“Uhm excuse me. Elmo, opening message ka naman. Magsstart na kasi yung show.” the organizer said.
“Ha? Okay okay.” Elmo replied. “Jules, wait lang ha.” paalam niya sa akin. I nodded and watched him go up the stage and started his short message. I smiled as he stood there with confidence. As if he really was born to step on every stage on Earth and to entertain people.
“Thank you and enjoy the show.” he finished his message. He gave the microphone back to the host at saka na bumaba sa stage but he was blocked by photographers and also the owner of the clothing line he introduced.
Naiinip na ko. Ilang press people ba ang nandito at sobrang tagal matapos kausapin si Elmo? Kaurat. I stood up from my chair and started walking around until I reached the big glass door and went outside the building’s balcony. Atleast I got a bit of fresh air.
“Di ka ba nag-eenjoy sa loob?” I heard someone asked. I turned around and saw who it was. Si Enrique.
“Ha? Enjoy naman. Kaya lang I have no one to talk to eh. Kaya lumabas muna ako. Busy pa kasi si muppet.” I answered. “I mean si Elmo pala. Haha.” I said again.
“Hahaha. It’s okay. So, we haven’t known each other except for our names.”
“Haha. Yeah.”
“What do you like? I mean, saan ka nagpapakabusy? Haha. Tell me about yourself.” he asked.
“Hm. Ako? I’m the owner of Sweet Tooth. It’s a little coffee and pastry shop sa QC. Uhm. I’m the eldest sa aming 4 na magkakapatid. Yun.”
“Haha. Yun lang?”
“Yun lang.” I said. “Ikaw?”
“Well, I’ve been modelling since I was 18. I’m an only child and I like cars.” he said.
“Haha. Nice.”
“Yeah. Hm. Kayo ni Elmo? Uhm…”
“We’re bestfriends.” I answered with a smile.
“Yeah. I mean, how did you two meet?”
“Since diaper days. Haha. Bestfriends ang moms namin. And yun. We’ve been inseparable since then.”
“Oh. Grabe parehas pala tayo. Kami nung bestfriend ko naman since we were 8.”
“Haha. Oo nga pala. Asan yung bestfriend mo?” I asked him. Hindi ko pa kasi nakikita ito sa venue.
“She’s at a carshow. Car fanatic yun like me but she’s the obsessed one. Hahaha. Kaya kahit anong event ko basta may carshow, ipagpapalit ako nun.” he answered.
“Magkaiba naman pala sila ni Moe. He’s the clingy type. Gusto niya kahit nasan ako andun din siya.” I said. We both laughed at saka pa napatingin sa malayo. Then silence came. It wasn’t the awkward type. Somehow, Enrique’s company made me feel like we’ve known each other for so long.
*****
I’ve been looking all over the place but Julie is nowhere to be found.
“Uhm. Excuse me. Have you seen my date? She’s about this tall, wearing a black dress.” I said to one of the guests.
“Hm. I think I saw her went that way. Sa may balcony.” she answered.
“Ah. Thanks ha.” and I went for the big door. As I got nearer, I can see that there she really was. She was laughing as she talked to someone whom I cannot see. Maybe she found a new friend while the press blocked my way for their flash interviews. I opened the door and yeah. She did have a new friend alright. It was him. Enrique. And they looked like they’re enjoying each other’s company.
