LORENZO ELRIC GARCHITORENA

WE WERE dropped by to a bus stop when we reached the northern part of EDSA. The bus stop is also along the overpass that connects through SM.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang matulala sa malaking building na bumungad sa amin. I still can't believe I did this! Finally, nagawa kong makapunta rito nang ako lang. It's like I've done a big achievement in my entire life.

Seeing the towering buildings, the tall and narrow LRT railways, and the hustle and bustle of people almost makes my jaw dropped. It's quite for me peculiar to hear the zooming sound coming from the train passing through. Okay, hindi dapat ako mamangha nang ganito!

Me together with Mr. Criminology student were traversing along the overpass going to SM North EDSA. Even though I am dazed dahil sa excitement and fulfillment na nararamdaman ko ngayon, parang naging gelatin ang aking paa habang patuloy sa paglalakad. I can't focus myself at ayaw ko pa namang tingnan ang daan sa may ilalim ng overpass. Mas lumakas nga ang kabog ng puso. Napatingala na lang ako at iniwasan ko rin ang lumingon. I feel like that this overpass is crumbling and I will going to fall.

"You okay?" Onemig enigmatically asked while he's also walking along with me. I can't even stare at him while we're getting near to the stairway.

"Okay...," I nervously answered, almost blurting a creak. Kulang na lang at mapapikit ako habang naglalakaf sa overpass. Hawak-hawak ko pa ang backpack kong nakasabit sa aking dibdib.

"Okay!" he commented while tapping his hand to my shoulder as we go through the stairs.

The registration for the event start at 1 PM. Magpapalipas muna kami dapat ng oras sa loob SM, but the mall is still closed upon our arrival. And it's already 9:20 as I checked my wristwatch.

"Gusto mong puntahan natin ang venue? Para makita na natin," Onemig then asked when we were already near the mall entrance. Then, he checked his cellphone. "Fifteen minutes away lang naman ang layo mula rito," he continued while staring at his phone na nakalagay sa Waze app. Oh, so gusto pala niya ng lakaran? 

"Oh, sure." Because that's the only option remaining, sumabay na lang ako sa kaniya. 15 minutes, that would be just a breeze.

As we start walking along the sidewalk of SM North EDSA, I still can feel the surreality while seeing the different buildings that surrounds the area. Even I grew up in a city area, parang nasa ibang dimension ako every time na mapapadpad ako sa Metro. But it's a different thing lalo na at mag-isa lang akong bumiyahe few hours away from Pampanga.

Actually, we are only following Onemig's "wayfinder" which notifies us every single time sa kung anong path ang dapat daanan namin papunta sa venue.

After we turn from the vicinity of SM North EDSA, bumungad na sa amin ang sidewalk na tuloy-tuloy naming nilakad ni Onemig. What we're traversing is a residential area with different small establishments surrounding; ibang-iba sa busy demeanor na mayroon ang bumungad sa amin. Mayroon ding mga matataas na building (probably these are hotels) alongside the smaller ones.

Good thing that the weather today is not that scorching hot, kaya suot-suot ko pa rin ang aking jacket habang patuloy kaming naglalakad. A never-ending walkthrough. It's like what? We're in a gameplay of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Until one moment, Onemig paused for a while after we passed through a McDonald's.

"Wait lang, Lorenzo," he said after he stopped walking. Napalingon naman ako sa kaniya.

"Bakit?" I asked with a bored look.

"Nawi-wee-wee ako." He felt uneasy and scratched his head. "Puwedeng pumasok muna tayo sa loob?" Napaturo pa nga sa fast food establishment para pumasok.

I heaved a sigh for Onemig, and I almost stomped my feet; bakit ngayon pa? I clicked my tongue and let this guy do his thing.

So, we entered the fast food establishment but not for us to eat but for Onemig to urinate. Imagine myself sitting in one of the tables while waiting for this guy to excrete excess fluid from his bladder.

Good thing, the table where I sit while waiting for Onemig is near the shelf where Happy Meal toys are displayed. I noticed that their line-up changed once again. But I'm way hesitant to buy a toy for now; maybe next time.

And another good thing is, wala namang sumisita na crew sa akin habang nagba-browse ako sa aking cellphone.

After few seconds, Onemig came out from the toilet room, wearing his usual smile. And then, he fixes his cap at saka niya ako nilapitan.

"Success! Tara na?" pagyayaya na niya sa akin. So, I still have the option to stood up from the table. Pagkatapos noon ay lumabas na kami sa McDonald's. Once again, we hit the road.

"Sanay ka na sigurong nagpupupunta mag-isa sa Manila mag-isa," tanong ko kay Onemig habang pumasok kami sa eskinita sa may bandang residential area. Dito na rin kasi banda ang papunta sa venue. And thank goodness that we're already near.

"Yup, mga ilang beses na," he answered while gripping the strap of his backpack. "Every time na may mga event, ganoon. First time ko talagang makatapak ng Metro Manila noong MIBF. Ilang years nang nakalilipas iyon. Nasa Grade 10 na ako noon? Doon ko unang na-meet si Rudy Santisteban," and he continued with such pride from his voice.

I simply nodded sa mga sinabi niya. Okay... Siya na. Siya na ang capable makapunta sa events. Great!

It's a miracle na hindi pa tumatawag or nagte-text si Mom or si Tita Gigi at nagtatanong kung nasaan na ako ngayon, which is good. Ayaw ko na rin namang sabihin kay Kuya na nasa QC ako ngayon for the event.

A notification once again popped on Onemig's phone. And guess what? A tall building greeted us! Parehas na lang kaming nakatayo sa harapan habang tinitingnan ang mataas na building na iyon. Well... This is it!

The signage, engraved in metallic gold plate is being displayed near the entrance.

The Bell Manor

It is a 18-storey building that can be distinguished both as a hotel and condominium. Pure white din ang pintura ng buong building. Pagpasok sa lobby ay binati kami ng isa sa mga security guard right from the entrance.

"Good morning po, sir." The guard may looked serious upon seeing us. But the Criminology student coughed first before presenting himself.

"Good morning din po," Onemig is the one who talked to the guard. And I'm just busy turning my head on the entire lobby. Mayroon itong front desk at sa tapat nito ay ang row ng couches. Beside the front desk is the elevator. Napansin ko rin ang iba't ibang plant ornaments sa palibot pati na 'yong paintings na naka-display sa walls ng lobby.

"For event po ni Sir Rudy Santisteban," Onemig continued speaking to the security guard, saying the magic word.

"Ah, sir, nasa 17th floor po ang function room. Sign na lang po kayo rito." The security guard presented a log book where we write our names, and the time we logged in.

"Sige po, thank you!" Mr. Criminology student bode our farewell to the security guard. Pagkatapos ay pumasok na kami sa loob ng elevator.

"Saang floor po tayo?" Onemig asked upon entering. Maybe he's trying to mimic an elevator staff with the tone of his speaking.

"Sabi ngang 17th, 'di ba?" I answered in an irritated tone. I'm not in a mood for childish games.

"Okay, 17th floor! Coming right up!" He then pressed the buttons. Napasandal na lang ako sa wall ng elevator habang hinihintay na makarating sa 17th floor ng hotel.

And after few seconds, nakarating din kami. Pagbukas ng elevator door ay bumungad sa amin ang entrance para sa function room ng hotel. Kakaunti pa lang ang mga tao sa loob. And I guess, they are the organizers for the event (based from the same shirts they're wearing). And I bet, these people are the admins of Siklab, the Facebook page of Santisteban.

"Hello po," Onemig greeted one of the organizers who is busy cutting out some decors na ikakabit siguro nila.

"Attendees po ba kayo sa event?" A lady sitting in a sofa and one of the organizers who are cutting out decorations for the event is the one who approached us. Sa may counter ng entrance ay inaayos na nila ang books and other merchandise na ibebenta nila. I'm totally ecstatic upon seeing the hard copy of Bakunawa graphic novel. There are also other books written by Santisteban that are being displayed at the counter.

"Yes po," Onemig answered with confidence. Napatingin naman ako sa function room and I saw chairs that are being arranged. The stage is also being furnished by other organizers. May tarpaulin na ngang nakasabit sa wall ng stage.

"Ay, sorry pero mamaya pa pong 1 PM i-o-open ang registration, especially for early bird attendees. Balik na lang po kayo mamaya," the lady organizer explained. May raffle palang mangyayari for the first 20 attendees based on the event guidelines for the event posted on Facebook. Lucky winners can win a copy of the newly-released graphic novel and other merchandise.

Onemig then coughed and started speaking once more, "Ay, ganoon po ba, pero galing pa po kasi kaming Pampanga " He said that na para bang nagpapaawa ang tono ng kaniyang pananalita. Maybe he's trying to channel his inner Oscars-worthy acting.

"Oh, I see." The organizer nodded and paused for a while. Napatingin siya sa mga kasama niya as if they're settling something. And the guy organizer is the one who talked once again.

"Ganito na lang po. Tutal, kayo pa lang po ang kauna-unahang dumating dito, mag-sign na kayo rito." Inilabas niya ang papel na naka-attach sa folder at isinulat namin doon ang mga pangalan namin. Well, it's true. Early bird catches the worm.

"Yehey! Thank you po," Onemig said to the organizers upon returning the registration form to them. Pagkatapos noon ay nagpaalam na kami sa kanila. Actually, it's Onemig who bids goodbye to these people. He's the one who did the talking.

"How did you do that?" tanong ko sa kaniya pagkalabas namin ng hotel.

"Well... Charms." He then formed a "pogi" sign, winked, and showed his "killer" smile.

"Ha-ha, nakakatawa," I answered back along with a sarcastic laugh as we once again hit the road going back to our drop-off point. Upon seeing the time on my wristwatch, it's already 10 AM.

I guess, we still have a long way to go.

---

Basically, my legs are starting to cramp out pagkatapos ng mahaba-habang paglilibot namin ni Onemig sa loob ng SM North EDSA which is our last stop bago bumalik sa venue ng booksigning event. I still can't believe na ganito kalaki ang loob nito! As in it's humongous. Sa sobrang laki nga nito ay baka magkanda-ligaw-ligaw pa ako sa loob. Onemig even admitted na kahit ilang beses na siyang nagpunta rito ay hindi pa rin niya kabisado ang pasikot-sikot ng loob nito.

Onemig, on the other hand, never stopped chattering around kahit noong nanggaling pa kami sa TriNoma bago pumunta rito. But as I said, nasasanay na ako sa kadaldalan ng kasama ko. Good thing that I can manage to survive his talkativeness. Parang hindi ko na kailangan pang takpan ang tainga ko. Getting pissed at this guy can be tiresome.

It's already 11:30 PM when we decided to dine in at Burger King. Dala na rin ng gutom at pagod ay hindi na masiyadong kumikibo si Onemig. Finally, I can eat at peace!

Or is it only what I thought...?

"Ano ang favorite mong novel na isinulat ni Rudy Santisteban except sa Bakunawa?" he then asked while munching some onion rings.

Compared to his enigmatic self, mas hindi makabasag-salamin siya kung magsalita ngayon. Maybe he's too hungry to talk right now, at nawalan na ng energy. We decided na sa isa sa outdoor tables kumain. Halos occupied na kasi ang seats sa loob. At least, we're breathing some fresh air coming from plants that surround the area.

"Hmm... Favorite...," I muttered with seriousness while grabbing some pieces of fries. Pagkatapos ay inilagay ko iyon sa burger ko na inalisan ko ng bun sa itaas. I even added generous amount of ketchup to finish it off; and that's when I return the bun. Ito siguro ang isa sa ritual ko bago kumain ng burger. Napatingin naman sa akin si Onemig sa ginawa ko sa aking pagkain.

"Siguro, 'yong Haliya," I continued after I gulped the first bite of what I am eating.

"Ito 'yong unang nag-pique sa akin ng interest sa works niya, eh. Yes, I do love Bakunawa, pero mas iba ang impact sa akin ng story compared sa Bakunawa. I mean, mas mataas para sa akin ang tier ng Haliya."

"It's kinda underrated, maybe after being too overshadowed by the flagship novel of Santisteban." I'm just spilling the facts here.

"Kung sa bagay. Pero may dark elements kasi ang Haliya kung ikukumpara mo sa Bakunawa, kaya siguro hindi manamnam ng ibang readers ang novel niyang iyon," Onemig then commented after wiping his lips with paper napkin.

"Fries na ipinalalaman sa burger... Medyo strange lang," patuloy pa niya pagkakita sa ginawa ko.

"Kakainin mo rin naman nang sabay," I answered after I had some multiple bites. "And wala lang... Mas gusto ko na silang pagsamahin. Bakit, hindi mo pa nata-try?"

"Hindi pa, eh..." Based on his expression, mukhang ayaw niyang i-try.

"Lorenzo..." He called out my name, which made my head raise while.  drinking my iced tea.

"Honestly speaking..." He's starting to get serious and suspenseful on the way he speaks.

"Huwag kang ma-o-offend, ha?" Tahimik lang ako at nagseryoso ulit sa mga sinabing iyon ni Onemig.

After that, he can't keep his breath and blurted out something, "May times kasi na nawi-wirduhan ako sa iyo."

Uh... Should I be surprised? What should I feel, then? He's also stating some facts here about me.

"It's okay, the feeling is mutual between myself." Who am I to deny kung nakikita na nila iyon sa akin, hindi ba?

"Wow, talaga lang, huh?" he chuckled in the middle of our conversation.

"Don't worry, hindi lang ikaw ang nakararamdam niyan," I explained to him. "Some people do feel the same sentiments about me." Tanggap ko naman sa sarili kong may pagka-weird ako.

"Pero huwag mong mamasamain iyon, ha? At least, totoo ka sa sarili mo, Lorenzo. Na hindi mo ikinakahiya ang sarili mo." Onemig sighed in between this conversation. 

"Alam ko namang lagi kang naba-badtrip sa akin, pero alam ko namang nagpapakatotoo ka. Hindi ka nagpapaka-plastic. At maraming salamat dahil nandiyan ka pa rin. Siyempre, na-a-appreciate ko iyon."

It's kinda awkward hearing these words from other people about me. But I don't know... Why do I feel my heart is pounding from these words coming from Onemig himself? Ang gusto ko lang naman ay kumain, pero bakit binigyan ako ng ganito?

Are they blind enough to give appreciation to me?

What happened to these walls that I built for years? Oh, come on, Lorenzo!

"It's an honor na ma-meet ka. It's a big honor talaga!" Onemig once more blurted out with such sincerity.

"So, iiyak na ba ako?" I answered with full sarcasm. Sorry to say this, but it's time to cut this Oscar's-worthy dramatic monologue.

"Ikaw naman! Kita mong may dramatic moment ako rito."

An involuntary smirk suddenly came out and manifested to my face. Fine, I can't help with it!

Onemig's seriousness suddenly faded when his quirky and annoying-as-hell persona came back. Na-realize kong ibang-iba ang persona ni Onemig kapag seryoso.

"Uy, ngingiti na iyan!" pangungulit pa niya habang kumuha ulit ng fries at saka inilagay sa bibig niya.

"No," matigas kong pagkakasabi while crossing my arms. Not in his wildest dreams!

"Sus. Ngingiti ka lang siguro kung ilalabas ko ang alas ko," he then continued with an evil grin onto his face. Oh, should I be threatened to him? Good luck.

I'm starting to see this annoying guy in a different perspective. I realized that he's one of the few people who managed to stay despite my eccentricities in life. Despite what happened during that damn reporting activity on our organization.

Humans are indeed chaotic in nature. We are chaotic--and that brings the world into cosmos.

Well, I should move forward and forget everything that happened.

-30-