Saturday, December 01, 2012

Jukebox: A Short Novel By Jonathan Aquino (Part 2 of 7)


December 1-7


Two weeks later, Wally went alone to Jo's club. It wasn't full, and the stage was empty. There was piped-in music playing softly, Muli by RJ Jacinto. A waitress who looks like Maja Salvador in Thelma welcomed the young man.
"Hi, I'm Sandra!"
"Hello," greeted Wally shyly. "Uh, Sandra, is Jo here?"
"Ah, Jo? Yeah!" replied Sandra. "She's inside, getting some drinks. Come on, I'll get you a table," she continued, leading the young man to the nearest vacant one. "Oh, there she is!"
Jo was serving beer and a plate of sizzling sisig to another table with four young men. She was friendly, smiling all the time. Then she came over to Wally's table, radiant as sunshine.
"Jo, you have a visitor!" smiled Sandra. She winked at Wally and went to the door to greet a group of customers just coming in.
"Hello, Jo!" said Wally, blushing, fidgeting, excited and terrified all at once.
"Wally!" smiled Jo, surprised. "You actually meant it!"
"Of course!" he replied. "Is it okay if ...?"
"Sure!" she laughed. "What can I get you? Beer?"
"Hopefully," the boy nodded. "But just lite, and lots and lots of ice!"
Jo laughed. "Okay," she said, turning away.
"Oh, and...?"
"What?"
"What time do you get off?" Wally can't believe how casual he sounded.
Jo smiled again. "Four in the morning!"
"Let's eat later," Wally said. "My treat!" he added. "I know a pares-pares place that's open 24 hours!"
"We're not allowed to go out with customers," Jo quipped, smiling at her own joke.
"Then I'll wait for you at the corner!" he quickly retorted. He smiled, hoping to charm her. "Please?"
Jo was smiling, obviously making a decision.
"Sure," she finally said.

The sight and sounds of the city after dark evoke secrets, broken dreams and quiet desperation. Manila by night is fully alive, like a vampire before breaking dawn. Wally was waiting at the corner of Ronquillo, politely turning down the come-ons from the whores of Rizal Avenue. Soon Jo appeared, surprised to find Wally waiting for her.
"You really meant it!" she exclaimed, amused and a bit pleased.
Wally was intrigued more than ever. "You act as if everybody are liars," he said conversationally, keeping it light, as they started to walk.
"Aren't they?"
"Not everybody!"
"Oh, Wally," she sighed, running her hands through her hair. "You're so young!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" he replied in mock indignation. But at the back of his mind, he felt that Jo's past had somehow left a scar that even time can never heal.

 Jo and Wally got a booth in the restaurant. The jukebox was playing Naaalala Ka by Rey Valera: "Kay sarap ng may minamahal, ang daigdig may kulay at buhay..."
"Can I take your order?" asked the young waiter who looks like Elmo Magalona in Tween Academy. His nameplate says "Benjie."
"I'll have beef pares," said Wally. "Then soft drinks and extra rice!"
Benjie nodded, scribbling on his pad. "What about you, ma'am?"
"Just mami and ice tea," said Jo.
"You won't eat?" asked Wally anxiously.
"I'm not really hungry," Jo assured him. "I just want to have some hot soup."
"Anything else?" asked Benjie.
"That's all for now," said Wally. "Maybe later."
Benjie nodded and went off to the kitchen.
Wally smiled. "That's one of my favorite songs!"
Out of the jukebox came the refrain: "Sa tuwina'y naalala ka, sa pangarap laging kasama ka..."
"I didn't know you also like music," said Jo wistfully. Her smile had an evanescent trace of sadness.
"Jo." Wally was serious. "Do you believe in destiny?"
Jo was stunned.
"Joke!" laughed Wally, relieved to have shattered that brief tension. "So tell me about you," he smiled.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
Jo looked at him.
"Joke!" he laughed again, wanting to know her yet afraid she might get offended.
Jo smiled, again brushing her hand through her hair. "You first."
"Well," said Wally, "I was raised was by my grandmother. I was a real lola's boy. But she died when I was thirteen."
"Where's your parents?" asked Jo.
"Never knew them," answered Wally. "My parents died when I was a baby."
"It's hard to be alone," Jo said in a far-away voice.
"You get used to it," Wally shrugged, smiling.
"So hard," Jo repeated softly, almost whispering.
Suddenly, from outside, there was a terrifying crash.
Wally saw that Jo didn't flinch, not even a little. A driftwood would have reacted more. The atmosphere was electric; a woman was getting hysterical.

Benjie appeared with their orders.
"What happened?" asked Wally.
"It was taxi, sir!" said Benjie. "Rammed into a jeepney!" He shook his head. "Red light, but it just kept on going!"
"The taxi?"
"No, sir, the jeep!" said Benjie. "I think the driver is drunk!"
"The jeepney driver?"
"No, sir, the taxi driver!"
"Oh!" said Wally, totally confused.
"Well, if you need anything, just call me," Benjie told them before going outside.
"Gosh, Jo!" said Wally admiringly. "You didn't panic!"
"Why should I?" replied Jo, finding the idea amusing. "I don't know," she continued, laughing self deprecatingly. "Nothing surprises me anymore, I guess!"
"Hey, it's your turn!" said Wally brightly. "What's your province?"
"Samar," said Jo.
"Are you single?"
"Yes."
"Me too!"
"Better keep it that way!" Jo said, a bit grimly. "Don't complicate your life!"
"Why do you say that, Jo?" Wally was so intrigued he's about to burst.
"It's a long story!"
"I'm willing to listen," said Wally earnestly.
Jo seemed to be considering it. "The only way you'll understand is if I start from the beginning," she said thoughtfully. "But are you prepared to hear it?"
"Trust me, Jo!" said Wally. Whatever may have happened in the past, he knew, he would still love her forever.
Jo sighed, conflicting emotions raging within her. She began to tell her story.



:)

The Campaign 

This is tale of two men running for Congress. I saw The Campaign on StarMovies on the eve of Obama's win over Romney. 

Over 65 million jobs are being outsourced to other countries, leaving many Americans unemployed. One proposed solution is "insourcing," and two businessmen are planning to sell the city's 14th district to China. The billionaire brothers (Dan Akroyd and John Lithgow) promise to bankroll Huggins (Zack Galifianakis) if he endorses insourcing in his campaign. Huggins says no, defying even his father, who was in the meeting. 

He storms out - but the door wouldn't open. 

"Jiggle the knob," one of them tells him.

"Shake it," said another. 

Then everybody was helping out, showing him through gestures how he can open the door: 

"Jiggle and shake, shake and jiggle!" 

***

Huggins was leading, with one of his TV ad showing his opponent's son calling him Daddy. 

"If my son calls you Daddy," screams Cam Brady (Will Ferrell), "I will fuck your wife!" 

Huggin's wife tells Brady: I'll be leaning on the open fridge while you hit me from behind! 

Brady was leading despite, or perhaps because of, the sex video he caught on an iPhone 
Election Day: Huggin's last commercial is shown. 

"I've been caught in the hoopla of big time politics," he confessed to the nation. "But if you choose to vote for me," he says, "I will never tell a lie!" Then came revelation after revelation, including how he tried to masturbate using his feet. Then he urged the people to turn to the person beside them - and tell the truth. 

A husband who was watching at home confessed to his wife that he had an affair with the waitress at the diner. "Oh," replies the wife, "I did too!" 

"Telling the truth," the candidate tells his fellow Americans, "is what this country has been founded upon!"



:)

From The Journal of Jonathan Aquino aka Huggybear


September  2, 2012, Sunday, 7:11 p.m. I read somewhere a long time ago that happiness is measured by how much your life is similar to your ideal life. There are some things I need for my life to be how I want it. It doesn't mean I'm unhappy. Actually, I am, though some people find it hard to believe, especially those who are, deep down, miserable. One of the many reasons why I'm happy is because I have developed the attitude of gratitude; I'm now more focused on the positive side of things. On top of which, I am by nature an optimist, so the result is a mindset which makes me realize that everything that happens brings some good, even if the situation seems like a curse. I still don't have the life I want, but I know I will get there, so I can still smile and chillax. As long as I maintain my self-respect, and never lose my freedom and privacy, I'll be fine






38 comments:

Jonathan Aquino said...

Huggybear’s short novel, Jukebox, is about family and lovers. It is about the power of courage and the glory of love. It is about facing your humanity and finding your place in this world. Jukebox, after all is said and done, is the story of us all. This week is the second installment, in a 7-week series, on Huggybear's Saturday night blog 2Rivers

Jonathan Aquino said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jonathan Aquino said...

I'm going to make a story about this heart-warming video, i'll just save the link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=R66d0z9Uhk0

Jonathan Aquino said...

glutes thighs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X663kXIufZI

Jonathan Aquino said...

10 Min Abs Workout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1919eTCoESo

Jonathan Aquino said...

Uncover How to Reduce Belly Fat in a Week
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Jonathan Aquino said...

Fat Burning Diets - 12 Foods That Help You Burn More Fat
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Jonathan Aquino said...

Shred By John Halloran
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Jonathan Aquino said...

Coach Kozak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGOMAHOJxXM

Jonathan Aquino said...

Balancing Exercise Workout to Tone Legs, Thighs, Butt, and Strengthen CORE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBeFiOdaaMc

Jonathan Aquino said...

Great Abs Obliques Core Exercise Workout For Small V Shaped Waist & Flat Stomach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha7W06GyGq8

Jonathan Aquino said...

The Best Exercise for the Obliques (Side Abs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLBi6Nh8tsI

http://www.healthyandy.com/

Jonathan Aquino said...

How To: Side Oblique Crunch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJA332bfs0

http://www.scotthermanfitness.com/

Jonathan Aquino said...

Morning Abs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE5419k2cGE

Jonathan Aquino said...

Drink WATER! It Works Wonders!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5vfaydkxSI

Jonathan Aquino said...

Frank Dobner

How Can I Burn Belly Fat By Drinking Water?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NG9VS1KDj0

http://maleweightlossnow.com/

Jonathan Aquino said...

Thomas Tadlock

http://www.thomastadlock.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=HBVTAkfa9y0&NR=1

Jonathan Aquino said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jonathan Aquino said...


LEGS 6: CALF RAISE

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CALF RAISE Workout: Best Way to Exercise (Super 7 System - LEGS 6)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pozfUbePhEE

Jonathan Aquino said...

FROG SQUATS Workout: Best Way to Exercise (Super 7 System - LEGS 5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3j9Xpicd9Q

Jonathan Aquino said...

Advanced Calf Workout | Big Calves Exercise Routine | HASfit 092311

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICNAM1-zyHs

Jonathan Aquino said...

Raghav Pande Fitness. Dumbbell Workout to get Ripped! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOQLVO9wiFA

Jonathan Aquino said...

Mario Lopez Dumbbell Workout - Bodybuilding.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF1wijWa2-I

Jonathan Aquino said...

Expert Guide: Muscle Building http://www.muscleandstrength.com/expert-guides/muscle-building

Jonathan Aquino said...

Meal Timing: Set Your Watch To More Growth!Natural bodybuilder Brad Borland helps you to maximize your muscle gains by leaning what to eat, and when to eat it. http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/meal-timing-set-your-watch-to-more-growth.html

Jonathan Aquino said...

George Harrison-My Sweet Lord (Studio Version) Original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kNGnIKUdMI

Jonathan Aquino said...

Why My Muscles Won't Grow? http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/2465/1/Why-My-Muscles-Wont-Grow.html

Jonathan Aquino said...

Itallbeganwiththisfilm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQiWtNIyG5k&feature=share

Jonathan Aquino said...

“Ang nais ko sana'y inyong malaman
Sa hilaga o sa timog o kanluran
At kahit sa'n pa man
Ang laging isisigaw…”

This is one of Huggybear’s favorite VST & Co. songs

Jonathan Aquino said...

The average time I spend on Facebook is now 5 minutes, down from 10, and that's only when I need to go online, for an hour or so, in an Internet cafe to send my manuscripts and check my e-mail (I stopped Twitter a long ago). I've set my blog 2Rivers to auto-publish my short novel Jukebox up to the third week of January so I have more time to make headway on my long-term goals and finish up the short-term ones before the year (or the world) ends. I'm happy that I'm streamlining my life, eliminating non-essentials and finding focus. What I would do is write everything on my phone, transfer them to the PC, log in, Copy-Paste, then log out. It's 1:34 p.m., Dec. 4, 2012, Tuesday, as I write this on my phone, happy because I'm grateful for all many the blessings in all sorts of sizes and disguises, and still giddy from talking to my crush last night in the office. "You are the love of my life, I knew it right from the start..."

Jonathan Aquino said...

Today I embedded the Love of My Life video on top of the sidebar

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Jonathan Aquino said...

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."

~Oscar Wilde