I’m just a typical person, 22 years of age, an undergraduate of a 4-year course in one of the known colleges in Manila. Simpleng tao, kumakain 3 times a day, may trabahong matino at bukod sa lahat, single and happy. I’m also living with family like the rest. But I’m just not sure kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng pwedeng mangyari sa akin as an individual, bakit yun pa? Well, as what other people said. “Pana-panahon lang yan!”. But what’s really ironic was when you are at you’re comfort zone, saka dumarating yung risks and challenges.
I’m Erin by the way, I know you might find my name sound like a girl, unfortunately, I’m not. I’m part of the world that almost all people really don’t understand. Yes, I’m gay. Though not as what a typical gay might come into your mind. I don’t wear dresses and make-ups and try to act like a girl. I’d like to keep it discreet. I’m not ashamed of my sexuality, it’s just that I don’t prefer to be as loud as anyone else. I’m also fond of reading books and watching movies. Aside from that, I also love cooking and baking. Madalang lumabas ng bahay to hang out on disco bars. Simpleng buhay, masaya at may mga problemang dumarating din sa buhay. Tao kumbaga.
Living the way I should be, wala naman akong reklamo sa kung anong meron ako. A bit of wealth, trusted friends, average looks, brains, halos lahat naman nasa akin na, and I’m fine with it. Not to mention a talent that I’ve inherited from my parents, the talent to sing. I’ve been a part of a band during my college days and took the part as a vocalist. I also joined a bunch of singing contests and won some of the major prizes. Singing has always been part of my life.
It was sometime last year, mid-November, Friday. Where the breeze is starting to get colder, where you can see blinking lights all around, when malls started playing Christmas songs, when decorations started to change from skulls, monsters and witches to Christmas trees, reindeers with Santa Claus on the sleigh, that’s where it all started. That’s I met Onnie, he’s one year older than me, medium built, fair to Moreno complexion, and working as a Human Resources agent in Quezon City. He’s a free-spirited person, a little childish acting like me, very thoughtful person. He’s a friend of my friend, pinakilala lang. Never thought that I will be loving someone like him.
It all started when my friend celebrated his birthday on his pad.
“Gosh! I’m so late na!”, I muttered to myself as I rushed my way to my friend’s pad. He asked me a favor to sing his favorite songs on his special day. Aside kasi sa work ko as call center agent, sideline ko rin ang pagkanta sa mga special occasions such as kasal, birthdays, debuts even sa engagement just in case needed nila ng someone romantic to sing their theme songs. Pasakay palang ako ng cab nun when friend texted me for the celebration will start in an hour and I haven’t prepared nor rehearsed pa for the set. And from home it would take me for at least an hour to get to my friend’s pad. Patay! Don’t wanna disappoint my friend just like that. Besides it’s his birthday and I just don’t to spoil it just because of me being late.
Meanwhile, on my Jet’s pad, my friend, one of his acquaintances, Onnie, came in earlier than me on the party. “Happy Birthday friend!”, bati nya, sabay abot ng gift. As a sign of welcoming, my friend accepted the gift and guided him inside his pad. Then, out of curiosity nagtanong sya kung bakit hindi pa nagsisimula ang party and Jet just said “Wala pa kasi yung kaibigan ko, sya kasi yung kakanta. Everything’s set, host, foods, and all, siya nalang ang kulang! Babatukan ko na talaga yun eh!”, which he meant sarcastically. Then, DING! Naisip nya that instead of waiting for me, he asked Onnie to sing the first song in line and he quickly agreed, wala naman siya choice but to agree, birthday nung tao eh. And the party started.
People all around Jet’s pad or should I say very big house were dressed in nice smart casual. Para silang mga high-end celebrities at mga rich kid on an acquaintance party and the setting of the place was very high-end.
Finally, I arrived at the place. Kinakabahan, baka kasi galit na sakin ang friend ko. There’s this one time kasi when I arrived late for our night out, when he told me na 10pm and I arrived at 12mn and he got real mad at me to the point na hindi na nya ako pinansin when I arrived at one of the bars in Tomas Morato. So ayun nga, pagpasok sa gate, I saw my friend frowning at me and nakita ko that someone will be replacing me to be the songer on that occasion. Agaran ko nilapitan si Jet at sinabi na ready na ako, even if I looked like rugged doll. But I still insist, so, I went to the center of the venue, got a wireless microphone, and try to create my scene.
