That Night 🌈

Pride Story Episode 1

My best friend called me last Thursday late afternoon around 5:30 pm asking if I can come over to drink with him. Since this pandemic shit happened, I never take down any invites from my friends because to be honest, I badly need it too. Like kung pwede lang everyday may lakad!

I arrived there before 7pm I guess. We bought a few snacks and bisyo (yosi) Bisyo ko daw as he calls it. Then went up to their unit. Hindi naman ako na-inform na sa roof deck pala sila. Buti na lang may silbi yung exercise ko.

The place was really nice. Super laki ng open area and there's another stairs going up sa water tank na spacious enough din para tambayan at enjoyin ang view.

We had dinner together joined by his niece and her husband. The four of us shared the super sarap na liempo with toyo-calamnsi-with-siling sawsawan. Ayaw pa nyang maniwala na hindi nga ako magrrice. Nag-rice naman ako pero dalawang kutsara lang ata.

We both started drinking after. Ang saya lang kasi bonding na naman kami just like what we did sa birthday ni Bestie #2 na pumunta din later on.

Hindi ako sure what time nakadating yung isa naming bestie with another friend we call 'Mama Emz'.

When they came, the four of started drinking together. By the way, kasama pa din namin si husband ng pamangkin ni Bestie #1.

We were having fun telling stories about anything and everything when suddenly, college days partying moments were mentioned.

And I never imagined na never ko pa palang nakwento sa kanila 'to.

My disclaimer was:

Believe it or not pero this really happened. Kung palagay ninyo na super fairytale-like or drama-like story 'to, bahala na kayo. Basta I swear it happened.

By the way, the sole purpose of writing this blog is to actually make this a reminder of that story. Ayokong kalimutan.

College ako nun and medyo naging bida-bida sa photography kaya naging ka-close ko even yung ibang college students sa ibang department. Kinukuha nila ako to either shoot their college events especially pageants. Then through that, I met this 'manager' who happens to be the handler of few pageant contestants na pipicturan ko. So there.

There was one time that this 'manager' invited me to party with them. I didn't worry though kasi kilala ko naman lahat ng kasama that time. Sad lang na hindi ko kasama yung mga friends ko. Yung buong barkada namin ni Bestie #1 & #2.

I could still remember wearing black jeans, and a black sweater with a denim jacket and a pair of white sneakers. Long hair pa ako nun, na normally nilalagyan ko ng Gatsby soft wax. Yung bangs portion nakaseparate na tali sa bandang taas sa likod then lahat nakatali na pataas. Super neat. Walang tikwas.

At naalala ko din na naka blush-on ako ng very light and red lipstick. Yun ang awra ko nung early college days.

Source: https://images.summitmediadigital.com/esquiremagph/images/2017/08/17/Clubs_Aug2017_Embassy.jpg

We arrived at Embassy Bar at around 10:30 ata? Just in time for Party Hours until past midnight.

We started drinking and partying and just really get into the beat ika nga.

It was past midnight I guess when I started to feel exhausted and medyo nawala na din sa mood. I decided to go out. I remember one college student asked me If I'm going home already and even apologized if I don't enjoy their company but I said, I just need some fresh air and I'll be back.

Finally, nung nasa labas na ako, I just took a deep breath. and started walking. Some peeps are already wasted and drunk as hell sa labas. Sukahan talaga eh!

And just when I reach the end of the lane, there was a girl who's crying ugly na nakaupo sa gutter.

Yes guys, I know what your thinking... but remember what I said sa disclaimer ko sa mga friends ko, if you want to believe it then thank you if not then okay :)

She was talking to someone on the phone shouting and cursing then put her phone down. When I say crying ugly, like literally scattered mascara all over her face.

Some people na kilala ko from before until ngayon sometimes tell me na "Alam mo, you're such a gentleman... As in. Hindi mo siguro napapansin."

*If you'll ever get the chance to read the AU I wrote, I actually use that for my lead's character.

I took my hanky from my pocket then approached her. "Hey, miss... here, you need this."

It took a while before she finally looks at me at kinuha yung hanky and starts wiping off her tears.

"Do you need company?" I asked.

Ang tagal sumagot, so sabi ko na lang, "Take it easy." Naglakad na ako. About two steps,

"Hey! Please stay! Please!" She yelled. Naalala ko pa kung gaano ka-shaky yung boses nya habang sumisinghot sya. Super iyak pa din sya. So I stayed. I sat beside her, intertwined my fingers habang nakadantay yung braso ko sa tuhod ko. Hindi ako nagsalita. Basta andun lang ako. Besides, gusto ko lang naman din talaga huminga.

We sat there for God knows how long and not talking. Pag medyo lumalakas yung iyak nya at humihikbi sya, I just softly pat her back. Until finally nung naramdaman kong medyo humupa na ang pagiyak nya, niyaya ko syang maglakad.

"I'm going for a walk, care to join me?" Nagaantay lang yung kamay ko na hindi ko alam kung mapapahiya ba pero hindi naman kasi humawak naman sya at saka tumayo.

That's when I noticed na ang ganda nya. Swear.

She's wearing a black silk dress, both spaghetti straps, and pair of a black stiletto. Nakalugay lang ang buhok nya. Yung mukhang pang commercial na walang tikwas.

If familiar kayo sa area ng Embassy year 2008-2009, wala pang building masyado nun and ilan lang ang mga establishments. Shempre hindi mawawala ang McDo.

So while we're walking, I asked kung gusto nya magkape. Buti at hindi maarte at pinatulan ang offer kong kape ng McDo. I also made myself distant from her baka kasi isipin nya mapagsamantala ako. Nakakahiya naman.

Hindi din kami naguusap habang naglalakad. Medyo mahaba din yun pero wala lang. No one dared to start a conversation.

When we're inside McDo. Umupo lang sya agad at ako naman derecho sa counter at umorder.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa. Hindi kami nag-uusap habang nagkakape kami.

I noticed na maputi sya. As in kutis mayaman. Malamang may isang set to ng skin care products. Matangos din ang ilong at malalim ang mata. Maybe merong foregin blood.

Pero pramis! Ang ganda nya talaga. Swear.

Hanggang sa maubos namin ang kape, hindi kami nagusap.

"Balik na tayo?"

She just nodded. Ayaw nya ata akong kausap talaga. Wala lang syang choice kasi pinahiram ko sya ng panyo at nilibre ng kape! That's what I felt that time! Hahaha!

When we are half-way there, biglang umangkla yung kamay niya sa braso ko.

"Tired? Gusto mo upo tayo ulit?"

She just shook her head. Oh 'di ba? ayaw talaga akong kausap!

Nasa dulo na kami ng block papasok sa lane ng Embassy,

"Can we walk pa? I mean okay lang ba? Isang ikot pa?" She asked.

Arte pa ba ako? "Sure, sige lang." So we walked.

Kabilang block naman ang nilakad namin paikot sa likod which is mas mahabang lakaran.

"Okay ka na?" I asked.

She just nodded again. Wala kang kwenta Palitz! Hahaha!

"Thank you." She said.

"You're welcome. Just tell me if you're tired. We can sit somewhere."

"Sure."

I guess we both became comfortable walking side by side. Both our silence is comforting too.

"Can I put my hand on your pocket? I'm feeling cold."

So shempre, sulitin na natin ang pagiging gentleman. I draped my jacket around her shoulder.

"Balik mo nalang when we get there."

"Thank you!"

Oo na! Masyadong pang drama series! Eh ano ngang magagawa ko kung nangyari talaga 'yan?!

Nung malapit na kami sa lane, both her hands are now holding my arm.

When we reached the entrance, nakayakap na sya sa akin and my hand reached her waist.

Ewan ko ba, ganun ba talaga yung mga nagbabar dati? Yun bang parang ang lakas ng loob mo lang to meet a stranger tapos gawin yung mga ganun gestures. Haiii... Life!

The music was still loud that time. Almost full pa din ang buong place. Ang dami pading may energy na magparty.

"Let's go there." Tinuro nya yung bar area.

We both sat on a bar stool na magkalapit. Her legs fill in the gap of my legs that are apart. And pareho kaming naka-lean forward so we can hear each other.

"Order something. It's the least I can do." She whispered to my ear.

Nag-order ako ng favorite kong vodka sprite. Same din ang in-oder nya.

"Cheers!" That's the first time I saw her smile.

Ang ganda talaga nya! Swear!

"So you're okay na?" I asked.

"Yup! Thank you so much!"

I tried my best to remember every detail of our convo while we're having drinks sa bar area but this is all I can remember.

"Can you share it with me? What happened?"

"My boyfriend, well, ex na for sure is with my best friend now. When he's supposed to be here for our monthsary."

"I see. Well, she's not your best friend. Yun lang yun."

"I don't know."

"Wait, what's between them by the way? I mean, you just said that your ex is with her. What about it?"

"My best friend is out of town right now for a family event. What else do you want me to think about it?"

"Ayun lang."

Ang naaalala ko lang na-kwento nya kung pano sila nagmeet. Within their circle of friends nitong college then yun. Si best friend nya eh since high school pa. Waley! Hindi talaga best friend yun! Hahahaha!

Naaalala ko din na nabanggit nyang more than a year na sila nung ex nya. Oh well...

"Can I assume?" She asked.

"Go on..."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Ginaya ko sya, I shook my head. Hahahaha!

"How long ng wala?"

"Hmm... ilang months na din. Okay na yun!"

"You've moved on already?"

"I think so. I'm okay naman na."

"Why did you break up?"

So shempre, kinuwento ko pero hindi ko na iku-kwento dito :)

"Awww... why???"

"That's life" *I remember ito yung parang slogan ko palagi dati. That's life.

"No... Why?"

"Stop asking. Okay na yun."

Kinulit nya ako sa kung anu-anong mga kwento. Tagal din namin nagkakwentuhan at nagkatawanan. Naka 3 glasses ata akong vodka sprite nun. Sya... hindi ko na maalala. We found comfort with each other I guess. Parang wala lang, kami lang yung tao dun. Yung pakiramdam na wala kaming pakialam sa kung sinu-sino. I enjoyed my time with her.

Suddenly tinawagan na ako ni 'college student' asking kung nasa bar pa daw ako at worried silang baka umuwi na ako. So sabi ko na lang I bumped into a friend so ayun.

Sya din tinawagan na ng friend nya.

"Come, meet my friends." She said.

"No need. It's fine."

Ewan ko, parang hindi ko lang feel na ma-introduce kung kanino nung gabing yun kaya hindi ko na mineet yung friends nya. Itinawid ko lang sya sa kabilang side na medyo hirap kami dahil madami pa ding tao.

Yes, we were holding hands. HOLDING HANDS.

She returned my jacket.

"Your name I forgot to ask!" She said.

"Palitz."

Eto na maganda dyan... Hindi ko maalala yung name nya :( All I can remember is a one-syllable name.

Parang Sam, Pat, Kat... something like that.

Pasok Bobby!

So yes. Ganun ang nangyari.

Pagbalik ko kela 'manager' and 'college student,' nakiparty lang ako ulit.

That's when it hits me. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, Shucks. Hindi ko na makikita yun ulit. For sure.

Almost everyone in the group is wasted na. So nagdecide na kaming lumabas. I remember sa sobrang lasing nung isang pageant contestant, lumabas sya ng Embassy tapos pumasok sa Jaipur! Hahaha!

Nasa labas lang kami ng Embassy, around 4 na ata nun? or 5. Yung ibang nakaupo sa gutter sige suka. May iba naman nagaaway na. Mga magjojowang mahilig umeksena sa mga bar. Sarap manood.

Ako nakatayo lang sa gilid near the entrance while waiting kung makakauwi na ba. Hindi ako makauwi nun magisa kasi bukod sa malayo at takot akong magtaxi mag-isa, meron naman kasing sasakyan si 'manager' at hindi din naman ako nagmamadaling makauwi. So far okay okay pa ako that time.

Nagulat na lang ako when someone called me.

"PALITZ!!!"

I turned around and saw her sa harap ng entrance.

Lumapit ako to ask kung uuwi na ba sya. Baka kasi magpagpag pa sila ng friends nya hahahaha!

Sabi nya lang uuwi na sya, at walang dalang car yung friends nya kasi nga supposedly magpapaka-wasted sila. So sabi ko samahan ko na lang syang maghintay ng taxi. So we walked going to the main street.

YES. MAGKAHOLDING HANDS PO KAMI.

Our last moments are the ones very vivid to me. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. At sya din. Hindi kami nagsasalita.

Tapos ngumiti sya. Napangiti din ako. Then inakbayan ko na sya. She then wraps both her arms around my waist while she rest her head in between my chest and neck.

I-copy-paste ko lang ito kasi bagay eh:

Ewan ko ba, ganun ba talaga yung mga nagbabar dati? Yun bang parang ang lakas ng loob mo lang to meet a stranger tapos gawin yung mga ganun gestures. Haiii... Life!

When the cab stops in front of us, we both released that hug. Oo, yakap na yun eh!

"Ingat ka ah! And don't cry again, hindi bagay sa'yo tsaka sayang make-up mo!"

Natawa sya.

"Thank you for the night Palitz."

"You're welcome. Thanks din."

At ito na nga ang nakakaloka...

She cupped my face then kissed me.

OO, KINISS NYA AKO!!!

Pasok Tiffany Young! Now Playing: Lips on Lips

It was really unexpected.

It wasn't a peck but all I can remember is that, it was the sweetest. :(

I kissed her forehead then inalalayan ko na sya pag sakay ng taxi.

Guest ko ulit si Bobby kasi pag-alis na pag-alis ng taxi, na-realize kong hindi ko nakuha ang number nya.

It's been 12 years? Pero hindi ko pa din makalimutan. Sabi ko nga, ayokong kalimutan.

Sabi ni Mama Emz, and ni Bestie #2, malay ko daw kung mag-meet kami ulit. Kaso ang sagot ko is that, maybe that's why it happened that way... kasi hanggang dun lang talaga. Nothing more.

Thinking about it now, she's probably married and with kids. Pwede ding, just happily married. Or maybe with a girlfriend. Or pwede ding single pa din. No one knows.

Wherever you are, you probably don't remember this. Hahaha!

But tbh, hoping ako na baka naaalala mo pa.

Palitz here. :)