multi-masking

I woke up today squinting at the sunlight. First thought: I want to go back to sleep. Second thought: What time is it? And as soon as my eyes focused on the alarm clock, I knew I was screwed. 8:45 AM. I was supposed to wake up at 6AM.

I bolted upright and went online, googling the exact location of SM MOA’s Activity Center. I’ve been told there were two, and it wasn’t clear to me which of those two, and more importantly, where those were situated. Luckily, a friend had replied to my text and given me some helpful landmarks.

I was ready in less than an hour. But I was crushed as soon as I hit the road. Heavy road traffic on a Sunday? WTF?!? It didn’t last long though, so I was able to breath smoothly again.

Finally, I reached SM Mall of Asia. With the help of a kind-hearted security guard, I found the venue for One Way’s last showcase here in Manila. I got control numbers 52 and 53 (I bought a CD for Micky because she couldn’t come early) and a cheerful bunch of new friends.

It was every bit worth the long wait. The show started an hour later than scheduled. But damn. New numbers (that they didn’t perform during their Friday showcase) were added to the setlist ~ Peter tap dancing to Young Sky’s rapping and Chance singing “Forever”, among others. Okay, so I won’t deny that I wasn’t too happy with the three girls onstage while the boys serenaded them with their cover of Neyo’s “Sexy Love”, but they still rocked. Really really really rocked. Even their collaboration with local singer Christian Bautista for the English version of “Wrong Number” was awesome, with the choreography and rapport and all. And just like last Friday, friggin’ wonderful cover of “Geek In The Pink”.

And then came the most-awaited part, the autograph session. I had a million things I wanted to do but I was frozen scared, dreading rejection of some sort from them. But when I approached Peter for his signature, I was like, “What the heck, if I don’t do this now, I might never get the chance to again…”

Peter.
His eyes actually lit up when he saw me. “Hey!” he said with a big smile on his face. Whether he remembered me from Friday’s showcase, or he remembered I gave him the mango shake banner, or both, I guess I’ll never know. It could’ve been my imagination too. But I prefer to bask in what I saw and felt at that moment.

“Did you enjoy the show?”

I couldn’t stop myself from blabbing feverishly. “I loved your tap dancing.” This got me another blinding smile from him right before he said thank you.

“I love you!” I blurted out. He smiled again at this. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember if he said “Thank you” or “I love you too”, but I don’t care. I got it off my chest. I told him those three words. I got to tell him what was in my heart.

I realize he was finished signing my CD for quite sometime. Luckily the person making sure that we don’t stick around each member for too long was busy with a phone call, so I seized the opportunity.

“Can we shake hands?” I asked him. Without waiting for his reply, I stuck out my hand, and he took it. Taking that as a good sign, I got bolder with my next move.

“Can I get a hug?”

To which he replied without batting an eyelash. “Sure.”

So he stood up from his seat and we hugged.

Our cheeks touched.

He smelled so good.

I bowed slightly and thanked him before moving to Young Sky.

Young Sky.
I think we said hello to each other. I’m not so sure. But this one, I’m betting my life that this really happened.

“Pam goes One Way,” he said, reading off the words on the One Way sign printout that Micky and I both wore as a necklace.

This got me smiling ear-to-ear.

“Pam goes…” he trailed off, grinning.

“One Way?” I weakly guessed. He chuckled softly and started to sign my CD. When he was finished, I put out my hand, he took and shook it.

“Can we hug?” I asked him.

“Sure,” he replied immediately, standing up from his seat to embrace me. I thanked him afterwards and moved on to Chance.

Chance.
“Hello, did you enjoy the show?” he asked as he signed my CD

I nodded. “Yes! Thank you for singing Forever,” I said gratefully.

He looked a little surprised at first, but in a pleasant way, I think. Maybe he was touched at that? We shook hands, and as with the other two, I asked him if I could get a hug. He said yes, and we hugged. I said my thanks and even if my feet wanted to stay rooted to the ground, I followed the aforementioned rules and made my exit.

As soon as Micky caught up with me after our turn at the autograph session, we both shrieked with glee. We chatted a bit before saying our goodbyes to our new friends and stayed behind for a quick dinner before going home.

Still reeling from sheer delight, I dropped by the adoration chapel to say my thanks to the Lord on my way home. This was something new to me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy, it felt like I was going to burst with so much emotion. My breathing was so irregular then (up to now, it’s still somewhat erratic). And as soon as I closed my eyes to say my thank-you prayer, tears actually rolled.

It’s scary, how this crazy whirlwind experience can feel so good. From Friday’s showcase at SM North Edsa Sky Garden to E-Live at ABS-CBN to their final mall show today. To think that it’s just one of those mere fan-idol things. But earlier tonight, while walking away from the adoration chapel, it felt as if there’s been this hole in my soul all this time, and this weekend, it seems like One Way kinda filled it up.

I kinda regret not having personally introduced myself to Peter as Mango Shake Banner girl tonight. But maybe that’s not so important now. What matters is that he did appreciate the gesture. Then again, maybe another place, another time, I just might have the chance to do it. ^^

It’s 2:04 in the morning, and my heart is still singing, soaring sky high.

Mango shake.
Tap dancing shoes.

Stuck in this one-way street.
I’m not complaining.