The International Lover

April 11, 2005

I never woke myself as early as 4:30 a.m. No, an alarm did not wake me; instead, it was my instinct. I took the extra hour take a shower and dress myself. Then, it was 5:30 a.m when I saw Idalene at the front desk.

"We've come 30 minutes before the Sun rises", I said.

"It means we can start earlier than I planned", Idalene replied. "I have 2 hours to start my shift"

We exited from the hotel, and she drove me around the city then we ended at the docks. We dismounted from her car and watched the sunrise while we heard seagulls squawking.

"Have you watched the sunrise in Philippines?", Idalene asked.

"No", I answered. "This is my first sunrise"

"Likewise", she said.

We watched the magnificent sunrise, and unexpectedly, she kissed my cheek.

"Did you just kiss me?", I asked.

"Like I said yesterday, I like you", she replied.

There was a moment of silence as my blood boiled, and I could feel hers was boiling too. The sunrise represented a new beginning.

"Come, we need to return to the hotel especially I will have a shift to start unless you can find yourself back"

"No, wait for me", I replied.

Then, we mounted on her car, and we returned to the hotel.

Later that night, I returned to the bar to see her being the bartender again. The only difference was the bar was wilder than last night.

"Idalene!", I called.

"Jose!", she replied.

"What is the special event for tonight?", I asked.

"I forgot to tell you that today is the anniversary of this hotel", Idalene explained. "It's a good thing you came"

"Well, I'm hungry and bored"

She took my hands, and we danced; we had a wild night until an unexpected man took Idalena's hands.

"Matheo!", she exclaimed and kissed him like what she did to me but on the lips.

"Idalene", I called, and they looked at me. "Who is that?"

"Oh, Matheo, this is Jose!", Idalena said. "Jose, this is my boyfriend"

My heart started crying.

"What do you mean he's your boyfriend?", I stupidly asked.

"I mean he is my boyfriend"

"Oh"

"Actually, I am her future husband", Matheo said, and he stood on the counter. "People, I need your attention!", he shouted.

The bar fell to silence.

"You probably know me: Matheo, Idalene's boyfriend for 3 years"

The crowd distinctly agreed.

"Well, now, I am going to be her husband", he descended from the counter then walked towards Idalene; furthermore, he knelt and pulled a ring. "I never needed to be fancy, so let me ask you this question directly: will you marry me?"

Without hesitation, Idalene answered,

"Yes, Matheo, I will marry you!"

I slowly exited from the bar and sat on the couch at the lobby.

"Jose!", Idalene approached me.

"Congratulations", I said. "I did not know you had a boyfriend, who is going to be your husband"

"That was unexpected!", she replied then noticed my sadness. "Alright, Jose what's wrong?"

I explained her my mission.

"That was noble", Idalene commented. "Wait, did you think we would enter a relationship?", she asked.

I nodded my head, and Idalene laughed.

"We just met", she said.

"You kissed me", I reminded her.

"I do that to my friends, and you are one of them", she replied. "Look, I know you will meet someone, but it takes time", she hugged me. "I assure you this assurance: you will meet someone"

Now, I fully understood the sunrise's meaning: it represented my new perspective about the experience I encountered.

Next day, I went to Idalene at the front desk.

"I'm leaving", I said.

"Are you going to return to Philippines?", she asked.

"Not yet", I answered. "I will go to London to visit a friend"

"Oh, I hope it has nothing to do with-"

"No, I'm actually happy for you"

We made a peaceful closing, and I went to the airport for London next day.

Lesson #1: If the girl likes you, it means many things, so you need to get the clarification from her.