_
"Seryoso?!" gulat na sambit ni Gwen nang masabi ko sakaniya ang eksena kagabi. It was unexpected because I only see him as my colleague.
"Anong sagot mo?"
"I said hindi pa ako ready." tugon ko. Which is true. I'm not ready to dwell into relationships again.
"Bakit? Ang tagal na noong huling relasyon mo. May trabaho ka na, why would you try again, Sol?"
Umiling ako sa kaibigan. "Ayaw kong pumasok sa relationship na hindi pa ako tapos magmahal." I said. Napatitig sa akin si Gwen.
"Ibig sabihin after five years, still him?"
"Yes, Gwen. And I don't think I can love another person again."
"Aww, kawawa naman si Doc. So nireject mo na siya?"
Hindi ako sumagot. Maybe I rejected him but I respect his feelings and I think it's better to be honest, hindi ako handa at ayaw kong manggamit ng isang tao.
"You know what, Soliana. It's better give yourself a chance." Gwen added, I confusedly looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Give yourself a chance to love again." Seryosong saad nito at tiningnan akong maigi.
"Okay, let's say na hindi ka pa talaga fully moved on sakaniya pero hindi sa dinidiktahan kita ah. It's been five years already and until now wala ka pa ring balita." She sighed . "Try to let go already, heal yourself and love again."
I will but not now, mahirap. Hanggang ngayon nahihirapan pa rin akong magmahal muli ng iba.
Nang mag-alas dose na ay naisipan kong pumunta muna ng Mall upang mag grocery. Hindi na ako nagpasama kay Gwen dahil natulog ulit, toxic daw sila kagabi sa ER kaya sobrang pagod pag-uwi.
Namili na ako ng mga kailalanganin sa apartment. Bumili rin ako ng mga gulay at prutas. Mahaba haba ang pila dahil weekends kaya medyo natagalan ako sa counter.
Nang sa wakas mabayaran ko na ang mga pinamili ay kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa aking bulsa upang i-text si Gwen, sana lang ay gising na siya para pag-buksan ako dahil naiwan ko yung spare keys ko.
Nahihirapan ako sa pag-tatype dahil may kabigatan ang dala ko kaya lang nang ibaba ko na sana ang aking mga dala nang bigla na lang tumilapon ang cellphone ko sa sahig.
Nagulat ako nang bahagaya, I sighed.
Humingi ng pasensya ang nakabangga sa akin. Tumango lang ako at pilit na ngumiti bago pulutin ang cellphone but before I could pick up my phone, someone picked it up for me.
Nagpanic ako ng kaunti dahil sa pag-aakalang itatakbo iyon pero inilahad niya sa akin.
"Thanks." sabi ko at inangat ang tingin sa kaniya ngunit agad na itong umalis. Kumunot ang noo ko at tiningnan ng maigi ang kaniyang likod. I was stunned at the moment of the scent from his perfume.
It was familiar at kilala ko kung sino ang mayroon noon. The man that picked up my phone was wearing a black dress shirt and black pants. Hindi ako nagkakamali, I know it's been five years pero ang tindig postura niya ay hinding hindi ko makakalimutan but It is impossible!
The man has long hair above his nape and it was in a half ponytail.My heart leapt and it feels like it can outburst anytime. Napakurap ako ng ilang beses.
I put my phone into my pocket immediately and picked my things, nagmadali kong sinundan ang lalaking iyon.
It's him! I know it's definitely him. The posture, his stance, and height. The man earlier was a bit bulk but I'm pretty sure it's Gideon!
I wish it was him. Please, I want to see and talk to him kahit saglit lang.

BINABASA MO ANG
The Mayor's
RomansaCOMPLETED Laurent Gideon Jimenez is the youngest mayor of the town San Jimenez. Renowned as the attractive and perfect Mayor not only because of his good looks, but also because of his excellent performance as the municipality's alkald. When the typ...