kwentuhan 2008

Man stares at the Barman, confused. Man goes out of the bar
and once outside, the bar transforms into an abandoned lot. Man lights a
cigarette and stares at the sunset, realizing he’s somewhere along Roxas Blvd.

He starts walking and bumps into Woman,
who’s on her afternoon jog. Man falls back on the sidewalk.

 

Woman: Sorry! Didn’t see you there (offers a hand to Man)

 

Narrator: Inglisera ka pala.

 

Man: (Man holds her hand and stands up, embarrassed) Okay
lang. I’m not looking naman, you know.

 

Narrator: (Disgusted) Nakisabay naman ako.

 

Woman: I’m (name is bleeped out).

 

Man: A-ano?

 

Woman: (Says her name again, but it was again bleeped out)

 

Man just stares and shakes his head. Rubs his ears.

 

Woman: You okay?

 

Man: Sorry, ‘di ko marinig yung pangalan mo.

 

Woman: (Confused) Okay… I’m (name bleeped out)

 

Man stares, almost freaked out.

 

Awkward silence ensues.

 

Woman: Uh, I think you need to see a doctor.

 

Man: No, no, I’m okay. It’s just—

 

Woman: (Feels awkward) Okay… Well, see ya! (Starts jogging
again)

 

Man: What’s your name again?

 

Woman: (Doesn’t look back) It’s—(name bleeped out)

 

Man, in frustration, says a curse word but it’s also bleeped out.
Man walks away.

 

Narrator: Pakiramdam ko hindi mo talaga sinabi kung ano’ng
pangalan mo n’on.

 

Man returns to his apartment and sees Another Man eating
cereal. Man opens the refrigerator and pulls a box of cereal (‘Brand K’ cereal).

 

Another Man: Hey there, lover boy! Balita ko may nakabunggo
ka raw na chicks kanina a.

 

Man: (Puts the box at the table and sits) Pa’no mo nalaman? 

 

Another Man: Alam ko lang. (Plays with his food) So, maganda
ba? Malaki ba boobs?

 

Man chuckles but doesn’t answer. Puts milk on his bowl of
cereal.

 

Another Man: Oh, come on. Kahit pangalan lang?

 

Man: Pangalan niya?

 

Another Man nods.

 

Man says her name, but Woman’s name is bleeped out.

 

Another Man: A…nice name. Malaki ba boobs?

 

Cut to montage of Woman’s pictures and videos.

 

Narrator: Pati pangalan mo hindi ko na matandaan. Must be
because of that goddam vitamins I’ve been taking. Or that year’s supply of
cereal na umaga-tanghali-gabi ay hindi ko pinatawad. Or my TV addiction. Or my
work. Or my creaky bed. Or my lack of sleep. Or my religion. Could be anything.
Could be me. Could be you. Could be your boobs. Could be your boobs. (Fade to
black while Man repeats ‘Could be your boobs’)

 

Woman slaps Man. Man holds his cheek, hurt and confused at
the same time. He realizes he’s walking with Woman on some park. Man is holding
three red balloons, Woman cotton-candy.

 

Woman: What about my boobs?

 

Man: Ano?

 

Woman: You’re muttering something about my boobs, what about
‘em?

 

Man: Uh…

 

Woman: Wanna touch them? You want that, don’t you?

 

Man walks away. Woman follows him.

 

Woman: (Teasing) Uy, gentleman! You’re still a gentleman if
you touch my boobs gently, you know.

 

Man smiles and turns to Woman.

 

Man: Bukas siguro. (Pulls a piece of cotton-candy and eats
it)