The Day We Were Here [short story]

|chapter five|

NANDITO NA naman ako, mag-isang nakatayo sa tabi ng poste na halos araw-araw kong dinadalaw simula ng umalis ka...

How are you? Are you enjoying your time there? I hope you're fine. I always pray for you...

 

 

 

Isang taon na nang umalis ka papuntang London. Isang taon na nang makuha ko ang first kiss ko. And until now, wala pang second. I remember everything like it just happened yesterday. The mem'ries are so clear in my mind.

I remember the feel of the breeze in my skin; I remember the color of the sky, the intensity of your stare. I remember YOU and the DAY WE WERE HERE. And everytime I remember this, I have a bittersweet feeling inside. I always think of you. I always wonder, what have I lost here? Is there something, something important that I missed?

 

 

I often spend my free time wondering: what if I came on time that day, the first time we were here, would there be any difference in our lives today? What if I came on time, was there a chance— even a little chance that we would end up being together?

Years form now, magkikita ulit tayo. That time, we are already successful in our chosen careers. Malamang nakapunta ka na sa iba't isang bansa pag dating ng time na 'yon. Ako naman siguro my published books na.

That day, when you're finally back, you would tell me how much you missed me, and that time, hindi na lang ako ngingiti katulad ng lagi kong ginagawa pag sinasabi mo na na-miss mo 'ko. That time, I would certainly be the first one to lean in for a hug. And you would envelope me in the warmth of your arms; I would breathe in your scent— it would still be the same perfume you were wearing when we first met at the hallway of our high school. You would ask me how I have been. And I will tell you how wonderful my life has been. How I have overcome each and every problem that had come in my life. How I'd been in and out of love after you— although I strongly think na sa araw na 'yon, isa lang ang minahal at minamahal ko. Ang lalaking nagnakaw ng first kiss ko, ang lalaking nagturo sa 'kin ng napakaraming bagay, ang lalaking hanggang ngayon ay hinihintay ko pa rin.

Sa araw na 'yon, I remain the same, walang pinagbago. KAIBIGAN MO PA RIN AKO.

Tapos tatanungin naman kita kung kumusta ka naman. At alam ko na bibigyan mo ako ng napakahabang rundown ng naging adventures mo no'ng malayo ka. Ang daldal mo kaya.

After all that happened, it's bittersweet to think the love story I had been fascinating about ended up just like that. After all the drama, I hadn't thought that everything just went down to the scene where I was here—  standing under this street post, still dazed after you gave me my first kiss, watching you... drive away until your car was out of my sight.

I could hear a familiar song in my head that goes: "You make me stronger, baby, by saying goodbye..." I know you didn't say goodbye to me. However, in some ways, you molded me into a strong person I am now. Although I'm not sure if you're aware of that.

Now that we are braving in different worlds, I promise to keep the only thing you could offer me: FRIENDSHIP. But the secret the words have been keeping will wait for you.

Years from now, I would be wearing a fancy dress and a wide-brimmed hat over my wavy long hair. I would be there—waiting for you on this old street, at the corner, under the post where the sign "FRIENDSHIP" hangs. And we would both reminisce that day— THE DAY WE WERE HERE. :)

_______________________

I'm cookin' a sequel *wink*

~miishu loves you