Right Person at the Right Time

Episode 6

Haskell Point of View:

We both succumbed into comfortable silence. Tanging ang kanta lang sa kanyang playlist ang maririnig. I do glanced at her from time to time and she’s singing quietly while staring at the window.

At first, worship songs ang mga naka-play. Like, Who am I?, Still, and Heart of Worship, kaya napapasabay ako. But then it changed into an OPM song: Once in a lifetime:

Been thinkin' 'bout you, baby

And I don't know what to do

All I think about is you

Seems everything around me

Things I've never understood

They all make sense when I'm with you

Oh God. Sobrang yun ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya simula pa nung makita ko siya sa church 3 years ago.

I know that what I've found

Is once in a lifetime

And I know there's no way out

'Coz it's once in a lifetime

Pag dating sa chorus, napadasal ako. ‘Lord, may pinapahiwatig po ba kayo sa akin?’

Then Hesed suddenly speaks.

Hesed: The first stanza’s actually what I felt for you nung una tayong nagkita. I don’t know nga lang for the rest, but no pressure ha. Let’s be friends muna and get to know each other better. Let’s leave our journey to God.

Napatango ako at napangiti. Then I started to suggest na mag fast talk kami. And alternate sino magtatanong, and she’s game.

Haskell: Adobo or sinigang?

Both: Sinigang!

Hesed: Physical books or Electronic books?

Both: Physical Books!

Haskell: Korean Barbeque or Lasagna?

Hesed: Ay hala. Parehong favorite ko. Wait. Ah Lasagna.

Haskell: Lasagna rin. Hahaha.

Hesed: Palawan or Boracay?

Both: Palawan dahil sa mga pawikans. Hala! Hahahahaha.

Tumatawa pa rin sila when they reached their destination, 5 minutes later.

Then, bumaba na kami. She was in awe and natuwa siya sa pinili kong place.

Hesed: Ang ganda dito. Puno ng tanawin, tapos ang ganda-ganda ng buong aesthetics nitong restaurant.

Ang Burrow Cafe kasi ay underground restaurant sa garden. And ang style ay open area na puro wood para siyang open cabin.

Haskell: I am glad that you liked it here. Tara na sa seat natin?

Hesed: Sure! I really like it here.

At maganda rin ang pwesto namin. We were close to the window kaya kitang-kita ang garden. Konti pa lang ang tao kaya perfect for our intimate friendly date.

Then the waiter went to take our order. We ordered 1 Bacon n’ egg sourdough pizza, and Salisbury steak with mushrooms, egg, and fries from the All Day Breakfast menu. We both like Salisbury steak pala. And then she ordered their signature cheese cake at ako naman ay their crunchy suman. Then for drinks, we both ordered hot chocolate drinks.

Once settled, nagkwentuhan muna kami ulit.

Haskell: So, we only know about the basics. I’m curious, what’s your favorite childhood memories?

Hesed: Marami. Hahaha. From movie nights with the fam, Family vacations, and such. Pero pinaka siguro, when we were in Cebu when I was 6 years old. That’s when I learned how to play guitar ang ukulele. My parents were worship leader kasi that time tas sila yung nag lead ng spiritual seminars sa Cebu noon. Then one of the attendee, which is si Pastor Paul, saw me eyeing the guitar. Tas he decided to approach my parents na if they could have music seminars for the kids. Ayun. Masaya. We had a mini worship concert noon. Tapos doon ko unang nasulat first worship song ko. How ‘bout you?

Haskell: Marami rin, actually. But siguro pinaka favorite ko was when we first had a Sunday Service for kids noon. I was probably 8 years old noon. And you know that we were Catholics dati. And Kids Sunday Service is not really common. Kumbaga depende siya sa congregation. I remember, before magkaroon nun, I only enjoyed going to church dahil sa mga songs, then I will fall asleep pag sermon na ng Pari, because I really don’t understand the preach. Kaya when we finally had one. Tapos yung mga sisters were able to teach us about what the bible says, who is Jesus, and such, na maiintindihan ko. Na enjoy ko kasi para siyang Pre-school where we have a story time, then may time for activities like coloring, sharing ng prayers, and stories. Tas dun ko nadiscover yung passion ko for writing.

Hesed: Wow. Grabe. Ang cool lang na sa through church natin nadiscover mga bagay that we’re passionate about. Okay, ito… What’s the movie that made you really cry? Bukod sa Passion of the Christ, I cried sa A walk to remember, Titanic, The notebook, The Fault in our star, tapos UP ng Disney, tapos sa local, Anak and yung The Promise. Hahaha.

Haskell: Passion of the Christ rin talaga. Titanic and Anak rin. Tapos yung Forest Gump rin. Hahaha.

Hesed: Oh yeaaah Forest Gump.

Then our conversation was interrupted when our food was served. But we eventually went back to talking, habang kumakain.

Haskell: So, where are you plan to go for a bible college? Dito sa Philippines or abroad?

Hesed: I honestly don’t know pa. One of the things I am praying for talaga iyan. But most probably, dito sa Philippines muna since I have ministerial duties pa, such as sa Music Ministry, tas next month, I will be officially a connect leader. But let’s see, kung saan tayo dalhin ni Lord. Ikaw, bukod sa creatives, do you plan to do another ministerial duties?

Haskell: I am praying for that rin. I’m thinking of volunteering na rin on New people’s team or Connect team. I am really torn pa kaya I am praying for that. I will ask rin Kuya Raf for advice.

Hesed: You really should. Asked Pastor rin and your other mentors. Anyway, I will pray for that rin.

Haskell: Thank you so much. Ikaw rin, I will pray for your next journey.

Then naubos na rin yung pagkain namin. After ko mag pay ng bill — which she also want to split sana, to which I refused kasi ako ang nag-aya. Which made her roll her eyes on me at nagsabi na sa susunod, siya naman ang taya, I agree while chuckling.

Masaya rin ang naging biyahe namin pauwi. Pareho kaming sumasabay sa mga songs na nasa playlist niya.

Then dumating na kami sa tapat ng bahay nila.

Hesed: Really had a blast, Kell. Thank you so much for the fun date. Sa uulitin. Gusto mo bang pumasok muna or you have to go home na?

I looked at the time, and it’s already 4 in the afternoon. Kailangan ko ng umuwi.

Haskell: Ako rin, sobrang nag enjoy. But I really have to take the rain check. Kailangan ko ng umuwi. Maybe next time, Sed?

Hesed: Sure! Ingat sa pag-uwi and drive safely, See you soon.

Then pumasok na siya sa gate nila. ‘Di ako umalis hangga’t ‘di niya nil-lock. When okay na, Umalis na ako.

Habang nagd-drive, nakangiti akong napadasal.

‘Lord, thank you for this day. Salamat po at everything went smoothly. Thank you for letting me get to know her more. Sobrang saya ko po ngayon and it’s all because of you, because of your grace, because you make it possible. Kayo na po ang bahala sa mga susunod pang journey namin. Amen.’