Love at First Smile

Forever

After Matt and I broke up, I focused on my job. I poured myself into it, all the efforts that I have. If there's something that should be done right away, I do it immediately. I even take overtime just to be drowned with thoughts at work and not on what happened for the past months. I did my best in everything I did. 

I went out with my friends from time to time. I visit Mom and Dad. I even went to my sister just to get myself off from thinking what had happened. I let myself be drowned with other things and I tried to ignore every date being pushed to me like a platter of food served to me. 

I never noticed how time flew so fast that I realize it's already been a year since I was single, happy anniversary to me. I just feel so free being unattached to anyone and quiet lonely at the same time. 

I was walking at the park one afternoon when the tie on my dress got loose. I tried to tie it back but when I am about to tidy up my dress, it keeps going up and I have to straighten it most of the time. I got lost on my thoughts and on that dress that I never noticed the guy staring at me, having that crooked smile on his face, like he was about to laugh and yet he keeps himself from doing it.  

When I got near to him, I realize he was smiling eclectically that I almost stumbled at the sight of him. How I could forget this face that made me smile every day for the past year? How could I not recognize the man who had always loved me but I never appreciate what he did for me?  

It was Toby. He closed the distance between us. I still can't believe I'm seeing him here. 

"Hey, how are you Trace? He took my hand and took it in his. "I'm good. I'm doing fine. And you? Look at you. You're different, good different. How are you? And you're here too." 

Toby being here in Cebu just surprises me so much. This is just so amazing. 

"My family and I are here for a vacation. Since we're both here, why don't we stroll together? And maybe you could take me to places you've been. I don't know much about Cebu and I know you do." I never knew right until that moment how much I missed him and how I longed to be in his arms, to feel his hands mine, to hear every word he has to say. 

"Sure. It would be my pleasure." 

We went to a lot of places afterwards. I took jim to the most visited tourist spots in Cebu; Magellan's Cross, Sto.Nino Church, Taoist Temple, Lapu-lapu Shrine and a lot more. We talked a lot of things. 

His currently in college, taking up Engineering at TUP and will be having his internship here in Cebu after the semester. 

After a long walk, we had dinner at Zubuchun and I just can't seem to eat everything he ordered. We had coffee at Table and I took him back to where they are staying. 

"Thank you for showing me around. It was really good seeing you here Tracy. I'm glad we've met again." 

"You too. Thanks Toby. For everything." 

I went home. When I arrived at the dormitory, I can't help but sigh. I missed him but there can be no "us" again. I'm just thankful that we're together again and we're back to being friends. I could never have asked for more. 

Toby and I are back to being friends again. When he went back to Cebu for his internship, things between us just revived again, like a dormant friendship just became active, again. Everything feels like just yesterday. We spend more time with each other starting out again as friends, really good friends. 

Everything's doing fine at work. Some of my coworkers noticed the changed enthusiasm and spirit but they never mentioned anything about it. Toby was doing well also at the company he's working. He's doing great and the company might be able to absorb him after he graduates from college and pass the board exam. I couldn't be much proud for him and what he has accomplished so far. 

Still, everything has its end. Internship's over and he has to be back for two more semesters before graduating finally. I know him that I know he longed for this. It was his dream to be an engineer, to have a career, to graduate, have a job and help his family. 

On his last day, we spend a lot of time talking, having our last conversation here in Cebu. We've got a wonderful friendship now and I'm happy with what had happened over the years. It was all for good. 

"I'll be missing you terribly. I won't have anyone to talk to anymore. I'll be as lonely as hell just like before." 

"Hey, don't give me that I'll call you every day. You won't even notice that I'm gone Aubrey. I'll always be there for you, you know that." 

The next day, we went breakfast together and he walked me to my office. "Bye Trace. See you soon." 

Everything seems to be moving fast by then. I had my promotion. I have to fulfill more responsibilities so I've been busy most of the time. I never even noticed that Toby and I haven't had talked that much since he left. 

A year had passed and Toby is already graduating. He'll be taking his review and board exam in Cebu so we'll be seeing each other again. I can't be more excited about it than I am right now. 

After graduation, he came to Cebu immediately and he treated me out. It was so much of a treat but he insisted on doing it. We went to a lot of places, we ate a lot and he bought me some stuff I like. I was about to complain and yet he shushed me out of it. 

Review started and afterwards the board examination. "Tracyy, I'm scared that if I'm not able to pass the board. What would I do?" 

"Just trust in Him. If he allows you to pass then it really is for you, then it is really your time. If not then he may have plans for you, other plans before you started your career being an engineer. He will never leave you. Have faith in him. Okay?" 

Waiting for the examination's result was very crucial for Toby. It dreaded him to see the results already but all we can do is wait. It really scared him and made him fearful for just a lot of things.  

Results were posted online. I immediately checked for his name and there it was. He is a licensed engineer already. He passed the examination. I immediately called him and announced the good news. Right then, after a week, the company he worked for before in his internship called and asked him if he would want to join them. He readily agreed. 

I was so excited for him. I'll be seeing him again and we'll be spending more time with each other again. The first few months had never been easy for him. It was a struggle. He has to make a lot of adjustments. But in the end, he got used to it. He was getting along very well. 

We're seeing each other every week by then. We would go to places, hang out, have long chats and conversations, walks and we even had a good time at a spring resort one time. It was just lovely. 

A year more had passed and he has a stable position in the company. His family had also established a small business to manage. His siblings had also their own families and were living separately with their parents. 

"I feel like I'm prepared for it already." He said once. It was just out of the blue and I never quite understood it until the day he brought me to the church one Sunday afternoon. 

The mass has just ended and when the church was deserted with people, he took hand, knelt on one knee and got from his pocket a small box. He opened it with one hand while holding mine and there inside was a ring with little diamonds around it. It was beautiful but I knew the next words will be much wondrous than what I am seeing right now. 

"Tracty, will you marry me?" 

Right at that moment there was no way I'm letting him go. This is our moment. This is us. 

"Yes. Of course, I would."