The one that got away

6. Ten years cut too short

Some years ago...

I was really smiling very big that day. Calen and I had been a couple for almost a year and a half. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na we had a perfect relationship of course we fight and every time we fight he makes sure na kahit anong mangyari, he'll be the one to apologize first. He's a really good boyfriend. Kahit na ako iyong may kasalanan ng away namin, siya pa rin ang nagso-sorry and that makes me fall for him even more. 

That morning, we were at the football field -- naging favorite place ko na talaga iyon simula nang gawin niya iyong surprise niya sa akin. He was lying on my lap and I was playing with his hair. 

"Minsan naiisip ko kung hanggang saan tayong dalawa." he said while looking at me. I sighed tapos ay pinindot ko ang ilong niya. "I mean, if we will still be like this ten years from now." I smiled. Tean years from now, he was actually thinking about us ten years from now. I almost cried out of happiness. He was thinking about that - it means that he wanted me to be in his future. 

He loves me that much. 

"Do you still want me ten years from now?" I asked him. Calen stood up and touched my face. 

"You are the only woman for me." He said meaningfully. Tears just started flowing out from my eyes. Ganoon pala talaga iyon. A person could really love someone this much. Whenever I look at Calen, I could feel this overflowing love I have for him, it's like there's a dam inside my being that's full of love na para lang sa kanya at sa tuwing nakikita ko siya ay nag-uumapaw iyon. 

Bigla ko siyang niyakap. 

"I love you. You're the only woman for me." ulit niya. "Kung mawawala ka sa akin, didilim ang buhay ko." 

Bigla ay ngumiti ako. I knew that I should be feeling dramatic about this but hey, I have found the man for me, bakit ako iiyak? I love him, he loves me and he still wants me ten years from now, I coudn't ask anything more.

"You won't leave me?" I asked him. 

"Ikaw, baka ikaw pa nga ang mang-iwan sa akin eh." tila nagtatampong wika nito. Natawa ako. Kumalas ako mula sa yakap ko sa kanya. 

"Dangshin uhl saranghabnida..."

Bigla ay kumunot ang noo niya. Napatingin siya sa akin na parang takang-taka. 

"Minura mo na naman ako?" He asked. Napaagalpak ako ng tawa. Hinampas ko ang balikat niya at saka kinurot siya sa pisngi. 

"Ibig sabihin noon, I love you." 

"Ahhh, so love mo ako?" he asked me. 

"Hindi." His eyes widened. 

"But you just said ---" 

"I didn't said anything." Patay malisyang sabi ko. 

"Ahh ganoon!" biglang tinusok ni Calen ang tagiliran ko. Napatayo ako bigla. 

"Calen!" 

"HIndi mo pala ako mahal ah.." He again pointed his finger at me. Bigla akong tumakbo, he chased me all the way from the bleahers down to the football field. Takbo ako nang takbo habang tumatawa. I knew Calen will eventually catch me later on but I am enjoying this with him. 

"I will not let you catch me!" sigaw ko. 

"Gotcha!" napatili ako nang hwaan niya ako sa baywang. Napahiga kami sa football field. He was on top of me. I on the other hand was feeling my heart beating faster and faster as he looks at me that way.