Puhon, Tayo

NOON: Chapter 1

Each person has her own distinct interest. Something that she obsesses with. It could be bags, books, and shoes collection, or anything that interests them. Mine happens to be vinyl records of classic songs. Sounds old school, I know, but I have this obsession with vinyl ever since I laid my eyes on grandpapa’s turntable when I was twelve years old.

I’m immediately drawn to it like how a bee fall in love with a flower. That’s why I always save money for my vinyl collections. Grandpapa gave me his turntable. It was vintage and older than me but still works perfectly fine!

Kaya no’ng sinabi ni Papa na pupunta siyang Bacolod, agad akong nakiusap na sasama dahil bibili ako ng vinyl record ng Bee Gees. I’m into their songs these days. Ayaw pa sanang pumayag ni Mama dahil may Taekwando lesson ako pero nagpaalam din naman ako sa aking instructor at sinabi niyang babawi na lang ako sa Monday after class.

Iniwan ako ni Papa sa Holes on Tracks, isang sikat na record shop sa Bacolod na nagbebenta ng mga vinyl CDs. Agad naman akong pumayag dahil siguradong mabo-bore lang ako sa business meeting niya kapag isinama niya pa ako roon.

Agad akong binati ng saleslady nang tuluyang makapasok. Naging kaibigan ko na siya dahil palagi akong tambay ng shop na ito. Actually, nag-offer nga siya na siya na lang maghahanap ng gusto kong records at ipapadala niya na lang sa bahay pero tumanggi ako. Iba pa rin kasi ang pakiramdam na napapalibutan ako ng vinyl at nahahawakan ko sila isa-isa.

Isa pa, gustong-gusto ko ang lugar na ito. Maliit lang siya na shop. Tamang-tama lang sa sampung tao. Sa panahon naman ngayon, konti na lang ang nahuhumaling sa vinyl records and jukeboxes. Mas gusto na ng mga tao ang convenient na downloading of songs o ang mag subscribe sa Spotify.

The store could actually be mistaken as a coffee shop from the outside. Its vintage façade gives off an aura of calmness and pure satisfaction of life.

Nakakawala ng stress ang buong paligid, idagdag pa ang malamyos na musikang kasalukuyang nakasalang sa turntable.

“Hello, Aika! Kumusta?” nakangiting bati ko sa saleslady at kinawayan siya.

Gumanti ng ngiti si Aika at nag thumbs up lang. Busy yata sa pag sort ng mga bagong dating na CDs.

“I’ll do my business there.” Nagpaalam ako at agad na pumunta sa racks ng mga classic songs.

Bago ko hinanap ang specific record na gusto ko, nagtingin-tingin muna ako sa ibang vinyl CDs na nandoon.

Wala na naman yatang ibang tao maliban sa amin ni Aika. Oh well, I can have the whole place to myself.

I spend half an hour examining all the records I could lay my hands on. Wala yata akong pinalagpas.

Mayamaya, narinig ko ang bell, tanda may pumasok na costumer. Pero hindi hadlang iyon para itigil ko ang ginagawa.

I’m so engrossed with what I’m doing right now. Minutes later, a single CD cover gets my attention.

Agad akong pumunta sa direksyon kung saan nakalagay ang turntable. Inangat ko ang longarm at kinuha ang nakasalang na CD doon. Agad kong pinalitan ng nakuha kong record at binalik ang longarm.

The cartridge immediately touches the vinyl disk. It feels like two people finally had their real first kiss.

I close my eyes anticipating the magical music to reach my ears. A sigh insanely escapes my lips when I heard the first notes.

Close to You by Carpenters fills the entire shop. Gandang-ganda rin talaga ako sa kantang ito. Isa sa mga paborito kong classic songs.

I catch myself singing through the lyrics. Then, I find myself transported in a calm beach. I could feel the softness of white sands touching my feet and the calm breeze that seem to ease the thirst in my entire being.

I feel a presence of someone beside me, his sandalwood scent penetrates my nostrils. Maybe my imagination’s over exaggerating things around me because of the song. Just my usual reaction every time I let myself lost to my surroundings.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam. I’m in the middle of enjoying the song when a c***k sound coming from the turntable bring me back to my reality.

Napamulat ako at kunot-noong napalingon sa katabi ko. True to my word, there is a presence. A presence of a… young man. I’m guessing were the same age, fourteen years old.

Our eyes meet. His hooded almond eyes hold my gaze for a span of seconds, I feel like a prisoner who is not willing to bail before I break contact. I couldn’t put meaning to the color of his iris, though. My sight roam down to his captivating sweet red lips. It is inviting and it’s the very first time in my teen years to witness such perfectly shaped lips.

‘What would be the feeling of having those lips locked with mine?’

My heart gives out a weird reaction when he wet his lips. Oh, he looks so sexy!

Hala! Bakit ko naisip ang mga ganitong bagay?

A shadow of grin crosses his mouth and a hint of mischief is visible in his deep-set eyes. Natauhan naman ako at lihim na pinagalitan ang sarili dahil sa mga pumapasok sa isip ko.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang agad na nagsimula ang tugtog ng sinalang niyang record.

Ang hinahanp kong Vinyl CD! How Deep is your Love by Bee Gees blasted the whole shop.

“I’m sorry. I disturbed you,” he says in hard full English. Half ba siya? Ang galing ng accent niya.

“I’m actually listening to the song but turns out you have the one I’m looking for,” nakangiting sambit ko. I need to be friendly because he has the vinyl record that I want. Not that I am not friendly, though. I just need to put extra effort.

“Oh! You’re into Bee Gees?” he asks curious. A smile slowly forms in my lips when his forehead knots before he looks at the cover he’s holding.

“I’m into any classic songs. I love vinyl records. I actually collect them.” Naging madaldal talaga ako kapag ito na ang usapan.

“We have something in common pala,” he comments and laughs.

“Pala? You speak tagalog?” Nagulat naman ako sa biglaang pag-conyo niya.

“I understand and speak tagalog. My American features are strong but I was born and raised in the Philippines.”

“Oh! Nice. Hey, listen. Can I have the one you’re holding? Iyan kasi ang hinahanap ko.” Sana naman pumayag siya. I am not that charming but I hope this guy will nibble my trap.

“Uhm… sure. You can have this. I already got a copy.” The guy flips the box cover upside down.

I offer my hand to get it but he smiles and he refuses to give me the cover.

Napakunot-noo agad ako. Pinaglalaruan lang yata ako ng lalaking ito.

“On one condition, though.” The guy smirks. Ang sexy naman ng boses niya kapag nag-e-english siya. Syet!

“What is it?”

“What’s your name?” Nagulat ako sa tanong niya. Akala ko kung ano na ang sasabihin niya.

Well, hindi naman ako madamot at mukha naman siyang harmless.

‘Porke’t gwapo, harmless agad ‘no?’

“I’m Kora,” pagpapakilala ko at nilahad ang kamay sa harap niya.

“What a nice name. It’s suits you.” He flashes his white even teeth and accepts my hand for a shake.

Ang lambot ng kamay! Halatang yamanin si Kowyang gwapo! Kumalabog naman nang bongga ang puso ko. Weird, kasi ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang ganitong reaksyon sa isang lalaki. Marami naman akong close friends na lalaki dahil sa Taekwondo pero hindi ganito ang usual reaction ng puso ko.

“I’m Tanner, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Tanner. So, can I have the vinyl record now?” Mahirap na’t baka mag bago pa ang isip niya. Pati pangalan niya nagsusumigaw ng pera!

Tanner smiles at me and nods. “I’ll pay for this.” He offers and takes the vinyl record from the turntable.

“No! No need. I actually save money for that specific vinyl CD,” tanggi ko at malakas na umiling.

“I insist?” pamimilit niya. Wow naman! Parang feeling close agad siya ilang minuto pa lang kaming nagkakilala. Pangalan pa lang ang alam namin sa isa’t-isa, ah.

“I insist too,” pagmamatigas ko.

“Okay. Then, can I buy you coffee perhaps?” Ay mapilit si Kowya! He’s hitting on me already! Char!

“I don’t drink coffee. I’m allergic.” Bigla namang lumandas ang paghihinayang sa mukha niya. Damn! Bigla akong nakonsensya. Ayokong makitang malungkot siya.

‘Wow! OA!’

“Ouch! I’m turned down two times in just one day. You’re one of a kind!” natatawang sambit niya at umiling-iling.

Inabot niya sa akin ang vinyl record, agad naman akong pumunta sa cashier. Naramdaman ko ang pagsunod niya sa likod ko.

Nagbayad agad ako kay Aika. Nilingon ko si Tanner na tahimik lang sa likod ko. He must’ve been observing my actions.

“Perhaps, a milk tea will do?” I offer. A smile crosses his red lips and he nods happily. I mirror his emotions.

Why do I have this nagging feeling that I want to see him happy? Ano bang meron sa lalaking ito at bakit ganito na lang ang rection ng puso ko sa kanya?