Closing Time: 11 PM

26. When It Goes Away

Once I cried

At the thought

I was foolish and proud

And let you say goodbye

- Once I Loved, Shirley Horn

#

"Will you look for him?" Bettina asked her bestfriend. It has been a while since the three of them met. After the time that Chad joined them on their table, she was not able to see the two anymore. They only got the chance to catch up two days after Chad left since she needed someone to talk to. It was still the summer vacation of students and she's getting crazy sulking at home alone. She felt as if Chad was just around and that he would be coming to see her in a while and it was making her feel like a fool.

Kara took a sip from her cold drink. "I don't know. I have yet to figure out how big the state is for me to know where he is."

"How long has it been since he left?"

"Three. Almost four," she answered.

"Do you think he still remembers you?"

"I don't think he can forget someone who he has spent a lot of money for," Kara kidded. It is one of the fears that is holding her back from searching for Chad. He might remember her and know her but she doesn't know if Chad will be the same.

She doesn't know if Chad still loves her.

What if he's with another woman because he went back to his old ways of being the womanizer? What if she sees him on some bed with another woman he's spending that night with?

And what if he doesn't love her anymore? What if Chad considered her like a part of a closed book of his life? How is she going to survive the next days that she has to stay there until it is time for her to go? Will she smile and just tell him it was nice meeting him as if nothing happened?

"Kara," Eliza called her. "What if during your stay you see Chad, he recognizes you, and the old flame starts to burn again and he tells you he loves you? Will you let him in?"

Kara paused for a while. She wanted to say yes but how can she say yes when she doesn't know the situation she would be facing once she's there?

"I guess it depends on his situation," she said, suddenly feeling scared for what she might get. "And girls, I'm going to Texas for training. I'm not going there to find some man I have issues with."

"Point taken but Kara, you are basically going to be on the same place where he is. Ngayong nasa Pilipinas ka, hinahanap mo na, paano pa pag nasa Texas ka na? Isang tumbling na lang yun, hindi mo pa ba hahanapin?" Bettina said.

"I know. But then, Texas is Texas, Bettina. There's Dallas, Texas. There's Houston, Texas, Austin, Texas, Mission, Texas, and a lot of other cities. Ano, hahanapin ko sya dun?"

"Girl, if you have forgotten, he is in San Antonio, Texas so that eliminates your concern," Eliza said. "And if that's not enough for you, he has a ranch. You can go to local pubs since he's a drinker and the municipal hall to find out where his is located! Problem solved."

"Wag na lang siguro. Ayos na ako e, babalik na naman ba ako sa simula ng pagmomove on?" she said quietly.

"Alam mo, kung ako ang nasa sitwasyon mo, oo. Chad owns a ranch and I want to be the wife of one so yes, I will find him and marry him," Bettina said, laughing.

"Kung sya ang nagtatanim ng cotton na ginagawang underwears mo, choosy ka pa ba?" Eliza said and they all burst out laughing.

"Manyak ka no?" Kara teased her.