Waves of Life (Quiseo Girls #1)

Special chapter: Coffee shop

Special chapter: Coffee shop

Ilang araw na 'yong lumipas since I started working in PBA. Although working there is energy-draining and time-consuming, I really enjoy it a lot.

It has been days as well since Eli started his formal courtship on me. Oo, hindi pa kami. Nag-joke time lang ako n'ong nakaraan, 'no!

We both kept our promise kasi to take things slowly but surely.

Other people would surely ask, bakit pa namin pinapatagal kung mahal naman namin ang isa't isa? Samantalang doon din naman ang uwi n'on.

No. It's very different. The courtship period helps us to get to know each other and ourselves as well. Hindi mapusok. Hindi rin g'anong marupok.

At dito rin namin malalaman kung ano ba 'yong bagay na gusto naming pasukin. Walang pagmamadali.

From the past few days, I've been busy to death yet still productive. Kaya madalas, after basketball games na lang kami nagkikita ni Eli. Pero hindi kasama r'on ang weekends! Time for self, family, and work muna ang Saturday and Sunday.

These were the same reason why we're in a coffee shop now. I'm silently seating in front of him while he's working. Tamang type-type lang siya sa laptop at basa-basa ng papers.

We ended up here dahil wala akong trabaho today, so I decided to surprise him in his office. Yes, ako naman 'yong gumawa ng effort this time! As a result? He was pleased when he saw me a while ago!

Inaya ko siyang gumala pero kasi, may trabaho siya. Kaya naisip niya na ilabas na lang ang trabaho niya. I agreed with his suggestion kaya kami nandito ngayon.

I like the relaxing surrounding here and the smell of the coffee and sweets. Kaso... nakakasira pala 'to ng diet! Hindi pala recommended na tumambay rito habang 'yong kasama mo, may ginagawa.

Nakakadalawang slice na kasi ako ng dark chocolate mousse within an hour pa lang. Siya naman, nakakailang kape na.

Yet... I enjoy it— having a peaceful afternoon with him.

Staring at him right now allows me to make a quick look back.

I remembered how we first met in Quezon. Sa true lang? We seriously had a good start! Naaalala ko pa nga kung gaano ko kasaya n'ong sumakay ako sa speed boat kasama siya. However, our relationship in the succeeding seven years was filled with ups and downs.

I was too consistent in pursuing him and making him fall for me come rain and shine. At the same time, he was so consistent as well but in pushing me away from his sight.

He brought me pain in hopes to distance himself from me. Nangyari 'yon dahil against siya na makipag-date sa young woman, especially sa underage. As much as he's not a fan of pedophilia, he is also a principled man.

Pero 'yong sakit na binigay niya sa 'kin? Hindi biro 'yon ah! Grabe niya ko kung ipagtabuyan noon.

On the other hand, I admit that I was wrong as well. I invaded his privacy and acted immaturely. I came to the point na dinedepende ko na 'yong happiness ko sa kaniya. Lahat ng 'yon? Maling-mali!

It was a hard pill to swallow but I have finally realized and reflected upon those mistakes. At... hindi na dapat ulitin pa.

Well, matapos 'yong isang taon na hindi namin nakita ang isa't isa? Both of us improved and grew up on our own! Thanks na rin sa mga na-experience namin noon kaya here we are— we learned how to properly value our loved ones and how to respect them may it be in personal, time, choices, boundaries, or so on.

It feels so good to reminisce. May painful parts pero lahat naman ng 'yon, nakatulong para hubugin ako... kami.

We learned a lot on our own yet I won't deny that we also taught a lot of things to each other. He made me realize how little things matter— the effort to check on each other, take in mind our likes and dislikes, making time, talking over a cup of coffee, and simply eating together.

He also showed me how love is inclined to making each other feel comfortable and secured, how we should embrace the flaws of one another, not dictate to each other what to wear or not because of possessiveness, and the initiative to talk things out when things go wrong.

Pero sa lahat ng pinakita niya sa 'kin? My favorite above all? It's his effort to show his love through actions and words. The assurance it gives me is no joke!

Add up the fact that he has always been so consistent in letting me know that I am the only one he loves. I am the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Looking from a wider viewpoint, ang dami na rin talagang nangyari sa buhay ko. At siyempre, ang dami na ring nagbago sa 'kin pati sa way of living ko!

Life is like the ocean. It will surprise us how deep it could be and how rough the bottom is. Sometimes calm and sometimes surprising. We truly need to expect its waves that can knock us down with all of its strength.

Yet, we will later learn how to go along with its movement and curls. Until time will come that its painful hits will be forgotten. It will be that time when our focus is on the beauty, peace, fun, rest, and serenity it brings to us.

The amazing thing about this ocean of life is that we can ask for help and get guidance. There are people who will teach us how to float to better balance our bodies while staying still on top of the dancing water.

Bakit mo ipipilit na kaya mong sabayan nang mag-isa ang alon kung hindi naman talaga? Kaya nga may salbabida na susuporta sa 'yo eh. Take it but learn when to pull away. Hindi pwedeng palaging naka-depende at nakaasa sa iba. Pero... huwag mong iwan 'yong salbabida kapag kaya mo ng sumabay sa agos at alon.

Napatigil ako sa pagkain nang tumayo si Eli. Niluwagan niya muna 'yong necktie niya bago naglakad. Akala ko nga bibili siya ulit ng kape but I was wrong.

Nilapitan niya ko at saka pumwesto sa gilid ko. He suddenly embraced me with a tight yet warm hug. On cue, kinilig at napangiti na lang ako.

He placed his mouth near my ear to sweetly tell me, "You are the best gift I received in life thus far. You are my treasure whom I won't trade for anything else."

Parang hinaplos 'yong puso ko sa narinig.

Inangat ko 'yong mga kamay ko para hawakan 'yong braso niyang nakapulupot sa 'kin. For the very first time, I truthfully told him, "I love you."

To my old self,

Do not settle for less just because you were forced to believe that little is enough. You shouldn't be grateful and satisfied for substandard when in fact, you deserve the best.

At the same time, work on yourself to be the "right person" as well. Take in mind that a relationship works with the effort of both persons; if there is only one making effort, it's time to give up and choose yourself.

No one deserves to question oneself all his/ her/ their life. No one deserves to suffer from thinking about what lacked and what was not enough. You deserve to sleep tightly without thinking about the spaces and missing pieces.

P.s. I hope you won't get tired of understanding and loving your family as well. Yet, know when to speak up and fight for yourself.

P.p.s. Love yourself and continue being amazing!