Note: This is the last chapter of this story. Thank you for coming this far and for being part of Chanilene and Paolo's story.
#ChoPao
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Chapter 40
Retrouvailles
I remember the first time I saw him in the year of 2016. That time I was in church just bored and sleepy with Father's homily. He caught my attention because of his mysterious aura and charming look. Starting that day, I'm always looking for him, silently watching him from afar.
He's such a dream for me.
I remember how I always waited for him in the Christmas season of 2017. That time I always notice every single thing he does. He's so calm and so silent, but I also noticed how close he is with his parents. Maybe it's his emotionless facial expression, or maybe his sweet affection to his parents that leads me to develop my feelings for him.
He's my Christmas season crush that time. He made me look forward to every Misa de Gallo.
I remember my most unforgettable Christmas Eve mass of 2018. I can still remember the exact scenes of that night. The year I heard his real name. After 3 years of silently looking over him, I finally heard his voice and discovered his name.
Paolo. That's what his mom calls him.
Unexpectedly, that night was the first time he looked back at me. I don't know what he was thinking during that time, or if he sees me as someone familiar. But my heart flutters because of that simple moment.
That is also the night where he shared his umbrella with me. That time I am not really sure if he's helping me or I'm just assuming things. Still, I treasure that night a lot.
I thought that my Christmas season of 2019 will be the year where I can finally talk to him. But, I chickened out that time and lost my chance again to start a proper conversation. I just look at him from afar like I always do. Admiring him even though he's a stranger to me.
It made me sad that I can't find him on social media. There's no other way for me to reach out to him. He's not even attending regular mass, so my only chances are the nine days before Christmas.
As time passes by, I crave for more information about him. Before, I was just curious about his name, but now that I already know it, I suddenly want to be his friend.
Kaya naman hindi ko inakala na makikita ko siya sa pageant ni Monica sa PUP Manila. That is my first time seeing him na hindi sa simbahan. Sobrang nagulat ako at mas lalo akong na-curious sa kaniya.
Ginawa ko ata ang lahat para lang makita at makausap ko siya simula ng araw na iyon. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nagawa kong bumisita sa main after ng class ko para lang hintayin siya. Ang lala ko ata talaga.
Sa ilang linggo kong pagbisita sa Manila, never ko siyang nakita. Akala ko noon sign na 'yun ng langit para tumigil ako, pero nagulat ako nang makita ko ulit siya sa retreat. Sabi nga nila, kapag hindi mo ine-expect dun pa talaga dadating.
My semestral break of 2020 is the time where I finally had a conversation with him. Akalain mo nga naman, after five years na pagkaka-crush ko sa kaniya, doon lang kami nakapag-usap.
I can still remember my Christmas season of 2020, the time where we became closer. Akala mo ay isang panaginip na natupad ang naging pagiging malapit namin. At sa mga oras na 'yon, hindi na naman ako na kuntento sa pagiging magkaibigan namin.
I realized during that time that I actually like him, no, I think I love him. Sa mga panahon na 'yon, hindi na lang pagiging magkaibigan ang hinihiling ko, gusto ko na ng higit pa.
