18th of December

    In the past two years, I've experienced two extraordinary dreams. When I wake up on this specific day, I recall the enchanting events of the previous night — it feels like nothing short of a fantasy. Last year, on this very day, I was fortunate to witness a clash between football giants. This year, waking up on the same day, I found myself in a dream where hearts were as close as shoulder-length. Perhaps from now on, I'll believe that by this time next year, another dream will unfold under the first light of December 18th.

    

    All football fans will remember this day as the date Messi entered football heaven. But, it took work for the Argentinians to achieve this dream. After leading with two goals to their advantage, Mbappe shocked the beautiful game with a defying performance, scoring two near the match's dying moments. In post-regulation, we all had a breath when Messi almost clinched the title with a fantastic team goal but, as the script is still being written, Mbappe struck home a chilling spot-kick shivering Argentina fans all around the globe. The extra-time drama did not end there as Kolo Muani almost bagged a French win in virtually the last kick of the game. Fortunately, Dibu's leg did not permit Destiny to hand over a consecutive cup to the French Titans. Enthralling! The penalty tie did not budge us a breath as every kick happened as spontaneously as a millisecond. Thank the footballing heavens as Montiel redeems himself after conceding his team a pen as he slots it home to give Argentina their third star and little Leo his crowning moment. 

    As for me, I have not witnessed a more romantic moment as this in my entire moment — that is, until a full revolution of the ground to its faithful star. A year after this, a girl entered my mind and pierced a deep mark on my hands of what I should hold dear. 

    To go to mass with a girl, a stranger she is to me as I am to her, can be a most intriguing affair. We know nothing of each other yet we chose to be together for an hour and a half of thanksgiving and worship to a mutual Lord, our Lord. In His presence, we said our prayers, communed with Him and gave peace to each other by exchanging flowers and gifts. The mass was attended in relative silence between us. We held hands by the moment of the Lord's Prayer and shared the Peace of Christ with one another. It warmed her soul as is mine. After, we shared the experience with one another and came to a mutual conclusion that it was special. After she chatted with her friend and we hit the road, a fever of stories rushed through my mind as to how this 'ship' would go. I can only hope that He will bless it. 

    We ate at the nearby 7 11 as we were in a rush to beat our own curfews. She had an ice cream and I had tapa (I don't want to talk about the food as it's irrelevant to my narrative). We talked about how 'we' came to be and how we processed each other's intentions to one another. I answered in all honesty and I bet she did since I could see that her nose had grown a meter. 

    We were now headed for the terminal as the wind brushed by my decently fixed hair and her charming braid. If the wind grew warm, I will admit that it was because of us. I had her laugh. She had me crack up too. I loved both her smile and her laugh. I hope she loved mine as well. We passed by familiar corners, opting to go through the safer route through where I live. She said she often went by here going home. We went by the old trail linking the main road with mine showing her where I should have left off but I was in no hurry home and I loved being with her for the last forty-five minutes of our date. 

    We talked about the future and people. Career, as was our topic on the bend before the last of my village, was defined unanimously as something to be pursued with deep intent. She aims to be a chef and I, a man of great influence and care (obviously, I can't specify cause I can't bloody decide). I related to her that I wanted to become either a geologist, a journalist, or a Literature teacher. If my own capacity permits, I will juggle them all, I thought; but, as I shared her view on having a sure path to follow is for the best, I now discern what that path would be. 

    We crossed a dark and dangerous corner linking Palau and Don Jose Yulo Blvd. after waiting for a window by sharing more of each other, our own instincts to be exact. I figured it to be an important part as I pondered on my role of protecting her with all the graces that God would provide. Even a while back, as we were suspicious even of a passing man, my 'knightly' instincts kicked in. I alerted her of a coming presence and she knew what to do. (If we moved to the left in the instance that a lunatic passed by and pushed us, we'd be roadkill by then. But, she did rightly so in that event. What the hell are my intrusive thoughts??????) 

    We arrived at the terminal at the back of Carmel Mall and waited. She paid in advance to my surprise as she said that she was willing to wait for the last jeep to depart. We sat by a bench watching as passengers embarked on their home-bound journies as we cherished each other's warmth. I would not share further what was exchanged but I can only share that it was the most intimate yet pure moment I had with someone else other than blood. I finally opened her present for me as she was to go to Ilocos to spend Christmas. It was a very precious gift that was well conceived of  — a pen. And not just any pen but a mighty black gilded fountain pen where engraved on it was a name that is the most familiar to me: my own. I gave my best thank you. It was indeed very special and well thought out. I have no idea how she knew me so well at this point early in our relationship, even as familiars. 

    It was here where I decided to give a large piece of who I am, my deepest intentions and conditions. My own calling (still in discernment) and my own bipolar depressive disorder. I warned her to tread carefully with me as I am no sturdy man, still a boy, figuring out what to make of what I had left. She was okay with that. I now recall what she said to me in a message about the reason why she liked me (it's our secret). I now put together how this came to be. I get it. It is my turn to decide whether I do although there are hints of wonder in her that I cannot in my right mind deny the chance to encounter in the future. I look forward to more of her. 

    After these tender moments together, it was time for her to go. I walked her to the steps of the shuttle and waved until it drove off. As I said before, this was my dream.

    December 18th was special as I woke up to and from two fantastic dreams. By this time next year, I am waiting for more.