It's been 20 years since I met Jesse or 'Bullets' as they call him. We met in elementary school and I'm grateful that we crossed each other's path.
I can't recall how many lunches he's shared with me since 1988. But I do recall him throwing his lunchbox up on the air when he saw our girl classmate-she took her false teeth and forgot to put them back-he freakin' freaked out. Our supposedly 'lunch' were all on the dusty floor. We went hungry but laughed the whole day.
And yes there were adventures and mishaps and sneaking inside the Chem Lab was one of them. We were always amazed when chemicals change color when mixed with other solutions. Only the janitor found out about it.
I can't recall how many lunches he's shared with me since 1988. But I do recall him throwing his lunchbox up on the air when he saw our girl classmate-she took her false teeth and forgot to put them back-he freakin' freaked out. Our supposedly 'lunch' were all on the dusty floor. We went hungry but laughed the whole day.
And yes there were adventures and mishaps and sneaking inside the Chem Lab was one of them. We were always amazed when chemicals change color when mixed with other solutions. Only the janitor found out about it.
Other important rooms were also explored, i.e. Teacher's Faculty Room, The Library...We had fun manipulating 'order'. We had this idea of becoming detectives and spies-so we 'hit' most record books. Our favorite past time was the Lib-we joined the Librarian after Lunch Break for her afternoon nap. And we slept mostly inside the Lib-it was very quiet.
I spent most weekends also at Jesse's home and I wanted to hang out with people my age . No one was interesting at our own house. We'd hike or go through crevices just to fill our thoughts on adventure. Or play computer games just like ordinary boys.
I spent most weekends also at Jesse's home and I wanted to hang out with people my age . No one was interesting at our own house. We'd hike or go through crevices just to fill our thoughts on adventure. Or play computer games just like ordinary boys.
However, on a certain Saturday, we noticed a big hornet hive just above Jesse's garage doorway. I didn't know what became of me-I picked up a stone and threw it. It made a big hole on the hive, but the hornets weren't so angry or so I thought. Monday came. Jesse was utterly silent as I approached him in the school playgrounds. Then, he faced me. His other eye was swelling. One hornet got revenge!
Our seat arrangement during the entire High School was always the same. He sat always in front of me. 'My human shield' if ever a teacher decided to throw an eraser at me.
In college, we separated ways but didn't lose touch. I took a different course and he, as well but we were on the same college institute. We barely had time to catch up. I was busy with studies and my work. And he was engaged with a lot of study-related-projects.
Our seat arrangement during the entire High School was always the same. He sat always in front of me. 'My human shield' if ever a teacher decided to throw an eraser at me.
In college, we separated ways but didn't lose touch. I took a different course and he, as well but we were on the same college institute. We barely had time to catch up. I was busy with studies and my work. And he was engaged with a lot of study-related-projects.
After graduation, I left for Palawan to help my family's business. After 2 years roaming the jungles in Palawan, we were reunited and worked together in a Spanish-government-funded project based in Camiguin Island. More misadventures came.
One day, Jesse begged me to drive him up to a highland community 'coz he himself didn't know how to drive a motorbike. I refused due to the gloomy weather from the volcano's peak. Stubborn as he is, my friend resented my refusal and took the motorbike. As we saw him from the office balcony driving away, I told another colleague 'He'll break a bone.' Jesse drove back minutes later, one arm limping.
We decided to share a very small bed-space room (about 7 sq.m.) in Mambajao, Camiguin. He had a single bed and I had a double bed. My ex-girl (who was German) visited me and decided to stay over for the night. Jesse was in panic! He's not spoken about it. But I somehow knew. During the night, my ex-girl and I were merely whispering as not to wake Jesse up. About 3 a.m., Jesse suddenly spoke out loud, 'I'm awake!' (He later confessed he couldn't sleep at all!!)
I left for Australia that same year and travelled to some other places-Jesse and I still kept in touch. I learned later on, he too left Camiguin and took some jobs in Cagayan de Oro.
In 2004, I went back to the Philippines,had a short-stint in Bukidnon and in a few occasions, I caught up with him. We had a few beers and well nothing seemed to have changed, although his hair was beginning to recede. We still laughed at the same old jokes.
I moved to Austria and got a son-Jesse engaged himself in the medical field and remains single 'til now.
After 20 yrs, we still keep in touch. Jesse's hair has vanished quite a bit. The scalp more visible. Nevertheless, we still laugh at the same old jokes...Am still glad we crossed each other's path.
Fall 2008
Vienna, Austria
One day, Jesse begged me to drive him up to a highland community 'coz he himself didn't know how to drive a motorbike. I refused due to the gloomy weather from the volcano's peak. Stubborn as he is, my friend resented my refusal and took the motorbike. As we saw him from the office balcony driving away, I told another colleague 'He'll break a bone.' Jesse drove back minutes later, one arm limping.
We decided to share a very small bed-space room (about 7 sq.m.) in Mambajao, Camiguin. He had a single bed and I had a double bed. My ex-girl (who was German) visited me and decided to stay over for the night. Jesse was in panic! He's not spoken about it. But I somehow knew. During the night, my ex-girl and I were merely whispering as not to wake Jesse up. About 3 a.m., Jesse suddenly spoke out loud, 'I'm awake!' (He later confessed he couldn't sleep at all!!)
I left for Australia that same year and travelled to some other places-Jesse and I still kept in touch. I learned later on, he too left Camiguin and took some jobs in Cagayan de Oro.
In 2004, I went back to the Philippines,had a short-stint in Bukidnon and in a few occasions, I caught up with him. We had a few beers and well nothing seemed to have changed, although his hair was beginning to recede. We still laughed at the same old jokes.
I moved to Austria and got a son-Jesse engaged himself in the medical field and remains single 'til now.
After 20 yrs, we still keep in touch. Jesse's hair has vanished quite a bit. The scalp more visible. Nevertheless, we still laugh at the same old jokes...Am still glad we crossed each other's path.
Fall 2008
Vienna, Austria
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