Would have been Perfect

Isabela is back in Manila and we are desperately looking for a nice place that's conducive for studying. After studying at the university library, we came across a small coffee shop below a hotel along a popular Malate street. We used to bypass that cafe when going to a mainstream coffee shop nearby. The place reminds me of a french cafe, with its rustic wooden walls. It really looks cozy with its low ceiling and dim lights enough for reading. 

It was a drizzly night, setting the tropical Manila weather into a more comfortable one. I checked my phone. It's 24 degrees outside. The place, however, has no regard of the weather and had its air conditioning units in full blast.

"Ahhh! Don't you feel like we're in Paris (with a silent S)? The ambiance... the musique...the weather!" I told Isabela in a French accent. 

"I've never been to Europe. But yeah, this place is cool. I mean, literally cool," Isabela replied.

Her girlfriend, Fatima, also came over 30 minutes later. We sat on a four-seater table. Of course, they sat on the same side while I sat beside my bag. We were studying productively until we started feeling the cold air getting into us. Yeah, the cold is now killing the ambience... the musique... and those French blahs!

Since I lost a lot of pounds after internship (I am now near my pre-med school weight), I began wearing my small-sized wide-necked shirts to boast how much I lost to those I know (yes, no more belly!)... and fish for compliments. However, this time, showing too much skin is really not helpful. Isabela had a jacket, which of course, she shared with her girlfriend. And yeah, they could hug without the judging stares from others, because they are girls. 

With little clothing to cover me, less fat to insulate the heat, and a sweet couple sitting in front of me, I could feel the physical and emotional coldness creeping into me. I just hugged my bag sitting next to me to cover whatever it could cover. Then, I texted Isabela and said, "Would have been perfect if Harry were here.." 

Isabela read the SMS and pouted her lips while I looked at her with puppy dog eyes. Then, she whispered  something to Fatima.

"There! You're dying!" Isabela handed me the jacket. "You still got me. Don't worry." Then she smiled.

And that made me realize, it would have been perfect.... if the place were warm enough on a cold rainy day.

As for me... I think, being single is perfect... with a great best friend by my side. 

photo from here

The Brides Man

As medical internship ends, now comes the board review season where fresh graduates cram everything that they have learned for the past 5 years into their brains for a short period of 3 months.  Isabela (my lesbian best friend) and I are now staying in different sides of the metro since she opted to review in a far far away land called Farview QC. I chose to stay in the comforts of my dirty, old, but gay Manila. Once in a while, when we get tired of studying, or just miss each other, we would SMS each other about our random thoughts. 

This morning, after I get tired of studying bloody vaginas and wrinkled gooey babies that come out of them (read: Obstetrics), I sent her a message and had this conversation:

Basti: So now that same-sex marriage is legal in some countries, do you consider doing it with Fatima?

Isabela: Yes, we have talked about that. The problem is, who would come?

Basti: Me! Me! Me! *hands eagerly raised* Just make sure you'll do it in France. And yeah, pay for my airfare. Otherwise, your only willing guest won't be able to come. :(

Isabela: Ask your Mr. Right to pay for your plane ticket.

Basti: But I don't have one. :( So, who will stand as your maid of honor...or best man....whatever you call that...ehem....

Isabela: You of course! 

Basti: I have a dilemma though. So who shall I hire on your bridal shower, a male stripper, or a female stripper? Hihihihi.

Isabela: Hmmmm. I'd still go for a male stripper.

Basti: How 'bout the cake? Shall I order a dick-shaped one or a vagina-shaped one? Hihihihi

Isabela: Grrr! You! 

(Isabela still doesn't consider herself a total lesbian and hates the label. She prefers bisexual....Okay...)

Basti: Peace! I love you! Please don't make me wear a dress!

Isabela: Sure, you'll wear a tux. Sleeveless, bow tie, shorts...and bunny ears...

Basti: @#$%^!

photo from here

Birds of the Same Feather

Flashback

A year ago, Isabela, and I  were in the school cafeteria. She was asking about my date last night. She knew I was on a date, but she didn't know with whom. She was expecting a girl of course. Since I trust her so much, I decided to come out to her. I was so nervous and I didn't know how to start since she would be the first person to know my secret. I opened my mouth but I cannot say a word. I took a deep breath then opened my mouth again, but still, no words came out. She noticed that I was so jittery. She held my hand and said, "Relax Basti, why are you so nervous? Did you do something to her?" Then, she giggled. I sat beside her and whispered in her ear, "I am dating a guy."

Further Flashback

Three years ago, I didn't know anyone in med school. Joining a group is like a must for newbies to avoid being called a loner. So, I joined the first group that invited me to lunch. Isabela was part of it. The group was essentially a show, as we don't really like each other that much; nevertheless, we have to eat with a group so that we won't be branded as losers. Eventually, our group disintegrated as each one of us found the barkada where we really fit in. As for me and Isabela, we were never absorbed by another barkada  because we're already fine and happy with each other. Isabela and I clicked a lot. We are inseparable which made my classmates think that we're a couple. Up to this day, I think, they still believe that we're a couple in denial.

Well, I must admit that there was a time when I developed feelings for her. We're together most of the day, even on weekends. We study together...eat together...and do other things together... well, except for taking a bath. However, my feelings for her just died down eventually.

Isabela and I also have close friends in the class. One of them is Shaira. She has a sister who came to Manila to review for the upcoming civil engineering board exams. Shaira introduced us to her sister, Fatima. Fatima is a lively, talkative girl, who is always the life of the party. She easily gains friends everywhere she goes.

Fatima and Isabela became close. Soon, Isabela also considers Fatima as her bestfriend. I was happy for her because she finally found a girl bestfriend. However, there were times when Isabela would bail out on a dinnerdate with me, reasoning that she already had plans with Fatima. There were several more times when she used those Fatima-excuses. Her life seemed to be revolving around her new best friend. I got fed up and stopped talking to Isabela.

To cut the long story short, after several months, Fatima had to go back home while Isabela and I patched things up.

Just Recently

Isabela went to the city in the southern islands where Fatima lives to spend the Christmas break there.  After the break Isabela sent me a message.

Isabela: "Where are you? I wanna tell you something."

Me: "In a mall."

Isabela: "Can you go here? I'm in our favorite coffee shop."

Me: "Ok. It looks important. Wait for me. I'll be there in a few."

Isabela: "Ok. Thanks. Brace yourself."

Brace yourself... It must be something big. I hurriedly made my way to the coffee shop. It is not that far from where I am at. While walking, I began to speculate about things that she might say.

I arrived at the coffee shop and saw her sipping a cup of coffee. I greeted her and sat on the chair across the table."What is it?" I asked her.

She was smiling but her movements were jittery. It seemed like she wanted to say something but can't express it. It reminded me of someone...me a year ago when I came out to her. She finally leaned forward and placed her lips near my left ear. Then she whispered, "I have a girlfriend."

"Is it Fatima?" I asked her

"Yes, how did you know?" she wondered

"It's so obvious, duh." I replied.

"Kainis ka!" she exclaimed

After that, she told me how it began. I realized that she was already in a relationship with Fatima months before I came out to her.  "Gago ka! Naunahan mo pa pala ako!" I told her.

She then asked me, "Do you think... we clicked...because we're both gay?"

We both burst into laughter.

photo from here