Hinahanap - Hanap Ko Siya

Prologue

March 15, 2015.

9:30 a.m.

Bamboo Mañalac just woke up from his bedroom in a hotel that he is staying at while in Singapore. He will be having a show later this evening together with Mitoy, the 1st grand winner of The Voice Ph season1 and the The Voice Kids season1 top 4. He knows the day ahead will be busy as usual, what with the preparations and rehersals for the show. Not to mention the fittings for their outfits and such. But it's a welcome - kind - of - busy. So as to take his mind off of things he still doesn't want to think about. So he welcomes all the distractions.

He and his team just arrived in the country last night, and because all of them were tired and exhausted, none of them were able to have dinner. They all opted to check inside their respective hotel rooms. And now, Bamboo is famished. He feels that he can eat a big breakfast knowing that they all will probably be too busy to have lunch later. And of course, they can forget about dinner altogether. What with the show starting later in the evening.

He went on his usual morning routine. He splashed water on his face before brushing is teeth and when he raised his head, he looked at his reflection in the mirror above the sink.

'Not bad. Not bad at all, man', he thought to himself, chuckling.

He finger - combed his grown locks and is pleased to know that this gives him a much youthful look than his 38 years of age. And to think that he will be turning 39 in just a matter of days! He smiled at his reflection, showing deep slashes of dimples on either cheeks. Once dressed, he got out of his room to check the breakfast buffet in the dining area of the hotel. He still hasn't heard from his managaer, Pancho, who still might be asleep even now, in his own room, so he took his mobile phone with him to send a text message to Pancho and alert him that he's now downstairs.

From the breakfast buffet, he filled his plate with everything that his eyes hungers for and went to sit at an empty table by the window, when he heard someone call his name. He looked up from his plate and saw Pancho, who apparantly just finished his own breakfast.

Pancho got up from his table and went to Bamboo.

"Hey, man", greeted Pancho, "'morning." He clasped a hand briefly on Bamboo's right shoulder before taking a seat in frontof him.

"Hey, g'mornin'", Bamboo replied.

"So, you're up early," said Pancho, " which is good. Rehersals will start in a couple of hours."

"Yeah. Why didn't you called me up or texted me when you woke up?", Bamboo asked. "I caould've woken up earlier and joined you for breakfast."

Pancho just shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I knew you were dead tired last and I didn't wanna disturb you, though I figured you'll be up early, anyway." He said. "Besides, I woke up aroud 8, and I thought you could still use an hour's rest."

"Thanks, man." Bamboo said, clapping a hand on Pancho's back.

"No problem." Pancho replied. "So, you feeling okay now?" He gazed uncomfortably towards his companion.

Bamboo knew what's gonna be up next. He's been meaning to ask Bamboo about what happened between him and Sarah. He knows Pancho's waiting for him to spill the beans. But he's just not ready to share, though he knows he owes the guy an explanation.

He put his fork down and looked outside the window, gathering his thoughts while trying to slow down the beat of his heart.

After quite a few minutes, he forked a portion of scrambled eggs from his plate, but he didn't eat it. Instead, he looked at it for what seemed like eternity before lifting his gaze up to Pancho's face.

"I guess I owe you an explanation." Was his quiet statement.

"That you did, my friend", Pancho retorted, "that you did."

Bamboo heaved a heavy sigh and shook his head a little, as if trying to release some sort of negative vibe. And when he spoke, he was looking out the window again. As if remembering the past. In his mind, a sweet faced young woman's image flashed. He could see her smile, her eyes twinkling with love. Her cheeks are rosey red. The he remembers how sorrow crept into those beautiful depths of her soulful eyes, which filled with unshed tears, her once smiling lips now trembling in pain, her eyebrows furrowed.

Bamboo tries to remember everything that happened between them, while Sarah's picture is still vivid in his mind. And while still looking out the window, he finally tells Pancho their story. On how they've met, how it began. Their story. His and Sarah's. How it progressed. And how.... it ended.