a stroll with liezl

edits: none

Previously:
There I was at SM Mall of Asia where the bizarre is just ordinary and where people lives in fantasy (as far as I’m concerned). I just met Liezl’s (gab) folks and right now, we are at Shaw Boulevard. She’s buying stuff that we’ll need for the roadtrip while I, on the other hand, was drowning in my delusions as I stare blankly at Richville Hotel.

Full recap here

Liezl: tell me, is it really that much of a magical place?!
Jxmn: will you believe me if I am to say that I had an epiphany here not so long ago?!
Liezl: *stops+thinks*
Jxmn: well…..?!?
Liezl: *still thinking*
Jxmn: ……..
Liezl: nnnnaaaaaaahhhhhh!!! Now you’re just making things up
Jxmn: *laughs*
Liezl: look, can you stop being all dazed there and help me with my groceries!?
Jxmn: honga pala! Sorry! Sorry! Here lemme carry those stuff for ya!
Liezl: aaawww….. such a good little helper you turned out to be
Liezl: *sarcastic*
Jxmn: op kors! Wait! Is that a complement?
Liezl: *scuffs*
Jxmn: we have a lot of loots here, would you mind telling me where we’re going?
Liezl: anywhere! Let’s be spontaneous
Jxmn: I have a suggestion… why don’t we go to………
Liezl: go to……..
Jxmn: capones, zambales
Liezl: where the heck is that!?
Jxmn: ahhhmmm… zambales!?
Liezl: I said an all night-er, not deathmarch
Jxmn: hahaha… segue, hhhhmmmm I think we should definitely visit Batangas
Liezl: ……
Jxmn: batangas here we come!!! Wwooohhhoo!!
Liezl: you are one disturbed and unstable human being
Jxmn: no am not
Liezl: you’re sick
Liezl: *laughs*
Jxmn: but seriously gab, can we go to batangas?
Liezl: give me one good reason why we should
Jxmn: *murmuring*
Liezl: wha!? I can’t hear you. Speak up!
Jxmn: I said I wanna see governor vilma
Liezl: yeah right and Queen Elizabeth’s my aunt
Liezl: *laughs*
Jxmn: I honestly wanna see governor vilma
Liezl: your face! Pwede just get in the car and lemme be the captain for tonight!?
Jxmn: do I have a choice?! I mean I really do wanna see her
Liezl: zip it!
Liezl: *smirks*

I stashed liezl’s grocery at the back seat of her mazda 6 and we got in to the car. Even with uncertainty looming in front of us, we still opted to face it head-on. It was still all too early by that time, her digital clock with purple luminescence signifies an 11:48 evening. As I don’t know what to do nor what to say, I became anxious and all too frizzy. Liezl noticed this…

Liezl: don’t tell me you’re still gonna continue with your batangas and governor vi thing
Jxmn: please, please, please, please with beautiful eyes. Can we?
Liezl: for the nth time – no! we have a better place to go to
Jxmn: *pout*
Liezl: *in a hush tone* why!? Is she there?
Jxmn: huh!? Who?
Liezl: heaven. Is your heaven there?
Jxmn: *stunned*

I practically froze when she delivered these lines. I know what to say and how to say it but I didn’t have the guts to do so. Am not the claustrophobic type but I felt that my world is slowly diminishing. It’s utterly becoming more and more difficult to breathe and that you double your efforts for a desperate gasp of air that you need. Steadily, I felt an involuntary movement - my left hand was now holding my chest, clinging for dear life.

Liezl: it’s just a simple question, don’t get too hyped up.
Jxmn: …………………
Liezl: ………………
Jxmn: ……………
Liezl: …………………
Jxmn: can i!?
Jxmn: *referring to the car window*
Liezl: *didn’t even budge*
Jxmn: you know what I love about night stroll like this one!?
Liezl: *silent + focus on driving*
Jxmn: I love how the cool breeze damps my succulent face
Liezl: *laughs*
Jxmn: what!? It’s true naman e
Liezl: *smirks*
Liezl: here you go
Liezl: *pushes a button to lower the car window*
Jxmn: there, see!? The night breeze is wwwaaaayyy better than compressed nitrogen-oxygen-nickelide pressurized air thingy
Liezl: *smiles*
Liezl: are you always like that!?
Jxmn: huh!? Like what?
Liezl: there had been a dead-air for the last 5 minutes or so then you suddenly bounce back
Jxmn: *laughs*
Jxmn: you’re actually the first person to say that and I’m gonna take it as a compliment
Liezl: *laughs*
Jxmn: here’s a trivia for you, I am the type that loves to write. I love sharing my stories with people and infusing the trademark me in the words that I say.
Liezl: wow! So what pick-up lines you used so far!?
Jxmn: gab, didn’t you hear what I just said!?
Liezl: huh!?
Jxmn: I said I love to write – I’m a writer not a playah. Would you even believe that I dunno when and how to drop them pick-up lines?
Liezl: *laughing her ass off*
Liezl: then prove it!
Jxmn: prove what?
Liezl: that you are a so-called writer
Jxmn: prove it?! As in now?
Liezl: yeah! Say something – something that introduces your writer side
Jxmn: well….. am not good with impromptu ----
Liezl: *cuts jexamine off*
Liezl: hinde, hinde…. Wala ka pala e… bbbboooo!!
Jxmn: all am saying is ----
Liezl: inde, wag ka ng magpalusot!
Liezl: *teasing*
Jxmn: enough already sheesh… you want it so badly!?
Liezl: hahahaha
Jxmn: right…. Here it goes
Liezl: hold-up, hold-up
Jxmn: what!?

I felt the car was steadily coming to a slow halt. I looked outside the window and saw a panoramic view of reds, purples, pinks and greens – the cosmetic lights that makes the buildings that much more dramatic looking.

Jxmn: what’s this? Why did we stop?
Liezl: isn’t it grandeur!? This might help you cook something up. Plus, I wanna focus on what you are about to say
Jxmn: *closes eyes + breathes deeply*
Liezl: this better be good.
Jxmn: sssshhh… I’m internalizing
Liezl: arte mo!
Jxmn: aahhmm… do you want this piece or not?
Liezl: oooohhh… so is this for me?
Jxmn: with the sound of a violin, I only see marc enfroy. But when you stepped in my world, the night became memorable.
Liezl: *listening intently*
Jxmn: …………….
Liezl: *winks + beautiful eyes*
Jxmn: *looks at liezl*
Liezl: ………
Jxmn: …………
Liezl: and!?
Jxmn: what do you mean “and”!?
Liezl: was THAT it!?
Jxmn: well yeah
Liezl: hahahha. Some writer slash poet you turn out to be… pppffftttt
Jxmn: a simple thank you would have sufficed.
Liezl: no offense but I think Alex can do a better job than you.
Jxmn: I have lots to say! It’s just that……
Liezl: just what!? Don’t tell me you’re holding back?
Jxmn: well of course I am!
Liezl: What!? Why!?
Jxmn: ………
Liezl: listen, listen. Like you said, the night's still young. We’ll give it another go later ok!?
Jxmn: *deep sigh*
Liezl: ok!?
Jxmn: yes boss!
Liezl: and please just say what’s in your heart
Jxmn: I will and then you’ll see
Liezl: looking forward to it….
Liezl: *hush tone* angel
Jxmn: huh!?
Liezl: what!? I didn’t say anything
Jxmn: wushu!
Liezl: so what are you waiting for!?
Jxmn: *confused*
Liezl: get off the car! We’re already here!
Jxmn: wwwaaahhh!! I thought that this was supposed to be a long drive!?
Liezl: *smirks*
Liezl: don’t worry, like I said, it’s an all night-er. Trust me
Jxmn: *heart thumps*
Jxmn: so am I in heaven?
Liezl: Asa! (you wish)
Jxmn: Where am I!?

an evening with liezl

edits: none
photographer: tongtong

editor's note: this entry would never even exist if it wasn't for ser meltz.

Previously:
I decided to be at SM Mall of Asia on Halloween’s eve. There, I met a girl aptly named (in some fate’s playful gesture) Liezl and her brother Alex. Being uncomfortable with her name, I dubbed Liezl as Gab. We were talking about a lot of stuff when she spontaneously offered an evening stroll with six (her mazda six car). Her family’s slowly inching their way to us as we are in contention on how we are to ask permission to them.

See the full details here

Liezl: here they come.
Liezl: *points her finger*
Jxmn: *startled*
Jxmn: really!? Do I look alright!? I mean does my hair bounce the way that it should? Do I smell ok!?
Liezl: relax!! Sheesh! Talk about being in a boiler room
Liezl: *laugh’s demonically* (figuratively speaking)
Jxmn: e d ikaw na magaling, ako na loser
Liezl: *continues her laughing “menace”*

I get all jittery and I fumble when I’m in the presence of these types of people simply because I have high regard to them. These are the people who belong to the class S of the social community tier and right now, well… I can hear my knees crumbling.

Alex: ate! Kuya!
Liezl: hey pest.
Jxmn: *nods*
Alex: Pa, kuya here fixed my gun
Alex: *smile*
Liezl: hey Pa, Ma. I was wondering when you’ll show up
Pa: tell that to your mom! We were in and out of like eight stores and she’s still undecided of what she’ll buy
Ma: *laughs*
Ma: well, look at the bright side – we’re done now and we’re here.
Pa: wait a sec. Alex, did you just said that this person here fixed your gun?!
Alex: *nods*
Pa: you mean to say……… you broke it!?
Alex: *playfully nods and keeping his distance*
Pa: come here you……

Before I knew it, Alex was already sprinting away with his dad hot on his trail. This left me, Gab and Gab’s mom on the spotlight.

Ma: sorry for that. Now where were we?!
Jxmn: *clueless+drooling*
Liezl: you know what Ma!? Sometimes I wonder why you married Pa. I mean look at him…. *chuckles*
Ma: me too hon. I wonder that myself *laughs*
Ma: so who do we have here?
Liezl: ay oo nga pala. Ma this is jexamine
Ma: je…..xa….m….ine?!
Liezl: yeah! He has a weird name no!?
Jxmn: *blush* (well I felt that I blushed)
Jxmn: *bows his head like in a Japanese way of greeting*
Liezl: jexamine my mom. Mom, jexamine.
Ma: Pa! stop chasing Alex and come here for a moment *mildly shouting*
Pa: *gasping+trying to catch his breath*
Pa: what!? I almost had him
Liezl: Pa this is jexamine. Jexamine, my dad.
Pa: *exchanges look with Ma*
Jxmn: good evening sir. Nice night we’re having today *bow’s head*
Pa: evening. Thanks for fixing my son’s toy gun. He just got it for like two hours ago.
Jxmn: no problem sir.
Pa: so are you working?
Jxmn: *caught off guard*
Liezl: *baffled*
Liezl: aahhhmmm.. Pa…. what are you doing!?
Pa: huh!? What do you mean?! I’m just trying to start a conversation here
Liezl: aaaahhmmmm…
Jxmn: yes I do sir! I’m currently working as a software engineer and right now I’m assigned in cybergate.
Pa: that’s good! Software engineer huh!? Kinda has a nice ring to it.
Pa: *smile*
Jxmn: actually sir, it’s just a fancy term that the office used for someone getting paid by staring blankly at the monitor all day.
Pa: *laughs*
Ma: Pa, it’s getting late already. We should be going on our way now. You two can chat some other time.
Pa: yeah…. I guess so…. Hey jeshamarie
Jxmn: huh!?
Liezl: jexamine pa!
Pa: yeah! Yeah! Want us to give you a lift? Where are you staying?
Liezl: *answer’s for jexamine*
Liezl: nevermind Pa. I invited him for a stroll tonight.
Jxmn: *heart thumps*
Ma: ooooooooohhhhhhh
Pa: hhhhmmmmm, so you’re not coming with us tonight Liezl?
Liezl: nnnaaahhh. I’ll just sleep at the condo
Pa: alright! Ingat sa pagmamaneho
Liezl: thanks! I will!
Pa: jeshamay
Ma: Pa you’re really getting old. His name’s jexamine
Pa: that’s what I said. The point is it’s nice meeting you and have a good one.
Jxmn: the feeling’s the same sir. Ingat po
Jxmn: *bow’s his head*
Ma: we’ll be goin Liezl, Jexamine
Jxmn: *bow’s his head*
Alex: kuya! Alis na kami. *hugs*
Jxmn: *hugs back*
Jxmn: let’s watch some anime if we meet again
Alex: really!? *eager*
Jxmn: *nods*
Liezl: go Alex! Just go
Alex: kuya you promised ha!?

I wave goodbye as their Toyota Fortuner ventures beyond. I’m still disturbed by the fast-paced turn of events. You know what I mean right!? Who on earth will offer a ride back home to a mere stranger that you just met!? I don’t know if I’m loosing it or the fact that gab and her family’s just too trusting. I didn’t even heard any complains when she told her folks that we are to take a stroll – no contention none whatsoever. My day was getting weirder and weirder by the moment. I started wondering id Shan’s offer’s still on the table. The cogs, nuts and bolts in my brain doubled their efforts but I am still left puzzled and unable to find an answer to the riddle that is Gab and her family. Then it hit me: I promised a midnight stroll with Gab – a Liezl (on her own right) but not the one that I sorely long for. I can’t think of anything else and frankly, from that point on, I don’t wanna think simply because I grew tired of doing such.

Liezl: so….. where to!?
Jxmn: I dunno. You’re the tourism student right!? You decide for us
Liezl: woah! Woah! Woah! What’s that all about!?
Jxmn: huh!?
Liezl: why are you sooooooo grouchy all of a sudden!?
Jxmn: nothing............................................. ne Gab……
Liezl: hhhmmm!?
Jxmn: you’ve one weird fam. You do realize that don’t you!?
Liezl: *sarcastic* not really… I think we blend pretty well. I think we’re normal – we look normal, we talk normal, heck we even smell normal *chuckles*
Jxmn: I’m serious!
Liezl: ok, ok! Sheesshh… fill me in
Jxmn: your folks just offered me a ride home..
Liezl: so!?
Jxmn: so!?!?! Would you do that to a person you’ve just met?
Liezl: see! They just proved my judgment
Jxmn: huh!?
Liezl: nevermind! Look, do you want this stroll or not!?
Jxmn: *drools at mazda 6*
Jxmn: sige na nga…
Liezl: on one condition though
Jxmn: gggaaahhhhh!!! May condition pa!? what is it ba?
Liezl: stop being such a grouch or else we won’t have a good time
Jxmn: *contemplating*
Jxmn: *after 18 seconds* ayt! It’s a deal then. So…… where to chief!?
Liezl: wait! Don’t you wanna get something to nibble first?
Jxmn: nope
Liezl: you sure!?
Jxmn: yeah
Liezl: you sure, sure!?
Jxmn: yeah
Liezl: ok
Jxmn: on secod thought, I wanna buy something pala
Liezl: make up your mind men *laughs*
Jxmn: ayt! Ayt!
Liezl: mall’s closed *chuckles*
Jxmn: I want something so take me to Shaw
Liezl: wwwwwaaahhhhh!! All the way to Shaw Blvd?!
Jxmn: yeah! There’s a 7-11 there, we can buy some foods.
Liezl: there’s a ministop near here, let’s just buy there plus we’ll be relieved of the hassle
Jxmn: hey! I’m the one that’s gonna pay for the gas. Let’s buy something in 7-11. do you know Richville Hotel!?
Liezl: sure I do.
Jxmn: then drive on chief.
Liezl: wait. Wait. I thought we’re goin at 7-11?
Jxmn: we are! 7-11’s just opposite that hotel

It didn’t take long for us to reach our destination. Gab already parked six and she was now already inside 7-11. I asked her to pick-out the chips, dips, booze and whatever things that she thinks we might need. I opted to just stay outside and stare at the entrance of the Richville hotel. I just stood there unfazed as my mind do what it does best – drifts afar with my own hallucination.

Liezl: ready!?

As I motioned to Gab, I was surprised as to how much things she bought. Saying that she has with her a handful of groceries is definitely an understatement.

Jxmn: aaahhhmmmmm…. Did I miss something here!?
Liezl: *confused*
Jxmn: wassup with all those groceries!? Do you really think that everything there is necessary?
Liezl: well yeah… we have a long drive ahead of us plus it’s an all night-er
Jxmn: *jaw dropped*
Liezl: hey am just curious, I kept on seeing you staring at Richville. What are you doing!? Are you counting the people that comes in and out? Oohhh! Oohhh!! I know! Is this where you spend the night!? Can I go in!?