When I met my high school classmates this weekend, I felt like I opened a box of toys. They were of different kind, but all gave delight.

There’s Grace, the ballerina of the music box. As soon as she came in, all was mesmerized with her stunning red dress and witty, sexy talks. I never saw her like that before. She was a simple church mate then. Now she is proving something. The way she behaved in front of us, it seemed like enchanting music exudes from her.

Then there’s Jo. When I was in college, I could see her more often since her dorm was near my place in Manila. She never changed her ways, her happy ways. She is the squirt gun. Every time she squeezes out her liquid laughs, you will surely burst with giggles. She is the natural, free flowing type. It’s easy to blend with her.

The ladies Mammel, Jemai and Sarah are the Lego blocks. Talking with them separately, they are building their blocks and surviving their own struggles. Mammel is working somewhere in Makati, Jemai is happy with his fiancé Sanji (guy with serene, kind face) and Sarah is on her third year Nursing course. I barely talked with them before, yet I find sensible conversations every time I did. Simplicity has more to offer with these lasses. So with Onang. There’s nothing flamboyant about him, but he is an all interesting fellow. He is the jackstone. He got ball and stones delighting kids in play. All of us noticed him gaining weight, but what stuck on me was his whisper to Jo and Nor claiming that he has a girlfriend now. Both girls exploded in loud laughs.

Speaking of Nor, she is always timid and maintains the lady-like gestures. She blooms with it. She is the Barbie. I wonder what’s more to it. Sitting near her is Raoul, my rival back in high school. Now, I consider him a friend, casually. Just like when I played with toy trucks, he is like one of them. I will have to wait his transformation into a full pledge robot – he will be a doctor soon. The toy robot is Totoy. I told him that he is more like my older brother Toto. They had the same accent and attitude, how interesting! I remembered him as one of the playboys in our class. Yet, he has this gesture which resembles a battery-operated robot. He brings smiles to others with it.

Arriving late, Dyani is the toy soldier. Stiff as it is, you can appreciate its use only if you move it your way. There are a lot of changes in the last year, I guess. I felt negative approaching him. When I tried to crack a conversation, I failed. All the questions running in my mind the night before, upon learning that he might come, were left unanswered. I can only speculate for reasons, but I cannot blame myself missing the old him who can stir the laughs in the group with his hirits. Part of my college days were the times being close to him, and I miss those buddy days. Although I felt the old connection when he teased the sampaguita girl to “make kulit” on me (the only time I saw him smile that night), it fades out quickly. After some thought, I follow a friend’s advice – to let go of what I did not have control to. People change.

Ultimately, the porcelain doll in the box is Lulu. I can see her with a scepter and a tiara in her brilliance. She is my closest friend among all of them. She knows me. They knew that. That night, I can see a facet – she is in love. She talked about a night with her new apple of the eye. I am happy for her.

In my memory, there is always this box of toys with Gerry’s Grill (where we hung out) in its cover. I can always open it to reminisce every time I feel I need to appreciate life more.