The Ex-Girlfriend's Return

CHAPTER 2 : Take Me Back

"5...4...3...2.... Happy New Year!"

Everyone was ecstatic and the terrific fireworks made the moment more whimsical. My brothers are with their wives while my Mom carries my baby niece- Camilla. I'm not actually alone, I am with my iPhone6s which I am making use to capture this precious moment.

I am feeling wistful right there. When was the last New Year's Eve that I got to spend with my special someone? 2010. Yeah, Dylan welcomed 2011 with my family and that was the last gathering we celebrated together.

5...4...3...2... party sprays, balloons, confetti, soft musical background but loud cheering from the crowd, and then Dylan, who was previously embracing me, spoke...

"Lorraine, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?"

He was then on his knees with a velvet box on his right hand that contains the tiniest yet brightest diamond ring I've ever seen. I was in awe. It's not that I haven't seen diamonds yet, not that I was taken surprise by the sudden change of the room's atmosphere, not that I am feeling delighted.

I was in awe because I didn't know what to answer Dylan.

And to finally got shivers when I realized that my answer would be "NO".

I knew and I sensed that everybody was waiting for my answer. My Mama was having misty eyes and anticipating that I would utter YES. Then I saw my brothers and sisters-in-law, all of them were thrilled of what's happening. I even saw Francis, my favorite brother, winked at me.

I looked towards my Papa's direction. I saw gratification on his face and he nodded at me like he was finally giving me his blessings to be engaged. I was horrified! No, I didn't want him to react that way. I was expecting for the opposite. I was hoping that he would take me away from the crowd and tell everyone that he didn't want me to be betrothed just yet. I was waiting for him to disagree. And I just wanted to cry right then for not seeing what I actually want to happen.

So, I turned to my last resort. And that's no other than...ME.

I was not aware as to how but I was conscious that I had articulated three words.

"I am sorry."

After that, I ran into my room and locked myself the whole day of January 1st.

!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!
The loud bang of an spectacular firework brought me back to reality. Could my life had been as colorful as the sky if I opted then to marry Dylan?

Honestly, there are times when I question myself for doing such a thing...I turned down the only man I had dreamed to share the rest of my life with.

To: Dylan Lopez
Hello Dylan!
How's your first day of the year?
I hope you'll finally grant my wish...

Urghh, LAME! I erased the whole message and tried to compose another.

To: Dylan Lopez
Happy 1st day of January, Dylan!
I am imagining myself giving birth to our baby before 2014 ends. :)
Xoxo!

Without any hesitation, I hit the 'send' button. I waited for his reply but there wasn't any.

Is that a sign that I should already stop persuading Dylan? It's been five years, I wasted so many years. Lots of things had already happened and one of those could be the fact that he had finally learned to unlove me.

"Dylan Lopez, I love you so much that I no longer want to bother you." I thought to myself.

I opened my phone contacts and deleted Dylan's mobile number that I secretly copied from my Mom's contact list.