First Part of the " Photo "

Many say that “to live is to love, and to love is the way to live”… Quite simple for others but maybe not for me.

I’m Joshua Medina, working as a photographer for a local publisher here in manila….
25 years old graduated with a degree in Mass Communication, from a well-known university also here in Manila, but I’m from Cavite.

After graduation I never had the right time for me, I worked my butt off till I dropped…. Literally , going to events like rallies here and there, meetings conference of officials and delegates getting a glimpse, a moment that will be the talk of critics, but will provide me with the paycheck I need to pay off debts and nourish my needs of being human.

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My story started:
On a Sunday, this was supposed to be my day-off. Early morning, a tone coming from a familiar device that rang for hours. It was not from my alarm clock which I knew was broken but it was my phone and it was my boss calling 5am on my rest day.
Not knowing why I picked up and answered.
Joshua…. I need you to go to Cavite… right now. I need you to take pictures of the recent slay case there and you’re the right guy for it. (Talking with a grumpy voice like chuckles of creaking, old wooden doors.)
But boss it’s my rest day….? (I answered explaining)
No buts…. just go I’ll double the amount of every picture that you take, cause this is a great front page story for tomorrow. And besides you’re from Cavite, I know you’re familiar with the place…
But boss…
What the … I told you no buts’ just go there take pictures come back before 11pm tonight and you get every picture double the pay if not I’ll get someone else that would do cause I’m going to cut you off…is that understood?
Yes, sir…
Good now what are you waiting for just go, god damn it…. Go now.

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Packing up a few things camera on hand and bag of films, and camera attachments I went off and set my way to Cavite. Going to a nearby bus stop to get a ride from Manila to Cavite.
On my way I stopped at a drive by food chain to get some morning coffee and a ham sandwich. Waiting for a bus on the station sitting on a makeshift bench, there were a lot of people, but amidst the crowd, across me I noticed a girl which wore a familiar face but seemed aged trough time, she wore a blouse that showed her slim figure and knee-high skirt which showed off her light complexion, that’s almost as white as her blouse. A goddess she almost seemed. I just can’t help my self to stare at amazement.
I sat there staring at her for some time not knowing that her companions sitting beside her noticed me looking without a blink, and told her about it, as if stunned by lightning she smiled and slowly look on to me like a person she knew.
Her smile gave me such happiness which I had never felt before.
But then after that smile, (that could have been the end of wars and conflict) she waved at me taking the time to asking me to come over, to my surprise. As if she knew me.
But it all came to me it was this familiar face is Karen. My one time crush back in college.
The Girl I first set my eyes on when I was still a freshman, we used to be batch mates but I flunked a few units that I needed to go back to that’s why we never graduated on the same year. Back then she wore a pink pony tail and geek glasses but still showed off her beauty and immense physical attributes. She was held Ms. Campus and eventually won a local beauty contest that propelled her to new stats and levels of popularity. Many girls envied her, guys drop down to their knees to get a moment with her. She was the local celebrity but even if she had accomplished a lot of things she had always been down to earth and been easy to get a long. She was nice to everyone and her kind hearted approach gave her that more distinction to be liked rather than to be hated.

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She shouted my name “Joshua “. “Joshua, come here…”
She asked me to join their group of three… I smiled and stood from where I sat. I walked slowly with cold water in my veins thinking what to say or do. I wanted to stop and simply ignore her but how can you ignore someone like her.

With each step my heart beats fast and hard. But I am also asking my self why this happening to me? I don’t have anything to be scared off, she’s just a college beauty queen three times, president of the Math, English and Science clubs, a volleyball varsity and a two time swimming champion, at the top of our batch, graduated cum laude, admired by almost everyone in the campus including me and I’ve been admiring her since the first day of college. So, I think nothing to worry.

Step by step I approach her still shaking and thinking what to say, but as I came close, she warmly greeted me with a wide smile and hello. Still recovering from that and still stunned, because it’s not everyday that someone this fine comes up and gives you a warm reception.

She asked “how are you doing?” still stunned I muffed my answer “going to Cavite, shoot some one dead”. She laughed at me, not knowing why maybe because of the answer, she said “you’ve never changed you’re still the same guy that sent me flowers but never had the strength to ask me out. And you’re still funny”. (In short TORPE ). Know to my officemates as the “Shy Guy from the province. “

I took in a sip of from the beverage I bought from the store to ease me up so I can answer and clear my throat.
And just then I can relax and not to spoil the moment I took time to talk to her and reminisce about the days and the time we parted since college some three years ago.
We talked till the bus came and found out also the she and her friends from work are going to Cavite for a vacation.

We both took the same bus and she asked me to sit beside her. I selfishly agreed thinking this is it my longtime dream and chance to be with her. We talked about everything and the trip was long we both were tired and found ourselves asleep but that was the moment I will never forget, cause as we sleep she had her head against my shoulder as her pillow through the long trip.