That Unforgettable Moment

Break from the spotlight

Alcohol is never really my thing. Bakit ba ang daming nalululong sa alak? E ang pangit naman ng lasa. I called the bartender to order another drink; I can’t take this liquor anymore.

“Can you please give me something that didn’t taste alcohol but has an alcohol in it?”

Napangiti na lang ang bartender sa request ko pero agad naman itong tumango at nagsimulang maghalo ng kung ano-ano. Maya-maya ay may iniabot na itong kulay pink na inumin na nakalagay sa champagne flute. I sip on it and as I expected, may lasa pa rin itong alcohol but it is much better than the first one.

I looked at my surroundings once more. Why am I even here at the first place? Parang ang sabi ko sa sarili ko ay maglilibang ako habang naka-leave sa trabaho at hindi ang magpakalasing.

Ah, oo nga pala. Kasama sa list ko ang magpakalasing na parang walang bukas at gumising na may hang-over. Nasa paligid lang naman siguro ang mga kasama ko, hahanapin naman siguro nila ako maya-maya. They’re having the time of their lives. So, I will make my vacation leave worth remembering, too.

“Hi, can you please give me a rumcoke? Thanks.”

Tiningnan ko ang nagsalita sa gawing kanan ko. Isa ring turista sa lugar na ito. Ang ganda ng boses niya, buong-buo at lalaking-lalaki. And his voice sounds familiar, it’s as if I’ve heard of it somewhere. I looked at him once more, he’s wearing a hat and a black-rimmed eyeglass. His curly hair is still visible. I like curly hairs. His nose, eyes, lips and even his jaws are all familiar.

“Uh... hi? I know this is being rude but I’m going to decline if you’re going to ask for a selfie.” He said with an apologetic smile.

Shit. Who am I kidding? Of course, I know this guy and he talked to me. Fudge. What to say? Hell. Speak, Sonja. Talk to him.

But is it okay to talk to him? As far as I’m concern, he is also on a vacation and he even posted on his Twitter account that he wanted to have a peaceful break from work. He wanted to have a private life even just for a few days. It’s like he’s begging to be normal just like everyone. And I understand him. But, Lord, this opportunity knocks only once, have mercy on me.

“S-sorry. I didn’t mean to look at you like that. And believe me or not, I’m not going to ask for a selfie.” Sabi ko sa kanya sabay lingon sa harap ko at tungga ng hawak kong inumin.

Oops. Parang mali yata ang paraan ng pagkakasabi ko. Nagmukha yatang mayabang. Shit lang. Nilingon ko ulit siya at nakita kong hawak na niya ang inumin na in-order niya sa bartender kanina.

“I’m not being rude or what. Sorry for that. What I mean is you can have a peaceful night here without worrying about your fans following you around and ask for a selfie once they got a chance. And, again, believe me or not, I’m not one of them.” Paliwanag ko sa kaniya. “Shit. That sounded wrong. I mean I’m also your fan but I’m not the stalker type of fan. I’m not following you around. I promise. I don’t even know that you’re here. Swear.” Shit. Again. Bakit ang daldal mo, Sonja? You sounded guilty.

Napatakip na lang ako ng mukha. Nakakahiya ‘to. It must be the alcohol. Nakarinig ako ng isang halakhak. Paglingon ko ay nakita ko ang isang malapad na ngiti sa kaniyang mukha.

Shit. Gwapo talaga.

Humalakhak ulit siya at tumigil lang nang mapansin na may napapatingin nang mga tao sa kaniya. Inayos niya ang suot na sombrero at muling uminom sa hawak niyang baso.

“Why are you laughing?” I ask him when he looked at me again.

“Gwapo. You said gwapo while looking at me. I’m not familiar with your language but my friend taught me some Filipino words and greetings. And that means handsome, right? So, I am gwapo?” nakangising sabi nito.

Napapikit na lang ako sa narinig ko. Tanga mo, Sonja. Why on earth did you say that out loud? You are ruining your life.

“I’m talking out loud again. Sorry.” Nahihiya kong tugon. “But, yeah, you’re gwapo. And I know that you’re aware of that. With all the memes and post all over the social media, I doubt if you haven’t read or heard of that.”

“Nah. Not really.” Nagkakamot sa ulong tugon niya na tila nahihiya. Fudge. He’s shy in front of me? Yeah, he is right here in front of me and I’m fangirling right now. But this is not right. That guy wanted to have a break from the limelight and I’m ruining his plan.

Tumayo na ako at nag-iwan ng pera sa bar counter. I guess, I have to go now. Masyado ko nang pinapahiya ang sarili ko. Ayaw ko man siyang iwan kaso alam ko naman na mas gusto niyang mapag-isa. I respect his privacy. Hindi dapat pinipilit ang hindi dapat. Muli ko siyang hinarap at ngumiti nang alanganin. “I know that you wanted to have a peaceful and normal vacation, so I’m leaving you here. Sorry for being talkative, it must be the alcohol. You can enjoy your night already.”

Naka-isang hakbang na ako pero muli akong humarap sa kaniya at binigyan siya nang pagkatamis-tamis na ngiti. “Uh... I’m really glad that I met you here tonight. It’s actually a dream come true. Bye, Shawn.”

Kinawayan ko na lang siya at muling humakbang palayo.

Did I waste my opportunity to have a night worth remembering? Maybe. But I don’t want to become a hindrance to someone’s plan. This is better. Actually, much better than I have expected. That is Shawn Mendes after all.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Fudge!

Parang ngayon lang nagsi-sink in sa utak ko ang lahat.

Effing right! That is Shawn effing Mendes. Shawn Mendes, for the love of God. You are so lucky, Sonja. So damn lucky.