Hello, Stranger...

Three weeks ago, I was so stressed because of work. It was already 8:30pm when I finally finished the concept that our project manager needs. Finally I was able to let out a cleansing breath and opened my Facebook account. To my surprise, I was able to see a new status update from one of my friends.

Mahirap magtrabaho nang wala pa sa huwisyo... is what she said.

I just can't help but smile and think that we're on the same page that I felt the need to "Like" her status and post my agreement. My message became a volley of "Kumusta?", "Anong balita?", and the every popular follow up question: "Where are you working? Hope we could meet up someday."

Sana sa Makati... Sana sa Makati... Sana sa Makati...
was my mantra while waiting for her reply. Lucky for us, her office building is 5mins away from mine. We decided to meet the following week.

Our meeting place was at the fountain where the gigantic Philippine Stock Exchange stood. It took her a few seconds before it came to her that I was already in front of her, waving my hand over her face. She literally threw herself at me for a hug while squealing "ATE FAAAAATS!!!!"

I laughed. Some things never change. Looking back...

I joined the school's Taekwondo clinic the summer before I became a Junior.
Anna is one of my "batchmates" along with Tin, Mica and Ate Monica. Anna being
the youngest in our group, I was not able to talk to her much about anything
but the sport. During school days, we would just wave hi while walking along
the corridors.

She became my partner when Mica and Tin was not able to take a promotional test. I must admit that I was a harsh sparring partner back then. I provoked her to go offense so that our instructors will see her strategy to get a point by kicking my TKD armor. She was so quiet back then that I think that the other Taekwondo students think she's weak. I guess that provocation at times is an effective way of bringing out the best in someone... It paid off because from being a Low Red belter, she got promoted to Low Brown.

During my Senior year, I finally decided to stop attending practices months before my supposed blackbelt promotion to focus on my studies. Our usual greetings became... and then came graduation, I was not able to say "See you soon."

We did have a chance meeting when I watched a choir concert (2009? I'm really not sure). Though I got her phone number, I lost my phone where I stored it and we lost touch until I saw that status update on Facebook.

I was happy and sad at the same time when we were chatting at a coffee shop along Paseo de Roxas. Happy because God gave us the time to catch up on things and what's been happening since we last saw each other during the concert. I was also sad because I just realized that I don't know that much about her.

We continued our talk at the Ayala Park until the lights went off and the guard informed us that it's already closing time. I looked at my phone and it was 11pm, aaaaaaaaaaaand finally got a text message from my mom. Whoops, times up!

The whole evening was not enough for us to catch up on things that happened in the past eleven years. I guess we were just the lucky few who has that opportunity to meet up with high school friends. I must admit, though she IS a friend back then, she was a stranger in my past sixteen-year-old mind.

I decided that I will make it up to her.

The next time we'll meet, I'll greet her "Hello, Stranger..." I'm sure she'll get what I mean.