Twiggies

How far will you go when your best bud sends you an unpretentious explanation-not-needed sms, I want to talk?

It took us about 90 minutes to journey from Sucat to Morato so we could pick up Tin who wanted to talk. It was a full moon, I noticed.

She waited for us at Starbucks and after picking her up, I told them I needed to eat supper. So we drove to Banaue and settled for good ol' KFC.

Convo digressed from office politics and her personal dilemma (her salary on the 15th might not be released due to govt bureau-crappy).

We then decided to head over to Starbucks Intramuros because we never really had that caffeine-strung talk. And besides that coffee nuthouse branch is closer to her house in Tondo.

In the car, along Espana...

TIN: So, how are you?

ME: Hmm... okay. I'm okay.

SHE: Like a dead leaf.

ME: Dead leaf? Course not. A dead leaf, once you place iton your palm, it crumbles like in that soap commercial. I am not a dead-leaf.

SHE: O sige. Twig.

TIN: Ay, ako rin. I want to be a twig.

ME: Why a dead leaf? Why a twig?

TIN: Maganda nga ang twig eh.

SHE: Drifting.

TIN: (Mumbles to herself) But I can't afford to be a twig. Kelan kaya? (pauses) Twig...

We arrived at the coffee nuthouse and opted to sit outside so they could smoke. They shared a pack of Marlboro Green menthol lights.

TIN: Nauusukan ka. Palit kaya tayo?

ME: No.

TIN: Alam ko na. Magyosi ka na lang.

ME: Ayaw!

TIN: Nagi-guilty ako. Sige na, palit tayo. Dito ko na lang ibubuga sa likod.

SHE: Ako rin.

TIN: Meron akong ikukuwento. (To me) Huwag ka munang magsalita.

ME: Who says I'm not quiet?

TIN: Eh basta. Meron akong kakilala. Sumakay sa elevator. Ay, hindi. Ganito pala. Meron isang tao, kunwari siya. (Points to my special gurl)

ME: Kunwari tao siya.

TIN: Hiiindi!

ME: Eh, sabe mo...

TIN: Kunwari siya yung tao.

ME: Right. That's exactly what I just said.

SHE: Ano ka ba, B?

TIN: Ayoko na! Ayoko nang magkwento.

ME: Whaat?!

I can be bratty when around these two ladies. And I get away with it.

One of the other things they share together is being first-born kids in their respective families. I, on the other hand, am the charming, witty, extra-special, courageous, street-smart, wise-ass, obnoxious, confident bunso.

Ah! The stuff the full moon brings to cherished earthlings.

On our way to bring her home...

TIN: You're both bloggable.

ME: Bloggable. Is that a compliment?

TIN: Oo naman!

ME: Syempre, it depends on what kind of blog you have. Eh kung puro rants and angst.

TIN: (Laughs) Oo nga, no. Pero coming from me, it's a compliment.

I'll take her word for it.

Twig.

* * *

kids should know that...

In The Witches' Goddess, Janet and Stewart Farrar note that the Babylonians considered the new moon to be the time when the Goddess was menstruating, and it was bad luck to do work on that day. In Jewish culture, this is the first day of the month, called Rosh Chodesh, and is still observed by some as a holiday for women. (wikipedia)