Memory1:
Still remember 3 months and 7 days ago – you told me we’d go to Bicol for the holidays? Yes you did… But probably you won’t remember. By the way – I’m Christina Barela, it’s already 23 years when you first saw me… I bet you didn’t like me back then. You hated me until I was in Grade School (I hated you back – you and Kuya Tano both). Remember, you, both, used to challenge me to a game of Chess with a wager that if I lose, you get one of my stuff. You’re in college – How could you challenge a grade schooler? Now that’s a fair game!
Memory2:
And then you went to PMA - that was 1999. No Kuyas for a year. The next thing I remember, you’re standing right next to your bunk. Actually I was not sure if you’re the guy I was staring at initially. There were four guys standing in that room. You all look the same. You told me to get “POPO” (I think that’s his name) in your dresser. And I stepped out of the room. I couldn’t bear looking at you - not with that face. You were worn out.
Memory3:
Remember a couple of years back. We were driving along NLEX. I pointed to a billboard of Simon Atkins. Told you he’s one of the Green Archers. You asked me what are the perks of being an athlete at school. I told you a lot! I bet you missed playing Soccer - Don’t you? I bet you were thinking of a different life. You could have been a spoiled athlete at school kuya rather than a beat up combatant in the field. But you’ve always been a fighter. Never started a thing you couldn’t finish. That’s why I look up to you – before only figuratively, but now.... (sigh)
By the way, I couldn’t sleep up until 5am this morning. I dozed off for a couple of minutes, I think. And when I opened my eyes, there was this sheet fading at my bedroom’s ceiling… Then I dozed back to sleep… Around that time, right? Yeah... around that time…
And so today – the 12th of November, I learned how to count to three…
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