My mother named me Augustine because she was expecting to give birth to me during the month of August. Much to her disappointment, I came out on the 28th of July. Still, she went on to name me after the eight month of the year.
"If this is a prank, Triz, itigil mo na. I just came from a long ass flight, I'm exhausted." I don't even know why I'm in this position. It's my birthday today and apparently my family and friends decided to surprise me as soon as I got home from the airport. And that 'surprise' included blindfolding me.
Triz has been one of my good friends since childhood. I took a break from working 5 years in Spain, nagkataon na saktong birthday ko ang flight pauwi ng Manila. I did not expect that they would bother to throw me a party.
"Tine, minsan lang itong two-in-one party mo. A few more steps and we're there" Triz replied happily. Narinig ko na tumugtog ang 'Happy Birthday' song sa 'di kalayuan when Triz took off the blindfold. There I saw all the people I grew up with and supported me through the different stages of my life. I'm grateful that they took the time to prepare and celebrate this party with me.
"Happy 28th, Tine! And welcome back!" They greeted me and laughed at the same time, I said my thanks to them and searched for my parents in the crowd. Lumapit si Mama sa akin and hugged me, "Happy Birthday, Augustine. Your father and I love you so much, always remember that we're proud of what you've become." I smiled at her sweetly after that.
I admit, I was a pain in the ass in my younger days but these people stayed with me. Looking back, I felt sorry for my mom dahil sa mga kalokohan ko. I remember it all like it was a fever dream.
"Tine, drive safely, alright?" Mama repeatedly said with a concerned voice.
I recently got my driver's license and this is my first time driving na walang kasamang instructor or an adult to guide me. Well, I'm kind of an adult myself since I turned 18 last month. OA lang si Mama about me driving. I feel like pinagsisisihan niya na she agreed with Papa to buy this car as an 'adulting' gift for me. It's just a second hand black Vios, nothing extravagant.
Well, wala na silang magagawa. Nabili na nila eh. I secretly laughed at that thought.
"Augustine, I'm serious. 'Wag kang patawa-tawa dyan! I'll request a driver for you sa susunod." Lumapit ako sa kanya to assure her before things get out of hand.
"Ma, have a little faith on my driving skills naman. Pupunta lang ako sa school to pick up Triz and Iya and stroll around the nearest mall." I said while holding her hand para ma-assure siya kahit papaano.
She sighed heavily. "Be home before 6. Be safe, alright" I hugged her tightly after that.
Naglakad na ako palapit sa sasakyan and threw a flying kiss at her before getting in the driver's seat. Umiiling na lang si Mama habang natatawa. Ha! No one can resist my charm.
Ngiting-ngiti ako habang hawak ang manibela at paunti-unting lumiliit ang mga bahay na nadaraanan sa rear view mirror ng sasakyan. I was driving calmly while I suddenly slammed the brakes dahil may biglang dumaang aso sa kalsada.
What the fuck?! Hindi pa nga ako nakakalabas sa neighborhood namin, muntik pa akong makapatay ng aso! Hindi naman ako mabilis magpatakbo, sadyang may biglang lumitaw na aso sa daan.
Kanino ba 'to?!
I pushed a button for my window to come down, I smiled apologetically sa lalaking kumuha ng aso at papalapit sa driver's side ng kotse ko. I think siya ang may-ari nito. Hindi pwedeng mag-maldita dahil baka kasuhan ako nito at mawalan pa ako ng lisensya. Oh my gosh, is this attempted murder? Hindi naman siguro.
"I'm really sorry, bigla na lang kasi dumaan yung aso at hindi ko napans—" Hind ko natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil namukhaan ko ang may-ari ng muntik kong maging murder victim.
He waved and smiled at me with the same apologetic face. "Tine, It's my fault. Hindi ko na-check nang maayos kaya nakawala sa leash. Nabigla rin ako at kinabahan buti you stopped immediately. Nice reaction time!" He laughed after that.
He kept rambling about something but all I thought about was his smile.
That damned smile.
I snapped out of it nang may narinig na busina sa sasakyan na dumaan sa gilid. Ugh, nakaharang pala kami sa daan.
"Javi, I'm really sorry ulit. I just got my license and ayoko sana makarating kay Mama 'to. You know how she reacts with this. I didn't mean any harm to your dog, I hope we're cool with this." I looked at his dog warily.
Damn, why can't I look at him directly para mas sincere?
"Yeah, of course, it's just a small incident. Nothing to worry about. Are you in a hurry? I might get in your way or something."
You're literally standing on my way, though. Isasagot ko sana but this isn't the time na pilosopohin ko siya.
"Ah susunduin ko lang sila Iya at Triz sa campus, may extra-curricular sila ngayong Sabado. Ikaw, may pupuntahan ka ba?" Uh, bakit ako nagtatanong? We're not close anymore, right?
"Bakit? Ihahatid mo ba ako sa pupuntahan ko?" He asked in a playful tone.
Wow, the nerve of this guy. Being in a relationship really changed you, huh.
"Uh, sorry. I have plans kasi today. I should get going, nakaharang tayo sa daan." I smiled awkwardly at him while reviving the engine para makaalis na sa god-forsaken conversation na ito.
"Maybe next time, Tine. I know you don't want me to ruin your plans for today, right?" He said with a hopeful tone in his voice.
What? Tama ba pagkakarinig ko?
"Uh, yep. You're so right. I have a lot of plans today, like a lot so..." I replied, hopeful that he would believe that I actually have something planned today.
Hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina while driving, lalo na ang mga sinabi ni Javi.
Did he somehow think na I would cancel my hypothetical plans para ihatid siya sa kung saan man siya pupunta?
I don't cancel my plans for anyone, especially not for some estranged friend like him.
Or so I thought.
BINABASA MO ANG
august
Teen Fictionit was the month of August when they had everything but lost it all at the same time.
