Remembering Sir Tisoy

Kape

A/N: Special mention to jenejust1224 and NelsieArmadilla for asking whether or not they had past relationships in the 10 years that hey were apart! Hope this answers that!

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Yay Dilamente, that was her name. A freshly graduated real-estate student who frequently visited the university that Richard worked in, when he was still in the States. The reason for her visits? To mentor other students who are studying the same course that she did. Richard first laid eyes on her at the college cafe, whilst she was busy teaching a student. He could tell that she was a Filipino, and he couldn't help but continue to give her side glances. A few minutes after, he was surprised to see her standing in front of his table.

"I know that I'm not assuming to say that I've continuously seen you checking me out."

Caught off guard by her statement, he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"You're cute," she said, and proceeds to sit down. "And I also know na Pilipino ka. Professor Richard Faulkerson, right?" she added.

"How do you know all these things, may I ask?" he queried, leaning back on his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

"How can I not? I help out others who have your class as an elective. They always talk about how...good looking you are."

"Talaga lang ah?" he scoffed.

"Oo, pogi ka nga. But your eyes, they say something else. I can see that something's bothering you."

"And what is that?"

"I don't know...but I've seen enough people to assume that it's something concerning a girl."

"Ganoon bang ka-obvious?" he asked, laughing.

Soon enough they became great friends, best-friends even, going out on adventures and spending time as much as they could. She was able to make him forget about the events that happened in the Philippines.

The semester break came and she went on a two month long holiday in her home country. It only assured him that he was starting to develop feelings for her, as he started to miss her presence. He only hoped that she felt the same about him.

It was only until she told him over a Skype call that she's going to be staying in the Philippines for good, upon serendipitously meeting Alden Ramos, an up and coming businessman.

Devastated, but still happy for her, he drove to the airport and asked for a plane ticket that would leave as soon as possible, not caring about where it would take him.

After twenty hours, he found himself sitting in front of a bench overlooking the breathtaking view of Lake Como.

Their friendship was no longer how it was, as he became busy with work and so did she. Last time he checked, she was happily married and expecting her second child.

-

"They want you in Italy," she says promptly.

"I'm sorry...what?" he queries with hands placed on the desk.