A piece of the past…

If there was anything that her parents liked about her going to school was that she was friends with people who had money, most especially George.

Her friends came to visit her and though she told them she caught a cold, she knew they did not believe her. Jackie couldn’t take her eyes away from the fresh bruises on her arms and George couldn’t help the gritting of her teeth.

Her parents weren’t around so they were able to have a quick chat before they arrived. They talked with Tessa more cheerfully with promises of visiting more often if they could.

“You should go home,” Dannie told them a while later. “Your parents will be worried. Can you tell Ms. Salazar I won’t be back until next week?”

Jackie’s eyes returned to her bruises but did not say a word. Both her friends nodded their heads and walked out the door with their goodbyes.

*****

The following week, Dannie had to tell her parents they needed to go to school.

“We did not force you to go to that stupid school. Why would we go?” her mother cried out even before she finished.

“Okay,” she answered without any argument.

Ms. Salazar had noticed the bruises in her arms and wanted to see her parents. It was not the first time. Dannie would have to tell another lie.

PRESENT DAY

Dannie later found herself facilitating the games for the children. Because Troy’s dad had a lot of prizes to give, the games went on for hours until the children were completely exhausted and fell asleep in their parents’ arms. Troy had been busy taking photos of the games and Dannie with her on-the-spot task of providing the games.

“Come on, kids, it’s time to sleep,” Troy told his cousins. All of them followed him upstairs, their eyes groggy and their steps slow. “Careful, careful. Come one, just a few more steps, guys,” he said as he bent down to pick up the smallest girl in the group and carried her all the way to the top of the stairs.

Dannie tore her eyes away from them when they disappeared from view and looked around the messy living room. The adults had slowly walked out to the veranda for more small talks while some were already in bed.

“I hope you enjoyed the crazy party, Danica,” Troy’s dad said beside her. She did not notice him approach. His cheeks were red from all the laughter earlier and his eyes twinkled as he stared at the top of the empty staircase as if he could still see Troy and the children in their rooms.

“Yes, I did, Mr. Brady.”

“How many times have I told you? It’s just Ron.”

“How about Tito?”

He sighed. “Okay. Tito is fine. I still find that word weird but it’s better than Mr. Brady.”

Dannie let out a small laugh.

“Troy couldn’t stop talking about you since you came back, you know.”

Dannie looked at him and met his sideway gaze. Mr. Brady laughed at her appalled reaction. “You would be more surprised to know how much he talked about your for years, Danica.”

Her mouth fell open. Troy told his dad?

The laughter in Mr. Brady’s voice did not waver as he said, “I knew he was in love even before he realized it. You are a household name around here, Danica.” Again, there as laughter. “And he calls you Danica while everyone else refers to you as Dannie.

Dannie sighed. “He had always called me that since we met.”

“That should tell you something then,” Mr. Brady sighed. He faced her and looked at her with tenderness. “It only means he wants to not be like everybody else.” He gave her a wink and walked away, leaving her alone. But not for long because Mrs. Brady walked to her with a knowing smile.

Dannie got the feeling that the parents were up to something here and she felt trapped. Where the hell was Troy?

“Don’t worry, Dannie. I won’t attack. I know my husband’s wicked thoughts. He wants you for his son and I do, too. But I wouldn’t dare beg you to leave the convent,” Mrs. Brady uttered, putting an arm over her shoulders.

The atmosphere between the two of them was nothing like the one she had with Mr. Brady. This time, Dannie felt the woman’s worry and concern. “He’s hurting, isn’t he?”

Dannie swallowed. She didn’t know how to answer that.

“Don’t worry, hija. I am not trying to blame you. Did I tell you he told me you are his karma?”

Dannie shook her head. Why did Troy have to tell his parents?!

“And I agree with him. He’s been doing a lot of foolish things for years and now he came crashing against a huge wall and he feels powerless.”

“I’m sorry,” was all she could utter.

“Don’t be. I know things will work out the way they should be. Don’t feel responsible for his feelings, Dannie. He’s a man and he’s learning a lot becoming one. He’ll survive. And you,” Mrs. Brady grabbed Dannie’s shoulders and stepped before her, holding her gaze, “you should do what you want to do. Don’t let fear or anyone keep you from doing what you love to do.”

The tears welled in her eyes as she nodded.

Mrs. Brady pulled her closer for a long, soothing embrace. “Don’t cry, dear. Everything’s going to be alright.”

*****

I didn’t know how he managed to convince Dannie baby to spend the night with him, but he did. And somehow, I was proud of the guy! But he had to pay for leaving me behind!

Tata was not such a great storyteller so I had to rely to the very little details she managed to impart. She stayed in the garage the whole night anyway and didn’t witness a lot. I let it pass.

Troy was in a good mood when he dropped Dannie off. And she was in a pretty good mood when we drove back to the apartment later that afternoon after she spent more time with the sisters and the kids.

Jackie, Georgie, Dean and Jordan arrived the following day with stories of their own. Jackie shared how amazing Dean’s family was and Georgie had to be forced to tell us more about how she nearly broke Jordan’s nose. The guy was fine, but his ego was definitely not.

They said it started with just a small wrestling game they usually had and it turned to something more physical because Georgie was allegedly tackled on the ground by Jordan and she didn’t want to admit defeat so she turned really serious and attacked him until their families literally tore them apart from each other. They said the only person who was amused of their little game was Vivienne, Georgie’s little sister.

All in all, the wedding was still on and the planning continued until New Year’s Eve. This time, Dannie baby and I would not be alone. Everyone decided to meet the New Year together. Anon was set to perform in Art District for a New Year’s party and we were all going!

Yes, including Dannie baby.

Of course, she was hesitant. But after a lot of begging from the bride and groom who claimed her days with them were almost over, she finally gave in—but no alcohol for her. Everybody was fine with that.

So that night we all went to Art District for some fun. I was oh so ready to meet new vics. Dean and Jordan washed me up good the previous day. I was all shiny my yellow paint was almost the epitome of sunlight in the middle of the night. I WAS SO READY!

And then Beatle came into the picture. And Vicky aka Victor. Tata was not around because Troy said he’d have to pass because he had to be with his family to celebrate the New Year in their farm outside of town. With Beatle, Vicky and me—and the humans—we were a crowd. And somebody had to be left behind.

NO! NO! NO!

And it had to be me. Dannie could pick which ride to board and I was not among the choices.

MEEEEEE! PICK ME!!!!!

But no one was even looking at me. Dannie baby was not even looking at me! She was torn between two cars. I secretly hated my buddy Beatle and Vicky that night. They should break down or something! They knew how much I had been craving for a night out in the city! I spent the whole freaking Christmas in the premises of a church for Volk’s sake! I spent it ALONE. Outside the CHURCH. No one even took a selfie with me. NO ONE.

But I just got to be left behind. I was the unwanted car. They would only waste more gas. Just pick a car, Dannie, they said.

Everyone was mocking my existence!

In the end, Vicky aka Victor won. Dannie climbed inside her and they all zoomed away. Beatle said he was sorry. Vicky was sorry too, but I knew she was not that sorry. She was excited to go and flaunt her BMW self out there.

Well, news flash, girl! There are tons of pedicabs in that area! One wrong move and your shiny paint will get another wash of black nail polish! Yeah, remember the nail polish?!

I was mad for a long time.

“Looks like you’re left behind, Toto,” a familiar voice said from behind me.

Jam!

And he was pushing his bike, Nomad in the middle of the street. He was going out as well.

Nomad, hey, buddy! Don’t leave. Break down or something. Come on, you can do that. You know, it is not safe for bikes to go out at this time of the year, you know. You guys are on the top of the most accident-prone vehicles all over the country! You would want to see what next year has for you, right? So come on, don’t go. DON’T!

But the last friend I had was also zooming away with his cool rider.

I can’t believe I rooted for you one year ago, Jam! BURN IN HELL, TEAM JA!

I lost it that night. I’d lose it for three more weeks.

On the fourth week, my savior would come to rescue me. And you would not believe what he did.

*****

Dannie had to admit that she was slightly disappointed when she saw Lee and Miguel walk to their table. No Troy Brady around to wink at almost every girl within the premises. No Brady to squeeze right next to her.

Jordan and George were sitting beside each other, their hands clasped together on the table and their heads bent close to one another as they talked, lost in their own worlds. It was rare for Dannie to see the two of them like that so she let them be. Jackie, as always, had turned her chair around to face the stage where Anon, Dean’s band was setting up.

When Kurt, the lead guitarist, strummed his guitar, the crowd cheered. The party atmosphere was more intense that night because of the coming New Year. Everyone was holding up their drinks, excited to hear more.

Phil, the vocalist, tapped the microphone before him and smiled at the crowd.

“Ready for some cool party?” he asked.

The crowd cheered louder.

Dannie had no problems with Anon’s music. They were a mixture of old and new. Some didn’t like them because they preferred something more electric while others, like her and her friends, loved the laidback, old school kind.

“We’re testing our instruments and as we do the final touches, we’ll play this old song for you all,” Phil said, looking at his band mates. Dean was already at the back, behind the drums, his baseball cap hiding the upper part of his face.

“Aren’t you gonna play with them?” Dannie heard Lee ask Nikki, Dean’s cousin and Anon’s only female vocalist.

“I’ll go up when it’s my turn. Right now, I want some beer.”

Lee and Miguel immediately called for a waiter, giddy to please their pretty friend.

“Dannie, it’s nice to see you again,” Nikki said as the Anon started playing.

“Yeah. I have actually missed this.”

“Where’s Troy?”

Dannie remembered Troy, Lee and Miguel were Nikki’s avid fans and of course she would look for the leader. “He’s out of town.”

Nikki frowned. “I thought now that you’re back he would be stuck to you like glue. That man should learn to treasure his time.”

Surprised, Dannie gaped at Nikki.

The girl just laughed. “Come on. Everyone knew even before the news broke out. We’re the prime witness of how crazy he was over you,” Nikki said.

“This is for all the fools out there!” Phil jokingly said. “Forget him or her, dude. Tomorrow’s another year!” he added before continuing the song.

Well, she's kind of pretty
Drives a big car too
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do

Phil started singing a Stephen Bishop song and some of the older people in the place howled in cheer.

If she's got everything she needs
What does she need me for?
I'm just a crazy fool
Comin' back for more

Dannie grabbed the music as an excuse to turn away from Nikki and focus her attention on stage.

And I know
She's no good
Can't leave her
But I know I should
Everybody says watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy

You better Save it for a Rainy Day

People started to sing along with the familiar lyrics and Dannie was grateful for the distraction.

You better Save it for a Rainy Day

Well I'd leave in a minute
If I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
My heart's in her hands
This is a sure a mess
There's no way I say no
When she says, "yes yes yes"

Take me, shake me
And tell me this ain't a dream
Everybody says watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy

You better Save it for a Rainy Day… You better Save it for a Rainy Day…

As the song ended, Dannie couldn’t help but think about that night outside KGB.

“I love you, Danica. I still do.”

Troy’s words ran around her head again and again like an endless marathon.

She shook her head and forced herself to enjoy the night with or without Troy Brady.