The Reunion

Chapter I

December 19, 2020 3:07 PM

"Oh, hello, nasa Timog na kami. Saan nga ulit ang apartment building niyo? Sa Scout Limbaga?"

"..."

"Hoy Lokring, SAGOT."

From the other line, me and my friend Jam heard a rather muted reply, as if the response was spoken from afar.

"Oo sa Limbaga kayo lumiko--

"--lam niyo naman itsura ng ba--

"--na kayo mawawala--"

Jam, on the driver's seat, rolled her eyes. She turned to me and gestures that I bring the phone over to her. Jam then spoke loudly.

"Ang linaw ng instructions ha. Next time kapag hiningian ka ng location pin magbigay ka, five years na nung huling punta namin diyan sa bahay niyo. Tingin mo maalala pa namin 'yan?"

Lauryn took a few seconds to answer. She seemed to have taken her phone by her ear, thankfully.

"Sorry, had to fit in a dress. Ang hirap magbihis!

"Asan na kayo? Galing kayo ng Quezon Ave, right? Pagkanan niyo sa Rotonda second street to the--"

"Drop it," I said. "Pagbuksan mo kami ng gate. Dito na kami."

Jam and I got out of the car, and was welcomed by a cool breeze. Malamig na... Pasko na nga, I thought to myself. While Jam took time to brush some crumbs from our drive thru meal off her lap, I went to the apartment gate to ring the doorbell.

Waiting outside, I observed Lauryn's place. The three-storey 1950's Liberation style structure, repainted white and blue, had a timeless feel - now I remember, I loved visiting this house some time ago, where our little group of high school friends from Cavite had our mini reunions when we were all university students in Manila. These days, the second floor rooms where we used to sleep during dead drunk evenings of yore were rented out for additional income.

The gate opened a few minutes later, and we were greeted by Lauryn, in full make up but securely wrapped in an evening robe.

"Oh Lokring akala ko fitting in a dress ka na kaganina?" Jam asked, still annoyed with Lauryn and her vague driving instructions.

"Pasok muna kayo. Ito naman! Tagal 'di nagkita, ang grumpy! Ang pogi mo pa naman ngayon!" Lauryn replied, sarcastically complimenting Jam's rather androgynous striped red and white tux ensemble and her nearly buzz cut hair. I chortled a bit but they heard it, and they both laughed. The air cleared.

"Mga buwa kayo talaga!" Jam said, blushing from the joke.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

December 19, 2020 5:13 PM

We had a pretty swift Saturday afternoon drive to Tagaytay, where the event was. Miraculous, even, considering that we drove from Quezon City. With enough time in our hands - the programme would start at 7:00 PM - we made a detour at nearby Breakfast at Antonio's for a coffee fix and a bit of closed group chit-chat, too. Later, everyone will be talking to anyone, so my friends and I would have limited time for, well, chismisan.

"Ano Jamila, gandang ganda ka na naman sa'kin? Tingin nang tingin, eh?" Lauryn threw a menacing look at Jam, who stole a glance at her red, fully sequined (or were those crystals?) dress every now and then, and chuckles. Earlier in QC, she invited us in only to surprise us by - this was what the robe was for - unveiling her, ehem, 'Mak Tumang' party outfit paired with red stilettos and of course, Lauryn's iconic deep red lipstick, which she sported since our high school days.