We cannot win every war. But we need to choose which battle we need to fight and win from it.
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A good friend of mine asked me kung gusto ko bang i-share ang story ko. Ako naman, a bit hesitant, told him na okay lang naman, pero gusto ko sana ako ang susulat 80% ng story. Pumayag naman siya, and told me it was more than what we had expected. He showed me as well about this site, at nagulat ako na gusto niyang ilagay dito ang story namin ni Lanz.
I asked him, kung ano ba ang genre ng story, he was honest naman. Nagbasa basa din ako ng ibang story, and I had the grasp of kung ano ba. So I asked him, kung bang pumayag si Lanz sa proposal and to my surprise, sabi niya, he was about to publish the first story.
Quick introduction about me, Liam, not my real name, but that’s my nickname. Married, with one kid, staying in Kyoto. I’ll share with you my point of view, which I think Lanz did not cover from her story.
It was my second year in college nung napasama ako sa isang org ng mga aspiring journalists and writer sa Pilipinas. That time, I was so bored with my life as a student. End of my first year college, one of my professors told me to join the org, sayang daw kasi ang talent ko sa pagsusulat.
I took the liberty to undergo all the screening and what not para sa org. Di naman ako nahirapang pumasok noon dahil nakakuha din ako ng mga reco from prof at mga seniors na former member ng org. Our chief editor and quality control editor included me in their list of people who will join a three day summit in Boracay. At that time, I was not sure kung bakit ako ang isasama sa summit, to think na bago lang ako nun. But since it was an all expense trip courtesy ng org budget, nag go na ako. The summit will take place in one month, and medyo nagulat ako kasi silang dalawa ang kasama ko.
At that time, fresh from break up palang ako sa girlfriend ko from highschool days. Kaya okay na okay ako sa magiging kasama ko sa Bora, dalawang naggagandahang seniors. We made our preparations two weeks before the summit. Our editor in chief was one of the speakers at the summit. By the way, taga Katips din ako, dun kami sa may laging tumatakbong hubad kada upisa ng school year.
Two nights before the summit, we stayed sa bahay ng QCE namin na si ate Lyka to make sure that we would arrive at the airport on time. Nauna akong dumating sa, then after two more hours, our EIC, ate Ren, dumating na din at hinatid ng boyfriend niya. Nakaayos naman na ang gamit ko, so we were just planning our itinerary for the three day summit. First day will be like all talks from the invited speakers and sponsors tsaka activities sa second half. The second day will be a talk from the selected school orgs all day. On the third day, half day lang ang activities, then the rest of the day, until the close of the summit, bahala na kami sa buhay namin.
On our second night, nasa kwarto kaming tatlo, just finishing the write up speech na ide deliver ni ate Ren. I did all the quality check ng speech niya, while the two of them were just browsing ng mga bikini nila. Di ko nalang sila pinapansin, kasi naman bukod sa ma didistract yung ginagawa ko, eh madidistract talaga ako sa kanila. Ate Lyka looks like Cheska Garcia that time at si ate Ren naman is very much like Michelle Aldana. At ako, di ko alam kung sino talaga kahawig ko, pero ang pinaka malapit ko daw that time was Borgy Manotoc, pero payatot.
Naghaharutan silang dalawa sa kama when something landed on my head. Nung kunin ko, it was pink bikini panty.
“Liam! Nooo! Hihihi” tatawa tawa pa si ate Lyka nang mapalingon ako sa kanila. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.
“Here, take it.” nang iabot ko sa kanya ang bikini panty niya at saka ako bumalik sa ginagawa ko.
“Liam, may dala ka bang gamit pang beach?” ang tanong naman sa akin ni ate Ren. Mabilis na yes lang sinagot ko sa kanila.
Maya maya lumabas silang dalawa sa room. Nilingon ko yung kama at napansin kong madaming damit at beach attire ang naka kalat. Lumabas na din ako ng room so I can smoke sana, kaso wala sila. Lumabas ako sa garden ng bahay at naghanap ng spot para mag smoke. Pagbalik ko sa room, nagulat pa ako at naka pang bikini ang dalawa, at tawang tawa sila sa reaction ko. Lumabas nalang ako ulit at nagpahupa ng tigas ng alaga ko.
We were on flight pa Boracay, maaga ang flight namin. Those two ladies asked me to sit in between them, at ginawa nila akong resting head at natulog lang sila. Di parin mawala sa isip ko yung ayos nila, na nakasuot ng bikini. I don’t know if it was just cold inside the plane or because I feel horny sa mga kasama ko.
The first day of the summit, I felt bored although there was some good talk from the guest speakers. Semi formal ang first day ng summit and it intends to be that way all throughout. I was wearing board shorts and white Ts and shades. Yung dalawa kong kasama naman, naka slides, short shorts and polo shirt, di lang ako sure kung ano ang suot nila sa ilalim nun. I only imagined na naka bikini sila. We took our lunch to a cafeteria catered by the summit. By three in the afternoon, tapos na ang first day ng summit.
The three of us decided to hit the shore line. They were wearing their bikinis at naka tshirt sa ibabaw, while me, kung ano yung suot ko sa summit, yun na yun. I ordered our beer and brought sa shoreline, nakaupo sila sa bench. After nila maubos yung isang bote ng beer, they removed their shirt, at saka pumunta sa shore line. I think it took them an hour before they returned to the bench. I asked them if gusto ba nila ng another drink which they said yes.
Pabalik na ako sa shoreline with the drinks when I bumped to someone. Pagtalikod ko sa bar kasi may umumpog sa akin.
“Ow! Oohhh aray” ang sabi nito habang hawak hawak ang noo na nakayuko.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” ang tanong ko sa kanya, ibinaba ko ang isang beer para icheck ang baba ko kasi dun ako tinamaan.
“Do I look okay? Masakit nga diba?” nakatingala na ito ngayon sa akin at nakasimangot. Maganda sana, kaso napaka sungit ang bulong ko sa sarili ko.
“What? Were you saying something?”
“I said, I’m sorry di ko sinasadya. Is there anything that I can do to amend it with you?” ang sabi ko sa kanya. Medyo naiirita na din ako sa kasungitan niya.
“Are you being sarcastic? Next time, check your surrounding kasi.”
“I said sorry na diba. Thank you for the advice, but you should take it as well.” sabi ko at saka naglakad na.
“Antipatiko.” ang sagot nito sa akin. Di ko nalang pinansin.
Before ako lumabas, I looked at her direction, pero naka talikod na ito. She has long black hair, I’m not familiar with women’s hair style pero para siyang V shape, tapos lampas scapula ang haba. She was wearing black shirt and denim short shorts. I drew a deep sigh then walked out of the bar. When I reached the benches, I saw the two na may mga kausap nang mga guys. Pinakilala nila ako pero umalis na din ako at makapag lakad lakad sa shore line.
It was I think seven or eight when I returned sa room namin. Pagbalik ko, andun na si ate Lyka at ate Ren. They were somehow tipsy na at nakapag palit naman na sila. I took my shower, at mag smoke sana ako sa labas when ate Ren called me. Sabi niya, there were some changes sa second day, and I will be the one who will deliver the speech. Wala naman na akong nagawa so, I read it again, before I went to sleep.
The next day, nauna na ako sa venue. Wrong move kasi I did not take any breakfast nor coffee man lang. The organizer asked all student speakers to sit in front of the stage. My seat assignment was next to the Ateneo seat. I went to our group table and saw that the ladies were already there waving at me and smiling.
“I’m sorry Liam, I’m passing it to you. Coffee?” ang sabi sakin ni ate Ren sabay abot ng kape.
“Okay lang, thanks. I think the summit is about to start. Balik na ako doon.” ang sagot ko sa kanila sabay balik sa front seats.
Pagbalik ko may nakaupo na sa mga upuan doon, ako nalang pala ang wala sa area. I greeted the student who was sitting to my left. Yung nasa right side ko naman ay kausap ang katabi niya sa right side niya. I look down sa papel na hawak ko, read it again ng mabilisan.
“Hi, good morning!” ang bati sakin ng katabi ko sa kanan.
“Oh, hello…good…morning” natulala ako sa nakita ko.
“Ikaw?” ang sabi niya sa akin.
“Me?”
“Yes!”
If only I could paint or kung hawak ko lang yung camera ko, I swear, I could have taken a picture of her. Bewildered siya at nanlalaki ang mga chinita niyang mata.
“Ikaw!…”
“…yung antipatiko kahapon sa bar.” ang biglang bulong niya sa akin. Pinagtinginan kasi kami nung mga katabi namin when she almost shouted.
“Hey, I already said sorry. How many times do I need to ask for your forgiveness?”
“Besides, hindi ko sinasadya yung kahapon..”
“Meet me later, same place, same time. Understood?” ang mataray na sagot niya sa akin. Medyo kinabahan ako, baka kasi trap, or ipaabangan ako. Bahala.
The whole day passed by. Well to be honest, I was amazed how she delivered her speech. It was the words she was saying, may sariling buhay. Meron siyang audience impact, bukod sa galing galing niyang mag salita, it was her looks as well. She looks like Pia Guanio na chinita. After the second day summit, kinwento ko kina ate Lyka at ate Ren ang nangyari, at medyo na intriga sila, so they agreed na samahan ako sa bar, but they will keep distance so that they can call for help agad agad, if needed.
The three of us walked papunta sa bar, at nung malapit na kami, nauna na ako pumasok and looked for her. Nakita ko siya na nakaupo sa left side, reading some book at mag isa lang siya sa table niya. I looked back sa dalawa kong kasama and gestured a thumbs up. I walked up to her direction and saw the book she was reading.
“Good read yan.” ang bati ko sa kanya, which she looked up to me.
“Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.” ang dugtong ko pa. Napataas ang kilay niya sa akin, and motioned to me to sit down.
“Do you read often?” ang tanong niya sakin, at saka niya ako inabutan ng menu from the bar.
“Depends. But my most favorite is To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“Really? That’s a very good book. Di ko lang pa siya tapos basahin.” medyo nag iba na ang aura niya that time. It was as if nakakilala siya ng someone na geek. Sayang, gandang babae, pero geek sabi ko sa sarili ko.
“So…”
“I just want to say sorry din sayo. Medyo naantipatikuhan lang talaga ako sayo kahapon.” ang paghingi niya ng sorry sa akin.
“Lanz.”
“Do you want anything? My treat.”
“Coffee, please”
“Sure.”
I almost forgot na may kasama nga pala ako that time na naka monitor sa akin. I texted them nalang na I’ll meet them nalang sa room later. We had a good talk that day, dun na din kami nag dinner. Marami kaming napagkwentuhan, from books, to places, to authors, cars, almost everything under the sun. Okay naman siya kausap, but I could sense that she is an alpha female. She would assert her dominance every time there is a chance. We ended the night by walking her malapit sa hotel nila, at saka ako dumiretso sa hotel namin.
“Soooo, how was it?” ang bungad sakin agad ni ate Ren. Ate Lyka was busy playing with her phone.
“Uhm, nag formal apology lang kami sa isa’t isa, then kwentuhan.” ang sagot ko naman.
“Formal apology? Dude, three hours kayong magkasama.” ang sagot naman ni ate Lyka. I don’t know if she was teasing me that time or naiirita.
“Do you know who she is?” ang tanong sakin naman ni ate Ren.
“No… Is there something that I need to know pa ba?” I was kinda confused with her question.
“I heard, she will be the next EIC ng Ateneo’s paper. She’s famous for her pretty face, body and brains din sa Katips.” ang sabi ni ate Lyka.
Nagkibit balikat naman ako sa sinabi nila. I didn’t really mind, di rin ako interested at that time. We prepared for our things and for the last day’s summit at saka natulog. Last day of the summit was somehow productive, with lots of activity. I was surprised din na Lanz and I would bump sa summit on our last day. She introduced me sa group nila at puro sila babae, same sa part ko, I introduced my group sa kanila, which nagulat pa kami ni ate Lyka dahil kakilala at friend din ni ate Ren ang EIC ni Lanz. I don’t know kung imagination ko lang that time, during our lunch sa cafeteria, nakadikit sakin si ate Lyka, but I didn’t mind at all.
Mas maagang natapos ang summit kesa sa scheduled end nito. We had extra time para magliwaliw sa beach front. Dumiretso na ako sa bar that time and waited for the two ladies. I was astounded with the sight nang dumating silang dalawa. Ate Lyka was wearing her pink bikini panty, yung naibato nila sa akin, at tinernuhan ng pink na bikini top, yung parang tinatali lang sa likod. Si ate Ren naman was wearing a white bikini set, yung parang t-back na at ang top niya was like any other top, but she has a huge bust, and as per ate Lyka, she’s a G cup kaya dalang dala na ang top niya. They were covered by white satin cloth from waist to their legs. Pinag titinginan sila ng mga lalake sa bar, at kahit yung mga nasa labas ng bar.
We were strolling sa beachfront nang makita namin ang grupo nila Lanz na nakahiga sa mga benches. The two EIC hugged each other at nagkwentuhan na at nakalimutan na nilang may iba silang kasama. Lanz was reading a book at nakataas pa ang paa while slouching sa bench. She was wearing a white bikini set at that time at shades, she smiled at me and said hi. Si ate Lyka naman, ay hinatak ang braso ko para makalakad lakad pero di pa kami nakakalayo ay inaya na siya ni ate Ren na mag stroll kasama ang friend niyang EIC. I walked back papunta sa bench kung san naka slouch si Lanz. Umupo ako sa bakanteng bench and looked at the sea.
“Is she your girlfriend?” ang basag sakin ni Lanz.
“Huh?” I was kinda confused with her question.
“I said, girlfriend mo ba yun, yung naka pink bikini.” ang ulit niya na itinaas pa ang kanyang shades.
“Ah si ate Lyka. No, she’s not. Nasa iisang org lang kami.”
“I see. I thought she’s your girlfriend and you are just being an asshole.” ang sabi niya in a flat tone. Ako naman ang napataas ng kilay.
“She likes you.” ang dugtong pa niya. Kibit balikat lang ang sagot ko.
“Are you not aware? The way she looks at you and the way she acts simula pa kanina sa summit, I already know she likes you. Do you want a bet?” I just drew a deep sigh.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t see it that way, besides, ate lang talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya.”
“Don’t you like her? Isn’t she beautiful? Look at the men here, isa siya sa pinag titinginan kaya dito. Or, don’t tell me, you are gay?”
I am still looking in their direction, at napaharap ako kay Lanz, who is already sitting on the bench, naka de ocho and she was already leaning towards me. Paglingon ko sa kanya, unang bumungad sa akin ang cleavage niya, at napalunok ako. This woman. Saka ako tumingin sa mata niya.
“Oh, so you are not gay at all. Nag enjoy ka ba?” sabay tingin niya sa cleavage niya. She was teasing me.
“Y-yeah. Very much.” ang wala sa sarili kong sagot sa kanya.
“. . . huh?? Bastos!” napaatras siya at napatakip sa kanyang dibdib, while I gazed my eyes on her beautiful face. Her face turned red.
We had dinner with the group of Lanz, but we didn’t have the chance to talk after the beachfront incident. We went to our room so that we can rest dahil maaga ulit ang flight namin kinabukasan. Ate Ren was talking to his boyfriend while I was smoking just outside the room. Ate Lyka was still in a foul mood, but she did not share kung bakit.
Kinabukasan, we were about to leave for airport nang may madaanan kaming commotion sa kabilang bangkaan. Nung una, di namin masyadong pinansin because it might some random early morning ruckus. But as we were passing by nakita ko yung friend ni ate Ren na nakikipagsagutan sa isang group ng mga lalaki. Ate Ren asked me if we could go to them to check what was happening and the three of us obliged.
I was shocked to see na umiiyak sa galit Lanz at that time, at mayroong lalaki ang naka hawak sa kanyang balikat. I know these guys, kasama sila sa summit. I barged in at dala dala ko pa ang duffle bag ko.
“What’s with the early ruckus?” ang sabi ko sa kanila. All of them turned their attention to me at that moment.
“Liam!” ang sigaw naman nung friend ni ate Ren.
“Kanina ka pa hinahanap ni Lanz, these guys here akala nila, we are free to mingle.” ang dugtong pa nito.
“Dude, we were just having fun here and asking for their number. That’s all.” ang sagot ng isa sa mga lalaki.
“Alright, but I think you heard her, they are not free to mingle. So…”
“And who you might be? Bakit ba nakikialam ka?” ang sabi ng lalaki na nakahawak sa balikat ni Lanz. Naglakad ako papunta dito at saka ko tinapik ang kamay nung guy.
“I am this lady’s boyfriend. Pinauna ko lang talaga sila dito kasi may nakalimutan akong kunin sa hotel namin. Did I answer your question?” ang sabi ko dito na nakangiti pa. I looked at Lanz and winked at her. I think I made her calm at that moment since nabawasan ang pagka tense ng katawan niya.
“So you can remove your hand na sa balikat niya, because I am the only one who can touch her.” at saka ko inagaw ang kamay ni Lanz at hinila papalapit sa akin upang mayakap. Sakto naman na may mga dumating na marshall sa area namin, nakatawag ng attention si ate Ren at ate Lyka agad agad.
Pagdating namin sa Caticlan Airport, ay agad na din kaming nag check in, muntik pa kaming hindi papasukin, because we were late. Sa iisang flight lang pala kami pabalik ng Manila. Ako ang pinaka last na nag check in at umakyat sa eroplano. Inside the cabin, I looked for my seat, and was surprised to see na ang kaibigan ni ate Ren ang magiging katabi ko.
“Hey, seatmate.” ang bati nito sa akin.
“Hello there. Kanina lang you were shouting out my name and now relegated to just “seatmate” ” ang sabi ko sa kanya.
“Lanz was right.” ang nakangiti pero nakataas na kilay ang sagot nito sa akin.
“Huh? About what?”
“Antipatiko ka nga haha! But anyway, thank you for saving us kanina, especially Lanz.”
“Nothing to worry about. I am just a humble citizen who is doing his duty.”
“What?” ang tanong ko sa kanya nang hindi siya sumagot sa akin, at nakangiti lang siya.
“Tama ulit si Lanz, witty ka nga.” ang sagot nito sa akin at napapa ngiti ngiti pa.
“Anyway, how do you want me to address you? I don’t even know your name.” ang sabi ko sa kanya.
“Beth. Elizabeth.”
Wala akong ganang makipag usap sa kanya the whole trip, and I just want to get a good sleep sana, kaso sadyang makulit ang katabi ko. All I could do was to humor her. Paglapag namin ng Manila, agad agad akong lumabas ng eroplano at nag punta sa luggage counter para kunin ang gamit ni ate Lyka at ate Ren. I texted the two that I got their luggages and they can meet me malapit sa exit. Nauna ko nang pinasakay ng taxi ang dalawa and I told them na mag bus nalang ako pauwi.
Nang makaalis ang cab nila, naglakad lakad pa ako at nag abang pa ng cab. Ayoko lang talaga sumabay sa kanila. Nang may pumarang taxi cab sa harap ko, binuksan ko ang pintuan sa harap, and to my surprise, may isa pang passenger ang nagbukas ng pintuan sa likod ng cab. Pagtingin ko, si Lanz pala.
“Oh. H-hey.” I closed the cab;s door, signaling that she can take the cab.
“S-san ba ang way mo?” ang tanong niya sa akin.
“Cubao.”
“Same route pala tayo. G-gusto mo sabay nalang tayo? We can share the bill.” ang sagot niya sa akin.
“No, its okay. You can take it. Mag aabang nalang ako ulit.” I was about to walk away when she called for me.
“Liam! I… I insist. Please..?”
“You sure about it?”
“Y-yes.”
“Okay.”
We were already cruising through Magallanes, when she started to build conversation.
“Thank you nga pala kaninang umaga.”
“Wala yun. Were you hurt?”
“H-hindi naman.”
“You should still see a doctor to check if nag sustain ka ng bruises.”
“Thanks.”
Nawalan nanam kami ng pag uusapan that time, hanggang sa makarating kami sa Cubao. Nagpa drop off nalang ako sa isang mall and ako na din ang nagbayad ng bill namin, dagdagan nalang niya kako if kulangin. Nakuwi ako na pagod na pagod, halos nawala na din siya sa isipan ko noon. My life as a student just continued, attending orgs, mag dota kasama ng mga barkada. December came that year, an unexpected event led from one to another.