NOT THE SAME LOVE.

Chapter 4

Steven's POV.

Clocks alarmed...

Bumangon na ako ang nagsimulang magligo at nagbihis. I'm going to pick Nicole up today. She's moving with me, and I'm not excited about that.

Did she have amnesia? She didn't even recognize who I was. Tama nga ang sabi ni Tita Amelia ( Nicole's mother) malabong maalala ako ni Nicole. I've changed a lot this time.

I did a lot of work-out and stayed healthy. I am a businessman who runs my family business as well. I am not so busy at work. I have a lot of people to work for me. I get busy if there are meetings with clients and documents to review and sign. I usually hang out with my friends a lot.

But last month someone called me...

Flashback**********

I was drinking a coffee and surfing my iPad when my phone rang...

"Hello?" - I answered.

"Hi, Steven." - the other line. It's a woman.

"You don't remember me, do you?" - she answered and giggled.

"I'm sorry, but who are you?"

I take a sip of my coffee. Sino ba to?

"Si Tita Amelia mo to." - the woman.

Amelia? I don't remember anything.

"Amelia Alferez." - she added.

I remembered! Why is she calling? Where did she get my number?

I don't know what to say. I'm speechless.

"Please, speak up. We need to talk, Steven." - pakiusap nya. I missed her voice.

Para ko na rin siyang tunay na nanay way back a long time ago.

"Yes, Tita! Ku--Kumusta na po?" - nauutal kong sabi.

Why am I nervous? Shit.

May narinig akong tawa sa kabilang linya. Tumayo at pumunta sa silid tulugan ko.

"I'm very well, Hijo! I've heard a lot of news about you. Congratulations! Your parents are very proud of you. By the way, I got your number from your mom. We saw each other at the Italian restaurant last week." - she said.

Her voice has excitement. What is she up to?

"Thank you so much, Tita. Maitanong ko lang po, ano pong kailangan nyo? Because this is an unexpected call from you?" - I asked and hold my nape.

"Marry my daughter." - she frankly answered.

"What?!" - I shouted.

I heard her voice laughing in the other line.

"What's wrong with that? You're single, and she is single." -Sabi Niya.

"Tumawag lang kayo para pakasalan ang anak niyo? Alam nyo naman ang issue naman dati pa tita and it has been 5 years na hindi na kami nagkita or nagkausap after that incident."

"Napatawad na kita, hijo. Matagal na and I know everything already kami ng Tito mo. Di mo naman sinasadya yon at walang may kasalanan talaga. Misunderstanding lang ang lahat. This is the time para maexplain mo ang sarili mo kay Nicole. Hindi pa nya alam ang totoo."

Napaupo ako sa aking higaan.

Nicole...

"Tita, your request is difficult and I don't think marriage is like a game. I'm sorry, I can't."