LORENZO ELRIC GARCHITORENA

EVEN THOUGH I look like a piece of garbage with my attire, hinayaan ko na lang na ganito ako. Wala naman akong magagawa.

I heaved a sigh while staring on my reflection on the mirror. Kahit ano naman ang suutin ko ay magmumukha pa rin akong patatas.

Ano ba kasi ang trip ng Onemig na iyon? Why all of a sudden, kailangan pa niyang mag-arrange ng meet-up para gawin ang para sa activity namin sa YoLO? It's possible naman to hand over the stuff we need sa school.

And I am now forced to go on our meeting place, kahit wala sa kalooban ko. Wala, eh. He keeps on pestering me through Messenger. I would rather stay at home and do nothing all day than doing these stuff. Kung puwede lang sanang putukin na lang ang kaniyang happy bubble.

Pagkababa from the second level of our house, I already saw my mom who is busy dusting the shelves and tables from the living room. She is also assisted by Ate Gigi. Dahil wala ring pasok every weekend ang mom ko from her teaching job, she is free para asikasuhin ang buong bahay.

"Mom, alis na po ako," pagpapaalam ko. And I already sensed the deadly glare from her eyes pagkakita sa suot ko. Mukhang sermon na naman ang aabutin ko mula sa kaniya. Pero tahimik lang siya at hinayaan na lang ako. Mas comfortable naman kasi ako sa suot kong plain red t-shirt, moss-colored cargo shorts, and black sandals. Hindi naman ako pupunta sa isang party or sa isang fashion event.

"O, sige. Ikaw na ang bahala sa sarili mo," she answered while removing her facemask. "Mag-text ka kung nasaan ka na, ha." That's always what she is saying kapag umaalis akong mag-isa. As if parang sasali ako sa Hunger Games kung makapag-alalala siya sa akin. I know na ganoon ang magiging reaction niya; she's hesitant to trust me.

It's already 9:30 AM nang lumabas ako sa gate ng bahay. Then, a notification popped in my Messenger and it was Onemig.

Onemig:
Where ka na, Lorenzo?

Then, I replied him; as thrifty as possible. I don't want to waste letters dahil tinatamad akong mag-type.

Lorenzo:
OMW.

I guess, understood na rin iyon para sa kaniya. A few seconds, nag-reply siya.

Onemig:
Okay, see you later!
Magre-ready na ako.

I put my phone to my bag and hit the road. Well, may the odds be in favor with me...

---

After a 25-minute drive, I arrived at Angeles City. I was dropped by the jeepney sa may bandang Holy Rosary Church. Bibihira lang akong makapunta rito (even though it's just two jeepneys away from us), because I spend most of my time in San Fernando. The entire ambience of the surrounding areas makes you feel you're traveling back in time to the 19th century Philippines.

Gawa sa bricks ang kalsada. And most of the establishments were remnants of old buildings dated from Spanish colonial period that are been restored. Kaya biruin n'yo na ang architectural design ng Jollibee rito ay napaka-antique. They kinda reminds me of old ancestral houses from Plaza Salcedo in Vigan.

And I started to traverse papunta sa "secret passage" ng Nepo Mall na malapit lang sa kinatatayuan ng simbahan. Aside from the two main entrances, mayroon pang ganoon. It's a quite narrow alley with stairs that will lead you to the mall area. If you're still unfamiliar, hindi mo rin agad makikita ang passageway na ito.

Pagkarating ay bumungad sa akin ang pila ng mga tao. And I got curious on what the buzz is happening. Loud K-pop songs were also played by the speaker. And it turns out that there's a newly-opened K-pop merchandise store and these people are waiting in queue sa pagbubukas nito.

Pagpasok, I feel my phone vibrated in my moss-colored Herschel shoulder bag, at pagka-open ko, as expected... it was a message from Onemig.

Onemig:
Nasa NewPoint na ako.

Norman:
Here at Nepo.

I grunted. Mukhang kailangan ko pang lumipat sa kabilang mall. So, I go through to what they call the footbridge which is also located here in the second floor. It serves as a connector between the two malls.

Nakayuko akong naglalakad habang nakalagay sa dalawang bulsa ang mga kamay ko habang naglalakad. The footbridge is roofed at may mga salamin na nakapalibot sa magkabilaang parte na kung saan kita ang bottom view ng mga establishment na nakatayo sa palibot. Aside from that, there are are also different stalls settled along the footbridge.

And a tidbit of thought suddenly popped out of nowhere. Hmm...

What if I'll just ghost him? What if umuwi na lang ako at hindi magpakita sa kaniya? That sounds devilishly great.

Yet, I was about to contemplate with my plan nang mapatingala ako at makita si Onemig na kumakaway pa sa akin while walking from the opposite side. Malayo-layo pa lang ay kitang-kita ko na siya. There he goes again with high energy. Great... Mission aborted.

"Ang aga natin!" he greeted me with an enigmatic tone that kinda distracts me. Nahiya rin tuloy ako sa suot ko upon seeing his hooded jacket with three layers of the colors black, white, and red. Nakasuot din siya nt gray denim pants, and white converse shoes. He's also wearing a blue cap where its bill is at the back. Oh, well... He's being too extra, indeed. Or he's just acting like a Korean superstar with his attire.

"Ang sabi mo, 10 AM?" I answered back at pagkakita sa aking wristwatch, it's 10:15 AM. Pasalamat na lang siya at hindi ako nagpa-late.

"Well, at least... Para agad nating matatapos ang project!" At tinapik niya ako sa balikat which made my face in total sourness. Gah! I'm uncomfortable with these body contacts!

"Oh, ano pang hinihintay mo? Tara na!" At saka ko siya sinundan.

My face continued to be in total monotone along the way. My sighing is also continuous habang sinusubukan kong sumabay sa mga trip niya sa buhay.

---

"Uy, ito kaya gamitin natin?" He showed me a shoebox-sized cardboard while exploring the arts and crafts section.

First, we go to National Book Store para mamili ng gagamitin para sa project. And as Onemig mentioned yesterday, sagot na raw niya ang box at ang materials for designing. Pero dahil unavailable ang ibang mga gagamitin, we just go to Expressions, lalo na't walang available na boxes ang NBS.

"Para kung medyo malaki ang mga ilalagay natin sa loob, at least kasya pa rin."

"Okay, sige ba," I agreed. Well, kung iyon ang gusto niya, iyon ang gusto niya; he's in charge of everything.

Then, kumuha rin siya ng iba't iba pang mga kung anong puwedeng gamitin at iyon ang inilalagay niya sa shopping basket. From map of the Philippines, a ball of yarn, pati nga isang pack ng AAA batteries. At ilang minuto pa lang kami rito ay nabo-bore na ako sa pagsama ko sa kaniyang maghanap. Mukhang ang purpose ng pagpunta ko rito ay para samahan lang siyang bumili.

And another thing that makes me annoyed is his continuous blabberings. Magtatanong pa ng magandang kulay ng pan-design sa box namin, pati nga size ng ribbon. Parang hindi nauubusan ng kuwento. Kaya gusto ko tuloy kumuha ng stapler at i-i-staple ang bibig niya. Well, what a mister-know-it-all.

"Hindi ka ba bibili?" he even asked me while we're lining up at the cashier to pay for what (we) have bought.

"I don't think so. Hindi ko pa alam ang mga ilalagay ko." Well, aside sa dalawang objects na dala ko ngayon, wala na akong naiisip na ilagay. Aside sa tinatamad na akong mag-isip pa, I don't have any certain attributes that will makes me leader. Geez... I'm such an uncooperative wimp.

"Okay lang iyan. Mayroon pang hanggang next week!" he answered with a smile that makes me more annoyed.

Mukhang magtatagal pa ang araw na ito...

---

"Nagugutom na ako," says by the one who is currently eating the fries he bought from Potato Madness right after we paid for what we bought from different book stores. We were just near a stall that sells mostly bootlegged toys. May laruan nga silang binebenta na si Queen Elsa na may pakpak. Then her coloration is different and it looks like they swapped out with Sofia the First. There's also a set of Avengers action figures, but how strange that Batman is also there. It seems that he cuts his ties from the Justice League and forms an alliance with the Marvel superheroes.

"Saan mo gustong kumain, Lorenzo?" he then asked me with that question habang pababa kami through escalator. Well, siya naman lagi ang nasusunod kaya bakit kailangan niya pa rin akong tanungin?

It's already 11 AM and I'm sure na magiging jam-packed na ang dami ng mga kumakain sa mga oras na ito. At magiging pahirapan ang paghahanap ng restaurants.

"Parang gusto ko ng Chickenjoy!" he blurted out nang mapadaan kami sa Jollibee. "Uy, McFloat na lang kaya?"

Kahit gutom ay hindi pa rin ito tumitigil sa kadadaldal sa akin. He almost finished the fries he bought a while ago. "Wait, gusto ko ng Chicharap ng Chowking!" he added.

Mukhang kailangan kong pagtiisan ang mga trip niya. At iyon... Hindi ko rin alam ang gusto ng lalaking ito sa buhay. Maybe he needs to establish a restaurant na kung saan nandoon ang lahat ng gusto niya.

I don't have a mood for fast food right now. Nagtitipid ako ngayon at ayaw kong gumastos. I don't want to spend my cash right now; at parang mas gusto ko na lang bumili ng kwek-kwek. There's actually a food stall here that sells deep-fried quail ovum in orange batter. But the price may costs you a fortune. At hindi ko rin alam kung bakit maski street food ay mala-ginto ang presyo sa mga mall.

But after years of searching, we ended up at Mang Inasal. Dahil gutom na gutom na kami, dito rin pala kami babagsak. Hay, mukhang mapapagastos na naman ako nito. Well... If you're really hungry, you will make way to satisfy your hunger, even it will damage your wallet.

The queue is quite long pagpasok, kaya si Onemig na ang pumila para um-order ng makakain namin at ako na ang naghanap ng mauupuan. And it's quite difficult... Dahil wala nang vacant tables.

But after few minutes, I managed to get a table for two sa may dulo at katabi ng glass windows. Kasi nga katatapos lang na kumain noong magjowang nakaupo roon. I even cringed nang makita ko silang nagsusubuan ng kinakaing halo-halo habang hinihintay silang matapos. Mas inuuna nilang lumandi kaysa isipin na may naghihintay pa na maupo for their turn. Darn these inconsiderates.

Pagkalinis ni Kuya Crew ng table, eksakto ring dumating si Onemig na may dalang stick na may naka-attach na flat piece ng plastic card na may nakasulat na number at saka na kami umupo.

Isa-isa niyang inilabas ang mga ipinamili namin kanina at inilapag sa table.

"Patingin nga noong mga dala mo," Onemig requested, but then I sighed at inilabas ang isang plastic from 7-Eleven mula sa aking shoulder bag. At saka ko inilabas ang dalawang laman nito: a piece of rock and a paintbrush. Halatang pinag-isipan, Lorenzo; halatang pinag-effort-an.

"Well, pansin mo kung bakit ito ang pinamili ko?" He started explaining once again. At doon ay kinuha niya ang Philippine regional map.

"Alam mo ba kung bakit map? Kasi maa gusto kong i-improve ang pagiging visionary ko. 'Di ba, ang map ang nagbibigay ng direction sa mga taong naglalakbay?

"In a way, gusto kong magsilbing map sa mga tao para i-lead sila at matulungan sa path na gusto nilang marating. And that's what leadership is all about, 'di ba? Hindi mo hahayaang mapag-iwanan ang members mo? All for one and one for all..."

Well, cool words... Thanks for sharing. Kanina pa talaga ako gutom and wala na rin akong time na makinig pa. But I guess, Onemig already has what it takes to be a leader. He has it all! E 'di, siya na!

"I'm really sure na magiging maganda ang ipe-present natin sa YoLO! Mehn, excited na ako!" This guy is indeed full of positivity. He spreads positivity like a viral infection. And it kinda annoys me. No, thanks! I just want to be isolated.

But it was my turn to be asked.

"Ikaw, Lorenzo... Ano ang sa iyo?" Beads of sweat started to flow from my face. Shoot! I am in danger.

"Well...," I answered groggily while fidgeting the stone I am holding. But actually, I'm too lazy to elaborate. Kanina pa ako nagugutom and for Pete's sake, bakit napakatagal ng order namin? But saved by the bell! Bubuka na sana ang bibig ko nang lumapit ang staff para i-serve ang order namin. Another staff even served us with (sinigang mix) soup. Thank goodness! Makakakain na ako!

"Ano pa hinihintay natin? Let's eat!" Onemig said with total joy pagka-serve sa amin noong dalawang orders ng PM1 and Crema de Leche halo-halo. The tempting aroma of chicken thigh and leg already stimulates my appetite.

"Gusto mong elixir of life?" Onemig paused while splashing his rice with the orange-colored oil from the glass bottle.

"What?" Napatingala ako with a bored face habang pinipiga ang kalamansi sa platito.

"Elixir of life...," he clarified habang hawak ang bote at ipinakita sa akin. Should I laugh with his joke?

"Kasi mas nabibigyan ng buhay ang kanin kapag nilalagyan nito. Mas gaganahan ka kayang kumain!"

With his dry humor, mukhang mas dry pa nga ito sa manok na kinakain ko.

"Ano ka ba naman, pinapasaya lang kita!" Hinayaan ko na lang siya and I started to eat at peace. Pero patuloy pa rin naman niya akong dinadaldal para sa project namin habang kumakain.

"Naisip kong design ng box natin ay 'yong may parang barricade tape na yellow and black sa palibot ng box. 'Yong parang sa crime scene, ganoon!" pag-e-explain pa niya while starting to eat the third cup of rice mula sa crew na may dala ng bucket ng kanin. Even his chicken is still intact with its flesh.

"Tapos, kunwari evidences daw sa isang kaso ang items na ilalabas natin sa box. Hindi ba ang cool noon?" That's what he said, that's what we do. Palamuti lang naman ako sa group na ito.

"Ang hina mo namang mag-unli-rice." He even commented habang kinakain ko ang second cup ng kanin sa plato ko. I may have strong appetite, pero madali akong mabusog sa kanin. And he has no right to judge me.

He then continued his blabberings asking questions every now and then. Na-realize ko ring napakalakas niyang kumain at nakayanan niyang ubusin ang five cups ng rice. He even started to devour the large cup of Crema de Leche he ordered with gusto.

"Gusto mo? Kuha ka lang. Walang hiya-hiya." Pero hindi ako kumuha and I just used my phone while he finishes everything.

But after few minutes, napatingin na lang ako ulit at nagulat na nagawa niya lahat iyon na ubusin. Fossilised na chicken, simot na baso ng halo-halo. Where does his tummy made of? Anong mayroon sa appetite ng lalaking ito?

"Ah, busog! Thank you, Lord!" he exclaimed, rubbing his tummy, and his chinky eyes are also closed.

---

Mukhang ang role ko talaga rito ang manggupit ng construction paper para sa ide-design sa box.

After our lunch, we go to the food court to start designing our box. Gamit ang gunting, Onemig and I made tiny confettis out of colorful construction papers. At iyon ang ilalagay sa loob ng box. It's quite pain in the ass cutting out these papers into bits. I peekee at Onemig who actually nailing his craft and it seems he's a pro with this.

"Oo nga pala, hanggang 2:30 PM lang ako. May a-attend-an pa kasi akong birthday party, eh," Onemig explained while putting the bits of paper into the box.

"Okay lang..." That's my response. Good thing para agad akong makauwi sa amin, because I need to catch up on the series I am watching right now. I guess it's good thing para hindi na mag-alala nang todo sa akin ang mom kong maya't maya ang call sa akin.

I started to cut the yellow and black construction papers para gawin ang "police cordon tape" na mga ididikit sa box. It's Onemig's idea to make it artsy-fartsy kahit puwede namang gawing simple ang box. Well... his machinations. This is no episode of Art Attack.

Habang busy sa paggugupit, a stranger came just near us. At hindi mabakas sa kasama ko ang ngiti nang makita ang mga taong iyon.

"Uy! Kumusta?"

"Onemig, long time no see!" said by the guy with an undercut hair.

"Saan ka ngayon?" Onemig asked while he is cutting more papers.

"Verte ako ngayon, Mehn. Ikaw?"

"DMU, Pre."

"Naks! Asensado ka na talaga."

At nagmukha lang ulit akong background character while I continue cutting the remaining papers. My neck even started to cramp out. Well... I'm really used to be invisible--this is indeed my purpose in life.

"Shot naman tayo minsan," paghirit pa ng lalaking kausap ni Onemig."

"Sure! Kapag may time. Tapos yayain din natin sina George at Kael."

After that, napatingin siya sa akin. "Oo nga pala, si Lorenzo, kasama ko." He even introduced me with this guy. Nakipagkamay pa siya sa akin while my face is in consistent monotone.

"O siya, text-text na lang kung mau updates, ha." That were the last words he said before bidding farewell to his long-lost friend.

"Sure!"

At habang patapos na ang mga ginugupitan ko, I grinned, knowing that magiging drawing lang lahat ng plano nila.

---

"Thank you ulit sa time, Lorenzo! Ingat sa pag-uwi!" At nagpaalam na si Onemig sa akin bago bumaba sa sinasakyang jeep. It's 2 PM when (we) decided na lumabas ng Nepo. Sabay na rin kaming umuwi kasi iisang way lang din ang uuwian namin. He even brought all of the things kahit hindi na namin tinapos ang pagde-design sa box.

I heaved a sigh at napalumbaba sa inuupuan ko sa jeep. Well, it's kinda tiring, but finally... I can be at peace right now.

Thank goodness, nakawala rin ako sa lalaking iyon.

-30-