Hindi mapakali si Jully. Hindi niya maitago ang excitement at the same time kaba. Darating ng araw na yun si Riley. Magkikita sila sa dress rehearsal ng kasal ng dating super crush niyang si Gerald Anderson at ang napakakabait na fiancée nitong si Asher Geronimo. Naging palagay na rin ang loob niya sa mga ito . Itinuring na siyang isa sa mga malalapit nilang kaibigan kahit na bale panakip butas lang siya sa isa mga kaibigan ni Asher na hindi makakakarating. Napakabait ng dalaga ganoon din ng iba pang mga abay sa kasal . Naging close na rin sila ng isa sa mga abay na si Val. Ikinuwento na rin ni Val sa kanya kung paanong naging malaking bahagi ng love story nila ni Paolo si Asher.
Tinutukso nga ng grupo ng entourage si Asher na pwede siyang magtayo ng matchmaking business. Sigurado daw magiging successful ito. Unang una na daw na magiging kliyente niya sina Ali at Jalal.
Nabisto tuloy na tutuong nag iisip na si Asher kung sino sa mga kaibigan niya sa Toronto ang pwede niyang i match kina Ali at Jalal. Naging malaking topic tuloy tuwing magkikita kita sila kung kumusta na ang matchmaking business ni Asher at ano na ang latest development ng mga bagong clients niya.
Laging sagot naman ni Asher wala pang bagong developments sa case nina Ali at Jalal dahil busy pa siya sa current project niya. Maghintay hintay lang daw dahil mukhang successful naman ang bagong prospective lovebirds niya.Pag sinabi na ni Asher yun, lahat halos ay titingin kay Jully.
Dahil si Jully ang pinakabagong member ng barkadahan, madali pa itong mamula at hindi nakakasagot agad. Panay ngiti lang ito.
Pero ngayon, siguradong sila na naman ni Riley ang magiging sentro ng tuksuhan sa dress rehearsal at sa dinner after.
Napansin ng kaibigang si Shelly ang pagiging restless nito. "Ano ba friend,kanina ka pa diyan restless ah. Ano ba ganap?"
"Kinakabahan ako, ngayo ang dating ni Riley." Amin ni Jully sa kaibigan.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Shelly. Napasigaw pa ito."Ayieeee , magkikita na sila uli." Parang batang napalundag pa.
"Hoy grabe ka naman!" Sigaw ni Jully sa matalik na kaibigan.
KInikilig pa rin si Shelly sa nabalitaan. "Happy lang ako saiyo friend. Sa wakas."
"Sa wakas ka diyan, hindi mo lang alam kung gaano katindi ng kaba ko. English speaking kaya yun.Paano kung hindi na makapagsalita sa harap niya?"
"Grabe ka naman, ngayon ka pa kakabahan eh halos araw araw mong ka video chat yung tao."
"Syempre iba yung personal na kayong nag uusap. Saka kahit paano nuong pasyente ko siya hindi pa naman kami ganoon ka open mag usap. Mula nuong lagi na kaming nag uusap on line, kahit paano naging close na rin kami.Paano kung yung closeness namin hindi maging ganoon pag nagkaharap na uli kami?" May alinlangan sa boses ni Jully .
"Hmmm may point ka friend. Usually yan ang nagiging problema sa mga friends on line pero iba naman yung kaso ninyo eh. Kayo nag umpisang maging close dahil you like each other na sa personal pa lang. Nag level up on line yung relationship ninyo so for sure he is also looking forward to see you in person agad.
Riley on the other hand is also tryingto calm himself. He is excited but at the same time nervous. He never felt that kind of mixed feelings in anticipating of seeing a girl. Even when he thought he was madly in love with Asher. It's not the same.
What is it with her ? Why does she makes me feel this way? Am I really in love ?
"Riley, who did you say will pick us up?" His mom asked Riley which made him realized they are almost in Manila.
"Not sure mom , but Asher said someone will be there to pick us up."
"Ok, just checking. It is still kind a sad for me to go to her wedding. It is supposed to be her and Ryan." Riley saw the threatening tears from his mom's eyes.
He gave his mom a squeezing hug who is sitting between him and his dad who looks away.
"Our consolation is ; Gerald is a good guy. I know Asher is family. She will always be a part of us, she told us that herself."
"I know son, I know that your brother is also happy for her wherever he is."
"I am sure he is mom."
They were all quiet for a while.
"I am thinking of staying in the Philippines for a while. Will try my luck in acting. Gerald said he can help me." Riley informed his parents after few minutes of silence .
His parents just looked at him.Did not say a thing at first. His dad was the first one who broke the uneasy silence.
"It is probably the best for you right now. Stay away from Toronto. Some people might want to get even with you but then there might be some people who would want to hurt you there in the Philippines too. Remember , that politician who helped in kidnapping you and Asher got away and nowhere to be found."
"Not worried about them Dad, they already know if something happened to me, they are the first to be investigated, they wont take the risk besides they know that Gerald is also someone who should not be on their enemy side. He is powerful and popular in his own right.'
"Why do I have a feeling that the nurse from the hospital has something to do with this decision of yours?" Riley's mom interjected.
Riley just smiled. "I want to know her more. Spend more time with her. Don't know mom, but I want to be a better person , start anew and with her."
"She is nice. Always smiling. I like her and if she is the reason to make you want to turn your life into a better one, I will like her even more." Riley's mom was smiling while saying this to him. She looked at her husband who was silently listening to their conversation who was also smiling.
"I told you already, I like her and I am happy my gut feeling is right."
"Wish me luck then, let's hope she feels the same."
