'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

10

He goes back inside the venue feeling momentarily unhinged. For the short span of time he has been with her, he has learned to read her like an open book. He knows something is bothering Lea; her eyes betray the storm within. In just a matter of minutes, he pulls himself back to his senses when a woman snatches his half-empty glass of champagne. His eyes squint as he looks up to see who it is.

"It's been a long time," she says before taking a sip.

He pauses in disbelief. Years have gone by without him hearing a single word from her. She has changed quite a bit, but in a good way. Her shoulder-length brown hair and tantalizing eyes are just a few of the many things he once loved about her. She captured his heart long ago, but he belongs to someone else now—Lea.

"Luisa? H-Hi," he stands up to greet her, his voice a mix of shock and nostalgia.

"You look... handsome," she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks," he half-smiles. "I didn't know you were here. You run a business now?"

"Yeah. A shipping line," she smiles sweetly.

"Wow. That's great. Are you with Jerick, your husband?" he asks.

"Uhm. He was... was gone. He passed away three years ago. Cancer," she says, lowering her gaze.

"I'm... sorry. I didn't know," he says, feeling a genuine pang of sorrow for the sadness in her eyes. She plasters on a smile, but he can read the lingering grief.

"It's fine. Matagal na rin naman 'yun. By the way, where is your wife? She's so beautiful."

His heart flutters every time he hears a compliment about Lea. "Thanks. We're not yet married eh. Soon, if she's ready."

"Oh. Akala ko... anyway, ang tanda mo na noh! Bigyan mo naman ng apo na sina tita," she jests, and Aga chuckles. Time flies as they spend a moment alone on the balcony talking about life. She tells her story following their breakup—a happy marriage tested by a brutal battle with cancer and financial struggle. Aga listens to her rants, offering a familiar ear just like the old times, but he knows nothing can come between him and his current happiness. He is devoted to someone else now.

---

Days grow cold and quiet between them as Lea continues to space out. He tries to reach out, but she always finds a diversion, a way to slip through his fingers. The situation befuddles her; her only instinct is to keep her distance. She is caught between a rock and a hard place. Aga deserves the truth, but she cannot find the words to form it. They move in the same circles, but he rarely sees her. No matter how many steps he takes toward her, she remains a mile away. This distance does not escape her friends' attention. Sensing something is wrong, she finally spills the beans to them.

"Lea, you should've told us. Hindi ka naman namin i-ju-judge eh. We're friends," Emma says, comforting her.

"Atsaka madam, hindi naman sa nanghihimasok kami noh pero isn't it unfair that we found out before fafa Ags?" Jason says while munching on snacks in her living room.

"I know, but you can't blame me. Napagdaanan ko na 'to eh. I've been here before and look at me... living alone. Nobody stays. They were all assholes," she sighs heavily.

"Including Aga?" Emma teases.

"Of course not," she replies quickly.