If I See You Again

Chapter 23 Restaurante de Lucha

Author's note:

The succeeding chapters may all just contain Luisa Channel's Pov. Didn't we miss her in the preceeding 2 chapters? - enjoy reading everyone!
Please bear with this newbie in watty...

Luisa's Pov

Magdadalawang buwan narin ako dito sa States and so far I am adjusting a little bit. My parents were so happy the moment they saw me at their doorsteps that day. So happy that they never cared about the reason why I came. Ang sabi nila, they just missed me so much that they didn't even bother asking for the reason. It doesnt matter ang importante andito ka. Iyon ang laging tugon nila everytime I ask them kung wala ba silang planong tanungin ako sa dahilan ng biglaang pagsulpot ko.

"I figured I may find you here."

Napapitlag ako habang nakatingin sa isang painting dito sa isang art gallery sa New York nang marinig ko ang isang napakapamilyar na tinig. Without looking at the owner of that voice I turn to my heel and walked away. I know I am totally over him but I am not ready to see him yet. Not in the state that I am in.

"Still avoiding me ha? Intently, after all these years?" Palatak ni Steven habang naririnig ko ang tunog ng kanyang sapatos papalapit sa akin.

I made a halt. "It's badly what you wanted wasn't it? Me, being away from you?" I realized that once and for all, we might need to settle this if time would allow this time. Ngunit, hindi dito sa publiko.

"Let's talk Isa. Please..." may bahid pagmamakaawang sambit ni Steven.

I turned around and faced him. "Fine let's talk." Luminga-linga ako trying to find a good spot in the area.

Napasinghap ako nang maramdaman ang biglaang pagpulupot ng kanyang mga braso sa aking baywang. "Somewhere else sweetie." Steve whispered on my left ear.

Like there was a barrier in between us, I immediately distanced myself from him. "Don't you dare to do that again or else this talk is not gonna happen. Perhaps, it really isn't supposed to at all right?" I faced him.

"It's been years, maybe this talk never matter at all."

"It does for me Isa. It's something I have been wanting to do. I was just too busy here with our business that I haven't gotten the time to visit you there." Seryosong turan ni Steven.

"Oh... You've wanted to do? Bakit naman, I'm intrigued." Naiinis talaga ako sa tuwing naaalala ko ang tagpo noon. He said, he's sick of having me around.

His brows crossed at my attitude towards him. Simula kasi ng araw na iyong narinig ko sila sa billiard hall, hindi na ulit kami nagkausap ni Steven. Not even once. Wala narin kaming naging common ground at common place of hangout. Kaya we never had a chance to talk. Ngayon palang talaga after how many years.

Marami nang nagbago. I am stronger now, emotionally towards him. Kahit paman may dinadaanan ako ngayon. Hindi na ako ang dating Luisa Channel na nakilala niya as the nerd one na may malaking eyeglasses at laging libro lang ang dinadala. Hindi narin ako, tatanga-tanga sa harapan niya. My image physically has changed too. Ang boring kong buhok noon at binigyan ko ng buhay by having it curled at the tips and had it colored, ash brown. The way I dress ay nag improve narin. I don't wear sweatshirts and pants anymore. I wear body hugging dresses, cocktail dresses, I even know how to wear bondage skirts and midriff tops too. Kung dati naman ay laging naka sketchers, vans, keds or kahit anong branded na sneakers ako now I wear stillettos, pumps and doll shoes.

He changed too, kung dati ay playful ang image niya ngayon ay parang seryoso na siya lalo pa at siya naman ngayon ang naka eyeglasses though it's trendy. Mas lalo din siyang gumwapo but, it doens't blow my breathe away now, not anymore. All my amores ay naiwan na talaga sa Pilipinas. Sa isang taong posibling ngayon ay kapiling na ang anak at bumubuo na ng isang masayang pamilya sa piling ng babaeng iyon. Ayaw kong maging bitter, ako ang nagdesisyong iwan siya without hearing him out but I just can't help it. Gaya ng dati ay hindi na naman niya ako hinanap. Kung hinanap man ay kulang ang effort. Pero pasasaan pa nga ba naman ang paghahanap niya kung alam ko naman sa sarili ko na hindi na mababali pa ang desisyon kong ipaubaya siya kay Candice. At sa anak nilang si Kael. If only there was no Kael, lalaban ako but I am not that selfish to fight for my own happiness at the expense of that innocent child.