Still you

Prologue

"Ri you should go home na" My older brother said through the phone.

"Kuya, I just graduated and besides I'll take the board exam here and after that I'll go home na." I answered.

"Ri naman, it's been what? 5 years. Mama and Papa miss you, we all miss you!" He claimed and I only sighed. I miss them too but I need to prove something first before I go back in the Philippines. I don't wanna waste my 5 years here and my parents' tears begging me to come home just for me to go back without a license tsk. I've been selfish all my life and I want to pay them back.

I can still remember why I chose to study here in London. I was supposed to stay in the Philippines and continue studying at Xavier University. One of the top universities in the country when it comes to Accountancy. I'm already in my first year but shit happened. I felt so bad, I felt so used. 

I finally accepted my admission here in the prestigious University of Bath and everything went so smooth. 

I finished putting my things inside my bag and went outside my apartment. The cold air sent chills to my body. I already got used to it though. After a couple of walks, I arrived in my favorite cafe. Three weeks from now, I'll finally take the board exam and I'd be lying if I'll say na hindi ako kinakabahan. Alam naman nating lahat na napakahirap talaga ng CPA board exam and sana pagpalain ako. I can't afford to fail my parents. And above all, I can't wait to go back to the Philippines.

"Same order Ms. Ari?" tanong nung barista sakin.

"Yes please." Sagot ko at ngumiti ng tipid. Umupo na ako sa aking usual spot and nagsimula nang magbasa.

Tumunog ang hinge hudyat na may pumasok kaya napatingin ako. 

Bakit nandito siya?? Hindi ko akalain. Napako ako saking kinakaupuan at hindi na mapakali. Bakit pa ba ako apektado? May asawa na yata yan Ari kaya tumigil ka!  

Nakumpera ang aking hinala ng may babaeng sumulpot sa kanyang likoran. 

Oh. Mapakla kong tinawanan ang aking sarili. Ari, you're so pathetic.

"Huy!" Nagulat ako ng may biglang kumalabit sakin.

Tinawanan lang ako ng mokong.

"Walang hiya ka Nathaniel!" Kinurot ko siya kaya napaaray naman siya.

"Stop naaa!! Eto naman eh, ba't ka kasi nagzone out?" Tanong niya at umupo sa aking harapan.

"He's here." I said in a small voice.

"Huh?" Nagulat siya at tumingin sa paligid. Napamura siya.

"Ano, gusto mo bang sapakin ko ang gagong yan?!" Seryosong tanong niya.

"Don't you dare make a scene here Nate and besides, I don't think he can still remember me. Let bygones be bygones." I answered with a gritted teeth.

"Let bygones be bygones but you still love him? Sinong pinagloloko mo Arienne Louisse?" Napailing nalang siya at nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pagreview.

Dumating na yung order ko pero hindi pa rin siya mawala sa isipan ko. Saglit lang naman silang pumasok at nagtake out but after 5 years, I finally saw him again! He still looks good! But he became taller and darker? If that makes sense lol. He looks stricter and more snobbish compared to before. He also has a clean haircut. He probably came here for business. Wow, he's now probably married to his first love ha? Damn. 

Five years have passed and my feelings for him should be gone too. But even after everything, it's still him.