I was there, minutes before it happened. If I decided to stay for just a minute or two, I would have been included in the rubble, could have been included, if not with the clueless people peacefully wandering and doing shopping, then with those people who died at the glorietta 2 bombing.
It was a fine afternoon. I had a 1:30 job interview in pasong tamo, but I arrived early in the Makati area, so I decided to stop by the glorietta mall. I decided to use the spare time to buy some refreshments, visit a baby shop (to look for a nice present for my soon-to-be-inaanak), try to find a present for Maricris, since I remembered that me and my friends haven't given her a gift yet for her birthday, as well as find a simpler route going to Mantrade (where the interview took place)without taking the suffocating and crowded mrt ride.
I entered through the g4 entrance, walked through the activity area and wandered the place going through g1, where I decided to take my exit.
I checked my clock. It was 1:15, and realized I need to hurry for the interview. I walked outside. Passed through another building/shop that I didn't recognize. I was busy finding where the jeep terminal was. I even passed by a row of bars, which, in the early noon hours were almost deserted. Some where still closed for the day. I didn't know where I was, so I decided to walk still. It was a useless walk, I realized because I saw another entrance going to the glorietta mall, where at that moment, there where a group of students in Scholastican uniforms.
I looked at them,even remembered my high school days. I even asked myself what they were doing on a lunch time at the mall, and thought maybe they were out on a field trip.
I walked further, still trying to find the road and the jeepneys. I even asked a manong guard for directions, who appeared to be clueless as well about directions. I crossed the road, going to a hotel establishment, nearing edsa, to check if I can find a taxi/bus terminal so I can finally go to my scheduled interview. I found out I won't be able to get a ride there, since traffic rules are strict in the area. Cabs won't take me to the place ( I don't know why, maybe its because it's just near, at lugi sila sa fair) and pointed me to the the other side of the mall where there is another taxi bay area. I was tired and sweating already, so I decided to just take another mrt ride going to magallanes (though it is just the next station after ayala). I walked outside the establishment, which I realized was sm, crossed to another establishment, which was its department store. I checked my clock, it was 1:28 (I knew then I was going to be late for the interview, comforted myself and said that they're not that strict with interview schedules). I walked and realized that I was nearing the ayala station.
It was 1:30. I told myself, late na talaga ako. What with the long line on the ticketing area, then, I have to wait for the bus to arrive. But I told myself to relax and not feel pressured at all.
****
I made it to the interview, hopefully, people there are not a sucker for time adherence.
I had my interview at 2pm. Thought of my other plans, of what Joey was saying if I'm ready to quit my high-paying job for a lesser one, I thought of pursuing my writing career, thought of Cze's advice for me.
My mind was preoccupied during my ride going home. I decided to take the bus instead of the train (I was ready for the traffic jam from magallanes going to ortigas)
I checked my phone to look at the time, and for my messages. It was 3pm.
I checked my messages, two new ones from abbey and cris, forwarding the same message:
guys, may sumabog na bomba in glorietta 2 ngaun lng. Wag muna kau pupunta dun ok...ingatz! watch kau news!
I felt shocked and immediately messaged them back.
Shit! andun lang ako kanina, 1:30 pm ako umalis!
Then, I remembered the traffic when I passed by, looking at the sm establishment from my seat at the bus, looking out the window.
Kaya pala ang tagal namin sa may sm.
Then, it all came--The paranoia, the what-ifs. If I decided to stop by for some mintues still, I knew, I would have heard the explosion, the panicking people, I would have experienced the commotion, or worse, could have been included in the rubble.
Minutes before it happened, I knew I was in some glorietta wing, finding my way around.
Then, it hit me hard. Mahal pa ko ni Lord.
I felt guilty. I was going through some serious frustrations that time. I haven't been going to mass for the past months, doubted His love for me and his power ('thought He cared less about me, I was near to blaming him for my unacchieved goals and for my lack of resources)
Then, he saved me. Still, he protected me. I knew I wasn't worthy being saved. Sa dami ng doubts sa isip ko about His graces for me
I told this story through text messages to my aunt/ninang who was such a religious. She said:
You're angels protected you. Dami sugatan, patay. Glorietta 2 ang exact spot, park square. Naka cordon entire area.
I really felt guilty but blessed at the same time.
When I arrived in the Ortigas area after the long bus ride, I decided to say my prayers at the EDSA chapel. When I arrived there, they were having a mass.
I stayed to hear mass. It was my first mass after a hiatus, and I heard and prayed fervently.
It was a close call.
A close call to danger, and a close call from God, a whisper, calling out to me, reminding that He is always at my side anytime, not abandoning me at all.
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