Nagmadali akong bumangon mula sa kama ko. Shit. Friday nga pala ngayon. Kailangan kong makipagkita kay Kristen.
Si Kristen ang kaibigan ko, ang tanging kaibigan na natitira saakin, maybe. I can't even remember.
But anyway, we decided to have a little gig this friday night, Me and Kristen are both in a band. We're lucky that one of our band mates know someone who could help us have a little gig. Well, if you're gonna ask me one night is a lot of money, can't say no to that. They asked us to perform in a wedding reception tonight.
"God Kenji where are you?" Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo ko ng marinig ko ang boses ni Kristen sa phone ko. Why did I ever answered it?! Alam ko namang ganito bungad niya sakin.
"Natraffic lang ako, I'm in a taxi right now. Malapit na ako diyan"
"Really? Then tell the taxi driver to turn off the shower because I can't hear you clearly."
"Good. Listen Kristen, I'll be there in no time." Binaba ko na yung telepono, Hindi ko kasalanan kung bakit ang hina ng alarm ko kaya hindi ako nagising.
8:30 pm na pala, one hour nalang magsisimula na yung party. Ginawa ko na lahat para makaabot ako pero mukhang malalate padin ako.
"Taxi!" Malas naman oh, Mukhang wala pang dadaan na taxi. After minutes, mabuti nalang may dumaan na taxi.
"Guess it's your lucky day sir, Sinarado na yung entrance ng street na 'to kaya naman wala ng taxi na dumadaan." Sabi saakin ng matandang taxi driver.
"Napansin ko nga. Must be because of the construction."
Habang nasa biyahe ako, ring ng ring yung phone ko naiirita na nga ako kaya sa huli pinatay ko nalang yung phone ko. Hindi matahimik si Kristen, sinabi ng papunta na ako e.
"Girlfriend mo po sir?" I chuckled.
"No, she's a friend of mine."
"I guess she's a nice girl. She got temper." I just smiled. This man has no idea.
"Yeah, kinda nice."
"What's her name?"
"Kristen."
"Hmm, Beautiful name. Before when I was a teacher I had a favorite student, Kristen. She's nice and very talented."
"Guess just like the my-friend-kristen"
"We're here, sir." Pagsilip ko sa bintana, ito na nga yun. Totoo ngang maganda yung lugar. Mayaman lang ang may kayang maka-punta sa ganitong klaseng reception. Near the beach side and everything.
"Salamat po."
"Pwede ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo iho? You look familiar to me."
"Kenji po." Pagsabi ko ng pangalan ko sa taxi driver, biglang nawala yung ngiti sa mukha niya at napalitan ng curiosity.
"Thank goodness. The princess is here. Always late." Inis na sabi ni Kristen habang nakataas pa yung isa niyang kilay. Nang lumingon ako uli sa taxi driver nakaalis na pala siya at mukhang nagmamadali dahil malayo na agad yung narating niya. That's weird, hindi ko na pala naiabot yung bayad sakaniya. Mabuti nalang natatandaan ko pa yung mukha nung driver.
"Well? What are you waiting for?"
"Don't talk to me like you're my mother or something." She's such a... Girl.
"Don't worry Kenji, I'm 10 times younger than your big sister." Inis na sabi niya saakin, Well, I don't have a big sister probably she's trying to tell me that she's too young compared to my age. That's true. Kristen is 16, and I'm 21. Funny how we met each other, I can't remember anymore but she told me that her mom told her that she used to follow me all around the school when I was in highschool and I had no choice but to talk to a little stupid girl.
"Anyway, Jeff's here and he's gonna be with us for the whole night." She said happily. Jeffrey is Kristen's boyfriend. They started dating when Kristen's 13 and that's so creepy. I mean, Jeff's 2 years older than me.
"Great." I said like it's boring or something.
"C'mon, Wag ka ngang magpanggap na hindi mo gusto makasama si Jeff. You're like brothers or something when it comes to video games."
"Video games, Kristen."
"The only difference between you two is you're alcoholic and Jeff's a coffee addict." She laughed so hard, It's not even funny.
I just stared at her. This girl is so insane.
"Well, let's go. Asan na sila Bryan?"
"They're inside. The party will start in 3 minutes."
Natapos ang party ng... Like after 5 hours. Pagod na pagod na kaming lahat. Kahit na may break, nakakapagod padin, but the good thing is that we know they will pay us good.
Naglakad lakad muna ako sa baba ng building para magsmoke. Iniwan ko muna sila Kristen sa reception ng kasal cause they're still eating.
"Kenji, is that you?" Nagmadaling lumapit saakin yung babae, She looked very happy when she saw me. I don't even know her. I think galing din siya sa wedding cause she's wearing a dress na kapareho ng mga attendees.
"Kenji! Oh my God. It's been like, 6 years since the last time I saw you!" The girl hugged me so tight. I'm so confused.
"Uhm, pardon me... I don't know you."
"God, Kenji! How can you forget me? It's Anna! We graduated highschool together!" I just smiled. I really can't remember her.
"Ako yung girlfriend ni Dash before! We always visit your house every sunday and we had a vacation at Hawaii together with-"
"Miss, I really can't remember you. Even, Dash? And I've never been to Hawaii" tinignan niya ako ng masama. Feeling ko, ang tingin niya saakin nababaliw na ako. Pero kahit ikot ikutin ko pa ang mundo, Hindi ko siya matandaan. Pati yung mga sinasabi niya, hindi ko alam lahat yun. I never encounter a name Dash or even Anna. This is crazy.
"You must be joking Kenji, We've been looking for you... Can you tell me about, What happened that night?" Bigla akong kinilabutan sa mga sinabi niya. Huminahon ang boses niya at nawala ang tuwa. Para bang interesado siyang makinig sa isasagot ko.
"What do you mean? What night?"
"That night when you got a gift?"
"Kenji!" I looked back, It's Kristen.
"Saan ka nanaman nagpunta? I've been looking for you!"
"God Kristen, Pwede mo ba akong layuan kahit limang minuto lang? Nagmumukha na akong tatay mo e!" She just glared.
Nang balikan ko na ng tingin yung babae, wala na siya sa harap ko.
"What's wrong? Bakit parang may hinahanap ka?" Kristen looked confused.
"Nakita mo ba kung saan nagpunta yung babaeng kausap ko?"
"You're all alone Kenji, what are you talking about?" Natatawang sabi ni Kristen.
Kinilabutan ako sa sinabi niya. The girl was right infront of me when Kristen called me.
Baka naman, umalis na siya. But that's impossible we're still having a conversation.
"Okay ka lang ba, Kenji?" I took a deep breath. Baka naparami lang yung inom ko kanina.
"Yes, I-I'm fine. Bumalik na nga tayo sa taas."
