I Found Love at Thirty Two

XVII: Wiliam

"Gotcha."

Naramdaman kong tinali ni Aaron ang mga paa ko sa upuan ko gamit ang cellphone charger niya at laptop charger habang May kausap ako sa telephone. Nagpaalam agad ako sa kausap ko dahil sa pagkagulat.

"Pare, are you crazy? How am I supposed to stand?"

"That's the point. You are not supposed to stand. Alam mo bang I can't concentrate with what I'm doing because you keep walking back and forth? Pare, don't tell me you have worms in your stomach. You're too old for that."

"Eh Kasi, kinakabahan ako. Lucy and I have been dating for a week and medyo okay naman kami Pero tomorrow kasi, she'll introduce me to Maggie."

"Maggie? Whose Maggie? Nakama mo Kaya ba kabado ka?"

"No. Maggie is Lucy's bestfriend and you know how girls confide with their best friends. Paano Kung Di ako pumasa sa standards nun ni Maggie. Tapos this Maggie pa is a wife of a pastor. Remember the flyer before? Yung featured couple? Sila yun bro."

"Talaga bro? Naku, mahirap nga yan. Usually girls listen to their bestfriend."

"And their not just bestfriends. They are like sisters. Ang Hirap Naman nito."

"Ed Di magpakatotoo ka bro. That's it."

Kumuha si Aaron ng sigarilyo sa drawer niya.

"Wait, I thought you stopped smoking. Bro, buntis na misis mo. Bawal yan lalo."

"Bro, nakkastress ka Kasi. Bakit mo Kasi pinapasa sa akin problema mo?"

"Ikaw Naman. Porket kasal ka na, kakalimutan mo na ko. Wag ganun bro."

Tumayo si Aaron at may inabot sa aking calling card and the way he smiles, it's like we won in lottery.

"What's this bro? Whose calling card is this?"

"That's MJinDisguise's business card or better known as Clyde Cortez sa nakararami."

"Who the heck is he?"

"He is not any ordinary guy pare. You forgot? We organized his book signing with skyliereyes last year. It was a success."

I tried to recall Kung Sino Yung mga writers na sinabi ni Aaron. I remember we organized one nga, sa FullyBooked Global City at marami nga silang readers. Our events management company caters to all types of events. There was a time that we did premiere night ng movies ng Members ng Wordsmith Mystique and another was a thanksgiving party for another Filipino author who made it in Hollywood.

But what will I do with his calling card? How will he help me with my predicament tomorrow? He doesn't even know me.

"What does a writer have to do with my life pare?"

" I just thought, he can give you tips. Bilang writer, for sure, marami yung Alam. Saka he is happily married too with kids so I guess he can help you. Kasi I've been giving you advice Pero Wala Lang sa yo."

"Mga advice mo Naman Kasi pare eh. Haranahin si Lucy? Eh Wala akong magandang boses. Write a love letter? Eh childish yun. Give her chocolates? Tataba yun."

"Kaya nga, just call that writer and ask for his help."

Umiling ako sa mga sinabi ni Aaron? Do I really have to do this? Handa na ba Talaga ako sa Isang commitment? Masaya akong kasama si Lucy at humihinto Ang tibok Ng puso KO. Pero minsan Naisip ko, paano Kung magbiro ang tadhana at iwan niya Ang puso KO? Handa na nga ba akong masaktan?

***

I waited at the lobby of MJD's recording studio. He is not just a writer but also a recording artist and a producer. Masaya nga na kahit busy siya, he said yes to me meeting him. I looked around and saw his family portraits. He seems contented with his life. Kami kaya ni Lucy? Will we end up like them?