This Time

He saw her

Lance's POV

"Yes, I'm coming now...yes", kausap ko si Madison sa phone. Magkikita kami ngayon dahil nangako ako na magde-date kami. Madison is my girlfriend now for 2 years. 

Nagkakilala kami sa Austria after kong makakuha ng scholarship sa isang prestigious university at magtapos ng Arts and Professional Photography. And because of that, I became one of the industry's sought-after photographer.

"Sure 'yan babe ah. Baka 'di na naman matutuloy dahil busy ka na naman", sabi ni Mads sa kabilang linya and I imagine her pouting her lips. I just chuckled and assure her that I will be coming.

"I am driving now Mads. Kita na lang tayo sa mall ah. Sunduin na lang kita diyan para sabay na tayo sa restaurant."

"Okay. I love you babe. Ingat ka", napatigil ako saglit dahil sa sinabi niya. "Okay. L-love you, too", shit. Napautal pa ko. Pinatay ko na ang phone at napabuntung-hininga na lang.

We've been dating for two years but until now I can't still sort out my feelings. I like Madison but not to the point that I want to marry her. She's beautiful. Really gorgeous. Many men envy me for having her.

We met in a fashion shoot in Paris. She was a model there and I am the photographer, obviously. Nung una ay hindi ko talaga siya pinapansin. Nagsimula ko lang siyang pansinin nung kinakantsawan na kami ng mga katrabaho namin na bagay daw kami. I don't really care but she is really caring and that's why I started to like her.

I parked my car then I went inside the mall para sunduin na siya. Siguro naman ay tapos na siyang mamili ng mga gamit niya. I made a reservation in a restaurant in Taguig. 

I know magugustuhan niya 'yon since the restaurant has an Italian influence from its menu to its interior design. It has a cozy atmosphere and I'm sure we will be comfortable there. 

I really prepared it para makabawi dahil lagi akong may appointments from important clients at hindi ko na siya naasikaso.

Naglalakad na ko mula sa ibabang floor. I texted her na nasa loob na ko ng mall and I'm going up to meet her.

...But somehow, some things never change
And even time hasn't cooled the flame
It's burnin' even brighter than it did before
It got another chance, and if they take it...

Nakarinig ako ng kumakanta. Tumingin ako kung saan maraming tao na nagkukumpulan. Then I saw her. Ang babaeng ayaw ko ng maalala. Ang babaeng pinilit kong kalimutan sa loob ng limang taon. 

Ang babaeng sa kabila ng lahat ay gusto ko pa ring pasalamatan dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanya ay wala ako ngayon sa kinalalagyan ko.

... She's back in his life
And it feels so right
Maybe this time, love won't end

I just look at her singing. She's smiling until our eyes met. Nakatigil na ang kamay ko sa ere. Nakalimutan ko na na tatawagan ko nga pala si Madison. Pero I still kept on watching her.

So, dito siya nagtatrabaho. And she's singing. Still the same. Maganda pa rin ang boses niya. Once in my life, I wished na buong buhay ko ay maririnig ko ang boses niya na kinakantahan ako. But not anymore. Not now.

Nakita kong parang may nangingilid na luha na sa mga mata niya. I ignored it. I remained passive. I can't break the walls I am building for five years para lang sa mga nangingilid niyang luha. I've endured so far. I won't just easily break down.

Nabalik ako sa ulirat ng may babaeng lumapit sa 'kin. It was Madison. Siya, si Madison dapat ang iniisip ko. Si Madison ang girlfriend ko. I smiled at her.