Nicole

Nicole, not her real name, is a very good friend since high school.  We went to the same university where she also met Evil Twin Sister.  ETS is one anti-social person that it would take a lot to get her seal of friendship, and Nicole got it no sweat.  And it is not a good thing because it means she’s also one crazy suicidal/homicidal freak like ETS and me.  She is loud, irreverent, and carefree.  We christened her Nicole for reasons I cannot divulge in this cyber universe, you know how small a community this could be.

Anyway, because of one big mistake ETS and I did, that friendship was jeopardized.  One practical joke went out of control.  She refused to talk to us since then.  We graduated from college and we never heard from her again.

Came Facebook and the many relationships restored because of it.  I got a friend invitation from her which got me really excited and relieved.  At last, she has forgiven us!  Since then, it was like the old days again, although we have not physically met again because she lives down south of the metro.  We finally saw each other one high school get-together, and we chatted like crazy.  Went out of town together with ETS, whom she saw again for the first time after that insane library incident, and two other high school friends.  It has rekindled the connection that we thought was forever lost.

Although she is the same fun person that I used to know, I noticed that she’s a bit restrained now.  That’s what happens when you become an elementary school teacher.  Yeah, who knew, right?  Of all people I know, she was the last person I would ever think to have the patience it takes to deal with the “barely-humans”.  Plus, she is also married to one unbelievably open-minded person as it would take a lot to understand a character that she is.  She is lovable, alright, but only to people our kind.

Came her birthday.  She called me up to talk about how we were going to celebrate it.  Being a school teacher and one who lives outside the social zone called Metro Manila, I supposed she hasn’t been around that much.  So to make her birthday different and special, I suggested having a spa party.  I did not sense that it excited her that time but I kind of insisted because I knew they would thank me for it afterward.  Besides, the massage goes with a buffet, so it is a two-in-one deal.

The day came.  I picked them up one by one, Nicole being the last.  We waited for her at Shell Buendia.  And did she come with a bang, red all the way!  We proceeded to Wensha Pasay for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.

Unfortunately, it was Saturday and half of the population was there.  We had to wait for an hour or so for the massage.  While waiting, we pigged out first although I must say that it wasn’t the best selection of food I’ve had at Wensha.

But I guess it did not matter because it was a lot of fun just chatting and munching away with dear friends.  Turns out, all of them, except for one, have not been to Wensha before, so everyone was really excited with the new experience.  The hot single mom of two needed a break from her impossibly toxic work schedule, the newly-single morena beauty needed a break from her mountain solitude, the two gorgeous happily married ladies needed a break from mom duties, I always have a break and the birthday girl needed a one of a kind celebration.

Nothing really compares to a great time with friends.  That same feeling I had in high school during “expeditions” was the same delight I felt that time.  It never changes.  And to Nicole, who was the reason for the celebration, you really are a delight to be with.  Though not many people may get who and what you are, it doesn’t matter.  You are a character of your own: unpretentious, raw but larger-than-life.  And that makes you a standout without even trying.