Until Then

CHAPTER 1

"Hey, bro!", a familiar voice called.

I turned to face the man that I considered as rival. He was wearing this smile that mirrors how happy he is.

"Hey.", I replied.

"So, where's your date?"

Date. Well, she was at the church during the ceremony but as soon as the priest announced them as husband and wife, I lost sight of her. She left without uttering a word to me.

"Well, she wasn't feeling good because of the heat so she left early."

"That's a shame. I really wished to meet her. You have never introduced her to me, bro."

"Maybe some other time."

Rui left to attend to the other guests after I said my congratulations and farewell. I told him that I wouldn't be able to stay longer because I need to check on my girlfriend.

It's funny how I still couldn't find the courage to introduce Via to him as my girlfriend. The fear of losing her to him made me keep her a secret to my bestfriend because I know how beautiful their love before was. And the fact that Via still holds him dear, made me even more of a coward.

6 years ago.

"Yo. Shin, this is Via my girlfriend."

The look on my bestfriend's face was beyond words. He looks the happiest as if he was about to get married to the woman of his dreams.

I looked at the woman shyly standing next to him. She is beautiful in her own way. Her beauty was not like any other woman. And I realized the moment our eyes met that- I broke the code. She smiled at me the same way Rui did. A smile that felt as if she was the happiest.

I couldn't help but to fall in love at first sight.

It became a routine to hang out with Rui and Via every Friday night or Saturday afternoon. I know how happy they are together and how much they love each other. The feelings I have with my bestfriend's girlfriend became a hurdle for me to be truly happy for them. It sucks that I have to keep the feelings within me.

Time passed and I often make excuses to not meet with Rui. I just have to distance myself because I don't like what I am becoming as a friend.

I started diverting my feelings to some women who shows interest in me, but none of them lasts. Eventually, each and every one of them demands that I love them back. When they started to gain deep feelings for me, I draw the line and end it there. It continued that way not until I found out that Rui and Via broke up.

It happened on June 14th. It was supposedly a happy celebration for them as a couple. But unfortunately, that day, something happened and they broke up.

Rui was so heartbroken and lifeless. His eyes were red from crying. He felt unfamiliar. I have never seen Rui this way before. This was the first time. It hurt my heart as his friend that he looked this way, but it hurts even more that a part of me felt hope emerging. I felt like I am betraying him for feeling this way. I'm a jerk.

After a month since their break up, I once again saw Via. She's still as beautiful as she was but I know that something changed about her. She's still as heartbroken as Rui. I didn't approach her that time because I have a feeling that it wasn't the right time yet.

Rui was still beyond repair. He became alcoholic and he even smoke now. I tried stopping him but he just go on and says, "Just let me be, I'll be fine soon.. Well, I guess.". I was worried about his well-being but nothing I can do about it when I was shut that way.

In the 4th and 5th month since their break up, Rui often go clubbing every single night. I let him be because maybe that's his way of coping up.

I never once saw Via around anymore since that one time. I want to know how is she. If she already moved on from my bestfriend or still hurting like he does. Or maybe I just want to see her. It's funny that no matter how much I dislike her for hurting my friend so badly even though I don't know the reason for their break up, I still love her.

Someone might tell me to find her and make a move at her now that she's vulnerable, but I don't want that. I want her to accept my feelings when she's ready and when she already move on from Rui. Well, just in case she would really consider being with me.

Days passed and I saw Rui changing for the better. I was happy for him. He doesn't go clubbing anymore. He quit alcohol and cigarettes all together. I thought that maybe he already moved on, but I thought wrong. I would sometimes catch him spacing out when we hang out or find him staring at the moonlight while silently crying. He still loves her. He still longed for Via.

Being stuck in a love triangle that only I know of, sucks. I would love him to be happy but I can't be happy for them. Having that thought in mind, I search for ways to see Via but it ended in vain. Her friend informed me that she went abroad a few weeks ago and that left me dumbfounded.

After about a year, Rui finally moved on. He became the way he was before and is now seeing someone new. It made me think that maybe this is the right time to make a move.

I found out yesterday that Via came back from abroad. Her friend informed me about her return because I asked her that one time to update me if ever she comes back.

"Via!"

She turned to look at me. She smiled a bit and walked my way.

"Hey, Shin. It's been a while."

"Yeah. It was about a year, I guess? How are you?"

"I'm.. good."

The hesitation on her tone made me wonder.

Has she moved on, too?

"That's good. Let me carry your things."

"Thanks."

I came with her friend to pick her up from the airport. I know she has a lot of questions about how I know she's back and that what am I doing here, but decided not to ask.

Rather than a year, it felt as if she was away for 2 to 3 years. She feels a bit unfamiliar. It feels like she changed or this is what she truly is in the first place, but I wasn't able to know her like this.

The drive from the airport to the hotel she'll be staying at felt short. I helped her carry her luggage onto the hotel lodge. Her friend went to the receptionist to confirm the room number and to get the key card.

"Thank you for driving us here, Shin. And.. uhm.. as well as picking me up at the airport.", Via says as she shyly tuck her hair behind her ear.

Will I be able to meet you again after this?