Naging masaya ang celebration ng graduation ni Mia. Tinanong siya ng Daddy niya kung ano ang mga future plans niya.
"Daddy, everytjing in life lies uncertain. But so far I want to practice my craft. I'm planning to work somewhere in Manila then I hope someday I'd be given a chance to pursue my studies Abroad." Sago ni Mia.
"wala ka bang plans about having a relationship anytime soon?" tanong ng kanyang mommy.
"Mom, I don't think I have time for that. I'm too busy exploring what lies ahead of me." sagot ni Mia.
"How about exploring what lies ahead for that man, hija?" tanong ng kanyang Daddy.
"He knows that we're only friends. Yes he is special for me but we can never be more than friends." derechong sagot ni Mia.
"just make sure of that hija. He makes a good friend. Mahirap masaktan ang ganyang klaseng kaibigan. Remember that you will only know the importance of someone if that someone is no longer with you." paalala ng daddy ni Mia.
"I know Daddy, I learned it the hard way. Believe me, i learned it the hardest way possible." malungkot na sagot ni Mia sa kanyang Daddy.
Hindi na pinilit pa ng parents ni Mia na kumbinsihin siya tungkol sa pagtanggap ng manliligaw. Naisip nilang malalim pa ang sugat na naiwan ng dati nitong minahal. Mahirap nga namang pilitin ang dalaga kung hindi pa talaga siya handa na magbukas ng puso para sa bagong pag-ibig.
Naglakad-lakad si Mia sa kanilang garden kasama si Rhys.
"Mia, I'm really happy for your achievements. You're such a strong woman. I know losing Rui devastated you too much, but instead of wasting your time crying over him, you motivated yourself to strive harder and succeed. For that I admire you even more. I know I've been very persistent in asking for a chance and you might be really annoyed because of that. But I want to ask you again if you can give me a chance to love you." nagsusumamong pahayag ni Rhys.
"Rhys, you've been very persistent and determined. I can say that any girl will be lucky to have you in their life. Though I know you've been waiting for me, but I will be unfair if I give you false hope. You deserve the love even more than what you can give. Unfortunately, that girl is not me." pagsasaad ni Mia.
Malungkot man pero matatag na tinanggap ni Rhys ang desisyon ni Mia.
"I know your heart belongs to Rui, but I can't force myself to love someone else. I'll give you more time as I'll also try my best to let you go." sagot ni Rhys.
"I hope you understand my decision.I don't want to hurt you. But telling you the truth is the kindest thing that I can do for you. I hope you won't hate me for it." malungkot din na pahayag ni Mia.
"You know that I can never hate you, Mia. How can I hate you? You've been very consistent and honest from the very beginning. I have no reason to be mad for I don't want to force you into loving me." pilit ang ngiting sabi ni Rhys kay Mia.
Hinaplos ni Mia ang mukha ni Rhys. Nag-iisip at tinatanong niya ang sarili kung bakit hindi niya mapilit ang sarili na mahalin ang lalaki sa kabila ng lahat ng kabutihan nito. Maraming babae ang naghahangad dito pero hindi niya maturuan ang sarili na mahalin ito ng higit pa sa isang kaibigan.
Naging busy na lahat. Marahil ito na ang paraang pinili nilang pareho upang madaling makalimot at magpalipas ng panahon. Nagtrabaho bilang model si Rhys ng isang clothing line at nagsimulang sumikat. Maraming iba't-ibang babae ang na-link sa kanya pero wala naman siyang inaamin n karelasyon. Si Mia naman ay na-promote bilang executive manager ng isang kilalang kompanya. Sa kabila ng tagumpay na nararanasan niya sa kanyang trabaho, nararamdaman pa rin niya na may kulang na bahagi ng kanyang puso.
"Baby, almost three years ka nang graduate pero wala ka pa ring boyfriend 'til now. Baka naman wala ka nang balak mag-asawa?" nagbibirong komento ni mommy Len.
"Of course not! I have plans mom. And I'm just waiting for the right time." positibong sagot ni Mia sa kanyang ina.
Dumating nga sa wakas ang pinakahihintay ni Mia. Na-grant ang application niya na mag-aral abroad. Excited niyang ibinalita ito sa kanyang mga magulang. Nagdaos ang kanyang mga magulang ng isang Farewell party para sa kanya 2 nights before her departure. Gaya ng inaasahan ay dumating si Rhys upang magpaalam.
"Rhys! I'm glad you came. Akala ko matitiis mo na ako eh." pambungad na bati ni Mia na sinabayan niya ng banayad na beso sa pisngi ng binata.
"Of course I won't forget you." masayang sabi ni Rhys. Nagkwentuhan silang dalawa dahil matagal din silang hindi nagkita. at lalong mukhang mas matatagalan pa ang magiging susunod nilang kwentuhan kaya sinulit nila ang pagsasama nila ngayon.
"Are you sure about this, Mia?" tanong ni Rhys.
"Sure about what? About leaving? Yes. Absolutely." balik na tanong naman ni Mia.
"Where exactly are you going?" tanong ni Rhys.
"I was granted a scholarship in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I've been waiting for this my entire life. How can't I be sure about this?" masayang sagot ni Mia.
"Are you sure this isn't about Rui?" tanong ulit ni Rhys.
"Rhys, people change, peolpe forget, wounds heal. This isn't about Rui anymore. I'm not even interested regarding his whereabouts. This is all about me and my future." directang sagot ni Mia.
"Okay if it happens that you wanna know, you ask me anythime." pabirong sagot ni Rui.
"Never mind!" natatawang sagot ni Mia.
"Fine, if that is what you want. Anyway, when are you leaving?" tanong ni Rhys.
"It will be the day after tomorrow." saad ni Mia.
"Ok, expect me to be there. You're not permitted to board the plane without me." pabirong sabi ni Rhys.
"Sabi mo eh. Hihintayin kita." sagot ni Mia.
"Ok I'll go now. I have to go to work early so I can finish my shooting tomorrow and so that I can be there at the airport when you leave." mahabang paalam ni Rhys.
Umalis si Rhys na may ngiti sa mga labi ngunit may mabigat na nilalaman ang dibdib. Ang babaeng matagal niyang minahal at hinangaan ay natuto nang tahakin ang sarili niyang landas. Sa kabila ng uncertainties ay mas nagpupumiglas na umangat at maging malaya. Dumating na ang panahon para palayain niya si Mia at subukang magmahal ng iba.
