10th March 2001
Another week of road test is nearing, and I can’t wait to check and test other cars from the other garage. My cars are set to be on display for the even but I left my Toyota box type in Manila because of the contract with the organization. I was asked by Taira if I ever missed my home country, I always do but Hokkaido feels more like home now that my late grand mother is not with me. Through the years she was the only family that I consider for most don’t have time and I was left with her. She practically took care and watch over me till I became an adult. At times like this, I do ask myself why I never let any in that close after a few relationships. I always think it was by chance because of my schedule and I promised myself not to let any unnecessary distractions happen again. I’ll be seeing a few Mercedes Benz soon and I am required to drive one, the kind I don’t know yet.
At most when I read my journal, I kept jumping to another topic just to escape the emotional truth the I am feeling, but what can I do, I don’t think I’m ready. Will I ever be? Questions I already know the answers, I just like the escape that I have at this moment that can be for a lifetime. With all those pains from heartache and regrets from relationships, I decided to be alone and be happy with myself for a while till someone or something comes along that won’t change my but will possibly let me see the other side of life that I’ve been ignoring. Taira was the only one who asked so openly why most of the men that was in Rizal during the race were just friends, there was no boyfriend or ex-boyfriend but then they heard with the other racers about a boyfriend who’s very close to me but they suddenly didn’t saw him again, with me. They just heard that he suddenly got married to another woman. He is also an attendee of car shows and one of the other pinoy dirt car racer knows him very well, they even went to the same high school. I just smiled at them when they talk about my past, that’s how close we are, we know each other’s people and we don’t meddle in the same person as another. Just like an ideal family but we are all not blood related. We keep each other’s secrets, we inspire each other when we are down and we make sure if someone is with a problem, and just go on the track we make sure that person is not alone. But I honestly have no idea how come when it was me, no one’s there except on the third time that I practiced in tears after my late grand mother passed away, suddenly one of them was there and my cousin came in after my practice. The first was after the break-up with Kai and my late grandmother caught me on the track speeding up on the 7th till 8 gear with no adjustment, and no hand breaks, I kept on going till I heard the final screech of the back tire. Then I stop, I just knew it was time for me to slow down and to put the car at 1st gear. My late grand mother was with one of my ex-boyfriend who visited Cebu for a business and he can’t help to tell me not to race ever again. When it was just a practice and a race track check. Unfortunately my emotion were everywhere, it was the first time I ever felt that way and I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to escape the feeling and be whole again but it was difficult. I realized after a few weeks that no one can save me from that emotion except myself, there’s no one else but my late grandmother was there for me to listen. Someone who’s happy when I achieve something unlike most of the people in my family.
I was remembering those time while we had breakfast, almost all are here, and in a few day Kenji will be here too. Days pass so quickly and I never noticed how much change began from last year. It was all about cars before but now half are motorcycles. If only my late grandfather was still alive, he would love this event, that’s why we prepared his ‘offy’ as part of the history. Tan was able to borrow a few motorcycles that will continue the years how the motorcycles evolved, because they said the offenhauser engine is the same with a bike it’s just the dimensions became smaller. I haven’t really seen something like it but that what’s my late grandmother told me and I just can’t leave behind the ‘offy’. There are so many happy memories from it, and it’s the inspiration of my late grandmother. It’s been always ask by the group if it’ll be joining the event, they even took a photo of it as image to use for one of the posters. One of set of posters was delivered yesterday with other freebies for the event. We need to add the name tags for each especially for those who RSVP. As we started to tidy up the dining room, we heard a honk from the garage and call from Obaasama that it’s the deliver for 3 cars and 3 bikes, the cars was custom made for the event that markets a well known designer. She asked us to take a photo of it so we can send it over to let them know that it finally arrived since they were worried about the shipment. We captured the vehicles while in the container, and they have this certain machine that pulls the car forward to adjust the space for it to be lifted out. The space for it is completely prepared already, we’ve anticipating the arrival of those, there was even a large pulley they use in order for the cars to be place in that are of the garage, the bikes were handled by Hong and Tan, but it was lifted out to, the tired were secured in a metal for it not to fall down. I found it cute, the tires were colored and I’m pretty sure it’ll get the attention of women and children too. Max and Keji built a few small cars for the children to ride on for this even, Tan didn’t want to have a children’s bike because it won’t be safe for them unless it’s an easy rider. Both of them took care of the bikes, they even found the manuals, as instructed from the email, before the delivery guys left, we made sure to check everything, the back compartment, the engine, the seats and the tires was photographed for the client to see that everything is intact. A follow through will be sent over once the engine check is done. Several contracts came in to secure the vehicles for property security. It even has a license and certificate of design, we were instructed to have it framed, it has a seal but the originals are with Obaasama. There was a box and it says it’s for the team, they asked me to open it, inside there were clothes, shoes, bags, caps even watches from the same brand. I’ve experienced something like this back in Beijing, the look at me because I didn’t touch anything, instead I search for an envelope, it covered by a linen, inserted on the side of the box. I read to them, and it is a gift as it says in the document but we need to pay for it if something happens with the vehicle. We looked at each other and settled with a decision to just remove them from the box, and be place in a scented closet where they breath as air passes through. We didn’t remove them from their packages but we did check it out. It even has out name on a few specific items. Suddenly Obaasama called and there’s another delivery tomorrow of same kind but different brand. It’s a very meticulous vehicles, but we saw a few ones before in Beijing, it even caught my late grandmother’s eye but she never bought any since we are not allowed to do so. There’s a specific process if the event management would like to do a purchase. The client is a producer from the entertainment industry and one of their investors suggested to join the event in order to market their products.
I asked Tan about the story, their manga novel, if it was discovered by an author or publisher. It was not, they submitted it as project and part of it is to send it over to publishing companies. They waited for a few months before a response was received, there were a few changes and a little additions when it comes to the images, but the novel was discovered by one of the guest for their school. Unfortunately that thing happened, and they really love the story that they wrote together and so they decided to publish it in manga form, instead of a book. But before that, they were into bikes already and Hong still have his first easy rider a 1969 Harley Davidson, and it’ll be part of the bike show next month. They said that another set of riders will be here tomorrow and 2 of them are good friends of theirs, one is from China and another is from Vietnam. The one from Thailand called this morning and he’ll be coming in late, he’s still in Tokyo because of an event that he was invited to. They showed me a few photos, and they both are in leather and beside their bikes. They were part of the Kawasaki team for Hiroshima. I was surprised by the placed, I look at Tan. He smiled and said, Hong was born in Hiroshima, I studied there for a few years till I decided to complete my high school. Remember how disorganized my family was, so I go back and fort from Hiroshima to Hokkaido on weekends and I stayed with him for those years. We didn’t know that we were partly related till we met the attorney. When I look at them, they do have the same height, same texture of hair and same pointed nose and a bit similarity with their eyes. Hong is just much taller than him, a tiny bit like an inch. They both smiled when they caught me weighing their appearance. I blurted that the only difference was their height and they look related. There were a few things that we need to check and Hong didn’t rest till his other bikes came. It was around 3 in the afternoon when the delivery knock at our garage door, and Taira was busy with his 1995 Dodge Viper and with his white cloth on his right shoulder, he peeked through the mini screen of the camera and when he saw that it’s a delivery, he opened the gate for them. It’s a different team this time and one looks familiar he said from his message, the delivery men knows Tan. In the container, there they are, a viper v-10 dodge tomahawk, 1977 Harley Davidson and Ecosse ES1 Spirit, they are all black. Around 5:00 pm before the sun down, another delivery came and it’s from a friend of Obaasama, as soon as I saw the name on the receipt I immediately called her. Hong asked what will be the set up for the 5 bikes and 2 supercars. I told him that there was a security deposit for each and a contract, he nod and look at Tan. They both nod and walk towards the container to check on the bikes, the same as the others their tires were all secured in wood. They were usually boxed in but Hitaro and his teams makes it to a point to be in the dock because of the customs request and certifications for it to be delivered to our doorstep. The reason why we schedule them in advance and make sure that all shipments are monitored, aside from the request of keeping us up-to-date on the location while on sea. It is never easy to manage something like this, it’s more than trust that is needed. Even the cars with drivers have security deposit except mine, Taira, Tan and Hong. A letter from Hitaro was with receipt, that the Kawasaki dirt bike will be here too by tomorrow, but the delivery will be from the company and we need to accept the ID for it, there’ll be 5 IDs that will be given to secure all. Just right after we were done, placing the bikes, Tan’s Thai friends came. I saw him surprise as he raised his arms wide open, when I look behind me I saw 3 tall men, same age as Tan and Hong with Kawasaki and BMW bikes. Then it’s time for tomorrow road check with Hitaro.
11th March 2001
When I saw Hong, he looks familiar to me. Like I saw him already from one of the bike show from before. I was thinking of maybe in Singapore or here. There’s no way to confirm at the moment because I left some of the pictures in Manila. A few times I attended a number of events here in Japan with my late grand mother. And those moments, I kept meeting people who’s a motor bike enthusiast. There were even politicians with their sons and daughters, as well as businessman. They were the people with a possibility to be the investors of such events, names were really not in the invitation and flyers it was always companies, organizations or the brand and maker of the vehicles. They were kept hidden from public eye, and I never knew the reason behind it.
Kenji came in early, around 5:00 am and I was half awake when Tan knock at my door to let me know, Taira was as sleep in the living room, he needs to stay in because of some notes with Tan and Hong about the bikes. When his uncle, check his apartment, he wasn’t there so he went straight to mine another door beside mine since we stay in a villa. Kenji was sure that Taira is as sleep here but he ask us not to wake him, he just need to check and see for himself to make sure. Once he saw Taira still in his deep slumber he retaliated to their apartment to rest. We told him about the road check, he said he’ll follow once he’s fully rested, if there’s still time since he need to wait for his delivery for today as well. The aroma of Tan’s potato soup caught my attention and I know that Taira will be awake soon since he kept on moving. It was after a few minutes when he finally stood up and walk towards the kitchen. He pour coffee in his cup to start his day, “I felt my uncle came in early morning, or was I dreaming that I heard his voice?” Taira said, while he yawn. We all laughed at him, and he laugh too, “Yes he was here because you were not in your own bed.” I said. He just nod and said, “I’ll text him.” We all noticed how close they are, just like siblings. Then he turn around, with worries from his voice. My uncle left a message that his team will be here today right after our road check and my parents are here, they are staying with one of their friends to be in our event. They invited a few of their friends to RSVP because of the Kawasaki bikes. Is is true that there’ll be other Japan brand of cars that’ll be sold during the event, one of my parent’s friends is asking. I checked my phone, and yes there is. There’s been another change from the details, we need to adjust the informations that’ll be send over to the clients, “We’ll help” Tan and Hong said. We left a note for Kenjie, and Taira placed it on his bedside table, will all the receipts that includes that animated posted done by Tan and Hong. Taira said, he responded while he’s eyes closed when he talked to him but he immediately asked him to get out of his room because he’s still sleepy. As we went out, we saw Max, his wife and their friends standing outside the garage. His wife want’s to be with us for the road check. Max allowed her and everyone seems present today. On the road, Taira ask Tan about the thing with Japanese and BMW. “We honestly don’t know if there was ever a rift between the two but competition will always be there, and that’s all that we know” Tan said. We are on our way to Ororon Line – Route 232. There’ll be 6 riders and I’ll be on a Kawasaki ZX 4R same as Taira, Hong will be on Ninja ZX-14R same with Tan and the others are on Ninja e1, ZX 6R and 1100SX. Max wife decided to sit this in, she just really want to be there with us and to have a view. Taira and I were placed on the last since those upfront are experienced racers for bikes. We took off, one at a time and as we throttle our way, while we gas up the engine, I enjoyed the wind that blew across me, and as I look forward, I kept the distance the same as we started. There were seconds that I need to slow down just to stay in place. Tan told us, that once we see the end, as I count nearing the end of the road, it’s time for the fast break, to slide stop, and drop the bar for a full stop. Tan and Hong, made another short round the area, with a fast break stop that circle drifts their bikes to a full stop. Hitaro said, it really best to do another round to lower their speed a bit for a full stop. After the road check, we placed the bikes in the container that Tan and Hitaro rented for this practice. Tan’s uncle was there at the end of the road to greet us, he invited us for lunch. Hitaro can’t join us for the lunch and he allowed us to go. He sat beside the driver of the container and Max wife suggested to join him. Hitaro wants her to enjoy the trip but he agreed that it is better for her to rest a bit since she just arrived in Japan.
The time that we spent in Tan’s uncle house was delightful, he prepared lots of dishes for us to enjoy and we were even given some dishes, sushi and sashimi to take home. Their thermal bags can really let the cold stay long that usual. Hong asked about the headset I wore during the road check I told him it was given to me by Max’s wife, she was guiding me all way till the end. We became close especially when she left, there were a few email exchanges and updates. Unlike her who’s has extensive experienced in motorbike, as for me I only learned it for a few years and it’s the first time to do that road check. Hong decided that Tan and him should teach me more about racing a ninja bike. I smiled at that thought, “in between your practice for the race” he said. He saw her beside Tan’s uncle at the end the end of the road, she was with Hitaro and him and they saw that she had a headset and was talking to someone. I showed him, that we only used my mobile phone to speak to each other and I placed it on the pocket inside my suit. Taira was speaking to Kenji when he said, that while they were talking a package just arrived for me from Manila, and it’s from Kai Sanchez. Oh, my cousin told him where I am. I nod at Taira and said, yes I know him. When he put the phone down, he ask who it was. I know how Taira is, he’s like a younger brother to me now and he’ll see to it to ask it from me each hour that he remembers and everyone was waiting for my answer. So, there I told them, that he’s one of ex-boyfriend from Manila. Taira also mentioned, that in a few days 2 of his late grandfather Harley Davidson will arrived, Hitaro called him too that there’s a possibility that those 2 bikes will be on dock by tomorrow morning, because it was shipped from China. I see, he’s relatives are from Beijing. All those years I was wondering where he kept those bikes when he got married, his wife didn’t really approve of those when it was the only things that was left by his late grandparents. His car was with my cousin, all these years to safe keep. I know they’ve been keeping tags on each other when it comes to the changes and repairs if needed for the car. He told me that my cousin bought it from him, but I guess it wasn’t true. They looked surprised when I told them who Kai was. Taira asked while on the road how we broke up. If it was during the previous years, I won’t be able to answer his questions with a smile, at least now, I am ok being asked about him. So I told them our story and this is the only year that he suddenly reach out to me. They all agreed that he’s troubled and needed someone who knows him, to speak to. Taira ask if he’s the one that I was busy replying to for the past few days. I laughed at him, he is really observant. Yeah, it was him. I said. I ask him, why? “There was something different when you type in your words and how you stay serious, your facial expression didn’t show any happiness at all” he said. Oh, It was unexpected and I just don’t have an idea how to react, also I think I am still cold towards him. I’ve been detach for years and it’s not easy to suddenly be close to someone whom I felt betrayed. At least we are friends from the start and he was honest with his situation which was also the reason why the relationship didn’t last.
12th March 2001
The weather was really nice during our road check and I never expect that I’ll enjoy the ride. I am still not comfortable tho, there’s still this worry inside of me because I am used to cars but it is the engine where you can feel the speed the most. There’s a part of me that wants to learn more about it.
The night sky was more gloomy this time, there’s not much stars at all, back in Manila they say, in times like this, when the sky seems alone it might rain soon. Those were the things that I talked about with our household when I was left alone at home and during those idle months. I’m starting to miss her, but she always see to it to send me messages everyday to let me know that she’s ok and doing just fine on her own. She’s been with me for years, since I was in college, and never planned to be married. It is not easy to find someone who is trustworthy like her.
There’s a scheduled interview for Obaasama today, we need to wait for it to be through before we can decide of the layout for the cars in the venue. In a few hours a few more riders will arrive said from a reminder note left in the dining room, Tan, Hong and Max left because they need to re-stock their fridge. Taira was sitting in the living room, finalizing the set of invitations for Japan. This is a bigger event than last year, but we were able to be more on cue on changes and other situations that might arise. I asked Taira what time they left, “around 5:00 am and my uncle followed them, he said he need some things and they need to check the dock too.” We heard the doorbell around 6:30 am and we saw a group of Chinese from the mini screen, we went out and welcome them. They hand over a paper with their names with the club seal, but there’s another seal that was placed at the top left corner of the paper. I spoke aloud in my pajamas,”I know this seal. I need to check my phone for the name of the club, please make yourself comfortable” I slept late last night, I was reading a book shared to me by Hong about bikes. Behind them was a container with their bikes and cars, it was two. When Kenji walked in, he was busy with his McLaren, he guided them through their allotted parking space. Then I found the note, they are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. They’ll be staying at the back part of the garage, where there are 3 rooms. This villa has 5 doors with a 6th at the back, where in you need to pass through the garage. The interiors are traditional with the tatami mats, delicate Soji screens and warm wooden beams. The intersection across the area is the garden behind with a cherry blossom tree and stones as walk way. I never expected, there’s so many things to remember in acceptance riders, I went back to my door, to get those acceptance documents that is required by our club to be submitted today. Obaasama’s people come by to pick them up but I always fax it to her office directly first. The digital agreement is with Taira, and went I went to them to their door, they were all done with it. So I handed them the hard copy and one actually asked Taira, if he can double check if it’s the same. We showed him the digital document, the he smiled. We understand how he feels. Another asked me about the racer from last year, and he said that he’ll be coming next week for the event. But he’s here now. is really more knowledgeable about this things and he even recognize the seal immediately. I found the lantern for them a specifically crafted for each team of riders. We let them settle because they waited for their vehicles at the dock, the’ve been in Hokkaido for 5 days already. I brought them some snacks that Tan, prepared earlier before he left. Maybe that’s why I miss my house help, I’m thinking maybe I should asked her to be here so we can have someone to be there for us. I should tell Obaasama. I know my house in the Philippines will be empty but what to do, there’s no one I can trust more than her. Obaasama replied and said that I need to my house help and see if she agrees. Some of us do our laundry at night, a few at dawn and there’s no one who does their laundry during the day. For the time being, we kept ourselves busy in preparation for the practice with Hitaro after lunch, it was pushed back because of the interview, and a good thing to give us more time to wait for other deliveries and guest. Also, a number of emails we recently received and need to respond to immediately, especially those with photos, referrals and our regular guests. I never really thought it’ll be this big, it was truly unexpected but what to do, it’s about the Kawasaki bikes. The names that will join the event with their cars are Lexus, Nissan, Acura, Toyota and of course Mitsuoka Orochi. They sent the final list of vehicles to be placed in the venue this morning, in the list the security will start to guard the venue after the interview because part of it is the delivery of vehicles, that’s why Kenji took off after an hour. He was schedule to be of assistance to Obaasama. The club doesn’t want me and Tan to be seen in cameras for the mean time, they never fully explained the reason behind it, but we followed their instructions because of other important tasks that we need to do. It’s almost 7:00 am when Tan, Hong and Max with his wife returned. Taira and I help Tan and Hong organized the kitchen, while both of them prepare our lunch. We always do it in advance ready to be re-heated later, for it not to be a hassle since we have our morning routines with our vehicles. Taira was reading the email and a reporter sent a number of questions for the racers to answer but as instructed by Obaasama, we better not reply today because all questions needs to be revisited by our attorneys. This event is very important and we aren’t supposed to be careless with our actions. As we were done with the kitchen, we started identifying the guest through their identification cards. We need to match and make sure that all their informations are in one file, it took us about an hour to finish till the time that we need to send it over to our administrator for safe keeping. When I remember the box that Kai sent over, it’s full of stuff from the Philippines, lots of dried mangoes, a few of summer clothes and a lot of coffee beans. It was so kind of him to send these, I sent him an email with the photograph of the box and the things inside it. Taira was even captured in camera when he asked for 1 pack of dried mangoes. He said it was too sweet but he kept snacking it because the texture is similar to gummy bears. He smiled at the camera when I ask for a clearer photograph of him with it, I even joke that he can be a model for Cebu’s dried mangoes.
I need to search for an old ledger that Obaasama ask of me, I went straight to the storage room located at the corner of the garden where a couple of large stones was placed. The key was in one of the drawers of my dressers where she left it. She said that there’s a mark that says, accounting files from 1970 – 1977. It was something new that she tasked me to do, Taira was with me in case there’s a need for heavy lifting. As he thought, there is a box on top of it which has the name of my late grandmother. We placed a small stool near the shelves, and pull out the one on top of it, he placed it on the empty table next to it. Then he carried the box with the accounting documents on the table. The folder needs to have the dates from 1975-1977. The files was neatly organized, alphabetized so it was not difficult to find the right one. When returned the first box where it was originally placed and carried the box that we need back to the house. Tan and Hong saw us, and they noticed that it’s in Japanese, the three of them can speak, read and write Nihonggo. I took out the file, because all I can read are numbers, when I opened it. Tan sat beside me and help me through the file, it’s a documentation of all the expenses and returns from those years and there’s this one investor who is the same as the one who joined this event. We found the letter that Obaasama was looking for, she’s out at the moment and it’s been a while since the last time that they had a transaction with them. It has an agreement, and it does states that they will join all events every 10 years, from 1970. We look at each other other, I know from their faces that they were counting. It is the 10 year this year. I immediately scanned the documents, and sent it over to her, Tan even ask me to include another page, when it saw it. It’s about the proceedings and revenue for the past years that they joined. She was very happy that it only took us a few minutes to find it. We asked if it’s better to scanned all the documents for her to have a file on hand. In case that there’ll be other requests for papers that she’ll be needing. A few moments ago, Hitaro came and ask if we saw any documents because Obaasama need it for her meeting afterwards, it was an urgent and unscheduled video meeting with a very important person. But then he left and said to wait for her call instead, the practice was only with the new set of riders that came in and we all need to stay to find the documents. Luckily we did. While we wait for other instructions from her, Hong decided to help me understand more the engine of a bike. He shared to me his book with blueprints of a ninja bike race ready that he used before. Tan said that he’s a good teacher and guide for such, Taira sat beside us to look at the notes too. There were some highlights on the clutch lever, shift lever and for the throttle. It also showed the standard from first, neutral till the last gear. Then he told me about the rear break and front break pedal, which are located from opposite directions. He said it’s really different when you feel engine while on a bike, I nod my head will full understanding. I never told them tho about the shadow that follows me around while on the fastest gear, it showed during the road check and it was in front of me, till it shifted to my sides where there a space between me and Taira. There were so many things to know, and feel on the road while on a bike. The turns are really the tricky part for me, because of the fear that I might fall down on the road unlike when I am in a car, I can easily gauge my safety as well the vehicle’s but it’s how I felt the wind while speeding that lingers inside of me for days. The yearning to feel it once more that can be engulfing because of the calmness from the breeze that passes by and how much I sense the fragrance of the trees, flowers and plants. I think I really like to try it again. I didn’t noticed that they were all staring at me, ‘what were you thinking?” Taira ask. It’s the first time that you did a road check with a bike right? He followed through. “Yes, it’s just I like how the wind feels during the ride.” I said. And I think I’m crushing on Hong, my silent thought.
14th May 2001
For the longest time I remember, there was no one who really caught my attention for years. It is not that he’s completely different amongst them, but there’s something about him that I just can’t seem to ignore. His patience and honesty are the same with them, he’s also someone that you can trust in everything about the club. The same with others there’s nothing about me to hide from him too. His smile is different tho that made me look at him twice just to appreciate that look from his face.
We started to organize the boxes, just the boxes based on the dates. It is not a carbonized copies, it’s the original ones, as well as the accounting books was brought in for safe keeping and review for the upcoming audit. It’ll be 2 months after the event. As we finish the task, so it’ll be easier to find them, we also place tags on the shelf with the dates and years. There is no need to scanned the document since it was done way back when a scanner became available in Japan. All soft copies are well kept by Obaasama and it’s just the way how the club is, till now. The storage actually looks like a small library with memories from the past. It’s even categorized for some boxes that has name of countries on it. Obaasama told us, whatever we can do for the moment, she’ll check once she gets the time to do so. If there’s any other changes on arrangements, we’ll adjust. As simple as that. She also planned to place an auction for the vintage clothes that was given years back, it’s was from 1970 to present, they decided with out acknowledgement to put the new clothes on display at the event. Since we are helping the brand to market their products. To auction the clothes is not prohibited based on the agreement and the confirmation that Obaasama did, to ensure that there’ll be no miscommunication from both parties. It will also help our fund to support our vehicles needs, certificates and licenses aside from the tax that was paid partially in advance. Another investor will come in, they said the company bought a land for a hotel in Tokyo. I knew about those agreements back in the days, the reason why we get a discount when we need a venue for a stand up dinner or lunch meeting with clients, customers and racers. It took us less than 3 hours to re-organize the storage. Once were done, we went back to rest for a while, because we have a short meeting with Hitaro about the practice race that was delayed, it is their way of testing the engines of each cars that will be placed in the car show as well as the safety of the drivers and riders. But the riders went out for a road practice early morning, around 6:00 am. I received a text from Tan, not to prepare anything for lunch because they’ll be bringing some food because of the Kawasaki bikes that will be auction soon. Kenji, Max and his wife are with them while Taira and I need to stay behind for the other administrative tasks especially the email responses for the guests, but we asked permission to do a road practice later in the afternoon on the nearest race track and we were waiting for the reservation confirmation. And just when we were about to talk about the reason why a friend of mine suddenly sent over a few Cebu delicacies, we heard the sound of bike engines nearby. We were seated on a bench in the garage to relax a bit, the space has a good air circulation and the breeze is has a calming effect on us. When we heard them nearing the gate, we opened it for them, and as they enter they have plastic bags with them, it’s our lunch. Behind them is the Hitaro in a car with Kenji. We helped them prepare our meals in the dinning room, the other Chinese was really helpful. The technicians the other racers. They have a few Chinese dishes like, sweet and sour pork, egg fried rice, and spring rolls.
The morning went by after our practice race, there were only a few of us car racers, when compared to the number of bike racers. They are all complete to-count, and they’ve all been very aggressive when it comes to their daily routine, regular engine check, their throttle, the tires. Everything you can think of just like how we were last year and Tan was completely hands-on when it comes to the team. During dinner last night, they’ve been talking about the time when all of them met in a bike show in Tokyo. At the beginning they said, the reason why they stayed together is because all of them are Asians, there were a number of foreigners and they just decided that they should. From then on, they communicated regularly and from time to time they meet or be invited to the same race that made them grew closer to each other as brothers. There was even a road show in Tokyo, a couple of years back where in they were all there, a few of them was in New York recently. As we sat in the dining room, I can all see their smiles of excitement about the race. Tan, even sat beside me, it seems he knows that the conversation will last for hours. During those hours, I learned that Hong was in Singapore when I was there too, the same race event where I saw him in his gear. They talked about how quiet he was for those few hours while the car race was on going and how intense he was while he stood by the sidelines watching the cars pass him by. They even brought in a few sake, that he kept warm and a few bowls of fruits. It past 9:00 PM when the finish two small bottles of sake and I decided to go to bed, leaving them all laughing at each other. As I sat on my bed, I had to pick up my journal and pen.
16th May 2001
It’s the same feeling I felt, while behind the wheel of the Mustang GT, and as I shifted to 8th gear it felt that I was the only one on the track. The speed calms my breathing, till the sound of the engine became smooth. Something I never shared to anyone except with my late grand mother, who always understood what I try to convey. As I shifted down to slow to stop, I saw Hong from behind with his intense observation. Tan said, he’s been watching videos of my race in Manila even before we met and he never expected that we’ll meet this time of year as well as to know that I’m staying in the same country where he was born. When I step out of the car, Kenji helped me out to secure the car while Tan and Hong walks towards me. He also the shadow and he said he has his own, always when at the maximum speed. It was really unexpected to hear some things that my late grand mother used to say to me after a practice race.
Knowing that I met Hong once in Singapore that first after party that my late grand mother asked me to attend. The only non race event that I was in, the night when I was uneasy since I am not used to it. It was when they said it’ll be a full moon, but when I felt bored from the conversations and introductions. I found myself in the balcony, appreciating the night sky, like I was waiting for something or someone to be seen. Some people were laughing that it’ll be a full moon that night, because of the bright sky but when I look up, I saw a crescent moon. I suddenly remember the charm from the bracelet that she asked me to wear, it’s a crescent moon shape. Ever since that night, I kept that bracelet with me always.
-The End-