1 year later..
Tala looked at her reflection in the mirror. She's wearing a gray sequined tunic and her Levi's Lady Style Jeans. Her peep-toe pumps completed the get-up. She tied her hair in a pony style and dab a slight amount of make up on her face. It was 5 o'clock in the afternoon and she'll be off somewhere.
As soon as she was finished she heard a honk of a car outside her apartment. Tala grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.
A black Toyota Vios came in her view as soon as she was out. A guy wearing a red polo shirt and denim jeans is waiting for her outside the car. The guy smiled as soon as he saw her and approached her with a kiss on the cheek.
"You look beautiful." the guy told her with admiration in his eyes.
"Thank You, Taylor." she answered and gave him a smile.
"Shall we?" Taylor asked as he opened the door of the car's front passenger seat and gestured for her to go inside.
As soon as he was in the driver's seat, Taylor started the engine and drove off. He had asked her to go watch a movie and then have dinner afterwards. It was Sunday and she has no work so she agreed.
She and Taylor had gotten back together for five months now. He was persistent asking for a second chance and she allowed him so. Her friends, most especially Cassie went frantic about her decision the fact that he had hurt her before and that they hate him, but soon as she gave them her reason they let them be. All of her friends agreed that she needed to forget Seung Hyun and that Taylor is perfect for a diversion. Tala knew it was an unfair decision both for her and for Taylor but she told herself that she needed this. And it was worth a try to give Taylor another chance but still, she vowed never to let her guard down anymore. And she also questioned herself whether or not she loves him again. The question is still left unanswered even within the past few months that she's with him. Tala didn't even know why she's still trying.
So far Taylor hadn't done anything that would cost their relationship to fail. He'd been always there for her, always calling and texting her, always picking her up at home or from work, always asking her out and so on. There were no signs of infidelity or whatsoever. But she thought, if there will be, maybe she would no longer care. As far as she was concerned Taylor was playing a good part as her diversion. She felt bad for him but at least she tried. Although she knew in her heart that she felt nothing for him anymore. Other than guilt and pity, there was none.
A year had passed but she still longs for someone else. Someone whom she couldn't forget. The memories gave her a sting on the chest every time she lingers on it. An awful longing and regret follows afterwards. From time to time she asks herself questions like where he is now? How is he doing? Is he happy? Is he.. committed? And those questions gave her heartaches. She couldn't bear the thought of it all. He was now gone and there's no way that she could turn back time.
She hadn't heard from him for a long time as well. She thought maybe, he really doesn't care about her. Maybe he doesn't even remember her. Which could be possible, since she was just a nobody. And they'd only met for a couple of times so why would she even expect that he still thinks of her. There was a sudden twinge in her chest. Why was she even expecting anything?
Tala was in a lost when suddenly Taylor's hand held hers. She was a bit startled.
"What seems to be the matter?" Taylor looked at her, his voice with a hint of concern. "It looks like something's bothering you." He squeezed her hand.
"N-nothing. I was just.. I was just thinking of something.." she answered. "It's not important." she gave him a smile.
Taylor looked at her for awhile and he half-smiled. Tala went back in looking outside the car window.
They arrived at the mall and watched a romantic comedy movie. Afterwards, they went on Contis's restaurant to have their dinner. They ordered and ate while both of them talked with each other about anything. Both of them were already having their dessert when Taylor suddenly grabbed and held her hand. Tala looked at their hands then to Taylor who's also looking at her. He gave her a half-smile.
"I've always wanted to look at you.. I couldn't forget how your eyes also smile like your lips does, how you pout when your irritated, how your eyebrows creased when your in deep thought, how you cry every time you watch heartwarming movies that makes you so emotional, how you looked like when you're asleep, how you looked like whenever you are happy even because of little things.. Those were the things that I'd missed. The things I regret losing and swore to have it all back for whatever it takes, for as long as I could.."
"Taylor.." she whispered.
"I know.. I know you still haven't forgiven me. But I'm grateful that at least you gave me a chance to prove myself to you. That I've changed. I swear to God I did. And I am thankful as well that I can see you are trying. You are trying to love me back. But I feel I couldn't have you anymore. I feel that, this relationship is a hopeless case.." Taylor's eyes looked like they were about to cry.
"Taylor, stop saying those things.."
"It's true isn't it? For the past five months I've never felt that you love me. You are with me but every time I look into those eyes of yours all I can see is nothing. No warmth, no affection. Nothing. Even if your close to me or I held your hand, every time we hugged or we kissed I feel you're distant. Like you were somewhere else and not here with me. You're no longer the Tala that I've always known.." he croaked.
Tala was struck with all the things Taylor had told her. She wanted to tell him that all of it were true. But seeing him pained like this, she still has the heart not to do so. She felt bad for this guy who used to be her everything, but now he's just nothing. Taylor could not blame her for at least trying.
"I'm sorry, Taylor.. I .. I've tried.. You know I did.." she told him.
Taylor let out a bitter laugh. "I know you did.."
Tala lowered down her head. This is it. He's breaking up with her. Again. Somehow it feels like she'll be finally relieved.
"That's why I've thought of this decision." Taylor took off his hand from hers. She raised her head to find him standing up from his seat and kneeling beside her. He took something from his pocket.
Oh God please no.. Please, please not this.. she clearly knew what was happening. Please don't ask me to marry--
"Tala, will you marry me?" Taylor asked with a silver diamond ring in his hand. "This is the only way I could prove to you how serious I am and how much I love you.."
Tala closed her eyes and a tear fell from her cheek. When she opened her eyes an expectant Taylor with glassy eyes is looking at her along with the other people in the restaurant that witnessed his proposal. She bit her lip and looked at him. Her sweet Taylor. Her old flame. He had loved her and hurt her. He wrecked her. He came back for her. And is now asking for her to marry him. But she doesn't love him. She just used him. She doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve her.
Oh how much she wanted to scream and runaway! A single answer would change everything. Might she say yes, she will be Taylor's from now on for the rest of her life. If she says no, she will be free. But will leave Taylor embarrased in front of this whole crowd and will remember this hurtful moment for the rest of his life. She thought, so what's it going to be? Her thoughts were in a rush and she had to think fast. Then she realized, she had nothing to lose anyway. And so she gave him her answer.
"Yes. I will." The words were like lumps obstructing her throat. She forced a smile.
Taylor cried the moment she said yes. She never saw him cry like this the whole time she'd known him. His eyes were overflowing with joy and is overwhelming her. Somehow she thought she had made the right choice.
He stood up and placed the ring on her finger. He hugged her tight and kissed her on the lips. The people in the restaurant were swooned because of the scene and they clapped their hands. She could hear ooohhs and aahhss from their audience. Some ladies wiped tears on their cheeks and some men tapped Taylor on the shoulder as if to congratulate him.
A woman that looked like in her middle 40's approached them with her husband. She held Tala's shoulder.
"Your boyfriend is a good man. He showed the world how much he loves you. You are lucky to have him and he's also lucky to have you as well. Both of you looked good with each other. I only wish happiness for the both of you." the woman told her.
She gave her a faint smile and watched as the woman with her husband left the restaurant. The two of them are holding each others hand as they walk. The sight made her cry.
How I wish I could hold Taylor's hands like that when we're old.. How I wish I could hold his hands like I'll never let him go..
