washing dishes

a few days before graduation, before high school finally came to a close, my friends spent the whole afternoon at our home. it became a ritual of ours to spend the afternoon at a classmate's place since we won't be able to see each other that often after the commencement exercises. five will study in manila, one in laguna, one in iloilo and a handful in the local city schools. even though we promised to hold a get-together as often as we can, deep inside we knew a lot of things will change. (and it did happen).

we arrived just in time for lunch so they had a taste of my father's friend chicken which according to them is the best fried chicken in the world. while there were people who strived so hard to become popular in high school, i became one without even lifting a finger. so i was the kid who aced physics and english exams and for some odd reason feared by many for his one-liners -  but that wasn't important at all because it was high school. i became a popular kid in class thanks to my father's fried chicken. food establishments should thank the heavens that my family hasn't yet put up a restaurant.

the mountain of fried chicken became a pile of bones with a lot of stories and laughter on the side. when the group retired to the living room to watch vcd's, i was left behind to wash the dishes.

i was about to start when i heard someone, paci, tulungan na kita.

it was her. the transferee during sophomore year who was able to easily blend in with the rich kids in class. she became a tae-kwon-do varsity due to her not-so-big but heavy feet. she also represented the school in lawn tennis. i always thought she was a snob. we were not that close so i was surprised that she went with us but it was okay because everyone was welcome to join our not-so-popular group.

hindi na. ako ang official tagahugas dito eh. i smiled.

she insisted and so we washed the dishes together. along the way she shared stories about her and the rich kids group - how she felt like a hypocrite when she's with them, how the group singled out a member just because of a very small issue and how everyone in the group tried to outshine each other. she was getting tired of it. of them.

soon it will all be over. i said to her.

thank God. she replied. and we laughed.

after washing the dishes we joined the rest of the group in the sala. we finished three movies that afternoon. another day ended so they had to go. i was sweeping the floor when mama joined me.

anak, sino yung kasama mong naghugas kanina?

si tey po. bakit?

gusto ko siya. ayaw mo siyang ligawan?

wala akong pag-asa dun.

bakit di mo subukan? malay mo...


i still see her in my dreams. i do not know why.