“Thank you for being a part of this event Dale.”, Ms. Perez said as she
leaded me towards the table where we will have our lunch.
“No problem, madam. It‟s my privilege to speak before the crowd. It‟s good
that your secretary still have my contacts from our last visit here”. I replied.
“It‟s not actually my secretary who recommended you. It‟s Mr. Maures who
gave your profile for a selection. I think he knows you from before.” She
curiously said.
“Oh, He‟s my friend madam.” I simply replied. After all, he really became a
friend to me.
“I see.” She said doubtingly.
When we are about to arrive at the dining table, I noticed that Dilann isn‟t
there. So, instead of joining them for lunch, I excused myself to look first for
Dilann.
I went to the social hall where the students were also eating their lunch.
From the first door, I see Dilann busy setting up the presentation for the
afternoon talk. I know he‟s a bit tired since he‟s been doing that early in the
morning where I have my first talk. From afar, I could sense his seriousness
to his job as my assistant. I can‟t help myself but smile at him. He never
changes a thing. He still looks so innocent until now. When he noticed me, I walk towards him at the stage.
“Do you need help?” I asked him.
“Why are you here?”, he simply replied.
“Of course it‟s already lunch but you were not there.” I replied.
“Dale, you know I‟m preparing your presentation for this afternoon. I could
take my lunch later.” He convinces me to go ahead with my lunch.
“I‟ll wait for you to finish that.” He looked at me seriously but looked away
after he realizes that I am serious about it.
After arranging things and setting up my presentations, we both walk
towards the dining table. The staff led us to a special table since everyone
already finished eating their lunch.
“This is ours?” I asked to the staff.
“Yes ma‟am. Ms. Perez especially arranged that for you and for your
company.” I was speechless. I was treated so formal. I‟m not used to it.
“Oh, someone here felt so special.” That‟s Dilann teasing me about the set
up.
“Whatever Dilann. Let‟s just eat and rest for a while.” I said in return.
After we‟re done with our lunch, we headed first to our room to take a nap. I
grab my phone and set my alarm at 2:30 before my second talk at 3;30 to at
least have an hour preparation. I was about to ask him but I saw him
already asleep. So, I decided to ask him later.
I finished my talk just before six o‟clock. We packed up almost seven. We
joined the other speakers for dinner. In the middle of our dinner and
conversation about the successful event, Dilann‟s phone rings up. So, he
excused himself from us. I continue to eat quietly not like other speakers
older than me who consistently talking to Ms. Perez.
“You‟re tired, aren‟t you?”, out of nowhere Dylan asked after he transferred
his plate beside me. I know Ms. Perez noticed that but she just ignored it.
“A bit, sir.” I formally replied.
I didn‟t see his expression but he didn‟t reply.
I was a bit uncomfortable already when suddenly one of my co-speakers
asked me about Dilann.
“You must be very special, Dale.” I was startled to what she said.
“I didn‟t get it ma‟am. What do you mean?” I asked politely.
“You see, this young bachelor here, Dilann, which happened to be your
assistant in this event treats you so well. If you didn‟t tell us beforehand that
he‟s you‟re friend, we could have guessed he‟s your boyfriend or else
husband.” The lady said smilingly.
I just smiled at her but I feel a bit of awkwardness.
“He‟s a good friend of mine Miss. We just reconciled with each other after
twelve years we lost our communication. Maybe he‟s just making the most
out of it.” I‟m trying to convince them.
“Oh, I see. But, still for me, it looks different. I could say you‟re special.” She
finally said.
“Thank you, anyway.” I just replied to settle the topic.
After a while, Dilann was back at the table. But, he sat at his chair and lean
towards me.
“I need to excuse myself for a while, Dale. My secretary called me that Mr.
Yu wanted to talk to me. I need to go back to our hotel for a short while.
But, I‟ll fetch you as soon as I finished talking to him. Just stay here and
wait for me.”
“Sure.” I just replied.
He then excused himself from all of us to go back to the hotel. We finished
eating our dinner almost nine o‟clock but Dilann‟s is still not here.
Dylan is on the other side of the table and he was asked by Ms. Perez to
accompany me while waiting for Dilann. He was just staring at me from his seat from time to time.
“Do you want to say something?” I boldly asked.
“No. I was just wondering if he would still fetch you.” He said.
“Of course, he will.” I firmly replied.
“Okay, if that‟s what you say. But, if you‟re tired and changed your mind, I
can call a service for you to drive you back to the hotel. It‟s only thirty
minutes away from the venue.”
“No, thanks. But, you know what, you may go now. I can manage myself.” I
politely said to him.
“Of course I won‟t do that. I was asked to accompany you by our dean.” He
simply said.
“You can go now. Promise, I won‟t tell.” I insisted him.
“No. I‟ll stay.” He finally said and that made us silent the whole time while
waiting for Dilann.
After that, there was a total silence between us. I keep looking at the
doorway of the restaurant waiting for Dilann to step inside. From time to
time, I noticed him looking at his watch and glance at me but I didn‟t bother
to say anything.
“He must be very special. You didn‟t share about him before.” He started
again to build a conversation. I don‟t want to sound rude and snob so I tried
to answer every question he asks to me.
“He‟s my childhood friend for at least a year but he transferred in the States
and continued his studies there. So, we didn‟t really hang out for so long.
So, I thought, he‟s just one of my friends who pass by.” I explained.
“I see. But I think you‟re very special to him. If you don‟t know, we spend a
minute of time talking to each other earlier during your talk. From what I
he searched for twelve years and only this year he found you accidentally.”
He keeps on insisting to continue the conversation by asking.
“I don‟t know. Maybe. Only he can tell.” I replied.
“He must be very lucky for finding you again.” He said. I‟m not sure if it‟s
sarcastic or not.
“No. I guess I‟m luckier that he found me. At least, life proves to me again
that I‟m worth waiting for…that I‟m worth finding for cause I almost gave
up on that line.” I said with confidence.
“Dale, I know we haven‟t ended our conversation last time in good terms.
Honestly, the reason why I recommended you for this seminar is to win you
over again. I know it sounded weird to you after several years had passed.
But, that‟s how I feel and I guess I can‟t blame myself for it. But seeing you
and that guy you are with right now, I guess it‟s a reminder for me to stop
and moved on with you. Though I waited for years to win you over again,
but I guess, that‟s my consequences. But I want you to know that I still love
you.” He said while looking intently at me.
I was speechless to everything he said to me. I don‟t want to hurt him even
more for what he did to me seven years ago by saying, “Yes, you deserve it.”
“I guess this is the closure I‟ve been looking forward to have with you. And
please know that despite of everything I‟ve been through with you, I am
here saying that I have forgiven you already. You‟ll find someone you also
deserve Dylan. Life proved me that when I met Dilann. Thank you for loving
me until now.” I said bravely while facing himAfter that, we stayed for few minutes until Dilann showed up with his
leather jacket in his arms.
“I‟m sorry. It took us hours to finish our meeting. Let‟s go?‟‟. He asked.
“Yeah.” I turned to Dylan who is already standing at the back of me.
“Thank you for accompanying me.” I said and he just nodded.
“Hey man, did you bring your car? You can join us.” Dilann turned to me
just like asking for my approval.
“Yeah. It‟s okay. After all, it‟s quite late to call for a service back to the
hotel.” Once again, he just nodded.
“No. I‟m fine. I have my motorbike.” Dylan just replied.
We smoothly travel back to our hotel. In the middle of our ride, Dilann
speaks about the meeting.
“I need to present the proposal to Mr. Yu by Friday. I contacted my
secretary but I think she‟s busy with my Dad‟s schedule for this week.” He
said.
“So, do you need help with that?” I simply asked.
“Well, aside from my presentation, I also need to fix first the proposal as
well as the budget.” He replied.
“I can help. I can help you with your presentation just hand to me the
details to be presented while you can fix the budget and the proposal.” I said
as I checked my schedule for the next week in my phone.
“Really? Isn‟t that too much for you?” He asked.
“I don‟t think so. But, that‟s the only thing I can help.” I replied.
“Okay. I‟ll send to you later.” He replied.
“Okay. I can start later. After all, tomorrow is just an awarding ceremony.
“So, I think I can start tonight.” I replied to Dilann.
“Okay.” He said.
We arrived a little late in the hotel. We went directly to our room and just
take a nap and after that find each other‟s „place to work on Dilann‟s
proposal. We sleep almost one o‟clock.
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