[The story started in the middle of an interview with the most accomplished and well-known artist in
the whole of Asia – Kalipay Grace Aldama.]
Kaly: What is art? Hmmm...I remember when I was still a kid, my nanay would always say that art is a
phenomenon that breaks borders and unites humanity. It took me so long to truly understand what
she meant, though, because for me, art was just something that aimed to make people entertained.
Nothing more; nothing less; just for fun. To be honest, I held on that belief for quite some time
until...one day...I came to realize that I was wrong.
Interviewer: Oh! So there was really a transition from being, forgive me for this term, the simpleton
Kaly, to being the icon Kaly that we all come to love?
[There was a slight pause and then the two of them began to laugh.]
Kaly: Icon is just so heavy of a word. But I like the term though.
Interviewer: Well, you are an icon and no one could deny it. Anyway, going back to what you said earlier, "one day," what did you mean by that? Was there an eraser incident just like what happened to Einstein? Or was there an apple incident, just like Newton's experience? How? Walk us through that.
Kaly: Well, Jeff, it’s kind of flattering and at the same time awkward to be talking about those geniuses, you know, especially that you’re sounding like you’re putting me on their level. But, to be honest, there wasn’t anything like that. [The two of them giggled again]. I am not sure, but I guess it's kind of related to a school-stuff. I mean, we will actually never know when our lucky stars are going to show up to us. As for me, everything happened so abruptly and it started in the most unexciting way. I’m not sure how to express it, but everything was still so clear in my mind…in myheart, you know what I mean? It’s something unfathomable, but despite that, it is very dear to me, that incident. I don’t know, but I believe you get the gist of what I am talking right here, right?
[And once again, the two of them giggled. The kind of giggle that was considered as “required” since
a lot of people were probably watching right now and no one wanted to look awkward on national
television. The truth was the interviewer did not get the gist of what Kaly was talking about. He just
went with the flow to somehow look knowledgeable about the star’s life just to prove his nickname
as the “gossip machine” of the showbiz industry. Nevertheless, even if the interviewer did not get it,
Kalipay’s point was very much understood by the people who were really close to her, and one of
them happened to be her manager slash best friend, Henna, who was trying to hide a hint of
disappointment on her face on what Kaly had just broadcasted. Few hours after the interview, the
two of them, Kalipay and Henna, went straight away to Kaly’s rest house to finally unwind.]
Henna: So, what, after all these years you’re still crazy over that person?
Kaly: What are you talking about?
Henna: Well, as a matter of fact, you made it obvious earlier in the interview that you're still not
over a certain someone. It's not good for your career, don’t you know?
Kaly: Oh, come on, I just did what I had to do. It is just that you’re always putting meaning on everything. What are you, a fucking dictionary?
Henna: Don’t start with me with that sarcastic trait of yours, Kaly. I know you too well. And I am also aware as to what you had been through. I just don’t want those things to happen to you again. You’re like a little sister to me, you know? I am just being protective. Besides, it’s been seven long years. I would be lying if I say that that person still remembers you up until now. Things change, Kaly, and so do people.
[Instead of talking back to Henna, Kaly decided to stay silent and just rolled her eyes in frustration. She then sipped from her cup of coffee to eliminate the tension in her throat.]
Kaly's POV: I know my best friend is just concern about me. And, I am not angry with her for pointing things out. Perhaps, the reason why she's my best friend is because she's one of those people who have the audacity to speak real to me. But, you know, I still can't help it. What she said just now left something in my very core. Is it really possible for someone to just forget something that is so...beautiful? Or once loved? I’m not sure either. I am now beginning to have doubts. Was everything magic, or merely just a lie? I don't know if the universe is saying something to me right now. But from the moment The Carpenters' Yesterday Once More started to play on the vinyl just a few meters away from where I am now, my mind was already cordially escorted to that bright summer afternoon when she and I first met.