Love Bus Book 2: Chapter 4 — Threads of Destiny

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November 2007

Ring Ring Tumatawag si Brenda kay Franz Hello? Franz, dalian mo, sunduin mo kami, may ipakikilala ako sa'yo Huh! Saan? Dito sa bahay Si-sige
The cool evening breeze carried the familiar scent of street food and exhaust fumes as I stood outside Brenda’s house. She had called me earlier that day with unusual excitement in her voice.
I had hesitated for a moment. Things between Brenda and me were already complicated enough. But I couldn’t say no to her. Not then. Not ever. So I agreed.

SA BAHAY NI BRENDA

When I arrived, Brenda greeted me with a warm hug. She looked radiant, wearing a casual blouse and jeans. Brenda:
Franz, Salamat sa pagpunta. Si Myra ‘to, best friend ko. Myra, si Franz naman, best friend ko rin. Franz:
Hi, Myra Myra:
Hi, Franz, Nice to meet you, Franz. Madalas kang ikwento ni Brenda sa’kin. Sabi niya, ikaw daw ‘yung laging nandiyan kapag kailangan niya. Myra stepped forward with a gentle smile. She was beautiful in a quiet, graceful way — soft eyes, warm presence, and a voice that immediately put me at ease. Franz:
Nice to meet you too. Sana maganda ang kwento niya tungkol sa’kin. Brenda:
Franz, hatid mo kami, manonood kami ng movie ni John Lloyd at Bea, One More Chance Franz:
Ok sige Brenda:
Manood ka na rin, para ihatid mo rin kami pauwi Franz:
Naku hindi na, babalikan ko na lang kayo
Brenda:
Sige na Franz Myra:
Franz, sige na, 'wag gagalitin ang buntis! Franz:
Eh wala na bang ibang palabas? Brenda:
Gusto ko makita ulit si John Lloyd para maging kamukha ng baby ko noh Myra:
Oo nga, sama ka na kasi Franz Franz:
Eh, (Mapapanood nila ang ginawa kong script, 'di bale hindi na lang ako magpapahalata) si-sige We took my old car and drove to the Berma Movie House in Baclaran.. The theater was packed with couples and groups of friends. We watched One More Chance the film that was making waves at the time.

SA SINEHAN

Throughout the movie, Brenda would occasionally lean over and whisper comments, teasing me like she always did. Myra, sitting on my other side, would smile quietly at our banter. Brenda:
Franz, naalala ko ito, sinabi mo ito sa akin noon ah Franz:
Huh!? Ano 'yun? Brenda:
'Yung 3 month rule Franz:
Wala akong alam d'yan Brenda:
'Di ba nung sinagot ko si Rich noon? Franz:
Psst 'wag kang maingay hindi totoo 'yan (denial ko) Myra:
Bren manood ka na lang, baka nga hindi si Franz ang gumawa nyan

SA LABAS NG SINEHAN

After the movie ended, we walked out into the busy Baclaran streets. The night was alive with vendors, jeepneys, and people going about their evening. We were laughing and talking about the film when an old woman suddenly appeared in front of us. Her eyes were wide and intense. She pointed directly at Brenda.

MATANDANG BABAE:
Cecilia (kay Brenda) ikaw nga si Cecilia, Enrico (kay Franz) hahaha at siya si Enrico! Nabuhay kayo ulit ha ha ha ha. Nabuhay muli ang inyong pag-ibig sa maling panahon. Kamatayan ang dahilan ha ha ha ha. Ikaw babae (kay Myra) mamamatay ka upang matupad ang pangako ni Cecilia ha ha ha Franz:
Tara na, uwi na tayo, sira ulo 'yan MATANDANG BABAE:
(Pasigaw) Cecilia, patay na si Ricardo, magiging kayo na ulit ni Enrico, Ceciliaah, Huwag mong hayaang malayo kay Enrico, Kamatayan, Kamatayan, Ang Sumpa, Ang Pangako, Cecilia, Ceciliaahh We stood frozen. The old woman (Herminia) disappeared into the crowd as quickly as she had appeared. Brenda looked pale.
Brenda:
Ano ‘yun? Bakit niya ako tinawag na Cecilia? Kilala niya ba tayo? Myra looked shaken but tried to stay calm. Myra:
Baka matanda lang na may sakit sa ulo. Tara na, uwi na tayo. → story continues tomorrow!

But I couldn’t shake the feeling. The words echoed in my head long after I had taken Brenda and Myra home. That night, as I drove home alone, the encounter replayed in my mind. The threads of destiny were moving again, pulling us into something far bigger than any of us could understand.
Updated June 26, 2026 from original post date January 20, 2011.

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