" They didn't have a happy ending; it was because she was too scared to give their once upon a time a chance. "
----
She looks at him the way a teenage girl stares at her crush.
He opens the door for her like a gentleman would.
She would smile at him, in every bit like a little kid would smile when given a lollipop.
He laughs; the laugh that made her fall for him.
She shouldn't be feeling this way, she reminded herself. It's been years since she told him that she doesn't feel the same way.
" So... I guess this is good night? " He said once they reached her apartment. She wanted to be with him a little longer, so she asked if he wanted to come inside for coffee.
" So that you won't be sleepy on the drive back to your hotel. " She told him.
" Lea, need I remind you that tapings end way way later than this time? I can handle myself. " He smiled sheepishly. " Besides, I don't want to keep you awake. "
" You came all the way to New York to see me, tapos pagpupuyat ko ang iisipin mo? " She gave him a grin. " C'mon, stay for a little while. "
He put his hands up in surrender. " There's just no saying 'no' to you, no? "
" Of course, di mo naman ako matitiis eh. "
He already has, Lea. He already has.
-----
He watched as Lea went back and forth the kitchen. Instead of having coffee, like what they had planned, she told him that she would bake, too.
" You know if you want me to stay the night, you could have just said so..." This was meant to be a joke, but when he told her this, she surprisingly said yes.
" That would be great! Set up the dvd so we could watch movies! " She told him with a giddy smile.
Now who could say no to that?
So here he is. It's almost 1 in the morning, waiting for the pie to be finished so they could start the movie marathon.
" Just like the old times, huh? " Lea asked. She was already in her pajamas, and she has oven mitts on her hands.
Ah yes, just like the old times.
" Ags, you won't be sleeping in those, will you? "
He nodded. " Fortunately, I know you too well. I brought a change of clothes. "
" Naks naman si Morning! Once a boy scout, always a boy scout. "
He laughed then excused himself so that he could get his bag from the car.
While in the elevator, it struck him how the scene earlier felt like dejavu. How Lea would always insist for him to stay the night at her house, so that they could go to the shoot together the next morning.
This was disapproved by Mommy Ligaya, of course. But she gave her mom a reason so reasonable that even her mom can't say no.
" Para hindi siya ma-late sa shoot Mommy! Alam mo naman 'to, once na gabihin sa daan, late 'to magigising. As his leading lady, it's my duty to make sure that he'd arrive just in time. "
A smile crept his face.
Lea. She had always been the girl who looks after him.
The one who always tells him to watch what he eats.
The one who reminds him of his commitments.
The one whom he can vent out to and won't be judged in return.
The one whom he fell in love with.
The one who said that they're better off as friends.
A few years ago, before he could even tell her how he feels, she already warned him.
" You can't fall in love with me, Aga. I wouldn't want that. I'd like you to be with me till the end of time, kaya I'd rather have you as a friend. At least sa friendship natin, siguradong walang magbe-break. "
He had been friendzoned even before the term was popular. Ha.
Just as he was about to go inside Lea's apartment, his phone rang.
" Hey... "
" So, how's New York? " was the answer from the other line.
" Bakit ka tumawag, Gail? " He asked in a hushed tone. He knew very well that once she calls, it's not a good news.
" Our wedding's in three days, Aga. Come home. "
He ended the call as soon as he heard what she said. He was once again reminded of the reason why he came to see Lea.
He came to tell her about the wedding.
So whatever he's feeling now, he has to shrug it off.
They're never going to happen.
They were two parallel lines that would never, ever meet in the middle. There's just no way for them to be together.
He has to accept that.
Little did he know that Lea was going to tell him that she loves him that night.
Can you imagine their regrets?
---
