D Day

PO2 Marc Nadela is navigating his motorcycle downtown on a Sunday negotiating the zigzagging road from the Regional Public Safety Battalion at Upper Gusa where he is currently assigned. He is excited to meet his Facebook chatmate for the first time. For several weeks now, Glenda and Marc have been acquainted on Facebook when Marc was searching for chatmates while resting after duty hours. There have been others of course. There are the flirty ones (as Marc is also a lookee). There are the uber-conservative ones. Marc just loves to junk them. And then there’s a crisscross in between – Glenda. Glenda introduced herself as 21, a saleslady at Gaisano and a resident of Macabalan. So she’s two years younger than me. Kini, Mark thought. Marc instantly likes Glenda. She’s bubbly, she’s a listener, she understands why police officers are passionate about their jobs. That was more than two weeks ago. Finally on this 8^th of February, Marc is being given a pass by his commanding officer to take a break downtown. And so Marc and Glenda decide to meet at the quintessential meeting places of all romantic wannabes – Centrio.

Marc parks his bike, alights and goes immediately to Centrio Garden where according to her phone message, Glenda is waiting. She looks more stunning in person, Marc thought, as a smiling Glenda slowly magnifies in her sight while he’s nearing her. On this lucky occasion, Glenda is also able to secure a rest day on a Sunday, a rarity since mall salesladies are supposed to be on duty on weekends when shoppers abound. Marc and Glenda easily hit it off and walk to the Shrine of the Black Nazarene just across the street in the Recto side, both of them being Catholics, to join in the Mass. After Mass, Marc asks Glenda for a movie date. “Balik ta Centrio ta.” “Ayaw Marc, diri ra ta Gaisano para makatipid ta.” “Nah di ka boringan? Mao ra imo malantawan, kana ra japun imo gi-dutyhan. Centrio rata J” It turns out that the movie shown that pre-Valentine weekend is Fifty Shades of Grey. The two new acquaintances awkwardly giggle and laugh as Christian and Anastasia are making love on screen. After the movie, they decide to have dinner together anywhere but inside a mall to maximize their time. They go to Butcher’s Best at Hayes-Corrales. When you’re with someone so interesting, time easily passes by. Marc needs to go back to camp. Glenda is already being called by her mother, a habit that has persisted since her high school years.

Valentine’s Day passes by with our protagonists not seeing each other. It’s not a day-off for PO2 Nadela. Obviously, it is not a day-off too for Glenda as there are just too many couples hitting off the mall on Valentine’s Day. The two, now lovebirds, continue texting and chatting, waiting for the next day to see each other.

***

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2015 Demolition Day

PO2 Marc Nadela and 30 of his fellow heavily-geared police officers alight from two six-by-six trucks at the Cilrai compound in Macabalan, escorting the demolition team. Then he sees a familiar face in the wave of protesters. It is Glenda.