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We arrived in Naga after 10 hours of travel. The VP told me her address and gave me (!!) her number. She told me to text her if I'm ready to meet her again. I texted my friend,
"Bakla, nasa terminal na ako. Sana gising ka na," I looked at my watch and it's just half past 6 in the morning.
My friend and I decided to have breakfast at Aling Cely's. I told her about my recent escapades and she lauded me for my YOLO-attitude.
"Mamamatay ka na ba?" She randomly ask over a bowl of hot Kinalas.
"Siguro, kaya ang lakas ng loob ko," I told her casually.
"Gaga, ang mga mamamatay na, di sila aware."
"Paano mo nasabi?" I asked her.
"Kasi kapag aware ka pa, gagawa ka pa ng mga bagay na ikahahaba ng buhay mo. If di ka aware, mas madali kang kunin," She casually replied.
I knocked on the wooden table. "Hayop, bakit ba patay patay ba usapan natin?"
"E kasi biruin mo un, nagawa mo un para lang mapansin ka ni Presidente? So not you!"
"Di ko rin alam e. Sayang e. Sure ako lilingon siya pag sinigaw ko pangalan ni Robredo and confirmeeed!" We laughed loudly together.
"Type nya nga kasi," Erin blurted out.
"Kaya nga siya ung ginamit ko pagkuha ng atensyon, di ba?"
"Anyway, saan at kelan kayo mag-usap nung author? Samahan ba kita?"
"Teka, text ko now," I pulled out my phone and typed a message for the author. I hit send and we waited for a text reply.
A call came.
"Hello?"
"Benny? Nasa Naga ka na?"
"Yes sir! Good morning! Saan po kaya tayo today, may book signing ka ba dito, punta nalang ako dun."
"Sa Villa Caceres, 8 am. See you,"
"See you sir! Um puwede bang magdala ng –"
He hung up before I get to finish my sentence. Again.
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