One More Chance

V

In a week uuwi na kami ng Pilipinas. For the past days, I've been keeping myself really busy by reading books on how to manage a business, mga tips and strategies, just to divert my attention. I've been so preoccupied the past days, knowing na papalapit na kaming umuwi ng Pilipinas and by going back there it means binabalikan ko ang nakaraan ko na hanggang ngayon ay minumulto ako. And of course, I'll finally see him again.

Invitations for the grand launch were already sent out last week, everything is settled. We invited our friends from Ateneo, and luckily pupunta naman sila lahat dahil miss na daw nila si AJ but unfortunately, they still don't know about me.

AJ: "Don't stress yourself too much love. You've been drowning yourself with these books, pahinga ka rin." sabi niya habang tinabihan ako. Nasa library kasi ako ngayon dito sa bahay nagbabasa.

Issa: "Wala rin kasi akong magawa love and I'm also preparing myself."  Sabi ko sa kanya and leaned my head on his shoulder.

Von: "Just don't pressure yourself. Dad's not forcing you to accept the position." Napag-isipan ko kasi na tanggapin ko na lang yung position na inoffer ni dad, in that way, I have something that can make myself busy. And I think that will be easier for me para hindi ko na maisip ang ibang bagay.

Issa: "Okay lang, nasimulan ko na rin so might as well finish it. And maybe I'll accept the position. Who knows."

AJ: "Let's go out na lang today love." sabi niya sa akin.

Issa: "Where?" kunot noo kong tanong sa kanya.

AJ: "Watch a movie or shopping. Please? Let's savor our free time here because we won't get to spend time as often in the Philippines. We have bigger responsibilities." sabi niya habang niyayakap ako at sinubsob ang kanyang ulo sa aking leeg.

Issa: "Okay fine. Pasalamat ka malakas ka sa akin. Magbihis na tayo bago pa magbago ang isip ko." agad naman siyang tumayo and offered me a hand. "Puntahan mo muna si Cayla sa room niya, tell her to get ready. Quick shower lang ako."

**

Ngayon darating si Julia galing sa bakasyon niya sa London. Ako ang inutusan nila Dad na sunduin siya sa airport, when I asked bakit ako, he just said na as her future husband daw, it's my responsibility na sunduin o ihatid siya sa mga lakad niya. Eh parang driver naman ang ibig sabihin ni Dad, hindi asawa. Umalis siya right after our engagement party last week, it was supposed to be a trip for us 2, engagement gift ng parents niya sa amin. Pero hindi ako sumama, hindi pa tapos ang PBA season so we still have games to play. Hindi naman siya pumalag.

Kakaland lang ng plane na sinakyan niya at andito na ako ngayon sa arrival area waiting for her. It took me a while para makita siya sa sobrang daming taong nagsidatingan. Noong nakita ko na siya, she smiled and waved at me at lumapit agad sa akin. Binati niya ako and gave me a peck sa lips, nakasanayan na niya ang humalik sa sa akin sa labi.

Julia: "Kanina ka pa babe? I'm sorry, it took me a while to find my things kasi eh." Sabi niya sa akin. Yes she calls me babe, pero ako Julia lang.

Thirdy: "Okay lang. Let's go?" sabi ko at kinuha ang kanyang mga luggage. Agad naman niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko.

When we were on our way out, may nakita akong isang babae na kakalabas lang ng CR. She was busy looking for something inside her bag and her hair covered her face. I felt something different, hindi ko siya kilala pero parang may naramdaman ako na may connection kami and there's this force pushing me to go near her. Then suddenly when I finally saw her face, parang tumigil ang mundo ko. Gusto ko siyang lapitan pero hindi nag cocooperate ang paa ko. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali, si Bea yun. Marami man ang changes sa kanya physically, pero I know it's her. Buhay siya.