I officially hate my job now. Endless talking, pointlessarguing and depressing shift schedule = 22 grand per month. It’s pretty big, considering the cost of living in my country. You’ll think it’s so “soshal” because we speak English all the time, and we’re wearing posh clothes, but I’m not happy with it. It’s very routinary, and there’s no sense of fulfillment on it. Well, probably, every professional feels what I feel. You know, the stuck-at-your-career-feeling?
Anyways, I promised not to complain again, I couldn’t really help it. My job sucks, and I hate it, period. Before, I’m too coward to leave this kind of job for the fear of not getting a new job that pays as well in some place else, but I found something. I’d like to be a flight attendant, alright. It wasn’t my dream or anything, but hey, I know some people who get 40 grand every flight.
Since I don’t like the job, I am not sure if I’ll be happy with it, but hey, at least, I’ll get paid with forty grand a week; I can save up and retire after 5 years. It looks like a good plan to me.
Bad news. I am not sure if I already wrote about my extended family members here.
Here’s the story:
My forty something year-old uncle married a pretty twenty-three year old girl from the province. I don’t know how the heck he did that. He wasn’t even CLOSE to being rich. The girl got pregnant, so they ended up together. I think they’re happy. A healthy baby boy was born, and he’s named Rico. He is so cute! And because he’s cute, I agreed to be one of his godmothers. But this story isn’t about our baby boy Rico.
Rico’s mother has a younger sister. Let’s call her Carol. When I first saw her, I was amazed with her long, beautiful curly hair that added the effect of innocence in her shy personality.
Carol and her younger brothers went to live with my uncle and my new auntie (who’s a year older than). They’re students when they first moved, but they stopped going to school for some unknown reasons (but my brother said they just simply don’t like going to school, they told him), and worked for my other aunts instead.
Carol probably met different types of guys while working in our catering. I’d like to treat her like a sister, because she’s very nice. I made some attempts to bond with her, but she’s shy. I actually invited her to church, and she came, but only twice. I guess the church wasn’t that appealing to her.
Soon, I started hearing rumors from our relatives that she’s a flirt. I don’t to believe it because she’s shy and she looked so innocent.
But then, she got pregnant. She never told anyone, but it’s starting to show. Our relatives started asking her if she’s pregnant, but she denies it, over and over. I don’t want to believe it, because she’s not that kind of girl, but my mom told me, it was true. Carol told her that she’s pregnant (my mom is so amazing; you can’t keep a secret from her). Mother told me that she directly asked Carol if she’s preggersh, but of course, she denied. Mom just looked at her and said, “I know you are,” and then the girl confessed everything. The father was their unemployed neighbor, who doesn’t want the responsibility. Oh… poor girl.
What does this thing has to do with me? Oh, nothing, my mom just wanted to adopt the unwanted child.
I was like, “Mother, are you out of your mind?” but she explained to me that she feels responsible, because she’s the only person that the poor girl trusted her secret, (of getting pregnant and considering abortion to get rid of the problem). Mother felt that she has to do everything for her to avoid abortion. It’s not fair, if you ask me. Mother should be over taking care of children.
But then she said, “Well, I’ll take care of the baby, but you should be the mother….” She’s crazy. Then, I realized that she’s probably wanting a grandchild already, and she knows that I’m not up for marriage yet. I thought about it for a couple of minutes. It’s not so bad at all. I mean, I’ll have a baby without any complications of getting into a relationship. Raising the baby without a father is fine with me…. we all turned out just fine (not that my parents were divorced).
“I’ll think about it, Mother,” I told my mom. She wasn’t serious or anything, but she wasn’t joking either.
Gosh, a baby…
Just like what I planned, the par-tay pushed through Sunday, eight o’clock in the evening, after church.
It’s so hard to keep the party a secret, to be honest. I thought it would be easy, since I have only have few friends (that I know of), but a lot of people showed up on my party, including the uninvited ones. Haha.
I invited five people from my work, two close friends from the neighborhood, the two bands (the Levites and the New Breeds) that I’m in, my friends from church and some acquaintances like Michelle (Chok’s sister) and Jenny M.
And of course, there were several gate-crashers, too, like Nicole and April. I wasn’t really sure who invited them, but I’m guessing, it was Kristine, because I overheard her asking Nicole if she was invited to my party (then convincing her to come when she said she wasn’t invited).
I added several more church people out of courtesy because my big-mouthed girl Jem blabbed to everyone that we’re having a party. Otep was like, “Why am I not invited?” I think I didn’t reply to that, but I was itching to say, “Why would you be?”
I’m not saying that I’m kinda important or anything, but for a week, my party was the talk of the town. Seriously speaking, some people really did try to friends with me when they found out that I’d be having party, hoping that they’d get invited. Well, that’s really funny; ’cause I used to be invisible, and nobody cares if I throw a party or whatever. I don’t really want to think that way, but that’s really how I felt. Psh.
So, okay, it was established that I was having a party, and I announced it to my cell group network. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that Jenny Mesias was there among us, and I already invited everyone to come when I saw her. Argh.
Kash asked, “Are you gonna invite Rjo?”
“I’m not sure yet. We’re not that close, you know…” I answered.
Kash is like my best friend from the band, and we’re in the same cell group together. We bonded after we took our purity vows. From then on, we always spend weekend nights watching movies and eating junk food (but sometimes, we dig into healthy stuff, but most of the time, it’s junk). If we’re not watching a movie, we’re talking about our lives, our future plans, and some cheesy stuff about relationships. She really does get me, you know. My influence in her choice of songs is great too, ’cause she asks me for advice, everytime she leads the worship. The trust is mutual.
And since Kash is my best friend, she knows what I feel towards Rjo. It’s not like I’m wishing that I’d end up marrying him, noh.. it’s just strong infatuation, because most of the traits I’m looking in a guy are in him. Enough segue.
“What?! Why?” Kash asked. “You should totally invite him… you guys are close!” I explained to her that I probably want him in my party because I have a slight crush on him, and we are not really that close.
“Yes you are!” She exclaimed. “I’ve seen you guys talk, and you’re close… that’s what I can pretty much tell.”
I promised to think about it. What if he misinterprets the invitation? Argh.
Pros:
1.) If I invite him, he’ll think we’re really good friends, and it could bring us closer.
2.) I (and Kash) could get to know him more.
3.) He can give my other friends a ride home after the party.
Cons:
1.) If I invite him, I have to invite our mutual friends, too, because if I don’t they’d think he’s special to me.
2.) If I invite him, I’m sure, I’ll be shy around him, and I’ll act awkward during my own party.
Come Wednesday before the party, I decided to invite him and all of our mutual friends so that nobody would ever question the invitation (they’d be all simply invited). I posted my invitation on the Levites and New Breeds Facebook page. Only JC and Kash confirmed.
I went to church an hour before the band practice to set up my instruments and my amps. I got there, and saw him setting up too. He was wearing a red jogging pants and a plain white T-shirt. He looked so cute. I knew he saw me (we locked eyes for few seconds), but he didn’t say anything. Not even hello. I’ll take it as “lack of interest…”
We’re quietly setting up our instruments when he asked, “Okay lang ba yung pants ko, Ate Reg?” I’d like to laugh out loud on that. I was like, “Dude, they’re red. You look like Andres Bonifacio.” He ignored my comment, and said, “I think I look like a genie…”
“Nope, you’re Andres Bonifacio,” I insisted. Honestly, pants looked really silly, but with a physique he has, it looks great. By the way, that’s the third time he said something that showed his inner vanity.
“Are you coming to my party?” I asked casually.
He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes and asked, “Am I invited?”
“Of course, bebs,” I answered. I don’t know what happened, but when he looked at me that way, I felt so much affection towards him, I wanted to hug him, but not in the XOXO way. I wanted to hug him because he looked like a puppy. Or a baby.
“Okay, I’ll go,” he said with a smile on his face. I changed my mind about having a crush on him. He’s too young. I think I have crush on him because I actually feel sorry for him. You know, I saw him almost in tears when he told us about how he longs for his dad (won’t write much about it, since it’s another person’s secret)…
We had our practice, led by Janine. Before I left for work, I invited the New Breeds to my party. I could tell that they’re all excited, including Rjo.
I’ve been busy preparing for the party and for the Remyx for the rest of the week.
Come weekend, I was the epitome of HAGGARD. If you wanted to define that word, all you have to do is to take a quick look at me. I went to my dentist (not that I have brace adjustment schedules) with my friend from work Joy. She has braces too, and she wanted to go to a different dentist, and I referred her to mine. After going to the dentist, we went to “ukay-ukay”. It’s some kind of thrift shop, wherein you get secondhand branded clothes in very cheap prices. I found this sleek black dress and bought it for 125 pesos. It looks gorgeous and expensive on me.
I got home around five o’clock in the afternoon, just in time for my own cell group. I went to church and met my girls in the lounge, and had our cell group meeting. I was so tired that I had to do the cell group for thirty minutes, which usually lasts one hour and thirty minutes. After cell group, I went upstairs to set up my instrument and amps. As usual, the amps I normally use wasn’t there. I was sure Rjo took it home, so I didn’t bother to look for it.
I haven’t hosted a party for some time, so I could say that I was pretty much excited. I wasn’t excited about the food or the presents; I was excited about the people who’ll come to my party. 
THE GREATEST PAR-TAY OF THE DECADE:
I was up very early in the morning and had breakfast with my mom and brother Carl (he went home from camp for a couple of days to attend my party).
I decided to wear the black dress I got from the thrift store and put some make up on. I don’t really like putting on some make up before because I believe that if you’re beautiful, you’ll be always beautiful with or without make up. But then, I discovered the power of make up back in the G12 conference last September (I’ll tell you about it later), so I started using some cosmetic products, except for lipstick. I like my real lip color.
I was ready to leave when Chok pulled up his car in front our gate and honked to let me know that he was there. I didn’t know he’ll be picking me up; he doesn’t normally pick me up. Well, probably, he’s extra nice to me because I’m having a party. Or since he knows that he’ll drive me home after church (which he always does), he might as well pick me up.
I got out of our house to meet him. I thought there were people in his blue SUV, but it turned out that we’re alone. Normally, I’d be uncomfortable with that arrangement, but I wasn’t.
For the rest of the ride, we’re pretty normal. He talked about his frustrations about finding people whom he can invite to church, about music, and also, about guy stuff.
I told him that I invited his ex-best friend Niko, to my party. I don’t think he was very happy about it, but he didn’t look sad about it either. I told him to play it nice with Niko, because whatever happens, he’s still our friend.
We pulled over to park in front of the church, and got greeted by people. Thank goodness nobody made a big deal about us arriving together (though we’re in church, there are still nosy people who make up nasty gossips).
Everything went fine at church. Finally, Cris (Maxwell) showed up after a year. I heard her pregnancy was…. I don’t know how to put it…. dangerous? Haha. But yes, she has to stay in bed at all times while carrying the baby in her womb, and it’s the first I saw her again, after she got pregnant. Her baby was so cute! She actually let me hold the baby for couple of minutes. I’d like to hold the baby a little longer, but then I had to go and play the piano for the worship proper.
My mother and her friends brought a new girl. Her name’s Eriza, and she’s twenty-eight years old. They’re confused whether she should be put in to their cell group (which consists of mothers) or our cell group (which consists of young pros and teeny-boppers), but in the end, they considered her marital status, so they introduced her to me and Janine.
I put on my nice-little-girl act (which I’m getting used to nowadays), and a had a small talk with her. It’s a great thing that she wasn’t shy at all. In fact, she even asked me questions that I should be asking her, and she didn’t try to hide the fact that she was truly amazed with my height.
I saw Van (Maxwell) on her way out of the church, and I figured that since we’re old friends, I should invite her to my party. I think she said yes, but then I forgot to give her the directions on how to get to my house.
I invited Chok’s sister Michelle, too. I reminded some of my friends about the party later that day in my house, including Rjo. I think he said, he won’t be able to come because he has a basketball game with his friends. I frowned a little, and then he called Chok and told him to tell me that they both won’t be able to make it because of the game, and that’s when I got them; they’re just joking. I refused to believe them, but said, “Okay,” then turned around from them to look for my other friends. When I saw them again, my mother’s arm was on Arjo’s arm, reminding him about the party, and he said he’ll come, but he’ll be late because he needed to have a hair cut. I knew it, he’s just joking.
“Ate Reg, I need to have a hair cut. I’ll shave it off,” He informed me. Again, I didn’t fall for that. I had enough jokes from him that day.
I went home, and had lunch with my family. My mom told me that I went to bed to sleep off the terrible head ache I get whenever I know that I’ll be attending SOl classes later in the afternoon (haha).
I woke up, and went to SOL classes. Everything went fine up to the Peewee part. My mood went sour when Cathy texted me that she won’t be able to make it. Whew.
During preaching, I got a text from my colleague, Yumi, saying that they’re at my house already. Uh-oh.
After church, I went ahead and put away my piano and amps and left the building immediately. I forgot that I don’t money to pay for my fare (Chok was supposed to drive us home, but he has to stay and wait for the others), so I paid it at home.
Mikha (the new girl I invited from the house across ours) was already there, eating and chatting with my colleagues Yumi, Joy S (the setter) and Ate Joy M. I think they’re a bit surprised to see me wearing make up and all, and I explained to them that I did that because I have to look my best for church. I think it was Yumi who said that she wishes to see me THAT pretty everyday at work. No way.
We chatted for a couple of minutes while eating before my other guests showed up. Janine was the first one to arrive, followed by Kristine and the others. One by one, they filled up our house. Rjo and his friends came too! Introduced them to my colleagues….. “methinks” he got shy. Aw, poor little boy.
My colleagues were huddled in our living room, so I went up to them while everyone was busy eating. From where I was seating, I could see Rjo and Weinber eating in our dining area. The girls were like, “Who’s the guy you told us about? Was it Chris or that guy eating over there?” I told him that it was the guy in the dining area. For a better view, I offered Rjo and Wein to move to the other wooden dining table in our living room, but they declined. I wasn’t sure if it’s because they’re shy or they’re simply indulged in the cordon bleu that they didn’t want people disturbing them.
The Distrito couple (from work) came too! I thought they weren’t able to make it because they’re coming from another church service too.
Kash came last. I think she called the landline first, and Mom answered. I heard Mom went like, “Hurry, the food’s almost gone!” Then, the next minute, she’s at our doorstep, breathing heavily.
“Happy birthday, sis!” She greeted. We hugged, I let her in, and ushered her wherein the food was. “Dig in,” I left her to get her food while I mingle with the guests.
Around ten thirty in the evening, my friends were all acting drunk already. They, especially the musicians, went outside on the street, in front of the house, dancing and singing. The others simply went with the flow and got silly. The surprising thing was, we didn’t even prepare alcoholic drinks. My mom just chilled the iced tea that she mixed with four seasons and served it to us.
I stayed in the living room, peacefully ate deserts.
Everyone came inside, and huddled around me, and I thought they’ll sing the happy birthday song. They had me do the “peel peel banana dance”. Embarassing!
I ran into my room, but they forced it open, so I had to do it. For the second week in a row, I had to embarass myself in front of Rjo.
Then, after I did the banana dance, they all sang “Happy Birthday.” I like attention, but not in that way, but I got along with it, just fine.
Around eleven-thirty, people started leaving. They had to leave that early because they had a game. I’d like to come (I was invited to watch, too), but I had other guests to attend.
All in all, the party was a success. My mom was happy about how the things turned out (everyone like the food, courtesy of our own family catering service, and they all ate it), including how I forgot to take out the desert (creamy fruit salad) from the fridge.
Everyone left, except my colleagues. Joy and I started eating my chocolate birthday cake. To be honest, the cake wasn’t that attractive; in fact, if I’m buying myself a cake, it wouldn’t even catch my attention. I was kind of disappointed because it’s all brown and designed with silly confetti (I like flowers, noh), but it’s from Mom, so I had to be thankful she even remembered to get me one. The message on the cake said, “Happy Birthday, Regine, from Mom.” That’s so sweet…
We drove my friends home (With Aldrin and Carl). We got back home half past midnight. I told Carl to drop me at the basketball court in front of Bea Grocery, and of course, I had to explain myself to my brother why. I told him that I’d like to see Rjo play.
Carl was like, “You have a crush on that guy?”
“Yeah… do you have a problem with that?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t like him. He doesn’t have manners.” He answered. He told me that he saw Rjo in the kitchen, eating with Weinber. He stared at Rjo, waiting for him to greet him or to offer the food to him, but Rjo didn’t. In our culture, when you see any of the family members of the host, you greet them, by the way. Not exactly greet them but to say something to them to make them feel you acknowledge their presence. Ugh.
“Duh, why would he talk to you? He doesn’t even know you’re my brother…” I told Carl. It’s my fault, too, ’cause I didn’t introduce them to each other. My brother shrugged, and said, “Whatever.”
Suprisingly, Aldrin was interested in knowing about him. I told him all I know about the guy, and he’s like, “He’s really a tough competition, if ever… I so hate him.” Oh. I am not new to this thing… you know, male insecurities.
Probably, my brother doesn’t like him because he’s insecure. But, whatever.
We went home, cleaned up the house and went to bed.
For the next few days, the party was the talk of the town. Mothers went like, “My children said that the food was great,” to my mom and the other kids went up to me and said, “You forgot to invite me.”
Chok and Michelle’s mom said, “I thought Michelle gate-crashed, because I didn’t know you guys are friends.” Well, we’re not. Not even close. But Chok’s a friend, so it’s okay for her to come.
