Late 2010.
Eka and I have just visited our former high school a stone's throw away from the LRT-2 Gilmore Station. We were en route to Katipunan because we had class in the afternoon.
I had two, thick history books with me: Abinales and Amoroso 2005, and Agoncillo 1987. My backpack was very heavy and my shoulders were aching from carrying it around all morning. I wanted to sit down even just for a short while. A short train ride while.
There weren't that many people boarding the train at Gilmore. I'd say it was around 10 AM that time. There weren't supposed to be that many people riding the LRT as well. A few minutes after waiting, the train arrived. As it was speeding down the platform, my eyes were swiftly scanning the transparent windows and praying for as much empty seats as possible. Unfortunately, there were not that many left.
The train stopped. I saw a space good for two, but it wasn't immediately near our point of entry. By our neighboring door was a couple. A man and a woman both with long hair stood a few meters away from us. Away from our seats.
The train doors opened. Without thinking, without hesitation, I ran. I ran as fast as I could to get that sitting space I have long coveted. Never mind the people staring. Never mind the couple who will be left to stand as I sit in my rightful throne. Never mind Eka, who didn't run as fast as I. Eka, who didn't even run at all. With that, I righteously slammed my backpack down the space I claimed. The space good for two. But this aggressive act did not stop the lady with long hair from sitting down on the uncovered, unmarked spot.
I was out of breath, out of luck, and for the lack of better words, disappointed. Panting with knees bent and head bowed, I questioningly looked at the girl. And then to the boy. And the boy, with as much contempt as his hair was long, had the nerve to offer my seat to me. My bag was a sign of my claim over that space. In the animal world, I practically peed all over that space. And here is the boy with the long hair giving me my seat.
I was proud and I didn't want him to think that he did an act of kindness today. So I declined his offer and just let my heavy backpack sit on the seat. I remained standing, raised my head up (but just a little) and proclaimed that my bag was just heavy and I'm fine with standing. And I just stood there in front of my bag. Feet apart, forming a wide base for maximum balance, and basically one with the shaking movements of the train.
After all this, I actually forgot about Eka. Right. I wasn't alone. With my eyes, I looked for her. Upon making initial eye contact, I hoped we were still friends and she hasn't disowned me yet.
