North Star

Chapter XVIII

Two years ago...
"Theo,what are you doing?" Beatrice asked me. I was working at home.
"Stop it. I don't like to go with you."
"It's family gathering."
"For what to ask me who is my girlfriend? I don't live just to have girlfriends."
"Tsk,,that cranky attitude again. Fine. Do whatever you want."
"Why are you always here? Don't you have work?"
"Nope. I have free time."
"I'm busy so spare me."
"Yah!Theo why are you like that?"
I was thinking about her post on social media. She was posting a very sad message and her friend commented that life must go on. Did she just break her boyfriend? Finn,don't do this to me. I cried secretly.
Then the next day another post came in. She posted a picture when she was in Thailand.
"A better day to start new life. Forget what to chase but focus on what you become and how would you become."
Is she travelling another country?
What is she doing?
I worked hard to forget her for the mean time.
The next day it was our monthly meeting with the staff. My boss spoke to me.
"Stephan,why are you always out of the country? Do you know that we can fire you from that?"
"Sir. I'm sorry. I have to do it."
"Why? We are working with money,Falcon. If the board know that you are always travelling abroad I might couldn't help you that time. Why did you do that?"
"I have my wife in the Philippines,sir!"
"What?"
"Yeah. I have to see her once in a while. "
"Why she didn't come here?"
"She's working. So I have to do it"
"You have to do something about it,Falcon. I don't want you to be out from this company. You are an asset. So I can lose you. Please do something or I'll make a memo."
"Sir,okay,I'll do something."
"Good. I thought you are single. I'm happy for you. Falcon."
"Thank you sir."
My boss left and I stayed there for a while. My dad would knew it because he is working in the company too as senior supervisor.
"Falcon,"
"Dad,I'm sorry. I don't have anything to think for a reason."
"Tell me son why you did you go to the Philippines?"
"I'm sorry dad."
"Tell me..maybe we can help."
"I love someone else secretly."
"Who?"
"She's Finn Montenegro."
"What the daughter of your aunt long time friend and a housekeeper?"
"Why dad is there a problem?"
"No,your mom likes her for you too. Don't worry I'll help you."
"What?"
"Yeah, I am happy for you son,she's kind."
"Yah I know."
"Now,well do a plan."
We planned how should we do this to my mom.
Good thing my mom didn't ask any question about it. She went to the Philippines immediately.

Every night I always look up in the sky. Watching the bright stars above is one of my hobbies.
"One day we will see each other again."
I drank my can of beer.
I look at the picture which she was just 16 years old. She was so young. But I can see that she can be a good friend to me. She can understand my personality.
I remembered when we talked while she was taking care of my niece.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"What's your name?" She asked me. She's not really good at English that time but I could understand well.
"I'm Stephan Mattheo Falcon. What's yours?"
"I'm Finn."
"Ahh okay."
"Did you study in college?"
"Yeah!"
"What course did you take up?"
"Finance. Are you a high school student?"
"Yes. I am."
"Ahh okay."
She left since the kids were running inside. I looked at her from afar. She didn't look at me in the eyes.
I got inside too then I found her sitting with the kids. I took them a picture but actually it was only her.
It was eating time and I'm the first one to finish. She washed the plates.
"Just put it there!"
"No,I can." I said.
I washed it by myself.
Then I leave.
I went upstairs. I played my guitar. At night there will be a mass ceremony for my grandfather's wake.
I have to practice. Beatrice will do the piano and I will be the guitarist.
Then when I went back to my room ,I was about to put my guitar on the chair,it fell on the floor so it made a loud noise that woke her up.
"I'm sorry."
She didn't say anything and left. Is she angry?

At night,everyone attended the ceremony. We did the choral. My cousins are good singers.
When the priest said peace be with you,everyone went to the elderly ones to kiss or shake hands. I went out and approached her. I offered my hand but she never looked at me. She got my hand and we shook each other hands. There were electricity coming through our veins. The negative and positive elements made a reaction.
That was the beginning of my greatest connection with her.

The next day is the burial ceremony. I thought she wouldn't come and just stayed in the ancestral house. I saw her walking on the hallway of the house. She just commented on what I wear.
"You look good in your formal clothes."
"Thanks." I smiled. At least she saw me. My heart thumps erotically. Oh. I was hit by the Cupid's arrow. Isn't it?
In the church ,my eyes were roaming around and I saw her sitting beside her mother. Then we went to the cemetery after the ceremony. We rode in the same bus. I sat near her seat.
She never saw me again. Am I an invisible to her?
We arrived in the cemetery. There was a big hole at the center and that is where my grandfather will be buried next minute.
I helped them giving snacks to the people who attended this occasion.
I was about to go to another area when I saw her walking to me. Approximately 3 steps apart,she was out of balance and good thing I got her hand if not she will be in the hole now.
"Careful"
"Thank you." She closed her eyes. She might be scared.
She walked away.
She didn't know that I exist during that time.

I waited for her for so long until now. The long wait is over. We have each other and that's the most important. I can fulfill my dreams with her. My promises that only the stars knew before,now I would be able to make them realized. This is strange but I am destined to follow this path. If this is not for me,I will never wait for her and find my happiness long time ago.