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NOTE: The supposed-to-be author of this article is currently busy, so I am telling the story on her behalf.
And MY story begins...
I was successful (always) in waking her up before the alarm was off. It's Thursday and I know she's excited about this day. She has not seen the outside world for one week. She even missed Me last Sunday! Grrrr... How dare her!
Anyway, with a soft whisper, she's awake. She is, indeed, excited. Last week, C2 told her that she could have a complimentary breakfast with him at the hotel when he flies back to the country. His company always books for two, just in case his wife and kid are with him. His job lets him travel from the U.S. to the Philippines, to Germany, to Budapest, to Shanghai, to any part of the world actually. Like yesterday he's in Texas, today he's in the Philippines, then he'll go to Shanghai next week, and back to the Philippines, then back to Texas, and so on, and so forth.
Yes, I have given him the privilege to travel and work at the same time. And I Am pleased that I did. He knows how to handle the stress of having to be away (a lot) from his family, he knows how to share every blessing that's given to him, and he knows how to appreciate little things. I never see him frown nor complain about the tons of work that I throw at him. And even if sometimes he wakes up wondering where (what country) he is (I told you, he travels a lot! Sometimes he forgets where he is), he makes sure he enjoys every bit of his stay in one place and share the good things that he see through his passion in Photography.
"If I wasn't hooked to photography, I could be insane now. Imagine the stress of being away from your family?! I couldn't possibly handle that without a hobby," he told her one time.
Photography. That was their link. They met through D, her housemate, who was also into digital photography, and who just got her camera last year. C2 tagged both girls along to his trip to Baguio last year. They were so funny. Laughing all the way from Manila to Baguio. D brought a lot of food. It was raining hard. C2 never missed a hump or a slump on the road (poor company car). C3 on the other hand was enjoying the long ride like she always does but she couldn't keep it to herself how a carabao amazes her. Their long lashes, their huge eyes, the way they like muds, the way they float on muds, etc., etc.
D and C2 were busy thinking what handle to give C3 when she joins the forum that they, both, were members already. C2's handle starts with 2 Cs, hence the C2 (obviously). And D's handle is Aqua(something...).
"Cara", she blurted out.
"Just call me Cara, short for Carabao," she said while laughing at her own joke. How creative is that, I thought. But they all started laughing and the name has stuck on her since then. At least amongst the three of them (now I'm telling everyone about it).
The Baguio trip was fun. They took a lot of pictures. C2 went to visit his family in Baguio then he gave both girls a tour of his city-- the place he calls Home. Both were amazed especially when C2 brought them to a country-style Starbucks in Camp John Hay. It was like a place in a movie.
The last time D went to Baguio was over 2 decades ago. C3 on the other hand has frequented Baguio. There was even a year when she went their monthly. But she's never been to some place that C2 has brought them to. You can imagine how both girls were trying to capture everything in their cameras. It's one he...aven of a photo op (like I am going to speak of hell! Oh yeah, I just did).
Anyway...
To be honest (honest, as always), C3 doesn't know everything about photography (she's managed to learn a little though since I gave her the Point-n-Shoot camera a few years ago) but she loves photography and well, sometimes she makes Me proud of her shots-- let me re-phrase that, I make her proud whenever she gets to capture My creations. You should see how her eyes would sparkle when she sees the sunset. One time, she even asked the driver (it was her ex!) to pull-over so she could take a picture of a sunset in the middle of the road! She's Crazy (that's another C, by the way). But then again, she gave her camera away. Well, it's for a good cause. She's been praying for a Nikon DSLR for... I forgot how many years already, but I haven't granted that prayer yet. Maybe soon. Maybe never. Oh well, I know she'll get by. She's been asking me a lot of things lately that I haven't granted yet. But I know she'll get by. She always gets by. Not that I am not listening to her. Oh, you know what I mean.
Today, I woke her up...
She sat, talked to me a little, turned on the television and tuned in to the local news channel. She checked her mobile phones. The other one has a message. I didn't wake her up when the message got in. C2's plane has landed half past 12midnight and he reminded her to be at the hotel lobby at 8am for breakfast. He's going to give her a wake-up call at 6. You see, C2 would top a time-management class if there is one. Thanks to his very hectic work-schedule. He's been well-trained I say.
"Welcome home (again)," she texted back, "no need for the 6am wake-up call, I'm up... what hotel? You're hotel-hopping kasi eh. LOL!", she continued. Sometimes C2 is checked-in at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas, sometimes at the Intercon Hotel in Makati. Sometimes... she has no idea where else he could be checked-in here in Manila.
Then her mobile phone rang.
It was C2, laughing at the thought of her idea of hotel-hopping. And since she's already awake before the wake-up call, he asked her if they could have breakfast as early as 7am. He has not slept yet. He was checked in at 2am at the Intercon but he has not slept yet. He told her he has something to share to her that would make her a proud friend.
"Ok. 7am then. At the lobby," and they both hung up.
"You're going out today?" her landlady asked her, she's up early everyday.
"Have some bread before you leave," her landlady continued.
"Thank you po, I'm going out for breakfast. I'll be back soon," she said politely.
She was out of the apartment 20 before 7.
Ooppss... I thought she already forgot how to cross the streets (it's just a week without sunlight and some real walk!). The SUV driver must have noticed how hesitant she was while walking and crossing.
She took the usual tricycle ride.
"God, I feel weird going out after a week of being locked up," she told Me during the short tricycle ride. She was thinking of the word "creepy" but I told her it's not the way to describe how she felt. I knew she was a little scared going out today. She was scared because she thinks that she might stumble, trip or go out-of-balanced while walking. Don't tell her that I told you, but her first few steps were actually er... funny. Couldn't laugh at her hard though because I understand she didn't have enough space in her room to practice walking. Four steps from her bedroom and she could be inside the bathroom (2 or 3 when she's really in an emergency situation). Three steps, and she could be in the kitchen, munching.
Anyway, the last time she met C2 for breakfast at the Intercon (D should be next!), she took a cab, because she thought she'd be late. Today, she decided to take a bus ride but she ended taking a jeepney ride. I can't remember the last time she took a jeepney ride, so I guess it's good to see her take that ride again.
"What are these people thinking?" she kept on asking herself. Then she turned her focus to the girl seated in front of her.
"What is she thinking about? What kind of problems could she be facing? I'm sure she has a job..." I couldn't stop her.
Althroughout the ride, she was observing every passenger. How the three students got off, how one wore the bag in an uncomfortable way, how she never experienced wearing a white uniform in college (they don't have uniform in AMACC), which is good I think because she's so clumsy. You could just imagine how a white dress would look like after a day in school.
Anyway, she's been always like that. She always wonder what every person has in mind. Sometimes I want to give her the power to hear or see what's going on inside a person's head. I'm kidding of course. Not a chance.
She got off the jeepney in the middle of Ayala just right after Rustan's. It's good that the traffic light was on stop. She paved her way to Intercon. Searched the lobby for C2 and found him on one of the couches.
An amazing day was about to start but then she had no idea what's really going to happen...
But OOPPPSSS!!!!
I have to cut this out. I've asked someone to ask her out tonight and see if she'd go. She was making fun of the invite, but she said yes anyway. She said she'll be a chaperon and that for the record, it wouldn't be a double date. You see, how can she say that? She doesn't even know if the fourth person is a girl or a boy! Tsk! This girl should really loosen up a bit.
Uhh...Yup! C3's day out isn't over yet. "Our" day-out isn't over yet (like I'm going to leave her?! Never!). When we get back, I'll tell you more about it. That's a promise.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Readers have left 2 comments. 1. Untitled
Tin, Unregistered ayyyyyyyyyyyyyy biten!!!!!!!  2. Untitled
mae, Unregistered honga eh  |
Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop 
I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by Juan Dela Cruz, and I am currently being trained for more by Uncle Sam. Writing since the age of 12. Blogging since 2001. I keep a notebook and a pen in my bag, on my bedside table, and inside the bathroom. Misses a lot. Sometimes even my own voice. Loves to laugh. Sometimes even at myself. I am a work in progress. My ultimate dream is to be a SAHM. That is, if I am bound to have that chance in this lifetime... and I am.