A Lot of Catching Up (Part 1)

The last time I  posted was the night before the first day of the second semester. What kept me busy between the two semesters was not mentioned. Meeting friends and their partners and their children held me back from being insane. I am not used to being idle as far as I can remember. It's either I'm reading, watching something, doodling, daydreaming, chatting, talking on the phone, gardening and what have you. But I won't be caught dead doing nothing. 

As soon as the last final project landed on my table, I started checking everything. Delirious that I should be able to submit the grades of ALL my students as soon as I could. The trip to Manila is waiting at my feet. I wanted to send off Kristian who was scheduled to fly back to China after two weeks of vacation in Naga. Saturday night came, and we had a peaceful ten hours of bus ride. Upon arrival, we dropped off all of our things in his place then, we headed off to my sanctuary in Quezon City.

Tsokolate at Chocolate Kiss. Together we had Vigan Longganisa and Tapa for brekafast. Perfect Sunday!

Since it's his first time to be accompanied within the campus, I took him to my favorite spots such as the Sunken Garden, Shopping Center, the University Library, the Catholic Church and the areas where I used to reside. We've passed by the residence halls and the Academic Oval where buildings of main colleges are located. The whole morning was spent on roaming around UP and buying his groceries in Cubao. We bought items that are hard to find or can't be bought, at all, in China. On top of the list is sinigang mix, calmansi juice, instant coffee (they have coffee in China  but it's nothing like what w e have here), peanuts, mixed nuts, etc.

That afternoon was sad and gloomy not because of the weather, but because of the sole purpose that made me went as far as Manila-- to send off someone I would see next year(sniff). After he got on the cab, I went to the nearest restaurant to eat. I couldn't eat though, so I decided to go back to his place. And there you go, every single thing reminded me of him. I couldn't force myself to sleep since the sun was still up and it looked like it would stay there for a couple of hours more. I decided to turn on my lappie and looked for a movie. I ended up watching, Love Me, If You Dare.

American breakfast with Deng, my brother; Annie, his girlfriend; and me, proudly wearing my UP tee.

Soon, right after I've settled some documents in UPD, I hurried to Robinson's Galleria to meet my only brother. I took a jeepney ride from UP Campus going to MRT Quezon Ave. Unfortunately and as usual, the escalator in the said station was not working, so I had to climb/run/fly going to the train's platform. The walk from  Ortigas Avenue to Galleria was disturbingly challenging. With all the cars passing by EDSA creating smoke, noise and visual pollution, from the very hot weather that tempts the passengers to use their umbrellas, yet the narrow and crowded paths will make you think twice and give up eventually on that thought. I told my brother I felt like a dried mango seed as I made my last hurried baby steps to the spot where we agreed to meet. Blood is thicker than water, that's what they say. That is probably why I met my brother first before my friends. However, the days that had followed were fully booked with lots of catching ups.

My best friend and I at Cafe Adriatico

I woke up early the next day to go back to Cubao, where I had to meet my best friend. This is the first time in two years that we had a one-on-one talk. The house blend in Cafe Adriatico was that good that we lasted for a couple of hours wide awake. The next day, since the talk was not enough we decided to meet again. The funny thing this time is on the same spot, we've noticed that people were growing in number and there were suspicious characters in the area. Little did we know that Mar Roxas, PNoy and other government officials were having in the opposite restaurant. Later on, that same night, we had dinner with my female best friend in college at Tempura.

With Chamz, my college blockmate, roomate, turned friend for life

Ben, my fourth grade classmate, I never imagined to be my best friend.

That night was spent with two of my most favorite people in the world. We did not talk about someone who was not around that night. What we talked about was my recently announced engagement in Facebook.

Real friends would really question your decision, challenge your beliefs and most of all they would tell you ugly things that probably most people will not dare to articulate in your face. Though, our meeting was so fast, so many stories to share, but we've got very limited time in our hands, I was, indeed, happy the entire night.

It's true that I love Manila, and that I would keep coming back to Manila. However, Manila depletes my savings. It dries the well that was once filled with fresh water. I need to go back to my paradise to replenish my pockets. 

Annie, Deng and I( behind the camera) all aboard

It's time to go home. Another week is over. While my pocket is lighter as I got on the bus, my heart was heavy, not with sorrow, but with happiness, filled with optimism and hope. Sometime soon, I will be back again in this unpredictable city. A lot of catching ups. More cups of coffee to empty, more bottle of wines to be served, more stories to be told, laughter to share and wisdom to gain.