and the fireworks, they were everywhere.

I've watched from a distance as you made life your own every sky was your own kind of blue

But we have to let go. Yes, the conversation was awesome, the sparks were there, but we are living separate lives. We have separate lives with somebody else.

And I wanted to know how that would feel and you made it so real

We exchanged numbers, and then we meet again. It was weird how I acted after we met. I started deleting all my messages on my phone, that way, if ever someone checks, your messages will not reflect. I even named you after a girl officemate, lied about my whereabouts, and went with you somewhere far where no one can recognized us.

You showed me something that I couldn't see you opened my eyes And you made me believe

Yes, we love each other. We were selfish. Both of us know that what we had was hurting people, what we have was wrong. Hence, You lift my feet off the ground, you spin me around, you make me crazier, crazier. Feels like I’m fallin’, and I Am lost in your eyes,You make me crazier, crazier, and crazier.

Baby you showed me what livin' is for

Guilt started to sink in. People started to know what we were doing. Happiness really has its price. Being happy for the wrong reasons will always make us unhappy.

I don't wanna hide anymore

We decided to end this.

You lift my feet off the ground

You spin me around

You make me crazier, craizer

Feels like im fallin' and I

Am lost in your eyes

You make me crazier, crazier, crazier

Crazier, crazier,

 

---

It all started with a tweet. Can emo bloggers change their stripes? Blog superstar Spiral Prince and I shall attempt to do just that. The rules are simple. Write ten consecutive happy posts. If you falter, you have to write five more. *gulp*

I decided to use song titles for this, that way I won’t be confused. :)

The Emo Blogger's Happy Blogging Challenge: Madness

• ןıuǝ oɟ ɟןıƃɥʇ: Madness, A Series
• Sitting Pretty: Lazy Madness
• citybuoy: irresistible
• Spiral Prince: Ash Wednesday
• ♔ıǝɹɯɐı♔: SimSimi and The Banana Song
• The Orange Wit: Crazier

Rainbow

The rain just stopped. My friends and I were standing on our rendezvous spot. It was an old waiting shed in our subdivision overlooking the South Expressway. From there, you can see the cars in red, blue, silver and black. It was also the perfect spot if you want to see the wide blue sky.

Autumn in my Heart lang ang peg!

Kate said that we have to be patient, something beautiful will happen.

She was a big know it all. Being the tallest in our group, she already claimed the lead position in our little troop. Kate has these weird ideas and activities that kept us busy throughout the day. She taught me how to ride a bike, take care of a duckling and draw.

Patience started to drift away. I was tired, starving and cold but she insisted that we should just wait because something beautiful will happen. Ano bang inaantay natin? I said. But she just remained quiet, she focused on the vast sky in front of her while me and my friends don’t understand what was going on.

Ayun, nakita niyo yun? She screamed in excitement. Tignan niyo lang ang direksyon na tinitignan ko at makikita niyo ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko pwedeng ituro kasi baka maputol daliri ko, dali kayo!

Immediately, we followed. What we saw was magnificent. It was a combination of seven colors that bend through the horizon. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. ROY G BIV! Pak!

It was the first time I saw a rainbow in person.

I really can’t explain the feeling when I saw it, the feeling was like eating your favorite ice cream, with the marshmallow and the nips on top of it. It was way better than the cartoons you watch at 10 am in channel two. It was better than Cedie, Sarah and Remi combined.

Mama said that at the end of the rainbow, there was a pot of gold. I really don’t care about the gold at its end, because the rainbow was so pretty that no amount of gold can match it. I also cannot see its end.

Rainbow still fascinates me. I still even catch myself waiting for the rain to stop just to see it. 

---

It all started with a tweet. Can emo bloggers change their stripes? Blog superstar Spiral Prince and I shall attempt to do just that. The rules are simple. Write ten consecutive happy posts. If you falter, you have to write five more. *gulp*

I decided to use song titles for this, that way I won’t be confused. :)

The Emo Blogger's Happy Blogging Challenge: A Happy Childhood Memory

• Spiral Prince: Wishing Stars
• citybuoy: segueing cousins
• Sitting Pretty: Grab My Hand
• ןıuǝ oɟ ɟןıƃɥʇ: A Happy Childhood Memory, A Series
• Manila Bitch: Rigasyon
• iamrei: Photographs

At The Beginning

We used to love nights like this. The two of us smoking in our boarding house’s terrace while watching the moon, the stars and all the strangers that passed by in front of us. We shared coffee and a lot of Korean songs that though we don’t understand, we still sing along.

Moments like these matters to us. You said once that what was important was just the two of us – no expensive dates, no beautiful views, and no scrumptious food can even match the time we spent with each other. Simple things always make us happy and you just don’t know how happy I was.

But this night was different. The moon and the stars were hiding behind the dark clouds. Strangers still passed in front of us but we don’t seem to notice. What remains was our pack of cigarettes to beat the biting cold the December air bring. The music… no longer there, what we just have is silence. You, me and the night that will change what we had forever.

Two years. A lot of things can happen in two years. And both of us understand that sometimes our dreams will always get in our way. We have family to support, siblings that need good education, and a better life that we always wanted ever since the two of us were kids. We decided to go on our separate ways and promised each other that if ever faith will bind us together again, we will be happier.

I know you were just doing this for your dreams and I cannot be happier, but it just sucks losing you.

This night will be different. It will be the night that I must start getting used to watching the stars alone.

This is the night that you will say goodbye, and I know that the moon and the millions stars above will never be the same again.

---

It all started with a tweet. Can emo bloggers change their stripes? Blog superstar Spiral Prince and I shall attempt to do just that. The rules are simple. Write ten consecutive happy posts. If you falter, you have to write five more. *gulp*

I decided to use song titles for this, that way I won’t be confused. :)

The Emo Blogger's Happy Blogging Challenge: Prologue

· Spiral Prince: Vintage Truths

· citybuoy: side x side (II)

· Manila Bitch: Surviving Ennui

· ןıuǝ oɟ ɟןıƃɥʇ: A Prologue, A Series

· iamrei: 10:29:46pm

·The Orange Wit: At The Beginning

Word Problems

 

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Though before you tell me that, you shared an incident that happened between you and an officemate in the service elevator. You mentioned that he was your type, and he kept on insisting that you get a place on your own so the kiss in will turn out to be something more intense. We often talked about how hard it was for you to say no to him, that you were always doing your best to avoid him, and though you both know that you were both taken, things still happened.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Then, the next day I saw your conversation in twitter with someone from God knows where. Both of you were talking about a human blanket, you tweeting how cold it was and you need someone to hug you in order to get warm. And him, well, volunteering. The next conversation I noticed was from him saying how bored he was, and then the next tweets came from you saying that he should ask you out in order for the boredom to subside.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Our next SKYPE conversation was about you BF. You said that he saw your Officemate’s messages on your phone and he started apologizing because he was way different from officemate. After that, you said you were also crying and you want to break up with bf because you know that he will always end up getting hurt with all the things that he may find out in the future. However, you said it was hard because you love your BF very much.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Honestly, I do.

But as I try to even type the proper words to comfort and console you, I don’t even know where to start. A part of me was pissed, a part of me understands, and a greater part of me was confused. “Okay lang yan,” I said. It was stupid I know, but that was all that I can think of. I know sometime I screw up being a friend. But ever since you shared me your stories, you know where I stand, as long as you’re happy, I will back you up, no matter what.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

In spite of everything that happened. I still and will always believe you.

Complicated

COMPLICATED ANG POST NA ITO!

May friend ako, Bisexual siya. Okay naman siya, maganda ang work, asa magandang company, tapos mabait naman siya. Si Friend ko, may BF. Si BF niya, CPA, okay din naman. Matagal na silang dalawa, three years na ata.

Si Friend ko, may nakilala sa office nila, nurse siya doon. Si nurse, nung kinwento sa kin ng friend ko, okay naman. Nagiisip ako ng paraan kung paano siya idedescribe pero ganito nalang, lahat na siguro ng hinahanap ng kaibigan ko sa isang tao, na kay nurse na siguro.

Mula sa kwento ng friend ko. Close sila. Kumakain ng magkasabay tapos laging nagkikita, parang ganoon. Parang they are in a bromance type of relationship na mahirap idiscribe.

Ang problema nga lang, si Nurse, may girlfriend!

You’ve read it right. Si nurse may girlfriend. So parang si Friend ko, kabit ni nurse. Tapos si nurse mayroon pa siyang isang male na Doctor na parang ang treatment ata ay parang ang pagtrato ni nurse sa friend ko.

Sana sa point na ito malinaw pa ang lahat.

Nung last chat conversation namin ng kaibigan ko, parang he and nurse talked it over na the nurse will get rid of the Doctor, siguro para at least isa lang ang kabit, para siya lang ang kabit. Bad shot na sa akin si nurse sa point na ito, I don’t know, alam mo kung gagawing tao ang isang player, si nurse lang ang naiisip kong perfect example noon.

Si friend ko naman, minsan hindi ko na maintindihan. Alam mo iyong may “legal wife” naman siyang kanya pero may mga ganoon pa.

Haist, ang hirap maging masaya! Ang hirap maging kuntento! Higit sa lahat, ang hirap maging kaibigan!

Siguro lahat naman ng mga kaibigan walang ibang gusto kung hindi ang masaya ang mga kaibigan nila. Pero siyempre, gusto ko naman na masaya ang kaibigan ko sa mga tamang dahilan. Alam ko din na nahihirapan ang friend ko sa pinagdadaanan niya, pero minsan, mas mahirap sa isang tao na makita ang mga pinahahalagahan mo na nagkakaganoon.

Naubusan na rin ako ng pep talks. Kaya binoblog ko nalang ito, sana may magcomment kung ano ang magandang sabihin. Hahaha…

Taxi Cab

Hindi mo maintindihan kung pagod ka lang o badtrip ka talaga. Pagkatapos mong magyosi, pumara ka na ng taxi. Umuulan ng umagang yun, masyado ka ng stress para lakarin pa ang daan papuntang EDSA galing sa gusaling pinagtatrabahuhan mo.

Sumakay ka sa unang taxi na pumara sa harap mo. Sa tabi ng driver ka umupo, kasabay ng pagsabi sa hangin ng “Guadalupe po.”

Gusto mong uminom ng umagang yun. Tinignan mo ang cellphone mo para lang icheck kung may mga gising pa sa mga kaibigan mo kaso walang nakaalala sa iyo. Tulog na sila siguro.

Sa sobrang inis mo, hindi mo pinapansin ang tao sa tabi mo. Nakatingin ka nalang sa bintana at pinapanood ang ulan, ang mga ilaw, ang kalawakan na tila nakikidalamhati sa kamalasan na pinagdaraanan mo. Alam mong konti nalang iiyak ka na, kaso sabi mo sa sarili mo para ka namang tanga kung iiyakan lang ang hindi pagbibigay sa iyo ng weekend off. Ang off na halos kalahating taon mong pinaglalaban para lang sa mapa sa iyo ay hindi mo pa rin pala makakamtam.

Habang nanahimik ka, naramdaman mong may sumagi sa hita mo. Napatingin ka sa driver at dun lang bumalik ang ulirat mo. “Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo, Sir ha. San po ba kayo sa Guadalupe?” Bago ka sumagot, napansin mo na mas bata sa iyo ang driver, maputi, maganda ang mata, at mapula ang mga labi. “F. Yabut po, sabi mo.”

Nagpatuloy ang pagtakbo ng sasakyan. Niyakap mo ang bag mo kasi nilalamig ka na.

“Sir, gusto mo hinaan ko po ang aircon?” Sabi ng taxi driver.

“Hindi wag na, ganito lang talaga ako kapag bagong sakay sa taxi. Ginawin.”

“Ah… ano po bang iniisip niyo?” Marahang niyang sinabi.

Napatingin ka sa kanya. Alam mo na madadaldal talaga ang mga taxi driver pero ngayon lang nangyari sa iyo na may nagtangka sa iyong magtanong kung anong iniisip mo.

Napangiti ka nalang, “bakit, obvious an obvious ba na may iniisip ako?”

Napatawa lang siya, “Oo. Pero hindi ka mukhang problemado, badtrip ka lang.”

Putang Ina! Tama siya.

Nagpatuloy ang cute na driver, “Siguro nabawasan ang sweldo mo, o hindi naapprove ang leave mo, baka may nakasagutan kang Amerikano, o baka kaya hindi napunta sa iyo ang gusto mong schedule. Tama ako, ano?”

Putang ina ulet. Tama na naman siya. Hindi ka makapaniwalang tama siya! Ang badtrip na nararamdaman mo ay biglang napalitan ng paghanga. Bigla ng may ngiti sa mga labi mo dahil hindi ka makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Pero ang nasabi mo nalang, “parang ganoon, minsan may mga bagay lang sa trabaho na hindi nakakatuwa at parang mas gusgustuhin mo pang magresign. Pero, teka, pano mo nalaman?”

“Yan kasi ang normal na sinasabi ng mga call center agents na pasahero ko,” Sabi niya. “Pero Sir, kung isa man sa mga sinabi ko ang nagpapabadtrip sa inyo, isipin niyo nalang, at least hindi kayo nagtatrabaho ng buong bente kwatro oras. Hindi niyo kailangan makipagagawan sa mga pasahero para makaboundary lang. Minsan pag mamalasin pa, ang kita mo ng buong araw, mapupunta lang sa mga korup na opisyal. Siguro may dahilan bakit ganoon ang nangyari sa opisina niyo pero hayaan niyo nalang, ang mahalaga sa mag panahon ngayon ay may kinikita kayo sa malinis na paraan.”

Hindi mo na napigilang tumawa.

“Ayan buti hindi ka na badtrip, saan ba ang sa inyo dito?” Wika niya.

Napansin mong malapit ka ng bumaba. Kinuha mo na ang iyong pitaka at naglabas ng isang daan. Pero may nakita ka pang extrang singkwenta kaya kinuha mo na rin. Pinahinto mo ang taxi sa kanto na normal mong binababaaan. Pagtingin mo sa metro, “PHP 103.00,” binigay mo ang pera sa iyong mga kamay sabay sabing, “keep the change ha.”

“Sobra ito sir. Saglit lang at magpapabarya ako,” Sabi niya.

“Wag na, kulang pa yan kumpara sa mga nagawa mo sa akin ngayong gabi, salamat ha, malaking bagay ang mga sinabi mo.” Sabay bukas ng pinto, at bukas ng payong.

“Sir saglit lang,” pigil niya. “Resibo niyo po.”

Oo nga pala. Kailangan ng magantay ng resibo kahit sa mga taxi. Paglabas ng resibo, kinuha niya ang ballpen niya at may sinulat sa likod nito. Hindi mo na ito pinansin kasi nagmamadali ka na, pagkaabot niya nito sa iyo, dali dali ka ng naglakad pag uwi. Tinignan mo ang sinulat ni Taxi driver at natawa ka lang, Paolo ang pangalan niya, may number, mayroon ding salitang “salamat” at may smiley.

Andok’s Guadalupe

Pauwi ako galing sa work kanina ng bigla akong nagutom. Pagtawid ko sa tulay ng Guadalupe, naisip ko munang kumain sa Andoks bago umuwi. 24 hours siya kaya for sure may pagkain pa, kaso pagtingin ko sarado ang airconditioned area nila kaya for sure sa taas ako kakain, kung saan ginawang beer garden ng mga taga guadalupe ang taas na part. Pero since gutom na ako, deadma na, orer na!

Okay naman ang lahat nung umorder ako, friendly ang mga staff, saka nakasmile. Sizzling Chicken BBQ at Royal ang pagkain ko kanina.

Inaanticipate ko na na madaming nagiinom sa taas pero hindi ko inexpect na kalahati lang ng buong floor nila sa taas ang bukas. Ang sahig, basa, may mga bakas ng yosi sa sahig at sa hangin, at wala pang maupuan. Mabait naman yung staff ng Andoks, hinanap niya ako ng pupwestuhan, pinunasan ang table, kaso nga lang katabi ko yung CR! Oo, katabi yung cr! Sino gustong kumain katabi ng CR! Sabi ko sa sarali ko, kalma lang. Buti nalang may mga lasing na umalis agad kaya nakalipat ako ng pwesto.

Pagkalipat ko ng pwesto, nagantay ako ng pagkain ko, after mga 15 minutes na paghahantay, wala pa din. Tinawag ko ung staff at nagfollow up, pumunta siya sa baba, pag akyat niya, nakangiti niyang sinabi sa ‘kin na, “Sir, wala po kaming pending order. San niyo po ba nakuha ito (habang nakatingin sa number)” Sabi ko sa sarili ko, kalma lang ulet, masyado pang maaga para mabadtrip, hindi ikaw dapat ang mastress sila dapat ang ma stress sa iyo. So nakangiti kong sinabi, “Kuya, Hindi ako magkakanumber pag hindi ako umorder sa baba, wala akong Royal pag hindi ako umorder sa baba, sa tingin mo, bakit ako may kutsara’t tinidor, kung hindi ako umorder sa baba?” Biglang tumakbo yung waiter pababa, pagakyat niya tinanong niya ako kung asan ang resibo ko, doon ko lang napansin na wala akong resibo, dito hindi na ako kumalma, war mode na ako! “Hindi ako binigyan ng resibo!” Tumakbo siya ulet, pagakyat niya may kasama na siyang babae sa cashier ata, Tinanong nila ako ng order ko, sinabi ko at ang sinabi lang ng cashier ay kakacall palang daw. Ibig sabihin noon, panibagong pagaantay na naman.

Since irita na ako, tinawag ko ulet ang waiter. Tinanong ko kung ano ang nangyari sabi niya wala daw nakapending dun sa lugar na pinaglalagyan nila ng order, ung parang sinasabitan ng resibo. Tinanong ko siya kung gaano katagal pa, sabi niya “paantay antay lang po.” Sabi ko, kanselin nalang yung order kong chicken, yung royal nalang ang babayaran ko kasi naimom ko na siya. Siyempre hindi siya papayag, kasi napunch na daw, e kung siya kaya ang ipunch ko, haha!

After 20 minutes, dumating na din ang pinaglalaban ko, kaso wala pa din akong resibo! Tinanong ko yung nagdeliver, hindi ako pinansin, tinatawag ko yung waiter, ayaw din akong pansinin. Badtrip na talaga ako, pero saglit lang, kakain muna ako. Hindi ko rin naenjoy ang pagkain ko, kasi ang alam ko sa sizzling, kumukulo dapat ang gravy niya. Ung sizzling ko, malamig, ung chicken may konting dugo pa, kaya di ko na inubos. Gantihan na ito!

Pagkatapos kong kumain, nilapitan ko yung snob na waiter, hinanap ko ang resibo ko, hindi niya alam. Kapag sumagot pa siya, eksena na talaga ang gagawin ko, so kalmado ko pa ring sinabi na kailangan ko ng resibo ko. Sabi niya sa cashier nalang daw, so baba ako, pagbaba ko nakita ko yung cashier na nagtake ng order ko at hinanap ko ang resibo ko. Sinabi niya sa kin, “Sir, nawala po kasi yung resibo niyo we," WRONG ANSWER! Sinagot ko siya na “paano yanm kailangan ko ng resibo ko?: May kasama na ata siyang parang bossing niya, habang natataranta yung cashier, siya na ang kumausap sa akin para itanong kung okay lang ba na i O.R. yung order ko, kasi daw baka nilipad lang yung resibo ko. WRONG STATEMENT ULET! Sinabi ko, “Kaya tumagal ang order ko? Kasi nililipad ang mga resibo niyo?” Nagmadali silang kumilos dalawa, yung cashier sa pagsusulat ng O.R. ung bossing sa pagsigurado na nakuha ko yung order ko. Tapos bigla kong sinabi na, “alam nu pwede ko kayong ireklamo sa ginagawa niyo! Wag na wag niyong iwawala ang resibo kasi dahil doon, sinasayang niyo ang oras ko! Next time, ayusin niyo ha!” Pagkakuha ng resibo ko, walk out agad.

Hindi naman ako masamang customer we, pero pag may mga masamang pangyayari, kahit ang pinakamabait na tao, nagiging irate din!

 

Ang Kwento ng 10,000 Cedis

Kareresign lang ni Lorena sa company namin last January (ata). Actually, hindi na sila nagabot ni Dave. Makulit si Lorie, nakakatawa, matapang, palaban, at sobrang nagjijive kami sa kalokohan. Malungkot din nung nagresign siya, kasi wala na akong partner in crime sa office, pero we always do our best to keep in touch, lagi kaming magkachat sa ym, magkatext, at minsan naguusap sa phone. Lahat ng tsismis sa office, kahit wala na siya sa company, alam pa din niya dahil sa kin. Palagi kaming updated sa mga nangyayari sa aming dalawa, at minsan may mga nakakatawa pa ding pangyayari kahit na hindi na kami magkasama sa isang opisina.

Nangyari lang ito last Friday, normal lang ang lahat sa office. Ng biglang nagchat si Lorie,

Lorena: Buzz!

Lorena: Ano na?

Ako: Uy! Ito ganun pa din. Kamusta?

Lorena: May alam ka bang money changer?

Ako: Haha… so nagpapapalit ka nalang ng pera ngayon? (Wala pa kasi siyang work kaya nagbibussiness siya)

Lorena: Hindi, kasi chineck ko ung isang wallet ko, madaming pera ng ibang bansa, e nung chineck ko ung isang value ng cedi e 27 pesos per 1 cedi, e nung binilang ko, aabot siya ng 270,000 pesos.

Biglang natigil ang mundo ko ng makita ko ang 270,000 sa chat box ko. Deadma muna sa trabaho. Concentrate muna sa chikahan with Lorena. Kaya ang sunod kong reply sa kanya ay:

Ako: Weh? Hahaha…. Wait hindi ko gets ano ang cedi? Cedi ang munting prinsipe? Hehe…

Agad agad, nagbukas ako ng wikipedia para malaman kung ano ang pinagsasabi ni Lorena. Habang nagloload ang screen bigla siyang nag chat na:

Lorena: Cedi is ang monetary curency ng Ghana! hahaha…

Swear, gusto kong mag summersault nung nabasa ko yun. Tawa ako ng tawa dahil of all the currency na pwedeng mapunta sa kanya, bakit ang Cedi pa? 10,000 Cedis pa ang mayroon siya. Hinayaan kong magpatuloy si Lorena sa pagchachat. Sabi niya, binigay daw sa kanya ng isang kaibigan ang ganung kalaking halaga. Nakita niya yung pera nung nililinis niya ang luma niyang wallet. Nung nalaman niya na malaki ang value noon, dali dali siyang naginternet para lang makakuha ng information about sa currency at kung paano mapapalitan ang pera. Sabi ko, try niya sa mga banks, nakapagemail na siya. Nagpost na rin siya sa yahoo answers para malaman kung mayroon ba talagang palitan doon. Hanggang sa sinabi niya sa akin na itatry daw niya sa central bank, at kung pwede ko siyang samahan. Hahaha… Sabi ko na nga ba e!

Naging serious na ang mga susunod na nangyari. Daming pumasok sa isipan ko. Iniisip ko kung paano nga kung mapapalitan namin ang perang iyon sa ganoong halaga? Pak! Winner! Paano naman kung hindi? Okay lang, at least we’ve tried. Paano kung kwestionin kami ng BSP kung saan namin nakuha ang ganoon kalaking halaga, at idetain nalang kami, tapos bigla kaming lumabas sa news? Oh my, kahihiyan!

Sinabi ko nalang muna sa kanya na antayin ang mga reply ng mga banko na inemail nia, sabi ko din na magemail na rin siya sa BSP para sure. Hehe… Supportive ako na friend we, pati sabi ko sa kanya bilhan niya ako ng laptop pag napapalitan namin. Hehe…

Kagabi, magkachat na naman kami. Siyempre pinaguusapan pa din namin ang 10,000 cedis. Ayon sa mga reply sa kaniya, sinabi ng mga banko sa kanya na hindi daw nila napaplitan ang ganoong currency, try daw niya sa central bank. Nagreply din ang central bank, na hindi daw parte iyon ng mga currency na pinapalitan nila, try na daw niya sa Ghana Consulate (Wow, diba? May ganito pala sa Pinas). Nagemail na siya sa Ghana Consulate, at ito ang reply sa kaniya:

“As consulates, please be advise that we don’t exchange currency here in the office.”

Nung sinabi niya sa kin ito, sabi ko tanungin niya, kung san pwede papalitan. Hopia ako we, gusto kong magkalaptop! Ito ang reply,

“I’m sorry, but I also don’t know where you can change it because its something that we never encounter.”

Pak na pak ang reply! Sinabi ko nalang kay Lorena na huwag na kaming tumuloy! At siyempre sa desktop ko pa din sinusulat ang post na ito!

The Accident

It was raining that dawn; I was standing in front of our house smoking. The morning was pretty ordinary, its cold like it’s always been. Then, I saw a fast motorcycle passed where I stood, after 10 seconds, I heard something clashed. I have idea of what might had happened that time, I said a little prayer then looked at the direction where the sound was coming from, and it was a sight that will not be easy to forget.

The motorcycle that passed my way was now down on the street floor. Its rider is also down. His limbs were in the middle of his motorcycle and the wet street floor. You will see in the Rider’s face that he was in excruciating pain. He looked disappointed, hurt and uncomfortable all at the same time. The poor fellow wasn’t able to get up right away, he was lucky that someone was in the street corner who helped him get up, put his motorcycle at the side of the road and ask him if he was okay. He sat there for a while; I wanted to go to him to ask him if he was okay or if he needed medical attention. But I just watched him from where I stand because I saw him already walking towards a tricycle, then he started to argue its driver.

From what I’ve heard the motorcycle was crossing our street’s intersection when this tricycle just appear on his left, the motorcycle rider lost its balance while the tricycle just lost its composure and hit the sidewalk hurting its drivers toe. I left them still arguing, they still cannot decide whose fault it was and how they will settle it. It was a more pitiful site compared to seeing the motorcycle driver on the street floor. I left because it was no use staying there and watching two people who doesn’t want to settle things.

After all the things that happened I really don’t understand why after an accident, an argument must occur. Maybe that is the problem with most of us, we always look for other’s fault that we failed to recognize our own flaws. That after all the unfortunate things that happened to us, we still have the strength to blame other people rather than to contemplate where we have gone wrong and correct things in a diplomatic way. It is really an attitude that all of us, including me, that needs polishing.

On the contrary, what was good about what happened was that it still nice to know that good people still exists. They may come in the most painful situation but they still do. So whatever accident you are into, never lose hope, one day, someone will pick you up on the wet street floor and will assist you until everything is okay.

Book Report

My landlady asked me to create a book report for her Son. Actually, it was my friend’s recommendation that brought me into this chaos that I don’t even know if I will be able to surpass.

I really don’t know why I should be pressured with it. Maybe because the last time I remembered creating a book report was still way back in High School and during that time I still have a lot of time reading, analyzing every detail, studying and writing. Right now, I can say that during my spare time, I’m sleeping or I’m at FACEBOOK. Another thing, the student who I am writing the book report for is also studying on a Science High School. Though I know the “Scientian” way of doing things, it adds up the pressure because things are way different now, kids are smarter these days and they have every technology in the world to assist them with all of their school needs. The book was also given to me yesterday, I have read the first two chapters, and the submission is on two days from now.

I really don’t understand why some parents tolerate the fact that someone else is doing their child’s project. Back then, I was just on my own, trying to maximize what my family have to accomplish every school requirement left for me just to finish school. Though I know I will get some sort of pay, or bragging rights by doing it, it’s upsetting that money has played a big part in achieving something. How unfair the world has become, right?

I just hope I will be able to meet my deadline, because I’m sure, I will be in great trouble if I wont.