Not my ordinary sassy girl

October 6, 2004... I woke up at 3:25 in the morning to prepare for my Revalida Exam (somehow a make or break exam but not ;>) that day. I only got three hours or so of sleep since I got home late the night before. Anyway, while I was in the bus going to school, that's the only time that I reviewed. I came at 8:40, just in time for the exam... The analysis part was kind of easy but the computation wasn't. Picture out someone who hadn't had enough sleep and then has to travel for about three hours and then get the exam for him to somehow "pass." Whew!

***

Then I remembered the roses. OMG!!! The flowers!!! I immediately asked my classmate to accompany me in buying the flowers. We went to Walter Mart... none. We went to the store across... none. We decided to go to SM Dasma, since it's a mall, maybe it has stalls that sell fresh flowers. But to my dismay, none. We hurdled to Robinson's just meters away. Again, for no apparent reason, we also found none. Whatda!!! I felt hopeless, really. My classmate and I then decided to go back to school coz we have projects and assignments to finish. It was minutes past 12 in the midnoon that time... The sun was boastfully casting its heat all over...
And it was hopeless... I was hopeless...

***

While on my way going back to school for our weekly pub meeting, my phone vibrated. It was a text from my friend telling me to go to Bayan. Due to hopelessness, I OKd the idea. To my dismay (for the nth time), I found none in front of the church... I reluctantly walked to a jeepney terminal(?) going to school. Area-C or F, I didn't care anymore. I'm a loser. Just flowers I couldn't get... Just three red roses...

***

While walking, I saw a small door screen with the tag "Flower store." But I only saw species of flowers I wasn't looking for. I began to pity myself again. However, "something" pushed me to get inside the store. I saw the guy who I thought was the owner. I asked if there were roses he was selling. He asked me then what color. I said red. He answered back, "Oo, meron. Ia-arrange ba?" My world lighted. I didn't mind the bucket of sweat that had escaped of me from the journey. I said I want three red roses... and a white. I don't want the conventional three red roses that's why I added a white. Finally, I got what I was looking for... SHE would be happy then...

***

"Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol."

***

It was five minutes before 1 p.m. I hurried to go back to school for our meeting. I placed the flowers first inside our refrigerator (yes, we have refrigerator inside our office). I searched for a paper where I can write my message for her. It reads:

Just as promised!
Hope this would show how much I mean when I say I'm serious.
Mishu!

***

When SHE came into the office, I asked her to open the ref for me. She asked, "Baldado ka ba at hindi mo mabuksan ang ref?" I thought it would be sweet somehow. But upon seeing what's inside the ref, she shouted and said, "You're dumped. You think that's sweet?!!"
Whatda!!!
If only she knew how much I've been through just to get those flowers, then maybe she would appreciate it the moment she saw it.

***

It was almost 3 in the afternoon. I had to go to a friend's dorm to finish our stuff but had to finish some office works first. Grrrhh...
Before she went to her class, she told me to go Tanghalan [Julian Felipe] at 5 for they would be having a dress rehearsal for their play. She reminded me to bring the flowers along. I said yes.

***

I was late since I went to Villa Isabel to finish our projects. She called me up and told me to summon up some courage. I didn't know why. Basta raw. She told me that before entering Tanghalan, I should have read a small message on a piece of paper under the fire hose adjacent to the Tanghalan door.

***

Upon coming, I saw her opening the door, maybe waiting for me (or just checking if the piece of paper was still there). She went in. I looked for that piece of paper. I couldn't remember what was written there. I only remembered a line "If you're sure you're ready, you may now come in" or something to that effect.

***

It was the usual scene at the Tanghalan where COM students practice. But I smelled something would not be good, I guess. I called her up to ask where she was. When she came, I asked what's gonna happen. Basta raw. I told her that if it was some kind of a joke, I wouldn't entertain it for I was really groggy and tired and I haven't had a good sleep yet. She assured that everything would be fine. Just wait after the practice was done.
After a few minutes, they were done. It's as if all of them (she and her classmates) were waiting for something that would happen. I was clueless... until it was time.

***

Tanghalan saw a different play that very moment. It was something never rehearsed. Something I never expected and imagined... me doing it.

***

A girl (her classmate) approached and told me to come with her. I brought along the flowers with me. Then, while I was walking downstairs, a background music with the lines, "how many times... It was you who first believed (from a Hoku singer daw)" surrounded. Then, when I was nearing the stage, someone yelled, "Tinatawagan po si Mr. Paul Membrebe sa stage."
Whatda!!! Sabi ko na nga ba eh...

***

There was the spotlight. As I came up the stage, I was freakin'. My sweat glands were on their ecstatic state that time. I didn't know what would happen first: if I were to collapse or puke. I don't know. "Sino ka? Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito? Sino'ng nagpapunta sa'yo rito?" were the next ones I heard. Yes, it was an interrogation session courtesy of the whole class of COM 44, and there was their Theater prof also. It was HER idea, and it was her classmates who threw out the questions pertaining to US...
I thought I couldn't surpass it. But then again, as I've mentioned during that interrogation, "Kahit ano'ng kahihiyan, kaya kong gawin at harapin... para lang sa'yo [pertaining to her]."

***

Her bestfriend led her to the stage, a gesture that indicated that it was okay for him, as if he was her father leading her daughter to his groom. Then, I kneeled down and offered her the flowers. She followed. The magic words came right then and there. "Paano kung sabihin kong mahal ka rin ni JC?"

***

"So ibig sabihin, tayo na?!" I uttered. Then she nodded as confirmation while the crowd was cheering for a kiss (I guess).
Censored next!!!

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October 06, 2004, 6:18 p.m. Tanghalang Julian Felipe. The flowers. The stage tremor. It was all worth it. Marian Grace "JC" Pagtakhan became my girl... Hehehe. Inggit kayo no?!