One Shots: An ADNBookClub Writing Challenge

One-True Love ... (K)Not

by: einsy

One of the most anticipated parts of a wedding are the vows exchanged by the couple. Apart from the rings, which are usually handpicked by the groom or the couple itself, most of the vows are now personally made by the bride and groom. It's a testimony they make to each other and to their witnesses about their promises and wishes for each other.

She said:

"Two years ago, I thought I'd never get married and just settle for a life of single-blessedness. However, three years before that, I was still with whom I thought was my prince charming; the one who would sweep me off my feet and make me his queen. Kaso, ayun, mas nauna pa syang agawin yung korona sa akin kaya bumalik ako sa pagiging alone. Inisip ko, sadyang ganun si tadhana e. Minsan pinagtatagpo tayo pero hindi tayo itinatadhana. I was alone but surprisingly, I wasn't lonely.

Research says that there are three, five or even stages of love. It starts with attraction or infatuation and ends in togetherness and even death – kaya siguro sinasabing "till death do us part". As teenagers, we made a promise to be together and to spend the rest of our lives together. However, we both grew up and eventually grew apart. I became apprehensive when I learned that you had gotten into one relationship after another. Well, ako rin naman, nagka-boyfriends at flings pero, nasa likod lagi ng isip ko yung promise natin sa isa't isa.

So yun na nga, umabot na ako sa edad na 30 pero di ka pa rin nagparamdam o nagpakita muli. Akala ko lost cause na. I was seriously preparing myself physically, mentally, and emotionally for the years ahead of being by myself.

Then, one quiet evening, my phone suddenly rang. Everyone knows how I automatically ignore unlisted numbers but oddly enough, I decided to answer the call. The first 'hello' you said made my heart skip a beat. Hindi ko ma-explain kung bakit ako kinilig imbis na kabahan dun sa iisang 'hello' na yun. Then when you invited to meet up for coffee at the old coffee house where we used to hang out a lot, it felt that I was being told to come home. Na, wala na yung gulo sa bahay, na okay na umuwi.

Hindi alam ni Rj ito pero nakilala ko sya agad as soon as I arrived at the coffee house. Gusto ko sana syang unahan pero nauna pa rin sya sa akin. When we were younger, we made it sort of a contest to arrive earlier than the other at the appointed meeting place. Eight out of ten times, I'd always be the first. Pero that evening, I actually arrived at the area an hour before the time. I saw him walk in the coffee shop on time and scout for 'our' spot. He sat on his chair, the one facing away from the door and I spotted his perfectly framed shoulders as soon as I entered.

When he kissed me goodnight after that 'first date' after all these years, I knew that I had come home. It's been two years from our original plan but I still thank God for the wonderful two years we got to spend as girlfriend and boyfriend.

So, Richard, Tisoy, Rj, I love you and I cannot think of a better way to say that. I have loved you since the first day we met in Mrs. Marasigan's class where you sat beside me even though pinaghihiwalay ni Ma'am ang mga boys sa girls kasi masyadong magulo yung class natin. Honestly, di ko na maalala kung love ba talaga yun or dahil crush na kita dati pa pero ang sigurado ako is that inaantay ko lang talaga yung time na bumalik ka at i-claim mo yung love ko para sa yo. I cannot wait to begin this new chapter of our life together. I love you.

He said:

Speech ata to at hindi lang basta vows but Maine, I want you to know that I have always loved you. Kahit na groovy pa ang ichura natin dati. I loved how you unintentionally make people smile and brighten everyone's day with your infectious asthmatic laughter and funny faces. You were always there in good times and most especially in bad. At gusto kong ipaalam sa lahat na siguradong hindi ko maipapasa ang Physics class ni Marasigan kung hindi dahil kay Maine. Before you guys think na sya ang gumawa ng mga assignments at project ko, nagkakamali kayo. We would actually get into arguments over equations I could not understand to save my life. I had actually cried several times nung alam kong pabagsak na naman yung grades ko sa Trig at Calculus. But Maine was patient enough to tutor me and help me out. I may not have graduated at the top or in the honor roll pero di rin naman ako pasang awa. Thank you, Ma.

We separated after highschool. I went to the States to study college while she stayed here and earned her degree. Initially, we kept in touch via email, updating each other on various activities in our lives. We never really talked about our relationships with others because we had a 'secret' vow to get married when we reached the age of 30.

I built my life and career in the States after college. It wasn't easy and although I was doing well, something felt lacking. I came back to the Philippines and became quite successful in my own enterprise. But still, something was amiss. Then, one day, while driving past our old highschool, I saw the old park bench where we would hang out or sit until our individual school busses would arrive. I walked up to it and saw the old marks we made on those wooden tables. Then I saw the three-zero, and memories of us came flooding in. I quickly searched for friends who might still have contact with you and luckily, I found Troy, your brother's best friend. I apologize for taking two extra years but you know how much of a perfectionist I am. I wanted to make sure that we were both still tied to the promise we made to each other almost 18 years ago.

Thank you for trusting and waiting. I promise to love you and be with you thirty times thirty time thirty time thirty times more. I have loved you since and I will love you till forever."

"...ang susunod na palabas ay rated SPG...striktong patnubay ng mga magulang ay kailangan....joke lang po. Ladies and gentlemen, friends, ninongs and ninangs, parents, I now present you, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Faulkerson, Jr.! You may now kiss the bride...pero payong kapatid, J, make it short and sweet lang ha? Mamaya na kayo mag-action packed sa kwarto..." Fr. Jeff said after blessing their union.