"Soulmate"

It’s been what? Seven years…and here I am, suddenly taking this familiar road. The last

time I was here…I was barely 17…in that one breezy morning…about half past nine…I

gathered my things and left…I left home…to be free…to be safe.

Julie…sigurado ka ba?

Kaya mo bang mag-isa?

Ma, kung di ko ‘to gagawin, kelan pa? This isn’t the right place for me, right now. Sorry…

It was very vivid…that fateful day…seven years ago…and as I see the once familiar curves,

bends and roads….I knew….I am returning home.

I rummaged through stacks of paper and suddenly, I heard Ericka calling out.

“Miss Julie, kadarating lang po niyan.”

I looked at her and asked,

“Kelan pa? Bakit di mo sa akin sinabi agad?”

As I speak, I can feel how my personal assistant became nervous. She knew me and my

moods. She knew that while I can be kind and selfless…I can easily throw a tantrum if called

for and this…this letter in my hand is one mere cause.

“Sige na, you can go.”

As I see her leave…I occupied the nearest seat and gradually opened the letter…

“Snail mail…uso pa pala ‘to.” I muttered and as these creases in my forehead increased, I

slowly opened the envelope, revealing what appeared to be a long letter, a message from my

past…something that I evaded years ago…

But what caught my eye aside from the message are the familiar slants and loops…this

handwriting…this writing style… kilalang-kilala ko…

Beep! Beep!

I was suddenly awoken by this insensitive driver who unfortunately parked his car outside my

home.

“God, is he even serious?”

I stood up. I stormed outside to confront this insensitive fool. But as soon as I opened the

door…as I approach my visitor…I then saw him, standing beside his car…with his lopsided

smile in tow.

“Hi, Jules, did I wake you up?”

“God, Elmo…it’s past ten, ang ingay mo!”

He took off his shades and slowly walked towards me and suddenly, he grabbed me by the

waist, stared…moved closer and gave me a soft kiss…on my forehead.

“Yuck! Eewww! Di tayo talo, anong tinira mo?”

“Hahaha, Jules, di ka pa ba sanay? Ha best friend?”

“Kahit sino naman di masasanay sa kamanyakan mo noh! What are you doing here?”

“Anong tanong yan, ikaw kaya nagpapunta sa akin dito?”

“Ha? And why would I do that?”

“Uuwi tayo…sa inyo. Di ba, hahanapin natin ang Soulmate mo?”