If We Never Met [Alfaro Series #1]

PROLOGUE

Prologue

It's been six years since Janine and I broke up. I can see that she became successful. She's now a well-known lawyer because of that certain case. I thought she will be a corporate lawyer instead of criminal lawyer, but I guess, her plan changed. Still, I am proud of her.

"One Caramel Macchiato, please." A woman said. Her voice is so familiar. I looked at her and we were both surprised when we saw each other.

After six years, huh? Here in the same place where our relationship ended.

"Oh, Hi Ralph. It's been years." Aniya. She looks more beautiful now. Seeing her right now, I can tell, I still feel the same way. Hindi naman ata nawala 'yun.

She smiled at me. How I miss that smile of her. It's been years since I last saw that smile in person. Sa mga pictures ko na lamang kasi iyon nakikita.

"Hi, Atty. Marquez. It's good to see you again." Sabi ko naman. I honestly don't know what to call her. I don't want her to see that I still feel the same way for her because I am afraid. Afraid to know that she doesn't feel the same way anymore.

"Come on, Ralph. Why so formal? You can call me Janine." Sabi niya. She looks fine. And the way she talked to me, it looks like nothing happened between us.

"If that's what you want. So, how are you?" I asked her. She smiled before she answered. Kanina pa siya ngumingiti, she looked so happy.

"I'm fine. Just a bit tired because of work." She answered. I know that she's busy because she's well-known after that case. Sigurado akong marami ang gustong kumuha sa kaniya bilang abogado.

"I know this is late, but I want to congratulate you. You passed the BAR! You're a lawyer now. Isa sa mga magagaling na lawyer. Congrats, natupad na ang lahat ng pangarap mo." I said. Hindi ko siya nabati noong pumasa siya dahil nasa US ako noon at hindi ko din naman alam kung paano ko iyon gagawin. After what I did, hindi na kami nag-usap.

"Thank you pero hindi pa natutupad lahat ng pangarap ko. May isa pa." She answered. May isa pa? I got curious on what she meant so I asked her.

"Ano naman 'yon?" She just stared at me. Probably thinking if she will answer it or not.

"Caramel Macchiato for Ms. Janine!" Napatingin kami pareho sa nagsalita. She stood up and she went to get her drink. I thought she will leave after that but she went back to her seat in front of me.

"So, how are you?" She asked. She didn't answer my question. I guess she doesn't want to talk about it so I just answered her.

"Okay lang naman. I'm just busy these days because of our business." Sagot ko.

"Ay oo nga pala. James mentioned before that you're a CEO now. Congratulations, too!" She said happily. I smiled because of that. She knew that it was hard for me to decide what course should I take in college. I wasted four years – for fixing my life and trying to figure out what I really wanted. I tried two courses before I finally found what I really wanted and I thanked Janine for that. She helped me. I found her when I was saving my lost self.

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay tumunog ang kaniyang cellphone na nasa table.

"Hello? Yes? I'm on leave. I'm with someone right now. Just call Atty. Jeff. Okay. Bye."

"A client?" Tanong ko sa kaniya nang binaba niya ang kaniyang cellphone.

"Yes, he was actually a family friend." She answered. Tumango ako.

"You should go now, then." I said.

"No, I'm on leave." Sabi naman niya.

"Okay. Lagi ka bang pumupunta dito?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. Ngayon na lang ulit kasi ako pumunta dito.

"Yes, even if this is the place we broke up. I don't know pero nare-relax ako kapag nandito. Maybe, it's because this coffee shop was the place where I usually go before." She said.

"Hindi ka na pumupunta dito pagkatapos non?" Tanong niya. She's pertaining to our break up, I think.

"Yeah, I went to US after that. Halos lagi ako doon kaya hindi din ako nakakapunta dito kapag nandito ako sa Pilipinas. I just came back, actually." I answered.

"Kaya pala wala akong balita sa'yo." She said. That's not the case for me, I always try to ask someone about her.

"Ano palang ginagawa mo dito? Hindi ba busy ka?" Tanong niya at natigilan ako.

Damn.

It's just an easy question but why is it hard for me to answer that?

"Uhm. My work is done for today. And I – uhh."

"And?"

"I-I'm waiting for my wife."