A few years later

"Congratulations on your wedding Apollo!" I greeted my long time best friend on this very special day. Napakaswerte niya dahil may isang napakagandang babae ang pakakasalan niya.

"Salamat Thalia, thank you din sa pag-aasekaso sa kasal namin ng fiance ko." Sabi nito habang inaayos ang kanyang mamahalin na puting tuxedong na talaga namang bagay na bagay sa kanya. Somehow he looks just like the prince I saw at the Acquaintance Party a few years ago. Handsome, elegant, and with charms, this prince has it all.

"Oh no worries, it was my pleasure," I replied, smiling deeply whilst looking over the wedding ceremony's status and checking if everything is on schedule using my tablet.

Napansin ko na may dumi sa engagement ring ko kaya pinahawak ko muna sa katabi ko ang tablet at nilinisan ko ang singsing ko.

"Magsisimula na tayo." One of his friends announced. We both nodded and walked towards our designated spot.

Isa ako sa mga guest  na naka-upo sa front row dahil best friend ako nang groom at nang bride at dahil din ako ang nag-organise ng kasal nila, further crushing myself kasi makikita ko buong buong ang pagkakakasal nilang dalawa.

The choir stood up and started to sing once they learned that the wedding is about to begin. An angelic music echoes around the chapel as a stunning Selena Aphrodite Arce enters the room, a smile was visible on her face under the white veil as she gracefully walks towards the altar. She was beautiful while wearing a white, off-shouldered wedding dress embedded with Swarovski crystals. Her job as an international model made it look like her wedding was a fashion event and she's walking on a runway.

Tinignan ko si Apollo na abot tenga ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Punong-puno nang pagmamahal ang mga mata neto at parang halos lilipad na sa era sa saya na nararamdaman neto. To think that both of them could've called it quits before but they gave their relationship a second chance, is a wild gamble but ultimately a good choice for the both of them.

All of this made me think about the other possibilities. As the wedding ceremony continues I drifted off my thoughts and I couldn't help myself but to wonder the "what could've beens".

Ano kaya ang mangyayari kung nag confess ako kay Apollo na may crush ako sa kanya? Kung nag sabi ako na may pagtingin ako sa kanya nuon, nuong gabi na yon? Would things be different? Would things be just the same anyway?

Ako sana ang naglalakad patungo sa altar. Ako sana ang naka wedding dress ngayon. If I uttered those words, those three damn words, "I choose you",  things would be very different. Instead, I am here at the sidelines, happily watching the man I used to have a crush on, get married to the woman who might not have been me, but is the perfect bride for him. What could've been. 

Natauhan ako bigla nang malaman ko na nagsasabi na sila nang kanilang mga vows. I drifted off so long that I felt like I was present at their wedding actually mentally absent.

"Sel, take this ring as a symbol of my love to you. I may be a flawed man and I have done things that hurt you, but you choose to give me a second chance, you choose to give us a chance, and I am incredibly grateful for that." Apollo started his wedding vow.

Lahat nang tao nagsimula nang lumuha dahil dito, alam nilang lahat ang mga pinagdaanan nang dalawa before, during, and after our time at Hellviana kaya panay ang luha nila dahil sa wakas ikakasal na sila matapos ang bagyong pinagdaanan nilang dalawa.

"I will take your love to give me hope, joy, and strength every day. I will take your love to make me a better man, husband, and future dad. I promise to always be there for you, to listen to your day, to be there as a shoulder to cry on, and to always consider your feelings and thoughts as we travel together on this journey in life." Apollo continued.

Tumawa nang kaunti si Selena habang nagsasalita si Apollo. Ang mga mata niyay punong-puno nang pagmamahal sa lalaking kaharap niya.

"I vow to this ring and to the altar beside us that I will always love you, honor you, and cherish you, forsaking all others to come in between us, as a faithful husband. For richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, as long as we both shall live." Apollo ended, sniffing while wiping away the tears on his cheeks. He inserted the ring onto Selena's finger and smiled at her.

"Apollo, take this ring as a symbol of my love onto you. Like the shape of a ring, my love for you will always be infinite and never-ending. I promise to love you, all of you. From your greatest strengths and quirks down to your flaws and weaknesses, I embrace them and I will accept them." Selena started, holding Apollo's hand as she tries to continue her vows while holding in her tears.

"I come here freely and without hesitation to give myself to you as a devoted wife, and so that we may join your life and mine, not just a couple but finally as a married man and woman. I promise to love you and to be there for you in sickness, and in health, in troubles or in pains, so long as there is life on my body." Selena continued.

"When you're stressed or if our relationship hits rock bottom, just look at this ring, and think of me and us and what we've been through to get where we are. Always remember that I love you." Selena ended. She carefully puts the ring on Apollo's finger and smiled once it was finished.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest declares.

With joy, all of us cheered when Apollo removed the white veil on Selena and kissed her. Masayang sinalubong ng lahat ang bagong kasal.

****

Matapos ang wedding ceremony nila, agad kaming pumunta sa venue nang reception party at inilunsad ang nasabing party.

The venue was held at the same hotel the acquaintance party once held before. Nagulat ako dahil well managed pa ang hotel at parang hindi pa naluluma ang building from the inside and out. The hotel still feels like it was built recently and it still feels like it has the feel of royalty once you step in inside. Although it was just five years ago since I first experienced this hotel, hindi parin nawawala ang kagandahan neto, and a lot of buildings and hotels lost their grace and charm quickly, not even passing two-three years.

"Nasaan naba sila Michelle? Nakita mo ba sila?" Biglang bumulong si Selena sa tenga ko, nagulat ako pero kumalma ren pagkatapos.

"Ewan eh, sabing papunta na daw pero 30 minutes later wala pa rin." I replied, sipping on the champagne I took from one of the waiters who were serving them to the adult guests.

"Jusko, yung gaga na yon! Bakit pa naman siya late sa araw na ito!" Selena exclaimed and sat down beside me.

Tumingin-tingin kami sa mga tao na nag-eenjoy sa reception party, ang mga bata ay naglalaro kasama ang mga kapwa nilang kaedad, habang ang mga matatanda naman ay panay ang saya kasama ang kapwa din nilang kaedad. As the organizer of this event, this simple moment made me smile even more knowing that I did a good job at my work.

"And now singing one of the bride's favorite songs, her best friend and the organizer of this wedding, Ms. Thalia Ameri!" The host of the reception party announced.

Nanlaki kaagad ang mga mata ko at agad kung tinaasan nang kilay si Selena. She smiled guiltily and instantly pulled the puppy's eyes.

"Pagbigyan mo na ako Thal, araw ko ito. Pleaseee." Aniya. "Sige ka, hindi kita gagawing ninang nang mga future kids ko."

Knowing that it's her special day and technically speaking, she is my client and she holds my paycheck, I sigh in defeat and said, "Gaganti din ako."

Naglakad ako papunta sa stage na may malaking pagkapikon sa mukha. Tinitigan ko ang mikropono na naka lagay sa stand neto sa sentro nang stage.

"Hello everyone, hindi ako marunong kumanta kaya pasensiya na kung umulan mamaya." Biro ko. Tumawa ang lahat, pati si Apollo tumawa rin kasama ang mga guests.

"I didn't know the whole lyrics of the song. When Selena presented this song to me to listen to, she gave me the cover version and not the original song." Aniko.

"Although this song was special to Selena, it was also very special to me and not everybody knows this. After the acquaintance party, this song was with me when Eros was gone." I added.

I noticed that everyone in the room was silent and the jolly mood from before drastically changed. So I forced a smile and said, "Grabe emote ko dito, kakanta na nga ako hahahaha."

The audience cheered for me, their applause felt like a warm embrace that I honestly needed. Sa sobrang stress ko sa trabaho at buhay, kinailangan ko talagang mag-enjoy for once.

Bumontung hininga ako at sinimulang kumanta.

Remember the first time you kissed my lips
I told myself there was nothing better than this

I sang with all my heart without realizing that I was actually connecting the song to my own personal story with a guy that got away.

You looked at me and smiled and I fell so in love

Lahat ng mga alaala ko kay Eros mula sa simula naming pagkita, hanggang sa huli ko siyang nakita bumalik sa akin. Lahat nang mga luha naibuhos ko dahil sa kanya, lahat nang saya na naibigay niya sa akin, naramdaman ko lahat ulit habang kinakanta ko ang awitin na ito.

Do you remember when you held my hand
The feelings that I was feeling I didn't understand

Napatingin ako sa mga taong inaawitan ko, pati din sila parang naaapektuhan din sa kantang inaawit ko. My eyes wandered and saw Selena who somehow looked so proud seeing me on stage while singing. Parang isang proud na ina siyang naka-upo sa upuan sumasabay sa akin at sa musiko.

My eyes wandered again, this time I saw him.

You put your hands on mine, I thought I was yours for life

I saw Apollo who was looking at me while smiling proudly.  I knew that he too felt this song and its message. We both knew that we were supposed to be the endgame, after all, it was already written in the stars, but somehow we didn't. Somehow our story ended with us just being friends.

The beat dialed down and the music started to fade away. At that moment, I knew I was nearing the chorus.

In a another life
I would be your girl
I'll stay by your side and I'll forever hold your hand

Closing my eyes, ibinuhus ko lahat nang emotion ko. Visualizing him was my source of emotion when I sang this song. Naririnig ko na may mga taong nag-checheer sa akin habang kumakanta kaya napangiti ako bigla.

In another life
I would make you stay

This line hit me deeply. Alam kung eto yung lyrics ng kantang inaawit ko ngunit nasaktan parin ako. Ginagawa ko lang naman trabaho ko bilang isang kaibigan pero bakit ako nasasaktan? Gago talaga tung si Selena.

I would hate to say you were the one that got away

In the end, the story of Eros and I might be filled with pain and tears but it was worth it. Kahit na hindi niya ako naisayaw sa party, at kahit na hindi ko siya nakita muli, our time spent together, although short, but still a magical experience.

Eros started out to be my second lead in my very dramatic and quite complicated high school story and now it's safe to say that he became the leading man I deserved.

He was the man that got away—

"Thank you so much for that very emotional performance, Ms. Auza. Grabe naiyak ako don, putik ka Thalia." The host whom I just realized was Keavs, Apollo's best friend and basketball buddy along with Charles, joked.

"Aba sorry Keavs, wala ka palang jowa kaya naiyak ka, char." Biro ko. Keavs and the audience laughed at my comment.

Bago paman maka banat ulit si Keavs biglang bumukas ang pinto at may isang taong pumasok sa event.

"Sorry everyone, I'm late." The person announced.

Napangiti ako nang marinig ko ang boses nang tao. Although I was facing the opposite of where the person is, I was very confident of who it was.

I turned around and was elated to see the person at the doorstep. I waited for this person for so long, I couldn't even remember when it was I started to count the dates. Finally, we're united once and for all.

"GAGO KA MICHELLE, BA'T NGAYON KA LANG!" Selena screamed. She instantly ran towards Michelle and hugged her. I joined her as well and hugged them both. Gantrixy is united!

"Sorry sis, pereng neserepen keme neng hebbeh ke se behey." Biro ni Michelle.

Selena and I were visually disgusted by what Michelle shared with us.

"We might be adults, pero girl di namin kailangan malaman kung anong kalaswaan ginagawa nyo ni Charles." Aniko.

In great timing, Charles jumped in on our conversation and said, "Parang magiging ninang na kayo soon mga gaga! Hahahaha, sharpshooter ako!"

"Gago ka Charles! Hindi namin kailangan marinig yan! Jusko!" Selena exclaimed.

"Hindi lang yan surpresa namin hehehe." Michelle smirked rather menacingly.

"Anong ibig sabihin nyo?" Naitanong ko sa kanila.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. Dressed in a fine red suit reminiscing his suit during that night although this time, his chest was not visible for the public to see. A shining golden engagement ring was visible on his ring finger.

While holding a single Yakult drink in his hand, he said, "Galit ka paba sa akin, fiancee ko?"

Na taasan ko siya nang kilay, he looked so cute while feeling guilty but I need to stay strong.

"Ba't ka nandito? Akala ko may concert tour kapa sa States." I said coldly. Even Selena and Michelle stepped a little back.

"I told my manager to clear my schedule today and for the next four days to be with you." Aniya.

"Kaya wag kanang magalit, sorry na ha." He pouted.

Damn this man, he knows my weaknesses.

"Fine. Nawala naman galit ko kasi naibuhos ko na sa pagkanta ko kanina." Aniko. "Also, give me that yakult."

"Kumanta ka kanina? Sayang diko inabutan." He said in disappointment.

"Hala Eros!! Bro, himala at nandito ka." Apollo laughed and greeted Eros with a hug.

"Galit kasi future misis ko eh, kaya cancel lahat hahahaha." Biro ni Eros. "And also, I can't miss my best friend's wedding!"

"Glad to hear that, kasi nagplaplano na akong hindi umatend sa kasal niyo soon." Apollo teased. He leads Eros to the table where I was sitting earlier and they both sat.

The girls and I followed them while Charles immediately went to the food corner and served his meal.

Habang tinitignan ko ang masaya kung fiance, napangiti ako dahil nandito parin siya at nandito parin ang pag-iibigan naming dalawa.

Eros started out to be my second lead in my very dramatic and quite complicated high school story, but he proved himself and ended up being my one and only.

He was the man that got away but eventually, he came back just as he promised to me a few years ago.

****

A few years ago...

"Eros, Eros please, wag kang bibitaw. Please wag kang bibitaw." I pleaded at the pale Eros who was at death's door.

Mabilis nagmaneho si kuya Macmac patungo sa hospital, pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa kalsada at sa aming dalawa.

"Is he still breathing Thal? Buhay pa ba siya?" Naitanong niya sa akin.

"Yeah, he's still breathing kaya bilisan mo na dyan!" I yelled at my brother.

"I'm driving as fast as I can! Malapit na tayo, kumalma ka lang dyan." He replied.

I glanced at Eros and his face looked haunting as the streetlights illuminated his face as we zoomed past by.

I cried buckets and didn't even care if my makeup was destroyed by my tears or if I look like hell, I just wanted to focus on Eros and his condition.

"Ba't ka umiiyak, Thalia?" Eros' weak voice startled me a little. Hindi ko namalayan na gising na pala siya.

"Gago ka ba? Mamamatay ka na at nagtatanong ka bakit ako umiiyak?" Aniko. "Of course umiiyak ako dahil mahal kita at ayaw kung iwanin mo ako sa mundong ito."

"Parang ikaw yata gago sa ating dalawa." He chuckled but that slight laughter made him cough.

"Wag kang mag-alala Thal, maghintay ka lang at babalik ako sayo nang buhay." He added.

"We don't know that, I don't know that. And that scares me." I cried.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin?" He smiled. "Hindi pa ako mamamatay kasi pakakasalin pa kita sa simbahang una tayong pinagsundo nang Dyos."

"Are you sure? Babalik kaba talaga sa akin? Kasi kahit ilang taon pa yan, hihintayin kita." I sniffed.

"Pangako sa buwan at bituin, babalik ako sayo."

"Then I'll be waiting."

We arrived at the hospital a minute later, they took him to the emergency room. A few minutes later, Eros' mother arrived, we officially met for the first time and she thank me for everything and said that we should head home to rest. I objected at first but she convinced me to leave and head home.

The day after, I learned that they had to go to the states to properly treat Eros' condition. That day, I knew that the waiting game has started.

I waited for him for almost 7 years with few messages and limited calls. I pursued med school, specifically as a surgeon but studied a little bit of business class just in case things don't work out for me as a surgeon. I graduated top of my class and studied for my master's in Australia.

I soon learned that Eros became a successful singer and songwriter in the States but I didn't have the time to listen or even stalk him on the internet. I gradually came to the conclusion that he has forgotten me and moved on with life.

A lot of people told me to stop waiting, but I didn't. Hinintay ko pa rin si Eros at rineject ang mga lalaking gusto akong ligawan. I knew if I just stayed strong and prayed hard, things will turn out well for me, for us.

Thankfully, God answered my prayers.

A year later, I graduated with my master's, before I could move on with my new life as a surgeon, I had to visit Talibon, my hometown before I permanently move to Australia. I wanted to visit the Cathedral one last time and prayed there before my departure the day after.

It was a fine day, since it was the weekdays, only a few people went to the church and pray. As I was praying, someone's hand covered my eyes and blindfolded me. I struggled to break free from this person's grip but the person's hold on me was strong. I was about to yell for help when I heard a specific voice.

"I told you, babalik ako." The voice whispered.

Binitawan niya ako at agad akong lumingon sa kanya. I couldn't help myself when I saw the person behind me, niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit and hindi ako bumitaw. The stranger is the man I have been waiting for. The man was Eros who looked so matured from the last time I saw him but still looked incredibly handsome.

"You're late." I smiled. "You're 7 years late."

We caught up on what's happening with our lives, I told him about our friends, told him about Apollo and Selena's unbreakable relationship, and I also told him about my career. He looked so proud of me and what I have become. We officially started dating two days later after our meet-up. Although most of our relationship was long distanced, we somehow made it work and when we have time, we exerted effort and meet up.

Eros proposed to me after two years of us dating, and of course, I said yes.

****

Present-day

As the party dialed down, and the people went to their separate ways. Eros and I head out to visit the cathedral. With his black model s designed Tesla car, we drove through the streets of Talibon and eventually arrived at our destination. 

We got out of the car and bought two white candles, representing both of us. We lit up the candles and placed them at the public candle holders near the entrance of the church, we prayed right after. Thanking God for everything that He has done for both of us.

Eros suddenly held my hand and said, "Thank you, Thalia."

Surprised, I turned around. Nataasan ko pa siya nang kilay dahil hindi ko naintindihan kung bakit siya nagpapasalamat sa akin.

"What for?" I asked. I looked at him in the eye and our eyes met each other.

"Thank you for waiting." He said. His eyes were filled with joy and love.

"No, thank you for coming back," I replied back while smiling.

We both kissed in the daylight. Incredibly happy that we managed to pull through and survive a big obstacle that threatened our relationship as a whole.

The End...