Is there a time in your life when you meet a person, he smiles at you, even waves and you had this puzzled face? He walks closer but you took several steps backward. He calls you by your nickname. Then, that moment:
Him: Ping? (smiles widely)
Me: Huh? (sbout to run)
Him: It’s me. (fixes his baseball cap)
Me: Sorry. I think it’s not me you’re looking for…I mean…(looks around)…Hindi kasi kita kilala eh.
That’s great. People know are staring…mga tsismoso.
Him: Hindi ako pwede magkamali. It’s you Pia. (holds my hand)
Me: (ouch! that’s my first name) Yes. I’m Pia pero kasi hi—
Him: (removes his cap) It’s me. Pumunta ka lang ng Manila, ganyan ka na?
Me: (shocked) Gawd! Yes! You lo..look familiar. (light laugh) Pero…sorry…saan nga ba tayo nagkakilala?
Him: (frowned then hugged me) Bakit ka ganyan?
Me: (about to cry) Huh?
I couldn’t fool myself. Yeah, I know him. Really. Totally. I just wanted to fool myself. Malay mo naman gumana eh. Pero mali. Ganoon pa rin siya. He still know my weakness – that hug.
I don’t want to live back way.
Living in every words you say.
Him: (faces me again) I’m happy na nagkita tayo uli. (smiles widely) Ping, (pause) alam kong mali ang place pero hindi ko na mapigilan eh. (pause) Can I ask you out later?
Me: (nervous) Sorry talaga ha? Pero hindi ko kasi makalkal sa memorya ko kung sino at ano ka sa buhay ko eh. (target spotted! another lie)
Him: (sigh) You look so innocent. (chuckles) Sunduin kita mamaya sa bahay niyo. Ako bahala kay tita. (then he run away)
I was left their stunned.
Dad: Ping? Ok na ‘tong ang mga food supplies mo?
Me: (snapped back to reality) Ah…yes Pa. Ok na yan. Baka mahirapan na ako mamaya niyan eh. (walks into his direction)
Dad: Oh cge. Alis na tayo? Para hindi ka ma late sa flight mo.
I smiled..konti lang.
We entered the car.
And the car’s engine started.
