"He must be really something for you to write about." Jazzy exclaimed when I told him the idea. He's just jealous, I know so. I've been collaborating with Jazzy for a while now and I do believe too much familiarity leads to contempt. Not to the extent of actually hating him, but I get jaded since I have been bombarded and been demanded for so much. Psychologically, we would seclude ourselves from each other and find new stimulation. NO, Jazzy. I am not dumping you as my co-writer and as a friend but I am just saying that we both need space and a new enigma to solve. I know you understand me, Jazzy.
"So, who's this Alton you told me about?" Kuya Migoy wondered. I've only written a few write ups about actual persons who have moved me in one way or another; those would be Action In Every Dilemma: Migoy, good old Migoy, Life in Black and White: There's More to Jazz than Jazzy, What Mothers does best: Theresa, Of French Fries, Midnight and Acacia Trees: Maggie Reassures, Hey Kiddo: It does only end in Yumny. And for me to write another one would still be a question I do not know how to answer.
"So, why not another short story?," Muny inquired. She called me as soon as I told her I will be able to pass three drafts to her for editing. I don't think it is appropriate for me to write in such prose, especially that this person is not exactly of the same altitude as the persons I have written about before. This person strikes at the most unusual and surprising way. You won’t be expecting much of an overrated and elaborate description about him oppose to my previous works because I barely know him.
More and more questions rose as I told my team about my recent piece. I smiled at this. It is because they have no idea how it feels like to be living in a diminutive town and be stuck here year after year. But I am aware that they are familiar with the feeling of talking to someone who makes sense. I know they will soon understand.
Dumaguete is, yes, beautiful. But, you see, it is exceedingly poles apart from the city I grew up from.
*I had to move the track pad. I went into a trance; reminiscing memories*
I don't want to criticize the city as it already is. Much has been said but no progress has been made. It is reassuring that you would meet someone unexpectedly who would understand your sentiments. Of the same frequency, you can talk endlessly.
I’ve been told that I talk too much, blabbermouth to that extent, and finding someone to listen isn’t that difficult. But finding someone who would actually talk sense with me is rather rare. Those who actually yearned to understand me and decipher my personality are the ones who can talk sense into me. They give me something to think about when I am restricted to talk at times. Alton, others call him Jayvee, has this effect. It makes me think that I have so much to learn in respect to his aesthetic value. I found him quite profound but not weird as most of his type would usually appeal to other people. He is capable of conjuring a conversation so enticing that it could make you talk for 30 minutes straight. Although Jazzy is capable of making me talk non-stop, Alton is different. We did not know each other, not even as acquaintances, prior to group reporting. Even as classmates, we do not have a mutual connection. Just when the semester is almost over, a turning point occurred. All out of gratitude, a stranger became so accommodating.
I do not show my problems to the world, most of those people who know me would agree. I make it a point not to show it but somehow it would show, subtly. A simple statement of “You look lonely,” would change how you perceive a person. After thanking him and his friend during our group report, I didn’t think it was possible to make a connection afterwards. But it did happen, he noticed I was problematic. That is rather odd for someone who just knew me for even those who do cannot tell. I smiled through the pain. I said thank you and he accepted it with sincerity. And if that was not sincerity, I don’t know what it is. That event didn’t just prompt me to conclude that he is generally a good guy; another one proved that he is.
Unearthing a single common interest is incredible; finding out more is amazing. From food to line of thought, I find it very interesting that someone in this city is actually in sync with mine. And for someone who wants change in system so used to, and for someone to stand for what he believes in regardless of position, and for someone who thrives on talents and skills, and for someone who is confident to voice out any opinion; he is down-to-earth.
A friend, as I would consider him, would mean as much as souvenir from home. My fellow Ateneans here, to mention a few, have found and discovered friends such as Alton. And with great reverence, I would like to thank those Sillimanians, unturned by the social stigma, for being our friends.
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Do visit Alton's blogpost:Alton's Page
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