CHAPTER 30
AT THE BAR
Narrator: Out on the sidewalk where Erich’s broken phone was sitting in the front of the bar, two Filipino dudes approached the building, talking. Then one of them wearing a black and gray striped long-sleeved shirt noticed Erich’s cell phone on the ground.
Guy 1: (approaching device) Wow… (picking it up, takes good look at it) May na iwang cell phone dito at sira pa. (laughing)
Narrator: His friend was wearing a red cap and a white long-sleeved shirt covered by a dark green large plain T-shirt.
Guy 2: Pare, anong kikita mo sa scell phone nayan? Eh sira pala.
Guy 1: Basta, nan dito pa rin yun SIM card, o? (taking it out of phone, showing it to his friend)
Guy 2: So ibig sabihin nanakaw mo nay an kahit sira na?
Guy 1: Eh I ayos ko ‘to. Wag ka maalala. Tara na. Pasok tayo dito.
Guy 2: (as they head for the entrance to the bar) Grabe ka talaga, pare.
Narrator: Inside the bar, a Filipino male bartender named Shadi was serving two glasses of hard liquor to two white guys sitting at the counter.
White guy: (bushy hair) Thanks.
Shadi: No problem.
Narrator: Then he saw the two Filipino guys arriving at the counter.
Shadi: Oy, Jerry! (referring to the guy wearing a black and gray striped long sleeve shirt)
Jerry: (nodding and smiling as he and Shadi high five one another) Ahh pareng Shadi! Long time no see!
Shadi: I know! Anong may bago sa buhay mo ngayon?
Jerry: Wala. School lang.
Shadi: Ah ganun?
Jerry: O Shadi… etong ibigan ko ay si Hermit.
Hermit: Sup (as he and Shadi shake hands)
Shadi: Saan ka pinang anak?
Hermit: Sa Pinas, siempre. (laughing)
Jerry: Alam namin, o? (light shove)
Hermit: Sa Quezon City.
Shadi: Ah talaga? Pinang anak rin yun ex ko dun.
Hermit: Ah… swerte ka, ah? (as Shadi smiles) Ikaw?
Shadi: Sa Maynila.
Hermit: Wow… maraming Filipino ng pinang anak dyan, ah?
Jerry: Oo nga, noh?
Shadi: So paano kita tutulongan ditto, mga luma at bagong parekoy ko?
Jerry: Shadi, meron ako I pag kita sa iyo.
Shadi: Ano yun?
Narrator: Jerry took out Erich’s broken phone and showed it to Shadi.
Shadi: Ah… saan galing yan?
Jerry: Dun lang sa labas, o? Sa harap ang bar.
Shadi: Ah ganun?
Jerry: Oo tapos may kasama pang SIM card. (showing it to him also)
Hermit: Ano talaga gagawin mo sa card nayan? Saan mo gagamitin yan?
Jerry: (puts hand on Hermit’s shoulder) Wag ka maalala. Hahanapin akong bagong cell phone para sa rili ko, at tatransfer ako yun lahat ang mga contacts o dyan. Tapos lalagay ako yun SIM card ‘to sa dating phone ko na I gamit ko ngayon.
Shadi: Bakit? Diba magandang phone mo ngayon?
Jerry: Tsk ehmm… gusto ko sana yun I Phone.
Shadi: Mahal namang bayad para dyan.
Jerry: Okay lang. May pera naman ako eh.
Shadi: Eh mabuti.
Hermit: Oo. Lagi siya ginastos yun pera niya para sa mga clubs.
Jerry: Di naman ganyan lagi eh.
Shadi: Ang buhay mo talaga, Jerry. Sige na. I pili mo na yun drinks mo.
Jerry: I’ll have a Vodka with Red Bull.
Hermit: Para sakin June Bug.
Shadi: At your service. ID’s please?
Narrator: So the guys pulled out their driver’s license cards, showing them to Shadi. After Shadi checked them both…
Shadi: Okie.
Narrator: So as he was preparing their drinks, Jerry looked around the bar.
Jerry: ‘La masyadong tao dito sa bar ngayon, ah?
Shadi: (pouring in Jerry’s drinks) Siempre. Wednesday lang naman eh.
Hermit: Oo saka… wala masyadong babae sa ganitong horas.
Shadi: May girlfriend ka ba?
Hermit: Ako?!
Shadi: Oo naman.
Hermit: Wala… ikaw?
Shadi: Dati.
Hermit: Sino?
Shadi: Di mo siya kilala. Si Roxanne.
Hermit: Teka, Roxanne… Guinoo?!
Shadi: Oo. Paano mo malalaman?
Hermit: Classmate ko siya dati nung high school.
Shadi: Ganun ba? Kilala ko siya sa dagat eh. (smiling)
Jerry: Sa dagat pa, ah? Maraming singles dun. Diba, Hermit?
Hermit: Oo nga eh.
Shadi: Oo mas mabuti pa na I meet mo yun mga babae either dyan o sa bar. Madali yan mag karaon ang girlfriend, least a couple days or so.
Hermit: Talaga??
Jerry: Oo naman, noh?
Shadi: Hermit, kung pupunta ka dito ulit, dapat Friday o Saturday. Mas crowded dito saka mas madami pang babae.
Hermit: Sige! I’m DOWN for it naman!
Jerry: Huy! (slaps Hermit on side of waist) Tahimik ka lang dyan.
Shadi: I hop sana mag kikita tayo ulit sa Friday night. (pouring in Hermit’s drink)
Narrator: As Jerry was looking around, he suddenly noticed a group three hotties, two of them around his age and the other a little older than him. Two of the girls were Hispanic while the other one was a Filipina, the one who looked at his age. Jerry started noticing her face more clearly now, the beautiful brown eyes giving him the sense of familiarity, the long light brown hair straight down to her shoulders as she was pulling it back, laughing. Then that gorgeous smile attracted him even more. Now he looked down on her outfit – there was no doubt that black sleeveless top she was wearing made him want to socialize with her. Jerry, shaking his head, smiled with excitement.
Jerry: (patting Hermit on arm) Huy, pare! (as Hermit turned to him) Babalik ako dito, ah?
Hermit: Saan ka pupunta?
Jerry: (moving his head toward the girls’ table) Dun lang, o?
Hermit: (as he takes quick look at the table, then back to him) Pwede ba ako sasama? (smiling)
Jerry: Mamiya na lang. (naughty smile)
Narrator: So Jerry got up and headed over to the other table, leaving Hermit and his mouth WIIIDE open (lol).
Sunday, March 29, 2009
ch. 29 - unreachable
CHAPTER 29
UNREACHABLE
Narrator: Meanwhile with Maja’s gang…
Brenda: Sabi ko na aba eh. Sinabi na naming kay Erich na mas mabuti pa na kasama siya samin. Di eh.
Nina: Akala niya mag kaya siya sa rili niya kahit ano nangyari.
Jamilla: Tawagin mo siya ulit, Brenda. Baka sasagot na siya yan.
Brenda: Sigurado kaba?
Jamilla: Yeah, do it.
Walter: I gotta get goin’, ladies.
Sarah: Where are you going?
Walter: I got a load of shit to take care of in my house. It’s been a long ass day for me since I got here.
Maja: Be careful, Uncle Walter.
Walter: I will. You ladies take care, all right?
Sarah: We will.
Narrator: Walter walked away afterwards. Brenda dialed Erich again hoping she answer the call.
*
Inside Spider’s car as the loud music continued to rumble, Jeeva was intentionally harassing Erich. Spider and his other two friends didn’t pay attention as they were too busy grooving to the rap music, their hands raising up and down. Erich couldn’t help but to scream.
A moment later, her phone rang again. This time, Jeeva could feel the strong rumble of the device as he stopped harassing her.
Jeeva: Da fuck?!
Narrator: Jeeva reached into her pants pocket and grabbed her cell phone, reading Brenda’s name on her caller ID. Sliding it upward, Jeeva answered the call.
Jeeva: HELLO?!
Narrator: Brenda, shocked, frowned at the sound of his voice through the receiver.
Brenda: Where’s my friend?!
Jeeva: Hello?! Hello?!!
Brenda: Hey, I’m TALKING here! (tears in her eyes)
Jeeva: Hello hello hello hello hello hello…
Brenda: STOP IT!!!
Narrator: But it was no use. Jeeva hung up, Brenda staring at her phone to see her call being ended. Brenda hung up as well, now sobbing more as she covered her mouth. Brenda, crying, hugged Nina as Nina was also in tears. Jeeva slid Erich’s phone downward, and literally threw it out the window as it landed hard on the sidewalk beside a bar. All the structure bits of the phone broke apart, leaving the SIM card and battery on the inside of the device.
Jeeva: (approaching Erich’s ear) Now back to business.
Narrator: So he continued to do his job of harassing Erich.
Narrator: Erich continued panicking, except in a worse way. She was crying in vain.
*
Back inside my house, the Lakers game was almost over. Kobe was holding the ball in the team’s final possession as the game clock was running down on the final 8 seconds of regulation.
D-Nort: Don’t go for 3!! Don’t do it!!
Narrator: But once the clock winded down to the last three seconds, Kobe, guarded tightly by Bowen, dribbled all the way to the sideline where he last made the 3 ptr to give the Lakers a 111 – 109 lead. Kobe fired on the same exact spot as the buzzer sounded, and suddenly…
Jay, Mr. Castro, D-Nort, Koji: YEEEEAAAAAHHH!!!!!
Koji: Wooooooooo!!! (as he jumped up and down)
Jay: We KILLED EM!!! (as I danced in circles)
Narrator: My mom then popped into the living room hearing it all.
Mrs. Castro: Hoy! Ano sinisigawin niyo dyan? Nalo ba? Nalo?
Jay: By TWO!! (showing my “peace!” sign at her)
Mrs. Castro: Ba… edi maging champion nang Lakers. Nalo eh.
Jay: We will this year!!
Narrator: Suddenly, my phone rang of the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” ring tone. I read my caller ID to find that my long time friend Abbas was calling. I ran to my room as soon as I answered the call.
UNREACHABLE
Narrator: Meanwhile with Maja’s gang…
Brenda: Sabi ko na aba eh. Sinabi na naming kay Erich na mas mabuti pa na kasama siya samin. Di eh.
Nina: Akala niya mag kaya siya sa rili niya kahit ano nangyari.
Jamilla: Tawagin mo siya ulit, Brenda. Baka sasagot na siya yan.
Brenda: Sigurado kaba?
Jamilla: Yeah, do it.
Walter: I gotta get goin’, ladies.
Sarah: Where are you going?
Walter: I got a load of shit to take care of in my house. It’s been a long ass day for me since I got here.
Maja: Be careful, Uncle Walter.
Walter: I will. You ladies take care, all right?
Sarah: We will.
Narrator: Walter walked away afterwards. Brenda dialed Erich again hoping she answer the call.
*
Inside Spider’s car as the loud music continued to rumble, Jeeva was intentionally harassing Erich. Spider and his other two friends didn’t pay attention as they were too busy grooving to the rap music, their hands raising up and down. Erich couldn’t help but to scream.
A moment later, her phone rang again. This time, Jeeva could feel the strong rumble of the device as he stopped harassing her.
Jeeva: Da fuck?!
Narrator: Jeeva reached into her pants pocket and grabbed her cell phone, reading Brenda’s name on her caller ID. Sliding it upward, Jeeva answered the call.
Jeeva: HELLO?!
Narrator: Brenda, shocked, frowned at the sound of his voice through the receiver.
Brenda: Where’s my friend?!
Jeeva: Hello?! Hello?!!
Brenda: Hey, I’m TALKING here! (tears in her eyes)
Jeeva: Hello hello hello hello hello hello…
Brenda: STOP IT!!!
Narrator: But it was no use. Jeeva hung up, Brenda staring at her phone to see her call being ended. Brenda hung up as well, now sobbing more as she covered her mouth. Brenda, crying, hugged Nina as Nina was also in tears. Jeeva slid Erich’s phone downward, and literally threw it out the window as it landed hard on the sidewalk beside a bar. All the structure bits of the phone broke apart, leaving the SIM card and battery on the inside of the device.
Jeeva: (approaching Erich’s ear) Now back to business.
Narrator: So he continued to do his job of harassing Erich.
Narrator: Erich continued panicking, except in a worse way. She was crying in vain.
*
Back inside my house, the Lakers game was almost over. Kobe was holding the ball in the team’s final possession as the game clock was running down on the final 8 seconds of regulation.
D-Nort: Don’t go for 3!! Don’t do it!!
Narrator: But once the clock winded down to the last three seconds, Kobe, guarded tightly by Bowen, dribbled all the way to the sideline where he last made the 3 ptr to give the Lakers a 111 – 109 lead. Kobe fired on the same exact spot as the buzzer sounded, and suddenly…
Jay, Mr. Castro, D-Nort, Koji: YEEEEAAAAAHHH!!!!!
Koji: Wooooooooo!!! (as he jumped up and down)
Jay: We KILLED EM!!! (as I danced in circles)
Narrator: My mom then popped into the living room hearing it all.
Mrs. Castro: Hoy! Ano sinisigawin niyo dyan? Nalo ba? Nalo?
Jay: By TWO!! (showing my “peace!” sign at her)
Mrs. Castro: Ba… edi maging champion nang Lakers. Nalo eh.
Jay: We will this year!!
Narrator: Suddenly, my phone rang of the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” ring tone. I read my caller ID to find that my long time friend Abbas was calling. I ran to my room as soon as I answered the call.
ch. 28 - light!
CHAPTER 28
LIGHT!
Narrator: Back inside my house, I was sitting in my room lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. A minute later, the lights came back on.
Jay: Oh shit… light! (as I got up from my bed)
Narrator: Outside in my living room…
Mr. Castro: Wow, may ilaw na!
D-Nort: (looking out window) Pati sa labas ng ilaw lahat ang bahay!
Koji: (seeing TV being turned back on to Lakers game) Na labas nay yun game!!
Jay: (as I head out to living room) What’s happenin’?
Koji: Aww MAYN! Lakers up by one again!
Mr. Castro: One na naman ang lamang?
Narrator: Me, my dad, and uncle D-Nort rushed to the family room to find that the Lakers were up 108 – 107.
Jay: Shoot, Spurs have the ball.
Narrator: As we saw, Duncan, doubled by Odom and Gasol, threw up a very awkward layup high in the air and sank in, much to our surprise.
Mr. Castro/ D-Nort/ Jay/ Koji: P********ang tira yan!/ Whoa!!/ Holy SHIT!/ Daaym!
Jay: Are you kiddin’ me?!
Mr. Castro: Na haggis lang ang p*********.
D-Nort: Oo…? Chinamba pa… tsss…
*
Narrator: Back at the Town Center where all the lights have popped back on…
Jamilla: Aba… buti na lang ng ilaw nang lahat.
Maja: Oo nga eh.
Nina: (sighing) Bakit na ka ganitong mundo naitn? Panay salvahe ang ng daanan natin. Dyos ko…
Narrator: Suddenly, a siren sounded from their left. When everyone turned, they saw the ambulance, fire truck, and two police cars approaching them.
Walter: Hah thank God they came early.
*
Narrator: Back inside my house, we continued watching the Lakers game as it winded down to the final minute, Kobe dribbling the ball.
D-Nort: Don’t go for 3! Don’t GO FOR 3!!
Narrator: But once Kobe dribbled it to the sideline, he fired the 3 ptr while being guarded by Bowen.
Jay: Oh NOO!!
Narrator: Fortunately, the ball sank in, and we all cheered.
Jay: YEEEEAAHH!!!
Koji: Wooohooo!!!
Narrator: So we all high-fived each other after that shot. The Lakers were already leading by 2, 111 – 109, with 33 seconds left in regulation. A timeout was called by the Spurs afterwards.
*
Back out at the Town Center where Robby, Chris, and Bobby were walking down the path where Wal Mart was located…
Bobby: Dude, they’d used to have blackouts like this back in New York, and strong gusts of wind would break down almost every building.
Robby: Seriously?
Bobby: Yeah, I’m not kiddin’.
Robby: (changing subject) I wonder how Jay reacted when he got my text.
Bobby: Dude, he’d probably already talk to her about it.
Robby: Yeah and he’d ask like a million questions in every single minute. (laughing)
Bobby: Cuuzz…
Chris: I think she and Jay would fit together perfectly, don’t ya think?
Robby: Umm…
Bobby: Well, if she’s THAT good in DDR, she actually knows how to dance. He can’t.
Robby: It doesn’t matter cuz they’re both good in DDR.
Bobby: But SHE’s actually better than him.
Chris: Wull, least that’s something they have in common. They play DDR.
Robby: Yeah…
*
Narrator: Back inside my house as we were watching the final 20 seconds of the game, Parker dribbled the ball toward the basket, but passed it to Roger Mason who was open on the sideline. Fisher hurried over there trying to bother the opponent, who was about to attempt the shot. However, Mason faked, and drew contact on Fish as he fired away with his feet spread apart on an awkward position. Much to our shock, the ball went in the basket as the crowd roared.
Mr. Castro: P*******!
Jay: Oh DAAYM!!
D-Nort: Waah! Dyos ko naman YAN!!
Mr. Castro: Ano ginawa ni Fisher?
Koji: Maayn I can’t BELIEVE this!!
Jay: Let’s hope he doesn’t make the FT.
Narrator: So as Mason was at the charity strike dribbling the ball, he threw it up, and sank it. The Spurs now lead 112 – 111.
Jay: Aww mayn.
D-Nort: Here we go again.
*
Narrator: Back out in the Town Center with my three friends…
Robby: Holy shit!
Narrator: All three turned to the path ahead of them, where the ambulance, fire truck, and two police cars were standing.
Bobby: Whattappened over there?
Chris: (noticing crowd on left side of vehicles) It’s an accident.
Robby: You serious?
Narrator: The guys power-walked to get a closer look at the scene. They saw two guys put Edwin on a stretcher. Once the stretcher was pulled into the ambulance, Robby started noticing Maja as she was standing beside Sarah and Walter.
Robby: Ey isn’t that Maja?
Bobby: (seeing her also) I think…
Robby: Isn’t that Jay’s other girlfriend?
Bobby: Tss man, he won’t know.
Chris: ‘Course he won’t. He’s always in his house.
Robby: I know. Abbas too.
Bobby: Yeah but Abbas hardly ever gets outta the house.
Chris: Cuz of his mom.
Narrator: Minutes later, all the four vehicles drove away, leaving the gang behind.
Bobby: They left.
Robby: Heh, that’s weird.
Chris: I wanna go home now.
Robby: Are we playin’ Halo 3 again?
Chris: If ya want.
Robby: Let’s go then.
Narrator: So my friends headed back to the parking lot to find Robby’s car.
LIGHT!
Narrator: Back inside my house, I was sitting in my room lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. A minute later, the lights came back on.
Jay: Oh shit… light! (as I got up from my bed)
Narrator: Outside in my living room…
Mr. Castro: Wow, may ilaw na!
D-Nort: (looking out window) Pati sa labas ng ilaw lahat ang bahay!
Koji: (seeing TV being turned back on to Lakers game) Na labas nay yun game!!
Jay: (as I head out to living room) What’s happenin’?
Koji: Aww MAYN! Lakers up by one again!
Mr. Castro: One na naman ang lamang?
Narrator: Me, my dad, and uncle D-Nort rushed to the family room to find that the Lakers were up 108 – 107.
Jay: Shoot, Spurs have the ball.
Narrator: As we saw, Duncan, doubled by Odom and Gasol, threw up a very awkward layup high in the air and sank in, much to our surprise.
Mr. Castro/ D-Nort/ Jay/ Koji: P********ang tira yan!/ Whoa!!/ Holy SHIT!/ Daaym!
Jay: Are you kiddin’ me?!
Mr. Castro: Na haggis lang ang p*********.
D-Nort: Oo…? Chinamba pa… tsss…
*
Narrator: Back at the Town Center where all the lights have popped back on…
Jamilla: Aba… buti na lang ng ilaw nang lahat.
Maja: Oo nga eh.
Nina: (sighing) Bakit na ka ganitong mundo naitn? Panay salvahe ang ng daanan natin. Dyos ko…
Narrator: Suddenly, a siren sounded from their left. When everyone turned, they saw the ambulance, fire truck, and two police cars approaching them.
Walter: Hah thank God they came early.
*
Narrator: Back inside my house, we continued watching the Lakers game as it winded down to the final minute, Kobe dribbling the ball.
D-Nort: Don’t go for 3! Don’t GO FOR 3!!
Narrator: But once Kobe dribbled it to the sideline, he fired the 3 ptr while being guarded by Bowen.
Jay: Oh NOO!!
Narrator: Fortunately, the ball sank in, and we all cheered.
Jay: YEEEEAAHH!!!
Koji: Wooohooo!!!
Narrator: So we all high-fived each other after that shot. The Lakers were already leading by 2, 111 – 109, with 33 seconds left in regulation. A timeout was called by the Spurs afterwards.
*
Back out at the Town Center where Robby, Chris, and Bobby were walking down the path where Wal Mart was located…
Bobby: Dude, they’d used to have blackouts like this back in New York, and strong gusts of wind would break down almost every building.
Robby: Seriously?
Bobby: Yeah, I’m not kiddin’.
Robby: (changing subject) I wonder how Jay reacted when he got my text.
Bobby: Dude, he’d probably already talk to her about it.
Robby: Yeah and he’d ask like a million questions in every single minute. (laughing)
Bobby: Cuuzz…
Chris: I think she and Jay would fit together perfectly, don’t ya think?
Robby: Umm…
Bobby: Well, if she’s THAT good in DDR, she actually knows how to dance. He can’t.
Robby: It doesn’t matter cuz they’re both good in DDR.
Bobby: But SHE’s actually better than him.
Chris: Wull, least that’s something they have in common. They play DDR.
Robby: Yeah…
*
Narrator: Back inside my house as we were watching the final 20 seconds of the game, Parker dribbled the ball toward the basket, but passed it to Roger Mason who was open on the sideline. Fisher hurried over there trying to bother the opponent, who was about to attempt the shot. However, Mason faked, and drew contact on Fish as he fired away with his feet spread apart on an awkward position. Much to our shock, the ball went in the basket as the crowd roared.
Mr. Castro: P*******!
Jay: Oh DAAYM!!
D-Nort: Waah! Dyos ko naman YAN!!
Mr. Castro: Ano ginawa ni Fisher?
Koji: Maayn I can’t BELIEVE this!!
Jay: Let’s hope he doesn’t make the FT.
Narrator: So as Mason was at the charity strike dribbling the ball, he threw it up, and sank it. The Spurs now lead 112 – 111.
Jay: Aww mayn.
D-Nort: Here we go again.
*
Narrator: Back out in the Town Center with my three friends…
Robby: Holy shit!
Narrator: All three turned to the path ahead of them, where the ambulance, fire truck, and two police cars were standing.
Bobby: Whattappened over there?
Chris: (noticing crowd on left side of vehicles) It’s an accident.
Robby: You serious?
Narrator: The guys power-walked to get a closer look at the scene. They saw two guys put Edwin on a stretcher. Once the stretcher was pulled into the ambulance, Robby started noticing Maja as she was standing beside Sarah and Walter.
Robby: Ey isn’t that Maja?
Bobby: (seeing her also) I think…
Robby: Isn’t that Jay’s other girlfriend?
Bobby: Tss man, he won’t know.
Chris: ‘Course he won’t. He’s always in his house.
Robby: I know. Abbas too.
Bobby: Yeah but Abbas hardly ever gets outta the house.
Chris: Cuz of his mom.
Narrator: Minutes later, all the four vehicles drove away, leaving the gang behind.
Bobby: They left.
Robby: Heh, that’s weird.
Chris: I wanna go home now.
Robby: Are we playin’ Halo 3 again?
Chris: If ya want.
Robby: Let’s go then.
Narrator: So my friends headed back to the parking lot to find Robby’s car.
ch. 27 - lost friend
CHAPTER 27
LOST FRIEND
Narrator: Around the Wal Mart area…
Brenda: (looking around) Walang tao dito.
Denise: That’s creepy.
Nina: Baka nan dun sila. (pointing to patch ahead of them)
Narrator: So the girls continued walking down the path hoping they already find the two friends.
*
Meanwhile with Walter and wounded Edwin…
Walter: The ambulance is on its way, so hang tight!
Edwin: (nodding) Where’s… Erich?
Walter: Yer askin’ me?? To hell I know some Asian lady named Erich.
Edwin: (coughing) She’s… (coughing) a fried of mine, the one standing next to me. Where is she?
Walter: She’s gone.
Edwin: What?! (coughing) What do you mean?! Where did she go?! (coughing)
Walter: I kinda saw those guys grabbin’ her while ya were down, n’ they just took off.
Edwin: No… nooo… (groaning)
Walter: Steady now. (holding Edwin’s shoulder)
Narrator: A moment later, Maja’s gang finally arrived to the scene where they found Edwin lying on the ground.
Maja: Uncle Walter!
Walter: (seeing Maja and Sarah running up to him) Hey…
Sarah: What happened?
Maja: (covering her mouth as she sees the bleeding of Edwin’s right leg) My gulayness…
Sarah: (seeing it also) Who did this to you?!
Edwin: (coughing) Some gang… he held a gun (coughing)… shot me right here. (groaning)
Sarah: Take it easy. Where’s the ambulance?
Walter: I got it taken care of. It’s on its way.
Brenda: Umm Edwin?
Edwin: Yeah?
Brenda: Nasaan si Erich?
Edwin: (coughing) Kasama siya… (coughing) sa mga salvahe…
Nina: (covering her mouth in shock) Huh?! Paano naman nangyari yun?!
Edwin: Basta… nasa coche sila…
Denise: (silently) Oh my God…
Narrator: Edwin then groaned again, this time a worse one.
Maja: Easy… (as she comforts his shoulder back and forth)
Jamilla: Brenda, tawagin mo siya baka na hawak pa yun cell phone niya.
Brenda: Sige.
Narrator: So Brenda tried dialing Erich in hopes of hearing her voice through the receiver.
*
Inside Spider’s car, Erich was sitting in the backseat between Jeeva and Lagga. Her mouth was covered with gray masking tape and her hands were tied behind her back with ropes. She was panicking so badly that she couldn’t hear her own scream through the tape.
Lagga: Yo Spider! Where’s the fuckin’ music?!
Spider: Relax, man, I’ll get it on.
Narrator: So once Spider turned on the stereo, rap music sounded all over the interior of the car. Spider turned up the volume, and the music grew louder as well as the intense rumbling.
Erich’s cell phone suddenly rang, Brenda’s name appearing on her caller ID, but Erich nor the other guys in the car could hear it nor feel the rumble. Erich panicked even more, but they ignored her as they were all talking with their loud voices. The phone kept ringing, but after the sixth and final ring, the call went through the voicemail.
Brenda could hear Erich’s extended personal absence greeting through the receiver with the following words:
“Hi, it’s Erich. Ahmm I’m not here at the moment, so leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, okie? Byyee.”
Brenda: Wala eh.
Maja: Oh dear…
LOST FRIEND
Narrator: Around the Wal Mart area…
Brenda: (looking around) Walang tao dito.
Denise: That’s creepy.
Nina: Baka nan dun sila. (pointing to patch ahead of them)
Narrator: So the girls continued walking down the path hoping they already find the two friends.
*
Meanwhile with Walter and wounded Edwin…
Walter: The ambulance is on its way, so hang tight!
Edwin: (nodding) Where’s… Erich?
Walter: Yer askin’ me?? To hell I know some Asian lady named Erich.
Edwin: (coughing) She’s… (coughing) a fried of mine, the one standing next to me. Where is she?
Walter: She’s gone.
Edwin: What?! (coughing) What do you mean?! Where did she go?! (coughing)
Walter: I kinda saw those guys grabbin’ her while ya were down, n’ they just took off.
Edwin: No… nooo… (groaning)
Walter: Steady now. (holding Edwin’s shoulder)
Narrator: A moment later, Maja’s gang finally arrived to the scene where they found Edwin lying on the ground.
Maja: Uncle Walter!
Walter: (seeing Maja and Sarah running up to him) Hey…
Sarah: What happened?
Maja: (covering her mouth as she sees the bleeding of Edwin’s right leg) My gulayness…
Sarah: (seeing it also) Who did this to you?!
Edwin: (coughing) Some gang… he held a gun (coughing)… shot me right here. (groaning)
Sarah: Take it easy. Where’s the ambulance?
Walter: I got it taken care of. It’s on its way.
Brenda: Umm Edwin?
Edwin: Yeah?
Brenda: Nasaan si Erich?
Edwin: (coughing) Kasama siya… (coughing) sa mga salvahe…
Nina: (covering her mouth in shock) Huh?! Paano naman nangyari yun?!
Edwin: Basta… nasa coche sila…
Denise: (silently) Oh my God…
Narrator: Edwin then groaned again, this time a worse one.
Maja: Easy… (as she comforts his shoulder back and forth)
Jamilla: Brenda, tawagin mo siya baka na hawak pa yun cell phone niya.
Brenda: Sige.
Narrator: So Brenda tried dialing Erich in hopes of hearing her voice through the receiver.
*
Inside Spider’s car, Erich was sitting in the backseat between Jeeva and Lagga. Her mouth was covered with gray masking tape and her hands were tied behind her back with ropes. She was panicking so badly that she couldn’t hear her own scream through the tape.
Lagga: Yo Spider! Where’s the fuckin’ music?!
Spider: Relax, man, I’ll get it on.
Narrator: So once Spider turned on the stereo, rap music sounded all over the interior of the car. Spider turned up the volume, and the music grew louder as well as the intense rumbling.
Erich’s cell phone suddenly rang, Brenda’s name appearing on her caller ID, but Erich nor the other guys in the car could hear it nor feel the rumble. Erich panicked even more, but they ignored her as they were all talking with their loud voices. The phone kept ringing, but after the sixth and final ring, the call went through the voicemail.
Brenda could hear Erich’s extended personal absence greeting through the receiver with the following words:
“Hi, it’s Erich. Ahmm I’m not here at the moment, so leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, okie? Byyee.”
Brenda: Wala eh.
Maja: Oh dear…
ch. 26 - here comes trouble
CHAPTER 26
HERE COMES TROUBLE
Narrator: Meanwhile, Erich and Edwin continued walking down the Town Center passing by some random stores. Suddenly, a white car with loud rumbling rap music followed the two friends. It was Spider and his gang inside the vehicle. Erich and Edwin glanced at the car, then walked faster. With a snobby look on his face, Spider quickly caught up to them, now right behind their tails.
Erich and Edwin turned back again, then ran trying to avoid the car as far as possible. But Spider sped it up, passing by them, and turned the vehicle, blocking their path. The two friends quickly turned around, making a rapid escape, but as soon as Spider and his gang hopped off the car…
Spider: Da fuck ya think ya goin’?
Narrator: When Erich and Edwin turned back, they saw Spider holding a handgun, pointing right at the two. His friends were behind him, standing beside the back of the car.
*
On the other side of the Town Center as Maja’s gang was standing beside the AT&T store…
Brenda: Okay… where now?
Denise: Teka… hindi masyado malaki ‘tong lugar nito, so it’s either sa Wal Mart sila o past this store. (AT&T)
Jamilla: Siempre sa Wal Mart. Wala masyadong daanan sa kabila eh.
Denise: Yeah… siguro nga.
Jamilla: Tara na.
*
Edwin: What do you want from us?!
Spider: Whada I want?! I want some cash, THAT’s what!
Edwin: (nervously) Sorry… I don’t have any…
Spider: Don’ fuckin’ lie ta me, homie! I know ya got some…
Edwin: I don’t, really.
Spider: Listen, foo. (slowly approaching the two friends) I ain’ fuckin’ playin’ witcha aite? (as Erich holds Edwin’s arm tightly, shivering) Gimme some money, man. That’s all I’m askin’ for.
Edwin: Why? Why are you asking me? Why not someone else?
Spider: Yo, stop whinin’! (pointing gun at Erich) Ya might as well lose ya girl if ya don’ wanna lose ya money.
Edwin: (holding Erich closely as she cries) Don’t even try!
Spider: Then do as ya told or else.
Erich: (sobbing) Sige na, Edwin. I bigay mo na.
Edwin: Fine.
Narrator: So as Edwin reached for his left side pants pocket, he took out his wallet, opened it up, and picked out two 20 dollar bills.
Edwin: (showing it to Spider) Here! Take it!
Spider: I want all of it, muthafucka!
Edwin: Are you CRAZY?!
Spider: Yo, I’m about ta pull the trigger on her if ya don’ do as I say! (as Erich turns her head away from gun, crying)
Erich: Edwin… wag mo siya pabayaan papatayin ako. (sobbing) Please…
Edwin: Okay, FINE! (taking out the rest of the money from his wallet, a total f $258 including 8 20 dollar bills in his hand) Here…
Narrator: So as Spider approached Edwin, he gently took the money, then, without hesitating, elbowed Edwin hard on the stomach.
Erich: Edwin!
Narrator: But Spider quickly grabbed Erich, covering her mouth with one hand and holding the gun to her forehead with the other hand. Edwin shook his head, holding on to his bruised stomach. He then turned to Erich, who was still being hostaged by Spider.
Edwin: (coughing) What are you doing to her?!
Spider: Ya thought I can take shit so easily, ah?
Edwin: I thought you wanted the money! (coughing)
Spider: I DID, foo! But WHO said I can’t have a hottie?
Edwin: (coughing as he frowns, pointing to Spider) You traitor! Let her go!
Spider: Doood, ya won’ let me borrow her for a lil bit? I ain’ gonna do her no harm.
Edwin: Please… don’t hurt her! I’m warning you!
Spider: Wut? Wutcha gon’ do, huh? Ya don’ look gangsta ta fit in, ya know.
Edwin: I’m gonna call the cops if ya don’t let her go!
Spider: Yeah, and by the time they get here, we’d already be gone wid her. Ya fuckin’ crazy?!
Edwin: If you don’t wanna go to jail, then let her go! NOW!
Spider: Foo, ya trippin’! Just cuz we in jail don’ mean we can’t do our shit! Em cops are no match wid us anyway! Might as well do my thang ‘fore they come out beating the shit outta us! (loading trigger as Erich lets out her scream)
Edwin: DON’T!!
Spider: Bitch, relax!! I ain’t gon’ hurt ‘er… not just yet.
Edwin: Please let my friend go! Have pity on her for Christ’s sake!
Spider: Aite… if I’m gon’ let ‘er go, I’ma tell ya RIGHT now (as he points to Edwin) to unzip ya crappy fit. (referring to his movie theater uniform) And I mean ALL of it!
Edwin: You’re fuckin’ insane! I can’t do that!
Spider: Well, if ya being a total chicken, I’ma have to leave ya friend behind then!
Edwin: Please… anything less risky than this!
Spider: Ya disobeyin’ my demands, yo! I asked ya to remove ya goddam clothes, but ya JUST won’t do it!
Edwin: I’m not comfortable, okay?!
Spider: Aite! Say goodbye to ya friend then!
Edwin: No, PLEASE! No…
Spider: One!!
Narrator: But from far a distance, Walter and his dog Damien were watching the crime scene as they stood still.
Edwin continued to panic.
Spider: TWO!!!
Narrator: Without a single hesitation, Walter brought out his handgun, and he and Damien hurried over to the scene.
Edwin: Noo!!
Narrator: As soon as Edwin approached Spider trying to prevent him from murdering Erich, Spider moved the gun toward him, and shot his right leg.
Edwin: Aaahh!! (as he fell helplessly to the ground)
Walter: Heeeyy!!!
Narrator: Spider and his gang turned to Walter, who was holding the gun at them, and he was a minute away from arriving to the scene. Ignoring him, they quickly headed back into the car with Erich. Walter fired several gunshots at the car, making cracks on the back and side windows. He let go of Damien’s leash as the dog made a run toward Erich’s kidnappers, barking aggressively. However, the car backed up, its rear facing Walter and the dog, and pulled away at a rapid speed. Walter stopped, but Damien continued to chase down the car. It was no use. The car went too far ahead of him as Damien stopped, continuously barking at it.
Walter shook his head in disgust. Damien ran back and stood by him.
Walter: Those filthy gang losers!
Narrator: Once he heard Edwin crying in pain, Walter ran over to him where blood was spilling all over his pants.
Walter: Are you okay?!
Edwin: Owww it HURTS!! (holding his right leg firmly)
Walter: Sit tight! I’ma get the ambulance for ya!
Narrator: While Edwin continued groaning, Walter took out his phone, dialing the emergency number.
HERE COMES TROUBLE
Narrator: Meanwhile, Erich and Edwin continued walking down the Town Center passing by some random stores. Suddenly, a white car with loud rumbling rap music followed the two friends. It was Spider and his gang inside the vehicle. Erich and Edwin glanced at the car, then walked faster. With a snobby look on his face, Spider quickly caught up to them, now right behind their tails.
Erich and Edwin turned back again, then ran trying to avoid the car as far as possible. But Spider sped it up, passing by them, and turned the vehicle, blocking their path. The two friends quickly turned around, making a rapid escape, but as soon as Spider and his gang hopped off the car…
Spider: Da fuck ya think ya goin’?
Narrator: When Erich and Edwin turned back, they saw Spider holding a handgun, pointing right at the two. His friends were behind him, standing beside the back of the car.
*
On the other side of the Town Center as Maja’s gang was standing beside the AT&T store…
Brenda: Okay… where now?
Denise: Teka… hindi masyado malaki ‘tong lugar nito, so it’s either sa Wal Mart sila o past this store. (AT&T)
Jamilla: Siempre sa Wal Mart. Wala masyadong daanan sa kabila eh.
Denise: Yeah… siguro nga.
Jamilla: Tara na.
*
Edwin: What do you want from us?!
Spider: Whada I want?! I want some cash, THAT’s what!
Edwin: (nervously) Sorry… I don’t have any…
Spider: Don’ fuckin’ lie ta me, homie! I know ya got some…
Edwin: I don’t, really.
Spider: Listen, foo. (slowly approaching the two friends) I ain’ fuckin’ playin’ witcha aite? (as Erich holds Edwin’s arm tightly, shivering) Gimme some money, man. That’s all I’m askin’ for.
Edwin: Why? Why are you asking me? Why not someone else?
Spider: Yo, stop whinin’! (pointing gun at Erich) Ya might as well lose ya girl if ya don’ wanna lose ya money.
Edwin: (holding Erich closely as she cries) Don’t even try!
Spider: Then do as ya told or else.
Erich: (sobbing) Sige na, Edwin. I bigay mo na.
Edwin: Fine.
Narrator: So as Edwin reached for his left side pants pocket, he took out his wallet, opened it up, and picked out two 20 dollar bills.
Edwin: (showing it to Spider) Here! Take it!
Spider: I want all of it, muthafucka!
Edwin: Are you CRAZY?!
Spider: Yo, I’m about ta pull the trigger on her if ya don’ do as I say! (as Erich turns her head away from gun, crying)
Erich: Edwin… wag mo siya pabayaan papatayin ako. (sobbing) Please…
Edwin: Okay, FINE! (taking out the rest of the money from his wallet, a total f $258 including 8 20 dollar bills in his hand) Here…
Narrator: So as Spider approached Edwin, he gently took the money, then, without hesitating, elbowed Edwin hard on the stomach.
Erich: Edwin!
Narrator: But Spider quickly grabbed Erich, covering her mouth with one hand and holding the gun to her forehead with the other hand. Edwin shook his head, holding on to his bruised stomach. He then turned to Erich, who was still being hostaged by Spider.
Edwin: (coughing) What are you doing to her?!
Spider: Ya thought I can take shit so easily, ah?
Edwin: I thought you wanted the money! (coughing)
Spider: I DID, foo! But WHO said I can’t have a hottie?
Edwin: (coughing as he frowns, pointing to Spider) You traitor! Let her go!
Spider: Doood, ya won’ let me borrow her for a lil bit? I ain’ gonna do her no harm.
Edwin: Please… don’t hurt her! I’m warning you!
Spider: Wut? Wutcha gon’ do, huh? Ya don’ look gangsta ta fit in, ya know.
Edwin: I’m gonna call the cops if ya don’t let her go!
Spider: Yeah, and by the time they get here, we’d already be gone wid her. Ya fuckin’ crazy?!
Edwin: If you don’t wanna go to jail, then let her go! NOW!
Spider: Foo, ya trippin’! Just cuz we in jail don’ mean we can’t do our shit! Em cops are no match wid us anyway! Might as well do my thang ‘fore they come out beating the shit outta us! (loading trigger as Erich lets out her scream)
Edwin: DON’T!!
Spider: Bitch, relax!! I ain’t gon’ hurt ‘er… not just yet.
Edwin: Please let my friend go! Have pity on her for Christ’s sake!
Spider: Aite… if I’m gon’ let ‘er go, I’ma tell ya RIGHT now (as he points to Edwin) to unzip ya crappy fit. (referring to his movie theater uniform) And I mean ALL of it!
Edwin: You’re fuckin’ insane! I can’t do that!
Spider: Well, if ya being a total chicken, I’ma have to leave ya friend behind then!
Edwin: Please… anything less risky than this!
Spider: Ya disobeyin’ my demands, yo! I asked ya to remove ya goddam clothes, but ya JUST won’t do it!
Edwin: I’m not comfortable, okay?!
Spider: Aite! Say goodbye to ya friend then!
Edwin: No, PLEASE! No…
Spider: One!!
Narrator: But from far a distance, Walter and his dog Damien were watching the crime scene as they stood still.
Edwin continued to panic.
Spider: TWO!!!
Narrator: Without a single hesitation, Walter brought out his handgun, and he and Damien hurried over to the scene.
Edwin: Noo!!
Narrator: As soon as Edwin approached Spider trying to prevent him from murdering Erich, Spider moved the gun toward him, and shot his right leg.
Edwin: Aaahh!! (as he fell helplessly to the ground)
Walter: Heeeyy!!!
Narrator: Spider and his gang turned to Walter, who was holding the gun at them, and he was a minute away from arriving to the scene. Ignoring him, they quickly headed back into the car with Erich. Walter fired several gunshots at the car, making cracks on the back and side windows. He let go of Damien’s leash as the dog made a run toward Erich’s kidnappers, barking aggressively. However, the car backed up, its rear facing Walter and the dog, and pulled away at a rapid speed. Walter stopped, but Damien continued to chase down the car. It was no use. The car went too far ahead of him as Damien stopped, continuously barking at it.
Walter shook his head in disgust. Damien ran back and stood by him.
Walter: Those filthy gang losers!
Narrator: Once he heard Edwin crying in pain, Walter ran over to him where blood was spilling all over his pants.
Walter: Are you okay?!
Edwin: Owww it HURTS!! (holding his right leg firmly)
Walter: Sit tight! I’ma get the ambulance for ya!
Narrator: While Edwin continued groaning, Walter took out his phone, dialing the emergency number.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
ch. 25 - let's take a walk
CHAPTER 25
LET’S TAKE A WALK
Narrator: Outside, Erich and Edwin were walking down the area where Wal Mart was located.
Erich: Saan tayo pupunta?
Edwin: Uhh no particular place. Papasyal lang.
Erich: Ha? Ehh bakit dito tayo? Kita mo kung gaano na dilim ‘tong lugar nito?
Edwin: Dito naman ako eh. (smiling)
Erich: Heh…
Edwin: Akala ko adventurer ka.
Erich: Oo naman, noh?
Edwin: Eh bakit parang tatakot ka sa dilim?
Erich: Hoy, di ko tatakot, noh? Kahit sa forest, kaya ko mag lakad kahit gaano na dilim dun.
Edwin: Asuus… ehh kaya mo ba mag isa dun?
Erich: Oo!
Edwin: Naku yeah right.
Erich: Aba, ang yabang mo pa, o?
Edwin: Bakit? Ibig mo sabihin dapat maniwala ako sa lahat and sinasabi mo? Ganun ba?
Erich: Alam mo, babae ako o hindi, kaya ko mag isa kahit malayong lugar sa buong mundo! Kahit sa dilim, kahit sa ocean, kahit saan!
Edwin: (smiling as though it were all a joke) Ah ganun?
Erich: Oo! Bakit? Di ka pa maniwala sakin?
Edwin: (laughing)
Erich: O, bakit ka natatawa?
Edwin: Eh kasi… (laughing) Parang yabang ka rin dahil sa klaseng salita mo.
Erich: (gasping as she slaps him on the arm) Sira ka talaga!
Edwin: (laughing) Hooy relax ka lang, o? Kung lalo ka ganyan, lalo na ng gusto ko mag halikan kita. (approaches her as he makes his lip smack expression at her)
Erich: (elbowing Edwin on side of waist) Sira!
Edwin: Ow… (holding side of his waist where it was bumped)
Erich: Bakit, na sakit kaba? Ng elbow lang ako tapos ng reklamo ka pa? Bakla ka, noh?
Edwin: (laughing) Joke lang yan, o?
Erich: (lightly shoves him) Kaw talaga.
*
Narrator: At the theater area…
Brenda: Saan kaya yun?
Nina: (looking around) Ang dilim dito masyado. Mahirap mag hanap kung saang daanan eh.
Jamilla: (pointing her phone to the middle walkway, the one where Rubios was located) Baka nandito.
Nina: Sigurado kaba?
Jamilla: Eh dyan tayo ng daanan kanina nung kasama natin si Erich.
Brenda: Sige.
Denise: Teka. Paano kung ng split tayo in groups?
Jamilla: Denise, hindi. Delikado yan dahil sa sobrang dilim dito.
Maja: Oo. Madili mag wala yun isang grupo kung di alam ang dadaanan nila.
Sarah: Oo saka paano kng may salvahe sa pag daaan mo?
Denise: Sa bagay… gabi ngayon, at mas marami pang salvahe sa mga dilim ang lugar.
Maja: Oo. Ng kita namin ni Sarah kanina yun dalawang salvaheng itim!
Brenda: Ha?! Talaga?! Saan?!
Sarah: Dun! (pointing to path she and Maja crossed earlier where they were nearly raped by the two black gangsters)
Denise: Bakit dun pa kayo ng punta? Eh talaga may salvahe dun!
Maja: Oo nga eh. Muntik na kami namamatayan, o?!
Jamilla: Anong ginawa nila sa iyong dalawa?
Sarah: Ng haggis sila samin sa wall, tapos may cuchillo pang hawak nila!
Maja: (broken-toned) Ng harap pa yun cuchillo sa kanya.
Nina: My goodness! Muntik na mag duguan ka!
Sarah: Oo… buti na lang ng dating yun uncle Walter namin.
Denise: Wow… edi mabuti nga.
Brenda: Next time, mag ingat kayo mabuti, ah?
Sarah: (as she and Maja nod) Oo. We will.
Jamilla: Okay, guys. Let’s go.
Narrator: So the gang went off continuing their search for Erich and Edwin.
LET’S TAKE A WALK
Narrator: Outside, Erich and Edwin were walking down the area where Wal Mart was located.
Erich: Saan tayo pupunta?
Edwin: Uhh no particular place. Papasyal lang.
Erich: Ha? Ehh bakit dito tayo? Kita mo kung gaano na dilim ‘tong lugar nito?
Edwin: Dito naman ako eh. (smiling)
Erich: Heh…
Edwin: Akala ko adventurer ka.
Erich: Oo naman, noh?
Edwin: Eh bakit parang tatakot ka sa dilim?
Erich: Hoy, di ko tatakot, noh? Kahit sa forest, kaya ko mag lakad kahit gaano na dilim dun.
Edwin: Asuus… ehh kaya mo ba mag isa dun?
Erich: Oo!
Edwin: Naku yeah right.
Erich: Aba, ang yabang mo pa, o?
Edwin: Bakit? Ibig mo sabihin dapat maniwala ako sa lahat and sinasabi mo? Ganun ba?
Erich: Alam mo, babae ako o hindi, kaya ko mag isa kahit malayong lugar sa buong mundo! Kahit sa dilim, kahit sa ocean, kahit saan!
Edwin: (smiling as though it were all a joke) Ah ganun?
Erich: Oo! Bakit? Di ka pa maniwala sakin?
Edwin: (laughing)
Erich: O, bakit ka natatawa?
Edwin: Eh kasi… (laughing) Parang yabang ka rin dahil sa klaseng salita mo.
Erich: (gasping as she slaps him on the arm) Sira ka talaga!
Edwin: (laughing) Hooy relax ka lang, o? Kung lalo ka ganyan, lalo na ng gusto ko mag halikan kita. (approaches her as he makes his lip smack expression at her)
Erich: (elbowing Edwin on side of waist) Sira!
Edwin: Ow… (holding side of his waist where it was bumped)
Erich: Bakit, na sakit kaba? Ng elbow lang ako tapos ng reklamo ka pa? Bakla ka, noh?
Edwin: (laughing) Joke lang yan, o?
Erich: (lightly shoves him) Kaw talaga.
*
Narrator: At the theater area…
Brenda: Saan kaya yun?
Nina: (looking around) Ang dilim dito masyado. Mahirap mag hanap kung saang daanan eh.
Jamilla: (pointing her phone to the middle walkway, the one where Rubios was located) Baka nandito.
Nina: Sigurado kaba?
Jamilla: Eh dyan tayo ng daanan kanina nung kasama natin si Erich.
Brenda: Sige.
Denise: Teka. Paano kung ng split tayo in groups?
Jamilla: Denise, hindi. Delikado yan dahil sa sobrang dilim dito.
Maja: Oo. Madili mag wala yun isang grupo kung di alam ang dadaanan nila.
Sarah: Oo saka paano kng may salvahe sa pag daaan mo?
Denise: Sa bagay… gabi ngayon, at mas marami pang salvahe sa mga dilim ang lugar.
Maja: Oo. Ng kita namin ni Sarah kanina yun dalawang salvaheng itim!
Brenda: Ha?! Talaga?! Saan?!
Sarah: Dun! (pointing to path she and Maja crossed earlier where they were nearly raped by the two black gangsters)
Denise: Bakit dun pa kayo ng punta? Eh talaga may salvahe dun!
Maja: Oo nga eh. Muntik na kami namamatayan, o?!
Jamilla: Anong ginawa nila sa iyong dalawa?
Sarah: Ng haggis sila samin sa wall, tapos may cuchillo pang hawak nila!
Maja: (broken-toned) Ng harap pa yun cuchillo sa kanya.
Nina: My goodness! Muntik na mag duguan ka!
Sarah: Oo… buti na lang ng dating yun uncle Walter namin.
Denise: Wow… edi mabuti nga.
Brenda: Next time, mag ingat kayo mabuti, ah?
Sarah: (as she and Maja nod) Oo. We will.
Jamilla: Okay, guys. Let’s go.
Narrator: So the gang went off continuing their search for Erich and Edwin.
ch. 24 - panic in the dark
CHAPTER 24
PANIC IN THE DARK
Narrator: Inside the theater room…
Maja: Ay naku… may blackout na naman.
Jamilla: Dyos ko! Ano nangyari dito sa OC?
*
Narrator: At the theater hall with Brenda and Nina…
Nina: Ng blackout ulit.
Brenda: Oo nga eh. Teka, pupunta natin kay Erich.
Narrator: Once they arrived at the counter…
Erich: Guys!
Brenda: Erich, papasok na tayo sa loob, ha?
Erich: (takes another look at Edwin, then back to her friends) Guys, uunahan na kayo. I’ll be there in a sec.
Nina: (grabbing Erich’s right hand) Erich, ngayon na. Baka ano naman mangyari masama pag tapos ‘to.
Erich: Sandali lang ako, I promise.
Brenda: Erich, ano kaba? Paano kung may earthquake?
Nina: Yeah, ayaw naming mag saktan ka.
Erich: Guys, I’ll be okay. Sige naaa. Just go.
Brenda: (sighing) Fine… just meet us when you’re done.
Narrator: So the two girls left Erich again as they headed to the theater hall.
One of Edwin’s co-workers, John, a white chubby guy with short red hair and black-framed eye glasses, spoke to Edwin.
John: Dude, we gotta evacuate the building immediately.
Edwin: Not yet. It probably won’t last for long.
*
Narrator: All the lights went out in my house as well as the houses around it.
Jay: (looking out the window through the blinds) The lights at our neighbors’ homes are out too.
Mr. Castro: (approaching window) Really? (as he looks out same one) Oo nga noh?
D-Nort: (standing in the doorway of the kitchen holding his Coors beer can) Dyos ko! Baka ganun rin nangyari saming lugar. (laughing a bit)
Mr. Castro: Ahh siguro ng blackout din lahat sa Anaheim.
Jay: How’r we gonna finish the game?
Koji: We can prolly see it if this blackout don’t last for that long.
D-Nort: What if it does?
Narrator: Suddenly, we could hear the clanging on the rooftop as we could feel the shaking of a mild earthquake occurring inside the house.
Jay: DUCK!!
Narrator: All of us inside the house rushed to find every available spot.
*
Back inside the theater, Erich was panicking. She immediately sat against the wall of the counter.
John: Earthquake!!
Narrator: With John sitting against the wall on the opposite side, Edwin hurried over to the other side of the counter where Erich was and sat beside her.
At the theater hall, Nina and Brenda immediately headed inside Theater 12 and sat on the corner.
Meanwhile with Maja and her group, everyone held on to each other hoping they’re okay.
*
Back inside my house, as Uncle D-Nort, Koji, and I were hiding under the dining table, the earthquake stopped.
Jay: (calmly) It stopped.
Mr. Castro: (hiding under kitchen table with my mom) Is everyone okay?!
Jay: Yeah!
Koji: ‘Bout you, Tito?!
Mr. Castro: We’re good!
Mrs. Castro: (looking up shelf where all the cups remained standing) Buti na lang walang baksak!
Jay: That’s good!
*
Narrator: Back inside the theater with Erich and Edwin…
Edwin: Okay ka lang, Erich?
Erich: Oo. Ikaw?
Edwin: Okay rin. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t get hurt.
Erich: (smiling) Salamat, pero okay na ako talaga.
Edwin: (smiling back at her) That’s good.
Narrator: Suddenly, a voice from the speaker sounded all over the theater.
Speaker: Okay, guys! We’re gonna evacuate this building right away! So I ask that you guys leave NOW before anyone gets hurt!
Narrator: Erich and Edwin turned to each other for a moment, then the two of them got up as they headed directly out the door of the theater.
*
Inside the theater room with Maja and her group, they were slowly walking down the stairs as they were following another group in front of them. While it was pitch black inside, Jamilla used her cell phone backlight to track the stairs.
Jamilla: Grabe talaga ‘tong earthquake! Akala ko namamatay tayo!
Sarah: Wala yan, o? Mas grabe yun earthquake kung na matay agad yun maraming tao.
Denise: May earthquake ditto dati, pero mas malakas pa yun kalog kesa sa ngayon.
Maja: Kailan?
Denise: Naku! Siguro mga 1998 o 99 pa yan.
Jamilla: Wow, almost a decade!
Sarah: Di ko naalala, saka di ko alam masyado tungkol sa mga natural causes.
Maja: Mas gusto ko pa yun malakas ang kulog kesa sa mga ganito.
Narrator: A moment later, Jamilla’s light reached Brenda and Nina, who were sitting on the corner beside the door.
Jamilla: Nina! Brenda!
Brenda: Guys! (as she and Nina got up on their feet)
Denise: Ano ginawa niyo dyan?
Nina: Eh bigla ng earthquake kanina nung ng pasok kami ditto, kaya dito kami ng tago.
Maja: Okay ba kayo dyan?
Brenda: Oo naman.
Denise: Si Erich, nasaan?
Nina: Nasa counter pa siguro nung ng earthquake.
Brenda: Baka ano naman nangyari sa kanya…
Narrator: So the girls headed for the counter, and as Jamilla moved her phone light to it, Erich wasn’t there. Jamilla looked around the counter, but no sign of her nor Edwin.
Jamilla: Na wala si Erich?
Brenda: Pero nan dito siya like 5 minutes ago.
Denise: Baka na labas na siya.
Nina: Pati yun lalaki ng usap niya wala din.
Denise: Sino?
Brenda: Ewan ko… Edwin ata ang pangalan niya.
Denise: Sino si Edwin?
Nina: High school friend daw.
Maja: Baka sa labas na nga silang dalawa.
Jamilla: Well let’s go then! What’r ya’ll waiting for?
Narrator: So the girls quickly headed out the building in search for Erich and Edwin.
PANIC IN THE DARK
Narrator: Inside the theater room…
Maja: Ay naku… may blackout na naman.
Jamilla: Dyos ko! Ano nangyari dito sa OC?
*
Narrator: At the theater hall with Brenda and Nina…
Nina: Ng blackout ulit.
Brenda: Oo nga eh. Teka, pupunta natin kay Erich.
Narrator: Once they arrived at the counter…
Erich: Guys!
Brenda: Erich, papasok na tayo sa loob, ha?
Erich: (takes another look at Edwin, then back to her friends) Guys, uunahan na kayo. I’ll be there in a sec.
Nina: (grabbing Erich’s right hand) Erich, ngayon na. Baka ano naman mangyari masama pag tapos ‘to.
Erich: Sandali lang ako, I promise.
Brenda: Erich, ano kaba? Paano kung may earthquake?
Nina: Yeah, ayaw naming mag saktan ka.
Erich: Guys, I’ll be okay. Sige naaa. Just go.
Brenda: (sighing) Fine… just meet us when you’re done.
Narrator: So the two girls left Erich again as they headed to the theater hall.
One of Edwin’s co-workers, John, a white chubby guy with short red hair and black-framed eye glasses, spoke to Edwin.
John: Dude, we gotta evacuate the building immediately.
Edwin: Not yet. It probably won’t last for long.
*
Narrator: All the lights went out in my house as well as the houses around it.
Jay: (looking out the window through the blinds) The lights at our neighbors’ homes are out too.
Mr. Castro: (approaching window) Really? (as he looks out same one) Oo nga noh?
D-Nort: (standing in the doorway of the kitchen holding his Coors beer can) Dyos ko! Baka ganun rin nangyari saming lugar. (laughing a bit)
Mr. Castro: Ahh siguro ng blackout din lahat sa Anaheim.
Jay: How’r we gonna finish the game?
Koji: We can prolly see it if this blackout don’t last for that long.
D-Nort: What if it does?
Narrator: Suddenly, we could hear the clanging on the rooftop as we could feel the shaking of a mild earthquake occurring inside the house.
Jay: DUCK!!
Narrator: All of us inside the house rushed to find every available spot.
*
Back inside the theater, Erich was panicking. She immediately sat against the wall of the counter.
John: Earthquake!!
Narrator: With John sitting against the wall on the opposite side, Edwin hurried over to the other side of the counter where Erich was and sat beside her.
At the theater hall, Nina and Brenda immediately headed inside Theater 12 and sat on the corner.
Meanwhile with Maja and her group, everyone held on to each other hoping they’re okay.
*
Back inside my house, as Uncle D-Nort, Koji, and I were hiding under the dining table, the earthquake stopped.
Jay: (calmly) It stopped.
Mr. Castro: (hiding under kitchen table with my mom) Is everyone okay?!
Jay: Yeah!
Koji: ‘Bout you, Tito?!
Mr. Castro: We’re good!
Mrs. Castro: (looking up shelf where all the cups remained standing) Buti na lang walang baksak!
Jay: That’s good!
*
Narrator: Back inside the theater with Erich and Edwin…
Edwin: Okay ka lang, Erich?
Erich: Oo. Ikaw?
Edwin: Okay rin. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t get hurt.
Erich: (smiling) Salamat, pero okay na ako talaga.
Edwin: (smiling back at her) That’s good.
Narrator: Suddenly, a voice from the speaker sounded all over the theater.
Speaker: Okay, guys! We’re gonna evacuate this building right away! So I ask that you guys leave NOW before anyone gets hurt!
Narrator: Erich and Edwin turned to each other for a moment, then the two of them got up as they headed directly out the door of the theater.
*
Inside the theater room with Maja and her group, they were slowly walking down the stairs as they were following another group in front of them. While it was pitch black inside, Jamilla used her cell phone backlight to track the stairs.
Jamilla: Grabe talaga ‘tong earthquake! Akala ko namamatay tayo!
Sarah: Wala yan, o? Mas grabe yun earthquake kung na matay agad yun maraming tao.
Denise: May earthquake ditto dati, pero mas malakas pa yun kalog kesa sa ngayon.
Maja: Kailan?
Denise: Naku! Siguro mga 1998 o 99 pa yan.
Jamilla: Wow, almost a decade!
Sarah: Di ko naalala, saka di ko alam masyado tungkol sa mga natural causes.
Maja: Mas gusto ko pa yun malakas ang kulog kesa sa mga ganito.
Narrator: A moment later, Jamilla’s light reached Brenda and Nina, who were sitting on the corner beside the door.
Jamilla: Nina! Brenda!
Brenda: Guys! (as she and Nina got up on their feet)
Denise: Ano ginawa niyo dyan?
Nina: Eh bigla ng earthquake kanina nung ng pasok kami ditto, kaya dito kami ng tago.
Maja: Okay ba kayo dyan?
Brenda: Oo naman.
Denise: Si Erich, nasaan?
Nina: Nasa counter pa siguro nung ng earthquake.
Brenda: Baka ano naman nangyari sa kanya…
Narrator: So the girls headed for the counter, and as Jamilla moved her phone light to it, Erich wasn’t there. Jamilla looked around the counter, but no sign of her nor Edwin.
Jamilla: Na wala si Erich?
Brenda: Pero nan dito siya like 5 minutes ago.
Denise: Baka na labas na siya.
Nina: Pati yun lalaki ng usap niya wala din.
Denise: Sino?
Brenda: Ewan ko… Edwin ata ang pangalan niya.
Denise: Sino si Edwin?
Nina: High school friend daw.
Maja: Baka sa labas na nga silang dalawa.
Jamilla: Well let’s go then! What’r ya’ll waiting for?
Narrator: So the girls quickly headed out the building in search for Erich and Edwin.
ch. 23 - new crush?
CHAPTER 23
NEW CRUSH?
Narrator: Back at the Town Center as Maja and Sarah already received their movie tickets…
Maja: Erich, anong horas na?
Erich: (looking at her watch) 8:02 na.
Brenda: We should prolly head inside now.
Denise: Yeah.
Narrator: So the girls all went inside the theater. As they queued for the popcorn station…
Nina: Gusto niyong popcorn?
Maja: Okay lang ako. Busog pa ako eh.
Jamilla: Ako rin.
Denise: Well, uunahan kami ngayon.
Jamilla: Just meet us over in the theater.
Brenda: Sige.
Narrator: So Denise, Maja, Sarah, and Jamilla already headed to the theater room, leaving Erich, Brenda, and Nina lining up for popcorn.
After two white young dudes left the counter, Erich and her gang were the next. The minute they arrived there, Erich immediately saw a familiar Filipino dude, hair properly combed, and he looked around his early 20’s. As soon as he turned to Erich and her friends, he looked directly into Erich’s beautiful brown eyes as though he were deeply in love with her.
Guy: Hey…
Erich: Hey… (smiling) Parang kilala kita nung high school.
Guy: (smiling back at her) Ata… ikaw ba si Erich?
Erich: (nodding) Oo. You remembered.
Guy: Oo. Diba classmates tayo sa English nung 12th grade?
Erich: Ahh… ikaw pala si Edwin.
Edwin: Yeah. Ibigan mo yan?
Erich: Oo, sila Brenda at Nina. Guys, si Edwin.
Nina: (waving at him) Hi…
Brenda: (doing the same) Hey…
Edwin: (smiling) Nice meeting you two. How can I help you guys?
Erich: Ahmm just one large popcorn and three small drinks.
Edwin: At your service. (smiling as Erich laughs)
*
Narrator: Inside the theater room, where Maja, Sarah, Denise, and Jamilla were walking up the stairs…
Denise: Wala masyado manunuod ngayon.
Sarah: Kasi may pasok, saka Thursday bukas.
Jamilla: Usually sa escuela namin wala masyado ng pasok sa Thursday.
Maja: Saan ka ng pasok?
Jamilla: Sa Cal State Fullerton. Kasama rin sila Denise at Erich.
Maja: (as the girls found vacant seats on the third-to-last row) Ah ganun? That’s good. Ako naman sa UC Irvine kasama yun Popstar singer best friend ko. (wrapping arm around Sarah’s shoulder, grinning)
Denise: Aww… gusto naman ako mag kasama eh.
Sarah: (laughing) Okay lang. Bakit hindi ka mag apply dun?
Denise: Eh mas close yun Fullerton, kaya yun ang ng pili ko.
Maja: Ah ganun?
Narrator: The girls sat, starting from the end at Denise to Maja to Sarah to Jamilla.
*
Narrator: Meanwhile at the counter…
Edwin: (as he gives out the large popcorn and a box of three small drinks attached) Here ya go, ladies.
Erich: Salamat, ah? (smiling)
Nina: (grabbing the popcorn, Brenda grabbing the drinks) Erich, hihintay mo kami dun, ah? (pointing to direction of the theater rooms)
Erich: Sige.
Narrator: So Brenda and Nina left Erich at the counter as they were heading to the theater hall.
Edwin: Ng pasok kaba ngayon?
Erich: Oo naman. (smiling)
Edwin: Saan?
Erich: Ahm… Fullerton University.
Edwin: Cal State Fullerton?
Erich: Oo. (nodding as she laughs)
Edwin: Marami akong ibigan ng pasok dun.
Erich: Talaga?
Edwin: Oo. Minsan dumalaw ako dun kapag wala akong pasok.
Erich: Saan ka ng aral?
Edwin: Sa Cal State Long Beach.
Erich: Ah talaga? Magandang school yan, o?
Edwin: Siempre, pero dahil sa mga maraming budget cut, di ko na pasok last semester.
Erich: Oh that sucks.
Edwin: Yeah… ang economy talaga, o?
Erich: Oo nga eh. Kakasora.
Edwin: Ng trabajo kaba ngayon?
Erich: Oo.
Edwin: Saan?
Erich: Photographer ako sa Mervyn’s.
Edwin: Talaga? Saang Mervyn’s?
Erich: Sa Brea Mall.
Edwin: Mabuti naman. (as Erich laughs)
Erich: (after momentary pause) Sige, Edwin. Aalis na ako.
Edwin: O sige. Teka… (as Erich looks back at him) Busy kaba bukas pag tapos yun pasok mo?
Erich: Umm… probably not. Bakit?
Edwin: Gusto mo… kakain tayo sa labas? (smiling)
Erich: (thinking with a worried expression on her face) You mean dinner?
Edwin: Well, yeah. (laughing)
Erich: Umm…
Edwin: Busy ka, noh? (teasing)
Erich: Ehh… it’s not that. I… (long pause)
Narrator: But the minute she was about to speak, another blackout occurred.
Erich: Oh my God…
NEW CRUSH?
Narrator: Back at the Town Center as Maja and Sarah already received their movie tickets…
Maja: Erich, anong horas na?
Erich: (looking at her watch) 8:02 na.
Brenda: We should prolly head inside now.
Denise: Yeah.
Narrator: So the girls all went inside the theater. As they queued for the popcorn station…
Nina: Gusto niyong popcorn?
Maja: Okay lang ako. Busog pa ako eh.
Jamilla: Ako rin.
Denise: Well, uunahan kami ngayon.
Jamilla: Just meet us over in the theater.
Brenda: Sige.
Narrator: So Denise, Maja, Sarah, and Jamilla already headed to the theater room, leaving Erich, Brenda, and Nina lining up for popcorn.
After two white young dudes left the counter, Erich and her gang were the next. The minute they arrived there, Erich immediately saw a familiar Filipino dude, hair properly combed, and he looked around his early 20’s. As soon as he turned to Erich and her friends, he looked directly into Erich’s beautiful brown eyes as though he were deeply in love with her.
Guy: Hey…
Erich: Hey… (smiling) Parang kilala kita nung high school.
Guy: (smiling back at her) Ata… ikaw ba si Erich?
Erich: (nodding) Oo. You remembered.
Guy: Oo. Diba classmates tayo sa English nung 12th grade?
Erich: Ahh… ikaw pala si Edwin.
Edwin: Yeah. Ibigan mo yan?
Erich: Oo, sila Brenda at Nina. Guys, si Edwin.
Nina: (waving at him) Hi…
Brenda: (doing the same) Hey…
Edwin: (smiling) Nice meeting you two. How can I help you guys?
Erich: Ahmm just one large popcorn and three small drinks.
Edwin: At your service. (smiling as Erich laughs)
*
Narrator: Inside the theater room, where Maja, Sarah, Denise, and Jamilla were walking up the stairs…
Denise: Wala masyado manunuod ngayon.
Sarah: Kasi may pasok, saka Thursday bukas.
Jamilla: Usually sa escuela namin wala masyado ng pasok sa Thursday.
Maja: Saan ka ng pasok?
Jamilla: Sa Cal State Fullerton. Kasama rin sila Denise at Erich.
Maja: (as the girls found vacant seats on the third-to-last row) Ah ganun? That’s good. Ako naman sa UC Irvine kasama yun Popstar singer best friend ko. (wrapping arm around Sarah’s shoulder, grinning)
Denise: Aww… gusto naman ako mag kasama eh.
Sarah: (laughing) Okay lang. Bakit hindi ka mag apply dun?
Denise: Eh mas close yun Fullerton, kaya yun ang ng pili ko.
Maja: Ah ganun?
Narrator: The girls sat, starting from the end at Denise to Maja to Sarah to Jamilla.
*
Narrator: Meanwhile at the counter…
Edwin: (as he gives out the large popcorn and a box of three small drinks attached) Here ya go, ladies.
Erich: Salamat, ah? (smiling)
Nina: (grabbing the popcorn, Brenda grabbing the drinks) Erich, hihintay mo kami dun, ah? (pointing to direction of the theater rooms)
Erich: Sige.
Narrator: So Brenda and Nina left Erich at the counter as they were heading to the theater hall.
Edwin: Ng pasok kaba ngayon?
Erich: Oo naman. (smiling)
Edwin: Saan?
Erich: Ahm… Fullerton University.
Edwin: Cal State Fullerton?
Erich: Oo. (nodding as she laughs)
Edwin: Marami akong ibigan ng pasok dun.
Erich: Talaga?
Edwin: Oo. Minsan dumalaw ako dun kapag wala akong pasok.
Erich: Saan ka ng aral?
Edwin: Sa Cal State Long Beach.
Erich: Ah talaga? Magandang school yan, o?
Edwin: Siempre, pero dahil sa mga maraming budget cut, di ko na pasok last semester.
Erich: Oh that sucks.
Edwin: Yeah… ang economy talaga, o?
Erich: Oo nga eh. Kakasora.
Edwin: Ng trabajo kaba ngayon?
Erich: Oo.
Edwin: Saan?
Erich: Photographer ako sa Mervyn’s.
Edwin: Talaga? Saang Mervyn’s?
Erich: Sa Brea Mall.
Edwin: Mabuti naman. (as Erich laughs)
Erich: (after momentary pause) Sige, Edwin. Aalis na ako.
Edwin: O sige. Teka… (as Erich looks back at him) Busy kaba bukas pag tapos yun pasok mo?
Erich: Umm… probably not. Bakit?
Edwin: Gusto mo… kakain tayo sa labas? (smiling)
Erich: (thinking with a worried expression on her face) You mean dinner?
Edwin: Well, yeah. (laughing)
Erich: Umm…
Edwin: Busy ka, noh? (teasing)
Erich: Ehh… it’s not that. I… (long pause)
Narrator: But the minute she was about to speak, another blackout occurred.
Erich: Oh my God…
ch. 22 - spider and the gang
CHAPTER 22
SPIDER AND THE GANG
Narrator: Down at an alley where it was nearly pitch black, a group of four different Asian gangsters were sitting on the ground socializing with one another. The tall bulky one with a green headband named Spider was playing bloody knuckles with two other skinny ones. One of them was a nearly bald-headed dude named Lagga, and the other wearing a hood on his dark gray jacket was Nix.
Spider: Yo Jeeva!
Narrator: Jeeva, one of the four gangsters, was sitting on the ground five feet away from his friends, smoking.
Jeeva: Da fuck ya want, homie?
Spider: Why don’ cha come out n’ play?
Jeeva: Da fuck, man? I’m busy.
Spider: Foo, ya been smokin’ all day!
Jeeva: It’s my shit, foo. (lights up another cigarette)
Spider: Ya trippin’, bitch.
Lagga: Yo Spider!
Spider: Whattup?
Lagga: Gimme some mo, man!
Nix: Gimme 300, foo!
Spider: Ya trippin’.
Nix: C’mon, man! I haven’t felt a fuckin’ thing!
Spider: Then have that bitch (pointing to Jeeva) down there do ya that!
Jeeva: I told ya I’m fuckin’ BUSY!
Spider: Foo, Nix wanna play ya. He wan’ cha ta give ‘im 300.
Jeeva: (flipping off Spider and Nix) 300 my ass…
Narrator: Shaking his head, Spider pulled out a handgun from his pocket and quickly approached Jeeva, pulling him up and grabbing his long-sleeved shirt tightly.
Spider: (pointing gun at Jeeva) Yo, I ain’t playin’ witcha, aite? Ya wanna fuck wid us, then get da fuck ova here or else. Ya got that?
Narrator: Jeeva nodded nervously, and Spider dropped him back to the ground, putting away the gun.
Spider: Yo, we rule, don’ we? (as Nix and Lagga nodded) Then why don’ we rule every foo in da streets, ah? We gon’ show who’s da shit of em’ all!
Nix: Yeah!
Narrator: Spider then noticed a rat crawling on the sides of the trash bin, so he pulled out his gun and fired several shots at the trash bin as the rat escaped.
Spider: C’mon, bitches! Let’s get the fuck outta here n’ ride this world!
Jeeva: Chyea!
Narrator: So off the guys went as they exited the alley. They all hopped into their familiar white car, the one that passed by Starbucks hours ago, Spider on the driver’s seat, and started the engines, some loud rap music rumbling all over the vehicle. The car drove off at a very fast speed, its tires screeching during the takeoff.
SPIDER AND THE GANG
Narrator: Down at an alley where it was nearly pitch black, a group of four different Asian gangsters were sitting on the ground socializing with one another. The tall bulky one with a green headband named Spider was playing bloody knuckles with two other skinny ones. One of them was a nearly bald-headed dude named Lagga, and the other wearing a hood on his dark gray jacket was Nix.
Spider: Yo Jeeva!
Narrator: Jeeva, one of the four gangsters, was sitting on the ground five feet away from his friends, smoking.
Jeeva: Da fuck ya want, homie?
Spider: Why don’ cha come out n’ play?
Jeeva: Da fuck, man? I’m busy.
Spider: Foo, ya been smokin’ all day!
Jeeva: It’s my shit, foo. (lights up another cigarette)
Spider: Ya trippin’, bitch.
Lagga: Yo Spider!
Spider: Whattup?
Lagga: Gimme some mo, man!
Nix: Gimme 300, foo!
Spider: Ya trippin’.
Nix: C’mon, man! I haven’t felt a fuckin’ thing!
Spider: Then have that bitch (pointing to Jeeva) down there do ya that!
Jeeva: I told ya I’m fuckin’ BUSY!
Spider: Foo, Nix wanna play ya. He wan’ cha ta give ‘im 300.
Jeeva: (flipping off Spider and Nix) 300 my ass…
Narrator: Shaking his head, Spider pulled out a handgun from his pocket and quickly approached Jeeva, pulling him up and grabbing his long-sleeved shirt tightly.
Spider: (pointing gun at Jeeva) Yo, I ain’t playin’ witcha, aite? Ya wanna fuck wid us, then get da fuck ova here or else. Ya got that?
Narrator: Jeeva nodded nervously, and Spider dropped him back to the ground, putting away the gun.
Spider: Yo, we rule, don’ we? (as Nix and Lagga nodded) Then why don’ we rule every foo in da streets, ah? We gon’ show who’s da shit of em’ all!
Nix: Yeah!
Narrator: Spider then noticed a rat crawling on the sides of the trash bin, so he pulled out his gun and fired several shots at the trash bin as the rat escaped.
Spider: C’mon, bitches! Let’s get the fuck outta here n’ ride this world!
Jeeva: Chyea!
Narrator: So off the guys went as they exited the alley. They all hopped into their familiar white car, the one that passed by Starbucks hours ago, Spider on the driver’s seat, and started the engines, some loud rap music rumbling all over the vehicle. The car drove off at a very fast speed, its tires screeching during the takeoff.
ch. 21 - getting together
CHAPTER 21
GETTING TOGETHER
Narrator: Back out in the Town Center, Erich and her gang were talking to one another, sharing joy and laughter with one another. A moment later, Maja and Sarah arrived, running into them. As Denise turned to the two incoming girls…
Denise: Maj?! Sarah?! (as Erich and her other friends turned to them as well)
Maja: Denise?
Denise: It’s youuu! (in a high shout as she approaches Maja and hugs her)
Narrator: Then Denise hugged Sarah as Maja hugged Erich. Then Erich introduced Maja to her friends.
Erich: Maja, si Nina, Jamilla…
Jamilla: Call me Jam. (laughing as Maja smiles)
Erich: At si Brenda.
Maja: (waving at Erich’s three friends) Hii.
Nina: Hi Maj. (handshake)
Jamilla: Gosh you look so beautiful.
Maja: (laughing shyly) Salamat.
Erich: Yeah, beautiful as always. (then sees Sarah approaching her) Heey…
Sarah: Heey… (as they hug each other)
Brenda: Maj. (handshake) I heard you’re the world’s ultimate dancing queen.
Maja: Ah ganun? (smiling shyly) Paano mo malalaman?
Brenda: Denise told me.
Denise: Yeah, ya know me. I always let my friends know how good you really are. (smiling proudly) Talagang idol kita, Ma. (light pat on her shoulder) Parehas kayo ni Erich, ang mga paboritong dancer ko talaga. Hehe…
Maja: (laughing) Salamat.
Erich: Sarah, eto palang tatlong ibigan ko nah indo mo kilala: si Nina, Jamilla o Jam, at Brenda.
Sarah: Hello. (handshake to Erich’s friends)
Denise: Gusto niyo (referring to Maja and Sarah) mag kasama sa amin manunuod yun cine?
Maja: Anong nunuodin niyo?
Denise: “The Unborn.”
Maja: Mmm… (eyes looking up, then back at Denise) Ayus lang.
Denise: Sarah? (as Sarah turns to Denise) Ok ba sayo ‘to?
Sarah: Ok din sakin. (smiling)
Nina: Tara na, guys. Maja, Sarah, bili na kayong tickets niyo.
Maja: Anong horas yun movie?
Nina: 8:15.
Sarah: Sige.
Narrator: So Maja and Sarah went to purchase their movie tickets.
*
Back inside my house, we same four people continued watching the Lakers game. The clock winded down to the final thirty seconds of the fourth quarter, and the Lakers were only trailing by ONE, 104 – 105. Kobe was carrying the ball, guarded by defensive ace Bruce Bowen.
Koji: C’mon, dude! (as Kobe crossed over Bowen, making a tough layup through Duncan and Kurt Thomas)
Mr. Castro: Ayun!
D-Nort: Wala bang foul yan?
Jay: I guess not. Ya know how em’ refs are on Kobe.
Koji: They always eat their whistles, I tell ya.
D-Nort: Play defense! Let’s go!
Narrator: Several seconds passed by, and Fisher made a steal on the Spurs turnover, making a run to the basket as he laid it in barely before Oberto blocked it.
Jay: YEAH!! (clapping) Way to go, Fish!
Narrator: Once the Spurs called timeout, my phone sounded again as I received another text message.
GETTING TOGETHER
Narrator: Back out in the Town Center, Erich and her gang were talking to one another, sharing joy and laughter with one another. A moment later, Maja and Sarah arrived, running into them. As Denise turned to the two incoming girls…
Denise: Maj?! Sarah?! (as Erich and her other friends turned to them as well)
Maja: Denise?
Denise: It’s youuu! (in a high shout as she approaches Maja and hugs her)
Narrator: Then Denise hugged Sarah as Maja hugged Erich. Then Erich introduced Maja to her friends.
Erich: Maja, si Nina, Jamilla…
Jamilla: Call me Jam. (laughing as Maja smiles)
Erich: At si Brenda.
Maja: (waving at Erich’s three friends) Hii.
Nina: Hi Maj. (handshake)
Jamilla: Gosh you look so beautiful.
Maja: (laughing shyly) Salamat.
Erich: Yeah, beautiful as always. (then sees Sarah approaching her) Heey…
Sarah: Heey… (as they hug each other)
Brenda: Maj. (handshake) I heard you’re the world’s ultimate dancing queen.
Maja: Ah ganun? (smiling shyly) Paano mo malalaman?
Brenda: Denise told me.
Denise: Yeah, ya know me. I always let my friends know how good you really are. (smiling proudly) Talagang idol kita, Ma. (light pat on her shoulder) Parehas kayo ni Erich, ang mga paboritong dancer ko talaga. Hehe…
Maja: (laughing) Salamat.
Erich: Sarah, eto palang tatlong ibigan ko nah indo mo kilala: si Nina, Jamilla o Jam, at Brenda.
Sarah: Hello. (handshake to Erich’s friends)
Denise: Gusto niyo (referring to Maja and Sarah) mag kasama sa amin manunuod yun cine?
Maja: Anong nunuodin niyo?
Denise: “The Unborn.”
Maja: Mmm… (eyes looking up, then back at Denise) Ayus lang.
Denise: Sarah? (as Sarah turns to Denise) Ok ba sayo ‘to?
Sarah: Ok din sakin. (smiling)
Nina: Tara na, guys. Maja, Sarah, bili na kayong tickets niyo.
Maja: Anong horas yun movie?
Nina: 8:15.
Sarah: Sige.
Narrator: So Maja and Sarah went to purchase their movie tickets.
*
Back inside my house, we same four people continued watching the Lakers game. The clock winded down to the final thirty seconds of the fourth quarter, and the Lakers were only trailing by ONE, 104 – 105. Kobe was carrying the ball, guarded by defensive ace Bruce Bowen.
Koji: C’mon, dude! (as Kobe crossed over Bowen, making a tough layup through Duncan and Kurt Thomas)
Mr. Castro: Ayun!
D-Nort: Wala bang foul yan?
Jay: I guess not. Ya know how em’ refs are on Kobe.
Koji: They always eat their whistles, I tell ya.
D-Nort: Play defense! Let’s go!
Narrator: Several seconds passed by, and Fisher made a steal on the Spurs turnover, making a run to the basket as he laid it in barely before Oberto blocked it.
Jay: YEAH!! (clapping) Way to go, Fish!
Narrator: Once the Spurs called timeout, my phone sounded again as I received another text message.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
ch. 20 - some ugly drama
CHAPTER 20
SOME UGLY DRAMA
Narrator: As the girls were outside talking…
Denise: Ayus namang sapatos mo, ah?
Brenda: Oo nga eh.
Erich: Naku, basta kahit ano klaseng sapatos na suot ko, bagay sa pag sayawan ko. (smiling proudly)
Denise: Aba… na yabang ka pa dyan, o? (joking, giving Erich a light slap on the arm)
Erich: (laughing) Kaw talaga, Denise.
Narrator: Then Erich’s phone beeped with a xylophone sound. As Erich picked it up from her pocket, she read Nina’s name and clicked on it as she received her text message.
Erich: Sabi daw ni Nina pupunta na sila ditto.
Brenda: Okie.
Narrator: Suddenly, the girls ran into Aaron and his girlfriend. Erich looked away from him.
Aaron: O, Erich. Nan dito ka pala.
Brenda: Ano ginagawa mo dito?
Aaron: Wala. Ng pasyal lang kaming girlfriend ko.
Brenda: At bakit na binati mo pa si Erich? Kailangan ba mag gawa yan lagi?
Aaron: Anong problema mo? Bakit ikaw pa mag salita, hindi siya?
Brenda: Kasiii ayaw siya pag kita yun bwiset ang mukha mo!
Aaron: Sisira mo pang araw ko, ah?
Brenda: Hoy, IKAW ang na sira ang buhay ni Erich sa taxilan mo!
Aaron: (reaches for Brenda’s arms) Sumasobra kana dyan, ha?
Erich: (pushes his arms away from Brenda) Tama na nga, Aaron! (angry stare at him) Na away mo pa si Brenda at I damay mo pa siya sa issue nito! Tigilan mo na ‘to! Lalo na ako!!
Aaron: Alam mo? (points at Erich, frowning) Iba ka talaga ngayon. Bakit ganyang ugali mo? Dahil wala ako pakialam sa Dios? Ganun ba?
Erich: Kung sana may lalaki na malapit sa Dios katulad ko, hindi magagawa ang masama katulad mo!
Aaron: Ah ganun… so salvahe talaga ako.
Erich: Oo, at wala ka pakialam sa mundo kundi sa rili mo! Plastik ka!!
Aaron: Sirang ulo mo! (immediately slaps Erich hard on the face)
Narrator: Before he could grab Erich, his girlfriend grabbed hold of him as Brenda and Denise covered Erich, who was covering her face as well.
Brenda: (points directly at Aaron’s face) Hayop ka, Aaron!
Narrator: Once Aaron and his girlfriend walked away, Erich and her friends stayed as they watched Aaron and the girl avoiding them.
Brenda: Yeah, fuck off!
Narrator: A minute later, Nina and Jamilla arrived.
Jamilla: Yo, guys!
Brenda: Hey Jam, Nina. (calmly)
Denise: Ng fixed bang phone mo?
Nina: Yep. Ng text ko kanina si Erich eh. (as she notices Erich looking depressed) O, Erich? Bakit ka na lungkot?
Brenda: Ng kita naming si Aaron, at ng bwiset pa siya sakin saka si Erich.
Jamilla: Talaga?
Brenda: Oo! Tapos na sampalin siya kay Erich. Ang LAKAS!
Nina: Napakasira ulo talaga yun Aaron nayan.
Jamilla: Oo nga eh! Kapal na kapal ang mukha niya.
Nina: (approaches Erich) Are you okay? (comforting her shoulder)
Erich: (nodding) Oo. (sobbing, tears falling from her eyes)
Jamilla: Wag mo na iisipin yan. (hand on her other shoulder)
Denise: Sayang… gwapo pa siya, pero masamang ugali.
Erich: Basta, mahirap maintindian yun mga lalaki nayan. Akala mo kung sino…
Denise: Yeah… it’s okay, Erich. Totoo namang ibigan niyo, diba? (smiling)
Erich: (wiping away tears from her eyes, laughing) Kaw talaga, Denise. Siempre naman!
Nina: Awww…
Narrator: Erich hugged both Denise and Nina, then Brenda and Jamilla.
*
Meanwhile inside my house, my dad, uncle D-Nort, Koji, and I continued watching the Lakers-Spurs game. The clock winded down to four minutes, the Lakers only trailing by six (96 – 102) after trailing by eleven to start the quarter.
Jay: Let’s go, let’s GO! (as I clapped)
Narrator: With Kobe holding the ball, he drove to the basket and instead passed it to an open Ariza on the corner.
Koji: C’mon, Ariza! (as Ariza fired the 3 pointer that sank in)
Mr. Castro/ D-Nort: YEESS!/ ALL RIGHT!!
Jay: (clapping) Wooohooo!!
Mrs. Castro: (preparing the beef stew bowl as she set it on the dining table) Ano nangyari? Nalo bang Lakers?
Jay: Malapit na!
Narrator: Then my phone sounded as I’ve received another text message. As I picked up the phone from my pocket, I immediately read Robby’s name and clicked on it. The message said as shown:
“Your gf Erich got 500 combos in DDR.”
I had a surprised look on my face when I read it, so I decided to text him back, asking him more about Erich’s incredible performance. I smiled happily as I was texting him.
SOME UGLY DRAMA
Narrator: As the girls were outside talking…
Denise: Ayus namang sapatos mo, ah?
Brenda: Oo nga eh.
Erich: Naku, basta kahit ano klaseng sapatos na suot ko, bagay sa pag sayawan ko. (smiling proudly)
Denise: Aba… na yabang ka pa dyan, o? (joking, giving Erich a light slap on the arm)
Erich: (laughing) Kaw talaga, Denise.
Narrator: Then Erich’s phone beeped with a xylophone sound. As Erich picked it up from her pocket, she read Nina’s name and clicked on it as she received her text message.
Erich: Sabi daw ni Nina pupunta na sila ditto.
Brenda: Okie.
Narrator: Suddenly, the girls ran into Aaron and his girlfriend. Erich looked away from him.
Aaron: O, Erich. Nan dito ka pala.
Brenda: Ano ginagawa mo dito?
Aaron: Wala. Ng pasyal lang kaming girlfriend ko.
Brenda: At bakit na binati mo pa si Erich? Kailangan ba mag gawa yan lagi?
Aaron: Anong problema mo? Bakit ikaw pa mag salita, hindi siya?
Brenda: Kasiii ayaw siya pag kita yun bwiset ang mukha mo!
Aaron: Sisira mo pang araw ko, ah?
Brenda: Hoy, IKAW ang na sira ang buhay ni Erich sa taxilan mo!
Aaron: (reaches for Brenda’s arms) Sumasobra kana dyan, ha?
Erich: (pushes his arms away from Brenda) Tama na nga, Aaron! (angry stare at him) Na away mo pa si Brenda at I damay mo pa siya sa issue nito! Tigilan mo na ‘to! Lalo na ako!!
Aaron: Alam mo? (points at Erich, frowning) Iba ka talaga ngayon. Bakit ganyang ugali mo? Dahil wala ako pakialam sa Dios? Ganun ba?
Erich: Kung sana may lalaki na malapit sa Dios katulad ko, hindi magagawa ang masama katulad mo!
Aaron: Ah ganun… so salvahe talaga ako.
Erich: Oo, at wala ka pakialam sa mundo kundi sa rili mo! Plastik ka!!
Aaron: Sirang ulo mo! (immediately slaps Erich hard on the face)
Narrator: Before he could grab Erich, his girlfriend grabbed hold of him as Brenda and Denise covered Erich, who was covering her face as well.
Brenda: (points directly at Aaron’s face) Hayop ka, Aaron!
Narrator: Once Aaron and his girlfriend walked away, Erich and her friends stayed as they watched Aaron and the girl avoiding them.
Brenda: Yeah, fuck off!
Narrator: A minute later, Nina and Jamilla arrived.
Jamilla: Yo, guys!
Brenda: Hey Jam, Nina. (calmly)
Denise: Ng fixed bang phone mo?
Nina: Yep. Ng text ko kanina si Erich eh. (as she notices Erich looking depressed) O, Erich? Bakit ka na lungkot?
Brenda: Ng kita naming si Aaron, at ng bwiset pa siya sakin saka si Erich.
Jamilla: Talaga?
Brenda: Oo! Tapos na sampalin siya kay Erich. Ang LAKAS!
Nina: Napakasira ulo talaga yun Aaron nayan.
Jamilla: Oo nga eh! Kapal na kapal ang mukha niya.
Nina: (approaches Erich) Are you okay? (comforting her shoulder)
Erich: (nodding) Oo. (sobbing, tears falling from her eyes)
Jamilla: Wag mo na iisipin yan. (hand on her other shoulder)
Denise: Sayang… gwapo pa siya, pero masamang ugali.
Erich: Basta, mahirap maintindian yun mga lalaki nayan. Akala mo kung sino…
Denise: Yeah… it’s okay, Erich. Totoo namang ibigan niyo, diba? (smiling)
Erich: (wiping away tears from her eyes, laughing) Kaw talaga, Denise. Siempre naman!
Nina: Awww…
Narrator: Erich hugged both Denise and Nina, then Brenda and Jamilla.
*
Meanwhile inside my house, my dad, uncle D-Nort, Koji, and I continued watching the Lakers-Spurs game. The clock winded down to four minutes, the Lakers only trailing by six (96 – 102) after trailing by eleven to start the quarter.
Jay: Let’s go, let’s GO! (as I clapped)
Narrator: With Kobe holding the ball, he drove to the basket and instead passed it to an open Ariza on the corner.
Koji: C’mon, Ariza! (as Ariza fired the 3 pointer that sank in)
Mr. Castro/ D-Nort: YEESS!/ ALL RIGHT!!
Jay: (clapping) Wooohooo!!
Mrs. Castro: (preparing the beef stew bowl as she set it on the dining table) Ano nangyari? Nalo bang Lakers?
Jay: Malapit na!
Narrator: Then my phone sounded as I’ve received another text message. As I picked up the phone from my pocket, I immediately read Robby’s name and clicked on it. The message said as shown:
“Your gf Erich got 500 combos in DDR.”
I had a surprised look on my face when I read it, so I decided to text him back, asking him more about Erich’s incredible performance. I smiled happily as I was texting him.
ch. 19 - an unusual showdown
CHAPTER 19
AN UNUSUAL SHOWDOWN
Narrator: Back inside my house, Uncle D-Nort and Koji were drinking their Coors while I was sitting on the maroon turtle seat with my chin sitting on my right palm.
Suddenly, I heard the clanging of the keys from the front door. As I turned around, my parents were home carrying white plastic grocery bags. I got up and arrived to the front door helping them out.
Jay: So how’s Lola? (as I took one of the grocery bags off my mom’s hand)
Mr. Castro: Doing good. The doctor said she’ll be out most likely by Sunday or Monday.
Jay: That’s great.
Mr. Castro: (heading toward family room) O, Bok. (Uncle D-Nort)
D-Nort: (as he and Koji turn to him) O, saan ka galing?
Mr. Castro: Nasa hospital. (then looks at Koji, waving at him). Hi Koji.
Koji: (waves back at my dad) Ey…
D-Nort: Musta na si Ate Earlie (my lola)
Mr. Castro: Sabi daw ang doctor uuwi siya either Sunday or Monday.
D-Nort: Mabuti.
Mr. Castro: (looking at the Lakers game on TV) Ku tamBAK! (seeing the Lakers trailing 87 – 98 to begin the 4th quarter)
D-Nort: (shakes his head in disgust) Tsss… ng tira si Ginobili ang malayo! Ng pasok pa at the buzzer!
Koji: Dinouble team pa siya sila Odom at Walton.
Mr. Castro: Tss… eh ibig sabihin lahat ang tira ni Ginobili ay sigurado kahit wala siya sa position. Magaling siya talaga. (laughing a bit)
D-Nort: Chamba lang yun tira niya kanina… (shaking his head again) Tsss…
*
Narrator: Back inside the Powerhouse Arcade, Erich and Brenda were waiting for the arrows to scroll upward as the song had already started. The song playing was “Maria (I Believe)” by Naoki ft Paula Terry.
DDR Speaker: Are you ready?
Narrator: As the girls got on their feet, the notes arrived on the screen, and so the girls started their dance grooves.
The crowd gathered along, seeing the girls, both on the Expert difficulty, hitting note after note, from single to double to a wacky scramble of eighth and sixteenth notes.
Robby and my two other friends Chris and Bobby came along watching the scene. Erich was already at 203 combos. Jimbo watched the two girls in amazement.
Robby: (watching Erich’s every move on the platform) Holy shit she’s not even using the bar.
Bobby: I know, dude. The other girl too.
Robby: Jay’s gonna wanna know this. (as he takes out his phone, flipping it open)
Narrator: Erich was unstoppable, now at 417 combos in counting. The crowd went wild cheering for the girls.
As soon as the song ended…
Jimbo: Wow…
Narrator: The crowd continued cheering loudly as they applauded for the girls.
Denise: Ang galing niyo!
Narrator: Once Brenda and Erich turned around, laughing and smiling…
Vietnamese Girl: (long curly hair and around her 20’s with her two Pacific Islander female friends, all same age as hers) You go girl!
Hispanic Guy: (wearing Raiders cap) Ya got skillz!
Narrator: Erich continued laughing, not even one word coming out of her mouth. She and Brenda stepped down the DDR platform, standing next to Denise.
Denise: Ang galing naman kayo eh! (smiling)
Narrator: So all three of the girls passed through the crowd, who was still applauding for them.
Jimbo: Impressive! (as the girls looked at him) Mas gusto ko yun sayawan niyo kesa sa kanina!
Brenda: Naku! Wala yun, noh?
Jimbo: Least you girls can dance that good.
Brenda: Yeah, we sure can, pero mas maigi pang buhay natin sa iyo!
Narrator: The girls exited the arcade afterwards.
Bobby: Dude… how do girls know how to dance like that?
Chris: They just do.
Bobby: Like you know shit at all. (as Robby laughs)
AN UNUSUAL SHOWDOWN
Narrator: Back inside my house, Uncle D-Nort and Koji were drinking their Coors while I was sitting on the maroon turtle seat with my chin sitting on my right palm.
Suddenly, I heard the clanging of the keys from the front door. As I turned around, my parents were home carrying white plastic grocery bags. I got up and arrived to the front door helping them out.
Jay: So how’s Lola? (as I took one of the grocery bags off my mom’s hand)
Mr. Castro: Doing good. The doctor said she’ll be out most likely by Sunday or Monday.
Jay: That’s great.
Mr. Castro: (heading toward family room) O, Bok. (Uncle D-Nort)
D-Nort: (as he and Koji turn to him) O, saan ka galing?
Mr. Castro: Nasa hospital. (then looks at Koji, waving at him). Hi Koji.
Koji: (waves back at my dad) Ey…
D-Nort: Musta na si Ate Earlie (my lola)
Mr. Castro: Sabi daw ang doctor uuwi siya either Sunday or Monday.
D-Nort: Mabuti.
Mr. Castro: (looking at the Lakers game on TV) Ku tamBAK! (seeing the Lakers trailing 87 – 98 to begin the 4th quarter)
D-Nort: (shakes his head in disgust) Tsss… ng tira si Ginobili ang malayo! Ng pasok pa at the buzzer!
Koji: Dinouble team pa siya sila Odom at Walton.
Mr. Castro: Tss… eh ibig sabihin lahat ang tira ni Ginobili ay sigurado kahit wala siya sa position. Magaling siya talaga. (laughing a bit)
D-Nort: Chamba lang yun tira niya kanina… (shaking his head again) Tsss…
*
Narrator: Back inside the Powerhouse Arcade, Erich and Brenda were waiting for the arrows to scroll upward as the song had already started. The song playing was “Maria (I Believe)” by Naoki ft Paula Terry.
DDR Speaker: Are you ready?
Narrator: As the girls got on their feet, the notes arrived on the screen, and so the girls started their dance grooves.
The crowd gathered along, seeing the girls, both on the Expert difficulty, hitting note after note, from single to double to a wacky scramble of eighth and sixteenth notes.
Robby and my two other friends Chris and Bobby came along watching the scene. Erich was already at 203 combos. Jimbo watched the two girls in amazement.
Robby: (watching Erich’s every move on the platform) Holy shit she’s not even using the bar.
Bobby: I know, dude. The other girl too.
Robby: Jay’s gonna wanna know this. (as he takes out his phone, flipping it open)
Narrator: Erich was unstoppable, now at 417 combos in counting. The crowd went wild cheering for the girls.
As soon as the song ended…
Jimbo: Wow…
Narrator: The crowd continued cheering loudly as they applauded for the girls.
Denise: Ang galing niyo!
Narrator: Once Brenda and Erich turned around, laughing and smiling…
Vietnamese Girl: (long curly hair and around her 20’s with her two Pacific Islander female friends, all same age as hers) You go girl!
Hispanic Guy: (wearing Raiders cap) Ya got skillz!
Narrator: Erich continued laughing, not even one word coming out of her mouth. She and Brenda stepped down the DDR platform, standing next to Denise.
Denise: Ang galing naman kayo eh! (smiling)
Narrator: So all three of the girls passed through the crowd, who was still applauding for them.
Jimbo: Impressive! (as the girls looked at him) Mas gusto ko yun sayawan niyo kesa sa kanina!
Brenda: Naku! Wala yun, noh?
Jimbo: Least you girls can dance that good.
Brenda: Yeah, we sure can, pero mas maigi pang buhay natin sa iyo!
Narrator: The girls exited the arcade afterwards.
Bobby: Dude… how do girls know how to dance like that?
Chris: They just do.
Bobby: Like you know shit at all. (as Robby laughs)
ch. 18 - scared
CHAPTER 18
SCARED
Narrator: Back inside the arcade with Erich’s group as they approached the DDR machine…
Denise: Ayus bang sandals mo? (referring to Brenda)
Brenda: Ayus lang naman, o?
Denise: Eh kasi may sign na pwede lang mag sapatos.
Erich: Eh ng suot kong shoes ko, so wala akong problema.
Brenda: Ang mga rules talaga dito (referring to California). Sandals na lang ako, saka di ko mahulog, noh?
Narrator: So Erich and Brenda stepped onto the platform sliding in their tokens.
*
Meanwhile with Sarah and Maja as they continued walking down the dim path…
Maja: Malakas na talagang luob ni Uncle Walter ngayon.
Sarah: Oo, saka may hawak pa niyang baril.
Maja: At may aso pa.
Sarah: Hmm ano kayang sakyan niya ngayon?
Maja: Baka motorcicle.
Sarah: Di, noh? Siguro mga simpleng coche.
Maja: As in a Ford classic? Di naman, o?
Sarah: (changing subject) Mars…
Maja: O?
Sarah: Tatakot ako tuloy sa nangyari satin kanina.
Maja: Tapos nay an. Basta, mabuhay pa tayo.
Sarah: Oo nga… swerte ang ligtas natin. Kung wala ditto si Uncle Walter, patay na agad tayo.
Maja: Sarah tama na.
Sarah: (panicking as she faces Maja, both stopping) Tama na? Yun lang ba ang sinasabi mo? Tama na?
Maja: Basta ang alam ko, tahimik nang buhay natin.
Sarah: Ano ang pinagsasabi mo dyan, ha? Tahimik ang buhay natin? Di pa na patay yun mga gang member eh! Kita mo kanina nung sa luob tayo sa Starbucks? Muntik na tayo namamatayan sa barilan dun sa labas!... Mars, walang tahimik dito sa mundo kapag maraming gangs ang ng tira ditto.
Maja: (sobbing) Tatakot rin ako eh… (in tears) Basta… kahit may masayang tao dito, hindi pa rin masayang mundo ‘to. (sobbing) Gusto ko uuwi na sa Pilipinas eh.
Sarah: (in tears) Ako rin. (sobbing) Pero tandaan mo… Best friends pa rin tayo. Dito tayo para isa’t-isa. (singing the “Jewel Sisters” song) Lagiiing pakaka tandaaaaan, lagi tayo magkasama, magpakailanman.”
Narrator: Maja, crying, covered her mouth with one hand, and the girls hugged each other, Sarah crying as well.
SCARED
Narrator: Back inside the arcade with Erich’s group as they approached the DDR machine…
Denise: Ayus bang sandals mo? (referring to Brenda)
Brenda: Ayus lang naman, o?
Denise: Eh kasi may sign na pwede lang mag sapatos.
Erich: Eh ng suot kong shoes ko, so wala akong problema.
Brenda: Ang mga rules talaga dito (referring to California). Sandals na lang ako, saka di ko mahulog, noh?
Narrator: So Erich and Brenda stepped onto the platform sliding in their tokens.
*
Meanwhile with Sarah and Maja as they continued walking down the dim path…
Maja: Malakas na talagang luob ni Uncle Walter ngayon.
Sarah: Oo, saka may hawak pa niyang baril.
Maja: At may aso pa.
Sarah: Hmm ano kayang sakyan niya ngayon?
Maja: Baka motorcicle.
Sarah: Di, noh? Siguro mga simpleng coche.
Maja: As in a Ford classic? Di naman, o?
Sarah: (changing subject) Mars…
Maja: O?
Sarah: Tatakot ako tuloy sa nangyari satin kanina.
Maja: Tapos nay an. Basta, mabuhay pa tayo.
Sarah: Oo nga… swerte ang ligtas natin. Kung wala ditto si Uncle Walter, patay na agad tayo.
Maja: Sarah tama na.
Sarah: (panicking as she faces Maja, both stopping) Tama na? Yun lang ba ang sinasabi mo? Tama na?
Maja: Basta ang alam ko, tahimik nang buhay natin.
Sarah: Ano ang pinagsasabi mo dyan, ha? Tahimik ang buhay natin? Di pa na patay yun mga gang member eh! Kita mo kanina nung sa luob tayo sa Starbucks? Muntik na tayo namamatayan sa barilan dun sa labas!... Mars, walang tahimik dito sa mundo kapag maraming gangs ang ng tira ditto.
Maja: (sobbing) Tatakot rin ako eh… (in tears) Basta… kahit may masayang tao dito, hindi pa rin masayang mundo ‘to. (sobbing) Gusto ko uuwi na sa Pilipinas eh.
Sarah: (in tears) Ako rin. (sobbing) Pero tandaan mo… Best friends pa rin tayo. Dito tayo para isa’t-isa. (singing the “Jewel Sisters” song) Lagiiing pakaka tandaaaaan, lagi tayo magkasama, magpakailanman.”
Narrator: Maja, crying, covered her mouth with one hand, and the girls hugged each other, Sarah crying as well.
ch. 17 - a "friendly" reminder
CHAPTER 17
A “FRIENDLY” REMINDER
Narrator: Back inside my house as I returned to the family room…
Jay: Here ya guys go. (as I hand Uncle D-Nort and Koji their Coors Light beer cans)
Narrator: Suddenly, my phone rang. This time, it rang of the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like A Hurricane” which was telling me it was one of my guy friends calling. I quickly took it out of my pants pocket, reading “Robby Cox” in my caller ID.
Jay: (heading into my room) Hello?
Robby: Balls!
Jay: What’s up? (sitting on side of my bed)
Robby: Balls! (annoyed expression on my face) Ey guess what?
Jay: What this time?
Robby: We saw your girlfriend. (joking)
Jay: Who?
Robby: Umm… I think it’s Maja Salvador or Bia.
Jay: Wait wait… first of all, where are you at?
Bobby: (shouting through the phone) In the arcade!
Jay: Where, though?
Robby: Cerritos Town Center.
Jay: Hold up… what’s the girl’s hair color?
Robby: Umm… it’s black.
Jay: Um okay…? Any other details about the hair?
Bobby: (getting closer to Robby’s phone) It’s long.
Jay: Straight down long?
Bobby: Yeah.
Jay: How old does she look?
Bobby: (looking over at Erich who’s still with her friends at token machine) She looks 16 or 17.
Jay: (murmuring silently to myself) Erich…
Bobby: Who?!
Jay: You saw Erich!
Robby: The fuck? I don’t even know her. (laughing)
Jay: I thought you knew. I’ve told you guys about her.
Robby: Umm… but you never showed her to us.
Jay: Who’s she with?
Robby: Umm her friends…
Jay: (nodding) I see.
Bobby: So are ya gonna go over here and visit her?
Jay: Uhh… I’d love to, but I’m kinda busy right now.
Bobby: Dude, lay off with the ***[phrase omitted]*** for tonight. (as Robby laughs)
Jay: You’re dumb. I’m watching the Lakers game with my friend and uncle.
Bobby: Tsk Lakers are gonna lose.
Jay: How would you know that?
Bobby: Cuz… they just suck dick!
Jay: Haha same to you.
Bobby: Dude, Kobe’s doin’ everything for the team. That’s why he scores 40 points every single game!
Jay: All right, ya know what? I gotta go.
Robby: Yer not gonna see Erin, or…
Jay: You mean Erich? She’s with her friends, though.
Bobby: So? Just go with em’. They’re all girls anyway.
Jay: Yeah I know, but right now I can’t.
Bobby: Tsk THIIIIS guy… Go ‘head and watch the Lakers lose tonight to the Spurs.
Jay: See ya.
Robby: All right. Later.
Narrator: As soon as I hung up…
D-Nort: OHH MY GOD!!
Narrator: I went back out to the family room to find that the third quarter ended, the Lakers trailing 87 – 95 as the crowd was cheering wildly.
Jay: Ano nangyari?
Koji: Ginobili, man!
Jay: Again? Buzzer beater?
D-Nort: Odom and Walton were guarding him, and Ginobili sank the shot from half court!
Jay: (as I watch replay of last second shot by Ginobili at buzzer) Holy shit!
D-Nort: Tsss… (shakes his head in disgust)
Koji: You’re shittin’ me, right?
Narrator: I shook my head as well.
A “FRIENDLY” REMINDER
Narrator: Back inside my house as I returned to the family room…
Jay: Here ya guys go. (as I hand Uncle D-Nort and Koji their Coors Light beer cans)
Narrator: Suddenly, my phone rang. This time, it rang of the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like A Hurricane” which was telling me it was one of my guy friends calling. I quickly took it out of my pants pocket, reading “Robby Cox” in my caller ID.
Jay: (heading into my room) Hello?
Robby: Balls!
Jay: What’s up? (sitting on side of my bed)
Robby: Balls! (annoyed expression on my face) Ey guess what?
Jay: What this time?
Robby: We saw your girlfriend. (joking)
Jay: Who?
Robby: Umm… I think it’s Maja Salvador or Bia.
Jay: Wait wait… first of all, where are you at?
Bobby: (shouting through the phone) In the arcade!
Jay: Where, though?
Robby: Cerritos Town Center.
Jay: Hold up… what’s the girl’s hair color?
Robby: Umm… it’s black.
Jay: Um okay…? Any other details about the hair?
Bobby: (getting closer to Robby’s phone) It’s long.
Jay: Straight down long?
Bobby: Yeah.
Jay: How old does she look?
Bobby: (looking over at Erich who’s still with her friends at token machine) She looks 16 or 17.
Jay: (murmuring silently to myself) Erich…
Bobby: Who?!
Jay: You saw Erich!
Robby: The fuck? I don’t even know her. (laughing)
Jay: I thought you knew. I’ve told you guys about her.
Robby: Umm… but you never showed her to us.
Jay: Who’s she with?
Robby: Umm her friends…
Jay: (nodding) I see.
Bobby: So are ya gonna go over here and visit her?
Jay: Uhh… I’d love to, but I’m kinda busy right now.
Bobby: Dude, lay off with the ***[phrase omitted]*** for tonight. (as Robby laughs)
Jay: You’re dumb. I’m watching the Lakers game with my friend and uncle.
Bobby: Tsk Lakers are gonna lose.
Jay: How would you know that?
Bobby: Cuz… they just suck dick!
Jay: Haha same to you.
Bobby: Dude, Kobe’s doin’ everything for the team. That’s why he scores 40 points every single game!
Jay: All right, ya know what? I gotta go.
Robby: Yer not gonna see Erin, or…
Jay: You mean Erich? She’s with her friends, though.
Bobby: So? Just go with em’. They’re all girls anyway.
Jay: Yeah I know, but right now I can’t.
Bobby: Tsk THIIIIS guy… Go ‘head and watch the Lakers lose tonight to the Spurs.
Jay: See ya.
Robby: All right. Later.
Narrator: As soon as I hung up…
D-Nort: OHH MY GOD!!
Narrator: I went back out to the family room to find that the third quarter ended, the Lakers trailing 87 – 95 as the crowd was cheering wildly.
Jay: Ano nangyari?
Koji: Ginobili, man!
Jay: Again? Buzzer beater?
D-Nort: Odom and Walton were guarding him, and Ginobili sank the shot from half court!
Jay: (as I watch replay of last second shot by Ginobili at buzzer) Holy shit!
D-Nort: Tsss… (shakes his head in disgust)
Koji: You’re shittin’ me, right?
Narrator: I shook my head as well.
ch. 16 - jimbo
CHAPTER 16
JIMBO
Narrator: Meanwhile, with Erich, Denise, and Brenda, they entered the Powerhouse Arcade through the open double door. Denise noticed two white young dudes playing Air Hockey, a Chinese long-haired girl playing Para Para Paradise, and a very skinny white guy with eye glasses playing the Shock Volt game, until his glasses broke as he released his hands in pain.
Denise: Eeeiii…
Narrator: Once the girls reached the prize encounter…
Brenda: O Jimbo!
Narrator: The young Filipino dude about in his early 20’s was wearing eye glasses as he smiled, nodding at his friend.
Jimbo: Musta n a?
Brenda: Okay lang.
Jimbo: Sinong kasama mo dyan?
Brenda: My friends. (points out to Erich and Denise) This is Erich and Denise (Denise waving at him with a big smile).
Erich: Hi. (shaking his hand, smiling)
Jimbo: Nice meeting you.
Erich: Meron din akong ibigan na may pangalang “Jimbo.”
Jimbo: Talaga? Filipino din siya?
Erich: Oo naman.
Jimbo: That’s nice. (points to Denise) Ikaw si Denise?
Denise: Yep, that’s me. (as they shook hands) Pleasure to meet you. (laughing)
Jimbo: (laughing a bit) So ano ginagawa niyo dito?
Brenda: Just… chillin. (laughing as Erich laughs)
Denise: Yeah… chillin’ kasi malamig sa labas. (laughing)
Jimbo: Ah ganun? Di naman masyado malamig sa labas, o? Supposed to be low 70’s ngayon.
Erich: Kanina pa yan sa tanghali. Ngayon parang medyo malamig ang konti.
Jimbo: (noticing a small group of people crowding over the DDR Supernova machine) Whoa look…
Narrator: The girls turned their backs to the DDR game where one Asian dude wearing a cap facing backwards was at 350 combos and rising. The other dude, a Vietnamese who looked about the other guy’s age, only had 146.
Jimbo watched with his very eyes as he kept watching the two, the Asian hitting note after note while the other broke his 100+ streak hitting only 55. After the song ended, there were few cheers and applauses for the two.
Jimbo: Mabilis yun song, tapos ng 500 combos pa yun isang Asian ang lalaki.
Denise: Oo nga, noh? Susko… kita mo gaano na bilis mag tama yun paa niya sa arrow.
Jimbo: Yan ang extreme pro. Walang ibang kalaban who can be at his level katulad yun isang Guitar Hero pro nung ng 100% siya sa Dragonforce.
Brenda: Jim naman, o?
Jimbo: Bakit? Na sabi ko lang ‘to tapos ng irita ka agad sakin.
Erich: Eh kasi puro video games ang usapan mo.
Brenda: Oo. Babae kami, noh? Wag basta I mention sa amin ang ganyan.
Denise: Pwede ka mag salita yan sa mga ibigan mong lalaki, pero hindi sa amin.
Jimbo: Hayy… ang ganda pa kayo kasi eh.
Brenda: Oo nga, noh? (pulling her hair back, acting sexy) Kaya we’re not much into video games, ya know.
Jimbo: Ah ganun? Well, I dare you then to play the Shock Volt right over there. (points to game sitting beside darts game)
Brenda: Hell nah! Sirang ulo mo talaga.
Jimbo: (laughing) Natatakot ka pa dyan? Parang massager lang yan, o?
Denise: Di totoo. Ng kita ko kanina na may isang lalaki ng laro yan, tapos ng bali pang salamin niya.
Jimbo: Di kasi ng tangal muna agad yan.
Denise: Kahit na. Basta hindi bagay sa amin ang mga ganyang klaseng laro.
Brenda: Yeah. Tara na, girls. Mag laro muna tayo.
Jimbo: Gusto ko mag kita ka mag DDR.
Brenda: Ako? DDR?? Di pa ako magaling, noh?
Denise: Saka wala pa ak sa medium, o?
Brenda: Si Erich ang galing.
Erich: (laughing shyly) Di masyado.
Denise: Oo diba magaling ka sumayaw?
Erich: Sa tunay, oo. Sa ame, hindi masyado.
Denise: Parehas naman kayo ni Maja eh. Ang galing niyo talaga.
Erich: Mas may style pa si Maja pag sayawan kesa sakin.
Brenda: Eh simple simple lang sayawin mo kasi, pero dancer ka pa rin.
Denise: Yeah.
Jimbo: Ang galing ka pala, Erich. Sana ikaw na lang mag laro yun DDR.
Denise: Yeah, Erich. Go for it!
Erich: Di na. (shakes her head)
Brenda: Sige na, Erich. I’ll go if you go.
Jimbo: Gusto ka pala mag laro eh. Kasama mo siya.
Denise: Oo nga Erich. Do it naman!
Brenda: Yeah, once lang. (holds up her left index finger)
Erich: O sige na nga! I’ll go.
Denise: Ata girl!
Jimbo: Oooh I can’t wait to see this… (rubs his hands together)
Narrator: So the three girls headed toward the token machine on their left shoulder.
Suddenly, a group of three white dudes entered the arcade. Actually, they were my friends: Chris, who wears glasses, Bobby, wearing a dark blue polo and a red New York Yankees cap facing front, and Robby, the red-haired one who works at Disney’s California Adventure.
Robby: (noticing white young girl wearing black leggings playing the Shock Volt game) Hey Chris. Would ya try this one? (points to it)
Bobby: ‘Course he wouldn’t. He’s scared.
Robby: What about DDR, the one Jay plays?
Bobby: Yeah right.
Narrator: But then Robby spotted Erich and her gang at the token machine.
Robby: Ey isn’t that Jay’s girlfriend? (joking)
Bobby: Who??
Ummm… I think it’s either Maja or Bia (he meant “Bea” for Bea Alonzo).
Bobby: Which one is she?
Robby: (points to Erich) Umm… the one in a white long sleeved shirt and skinny jeans.
Bobby: (looking closely at her laughing with Denise) She’s Filipino, isn’t she?
Robby: So is her friends. (laughing a bit)
Bobby: It don’t matter, though. She’s hot.
Chris: I thought yer not into Filipino girls at all.
Bobby: Except for her and Jay’s sister.
Robby: Who’r ya goin’ for, though?
Bobby: I’m goin’ for BOTH for em’.
Chris: Yer crazy.
Bobby: Duude, ya know me. ***[next sentence omitted]***
Chris: Yer tryin’ ta go for all of em’. Some player ya are.
Bobby: Shut up and mind yer own fuckin’ business.
Robby: Lemme call Jay and tell him. (as he takes out his cell phone from brown jeans pocket)
Bobby: Do it.
JIMBO
Narrator: Meanwhile, with Erich, Denise, and Brenda, they entered the Powerhouse Arcade through the open double door. Denise noticed two white young dudes playing Air Hockey, a Chinese long-haired girl playing Para Para Paradise, and a very skinny white guy with eye glasses playing the Shock Volt game, until his glasses broke as he released his hands in pain.
Denise: Eeeiii…
Narrator: Once the girls reached the prize encounter…
Brenda: O Jimbo!
Narrator: The young Filipino dude about in his early 20’s was wearing eye glasses as he smiled, nodding at his friend.
Jimbo: Musta n a?
Brenda: Okay lang.
Jimbo: Sinong kasama mo dyan?
Brenda: My friends. (points out to Erich and Denise) This is Erich and Denise (Denise waving at him with a big smile).
Erich: Hi. (shaking his hand, smiling)
Jimbo: Nice meeting you.
Erich: Meron din akong ibigan na may pangalang “Jimbo.”
Jimbo: Talaga? Filipino din siya?
Erich: Oo naman.
Jimbo: That’s nice. (points to Denise) Ikaw si Denise?
Denise: Yep, that’s me. (as they shook hands) Pleasure to meet you. (laughing)
Jimbo: (laughing a bit) So ano ginagawa niyo dito?
Brenda: Just… chillin. (laughing as Erich laughs)
Denise: Yeah… chillin’ kasi malamig sa labas. (laughing)
Jimbo: Ah ganun? Di naman masyado malamig sa labas, o? Supposed to be low 70’s ngayon.
Erich: Kanina pa yan sa tanghali. Ngayon parang medyo malamig ang konti.
Jimbo: (noticing a small group of people crowding over the DDR Supernova machine) Whoa look…
Narrator: The girls turned their backs to the DDR game where one Asian dude wearing a cap facing backwards was at 350 combos and rising. The other dude, a Vietnamese who looked about the other guy’s age, only had 146.
Jimbo watched with his very eyes as he kept watching the two, the Asian hitting note after note while the other broke his 100+ streak hitting only 55. After the song ended, there were few cheers and applauses for the two.
Jimbo: Mabilis yun song, tapos ng 500 combos pa yun isang Asian ang lalaki.
Denise: Oo nga, noh? Susko… kita mo gaano na bilis mag tama yun paa niya sa arrow.
Jimbo: Yan ang extreme pro. Walang ibang kalaban who can be at his level katulad yun isang Guitar Hero pro nung ng 100% siya sa Dragonforce.
Brenda: Jim naman, o?
Jimbo: Bakit? Na sabi ko lang ‘to tapos ng irita ka agad sakin.
Erich: Eh kasi puro video games ang usapan mo.
Brenda: Oo. Babae kami, noh? Wag basta I mention sa amin ang ganyan.
Denise: Pwede ka mag salita yan sa mga ibigan mong lalaki, pero hindi sa amin.
Jimbo: Hayy… ang ganda pa kayo kasi eh.
Brenda: Oo nga, noh? (pulling her hair back, acting sexy) Kaya we’re not much into video games, ya know.
Jimbo: Ah ganun? Well, I dare you then to play the Shock Volt right over there. (points to game sitting beside darts game)
Brenda: Hell nah! Sirang ulo mo talaga.
Jimbo: (laughing) Natatakot ka pa dyan? Parang massager lang yan, o?
Denise: Di totoo. Ng kita ko kanina na may isang lalaki ng laro yan, tapos ng bali pang salamin niya.
Jimbo: Di kasi ng tangal muna agad yan.
Denise: Kahit na. Basta hindi bagay sa amin ang mga ganyang klaseng laro.
Brenda: Yeah. Tara na, girls. Mag laro muna tayo.
Jimbo: Gusto ko mag kita ka mag DDR.
Brenda: Ako? DDR?? Di pa ako magaling, noh?
Denise: Saka wala pa ak sa medium, o?
Brenda: Si Erich ang galing.
Erich: (laughing shyly) Di masyado.
Denise: Oo diba magaling ka sumayaw?
Erich: Sa tunay, oo. Sa ame, hindi masyado.
Denise: Parehas naman kayo ni Maja eh. Ang galing niyo talaga.
Erich: Mas may style pa si Maja pag sayawan kesa sakin.
Brenda: Eh simple simple lang sayawin mo kasi, pero dancer ka pa rin.
Denise: Yeah.
Jimbo: Ang galing ka pala, Erich. Sana ikaw na lang mag laro yun DDR.
Denise: Yeah, Erich. Go for it!
Erich: Di na. (shakes her head)
Brenda: Sige na, Erich. I’ll go if you go.
Jimbo: Gusto ka pala mag laro eh. Kasama mo siya.
Denise: Oo nga Erich. Do it naman!
Brenda: Yeah, once lang. (holds up her left index finger)
Erich: O sige na nga! I’ll go.
Denise: Ata girl!
Jimbo: Oooh I can’t wait to see this… (rubs his hands together)
Narrator: So the three girls headed toward the token machine on their left shoulder.
Suddenly, a group of three white dudes entered the arcade. Actually, they were my friends: Chris, who wears glasses, Bobby, wearing a dark blue polo and a red New York Yankees cap facing front, and Robby, the red-haired one who works at Disney’s California Adventure.
Robby: (noticing white young girl wearing black leggings playing the Shock Volt game) Hey Chris. Would ya try this one? (points to it)
Bobby: ‘Course he wouldn’t. He’s scared.
Robby: What about DDR, the one Jay plays?
Bobby: Yeah right.
Narrator: But then Robby spotted Erich and her gang at the token machine.
Robby: Ey isn’t that Jay’s girlfriend? (joking)
Bobby: Who??
Ummm… I think it’s either Maja or Bia (he meant “Bea” for Bea Alonzo).
Bobby: Which one is she?
Robby: (points to Erich) Umm… the one in a white long sleeved shirt and skinny jeans.
Bobby: (looking closely at her laughing with Denise) She’s Filipino, isn’t she?
Robby: So is her friends. (laughing a bit)
Bobby: It don’t matter, though. She’s hot.
Chris: I thought yer not into Filipino girls at all.
Bobby: Except for her and Jay’s sister.
Robby: Who’r ya goin’ for, though?
Bobby: I’m goin’ for BOTH for em’.
Chris: Yer crazy.
Bobby: Duude, ya know me. ***[next sentence omitted]***
Chris: Yer tryin’ ta go for all of em’. Some player ya are.
Bobby: Shut up and mind yer own fuckin’ business.
Robby: Lemme call Jay and tell him. (as he takes out his cell phone from brown jeans pocket)
Bobby: Do it.
ch. 15 - the wrong path
CHAPTER 15
THE WRONG PATH
Narrator: Meanwhile as Sarah and Maja were walking down an empty dim path of the Town Center…
Maja: Bakit parang na dilim ditto? (looks around)
Sarah: May konting ilaw dito kasi. At least hindi ng blackout ditto katulad sa Fullerton.
Maja: Oo… pero tatakot pa rin ako kasi paano kung may salvahe dito katulad sa Fullerton?
Sarah: (shakes her head) Wag mo na isip yan. Dito naman ako eh. (puts hand on Maja’s shoulder) Diba best friends tayo? (as Maja nods) Just remember, lagi kita aabangan sa lahat and problema mo.
Maja: Eh… lagi ka nan dun para sakin. Sa school, sa labas, kahit saang lugar, nan dun ka.
Sarah: (smiling shyly, laughing, lightly pushing Maja) Kaw talaga. Masyado kang sweet.
Maja: Ikaw rin, o? Kita mo minsan kahit mag usap ka sa mga tao ang mas bata pa sa iyo, na sagot mo pa rin yun “po.”
Sarah: That’s kung very friendly sila. Kung masama, di ko na gamitin yan, o?
Maja: Ehh di ka masyado maharap sa mga salvahe eh. Kaya kilala mo mabuti yun tao mo. (smiles)
Sarah: Oo naman. Siempre dapat I kilala mo rin yun personality nila. (as Maja nods) Anong point mo kung na kilala mong tao kapag wala silang personality?
Narrator: A moment later, the girls approached three black gangsters, all wearing bling around their black outfits. They were standing against the wall talking to one another, and one of the guys was smoking.
As the girls stopped…
Maja: (whispers) May salvahe pala dito eh.
Sarah: (whispers) Tara. Baka kung ano mangyari sa ating dalawa.
Narrator: But the minute they turned around, one of the guys made a love whistle to them. The girls stopped for a second, turned to the gangsters, then continued walking quickly trying to avoid them as much as they could.
However, the guys caught up to them, now surrounding the girls. Frightened, the girls kept power-walking, ignoring them, but the guys were too quick as they grabbed them.
Sarah: Hey! Let me go!
Maja: Help!!
Narrator: But it was no use. The gangsters threw the girls against the corner of the wall. One of the guys rubbed his face all over Maja’s neck all the way down to her waist. Maja, shivering, remained silent. The other guy holding Sarah played with her hair, then a second later pulled out a knife from his pocket.
Sarah, noticing the knife in his hand, was about to scream until he covered her mouth with his other hand.
Gangster1: Don’t worry. This ain’t gonna hurt a bit. (as Sarah lets out her scream)
Narrator: Maja also noticed the knife as it was approaching Sarah’s face, but couldn’t make a single move as the other two gangsters blocked her view. One of those two guys covered her mouth as well, and Maja also let out her scream.
The guy holding the knife pushed through Sarah’s long hair, slowly dragging it upward. Then he jerked the knife out of her hair as he directed it toward her neck. But before he was about to make a cut on the side of her neck…
Gangster1: Owwwwww!!! (in pain, dropping the knife)
Narrator: The other two gangsters let go of Maja and turned to their gangster buddy, whose calf was bitten by a dog.
It was a familiar German shepherd that the girls saw earlier at the Wal Mart area. The dog just aggressively attacked the guy, and he landed awkwardly on the ground. But as soon as his two other ganster friends reacted, a loud voice was heard from behind the whole group.
Voice: Eyy!!
Narrator: Everyone turned to the person standing. It was Walter Kowalski all right and that familiar gray hair of his.
Gangster2: Yo, whatcha want, old man?
Walter: Hands off those ladies, I tell ya!
Gangster3: Yo, this ain’t none of ya business!
Gangster2: Yeh, why da fuck are ya even here anyway?
Walter: (points to them) If ya don’t get yer hands off those ladies, I assure ya you’ll get no good deed of livin’ in heaven!
Gangster3: Man, what the fuck are ya gon’ do, ah? Ya look too old ta fight. (laughs as his other friend laughs)
Gangster2: Yeh, dawg. Where da fuck ya come from anyway?
Walter: (as he takes out a black handgun from his pants pocket, pointing it at them) I come from a war that’s ever been so deadly, so bloody, so outrageous that not even one soldier can survive one teeny bit in that battle! (pauses as the two gangster friends raise their hands) So ya ratass arrogant lil bitches better watch what cha say about old men esPECIALLY me!
Gangster2: Yo… we heard ya, man. Dude, let’s get the fuck outta here.
Walter: (points to the gangster on the ground) Ya got FIVE seconds, buddy!
Narrator: The guy quickly jumped to his feet, the dog growling at him, and all three of the gangster friends ran away… for good.
Walter calmly set the gun back in his pants pocket and approached the frightened Sarah and Maja. The dog stood beside Walter.
Walter: Ya gals all right?
Narrator: The girls nodded.
Walter: I’m really sorry ya almost got murdered by those lousy criminals.
Maja: We didn’t know they were here, so we got caught.
Walter: Criminals can be anywhere if ya ask me. They’re usually in these dark areas. So wherever ya go where there’s no one around, don’t even bother tryin’ ta get yaself killed. (as the girls nodded)
Sarah: Thank you so much, Mr. Kowalski, for saving us. (smiles happily)
Walter: Sure… wait, how’d ya know my name?
Maja: You’re Walter, aren’t you? You were our uncle Walter when we were so little.
Walter: Huh… (long pause) I can’t seem to figure out my own people from the past. Uhh… (scratches his head)
Sarah: (whispers to Maja) Sabi ko nga aba eh.
Walter: It’s literally been decades I haven’t seen ya guys. I seriously can’t remember…
Sarah: We used to always visit your barbershop every time we needed a haircut.
Walter: Barbershop?... Ya mean the one in Katella?
Maja: Yeah.
Walter: Huhhh… (another long pause)… If I could only remember what it looked like back in the 80’s… (as Maja and Sarah were looking at one another)… Sorry, ladies. I honestly have a terrible memory.
Narrator: Sarah, without hesitating, took out her wallet, opened it up, and took out a picture that showed her and Maja at their childhood. She gave it to Walter as he looked it over thoroughly.
After several seconds…
Walter: (shakes his head in surprise) Cuteskin? (referring to Maja) Lollipop? (referring to Sarah) (looks straight at them as they were smiling) Really? (smiling)
Narrator: The girls nodded.
Walter: Goodness gracious. (as he and the girls hugged each other) How in God’s name did I not remember? SHAME on me.
Sarah: Everybody’s faces are changing, but that doesn’t stop them from remembering who they are on the inside.
***[the next following lines are omitted due to stereotypical issues]***
Walter: (shakes his head in surprise) Ya girls are definitely growing up too fast.
Sarah: You too. You’ve changed so much.
Maja: I know, and you’re not so very nice like you used to be.
Walter: Well… I shouldn’t have gone in that deadly war down in Korea if this wouldn’t have happened to me.
Sarah: Sheesh… why did you even risk going there?
Walter: Long story. But lemme tell ya somethin’. Girls these days want guys who aren’t so damn nice. They want em’ bad, bold, blood-faced, and bruised.
Maja: They don’t necessarily need to be that bad.
Sarah: He means that they want guys to be protective enough for them. You know, prevent them from being in trouble.
Walter: ‘Sactly. But ya know what? Anytime I see trouble, I’ll know who ta gun down. If ya guys end up in another circle of fire, I gotcha backs. (light fist push on Sarah’s upper arm)
Maja: But what if you aren’t around and we run into another gang group like the ones in here earlier?
Walter: Like I said, don’t ever walk in areas where it’s dark n’ quiet and that no one’s there. Those criminals can most likely be found in those areas, believe me. Have a couple guys witcha next time ya go out to some unknown place. Don’t ever get yourselves hurt again.
Sarah: We won’t.
Walter: And ya don’t wanna have me catch ya gettin’ raped cuz if I do, I’ma have ta yer mummies and daddies ‘bout it.
Maja: Ohh Uncle Walter… (lightly slaps his arm) Of course it won’t happen.
Walter: Ahh… well, just checkin’. Oh… (pulls a mini notepad and pen out of his pocket, writing something, then pulls paper off of notepad as he gives it to Sarah) Here’s my number and address in case ya don’t know. As ya’ll know, I do live around here, so watch out for me wherever ya go here.
Sarah: Thanks, Uncle Walter. Thanks again for the rescue.
Walter: Thank my dog (points to his German shepherd, its tongue sticking out widely). He really loves ta bite off those suckas at their flesh. (as dog drools)
Sarah: Wow… he must be a good friend then.
Walter: Yeep… Damien just thought yer strangers first time he saw ya, so after the second time, he starts bein’ a friend to ya.
Maja: That’s nice.
Walter: C’mon… giv’m a pat, will ya? (as the girls smile shyly) He won’t hurt ya anymore, I promise.
Narrator: So the girls slowly approached Damien, gently rubbing his forehead.
Maja: Hi Damien. (as the dog licks her palm) Ahh… (laughs)
Walter: Yeeah… some friendly duche he is, eh? (laughs) Well, girls. I gotta take off.
Sarah: Where are you going?
Walter: Got some shitload ta do in my garage. Ya take care, Lollipop. You too, Cuteskin.
Maja: You too, Uncle Walter.
Walter: Maraming salamat.
Sarah: Walang anuman.
Walter: (points to Sarah) You’re welcome, right?
Sarah: Yes. I’m glad you still remember.
Narrator: Walter laughed without saying another word, and left along with his dog Damien.
Sarah/ Maja: Bye./Byyye! (waving at him)
Narrator: Walter raised his hand as he walked, and put it back down afterwards.
THE WRONG PATH
Narrator: Meanwhile as Sarah and Maja were walking down an empty dim path of the Town Center…
Maja: Bakit parang na dilim ditto? (looks around)
Sarah: May konting ilaw dito kasi. At least hindi ng blackout ditto katulad sa Fullerton.
Maja: Oo… pero tatakot pa rin ako kasi paano kung may salvahe dito katulad sa Fullerton?
Sarah: (shakes her head) Wag mo na isip yan. Dito naman ako eh. (puts hand on Maja’s shoulder) Diba best friends tayo? (as Maja nods) Just remember, lagi kita aabangan sa lahat and problema mo.
Maja: Eh… lagi ka nan dun para sakin. Sa school, sa labas, kahit saang lugar, nan dun ka.
Sarah: (smiling shyly, laughing, lightly pushing Maja) Kaw talaga. Masyado kang sweet.
Maja: Ikaw rin, o? Kita mo minsan kahit mag usap ka sa mga tao ang mas bata pa sa iyo, na sagot mo pa rin yun “po.”
Sarah: That’s kung very friendly sila. Kung masama, di ko na gamitin yan, o?
Maja: Ehh di ka masyado maharap sa mga salvahe eh. Kaya kilala mo mabuti yun tao mo. (smiles)
Sarah: Oo naman. Siempre dapat I kilala mo rin yun personality nila. (as Maja nods) Anong point mo kung na kilala mong tao kapag wala silang personality?
Narrator: A moment later, the girls approached three black gangsters, all wearing bling around their black outfits. They were standing against the wall talking to one another, and one of the guys was smoking.
As the girls stopped…
Maja: (whispers) May salvahe pala dito eh.
Sarah: (whispers) Tara. Baka kung ano mangyari sa ating dalawa.
Narrator: But the minute they turned around, one of the guys made a love whistle to them. The girls stopped for a second, turned to the gangsters, then continued walking quickly trying to avoid them as much as they could.
However, the guys caught up to them, now surrounding the girls. Frightened, the girls kept power-walking, ignoring them, but the guys were too quick as they grabbed them.
Sarah: Hey! Let me go!
Maja: Help!!
Narrator: But it was no use. The gangsters threw the girls against the corner of the wall. One of the guys rubbed his face all over Maja’s neck all the way down to her waist. Maja, shivering, remained silent. The other guy holding Sarah played with her hair, then a second later pulled out a knife from his pocket.
Sarah, noticing the knife in his hand, was about to scream until he covered her mouth with his other hand.
Gangster1: Don’t worry. This ain’t gonna hurt a bit. (as Sarah lets out her scream)
Narrator: Maja also noticed the knife as it was approaching Sarah’s face, but couldn’t make a single move as the other two gangsters blocked her view. One of those two guys covered her mouth as well, and Maja also let out her scream.
The guy holding the knife pushed through Sarah’s long hair, slowly dragging it upward. Then he jerked the knife out of her hair as he directed it toward her neck. But before he was about to make a cut on the side of her neck…
Gangster1: Owwwwww!!! (in pain, dropping the knife)
Narrator: The other two gangsters let go of Maja and turned to their gangster buddy, whose calf was bitten by a dog.
It was a familiar German shepherd that the girls saw earlier at the Wal Mart area. The dog just aggressively attacked the guy, and he landed awkwardly on the ground. But as soon as his two other ganster friends reacted, a loud voice was heard from behind the whole group.
Voice: Eyy!!
Narrator: Everyone turned to the person standing. It was Walter Kowalski all right and that familiar gray hair of his.
Gangster2: Yo, whatcha want, old man?
Walter: Hands off those ladies, I tell ya!
Gangster3: Yo, this ain’t none of ya business!
Gangster2: Yeh, why da fuck are ya even here anyway?
Walter: (points to them) If ya don’t get yer hands off those ladies, I assure ya you’ll get no good deed of livin’ in heaven!
Gangster3: Man, what the fuck are ya gon’ do, ah? Ya look too old ta fight. (laughs as his other friend laughs)
Gangster2: Yeh, dawg. Where da fuck ya come from anyway?
Walter: (as he takes out a black handgun from his pants pocket, pointing it at them) I come from a war that’s ever been so deadly, so bloody, so outrageous that not even one soldier can survive one teeny bit in that battle! (pauses as the two gangster friends raise their hands) So ya ratass arrogant lil bitches better watch what cha say about old men esPECIALLY me!
Gangster2: Yo… we heard ya, man. Dude, let’s get the fuck outta here.
Walter: (points to the gangster on the ground) Ya got FIVE seconds, buddy!
Narrator: The guy quickly jumped to his feet, the dog growling at him, and all three of the gangster friends ran away… for good.
Walter calmly set the gun back in his pants pocket and approached the frightened Sarah and Maja. The dog stood beside Walter.
Walter: Ya gals all right?
Narrator: The girls nodded.
Walter: I’m really sorry ya almost got murdered by those lousy criminals.
Maja: We didn’t know they were here, so we got caught.
Walter: Criminals can be anywhere if ya ask me. They’re usually in these dark areas. So wherever ya go where there’s no one around, don’t even bother tryin’ ta get yaself killed. (as the girls nodded)
Sarah: Thank you so much, Mr. Kowalski, for saving us. (smiles happily)
Walter: Sure… wait, how’d ya know my name?
Maja: You’re Walter, aren’t you? You were our uncle Walter when we were so little.
Walter: Huh… (long pause) I can’t seem to figure out my own people from the past. Uhh… (scratches his head)
Sarah: (whispers to Maja) Sabi ko nga aba eh.
Walter: It’s literally been decades I haven’t seen ya guys. I seriously can’t remember…
Sarah: We used to always visit your barbershop every time we needed a haircut.
Walter: Barbershop?... Ya mean the one in Katella?
Maja: Yeah.
Walter: Huhhh… (another long pause)… If I could only remember what it looked like back in the 80’s… (as Maja and Sarah were looking at one another)… Sorry, ladies. I honestly have a terrible memory.
Narrator: Sarah, without hesitating, took out her wallet, opened it up, and took out a picture that showed her and Maja at their childhood. She gave it to Walter as he looked it over thoroughly.
After several seconds…
Walter: (shakes his head in surprise) Cuteskin? (referring to Maja) Lollipop? (referring to Sarah) (looks straight at them as they were smiling) Really? (smiling)
Narrator: The girls nodded.
Walter: Goodness gracious. (as he and the girls hugged each other) How in God’s name did I not remember? SHAME on me.
Sarah: Everybody’s faces are changing, but that doesn’t stop them from remembering who they are on the inside.
***[the next following lines are omitted due to stereotypical issues]***
Walter: (shakes his head in surprise) Ya girls are definitely growing up too fast.
Sarah: You too. You’ve changed so much.
Maja: I know, and you’re not so very nice like you used to be.
Walter: Well… I shouldn’t have gone in that deadly war down in Korea if this wouldn’t have happened to me.
Sarah: Sheesh… why did you even risk going there?
Walter: Long story. But lemme tell ya somethin’. Girls these days want guys who aren’t so damn nice. They want em’ bad, bold, blood-faced, and bruised.
Maja: They don’t necessarily need to be that bad.
Sarah: He means that they want guys to be protective enough for them. You know, prevent them from being in trouble.
Walter: ‘Sactly. But ya know what? Anytime I see trouble, I’ll know who ta gun down. If ya guys end up in another circle of fire, I gotcha backs. (light fist push on Sarah’s upper arm)
Maja: But what if you aren’t around and we run into another gang group like the ones in here earlier?
Walter: Like I said, don’t ever walk in areas where it’s dark n’ quiet and that no one’s there. Those criminals can most likely be found in those areas, believe me. Have a couple guys witcha next time ya go out to some unknown place. Don’t ever get yourselves hurt again.
Sarah: We won’t.
Walter: And ya don’t wanna have me catch ya gettin’ raped cuz if I do, I’ma have ta yer mummies and daddies ‘bout it.
Maja: Ohh Uncle Walter… (lightly slaps his arm) Of course it won’t happen.
Walter: Ahh… well, just checkin’. Oh… (pulls a mini notepad and pen out of his pocket, writing something, then pulls paper off of notepad as he gives it to Sarah) Here’s my number and address in case ya don’t know. As ya’ll know, I do live around here, so watch out for me wherever ya go here.
Sarah: Thanks, Uncle Walter. Thanks again for the rescue.
Walter: Thank my dog (points to his German shepherd, its tongue sticking out widely). He really loves ta bite off those suckas at their flesh. (as dog drools)
Sarah: Wow… he must be a good friend then.
Walter: Yeep… Damien just thought yer strangers first time he saw ya, so after the second time, he starts bein’ a friend to ya.
Maja: That’s nice.
Walter: C’mon… giv’m a pat, will ya? (as the girls smile shyly) He won’t hurt ya anymore, I promise.
Narrator: So the girls slowly approached Damien, gently rubbing his forehead.
Maja: Hi Damien. (as the dog licks her palm) Ahh… (laughs)
Walter: Yeeah… some friendly duche he is, eh? (laughs) Well, girls. I gotta take off.
Sarah: Where are you going?
Walter: Got some shitload ta do in my garage. Ya take care, Lollipop. You too, Cuteskin.
Maja: You too, Uncle Walter.
Walter: Maraming salamat.
Sarah: Walang anuman.
Walter: (points to Sarah) You’re welcome, right?
Sarah: Yes. I’m glad you still remember.
Narrator: Walter laughed without saying another word, and left along with his dog Damien.
Sarah/ Maja: Bye./Byyye! (waving at him)
Narrator: Walter raised his hand as he walked, and put it back down afterwards.
ch. 14 - making the plans
CHAPTER 14
MAKING THE PLANS
Narrator: Back at the Town Center as Maja and Sarah were walking again past by some stores…
Sarah: So ano gagawin natin ngayon? Walang iba kundi ng pasyal lang tayo ditto.
Maja: Eh meron bang iba?
Sarah: Alam ko may cine dito. Kaya lang sa kabila yun town center.
Maja: Nunuod ba tayong movie?
Sarah: Ahm… kung meron pinalabas ang maganda, okay lang sakin.
Maja: Ehh nunuod ba tayo ngayon?
Sarah: Kung gusto mo.
Maja: Gusto ko nunuodin yun… (circles her left index finger) yuuun… (to Sarah) Anong title yun bagong movie ni Daniel Craig?
Sarah: “Defiance?”
Maja: Ahh oo. Gusto ko yun. (nods her head in excitement)
Sarah: Di pa na palabas yan. Sa Friday pa.
Maja: Ah ganun?
Sarah: Bakit parang excited na excited ka sa movie nayan?
Maja: Kasi magaling pa si Daniel Craig, noh? And he is SOOO HOT!
Sarah: (weird facial expression) Naku, mas magaling pa si Pierce Brosnan sa James Bond kesa siya, noh?
Maja: Eh sa James Bond yun. Di bali. Basta, he is sooo HOT!
Sarah: Hoy, easy ka lang, ah? Mas hot pa si Brandon Routh kesa siya. (smiling proudly)
Maja: Diba si Superman yun Brandon Routh?
Sarah: (acting a little hyper) Oo naman! Actually, sa “Superman Returns” dyan si Brandon.
Maja: (laughing softly) Tss… ikaw talaga. Puro fantasy and nunuodin mo dyan, o? (lightly hits her on the arm)
Sarah: Eh fantasy naman talaga ako, at si Brandon Routh pang fantasy ko. (smiling proudly)
Narrator: Maja shook her head afterwards without saying a word.
*
Meanwhile with Erich and her two friends, as they approached the Edwards theater…
Brenda: So here we are. Check natin yun showings para sa anong nunuod natin.
Denise: Anong horas na?
Erich: (checks her watch) 7:22.
Narrator: So as soon as they approached the showings screen…
Denise: May 7:55 showing yung “Marley & Me.”
Brenda: Eh nunuod na yan ni Erich.
Denise: Ay, oo nga pala. (as Erich smiles)
Brenda: Meron yung “Unborn” sa 8:15.
Denise: Naku… hihintay pa tayong one hour para dyan?
Erich: Eh yun lang ang susunod yun showing. Tapos may 10:05 pa afterwards.
Brenda: Gusto niyo ba yun “Unborn?”
Denise: Umm… okay lang sakin.
Erich: Ako rin.
Brenda: (points to Erich) Tawagan mo si Jamilla at sabihin mo kung okay siya at si Jamilla yun movie nito.
Erich: Okie. (as she takes her phone out)
Narrator: Inside the AT&T store, while Nina was talking to one of the receptionists at the counter, Jamilla’s phone rang of Estelle’s “American Boy” ringtone.
Jamilla: (reads Erich’s name on caller ID, answers it) Yo Erich.
Erich: Jam, nandito kami sa harap ang cine. Gusto niyo manunuod yun “Unborn?”
Jamilla: “The Unborn?”
Erich: Oo.
Jamilla: Ahmm… okay lang. Hopefully na hindi masyadong scary yun movie nayan.
Erich: Basta you’re not alone. (laughs)
Jamilla: O sige. Teka, tatanong ko kay Nina.
Denise: (looks behind, notices Aaron and his girlfriend walking toward their direction heading to the theater, holding hands) Erich… (taps her shoulder)
Erich: (turns to Denise) O?
Denise: (points her to Aaron and his girlfriend) Dadaan sila dito.
Jamilla: (through Erich’s phone) Hello?
Erich: (shakes her head off distraction) O, Jam?
Jamilla: Sabi ni Nina okay lang yun papanuodin natin.
Erich: Okie… Jam, aalis muna ako. Tatawagin mo ako kung tapos na kayo dyan, ah?
Jamilla: O sige. We’ll see you there in a little bit. (hangs up)
Narrator: As Erich also hung up, seeing the couple approaching the theater…
Erich: Brenda, bilis tayo mag bayad ang tickets.
Brenda: Bakit?
Erich: Si Aaron ditto na pupunta. Bilis!
Brenda: (looks behind to see that Aaron and his girlfriend are now heading toward the Nike Factory shoe store) Actually, wala na sila dito.
Erich: Ha? (looks behind to find the couple have disappeared)
Denise: (looks behind also) Saan ba sila?
Brenda: Ng punta sila sa Nike.
Denise: Yun shoe store?
Brenda: Yep.
Erich: Mabuti nga. Basta ayoko mag kikita yun mukha yan.
Denise: (hand on Erich’s shoulder) Relax ka lang, Erich. We have your back, don’t you worry. (smiles)
Erich: (smiles back at Denise, who let go of her shoulder) Salamat, Denise.
Narrator: Suddenly, Erich’s phone beeped of a xylophone tone. She slid it upward as she received a text message.
Denise: Sino ng text sayo?
Erich: (smiles at Denise) Si Kay.
Denise: Anong sinabi niya?
Erich: Musta na ako raw, saka musta nang pasok mo.
Denise: Sabihin mo sa kanya na ng “Hi” rin ako. (smiles)
Erich: Sige.
Brenda: Si Kay bay an?
Erich: Oo.
Brenda: Saan siya ng pasok ngayon?
Erich: Sa UC Riverside.
Brenda: Anong curso niya?
Erich: Nursing.
Denise: Eh ikaw, Erich?
Erich: Mass communications yun primary option ko, pero tourism at film yun ibang option ko.
Denise: Ah ganun? Ayus yun second option mo, o?
Erich: Which one?
Denise: Tourism.
Brenda: Sa bagay, you’re a traveler, kaya tourism would work best for you.
Denise: (looks at her watch) Guys! Bili na tayong tickets.
Brenda: Anong horas na?
Denise: 7:28 na.
Erich: 7:28 lang naman eh.
Brenda: Tara. Baka mahaba pang pila mamiya.
Narrator: So the girls reached the movie ticket booth to purchase their movie tickets for “The Unborn.”
*
Back inside my house as me, Koji, and Uncle D-Nort continued watching the Lakers game…
Koji: All right all right… (watches Kobe drive to the basket double-teamed, but got bumped by defender Duncan as he missed the layup, falling to the floor)
D-Nort/ Jay: WALANG FOUL?!!!/ What the fuck?!
Narrator: But after Spurs reserve George Hill made an easy layup on the other end…
D-Nort: (slams empty Coors beer can on the floor) Dammit!!
Koji: (shakes his head) Goddam that white ref!
D-Nort: Jayno, grab me another beer.
Koji: Same here!
Jay: Wow… some rowdy drinkers you guys are. (laughing)
Koji: I’m a drinker for the hell of it, mayn, even when it comes to Laker games like this.
Jay: (nodding) Aite, aite, if ya’ll say so.
Narrator: So I got off the maroon turtle seat again, heading back to the garage to grab a couple more beer cans.
Koji: We’ll be there soon, I promise.
Narrator: The score read 87 – 76, led by the Spurs with 3 more minutes remaining in the third quarter.
*
Back out in the Town Center with Erich, Denise, and Brenda…
Denise: Got our tickets now. Where we headin’?
Erich: Ewan ko. Bahala na kayo dyan kung saan tayo papasyal.
Brenda: (as she looks straight at Powerhouse Arcade, then back to her friends) Kung gusto niyo, sa arcade muna tayo pupunta.
Denise: Arcade?
Erich: Ano gagawin natin dun?
Brenda: May ibigan ako kasi ng trabajo dun, and I wanna see if he’s working or not.
Denise: Ah lalaki ba? Anong pangalan niya?
Brenda: Jimbo.
Erich: Meron din akong friend whose name is Jimbo. (smiles)
Brenda: Talaga? Na ligawan ba siya sayo? (acting naughty)
Erich: Di noh? Kaw naman. May girlfriend siya noon pa ng kilala kami.
Denise: Ah ganun?
Erich: Oo, saka may boyfriend ako nung nangyari yan.
Brenda: Naku, buti pa ng girlfriend yun Jimbo mo. Yun Jimbo ko, puro video games and isipin niya. Walang iba kundi yan.
Denise: Masama na maging obsessed siya sa video games.
Brenda: Exactly. Ang buhay niya, o?
Erich: Basta I would never date guys who play video games all the time.
Denise: Me too.
Brenda: Me three. Tara na. Baka lumabas siya mamiya sa work niya.
Narrator: So the three girls headed toward the Powerhouse Arcade building to meet Brenda’s friend.
MAKING THE PLANS
Narrator: Back at the Town Center as Maja and Sarah were walking again past by some stores…
Sarah: So ano gagawin natin ngayon? Walang iba kundi ng pasyal lang tayo ditto.
Maja: Eh meron bang iba?
Sarah: Alam ko may cine dito. Kaya lang sa kabila yun town center.
Maja: Nunuod ba tayong movie?
Sarah: Ahm… kung meron pinalabas ang maganda, okay lang sakin.
Maja: Ehh nunuod ba tayo ngayon?
Sarah: Kung gusto mo.
Maja: Gusto ko nunuodin yun… (circles her left index finger) yuuun… (to Sarah) Anong title yun bagong movie ni Daniel Craig?
Sarah: “Defiance?”
Maja: Ahh oo. Gusto ko yun. (nods her head in excitement)
Sarah: Di pa na palabas yan. Sa Friday pa.
Maja: Ah ganun?
Sarah: Bakit parang excited na excited ka sa movie nayan?
Maja: Kasi magaling pa si Daniel Craig, noh? And he is SOOO HOT!
Sarah: (weird facial expression) Naku, mas magaling pa si Pierce Brosnan sa James Bond kesa siya, noh?
Maja: Eh sa James Bond yun. Di bali. Basta, he is sooo HOT!
Sarah: Hoy, easy ka lang, ah? Mas hot pa si Brandon Routh kesa siya. (smiling proudly)
Maja: Diba si Superman yun Brandon Routh?
Sarah: (acting a little hyper) Oo naman! Actually, sa “Superman Returns” dyan si Brandon.
Maja: (laughing softly) Tss… ikaw talaga. Puro fantasy and nunuodin mo dyan, o? (lightly hits her on the arm)
Sarah: Eh fantasy naman talaga ako, at si Brandon Routh pang fantasy ko. (smiling proudly)
Narrator: Maja shook her head afterwards without saying a word.
*
Meanwhile with Erich and her two friends, as they approached the Edwards theater…
Brenda: So here we are. Check natin yun showings para sa anong nunuod natin.
Denise: Anong horas na?
Erich: (checks her watch) 7:22.
Narrator: So as soon as they approached the showings screen…
Denise: May 7:55 showing yung “Marley & Me.”
Brenda: Eh nunuod na yan ni Erich.
Denise: Ay, oo nga pala. (as Erich smiles)
Brenda: Meron yung “Unborn” sa 8:15.
Denise: Naku… hihintay pa tayong one hour para dyan?
Erich: Eh yun lang ang susunod yun showing. Tapos may 10:05 pa afterwards.
Brenda: Gusto niyo ba yun “Unborn?”
Denise: Umm… okay lang sakin.
Erich: Ako rin.
Brenda: (points to Erich) Tawagan mo si Jamilla at sabihin mo kung okay siya at si Jamilla yun movie nito.
Erich: Okie. (as she takes her phone out)
Narrator: Inside the AT&T store, while Nina was talking to one of the receptionists at the counter, Jamilla’s phone rang of Estelle’s “American Boy” ringtone.
Jamilla: (reads Erich’s name on caller ID, answers it) Yo Erich.
Erich: Jam, nandito kami sa harap ang cine. Gusto niyo manunuod yun “Unborn?”
Jamilla: “The Unborn?”
Erich: Oo.
Jamilla: Ahmm… okay lang. Hopefully na hindi masyadong scary yun movie nayan.
Erich: Basta you’re not alone. (laughs)
Jamilla: O sige. Teka, tatanong ko kay Nina.
Denise: (looks behind, notices Aaron and his girlfriend walking toward their direction heading to the theater, holding hands) Erich… (taps her shoulder)
Erich: (turns to Denise) O?
Denise: (points her to Aaron and his girlfriend) Dadaan sila dito.
Jamilla: (through Erich’s phone) Hello?
Erich: (shakes her head off distraction) O, Jam?
Jamilla: Sabi ni Nina okay lang yun papanuodin natin.
Erich: Okie… Jam, aalis muna ako. Tatawagin mo ako kung tapos na kayo dyan, ah?
Jamilla: O sige. We’ll see you there in a little bit. (hangs up)
Narrator: As Erich also hung up, seeing the couple approaching the theater…
Erich: Brenda, bilis tayo mag bayad ang tickets.
Brenda: Bakit?
Erich: Si Aaron ditto na pupunta. Bilis!
Brenda: (looks behind to see that Aaron and his girlfriend are now heading toward the Nike Factory shoe store) Actually, wala na sila dito.
Erich: Ha? (looks behind to find the couple have disappeared)
Denise: (looks behind also) Saan ba sila?
Brenda: Ng punta sila sa Nike.
Denise: Yun shoe store?
Brenda: Yep.
Erich: Mabuti nga. Basta ayoko mag kikita yun mukha yan.
Denise: (hand on Erich’s shoulder) Relax ka lang, Erich. We have your back, don’t you worry. (smiles)
Erich: (smiles back at Denise, who let go of her shoulder) Salamat, Denise.
Narrator: Suddenly, Erich’s phone beeped of a xylophone tone. She slid it upward as she received a text message.
Denise: Sino ng text sayo?
Erich: (smiles at Denise) Si Kay.
Denise: Anong sinabi niya?
Erich: Musta na ako raw, saka musta nang pasok mo.
Denise: Sabihin mo sa kanya na ng “Hi” rin ako. (smiles)
Erich: Sige.
Brenda: Si Kay bay an?
Erich: Oo.
Brenda: Saan siya ng pasok ngayon?
Erich: Sa UC Riverside.
Brenda: Anong curso niya?
Erich: Nursing.
Denise: Eh ikaw, Erich?
Erich: Mass communications yun primary option ko, pero tourism at film yun ibang option ko.
Denise: Ah ganun? Ayus yun second option mo, o?
Erich: Which one?
Denise: Tourism.
Brenda: Sa bagay, you’re a traveler, kaya tourism would work best for you.
Denise: (looks at her watch) Guys! Bili na tayong tickets.
Brenda: Anong horas na?
Denise: 7:28 na.
Erich: 7:28 lang naman eh.
Brenda: Tara. Baka mahaba pang pila mamiya.
Narrator: So the girls reached the movie ticket booth to purchase their movie tickets for “The Unborn.”
*
Back inside my house as me, Koji, and Uncle D-Nort continued watching the Lakers game…
Koji: All right all right… (watches Kobe drive to the basket double-teamed, but got bumped by defender Duncan as he missed the layup, falling to the floor)
D-Nort/ Jay: WALANG FOUL?!!!/ What the fuck?!
Narrator: But after Spurs reserve George Hill made an easy layup on the other end…
D-Nort: (slams empty Coors beer can on the floor) Dammit!!
Koji: (shakes his head) Goddam that white ref!
D-Nort: Jayno, grab me another beer.
Koji: Same here!
Jay: Wow… some rowdy drinkers you guys are. (laughing)
Koji: I’m a drinker for the hell of it, mayn, even when it comes to Laker games like this.
Jay: (nodding) Aite, aite, if ya’ll say so.
Narrator: So I got off the maroon turtle seat again, heading back to the garage to grab a couple more beer cans.
Koji: We’ll be there soon, I promise.
Narrator: The score read 87 – 76, led by the Spurs with 3 more minutes remaining in the third quarter.
*
Back out in the Town Center with Erich, Denise, and Brenda…
Denise: Got our tickets now. Where we headin’?
Erich: Ewan ko. Bahala na kayo dyan kung saan tayo papasyal.
Brenda: (as she looks straight at Powerhouse Arcade, then back to her friends) Kung gusto niyo, sa arcade muna tayo pupunta.
Denise: Arcade?
Erich: Ano gagawin natin dun?
Brenda: May ibigan ako kasi ng trabajo dun, and I wanna see if he’s working or not.
Denise: Ah lalaki ba? Anong pangalan niya?
Brenda: Jimbo.
Erich: Meron din akong friend whose name is Jimbo. (smiles)
Brenda: Talaga? Na ligawan ba siya sayo? (acting naughty)
Erich: Di noh? Kaw naman. May girlfriend siya noon pa ng kilala kami.
Denise: Ah ganun?
Erich: Oo, saka may boyfriend ako nung nangyari yan.
Brenda: Naku, buti pa ng girlfriend yun Jimbo mo. Yun Jimbo ko, puro video games and isipin niya. Walang iba kundi yan.
Denise: Masama na maging obsessed siya sa video games.
Brenda: Exactly. Ang buhay niya, o?
Erich: Basta I would never date guys who play video games all the time.
Denise: Me too.
Brenda: Me three. Tara na. Baka lumabas siya mamiya sa work niya.
Narrator: So the three girls headed toward the Powerhouse Arcade building to meet Brenda’s friend.
ch. 13 - avoiding the unpretty
CHAPTER 13
AVOIDING THE UNPRETTY
Narrator: As for Erich and her two other friends, Denise and Brenda, walking…
Erich: (looking around) Akala ko wala masyadong tao dito on a weekday.
Denise: Sa Friday night hanggang sa buong weekend, punong puno ditto.
Brenda: Yeah. This is nothing compared to that.
Erich: Ganun ba?
Brenda: Yep, even the Block.
Erich: ‘Ba siempre oo. Kahit anong araw, basta madaming tao sa gabi.
Brenda: Oh that’s right. Ng tira ka sa Fullerton.
Erich: Yeah pero malayo ako sa the Block.
Narrator: A moment later, the three girls approached Rubios where Erich noticed a familiar Filipino dude sitting across another familiar Filipino girl in one of the outside tables beside the entrance. Brenda started noticing them also.
Brenda: Hey… (as she takes a closer look at them laughing with one another) Si Aaron ba yan?
Erich: (frowning) Oo.
Denise: Siya bang ex mo, Erich?
Erich: Basta, hindi na siyang boyfriend ko.
Brenda: Yan ata yun girlfriend niya, yun sexy na bingi.
Denise: Bakit mukhang inchek yun kasama ang ex ni Erich?
Brenda: (notices the girl leaning toward him trying to understand what he’s telling her) Kita mo? Mas mukha pang tanga yun girlfriend niya kesa sa bingi.
Denise: (in disgust) Pangit naman siya eh. Kawawa naman si Erich.
Erich: Guys, wag na tayo magusapan ‘to. Tara na
Denise: Sure.
Narrator: So without looking, the three girls quicky passed by Aaron and his girlfriend, who continued talking to each other while eating.
*
Meanwhile inside my house as me, Koji, and Uncle D-Nort were all drinking beer…
Jay: Come on, Kobe! (as he dribbles the bal with Bowen guarding him)
D-Nort: To Bynum! (as Kobe passes ball to Bynum, the starting center splitting the defense of Duncan and Oberto for a monster slam)
Jay: Yes!! Good job, Bynum!
Koji: He should make it to the All Star game this year, ah?
D-Nort: Mmm… give him one more year.
Jay: One more year? He’s almost at his prime now, don’t you think?
D-Nort: Yeah but you should give him more time to develop.
Jay: That’s true.
Koji: Aww c’mon! (as we noticed Finley making an open layup, leaving Bynum and the other Lakers standing around)
D-Nort: Oh GOSH! Der’s no DEFENSE!
Jay: Shit we’re still down by 14. (as the scoreboard read 77 – 63 led by the Spurs under 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter)
Narrator: I drank my Coors beer afterwards.
AVOIDING THE UNPRETTY
Narrator: As for Erich and her two other friends, Denise and Brenda, walking…
Erich: (looking around) Akala ko wala masyadong tao dito on a weekday.
Denise: Sa Friday night hanggang sa buong weekend, punong puno ditto.
Brenda: Yeah. This is nothing compared to that.
Erich: Ganun ba?
Brenda: Yep, even the Block.
Erich: ‘Ba siempre oo. Kahit anong araw, basta madaming tao sa gabi.
Brenda: Oh that’s right. Ng tira ka sa Fullerton.
Erich: Yeah pero malayo ako sa the Block.
Narrator: A moment later, the three girls approached Rubios where Erich noticed a familiar Filipino dude sitting across another familiar Filipino girl in one of the outside tables beside the entrance. Brenda started noticing them also.
Brenda: Hey… (as she takes a closer look at them laughing with one another) Si Aaron ba yan?
Erich: (frowning) Oo.
Denise: Siya bang ex mo, Erich?
Erich: Basta, hindi na siyang boyfriend ko.
Brenda: Yan ata yun girlfriend niya, yun sexy na bingi.
Denise: Bakit mukhang inchek yun kasama ang ex ni Erich?
Brenda: (notices the girl leaning toward him trying to understand what he’s telling her) Kita mo? Mas mukha pang tanga yun girlfriend niya kesa sa bingi.
Denise: (in disgust) Pangit naman siya eh. Kawawa naman si Erich.
Erich: Guys, wag na tayo magusapan ‘to. Tara na
Denise: Sure.
Narrator: So without looking, the three girls quicky passed by Aaron and his girlfriend, who continued talking to each other while eating.
*
Meanwhile inside my house as me, Koji, and Uncle D-Nort were all drinking beer…
Jay: Come on, Kobe! (as he dribbles the bal with Bowen guarding him)
D-Nort: To Bynum! (as Kobe passes ball to Bynum, the starting center splitting the defense of Duncan and Oberto for a monster slam)
Jay: Yes!! Good job, Bynum!
Koji: He should make it to the All Star game this year, ah?
D-Nort: Mmm… give him one more year.
Jay: One more year? He’s almost at his prime now, don’t you think?
D-Nort: Yeah but you should give him more time to develop.
Jay: That’s true.
Koji: Aww c’mon! (as we noticed Finley making an open layup, leaving Bynum and the other Lakers standing around)
D-Nort: Oh GOSH! Der’s no DEFENSE!
Jay: Shit we’re still down by 14. (as the scoreboard read 77 – 63 led by the Spurs under 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter)
Narrator: I drank my Coors beer afterwards.
ch. 12 - splitting up
CHAPTER 12
SPLITTING UP
Narrator: Down at the Cerritos Town Center with Erich and her friends as they stopped by the AT&T store…
Erich: Nina, meet us sa cine mamiya kapag na tapos ka dyan, ah?
Nina: Sure. Sasama si Jamilla sakin. (as Erich nods)
Denise: Teka, nunuod ba tayong movie?
Erich: Siguro.
Brenda: Ano nunuod natin?
Erich: Ewan ko. Kahit anong movie pinalabas ngayon, okay lang sakin.
Nina: Gusto ko sana manunuod yun “Marley & Me.” Katatawa kasi yun story ang aso dun.
Erich: Malungkot rin.
Nina: Nunuod kana yan?
Erich: Oo.
Nina: Ahh sayang… meron bang iba?
Denise: Out na ba yun “Underworld 2?”
Erich: Next week pa yan.
Denise: Eh anong nunuod natin?
Brenda: I check natin sa showings dun.
Erich: Sige na nga. Pipili na lang kung anong pinalabas sa cine.
Nina: Sure.
Denise: O tara na. Ma meet tayo mamiya dun, ah?
Jamilla: Sige. Ingat kayo, ah?
Brenda: Okiee. (as she, Denise, and Erich wave to Nina and Jamilla)
Narrator: So the three girls left Nina and Jamilla at the AT&T store.
*
On the other side of the town center, Sarah and Maja were browsing in some sunglass store.
Maja: (takes the golden-framed, black-striped sunglasses off the very top shelf) Ganda ‘to, o?
Sarah: (holds the side of sunglasses) Bibili mo ‘to?
Maja: Sus… hindi, noh? Kita mo kung gaano na mahal nito?
Sarah: Ehh sa bagay, okay naman yan sa tsura mo. Moda ka, noh?
Maja: Moda talaga ako, pero ayoko masyado mag aksayan yun pera ko para ‘to.
Sarah: $150 naman yan, o? O teka… pwede ka bibili yun ibang sunglasses para kay Jay. (smiles)
Maja: Aba… pipilitin mo ako mag bili yun mahal na mahal ang sunglasses para sa regalo niya?
Sarah: Oo naman. Mas mag appreciate niya yun ibang regalo kesa sa mga damit ang lagi na bigay yun relatives niya. (as Maja returns glasses to shelf) O diba? I isipin siya na maging special kang tao sa buhay niya.
Maja: Naku ewan ko ba. Basta kung ano man talagang regalo ang na gusto niya, walang iba kundi electronics.
Sarah: Sa bagay, oo. Mahilig siya sa mga bagong technology eh.
Maja: Pero kung I Phone ang gusto niya, di ko bibili yan.
Sarah: Mars naman. Siempre hindi, noh? Bakit mo na isip yan?
Maja: Eh kung gusto niya talagang bagong technology, dapat may bagong phone.
Sarah: (lightly shoves her) Ag suplado mo naman, Mars. (as Maja smiles) Alam mo, mas mabuti pa kung bibili mo yun digital keychain para mas mura pang bayad. (giggles)
Maja: (lightly slaps her arm) Kaw talaga. Sana sayo na yung regalo mo para sa kanya.
Sarah: (shakes her head as she laughs) La kong pera, noh?
Maja: Asuuuus… yan ka nanaman.
Sarah: Ano kaba? Wala ko talagang pera ngayon. (giggles)
Maja: Sige, dudukot ko yun wallet mo. (as she reaches out for Sarah’s back jeans pocket)
Narrator: Sarah, laughing, quickly evaded Maja as she headed out the door of the sunglasses store.
Maja: Huy! (as she follows her best friend out the door) Di pa ako tapos sa iyo!
SPLITTING UP
Narrator: Down at the Cerritos Town Center with Erich and her friends as they stopped by the AT&T store…
Erich: Nina, meet us sa cine mamiya kapag na tapos ka dyan, ah?
Nina: Sure. Sasama si Jamilla sakin. (as Erich nods)
Denise: Teka, nunuod ba tayong movie?
Erich: Siguro.
Brenda: Ano nunuod natin?
Erich: Ewan ko. Kahit anong movie pinalabas ngayon, okay lang sakin.
Nina: Gusto ko sana manunuod yun “Marley & Me.” Katatawa kasi yun story ang aso dun.
Erich: Malungkot rin.
Nina: Nunuod kana yan?
Erich: Oo.
Nina: Ahh sayang… meron bang iba?
Denise: Out na ba yun “Underworld 2?”
Erich: Next week pa yan.
Denise: Eh anong nunuod natin?
Brenda: I check natin sa showings dun.
Erich: Sige na nga. Pipili na lang kung anong pinalabas sa cine.
Nina: Sure.
Denise: O tara na. Ma meet tayo mamiya dun, ah?
Jamilla: Sige. Ingat kayo, ah?
Brenda: Okiee. (as she, Denise, and Erich wave to Nina and Jamilla)
Narrator: So the three girls left Nina and Jamilla at the AT&T store.
*
On the other side of the town center, Sarah and Maja were browsing in some sunglass store.
Maja: (takes the golden-framed, black-striped sunglasses off the very top shelf) Ganda ‘to, o?
Sarah: (holds the side of sunglasses) Bibili mo ‘to?
Maja: Sus… hindi, noh? Kita mo kung gaano na mahal nito?
Sarah: Ehh sa bagay, okay naman yan sa tsura mo. Moda ka, noh?
Maja: Moda talaga ako, pero ayoko masyado mag aksayan yun pera ko para ‘to.
Sarah: $150 naman yan, o? O teka… pwede ka bibili yun ibang sunglasses para kay Jay. (smiles)
Maja: Aba… pipilitin mo ako mag bili yun mahal na mahal ang sunglasses para sa regalo niya?
Sarah: Oo naman. Mas mag appreciate niya yun ibang regalo kesa sa mga damit ang lagi na bigay yun relatives niya. (as Maja returns glasses to shelf) O diba? I isipin siya na maging special kang tao sa buhay niya.
Maja: Naku ewan ko ba. Basta kung ano man talagang regalo ang na gusto niya, walang iba kundi electronics.
Sarah: Sa bagay, oo. Mahilig siya sa mga bagong technology eh.
Maja: Pero kung I Phone ang gusto niya, di ko bibili yan.
Sarah: Mars naman. Siempre hindi, noh? Bakit mo na isip yan?
Maja: Eh kung gusto niya talagang bagong technology, dapat may bagong phone.
Sarah: (lightly shoves her) Ag suplado mo naman, Mars. (as Maja smiles) Alam mo, mas mabuti pa kung bibili mo yun digital keychain para mas mura pang bayad. (giggles)
Maja: (lightly slaps her arm) Kaw talaga. Sana sayo na yung regalo mo para sa kanya.
Sarah: (shakes her head as she laughs) La kong pera, noh?
Maja: Asuuuus… yan ka nanaman.
Sarah: Ano kaba? Wala ko talagang pera ngayon. (giggles)
Maja: Sige, dudukot ko yun wallet mo. (as she reaches out for Sarah’s back jeans pocket)
Narrator: Sarah, laughing, quickly evaded Maja as she headed out the door of the sunglasses store.
Maja: Huy! (as she follows her best friend out the door) Di pa ako tapos sa iyo!
ch. 11 - uncle d-nort
CHAPTER 11
UNCLE D-NORT
Narrator: Back inside my house, Koji and I were talking during the Toyota halftime show in ESPN. A minute later, the doorbell rang.
Jay: I’ll get that!
Narrator: As I reached the front door, my good ol’ uncle D-Nort was standing.
Jay: Yo…
D-Nort: (shakes his head sadly) I… I can’t believe Lakers are playing so badly right now.
Jay: I know… (as I opened screen door)
D-Nort: (entering house) Tss… this is embarrassing. How many points are the Lakers down by?
Jay: A lot… by 18.
D-Nort: Eh what’s the score?
Jay: 64 – 46.
D-Nort: Haa?? 64 to 46? My gosh…
Jay: Too many given up 3’s, that’s why.
D-Nort: That can’t be. Oh gosh… here we go again.
Narrator: As we were heading to the family room…
Koji: Tito Nort! (as he waves at Uncle D-Nort approaching him)
D-Nort: O, musta kana dyan? (as he and Koji laugh)
Koji: Okay lang.
D-Nort: Ng paso kaba?
Koji: Opo.
D-Nort: Saan?
Koji: Sa Cypress po.
D-Nort: Ah talaga? Dun ng pasok dati yun Ate En En mo.
Koji: Talaga?
D-Nort: Yep. Ng graduate siya last two years.
Koji: Anong major niya?
D-Nort: Nursing.
Koji: Cool.
Jay: Do ya guys want beer? Coors? Budlite?
Koji: I want Miller Lite.
Jay: Okie. One Coors and one Miller Lite coming up. (as I walk away from family room)
UNCLE D-NORT
Narrator: Back inside my house, Koji and I were talking during the Toyota halftime show in ESPN. A minute later, the doorbell rang.
Jay: I’ll get that!
Narrator: As I reached the front door, my good ol’ uncle D-Nort was standing.
Jay: Yo…
D-Nort: (shakes his head sadly) I… I can’t believe Lakers are playing so badly right now.
Jay: I know… (as I opened screen door)
D-Nort: (entering house) Tss… this is embarrassing. How many points are the Lakers down by?
Jay: A lot… by 18.
D-Nort: Eh what’s the score?
Jay: 64 – 46.
D-Nort: Haa?? 64 to 46? My gosh…
Jay: Too many given up 3’s, that’s why.
D-Nort: That can’t be. Oh gosh… here we go again.
Narrator: As we were heading to the family room…
Koji: Tito Nort! (as he waves at Uncle D-Nort approaching him)
D-Nort: O, musta kana dyan? (as he and Koji laugh)
Koji: Okay lang.
D-Nort: Ng paso kaba?
Koji: Opo.
D-Nort: Saan?
Koji: Sa Cypress po.
D-Nort: Ah talaga? Dun ng pasok dati yun Ate En En mo.
Koji: Talaga?
D-Nort: Yep. Ng graduate siya last two years.
Koji: Anong major niya?
D-Nort: Nursing.
Koji: Cool.
Jay: Do ya guys want beer? Coors? Budlite?
Koji: I want Miller Lite.
Jay: Okie. One Coors and one Miller Lite coming up. (as I walk away from family room)
ch. 10 - strange car
CHAPTER 10
STRANGE CAR
Narrator: Back inside my house, Koji and I continued watching the Lakers game in the same spot. To our greatest disbelief, the Lakers were already down by 16 to the Spurs (46 – 62) under a minute remaining.
Koji: Goddaym… I can’t seriously believe this is happening.
Jay: I know, dude. But for sure this won’t happen again in the second half.
Koji: They better not! I know they will come back!
Narrator: But as we saw, Roger Mason threw a lob pass to Duncan, who dunked a facial on Bynum as he was trying to block the shot but instead got fouled.
Jay: Shit!! (as the Spurs crowd roared wildly on that play)
Koji: I’m tellin’ ya, it’s all Spurs momentum in the first half. It ain’t right, dawg. (as I shake my head in disgust)
*
Back at the Cerritos Town Center, a familiar-looking Toyota Innova made a left turn on the parking lot looking for an available spot. Once it found parking, the engines were shut off.
Jamilla: Lalabas kaba dyan, Erich?
Brenda: (sitting to the left of the car) Oo nga, noh? (notices white van hogging up the line) Yun van ‘to kasi eh.
Erich: Di naman masyado masikip dito. I think all of you can get out.
Denise: (sitting to the right of car beside Jamilla) Yeah, pwede. Ayos naming parking ‘tong coche eh.
Nina: (sitting in front passenger seat beside Erich) Guys, look! (points out to an old but classic gray Ford car parked beside Erich’s car)
Jamilla: Classic ba yun coche ang ng park dyan?
Brenda: Oo nga, noh?
Denise: Gran Torino pala ang ng tawag dyan sa coche. (notices name on side of car, located in between the driver and passenger’s doors)
Erich: Wow, grabe. Ganda naming pangalan nayan.
Nina: Yeah, mukhang 1980’s pa yun coche nito, don’t you think?
Jamilla: More like 1970’s, pero wow. Na linis pa yan. Mukhang bago pa ‘to, o?
Erich: Gusto ko sana mapalit ‘tong coche ko para dyan.
Brenda: Erich, ano kaba? Ayus namang coche mo, o?
Erich: Oo naman, pero mas stunning pa yun Gran Torino sa tsura.
Denise: Paano mo mag kikita yun ibang brand yun Gran Torino sa mga car shop? It looks so very unique!
Jamilla: Yah, man. Kita mo kung gaano na unique ‘tong coche nayan?
Brenda: Like I said, it’s a CLASSIC!
Nina: Guys! What are ya’ll waiting for? Pasko? Tara na.
Narrator: So everyone in the car got off carefully, and after closing every dor, Erich alarming the vehicle, they started walking.
STRANGE CAR
Narrator: Back inside my house, Koji and I continued watching the Lakers game in the same spot. To our greatest disbelief, the Lakers were already down by 16 to the Spurs (46 – 62) under a minute remaining.
Koji: Goddaym… I can’t seriously believe this is happening.
Jay: I know, dude. But for sure this won’t happen again in the second half.
Koji: They better not! I know they will come back!
Narrator: But as we saw, Roger Mason threw a lob pass to Duncan, who dunked a facial on Bynum as he was trying to block the shot but instead got fouled.
Jay: Shit!! (as the Spurs crowd roared wildly on that play)
Koji: I’m tellin’ ya, it’s all Spurs momentum in the first half. It ain’t right, dawg. (as I shake my head in disgust)
*
Back at the Cerritos Town Center, a familiar-looking Toyota Innova made a left turn on the parking lot looking for an available spot. Once it found parking, the engines were shut off.
Jamilla: Lalabas kaba dyan, Erich?
Brenda: (sitting to the left of the car) Oo nga, noh? (notices white van hogging up the line) Yun van ‘to kasi eh.
Erich: Di naman masyado masikip dito. I think all of you can get out.
Denise: (sitting to the right of car beside Jamilla) Yeah, pwede. Ayos naming parking ‘tong coche eh.
Nina: (sitting in front passenger seat beside Erich) Guys, look! (points out to an old but classic gray Ford car parked beside Erich’s car)
Jamilla: Classic ba yun coche ang ng park dyan?
Brenda: Oo nga, noh?
Denise: Gran Torino pala ang ng tawag dyan sa coche. (notices name on side of car, located in between the driver and passenger’s doors)
Erich: Wow, grabe. Ganda naming pangalan nayan.
Nina: Yeah, mukhang 1980’s pa yun coche nito, don’t you think?
Jamilla: More like 1970’s, pero wow. Na linis pa yan. Mukhang bago pa ‘to, o?
Erich: Gusto ko sana mapalit ‘tong coche ko para dyan.
Brenda: Erich, ano kaba? Ayus namang coche mo, o?
Erich: Oo naman, pero mas stunning pa yun Gran Torino sa tsura.
Denise: Paano mo mag kikita yun ibang brand yun Gran Torino sa mga car shop? It looks so very unique!
Jamilla: Yah, man. Kita mo kung gaano na unique ‘tong coche nayan?
Brenda: Like I said, it’s a CLASSIC!
Nina: Guys! What are ya’ll waiting for? Pasko? Tara na.
Narrator: So everyone in the car got off carefully, and after closing every dor, Erich alarming the vehicle, they started walking.
ch. 9 - a familiar old man
CHAPTER 9
A FAMILIAR OLD MAN
Narrator: Back at the Cerritos Town Center, with Maja and Sarah passing by some stores…
Sarah: Alam mo, Mars, mas makulit sayo si Jay ngayon, isipin mo? Parang ng miss na miss siya sa iyo masyado.
Maja: Hay naku. Wala yan. Ang kulit naman talaga siya eh. Ilang beces na?
Sarah: Tapos tinawagan kapang “cutie.” Nakuuu… ano ibig sabihin yan?
Maja: Ganun siya sa mga babae, noh? Super sweet siya sa lahat ang babae ng kita niya.
Sarah: Aba… paano mo malalaman yan?
Maja: Kilala ko siya, Sars. Basta, parehas lahat ang ganyang lalaki katulad niya.
Sarah: Oh Maj… wag ka masyado mag selosa dyan.
Maja: Bakit naman ako mag selosa?
Sarah: Eh kasi na isip mo masyado sa ibang babae. Alam mo, parang a isip mo mabuti si Jay, o? (joking)
Maja: Ayy naku hindi, ah? (as Sarah smiles) (murmuring as she turns away from Sarah) Di ko siya na randaman.
Sarah: Asuuus… (lightly slaps Maja’s arm) Nahihiya ka pa. Sige na. (as Maja tuns away from her again, smiling) Aaminin mo na kasi, o?
Maja: Hindi ko talaga siya na randaman eh. Ano kaba?
Sarah: Hay naku, Mars. (puts arm around her shoulder) Diba dati ng gusto siya sa iyo, nung two years ago pa. Naku, patay na patay siya sa iyo, na isipin mo? Lagi siya ng kalbit sa iyo, parang yun fling ang nangyari sakin dati nung high school pa ako.
Maja: Talaga? Ng boyfriend kaba dati?
Sarah: Hindi naman, pero muntik na.
Maja: (as Sarah releases arm off her shoulder) Naku, sayang naming chance mo.
Sarah: Di bali. High school lang naming nangyari ‘to eh, at ayoko na may gulo.
Maja: High school talaga. Puro tsismis, saka madaming immature ang mga lalaki dun, noh?
Sarah: Oo nga eh. Mga loser silang lahat, at panay users din!
Maja: Tsk tsk tsk… wag na tayo maisipin yan. Least na alam natin we made it out.
Sarah: Yeah… eh si Jay?
Maja: Aba… si Jay na naman ang usapan natin?
Sarah: Mars oh Mars… sa tingin ko, ginusto mo rin siya dati. Lagi kayo ng ngiti, diba?
Maja: Ehh dati pa yan. Ngayon, friends lang kami.
Sarah: Talaga? Kahit ibigan kayo, ibig sabihin pwede siya tumatawaga sa iyong “cutie?” Ganun ba?
Maja: Tss… (smiling shyly, as if it were all a joke) Parang cutie lang naman yan. Iba yun “sweety” at “sweetheart.”
Sarah: Naku… pagdating ang Valentine’s Day, sigurado ako tatawag si Jay sayo yun.
Maja: Di, noh? Baka mya girlfriend na yun bago mag Valentine’s Day.
Sarah: (shakes her head, smiling) Hay Mars… gusto mo nga pala si Jay eh.
Maja: Susko… Isa ka pa rin, ha? (points index finger at Sarah as Sarah laughs) Parehas kayo ni Jay. Makulit.
Narrator: A minute later, the two girls approached an elder white man about 6’ tall. He was sitting on the bench on the left side of Wal Mart, holding the leash of his German shepherd. With its eyes open, it was watching the girls pass by. The dog, who was lying on the ground, suddenly rose to its feet as it growled, seeing the girls’ heads turn to it.
After one long mean snarl, the dog quickly approached the girls and started barking. The girls screamed in shock as they backed away from the dog, whose leash dragged out of the man’s hand.
The girls then ran away from the dog, who was about to chase them until the man quickly grabbed the leash handle, preventing the dog from doing that.
Man: (white dog barking) Hey, easy boy! (pulls dog tightly) Knock it off!
Narrator: The girls stopped, watching the man holding his dog tightly.
Man: (looks over at the girls) Sorry about that, ladies!
Narrator: The girls, however, were speechless.
Man: (hears his dog growling at the girls) Down, boy! Down, I said!
Narrator: The girls looked at one another for a moment, then turned their heads back at the elder man.
Maja: Bakit parang na kilala ko yun matanda nayan?
Sarah: (looks more closely at man) Si Walter Kowalski ata yan (takes one more close look at his face) Siya nga, noh?
Maja: Bakit ganyang tsura niya ngayon, mukhang matanda talaga siya?
Sarah: Eh siempre di namin siya ng kita for like ten years. Naalala mo ba nung bata pa tayo na lagi ng kita naming siya sa barbershop dun sa Katella?
Maja: (nodding) Oo. Pero… ng alala ba niya satin?
Sarah: Dyos ko! It’s been ten years, o? Kita mo ung gaano natanda siya ngayon? Baka hindi siya mag kilala sa lahat ang ng kilala niya ngayon, noh?
Maja: Edi sana uusapan tayo sa kanya.
Sarah: Ano kaba? Paano kung na hawak niyang baril?
Maja: (looks closely at Walter, who’s now petting the dog, back to Sarah) Di siya naman mukhang criminal, o?
Sarah: Kahit na. Basta, wag tayo malapit sa kanya. Tara na.
Narrator: So the girls continued walking down the town center, staying as far away possible from the elder man.
As for the dog, it continued to growl at the girls, who were crossing the street on their way to Gamestop.
Walter: Ey! Knock it off!!
Narrator: The dog then calmed down as it lied flat on the floor again.
Walter: I thought ya took yer sleepin’ pills already. Teh, (as he holds up a thick small bottle of Pendose drowsy pills, all of which became empty) how could some dimwit only put in 20 when there’s supposed ta be like 50? I thought for a second that bearded doctor was a butt-ugly terrorist. (tosses bottle in trash can next to him) No wonder he’s a hot head. (shakes his head)
A FAMILIAR OLD MAN
Narrator: Back at the Cerritos Town Center, with Maja and Sarah passing by some stores…
Sarah: Alam mo, Mars, mas makulit sayo si Jay ngayon, isipin mo? Parang ng miss na miss siya sa iyo masyado.
Maja: Hay naku. Wala yan. Ang kulit naman talaga siya eh. Ilang beces na?
Sarah: Tapos tinawagan kapang “cutie.” Nakuuu… ano ibig sabihin yan?
Maja: Ganun siya sa mga babae, noh? Super sweet siya sa lahat ang babae ng kita niya.
Sarah: Aba… paano mo malalaman yan?
Maja: Kilala ko siya, Sars. Basta, parehas lahat ang ganyang lalaki katulad niya.
Sarah: Oh Maj… wag ka masyado mag selosa dyan.
Maja: Bakit naman ako mag selosa?
Sarah: Eh kasi na isip mo masyado sa ibang babae. Alam mo, parang a isip mo mabuti si Jay, o? (joking)
Maja: Ayy naku hindi, ah? (as Sarah smiles) (murmuring as she turns away from Sarah) Di ko siya na randaman.
Sarah: Asuuus… (lightly slaps Maja’s arm) Nahihiya ka pa. Sige na. (as Maja tuns away from her again, smiling) Aaminin mo na kasi, o?
Maja: Hindi ko talaga siya na randaman eh. Ano kaba?
Sarah: Hay naku, Mars. (puts arm around her shoulder) Diba dati ng gusto siya sa iyo, nung two years ago pa. Naku, patay na patay siya sa iyo, na isipin mo? Lagi siya ng kalbit sa iyo, parang yun fling ang nangyari sakin dati nung high school pa ako.
Maja: Talaga? Ng boyfriend kaba dati?
Sarah: Hindi naman, pero muntik na.
Maja: (as Sarah releases arm off her shoulder) Naku, sayang naming chance mo.
Sarah: Di bali. High school lang naming nangyari ‘to eh, at ayoko na may gulo.
Maja: High school talaga. Puro tsismis, saka madaming immature ang mga lalaki dun, noh?
Sarah: Oo nga eh. Mga loser silang lahat, at panay users din!
Maja: Tsk tsk tsk… wag na tayo maisipin yan. Least na alam natin we made it out.
Sarah: Yeah… eh si Jay?
Maja: Aba… si Jay na naman ang usapan natin?
Sarah: Mars oh Mars… sa tingin ko, ginusto mo rin siya dati. Lagi kayo ng ngiti, diba?
Maja: Ehh dati pa yan. Ngayon, friends lang kami.
Sarah: Talaga? Kahit ibigan kayo, ibig sabihin pwede siya tumatawaga sa iyong “cutie?” Ganun ba?
Maja: Tss… (smiling shyly, as if it were all a joke) Parang cutie lang naman yan. Iba yun “sweety” at “sweetheart.”
Sarah: Naku… pagdating ang Valentine’s Day, sigurado ako tatawag si Jay sayo yun.
Maja: Di, noh? Baka mya girlfriend na yun bago mag Valentine’s Day.
Sarah: (shakes her head, smiling) Hay Mars… gusto mo nga pala si Jay eh.
Maja: Susko… Isa ka pa rin, ha? (points index finger at Sarah as Sarah laughs) Parehas kayo ni Jay. Makulit.
Narrator: A minute later, the two girls approached an elder white man about 6’ tall. He was sitting on the bench on the left side of Wal Mart, holding the leash of his German shepherd. With its eyes open, it was watching the girls pass by. The dog, who was lying on the ground, suddenly rose to its feet as it growled, seeing the girls’ heads turn to it.
After one long mean snarl, the dog quickly approached the girls and started barking. The girls screamed in shock as they backed away from the dog, whose leash dragged out of the man’s hand.
The girls then ran away from the dog, who was about to chase them until the man quickly grabbed the leash handle, preventing the dog from doing that.
Man: (white dog barking) Hey, easy boy! (pulls dog tightly) Knock it off!
Narrator: The girls stopped, watching the man holding his dog tightly.
Man: (looks over at the girls) Sorry about that, ladies!
Narrator: The girls, however, were speechless.
Man: (hears his dog growling at the girls) Down, boy! Down, I said!
Narrator: The girls looked at one another for a moment, then turned their heads back at the elder man.
Maja: Bakit parang na kilala ko yun matanda nayan?
Sarah: (looks more closely at man) Si Walter Kowalski ata yan (takes one more close look at his face) Siya nga, noh?
Maja: Bakit ganyang tsura niya ngayon, mukhang matanda talaga siya?
Sarah: Eh siempre di namin siya ng kita for like ten years. Naalala mo ba nung bata pa tayo na lagi ng kita naming siya sa barbershop dun sa Katella?
Maja: (nodding) Oo. Pero… ng alala ba niya satin?
Sarah: Dyos ko! It’s been ten years, o? Kita mo ung gaano natanda siya ngayon? Baka hindi siya mag kilala sa lahat ang ng kilala niya ngayon, noh?
Maja: Edi sana uusapan tayo sa kanya.
Sarah: Ano kaba? Paano kung na hawak niyang baril?
Maja: (looks closely at Walter, who’s now petting the dog, back to Sarah) Di siya naman mukhang criminal, o?
Sarah: Kahit na. Basta, wag tayo malapit sa kanya. Tara na.
Narrator: So the girls continued walking down the town center, staying as far away possible from the elder man.
As for the dog, it continued to growl at the girls, who were crossing the street on their way to Gamestop.
Walter: Ey! Knock it off!!
Narrator: The dog then calmed down as it lied flat on the floor again.
Walter: I thought ya took yer sleepin’ pills already. Teh, (as he holds up a thick small bottle of Pendose drowsy pills, all of which became empty) how could some dimwit only put in 20 when there’s supposed ta be like 50? I thought for a second that bearded doctor was a butt-ugly terrorist. (tosses bottle in trash can next to him) No wonder he’s a hot head. (shakes his head)
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