Off Script Book One

Chapter 18: The Name Game

"I was an impossible case, no one ever could reach me..."-ABBA (The Name Of The Game)

***

"You're kidding right?"

Naglalakad na kami ni Maria pabalik sa entrance ng school.

"Totoo. Takot kami pareho sa bola. PE nga ang pinakamababang grade namin eh."

Tumigil kami sa tapat ng guardhouse.

We signed on the log-out record book and said goodbye to the security guard.

"Then why did you write about volleyball?" Pinauna ko siyang lumabas sa gate.

"Lagi kasi kaming nanonood ng laban. Iyon din ang time namin para magbonding."

"It must have been a very special memory."

I unlocked the car using the fob.

Maria opened the passenger seat and I climbed on the driver's side.

"Special nga. Kapag naiisip ko si Mindy, laging kasama ang volleyball. Doon din kasi kami nakakapag-usap."

"Did you keep in touch when she went to the US?"

I slowly backed out of the street and looked to my left before making a right turn.

"Noong umpisa. Malimit siyang sumulat sa akin. Pero noong nagtagal, dumalang na hanggang sa tuluyan ng nawala."

"That must have made you very sad." Red light kaya tumigil ako.

"Oo. Pero sinabi ko na lang sa sarili ko na ganoon talaga siguro. May mga tao na dumarating lang sa buhay natin tapos aalis din. Walang forever."

Natawa siya at napailing na lang ako.

There was one question na gumugulo sa isip ko.

"Is Mindy her real name?" Green light na and I followed behind a black van who was also making a left turn.

"Naku. Hindi."

"Anong name niya?"

"Papatayin ako noon kapag nalaman niya na sinabi ko."

"How will she know eh you haven't talked in a long time I assume?"

Nagmenor ang van and I stepped on the brake.

"Delilah."

"Are you serious?"

"Oo. Ang sabi niya, Lolo niya ang nagregister ng name niya. Namali daw ng dinig kasi dapat, Esther. Ewan ko."

I laughed.

Noong umpisa, mahina lang hanggang sa naging full-blown laughing fit.

Buti na lang at nakatigil pa din ang van.

I had to wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Anong nangyari sa'yo?" Nagtataka si Maria.

"You know the story of Samson and Delilah, right?"

"Oo naman. Kaya nga laging sinasabi ni Del na para daw siyang contradiction."

"In a way, that's what real life is. Puno ng contradiction."

"Tama ka diyan, Direk."

"Don't call me that. Kyle na lang."

Umandar na ang van at tinapakan ko ang accelerator.

"Eh ikaw?"

"What about me?"

"Bakit Kyle? Di ba pangalan ng lalake iyan?"