Chances

XV. Back at Square One

Devon was quietly sitting in the middle of a quiet church in Aurora Hill, in Baguio. James left her in La Union yesterday.  Even though alone, she decided to continue the trip and looked for a hotel room. Good thing is that it is now a peak season for tourists, that time of the year. 

Soon after checking-in a hotel, soon after her back touched the bed, she started to sob.  She cried until no more tears would fall.  She cried until her throat hurts.  She cried until she fell asleep, in the middle of the bed, with the raindrops softly tapping the window. 

Devon was dry-eyed when she emerged out of hotel room. She was composed, and the only evidence of her hard night was her puffed and red eyes which she hid behind her sunglasses.  She ate half of her breakfast, emptied out her coffee cup, and left the hotel. She traced her steps until she reached the church where she is sitting right now.

Unlike the Cathedral, this church was small in comparison.  It is far from the bustle of tourists. It was quiet and serene.  Devon was seated on the front pew. The sunlight was passing through the stained glass, creating dancing and colored lights on the church floor. 

Devon closed her eyes and remembered what happened in the same church six months ago. 

****

Six months ago…

Devon and James have been together for almost more than a year and a half.  And it was the best and happiest days of their lives. They have been together for more than a year.  Nobody could say it was smooth sailing.  Just like in any other relationships, they would often fight, but theirs would end in sweet moments and trying to make-up for the impatience and harsh words that they would say.

Pretty much a normal relationship, James thought.  Normal but sensational.

They were walking in the middle of Baguio, early in the morning.  They decided to spend the weekend in Baguio, to remember the month that they were in a “unlucky” Baguio trip which changed their lives forever.

They were walking hand in hand and absorbing the quiet morning. James looked at the woman walking beside him. He felt his heart swelling for the love for this woman.  He doesn’t know it was possible to love this way, or love this much. 

Devon’s simple gestures always get him off guard. Just the other day, a simple breakfast greeted him on the table. A packed lunch with a sweet note on top. Devon meticulously prepared it for him, dropping it by at his house, although her apartment was almost an hour away from his home. She showered him with love but never made him feel like a caged animal. 

James did not notice that he was squeezing Devon’s hand.  Devon felt the pressure and looked at James. She gave him one of those dazzling smiles, “Is there anything wrong?”

James smiled back and shook his head, “Nothing. I just feel so happy. Let’s go inside the church.”

They slowly walked towards a small and quiet church on the top of the hill. The early mass has just ended and people are leaving the church quietly.  The old parishioners would greet them with a smile. And the young couple would smile back.