“Put away the pictures…
Put away the memories…”
I looked at the piece of paper in my right hand: Jimbocho Sakura Hotel. This little place will be my home from now on, I told myself. I looked back and witnessed the bus I just rode awhile ago depart in haste, leaving me standing all alone, without a clue of what to do next. I made my way towards the hotel and noticed that the place seemed quiet, which was unlikely.
I greeted the staff that was busy writing. She looked up and gave me a warm smile.
“For how many nights?” She asked me, the smile still not wearing off. I just stared at her, unsure of what to reply. I didn’t have a clue how long I’d be staying in Tokyo, all I knew at that moment was that I needed that place to escape.
“Two weeks.” I said, tentatively. I needed a few weeks to organize my life; find out what my next step will be. I opened my wallet, took some cash and gave it to the staff. The staff nodded and courteously guided me to my room.
My room was not as big as I thought it would be. I sat on the bed and ran my hands on the bed sheet and felt the cool cloth against my skin. This is what I need, I told myself. Comfort. I sat upright and took the envelope that was in the pocket of my bag. I opened the envelope and read the first few lines of the letter.
“Congratulations! We are pleased to tell you that your application for scholarship at Tokyo Designer Gakuin has been accepted…”
When I received that letter back at home, I knew immediately what my answer would be. I was willing to abandon my dream for Gino. Abandon everything for him.
*
“Awwwww! Kawaii!” Faith pointed to a sleeping kitten that lay on the sidewalk.
I cringed in disgust. “Cute? That creature’s so dirty!” I answered in disgust.
She let her tongue out and mocked my disgusted expression. “OC!” She teased me. She reached out and held the kitten that was slightly surprised by the gesture. Without a warning, she advanced towards me and raised the creature towards my face.
“Get that stinking cat away from me!” I yelled in protest but she kept on advancing towards me, laughing hysterically as she watched my struggle to run away from the furry fellow.
I gently patted Kawaii’s head. The furry fellow gently meowed and rolled on the floor. It’s been eight months since we decided to adopt Kawaii. At first, I considered him an eyesore, prancing around my apartment as if he owned the place. But time passed and the fellow I once despised had been the sole witness to Faith and I’s priceless memories.
“She left us.” I paused and laughed at how ridiculous I might have sounded at that moment. Laughed at how pathetic I was. There I was talking to a kitten about the person that got away.
“She saw you at the park. You and Ria.” Jane told me. We bumped into each other as I was making my way to the grocery. “She went there hoping you’d tell her you were just lying when you said you still love Ria. She was hoping there was still a chance for the two of you.” She added with a hint of irritation on her voice.
Maybe that’s why she went away. I’ve hurt her too much. I pushed her away.
*
The following days had been a struggle for me. There I was in an unfamiliar place, all alone and desolated. I had no one to turn to but myself. No one to rely on but myself.
I stood outside the small sushi bar and read the menu. I took out my wallet and looked inside it. I heaved a heavy sigh. I was running out of cash. Coming to Tokyo, I was surprised at how expensive everything was in the city. As hard as it was for me to fit in, it was equally hard to budget what’s left of my money.
I scanned the menu for the cheapest item: California Maki. I smiled, thanked the heavens for my great luck and went inside the bar. The place was crowded and reeking of alcohol and heavy smoke. There were still a few seats available in front of the sushi table. I propped into one and noticed that the seat next to me was empty. Good, I didn’t want any drunk sitting beside me anyway, I told myself. I immediately turned my attention to the moving table.
“Last plate of maki.” The sushi master announced over the growing noise. Nobody seemed to care about the maki shortage except for the person who just sat to my right and groaned just before I did. I didn’t bother to look at the person beside me and instead, focused my attention to the plate of maki that was coming closer to me. I watched with anticipation as it went closer, my stomach growling impatiently. Closer and closer. Nearer and nearer. I smiled in anticipation.
Just as I was about to reach for the maki plate, I felt another hand reached for it too. I tightened my grip on the plate, determined not to let it go. The other hand did the same thing. His hand was ten times bigger than mine so his was taking up more space than my hand was but I struggled to hold on to the plate. He shouted some Japanese words which I didn’t understand so I shouted in return.
“Nauna ko dito!” I tightened my grip on the plate. He stopped for awhile, his hand not leaving the plate.
“Pinoy ka rin?” He asked, shocked. I looked at him closely, my hand still not leaving the plate. He looked vaguely familiar.
“Oo. Ano ngayon?” I gave him a smug look. He frowned and continued wrestling me for the plate.
I knew that I couldn’t beat him in arm wrestling so I figured a much bolder act. With my left hand securely gripped on the plate, I took my chopsticks with my right hand and snatched one maki from the plate and stuffed it in my mouth. The man’s jaw dropped open. I took another piece and stuffed it to my mouth arrogantly. The man’s eye widened. I laughed triumphantly after I consumed two pieces. Two more were left at the plate.
“Ganon pala ha!” The man said, as if challenging me. He reached for his chopsticks and ate the last two pieces of maki in succession. I wrinkled my forehead in irritation.
“Daya!” I yelled. At that time, people eating at the bar were already busy watching our little exchange.
The man laughed mockingly. I was about to snap back when an embarrassing sound escaped from me. Both of us looked at my stomach and laughed.
“How long have you been staying here?” I asked him as we were walking towards the subway. I looked at the glass window of a building and noticed how small I looked next to him. He was so tall, probably just as tall as Gino. Gino. Somehow he manages to pop up in my head all the time.
“About three months.” He answered. “Kaw?”
“Just got here two weeks ago.” I replied. Something about the man bothered me.
“This might sound like a pick-up line but you look familiar.” He told me, a serious expression on his face. I looked up at him.
“I was just about to say the same thing.” I laughed, amazed at the coincidence. He was about to open his mouth but stopped before he could even utter a word. I smiled. “Say it.” I encouraged him.
“You don’t happen to know Frank, do you?” He asked, uncertain. I looked at him in surprise.
“Frank Jimenez?” He nodded. “I know him. I used to work with him in Ma…” I was cut off.
“Malaya.” He finished my sentence. I stared at him, surprised with his knowledge of my past working experience. He smiled at me and I blushed involuntarily.
“How did you know?” I asked him. He smiled again.
“He showed me your profile on friendster.” He answered.
“Ohh.” I replied, blushing once again. He smiled mischievously.
“He also told stories about you.” He added. I looked at him, confused.
“What stories?” I asked. What could Frank have told him, considering that Frank and I weren’t that close back when we were… O GOD! I gasped.
“You know him?”I asked Frank who was busy searching the net for the latest make-up collection of shu uemura. He looked up at me.
“Who?” He stared at my lips. “Where did you buy that gloss?” He asked looking interested.
“Face Shop.” I answered. I shook my head and turned my attention again to Frank who was now busy typing on the pc. “Wait! Talk to me. Who is he?” I asked again.
“Who’s who?” He asked, disinterested.
“Him. That hot piece of stud standing by the copier!” I pointed towards the photocopying machine. Frank followed my finger and nodded in recognition.
“Oh. That hot piece of stud standing by the copier happens to be my good friend, Gian.” He smiled flirtatiously and batted his false lashes towards Gian’s direction.
“You know him? Introduce me!” I told him gleefully. Frank turned to me, a glint on his eye.
“Alright but on one condition…” He told me mischievously. I waited impatiently. “I want the same gloss you’re wearing, same color, at my desk tomorrow morning.” He answered, triumphantly.
Without skipping a beat, I held out my hand. “Deal!”
“OMG! Don’t tell me he told you about…” I couldn’t finish my sentence. He laughed, amused at my obvious embarrassment.
“He told me the story of how he got his favorite gloss.” He answered teasingly. I cringed.
“He didn’t drop names, right? And he didn’t tell you the details of why he was given that gloss?” I asked, tentatively.
“He showed the profile of the generous girl who gave that to him and he narrated the whole incident in details.” He answered with a big smile. I groaned. His smile grew bigger.
I frowned at him. “Yeah, go on. Just laughed at my misery.” I answered sarcastically. He laughed.
“Serves you right for eating my maki!” He replied, still laughing. I punched his arm slightly. He laughed even more. I couldn’t help but laugh as well.
“So where are you headed to?” I asked him.
“Home. You?” He asked me back.
“I’ll probably look at a few apartments. I can’t afford to stay at the Sakura anymore.” I replied sadly.
He looked at me seriously. “If you want, you can stay with me.” He offered.
“Huh? Stay with you? Is that an indecent proposal?” I shook my head in disgust. Men will always be men, I told myself.
“Woah! Hold on. I didn’t mean it that way.” He said, defensively. “I mean, there is an available room at the apartment I’m staying at. You can check it out if you want.”
“Oh.” I replied, embarrassed at my immediate assumption. “How much?” I asked him.
“It’s the cheapest place you can find here in Chiyoda-ku. The owner’s a Filipino as well so he charges friendly rate.” He answered with a smile.
I thought of it for awhile. Why not? This might be the answer to my problem, I told myself.
At that time, I didn’t know that it would be the answer to a more serious dilemma I was facing.
I moved in to the apartment Gian was staying the day after our chanced encounter. I found the place to be cozier than my former hostel. The residents, mostly Filipinos, were warm and friendly as well.
“Faith, stay with us for diner. Megan cooked a special Adobo.” Jim told me as I was throwing my garbage.
“Wow! Thanks.” I answered, surprised at the gesture. “Is it okay for me to join you, guys?” I asked tentatively.
Megan appeared next to Jim. “Oh, don’t be shy. It’ll be fun! Tell Gian to come as well.” She added with a smile.
I gradually adjusted to the education system in Tokyo.
“I’m very proud to announce that this year; one of the students in this class will be part of the annual Design Fiesta here in Tokyo Designer Gakuin. She’s none other than Faith Roces.”
The whole class cheered as I stood up and bowed, beaming at my achievement.
I also found a great job in a small boutique in the Takeshita Dori Street where hippies, punks, manga freaks and cute fashion lolitas sashayed around.
Most importantly, I started to genuinely smile again.
“Heads up!” Gian warned as he aimed the potato skin towards the garbage bin. We were preparing a special dinner for Jim and Megan.
I bowed my head just as he threw the garbage. It went in effortlessly. “Mendoza for three!” He yelled triumphantly.
I laughed at his playfulness. Gian was always like that. He would always find time to have fun.
He took the bell pepper from the pantry and took out a knife. Without a warning, I rushed towards him and took the bell pepper away from his hand in a flash.
“Ball intercepted by Roces!” I exclaimed. He looked at me, dumbfounded as I let out my tongue. He smiled knowingly and rushed towards me. He tried to grab the bell pepper but I held on. Our seemingly endless tug of war concluded with us bumping each others’ head.
We fell to the floor and both rubbed our heads at the same time. We stared at each other.
“FOUL!” We yelled in unison.
*
“Sorry, sir. We ran out of mangoes.” The waiter at Icebergs told me as I was placing my order.
“How can you run out of mangoes?? Is that even possible?” I snapped. The people inside turned to me in surprise.
The waiter looked at me in panic. “Sir, we have strawberry ice if you want.” He replied; his voice trembling.
“I want mango ice.” I told him sternly.
“Ansaklap naman. I want mango ice!” Faith pouted like a child. I smiled at her. So kawaii when she does that.
“Strawberry na lang, you want?” I offered.
“Maki na lang!” She replied, her smile returning.
“Sir, do you still want the strawberry ice?” The waiter asked, patiently.
I looked at him for awhile, shook my head then walked out.
*
I was finally feeling that my life was getting back on track. There I was in a foreign place, starting from scratch and starting to have the best time in my life.
