They met in Ilocos at a time when neither of them knew what the future had in store. Theresia was building a life of her own, while Francis was trying to figure out where he belonged between family, expectations, and the future waiting for him in Manila. They started as two people who simply happened to cross paths. Then came the friendship, the late-afternoon rides, quiet conversations, unexpected laughter, and moments neither of them thought would matter years later. But not every story begins at the right time. There were people between them. Misunderstandings. Things left unsaid. Choices that hurt more than they expected. And eventually, life pulled them in different directions. Years passed.