Letters to a Mysterious Stranger [ONGOING]

Valentines, Men and Other Species

(Sent on Feb 6th, Wednesday, 4:23 pm, Howell Hall)

To: prisoner24601@mpu.edu.ph

From: jerusha.abad@gmail.com

Dear Zorro,

I'm finding that I am clueless about a lot of things recently.

These past few weeks, a guy named Rob, who I met at one of the Filipino community Christmas party, has been messaging me on Facebook, asking if I wanted to watching him play basketball at the Neath center. I kept turning it down since I was very busy. But then last Saturday, I was busy so our conversation went like this:

Robert Solas: hey, are you free later?

Judy Abad: y?

Robert Solas: I was hoping sana that you can watch me play basketball.

Judy Abad: Sure! Only, I want to play to.

Robert Solas: No, you might just get hurt. Basketball is not for the delicate, weaker sex.

Weaker sex?!

It was so condescending and antifeminist, and I got pissed off. I told Sally about it, and she said, "Girl, he was just trying to show off to you!"

Still, Rob's statement is still unflattering for women. I was MVP at my high school women's basketball team. I could take care of myself!

Master Jervie has his own opinion about it. And when you read this, I want you to know that I am trying to be as honest as possible to you.

LadyTribble-ation: What's up with you men and showing off?

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: I don't think it is simply a male thing. Don't you try to show off to that superhero man of yours?

LadyTribble-ation: Zorro. And no, I don't show off.

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: Really?

LadyTribble-ation: Well, not always!

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: LOL

LadyTribble-ation: At least, I know I can just be myself when I write to him. When I write to him, I know that I am most myself. Does that make any sense?

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: I think so. I wonder if you could say the same of him.

LadyTribble-ation: He doesn't write to me at all.

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: Maybe that's just his game. Who knows? Maybe he is obligated to not care about you because he is too old—too old that he could be accused of great great grand-cradle snatching. I actually think that he is two hundred years old. A bi-centennial man.

LadyTribble-ation: Makes sense. I actually sometimes think that he is an android. And I am the fractal sheep that he dreams of.

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: Come to think of it, you do look a lot like fractal sheep.

LadyTribble-ation: Shut up!

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: LOL

LadyTribble-ation: Do you ever feel the need to pretend when you are with me?

Not_the_droid_ur_looking4: I am most myself when I am with you.

So there. There is no need to pretend. I know you have roles to play, but I hope someday, you can just be you to me if that makes any sense.