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Simula

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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It has been over one hour since sitting here. My eyes keeps on roaming around the caffee where we decided to meet. The other customer were standing and planning to go yet Im still here, persistently waiting. He's not late, I'm just an hour advanced. I don't want to lose this chance.

The waitress pointed her eyes towards me with a furious looks like Im some kind of annoyance. Well, maybe because I was here over an hour yet I didn't take any order besides water. Pinagtaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. I didn't mind her though. My feet is thumping on the floor like it was feeling excitement yet nervous at the same time. My eyes repeatedly drifting to my phone, then to the door thinking he might text or show up anytime soon. And when I noticed a silhouette of a man entering the door, I stiffened yet I also tried to compose myself.

I ran my eyes from the shoes and slacks he wear, to his white longsleeve claiming his body, to his firm hands shamelessly protruding those biceps, to his clenching jaw, to his kissable lips that was always claiming mine, to his well-shapened noss and to those usually intense and cold eyes.

Napatayo ako sa kinauupuan nang mamataan niya ang tingin ko. It's been 5 years since we saw each other this close. Honestly, I never thought this day would come. That we will meet again.

"Hi, it's been a long time!" He said and smiled. My eyes widened and maybe he notice my reaction so he chuckled. He held my hand for a shakehands and sat in the chair in front of me.

"Y-yeah, It's been a long time!" I sounded my tone happy, like it's nothing. That everything is nothing. "So, how's life?"

"Well yeah, fine. How about you? Heared you were the best journalist in your batch! You really pursue your dreams, huh!" Mapanuya niyang sabi.

Habang nag-uusap kami ay um-order na din kami nang coffee and cake. Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko. Magiging masaya ba dahil komportable na siyang makitungo sa akin o masasaktan dahil hindi na siya apektado sa nakaraan.

I laughed a bit para matakpan ang pait. "Hindi naman sa gano'n! I just really give my best in work!" Tumango-tango pa siya. " So when are we going to schedule the interview?" tukoy ko sa tanging rason kung bakit kami nagkita ngayon.

"Now that you mention about that, maybe we should conduct the interview monday nextweek. Is it okay if we held it in my firm? " tanong niya na parang tinatansya ang reaksiyon ko.

In his firm? Did I hear it right? I've never been there! I mean ofcourse, after 5 years this is our first encounter again. At sino naman ako para tumanggi hindi ba. It's a big opportunity na maka one-one-one interview siya. Everyone was thirsty for his information.

"O-ofcourse! Why not, right?" I laughed like insane. Nagkakandautal-utal na ako dito. Damn you Stacia! Get a hold of yourself!

Sa kalagitnaan nang pagkapahiya ko ay biglang tumunog ang kaniyang cellphone. He gestured his hand like he wants to excuse himself so he could answer the call. I just nodded and force a smile.

Im shamelessly staring at him habang siya'y nakatayo malapit sa pinto ng c.r at nakatagilid sa gawi ko. He was busy on the call the reason why he never notice my stares. And sometimes he smile, like everything in the call was just so blissful. I wonder if who was that lucky person in the other line. He seems to be happy hearing those voice.

Suddenly, pain crept on my whole body. I never thought I would feel this way again after a long time.

Nang natapos na ang tawag ay binalingan niya ako. Nandoon ang pag-iingat sa kaniyang mukha. I don't know what for.

"Uh... Stacia" I stiffened when I heared him call my name. Like I was longing for that for a long time. And now It's been granted. " I suddenly had an urgent meeting" may pag-iingat sa kaniyang pananalita.

Napatango ako roon. Alam na kung anong ibig sabihin. "It' okay Kalib. I understand." Sabay pilit na ngiti.

"So I guess that's all for today. Im sorry I can't send you in your place-"

"No! No! It's okay!" nakakahiya naman. "I have my car ."

Tumango naman siya pagkataoos ay huminga ng malalim. Tumingin sa saglit sa relo niya at binalik ang tingin sa akin. " I really have to go. See you in monday?" aniya sabay shakehands sa akin.

"Yeah! Thank you for today!" I smiled genuinely.

Pinanood ko siyang tumalikod at tinungo na ang pinto. But before closing the caffee's door, once again he smiled. The pain stabbed me at napaatulala ako roon habang iniisip ang mukha niyang nakangiti hanggang hindi ko na din siya makita.

I should be happy because he smiled to me. But I felt the other way around. He smiled like he'd never kneeled and cried. He smiled like nothing had happened in the past. He smiled like he'd never been broken. He smiled like he'd never been rejected.....

By me.

I smiled bitterly. I bet he's moved on.