July 11, 2011. Starbucks, Cubao QC. My wrist watch said 11 o’clock.
I was hanging out with my girl friends Aubrey, Lyn and Darlene because it was Aubrey’s birthday. It has been years since the last time we spent time with Au. Not long after we drained our glasses, we called it a night and let Au take a taxi cab first before we headed home.
The next day, I readied myself to do an errand for my brother before meeting another friend, Karen, at lunch. I left my friends’ condo unit at half past 9 in the morning to have an ample time window shopping at Glorietta Malls before my lunch date.
As I neared the elevator, I noticed that I wasn’t wearing my wrist watch. If I go back, I had to key in three different locks. Perhaps, I could survive a day in Manila without my wrist watch. However, I overcame my laziness because I was going to meet Karen who only had an hour lunch break and I hated it if she waited for me.
I went back only to spend almost an hour rummaging through my stuff looking for my wrist watch. Uh oh! Where could it be?
On the morning of July 11, I couldn’t find my watch before heading out the condo only to find it inside a pocket of my bag. Was it already a sign that I would be losing my watch that night? :(
I kept racking my brain for the exact things I did the night before. I was sure I still wore my wrist watch when we were in Starbucks. What I usually do upon arriving home was to take off my watch and wash my hands. I washed my hands that night except that I couldn’t remember if I still had it or not. I searched the places where I would place my watch but I couldn’t find it.
I hurriedly left the condo to finish my errand and met up with Karen then went straight back to the condo to look for my watch again. I texted Lyn and Darl if they happened to find my watch that morning. With the design of its bracelet, it’s impossible for my watch to fall off while we were inside the taxi.
My friends helped me look for my watch all over the condo — under the couch, inside my luggage, under the bed, on the dresser, you name it. And I even scooped out each trash in the waste bin to the garbage bag before throwing out the garbage. Eewww!
I should find my watch. It was my Uncle’s wedding gift for us. Val and I have the same exact design. He has the male version while I have the female one… Sort of a couple watch. Just like our wedding rings.
Until I went back to Bacolod, I didn’t cease to search for my precious watch. My friends promised me to inform me as soon as they find it. If it was just an ordinary watch I bought in Quiapo or Divisoria, I wouldn’t be affected of its loss.
Just last night, I stumbled upon a photo posted by Quennie. I was carrying Gab and there was my wrist watch. The last memory of my watch.
Should I quit thinking about that watch?
Earlier this afternoon, Val joked about my missing watch again. How I kept reminding him to take care of his watch because it was Uncle’s wedding gift only to lose my own watch. From the two of us, he’s the one who always misplaces his things. But God knows how I always take extra care of my stuff.
The joke about my watch subsided. I proceeded to tidy my stuff. I folded a small plastic and returned it in the front pocket of my “kikay kit” that I kept inside my drawer since I got back from Manila. As I opened the front pocket to insert the plastic, I saw something. Guess what I found? My wrist watch! It was inside there all along.
From the photo with Gab to Val’s joke, I don’t know if these are signs that my watch will resurface but I’m so happy to have my watch again.
These two watches are together again! Yey!
Thank you, Lord!!!
