It's Always Been Us

5: His Yesterday

He removed the gold band from his ring finger on his left and played with it. It has been four years since she left them.

'Just this last time and I'll be spending more time with Ysa and Luke. I won't break my promise. They will always be my priority.' He was talking to his wedding ring.

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Everything is doing well in his life. He's got a happy family, a caring wife, two lovely kids and a successful career. He couldn't ask for more.

He thought everything was going well as he planned but he didn't realize that it was him who's gonna break their vow.

Relocating to Manila is one of his decisions that he is thankful for at the same time regretful. He thought he was strong, he thought he could keep his family intact while exposing a little bit of himself to the chaotic world of show business. He thought he was doing a good job protecting his family while staying in the limelight. But he was so wrong.

It was an attraction that he dismissed. He thought he was just attracted to HER because SHE is talented. Yes, they have that unexplainable chemistry on stage that emanates in their performances but that's it. No more, no less.

But the feeling is so strong that he finds himself falling deeper into HER. He tried to be friendly with HER, a friendly flirting as he calls it. But little did he know that he's gonna be a victim of his friendly flirting game. His unguarded reactions towards HER in the TV Show they are both in, the way he gazes at HER intensely on every performance, his random conversations with HER are not just friendly flirting but his efforts to get closer to HER. He knew SHE felt it too. That connection that only the two of them can understand, that kind that just by looking at each other's eyes, without words, they can communicate and understand each other.

His efforts were not wasted as SHE eased up on him. They would talk non stop and laugh during rehearsals; there are even times when they go for coffee breaks, both knowing each other's order by heart. They would also tease each other; he would casually remark that "She's pretty", "She's very confident"; SHE would always shout "I Love You Bamboo!" or "I Love You Coach Bamboo!" That is heaven in his ears. 'How good it is to be loved by you. I Love You too!' He would always reply silently.

He is so conflicted.

How can he love such a superstar almost being worshiped by HER millions of fans and followers? He's gonna be HER downfall if he continues to pursue HER. He cannot even ask HER out for a date, he doubts if HER parents who are always escorting HER would allow them too. He doubts if he could even take just a step into their home. HER parents are known to be strictly scrutinizing HER suitors even to the smallest details. What chance does he stand?

So he caged his feelings and hid it in the deepest part of his heart. Trying his best not to show it. And he guessed SHE understood that too. SHE was the one who started putting a space between them. Their coffee breaks were gone. During rehearsals, there are no more giggles and small talks; SHE just concentrates on HER part and when done, SHE meekly leaves. And he respected that. 'Maybe this is HER way of stopping what we have,' he thought.

The growing space between them during their performances has been noticed by fans and casual viewers, but both professionals and still not losing that chemistry on stage, they always finish their performances with a bang, always leaving their audience in awe.

He is content just being with HER, performing with HER. Maybe they are musical soulmates and maybe that's all that they could be. He always looks forward to the end of every duet because he still gets to hold HER hands in the form of a handshake and if he gets lucky, he gets a hug which happens very seldom.