Boy Next Door (LeAga)

Living life -- the start!

They say, you need memories to keep you going, to keep you strong, to keep you living.

But what if, you've forgotten everything? What if you've forgotten the love of your life?

"My mind may have forgotten every memory, it may have forgotten everything but my heart never stopped loving him." – Lea Salonga

"I almost gave up but I realize, my love for her is greater than anything else. Her mind may have erased all our memories but that doesn't mean it's the end. Old memories are gone but together, we can create new ones." – Aga Muhlach

~~~

"Lea, meet our new, oh let me rephrase that: your new photographer, Mr. Aga Muhlach." Said Ms. Sarmiento, the magazine's EIC. She turned to face me. She was surprised of course but was able to compose herself immediately.

"Hi, Mr. Muhlach, it's nice to meet you."

"Ms. Lea, you're too formal. You can call me Aga." I said as I reached for her hand and kiss it.

"So, kayong dalawa na ang mag-usap about your arrangement as partners, okay? I'll go ahead."

"Okay. Thanks Ms. Sarmiento and Aga?"

"Yes, Ms. Lea?"

"Call me Lea. Follow me at the office."

I did as I was told. While we are walking, she started to give me instructions that I, of course, already knew.

"You take shots of everyone I interview, okay? Just in case they decide to deny everything and tell everybody they didn't do an interview with me. I am also in-charge with the cover of the magazine so you better be with me every time I beg for a big star to cover. –"

"Beg?"

"Yes, beg. Beg those artists who deserve to be begged for and those who are big stars." She answered, sarcasm evident on her tone.

"So, this will be our office. OUR means you'll always be with me so you better keep quiet, Mr. Playboy." She said as we reached her or our office.

"Aye, Aye, captain." I answered her then she giggled.

"Ah, Lea? Why'd you do this?"

"Do what?"

"This. Writing, being in a magazine, interviewing, this."

"This is what I want, nah, I love to do. You've got only a shot in life, you know. You must live life to the fullest."

You must live life to the fullest.

~

"You must live life to the fullest..." she said and smiled. All these things she does is her way of living life to the fullest.

"How can you live life to the fullest if you know anytime soon you'll lose it?" her smile faded.

"How can I live my life kung palagi akong nasa ospital? How can I be at the fullest level of me kung unti-unti akong pinahihina ng mga medications na yan?"

"Paano ako magiging masaya kung sa araw-araw na paggising ko, nalalagas na buhok ang tatambad sa akin dahil sa chemo?" she said and I smiled.

"Bakit ka ngumingiti ha? Siguro ini-imagine mo na nalalagas yung buhok ko, tapos ---"

I stopped her from talking by putting my index finger on her lips.

"Sshhh. Don't cry my love. I'll still love you kahit wala ka ng buhok." She frowned and hit me.

"Leche ka!" She hissed.

"Lea. Hey, listen. I love you and I want you to get better. Please, pumayag ka na magpagamot."

She kept silent.

"Lea, just please, listen to us, to me. I still want to spend the rest of my life with you, you know."

She looked at me, stunned. I search for her eyes only to find sadness, hesitation.

"You don't know what you are talking about, Aga."

She stood and started walking away but I held her waist and hugged her from behind.

"I do, Lea. I do. I love you.—"

"And I love you too."

"What?" I made her turn to face me.

"What did you say?"

"I. Love. You. Too."

She caught me off-guard but I managed to smile, "So,"

"So, I can be your girlfriend and you will be my boyfriend?"

"As much as I want to be your boyfriend I still have to do something to win your yes."

"You don't need to do anything--"

"I need to convince you to go on with medications, Lea before I can call you mine."

She frowned upon hearing what I said.

"I need to Lea, because if I do really love you, I'll want nothing but the best for you."

"Ayoko nga kasing magpa-chemo."

"Who said anything about chemo?"

"Eh anong treatment ang gagawin sa akin?"

"Stem Cell, babes."

"But that's—"

"As a loving boyfriend, I am willing to spend millions to make my girlfriend live her life to the fullest."

She blushed. And then, I went near her and kissed her forehead.

"Payag ka na?" I asked still hugging her. She nodded and said, "Yes, babes."

"I love you, Lea. I really do."

"I'll fight for you babes."

~

"Hey! I'm asking you!"

Nalunod na naman ako ng mga memories naming dalawa.

"What is it again, captain?"

"Sabi ko, ikaw, why are you doing this?"

Because I want to capture every moment I am near you, I want to answer her but instead said, "Like you, I want to give my life the best shot I can."

And I can only do that when I'm with you, Lea. I looked at her and she smiled.

I captured that image of her in my mind, printed it and framed it in my heart.

xx xx

Original Publish Date: Aug. 7 2015