Nothing Else Matters

For those who truly deserve the National Artist Award but didn’t get it, and for those who did and truly deserve it.

Nothing Else Matters
Written: 2009
Released: July 2010

“Kasi mayaman ka,” sagot ni Maja sa tanong ni GJ kung bakit ayaw nitong makipag-date sa kanya. “And I don’t date rich guys.”

“Ano’ng ibig mong sabihin?”

Sinulyapan siya ng dalaga. “Just that. Snob na kung snob, pero hindi ako komportableng kasama ang mayayaman.”

“Masyado ka lang sigurong na-expose sa mga rich, spoiled brats. Pero madami rin sa ’ming mababait. Ako, hindi ako spoiled at lalong hindi ako brat,” paliwanag niya.

Matagal siyang pinag-aralan nito. “Kaya mong patunayan sa ’king hindi ka katulad ng mga ’yun?”

‘Gotcha,’ gustong isigaw ni GJ. Sa halip, kumindat siya sa magandang dilag. “Kaya. But you would have to take the chance. You’d have to date me.”

—

TRIVIA

• The heroine in this story was supposed to be Mayni, but I wanted her older sisters to have their own stories too so I gave GJ to Maja, the oldest sister.

• I wrote a few chapters for Diwa’s story about five years ago. It was in English, and her hero was supposed to be named Nathan. Nathan became Nathan Callanta, and Diwa was pushed aside until I used her name again in Maja’s story.

• Camille’s character is based on one of my friends back in high school.

• The subdivision where the Altamiranos lived is based on the subdivision in Pasig where I grew up.

• Caffe Agogo is a real cafe in Makati. They do serve really good food.

• The outreach program that GJ attended in high school was based on a similar outreach program that I attended in high school. I did take care of a baby who peed on me.

8 Responses to “Nothing Else Matters”

1. Kat says:

   July 26, 2010 at 12:10 am

   So papalitan mo na si Nathan ni Diwa?
2. Elise Estrella says:

   July 26, 2010 at 12:02 pm

   Baka hindi na si Nathan… nagamit ko na Nathan eh hehe good luck to them. Parang tuyo ang utak ko ngayon. Hay.
3. Anne says:

   July 28, 2010 at 1:22 pm

   salamat naman at nakita ko na to. would you believe sa PHR bookstore of all places? LOL!
4. Elise Estrella says:

   July 28, 2010 at 3:36 pm

   Ngyaaaah! Hahaha winner!
5. Anne says:

   July 28, 2010 at 10:59 pm

   kaloka diba? sabi ko nga dun sa kahera ibang level din sila na ultimong competitor items binebenta nila. HAHAHA!
6. Elise Estrella says:

   July 28, 2010 at 11:30 pm

   hahahahahahaha
7. Kat says:

   August 2, 2010 at 9:30 pm

   Ayan, natapos ko na rin. I recognize some parts hahaha, especially the Recto part. Sobrang na-appreciate ko ang guy who, even though he doesn’t really read, would go with you and patiently wait until matapos ka mag browse. Hehehe.
8. Elise Estrella says:

   August 3, 2010 at 1:05 am

   Hmmm… bakit kaya? Hahahaha